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

Meanwhile, at the Yong'an Marquis's residence.

Shen Tingyun leaned against the headboard, her face flushed, staring blankly out the window.

She hadn't received a reply from Xiao Jingchen since she sent the message three days ago.

Like a pebble thrown into a deep well, it didn't even make a sound.

The panic of being abandoned spread little by little.

She stayed up for a day and a night without sleep, and finally fell ill.

Chun Tao brought in a bowl of medicine. Seeing that her face was flushed and her eyes were dark, she carefully placed it on the low table by the bedside and said in a low voice, "Miss, please drink a sip. You've had a fever for two days. If you keep going like this, your body won't be able to take it."

Shen Tingyun didn't respond, but turned her head to look out the window.

The sky gradually turned bluish-purple; night was approaching.

Suddenly, a series of light footsteps sounded on the veranda. An old woman came from the direction of the front yard in a low voice, and vaguely slipped a few words into the window crack with the wind.

"Hurry, the Third Prince's men have arrived. Go and invite the Marquis."

Shen Tingyun suddenly sat up in bed, her head buzzing.

She held onto the bedpost for several breaths before regaining her balance, and reached out to grab the outer garment draped over the screen.

The maid was startled: "Miss, you still have a fever, and it's windy outside..."

"Get out of the way."

Shen Tingyun's voice was terribly hoarse. Without bothering to tidy her hair, she hastily wrapped her outer garment around herself, tied the belt, and slipped on her shoes before heading out the door.

She walked around the alley between the flowerbed and the rockery to the outer courtyard, stopped next to a row of wintersweet tree roots, and looked towards the study.

The lights were on, and the door was tightly shut.

She stood under that tree for most of the hour, her legs went numb, and the cold night wind made her shiver as the sweat on her forehead was blown away.

But she dared not leave.

What if I leave and miss out?

Finally, the study door was pushed open from the inside.

Xiao Jingchen came out first, and Zhao Heng followed behind him with a bow, seeing him off with a big smile.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I understand what to do."

"Hmm," Xiao Jingchen responded, continuing to walk towards the courtyard gate.

Shen Tingyun stepped out from the shadows of the veranda and called out to him.

"Your Highness."

Xiao Jingchen stopped in his tracks.

Zhao Heng looked up and saw her, a meaningful light flashing in his eyes, and tactfully walked in another direction.

Shen Tingyun's gaze was fixed on Xiao Jingchen, filled with eager anticipation.

"Your Highness, did you receive the message I sent that day?"

Xiao Jingchen turned his head to look at her. The lanterns hanging under the corridor illuminated his face clearly. His face was still gentle and handsome, but the light in his eyes was frighteningly cold.

"received."

Shen Tingyun felt a sense of relief and took half a step forward, her voice filled with cautious anticipation.

"Did His Highness's men find anything? I heard from Shen Jingque that..."

"That's enough!"

Xiao Jingchen looked down at her, his eyes devoid of any of the warmth he once had.

He was still burning with anger after Zhao Heng had subtly probed him in the study.

He then sneered, "Shen Tingyun, do you know that your information has caused me heavy losses!"

Shen Tingyun's face turned deathly pale, and he swayed, almost losing his balance.

"What does Your Highness mean by that? I don't understand."

Xiao Jingchen took a step closer. "There's no secret letter from the Great Yan in the Hundred Herbs Garden. It's full of traps."

"The men I sent didn't even get into the courtyard before they were completely wiped out."

Shen Tingyun's mind went blank, and all she could hear was her own rapid breathing.

Shen Jingque was lying to her on purpose.

That sister who always had a harmless smile was making a fool of her from beginning to end.

Looking at her swaying figure, Xiao Jingchen's disgust was almost overflowing.

He raised his hand, wanting to pinch her chin, but the moment he touched her, his movement stopped abruptly.

In the dim light, Shen Tingyun's pale and haggard face bore a striking resemblance to Shen Jingque.

Especially their almond-shaped eyes, slightly widened in fear, were almost identical.

The image of Shen Jingque's fierce and menacing appearance uncontrollably surfaced in Xiao Jingchen's mind.

That little girl is full of wicked schemes; she uses him as a tool, using Rong Jing's hands to cut his flesh.

When she smiles, her dimples are shallow, and she looks innocent, but in reality, she is ruthless.

An indescribable hatred, mixed with a twisted possessiveness, grew wildly in Xiao Jingchen's chest.

He hated Shen Jingque's cunning and her collusion with Rong Jing to scheme against him.

He hated that she chatted and laughed with everyone else, but treated him like he didn't exist.

The bright moon slowly climbed into the sky, its light spilling across the courtyard, but it couldn't reach the corner where Xiao Jingchen stood.

Looking at the girl in front of him, Xiao Jingchen slowed his breathing.

It was as if those familiar eyes and brows could slightly calm the anger in his heart.

He slowly withdrew his hand and put his gentle mask back on.

"Never mind, this isn't your fault. It's your sister who's too cunning."

Shen Tingyun was taken aback by his sudden change, and tears streamed down her face.

"I'm glad Your Highness doesn't blame Tingyun. I will be more careful in the future and never fall into her trap again."

Xiao Jingchen took out a clean handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her.

"No."

"From now on, you don't need to keep an eye on Shen Jingque anymore, nor do you need to concern yourself with Rong Jing's affairs."

Shen Tingyun's hand, which was about to receive the handkerchief, froze in mid-air, filled with fear.

"Your Highness, are you not going to stop the clouds?"

Looking at her humble and ingratiating appearance, Xiao Jingchen's lips curled into a faint smile.

"The promise I made to bring you into the palace after your coming-of-age ceremony still stands."

"Just focus on getting better and don't worry."

Shen Tingyun clutched the handkerchief tightly, as if grasping at the last straw, and nodded repeatedly.

"I will obey Your Highness's orders."

Xiao Jingchen didn't look at her again, turned around and walked into the night with his entourage.

Shen Tingyun leaned against the pillar and let out a long sigh of relief, feeling that his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

However, in the shadows at the other end of the veranda.

Zhao Yuwan was watching this scene intently.

A few days ago, she was punished by copying books. Only after the old lady pleaded for her many times did her father allow her to come out. Now she is planning to go back to the courtyard to rest.

The ancestral hall was cold and damp, and she was already holding back a lot of anger.

Unexpectedly, they stumbled upon the meeting between the Third Prince and Shen Tingyun.

Their figures overlapped, and the Third Prince even handed Shen Tingyun a handkerchief.

Zhao Yuwan was so angry that she trembled all over.

A lowly stepdaughter dared to seduce the Third Prince behind her back.

She gritted her teeth, her nails digging deep into her palms.

"Okay, Shen Tingyun."

"So that's why you're always out and about, you've finally found a powerful backer."

"You just wait, I will never let this go."