The scroll contains matters concerning the discipline of the Investigation Factory, requiring him to list items to impose restrictions. In the future, the Investigation Factory will add a rich layer of color to the Daqing Dynasty.

The young lady didn’t care about him, gracefully stepped over the threshold, entered, and casually sat on the pear wood carved chair, her long jade legs naturally crossed, appearing very relaxed.

Ming Yan stood respectfully behind the young lady.

In front of the study is a sycamore tree, with a small bamboo grove behind, and the carved and hollowed-out windows are open, with the sandalwood curtains hung up.

Beneath the north window is an exquisite mottled bamboo couch, ideal for reclining and enjoying the bamboo forest.

The late July summer breeze blew in, not feeling hot at all.

In the center hangs a piece of wild cursive calligraphy, the dragon and phoenix fonts are exceptionally beautiful, with a red stamp in the lower right corner reading: Bai He.

Turns out it’s the masterpiece of Master Bai He, a piece that’s hard to come by even for a fortune.

Ye Zhi, while at the Upper Imperial College, heard Mr. Qin mention the master’s name, glanced at the busy Little Traitor: "Xiao Chen, this painting is quite expensive, isn’t it? Although my studies aren’t that great, I’ve heard of Master Bai He’s reputation."

A voice as soft as a cat reached Shen Chen’s ears.

He responded lightly: "Gift from the Emperor on the day of the palace examinations, it didn’t cost anything."

Ye Zhi fiddled with the Ruyi Embroidery Pouch tied at her waist, nodded: "That’s good. Actually, I don’t quite understand the integrity of your scholars. Mr. Qin mentioned that Master Bai He’s paintings are worth a fortune. When I’m married into the Shen Mansion, I naturally have to be a housekeeper and spend money where it should be spent."

After all,~

In the future, with Xiao Chenchen, education will be important and a lot of silver will be spent. This sentence, though poised, she held back from saying out loud, not wanting Little Traitor to think she’s rash.

Would Xiao Chenchen be as adorable as Xiao Ah Che? Thinking about it, she couldn’t help but laugh.

Upon learning that she was to marry Little Traitor, Ye Zhi truly planned to reform, cutting back on cosmetics expenses, and not buying clothes and jewelry as generously as before. The silver her mother gave her was saved up to ensure better days ahead.

What she didn’t know was that Shen Chen’s secret business ventures grew larger, so he really didn’t need her to save that little bit of money.

The youthful figure of gold and jade continued writing without pause, indifferent and devoid of any emotion: "I listen to you."

Ye Zhi was angered and questioned: "Can’t you stop for a moment? Ever since I came in, you’ve been writing all along, is this how you treat your fiancée?"

Having spoken, she regretted a little...

The Little Traitor before her lifted his eyelids, his gaze chillingly thin, foretelling an impending storm.

And yet.

One side, Ming Yan hadn’t noticed this, and chimed in alongside her lady: "Exactly, my lord, you should also be considerate of your fiancée. There’s quite a distance between Ye Mansion and Shen Mansion. To see you, our lady runs back and forth frequently, worried you might be captivated by other women outside, and the madam has even spoken of it."

"Just like today, she snuck out."

The sharpness in the young man’s eyes at the table dimmed: "Oh, then what do you want me to do?"

This time, Ming Yan began to notice that the lord’s expression wasn’t favorable and quickly hid behind the lady, whispering like a mosquito: "Spend more time with the lady."

Outside, the sun was blazing, yet the air inside the study suddenly felt oppressive.

The maid feared him, but Ye Zhi didn’t, her bright grape-like eyes met Shen Chen’s: "Ming Yan is right."

Shen Chen’s expression was unreadable, his calm danfeng eyes like a pool of dead water, depthless.