「The next morning.」
Shen Lang was woken by the chirping of birds outside her window.
'So early in the morning, can't a person get a good night's sleep?'
She yawned, stretched, and called out, "Ngh... Someone."
...
...
The chirping grew louder.
A long while passed, but not a soul appeared.
Shen Lang paused.
'Right, so much for that.'
'But hey, if no one saw it, then it's not me who should be embarrassed.'
As if nothing had happened, Shen Lang got out of bed and did things herself, unhurriedly applying her makeup and styling her hair into a married woman's bun.
'After all, Shen Huoshui is a married woman now.'
The woman in the bronze mirror had cheeks like fresh lychees and a delicate nose. Her skin was like ice, her bones like jade, and her eyes shimmered like spring water. She carried the gentle, swaying grace of a dew-kissed hibiscus and the glittering, whirling dance of a jade butterfly.
Shen Lang was ready to go out.
Then, just as she pushed the door open, she saw the man standing before her.
"Not heading to court?" Shen Lang raised an eyebrow.
"Where are you going?" Qing Mei frowned.
Given that the circumstances of their acquaintance were less than ideal, Qing Mei's trust in Shen Lang was currently at zero.
There was no telling when this woman might decide to cuckold him.
"It's best if the Prime Minister doesn't concern himself with my affairs." Shen Lang pushed his hand away and started walking on her own, then glanced back to add, "When I grow tired of you, I'll be sure to let you know. I won't let you be made a cuckold in ignorance."
Qing Mei: "..." 'Something about those words feels off.'
Acting as if no one else existed, Shen Lang walked out of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Her elegant, composed, and utterly disdainful demeanor was so commanding that not a single guard in the Prime Minister's Mansion dared to stop her.
When Shen Lang married into the mansion, she hadn't brought Cui Sheng with her. The business she was engaged in now was the kind that could get her beheaded, and a single misstep could implicate countless others.
If Cui Sheng had come along, she would undoubtedly be among those dragged down. Shen Huoshui didn't want to implicate Cui Sheng.
This led to the awkward situation where the dignified Prime Minister's Wife had no trusted personal maid by her side.
What was even more awkward, however, was that even if she went out, very few people would recognize her as the Prime Minister's Wife.
Shen Lang: "..."
'That's fine, too.'
'Makes it easier for me to run wild.'
Still, out of respect for the original owner's reputation, she put on a slight disguise—a veil.
She was browsing a rather famous shop when a startled voice suddenly called out from behind her.
"...Sister?"
Recognized in a single glance, Shen Lang thought: "..."
'Well, so much for the disguise.'
'This vexing female lead.'
Yu Ge approached with delicate steps, covering her lips as she chuckled softly. "Sister, what are you doing here all alone? ...It's only been one day since your wedding. Why isn't the Prime Minister accompanying you?"
Shen Lang flicked her silky-smooth black hair, her curly lashes fluttering slightly. Her red lips parted, coolly uttering four words: "...None of your business."
Yu Ge: "..."
Seemingly stunned by those crude words, Yu Ge's lips trembled, and a flash of disbelief crossed her eyes.
"You... you... How can you be so vulgar..."
"You flatter me, little sister. I was just trying to show off in front of a master."
Yu Ge: "..." 'She'd have to be an idiot not to understand the meaning behind those words.'
"Sister, while you're browsing, have you seen any treasures you like? As it happens, His Majesty has already sent a great deal of betrothal gifts to my mansion. If you see anything you fancy, Sister, I can buy it for you."
She had only meant to show off and make a polite gesture, but she never expected...
"That one." Without even lifting her gaze, Shen Lang casually pointed to the round, translucent, and brilliantly glowing Luminous Pearl.
She had been eyeing this Luminous Pearl since before Yu Ge arrived. It was perfectly round and exquisitely beautiful, but its price was rather insulting.
'Now that a perfect sucker has arrived, why wouldn't she take advantage?'