When Rongrong finally calmed down, she found herself back on the bed, the covers pulled up snugly.

The room was warm, thanks to the charcoal burner, and it seemed that Liuli had even added more charcoal before leaving.

Liuli had likely given some instructions before leaving, but Rongrong couldn’t remember a single word of them now.

The moment the Prince had picked her up and carried her out, her mind had been in chaos.

At times, she felt as if she were Jing Rong, being tenderly embraced by the Crown Prince on the dragon bed.

At other times, she felt like herself, Xue Rongrong, but actively trying to seduce the Crown Prince.

Various confusing thoughts flashed through her mind, giving her a headache.

Sitting up, she noticed a tray beside her pillow with a white porcelain bowl containing brownish soup.

She sniffed it and guessed it was a calming tonic, but it had long since cooled. She didn’t care and drank it quickly.

The cold liquid helped clear her muddled mind a bit.

She couldn’t remember how everyone had reacted when they saw her with the Crown Prince, nor what the Crown Prince’s expression had been when he carried her.

The Crown Prince—he must have remained his usual indifferent self.

He was like a celestial being, unaffected by worldly things.

But why had he carried her?

If he were like Xie Yuanchu, she wouldn’t be surprised if he carried her around the Marquis’s residence.

But he was a distant person who avoided intimacy.

Today, he personally came to apply the medicine for her, which could be explained by the fact that only he could apply this particular ointment, yet he still carried her out.

Why did he carry her out? Rongrong was tormented by the question, unable to stop thinking about it.

She knew the answer, of course. She caught his eye.

In her previous life, she hadn’t known what had caught his attention.

Now, even in a different guise, she seemed to fit his liking. It was as if it was destined for him to love her.

But Rongrong understood that fitting his preference was merely that—nothing more.

While people who caught his eye were rare, she was not the only one.

Just look at Yuanbao’s biological mother—she had also caught his eye.

Rongrong leaned against the side of the bed, her face full of bitterness.

Her only thought was to leave the Marquis’s residence as soon as possible and get away from the trouble.

The dream of “just fitting his preference” was over.

Determined, Rongrong resolved to leave.

She felt awake and started packing her things.

There wasn’t much she could take with her—most of the jewelry and clothing were given by the Marquis’s residence and had to be returned when she redeemed herself.

She had prepared ahead, adding two sets of winter clothes, though they weren’t of high quality, they were lined with new cotton and would keep her warm.

She had also sent two extra quilts to Huaihua Lane in advance.

She would no longer have access to a charcoal burner after leaving the residence, so she needed to ensure she had enough warm clothing and bedding.

After finishing her preparations, she lay down on the bed.

As soon as daylight came, she planned to visit Xie Yuanchu with the thirty taels of silver she had gathered.

Last night, Xinzhu had accompanied Xie Yuanchu throughout the play.

Knowing Rongrong’s current status, Xinzhu immediately went to inform Xie Yuanchu of her arrival when she showed up.

Xie Yuanchu, who hadn’t yet gotten out of bed, was instantly awake when he heard that Rongrong had arrived.

He quickly dressed and went out to meet her.

Luckily, Rongrong had seen Xie Yuanchu in disarray before, so she wasn’t startled by his hurried appearance.

She simply kept her head down and placed the money on the table.

“Master, I’ve brought the money for my release. Please check if it’s the right amount,” Rongrong said.

Xie Yuanchu didn’t immediately respond to her request but looked at her with concern. “You came all the way here by yourself?”

Rongrong only wanted to discuss her release, but since Xie Yuanchu wasn’t addressing the issue, she could only nod.

Xie Yuanchu was immediately alarmed. “Don’t you know that those using the Celestial Bone-Setting Ointment should remain still and avoid walking? If you keep moving around, your injury will never heal properly!”

His words sounded familiar.

Rongrong recalled what Liuli had advised her the previous night, but Xie Yuanchu’s stern tone made her think her leg might be permanently damaged.

She lowered her head, unsure of what to say.

Seeing her distressed, Xie Yuanchu softened his expression and reassured her, “What happened yesterday was an accident. There’s no need to be overly anxious. The Crown Prince is treating your injury personally because he is the most knowledgeable about the Celestial Bone-Setting Ointment, and because Yuanbao has been concerned about your leg injury.”

Rongrong remained silent, not easily persuaded.

Seeing her stubbornness, Xie Yuanchu sighed, “Fine, if you want to be released, I’ll arrange it. But if you’re leaving the residence, I’ll send Xin Zhu with you. Don’t walk by yourself again.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“Don’t thank me just yet. I need to make it clear that even though you’ve been released, any arrangements regarding leaving the residence must follow my instructions,” Xie Yuanchu added.

As long as she could be released and leave the residence, Rongrong was agreeable.

Xie Yuanchu had Rongrong sit down and handed her the release papers that had been prepared in advance.

Rongrong looked at the papers, quickly tore them into pieces, and threw them into the charcoal burner.

She felt relieved only when the fragments turned to ashes.

For the first time in two lifetimes, she was truly free.

“Rongrong, congratulations,” Xie Yuanchu said, seeing her joyful and excited expression, and he couldn’t help but feel happy for her.

Rongrong looked at Xie Yuanchu and sincerely bowed to him, “Master, thank you.”

To be released, not only did she need enough money, but also the consent of her master.

Without Xie Yuanchu’s help, she wouldn’t have been able to secure her release so quickly.

Xie Yuanchu’s expression darkened upon hearing this. “Who told you to bow? Sit down.”

Rongrong quickly sat back down, and Xie Yuanchu instructed Xinshu to bring in a young maid—Chunxing.

Chunxing, having been at the Marquis’s residence for some time, looked well-nourished and her clothes were nicer, appearing more elegant than when she was at the estate.

When she saw Rongrong, Chunxing’s face brightened with a smile as she greeted her respectfully and then stood quietly beside her.

“If you insist on leaving the residence, I won’t stop you. However, you must not move around. Chunxing will attend to you. Once your leg is healed, you can return to the Marquis’s residence.”

Xie Yuanchu’s arrangements were very considerate.

Rongrong thought for a moment and said, “Miss Liuli said my leg will heal in about a month, so I’ll cover Chunxing’s wages for this month.”

“Oh, so you’re getting rich just from being released?”

Rongrong felt embarrassed when Xie Yuanchu teased her and lowered her head.

“The Marquis’s residence doesn’t lack the few coins for Chunxing. If you really care about her, keep the money for yourselves and buy something good to eat and drink,” Xie Yuanchu insisted, and Rongrong stopped refusing.

Both Liuli and Xie Yuanchu were very clear in their words.

Her legs definitely couldn’t touch the ground, and even if she wanted to preserve her dignity, her legs were the most important.

She would remember their kindness and repay it slowly in the future.

After Xie Yuanchu made the arrangements with Rongrong, Chunxing went back to Rongrong’s side room to collect her and her own belongings, then called for a strong servant to come over.

The servant carried Rongrong to the back door of the Marquis’s residence.

A green canopy carriage was already waiting there.

Chunxing helped Rongrong into the carriage, and Xinzhu personally drove them to Huaihua Alley.

Since they hadn’t informed Boss Mei in advance, no one in the courtyard had given Rongrong the key.

They only went to find Boss Mei.

After waiting for about half an hour, Mei Ningxiang finally arrived with the key.

Her residence was adjacent to this small courtyard, not far away.

However, Rongrong noticed from her lazy eyes that she had just woken up.

As a merchant who did not wear silk, Boss Mei’s cotton coat, though made of cloth, was exquisitely embroidered and well-tailored, looking even more refined than silk clothes.

Coupled with her rabbit fur cloak, she did not look like a merchant but more like a lady from a noble family.

Rongrong sighed inwardly, envying Boss Mei’s comfortable life and feeling a bit self-satisfied as well.

She too could live such a life in the future. Both being women from the palace, if Mei Ningxiang could live well, so could she.

After all, back in the palace, Jing Rong had been the top-ranked maid in the Imperial Garden examination—a prestigious and rare title.

However, her luck was not as good as Mei Ningxiang’s.

While Mei Ningxiang had honed her embroidery skills at the Imperial Clothing Bureau, she herself had perfected her skills in the Etiquette Room.

Although she was skilled in cooking, she did not want to work as a cook in a big household.

She was at a loss and decided to put the matter aside for now.

“They all need to live here, but this one room might not be enough for three people,” Mei Ningxiang said, leading Rongrong upstairs, opening the door, and holding the key while glancing at Xinzhu and Chunxing beside Rongrong.

Xinzhu took the key and explained, “Boss Mei misunderstood. I was sent by the Marquis’s wife to bring Miss Xue here. Since Miss Xue’s leg is inconvenient, Chunxing is here to take care of her.” Xin Zhu’s voice was not low, so everyone in the courtyard could hear him.