The Chattering Maid of a Treacherous Official

[Revised and polished; the plot has been changed. Pirated versions may differ.] Weibo: @Jinjiang Muruchu My new book, A Concubine's Daughter's Laid-Back Days, is a super-sweet childhood-friends romance. Come check it out! (A resourceful maid who can be meek or bold, has one goal in life: making money, and never stops talking × a ruthless, taciturn, double-standard, love-struck, beautiful but tragic madman) Pei Yuanzhen was a treacherous minister. He manipulated court politics, was ruthless, and had countless lives on his hands. Even the young emperor on the throne was wrapped around his little finger. From the court above to the streets below, everyone trembled at the name Pei and spoke of him with wary discretion. . Shen Zhizhi had just been sold into the Pei residence as a kitchen maid. All she wanted was to save up enough money to buy her freedom and marry an honest man. One day, Pei Yuanzhen was in a foul mood, and all the maids serving him were too terrified to go near him. In a panic, the cook in charge of meals grabbed Shen Zhizhi and coaxed her. “Girl, if you can make sure the master enjoys his meal, the steward will reward you with two taels of silver afterward.” Shen Zhizhi's eyes lit up, and she went in for the reward. She looked at the gloomy man sitting upright in his armchair and said softly, “My lord, dinner is ready.” Pei Yuanzhen lifted his eyes coldly. Shen Zhizhi tucked her chin in, then thought for a moment and plucked up her courage to recite a little verse about not getting angry: “My lord, don't be angry. If you get sick, no one can take your place. If you die of anger, who would be happy? Besides, it hurts your body and wastes your strength. If you pound the table and kick the stools in a rage, even if you're right, you'll end up in the wrong. Life is hard enough as it is; what a shame to mistreat yourself... My lord, it's time for dinner.” Pei Yuanzhen: “…” Outside the door, the steward, cook, and maids all knelt in terror. They were certain the girl was about to be killed on the spot. But instead of spilling her blood, Shen Zhizhi rose from a kitchen maid to become the apple of the treacherous minister Pei's eye. . He had spent his life steeped in grief and resentment, willingly sinking into darkness. Later, she accompanied him through muddy nights and countless storms of snow. Only then did Pei Yuanzhen understand that the world held more than hatred and vengeance. It also held the warmth of everyday life. A little bonus scene: Recently, the civil and military officials at court noticed that the Chief Minister had become more and more unpredictable. They were all on edge. Someone made inquiries in private and finally learned the reason. Apparently, a little maid had gone missing from his residence. The officials: ??? At a corner by the city gate, Pei Yuanzhen sat astride his horse, his icy gaze fixed on the audacious woman. Shen Zhizhi, who had bought her freedom less than two days ago: QAQ I was going to find an honest man to marry... This story is entered in the Growth and Comeback Writing Contest. Reason for entry: The heroine is a kitchen maid who dreams of buying her freedom and living on her own terms. She works hard and saves money. While accompanying the hero south to investigate a case, she uses her intelligence and ingenuity to help him plan, earning his trust and admiration. In the end, she and the hero stand side by side against the villain, fall in love, and spend their lives together. The heroine grows from a maid into the hero's equal, turning her life around. *Reading Guide* 1. Both leads are each other's first and only, and they remain devoted to each other. 2. The heroine is silly and funny, but the story itself is fairly serious. No angst, just lots of sweetness. 3. The leads aren't perfect, and some plot points may make readers uncomfortable, so please read with care. ----------The following is a new story------------ Reborn for a Life of Love Sweet, gentle girl × devoted, fatherly husband When A Li was born, the Prince Rui's household took her in to be their son's future wife. They had arranged a childhood betrothal. Supposedly, the heir to Prince Rui's household had come to her first-birthday banquet, thought she was adorable, and begged his mother to let him marry her. The adults laughed, then went ahead and made the arrangement. A Li thought it was perfectly fine. Brother Rong Ci was handsome and talented. He taught her to read and write, gave her beautiful dresses, and sometimes even sneaked her treats. Later, the emperor died without an heir, and Prince Rui ascended the throne. Brother Rong Ci became the crown prince. Everyone said A Li was lucky to have landed a crown princess's title without lifting a finger. A Li was unhappy with that. How had she gotten it without lifting a finger? Just yesterday, the crown prince had made her cry in his carriage. . Everyone said that Crown Prince Rong Ci was graceful and extraordinary, as gentle as jade. But only Rong Ci knew the truth: he was a ghost who had clawed his way out of a mountain of corpses. Rong Ci had been married to A Li in two lifetimes, but in the first, he had been obsessed with power and neglected her in the rear courtyard. His A Li had managed the household without complaint or resentment, and later, when his enemies framed him, she died a tragic death in a foreign land with him. Reborn in his previous life, he had carefully plotted his way forward and personally killed his enemies, finally gaining absolute power. But when he turned around and tried to make it up to A Li, it was too late. She was gravely ill and had passed away. Now he had been reborn once more. This time, he arranged his betrothal to A Li early. He would have both power and A Li! He would give her a lifetime of luxury and love! *Reading Guide* A Li's full name is Song Jinning. The male lead is reborn and retains memories of all three lifetimes. He appears refined and gentle, but is ruthless beneath the surface and loves his wife more than life itself. The heroine is sweet, well-behaved, and gentle, like a little white flower. There is an eight-year age gap between the leads. The story begins with them growing up together. Theme: Even if you fall into the mud, never forget your responsibilities and beliefs.