Book One, Chapter 20: Little Nine in Peril

That night, Lianxiang carried a bowl of warm bird's nest into Shen Rong's room, only to find Shen Rong half-reclining on a daybed, reading a book with intense focus.

Lianxiang subconsciously lightened her footsteps. Her mistress had been working so hard lately, managing the household and reviewing account books, that she was still at it even late at night.

However, as Lianxiang set the bird's nest down beside the daybed and glanced up, her youthful face stiffened. The open book in Shen Rong’s hands displayed vivid, indescribable illustrations of intertwined bodies, depicted with startling, scandalous realism.

Lianxiang’s face flushed scarlet. She guiltily glanced toward