Chapter 246: Chapter 246

How much can one person truly endure?

In the case of this second sister from the original body, it was demonstrated to the absolute extreme. Even An Ning couldn't help but feel admiration.

With few matters requiring attention in the prince's mansion, aside from daily eating, drinking, and entertainment, An Ning would occasionally peek through the system when bored.

Watching the young woman on screen dressed in elegant jade-green ceremonial robes, still dignified and proper, cheerfully conversing as a gracious hostess at the banquet.

Clearly knowing that everyone around her, even the serving servants, were merely spies sent by the Duke of Cheng'en's household, every move in daily life was under the Huang family's surveillance, with nothing but fear and apprehension in daily interactions.

Having been married into the household for nearly three years, still without children, even her originally normal menstrual cycles were gradually becoming irregular. Every month during her period, she would experience knife-like abdominal pain, and her body was weakening day by day...

Yang Yuan was never a foolish person. How could she not have suspicions in such circumstances?

Moreover, based on An Ning's observations, the other party clearly understood some medical principles.

Ancient contraceptive medicine was already harmful to the body, and sterilization drugs undoubtedly had even stronger effects. Considering Second Sister Yang's current physical condition, to ensure absolute success, the Duke of Cheng'en's household definitely showed no mercy when they acted back then...

In such circumstances, it was obvious her husband, the current young master of the Duke of Cheng'en's household, couldn't possibly be completely unaware.

Yet despite this, this Second Miss Yang could still smile warmly and engage intimately with him, pretending to be completely unaware of everything.

Staring fixedly at the gently smiling woman on the screen:

With such mental fortitude, An Ning had no doubt that if she had hesitated even slightly that day, hadn't promptly separated from the system, or hadn't outright exposed everything, the other party might have had a chance to turn the situation around.

What a pity, there are no ifs in life...

Skillfully arranging the freshly picked red peonies that the little maid gathered this morning into the jade vase in her hand, a breeze brushed past, making the flowers still carrying morning dew tremble slightly. Under the warm spring sun, they appeared exceptionally vibrant and beautiful.

Satisfied, she set down the jade vase, ignoring the large hand that had somehow appeared at her waist. An Ning turned and happily instructed Chun Xia and the others.

Well... the weather was nice today, suitable for going out. It was time to go back and visit her beautiful mother.

And her dear little friend—early this year, the Grand Princess had just arranged a marriage for Yunjia with the legitimate youngest son of a minister's family. Last year, he had just passed the imperial examination as a second-rank scholar, quite a talented young man.

An Ning had specifically gone to take a look earlier—his appearance was quite good, and his manners were refined and polite. Most importantly, Yunjia had previously come to secretly tell her that Lord Wen had promised that they could establish a separate residence once she married.

If the area near the prince's mansion weren't so crowded with no available space, Mu Yang would have loved to move her residence directly opposite the prince's mansion.

Even so, when finally choosing a location, she still picked somewhere nearby, just separated from the prince's mansion by a single street. The round trip by carriage took less than fifteen minutes.

Of course, it was also very close to the Grand Princess's residence.

In short, visiting each other in the future would be extremely convenient.

After the residence was completely settled, Mu Yang, this girl, even showed less resistance toward the impending marriage.

A wave of warm fragrance passed by as An Ning once again affectionately threw herself into her dear mother's embrace. Her words came out sweet and sticky, as if dipped through multiple layers of honey:

"Mother, mother, quickly say it—did you miss me or not..."

Stealing a glance at her tall, jade-like son-in-law standing nearby and seeing him smiling with eyes full of warmth as he looked at her daughter, showing no displeasure, Yu Shi finally affectionately pulled her precious daughter toward the inner room.

As for Situ Jing nearby? Well... her father-in-law's chess skills were exquisite—nothing wrong with learning more from him.

Only after both groups had left did Old Lady Yang in the front hall finally rub her aching lower back, which she had nearly strained from standing up too quickly earlier.

Obviously, even after seeing it several times, the elderly lady's trembling old heart still couldn't quite adapt to her cheap granddaughter returning home so frequently after marriage.

They say that after marriage, women should follow their husbands. Once married, they become part of another family. Being able to return home two or three times a year already shows great generosity from the husband's family and mother-in-law. None were like her granddaughter, who seemed uncomfortable if she didn't return every ten days or half month.

Otherwise, she would take her unlucky daughter-in-law out having fun everywhere.

How old was she already? Like a child not yet weaned, seemingly unable to leave her mother normally. Could one find any noble young lady in the entire capital ?

And yet, who knew what the prince was thinking, actually indulging her all day long.

Thinking of her noble grandson-in-law who personally accompanied them seven or eight times out of ten visits, making her elderly self nervous, and personally came to pick them up the remaining one or two times when he couldn't stay...

As the little maid behind her diligently massaged her waist, the elderly lady in the room sighed deeply again.

Forget it, she was too old to manage this anyway.

Zhang Ma nearby: "..."

Not to mention the father-in-law and son-in-law having a "pleasant conversation" in the study, after happily enjoying lunch with her mother and nestling in the beauty's embrace for quite a while...

Time never felt enough when with people you enjoyed being with. In just a short period, mother and daughter had endless private matters to discuss.

All kinds of trivial matters became fresh and interesting.

It wasn't until evening that An Ning reluctantly got on the carriage back.

Only after her sister-in-law's magnificent procession completely disappeared from view did Sister-in-law Lin of the east courtyard reluctantly withdraw her gaze.

Just thinking of the scene moments ago, Lin Shi's expression became somewhat dazed.

They say marriage is undoubtedly a threshold for women.

Yet after just half a year of marriage into the prince's household, her sister-in-law's beauty hadn't diminished in the slightest—instead, it had become even more radiant.

Bright and brilliant, pure and exquisite—even from a distance, one could feel its warmth.

"Young Madam, it's time for your medicine..."

While Lin Shi was momentarily dazed, the maid nearby had already brought over a bowl of dark, bitter medicinal liquid.

The small room was soon filled with the bitter scent of traditional medicine, but the young woman before them didn't hesitate at all, downing it in one go.

Seeing her young mistress , the old matron nearby couldn't help but hesitate to speak.

"This... Young Madam, it's been three years since the eldest daughter's birth. You've recuperated quite well. Shouldn't we consider the matter of heirs..."

The old matron spoke with heartfelt concern, but the response was the other party's immediate shake of the head.

Gently holding her sleeping young daughter, Lin Shi's usually gentle brows showed not the slightest relaxation:

"No need, Xu Ma. Don't I know my own body's condition?"

Her body had been fundamentally weakened when giving birth to the eldest daughter. The physician said she needed several years of careful recuperation. For this, she had even returned the housekeeping authority she had obtained.

Besides, several years had already passed—why rush now?

No matter how important heirs were, could they compare to her health?

Thinking of her charming and lively sister-in-law from earlier, and her mother-in-law who still possessed peerless elegance despite her age, Lin Shi's eyes unconsciously revealed some brilliance.

If there was one most important thing she had learned from her mother-in-law over these years of marriage, it was to value herself...

Seeing Xu Ma still looking worried nearby, Lin Shi couldn't help but laugh softly. Her usually elegant face unconsciously took on a clear, proud expression:

"Don't worry, Mama. My Lin family has served as officials for generations. Although my father's official position doesn't compare to father-in-law's, several uncles combined are no ordinary figures."

"With my husband's temperament, as long as the Lin family remains, he would absolutely never do anything improper!"

Admittedly, Lin Shi asked herself—did she envy the two existing great beauties? Naturally, she did.

Even without her mother-in-law and sister-in-law's city-toppling beauty, she, as a daughter of the Lin family, had her own cards to play. She could also live her current life comfortably...

So what if her husband valued profit? For her, this might not be a bad thing.