"What kind of status are you talking about?" Zhao Zhangru still didn't grasp Miao Ansu's meaning. No matter how hard she wracked her brain, she couldn't think of any proper reason to convince her father to let her stay at the Marquis' residence every day.
Instead, Dou Zhao lifted her head and cast a meaningful glance at Miao Ansu, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile curling at the corner of her lips.
"After all, you and Dou Zhao are cousins… why let the water flow away from the field? At worst… at worst…" Miao Ansu pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and said carefully, "Why not marry into the Marquis' residence, then you'd have your status?"
"Marry into the Marquis' residence… you mean become the Marquis' concubine?" Zhao Zhangru sprang up abruptly, a look of bewilderment on her face, her eyes wide as she stared at Miao Ansu and asked.
"If you don't want to, forget it… why so fierce?" Miao Ansu was startled by Zhao Zhangru's reaction, quickly shrinking her neck and speaking softly.
Originally, she wanted to test Dou Zhao's attitude toward the Marquis taking concubines. If Dou Zhao was generous enough to accept it, she could then use that as a stepping stone to recommend herself.
But she feared that if she spoke out too directly, it might damage the bond between the sisters, so she took a roundabout approach.
After all, besides being close friends, Zhao Zhangru and Dou Zhao were also inseparable cousins; their relationship was even deeper than with herself.
If Dou Zhao accepted Zhao Zhangru entering the Marquis' residence as a concubine, then she could naturally step forward to express her own wishes.
If Dou Zhao refused, then the bond between the cousins wouldn't be harmed. As for herself, she would bury the matter in her heart forever.
On this matter, Miao Ansu did use a bit of cunning—but only after carefully considering all factors to ensure it wouldn't damage the feelings between Dou Zhao and Zhao Zhangru.
She could only sigh internally at her helplessness.
"Concubine, huh?" Zhao Zhangru blinked, then glanced at Dou Zhao beside her.
Seeing Dou Zhao expressionless and silent, Zhao Zhangru instinctively scratched the back of her head, hesitating as she said, "Well… it's not entirely unacceptable. As long as I can learn supreme martial arts and become a righteous hero, whether I'm a concubine or not, it doesn't matter to me…"
Knowing Zhao Zhangru's personality, her quick acceptance mainly stemmed from the fact she held a fondness for Wei Tingyu.
She had simply never considered it from the angle of romance before, but now, after Miao Ansu directly pointed it out, the thought actually crossed her mind.
Better than marrying some mediocre man, it might be nicer to live under the same roof with Dou Zhao and share a great hero as their lord!
"Alright, I agree!" Suddenly, Dou Zhao chuckled, then reached out and grabbed Zhao Zhangru's hand with a smile.
"Great! It's settled then!" Zhao Zhangru was stunned for a moment, then nodded instinctively, "Alright then! But the formalities for taking a concubine can't be overlooked! If I become a concubine in the residence, I want to be a noble concubine. Don't bully me!"
"No problem!" Dou Zhao winked and said, "It's funny, actually. Just last night, I was talking to the Marquis about taking two concubines. And now you're volunteering yourself! Since we're sisters, there's nothing more to say!"
Though Dou Zhao hadn't expected things to develop so quickly, it was convenient to just go with the flow.
Because when she spoke with Wei Tingyu about taking concubines last night, it wasn't casual talk—she really couldn't handle his nightly attentions alone anymore!
If no one shared the burden, Dou Zhao feared she might lose her mind. After all, long-term lack of sleep and rest could seriously damage one's spirit.
Yet, Miao Ansu never imagined Dou Zhao and Zhao Zhangru would so easily reach an agreement to become concubines.
After all her maneuvering, she had ended up pushing Zhao Zhangru right into the Marquis' residence!
This thought immediately made Miao Ansu anxious, fearing these two sisters would grow closer and leave her out and estranged.
Plus, with Wei Tingyu's place in her heart, she no longer cared about trivial matters of pride or dignity.
"Dou Zhao… just now you said you wanted the Marquis to take two concubines?!" Miao Ansu blinked and reached out to hold Dou Zhao's other hand.
"Yes!" Dou Zhao had already seen through Miao Ansu's thoughts. Originally, when she proposed to Wei Tingyu the idea of taking two concubines, the top candidates in her heart were Zhao Zhangru and Miao Ansu.
Seeing the two women so clearly smitten with Wei Tingyu brought a touch of bitterness to her heart. But compared to her previous life's experiences, things were going much better now—and to her liking.
"What about the other… candidate? Have you chosen?" Miao Ansu hurriedly asked, praying silently to all gods and Buddhas that the second concubine's position would be hers.
"I have!" Seeing the nervous look in Miao Ansu's eyes, Dou Zhao smiled and nodded, "I chose long ago."
"Ah?!" Miao Ansu panicked immediately. If Dou Zhao had already chosen one concubine, wouldn't that mean she had no chance?
"It's you!" Dou Zhao saw tears welling in Miao Ansu's eyes and stopped teasing her, instead smiling as she gently squeezed her hand, "Are you willing?"
"Me?" Miao Ansu was stunned, blinking incredulously. After confirming that Dou Zhao's expression was genuine and not a joke, she spoke with barely contained excitement.
"Of course! If not you, then who?" Dou Zhao shook her head laughingly at Miao Ansu's reaction, while in her heart she gained new respect for Wei Tingyu's charm.
The man had managed to capture the hearts of her two best friends during a single return banquet—truly a rare talent!
If he suddenly left tonight, perhaps he had found yet another beloved?
Suddenly, Dou Zhao felt a surge of pressure and insecurity.
In her previous life, Wei Tingyu was a poetic, artistic young nobleman; except for her silly half-sister Dou Ming, corrupted by their stepmother, no woman truly liked him.
But this life was different. Wei Tingyu clearly had an undeniable magnetism for women.