After my father was sent to marry into the princess's household, I became the darling of the en

Shen Tingyun left the academy at almost the fastest speed.

She first ordered the driver to circle around the East Market to make sure no one was following her before she felt at ease.

The message must be sent out as soon as possible.

The Third Prince said last time that if there was anything important, there was no need to wait until the appointed time in half a day; one could go to the tea shop in the East Market and ask a shopkeeper surnamed Sun to pass on the message.

The carriage turned around and headed towards the East Market.

As dusk fell, Shen Tingyun emerged from the teahouse and boarded the carriage again.

She leaned against the car wall with her eyes closed, her palms sweaty.

The image of Shen Jingque's expression when she said those words kept replaying in my mind.

He beamed with pride, a touch of childlike smugness in his eyes, and told her not to tell anyone.

It doesn't sound like a lie.

But precisely because it sounded so much like the truth, a chill ran through Shen Tingyun's heart.

Shen Jingque is not stupid.

That day at the academy, she warned her younger sister that she was not someone who would let her guard down for no reason.

Shen Tingyun closed her eyes, her thumb unconsciously stroking the jade pendant in her sleeve.

But she had no choice.

The Third Prince's urging and the Marquis of Yong'an's admonitions were suffocating her.

She needs substantial intelligence to prove she's still useful.

Regardless of whether it's true or false, Xiao Jingchen will make his own judgment; she just needs to relay the information she's heard truthfully.

That way, even if it's fake, she won't be held responsible.

Shen Tingyun opened her eyes and looked at the lights flashing past outside the carriage curtain.

He held the jade pendant with twin lotus blossoms firmly in his hand, seeking a sense of peace.

……

Xiao Jingchen received the message that very day.

He sat by the window, his fingers slowly turning the teacup, and remained silent for a long time after listening to his attendant's account.

Herb Garden, Great Swallow's Secret Letter, Contact Point.

A hostage prince of the Great Yan Dynasty secretly operates a base in the capital.

They chose the back mountain of Qishan Academy, a place where the sons of civil and military officials studied.

If confirmed, this would constitute treason.

However, the traitors happen to hold Tingfeng Pavilion in their hands.

The reason he was so obsessed with Rong Jing was because he had recently discovered this secret.

Xiao Jingchen got up and walked to the window.

As dusk fell, the lights of the capital city began to twinkle, and in the distance, lanterns could be faintly seen hanging high in the direction of the Princess's residence.

The intelligence network of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was in Xiao Changgeng's hands; he couldn't break it.

That person, like his good aunt, was unyielding, as hard as a rock.

Unlike Tingfeng Pavilion.

It exists outside the imperial court, is not subject to the control of imperial power, and is not under the command of any force.

He doesn't need Rong Jing's loyalty.

All he needed was a rope to put around Rong Jing's neck.

Xiao Jingchen sat back down at the table and picked up his brush, dipping it in ink.

A few words were written on a piece of paper as thin as a cicada's wing. After the ink dried, it was rolled into a bamboo tube and used to summon a carrier pigeon.

He wanted to verify this intelligence himself.

Then, use it to exchange for the absolute obedience of the Listening Wind Pavilion Master.

……

At the same time, in the Mingcui Pavilion of the Princess's residence.

Shen Jingque squatted on the floor of the room, with a dozen or so palm-sized paper packets spread out in front of her, each containing powder of a different color.

White is for hearty laughter, gray is for tears, and light brown is for a severe diarrhea.

These are all new products that she spent a whole hour developing tonight.

It's practically an essential weapon for self-defense.

Shen Jingque looked at the paper packets scattered on the ground with increasing satisfaction, and her mind began to conceive of real-world scenarios.

For example, if Xiao Jingchen sends someone to ambush her again, she can throw a big laugh powder in their face, and they'll chase after her while laughing. Just imagining the scene is beautiful.

Biological weapons have been officially launched.

Just as I was pondering whether to make another powder that causes itching all over the body, three rhythmic knocks came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Miss Shen, the eldest young master requests your presence."

It was Xuan Qi's voice.

Shen Jingque paused in her work, suddenly remembering that she had been so focused on upgrading the alchemy furnace that she hadn't yet reported the matter of the Hundred Herbs Garden to Xiao Changgeng.

She deftly stuffed the paper package into the closet, patted the powder off her skirt, and ran out.

When they arrived at Yingzhu Garden, Xiao Changgeng was sitting in a wheelchair reviewing official documents.

"Big brother, I went to the Hundred Herbs Garden today."

Shen Jingque pulled up a round stool and sat down, getting straight to the point.

Xiao Changgeng put down the official document in his hand and looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Rong Jing brought you in?"

"Yes." Shen Jingque told Xiao Changgeng about her experiences in the Hundred Herbs Garden in a very straightforward manner.

Xiao Changgeng remained silent for a long time, his fingertips slowly rubbing against the edge of the table.

"The Mo family's mechanical arts, rare medicinal gardens, celestial charts for divination, plus a master surnamed Feng."

He kept muttering these things, his face growing increasingly grim.

"What's wrong, big brother? Do you know this person?"

"I don't know him."

Xiao Changgeng shook his head.

A person who could command Bai Heling to personally designate a forbidden area, prohibiting anyone from setting foot there.

Throughout the entire Da Yong Dynasty, there were only a handful of people he could count on his fingers.

But none of those people had the surname Feng.

unless……

An idea popped into his mind, but he immediately dismissed it.

absurd.

That person left the Central Plains thirty years ago, a fact known throughout the land.

He looked up at Shen Jingque, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"Que'er, listen to your big brother. Don't go looking for Rong Jing before I find out his background."

This time, Shen Jingque didn't jump up and argue back like she did last time; instead, she nodded in agreement.

"Okay, I promise you, I won't contact him until you find out whether he's friend or foe."

Xiao Changgeng breathed a sigh of relief, then heard her add another sentence.

"But if he comes looking for me, there's nothing I can do..."

That half-breath was hanging back up.

"you……"

"Big brother, please let me finish."

Shen Jingque explained to him by counting on her fingers.

"Rong Jing is a very perceptive person. If I suddenly distance myself from him, he will immediately become suspicious."

"Besides, his master gave me the key today. If I avoid Rong Jing from now on and don't show up, it will seem like I'm ungrateful. What if he holds a grudge against me?"

"Again, big brother, you sent Tianjiu to follow me. He'll protect me if there's any danger, right?"

Xiao Changgeng stared at her for a long time before finally letting out a sigh of relief and leaning back in his chair.

"If you want to see him, Tianjiu must be present."

"Of course!"

Shen Jingque grinned at him and jumped up from the round stool.

"Don't worry, big brother, I'm perfectly clear-headed and I definitely won't let him lead me by the nose."

Xiao Changgeng rubbed his temples. "I will investigate whether there are any reclusive people with the surname Feng in the capital, especially those related to celestial divination or the Mohist organization."

Shen Jingque nodded and obediently walked out.

When I reached the threshold, I paused for a moment.

She fed Shen Tingyun a packet of fake news this afternoon...

Forget it, it's still uncertain whether Shen Tingyun will tell Xiao Jingchen or not, so let's keep it to ourselves for now.

Xiao Changgeng had finally calmed down; there was no need to provoke him further. It wouldn't be too late to talk to him after Xiao Jingchen made a move.

"Big brother, get some rest."

She waved and ran off.

Once the footsteps had faded into the distance, Xiao Changgeng slowly withdrew his gaze and gently twirled the ring on his hand.

The thought that had just crossed my mind kept replaying in my head, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

Fine, let's investigate first.

……

Inside the bamboo house in the Hundred Herbs Garden, the night breeze rustled the half-rolled bamboo curtain.

Old Feng was already drunk and fast asleep, leaving his apprentice to do all the chores in the yard.

Rong Jing threw the last handful of weeds into the bamboo basket, patted the mud off his hands, and went inside. Wenren Du was already waiting by the door.

"Young master."

Wenren Du lowered his voice, "The girl who's been following you spoke to Miss Shen after school today, and then went to Sun's Tea Shop in the East Market."

Rong Jing was wiping the remaining mud from between his fingers with a handkerchief, his movements unhurried and deliberate.

"Sun's Tea Shop?"

"He is the Third Prince's mole."

Wenren Du paused for a moment, then said, "She stayed inside for less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and she left in a hurry."

Rong Jing folded the handkerchief and placed it on the corner of the table. He then got up and walked to the celestial map that was no longer covered.

Wenren Du waited for a long time without receiving any further news, and tentatively asked, "Young Master, should I go and intercept that message?"

Rong Jing had his back to him, and his shoulders twitched slightly, as if he had heard something interesting.

"No need."

He turned around, his dark eyes reflecting the moonlight outside the window, and the corners of his lips curved into a smile.

"Prepare a few more teacups for me."

Wenren Du was taken aback.

Rong Jing walked back to the rattan chair and sat down, casually poking at the cold tea on the table with his slender fingers.

"That girl is probably going to bring me some customers."