I awkwardly pulled at the corner of my mouth, laughing stupidly: “I was just joking. Go ahead, what do you want to bet on?”
Qi Chenxuan raised an eyebrow triumphantly and said with a smile: “They say men handle external affairs and women manage the household. I want to bet whether you can manage the inner affairs of the prince’s mansion within three months!”
Manage the inner affairs?
Is he asking me to be a steward?
Damn, what a thought…
…
Betting with me, you’re doomed.
I rolled my eyes directly at him, responding impatiently: “Why would I bet on this? Are you bored? Or are you planning to pay me a salary?”
“Salary?” Qi Chenxuan frowned in confusion.
Oops! I forgot they don’t use that term in ancient times…
“Hehe—” I pulled at the corner of my mouth, laughing awkwardly: “I mean monthly stipend! So, how much are you planning to give me each month?”
Qi Chenxuan looked at me with disdain: “Woman, did you not see money in your previous life?”
I pouted and glared at him: “What’s wrong with that?”
Qi Chenxuan was somewhat impatient: “Forget it, I can’t be bothered arguing with you. Here’s the deal, if you win, I’ll give you double the monthly stipend, and if you lose…”
“What?” I raised an eyebrow and asked.
Qi Chenxuan slightly curled his lips and declared confidently: “This prince wants you to personally serve me for a month!” His expression suggested he was certain he would win!
I shook my head without hesitation…
“You don’t want to bet?” Qi Chenxuan was somewhat surprised!
“Wrong!” I corrected him with a smile: “I’ll bet, but I want to change the terms!”
“What terms?” Qi Chenxuan raised an eyebrow, indicating for me to continue. It seemed he was quite open to negotiation…
I pulled at my lips and boldly proposed my conditions: “If I win, you’ll give me ten times the monthly stipend. If I lose, I’ll serve you for a month as you said!”
Surprisingly, he didn’t even furrow his brow and readily agreed: “Okay, as you wish!” After all, his prince’s mansion had nothing but money…
Ha! This foolish fellow thinks he can stump me, but he’s underestimating Fei Xiaoran too much. I’m a graduate of economic management from a top university, though I did surprise everyone when I passed the exam!
“Hand it over—”
I raised an eyebrow triumphantly and extended my hand.
“What?” Qi Chenxuan frowned in confusion.
I replied matter-of-factly: “A token or jade pendant that symbolizes your identity. Without anything, how can the servants possibly listen to my arrangements?”
…
Who knew he would coolly drop just two words: “None!”
“What, none?” I opened my eyes in disbelief, unable to help raising my voice. In my excitement, even a curse slipped out: “Damn, without anything, how am I supposed to do anything!”
Qi Chenxuan blinked his fan-shaped long eyelashes and asked in confusion: “What does ‘damn’ mean?
And how can a woman have ‘damn’ and ‘anything’ on her lips? How vulgar?”
“This, this…” I scratched my head, wanting to laugh but unable to…
Qi Chenxuan grew more puzzled, persistently asking: “What’s so difficult about explaining a single word?”
“Hehe… actually, it’s just, just a modal particle!” After thinking for a long time, this was the only explanation I could come up with!
“Modal particle?” He was about to ask further.
I hurriedly explained: “Like when we usually say ‘ah, oh, ah, hey—’ It’s a way to emphasize the tone of speech. Do you understand now?
Qi Chenxuan seemed to have a sudden realization and nodded, then immediately said, “Damn, I get it now! That’s what it means!”
I was instantly speechless!
Seeing my expression, Qi Chenxuan couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong? Did I use it incorrectly?”
I forced a smile, shaking my head and waving my hand, “Hehe… No, no! You used it perfectly, perfectly…”
“Not bad, you’ve used this word quite impressively!” Someone nodded, drawing his own conclusion.
“Yes, yes!” I laughed awkwardly in agreement, then suddenly remembered something and immediately dropped my smile, asking seriously, “By the way, we haven’t resolved the previous issue yet!”
“What issue?” Qi Chenxuan raised an eyebrow and looked at me!
“The power issue!” I rolled my eyes impatiently: “Even an emperor needs the imperial seal to ascend the throne.”
You’re giving me nothing, so how am I supposed to manage this household? Do you really think I can command everyone just by talking? Come on, you’re giving me too much credit!”
……
Ability vs. Mouth: Which is More Powerful
Qi Chenxuan laughed and shook his head, “No need to complicate things!”
“What do you mean?” I blinked in confusion, staring at him intently.
Qi Chenxuan shrugged, “Although you’re just a concubine, you’re still a mistress. No one would dare disobey your orders!”
I pursed my lips, glaring at him unhappily, “Haven’t you heard the saying ‘if the name is not correct, words will not flow’? Even if they listen to my arrangements, they’ll definitely have opinions. They’ll be one way to my face and another behind my back. How can I do my work?”
“Also, will you not interfere with any of my decisions?”
Qi Chenxuan nodded and promised, “Don’t worry, as long as it’s not too outrageous, I absolutely won’t interfere. I want to see if your ability is as impressive as your mouth!”
I confidently patted his shoulder, “Rest assured, this lady… no, this wife will definitely not disappoint you! You’d better prepare plenty of silver notes to send my way! Haha…
“Knock, knock, knock—”
The door knocked, and two maids entered, one carrying hot water, the other holding towels. They said, “Your Highness, the hot water has been brought.”
Qi Chenxuan used his eyes to warn me to remove my hand from his shoulder, then called to the door, “Come in!”
I rolled my eyes dismissively and reluctantly withdrew my hand.
Ah! Being born into a wealthy family is truly fortunate. They even have maids personally attending to washing one’s face.
I said seriously: “I’m envious. What, is that not allowed? People like you, falling in love with whoever you meet, are just lustful and irresponsible. You’ll never understand what true love is in your entire life!”
Someone dismissively curled their lips and said: “Hmph, as if you understand!”
“I… I don’t understand, and I don’t want to understand! The god of love has never favored me, and I no longer have any fantasies or hopes about love…”
After speaking, I gloomily picked up the teacup, poured myself some water, and drank it, only to spit it out the next second. I cursed: “Damn, is this cold water something a person should drink!”
Qi Chenxuan couldn’t help but burst out laughing: “Have you seen anyone come to change the hot water since you entered the room? After a night, how could it not be cold? Did you expect it to heat itself?”
“Who says water left overnight can’t maintain its heat?” I was angry. Damn it, what kind of broken time and space is this, not even having a thermos!
Someone raised an eyebrow with interest: “So, you have a way to keep water hot?”
“Of, of course!” I raised my head and spoke loudly, though one could hear that the deliberately raised voice was somewhat lacking in confidence! In modern times, keeping water hot is not difficult at all – just use a thermos. However, in ancient times, if he asked me to demonstrate on the spot, where would I find such things…
Fortunately, a knock came from outside, and a middle-aged man’s voice rang out: “Your Highness, the servants are already in the front courtyard. Please proceed with the madam!”
The servants, suddenly called together, didn’t know what major event had occurred. They whispered to each other, making the front courtyard noisy…
Only when Qi Chenxuan pulled me out did the chaotic scene quiet down. Everyone lowered their heads, their expressions both nervous and uneasy!
