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

The internal strife at Yingzhu Garden did not become common knowledge throughout the entire household.

Xuanqi was always efficient in his work. Afu's mouth was gagged tightly, and he was quietly kept under guard in the west wing.

But in the Princess's residence, what could possibly be kept from Xiao Mingyue?

As soon as it was dawn, Qingyuan arrived at Xiling Residence on orders.

Shen Jingque was sitting cross-legged on a small stool, munching on jujube paste cake, when she heard the sound of the courtyard gate. Her cheeks puffed out, and she quickly swallowed half of the cake whole.

"Sister Qingyuan, are you here to see my father?"

Qingyuan smiled as she watched her hide away like a little hamster.

"This servant has come to see Miss Shen today. Your Highness requests that you come to the main courtyard to speak with her."

Shen Jingque tilted her head back and blinked her eyes.

"Sister, His Highness summoned me. Is he going to praise me or punish me?"

"You'll know when you go there."

Hearing the commotion outside, Shen Yan quickly came out of the house.

"But what trouble has my daughter gotten into this time?"

Qingyuan shook her head reassuringly: "Mr. Shen, don't worry. Miss Shen made a great contribution at Yingzhu Garden yesterday. She will most likely be rewarded on this trip."

Shen Yan then relaxed his shoulders, bent down to straighten his daughter's clothes, and then tucked a stray lock of hair behind her neck.

"Sparrow, when you're in His Highness's presence, refrain from making any witty remarks."

"I know, Daddy." With that, she pinched two fingers together and pulled them to her lips, closing them tightly.

Shen Yan shook his head helplessly at her amusement, bowed to Qing Yuan in thanks, and watched the two of them leave.

After passing through two corridors, you will see the flower hall in the front yard.

Xiao Mingyue sat upright in the main seat, gently stirring the tea foam in a plain white covered bowl.

Seeing the small, pink figure swaying as it came in from afar, she put down the covered bowl.

Shen Jingque entered the room and immediately curtsied properly.

"Jingque greets Your Highness."

"stand up."

Shen Jingque straightened up and obediently folded her hands in front of her.

Looking at the little girl's obedient appearance, Xiao Mingyue's eyes lit up with a smile.

"I am aware of what happened at Yingzhu Garden yesterday."

"You have rendered a service. I am always fair in my rewards and punishments. What do you want? Silver, jewelry, books, medicine, you can ask for anything."

Shen Jingque cleared her throat, neatly folded her hands in front of her, and curtsied.

"Your Highness, I heard that there will be a New Year's Lantern Festival in the capital in three days."

Xiao Mingyue looked at her.

"You want to go?"

Shen Jingque nodded, gazing at her expectantly: "I heard this year's lantern festival is exceptionally grand. I heard there are rabbit lanterns, lotus lanterns, and acrobatic performances on the streets. I've never seen anything like it..."

After saying that, she added very sensibly, "If Your Highness finds it inconvenient, then forget it, it's fine if Que'er doesn't have to go."

She appears innocent on the surface, but she's secretly plotting everything.

Lantern festival.

The streets were filled with scions of prominent families and princes and noblemen.

According to the original plot, Xiao Jingchen will definitely go to Baiyu Bridge to release lanterns three days later, and will also meet Shen Tingyun, who was brought out by the Marquis's mansion, on the bridge.

She only needed to blend into the crowd and catch a glimpse of Xiao Jingchen from afar.

If the system determines that the encounter was successful, she will be able to preserve the Shennong Space.

Then she turned and ran away, determined not to have anything to do with the male lead.

Looking at her feigned obedience, Xiao Mingyue could easily tell that she had her own ulterior motives.

It's not a big deal that the little girl wants to go to the lantern festival.

The Shen family father and daughter lived a hard life in the past, and probably didn't have much money to give their child entertainment.

"Granted."

Shen Jingque's eyes brightened even more. "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Xiao Mingyue added, "Qingyuan, send two more guards with you on the day of the lantern festival."

The kite responded.

Xiao Mingyue thought for a moment, then instructed, "Go to the Imperial Wardrobe and tell Mr. Shen and Xiao Que'er to each have a set of clothes ready for going out. There will be many people at the Lantern Festival, so don't let anyone slight the people from the Princess's residence."

Shen Jingque was so moved that she almost shed tears in the front yard.

Waaah, following the big boss means there's plenty to eat! Not only are they granting me leave, but they also reimburse my clothing expenses and even provide me with bodyguards.

Seeing the exaggerated and lively expression on her little face, like a moving glutinous rice ball, Xiao Mingyue couldn't help but ask, "So happy?"

Shen Jingque immediately clutched her heart.

"Que'er simply thinks that His Highness is beautiful, kind-hearted, wise, and mighty, and is the greatest philanthropist in the Great Yong Dynasty."

Qingyuan lowered her head and suppressed a laugh.

Xiao Mingyue shook her head and waved her hand: "Go."

This girl talks nonsense.

Having received confirmation, Shen Jingque left satisfied.

She had just reached the door when she peeked back in through the door frame.

"Your Highness, may I bring my father along?"

Shen Jingque explained in a low voice, "My father was busy making a living before, so he probably didn't participate in these kinds of activities much."

Xiao Mingyue paused, holding the teacup lid in her hand.

Shen Yan's clear and gentle face inexplicably appeared in my mind.

She lowered her eyes, took a sip of tea, and said calmly as always, "Approved."

Shen Jingque immediately grinned from ear to ear.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will definitely keep a close eye on my father and prevent him from being abducted by demons and monsters outside!"

After saying that, she dashed away.

The front yard was quiet for a moment.

Qingyuan glanced up and secretly looked at her prince.

Xiao Mingyue held the teacup, her expression unreadable, but the lid of the teacup lightly touched the rim of the cup.

"This girl."

Qingyuan suppressed a laugh: "Miss Shen is young, and children speak without thinking."

Xiao Mingyue did not respond.

After a moment, she asked, "Is Shen Yan in the library today?"

"Yes, Mr. Shen went there early this morning."

Xiao Mingyue pushed aside an account book beside her.

"Have him come over here."

Qingyuan went immediately.

Before long, Shen Yan followed Qing Yuan into the front yard.

He was still wearing a blue robe today, the cuffs neatly rolled up, and he carried the scent of paper and ink from the library. Upon entering, he first bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Looking at his lowered eyes, Xiao Mingyue felt a little less agitated by the medicine case.

"stand up."

Shen Yan stood up straight, but dared not look around.

Xiao Mingyue told her about the lantern festival.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yan was first taken aback, then a surge of indescribable gratitude and trepidation welled up within him. His Highness had even considered such a small matter? And even made new clothes for them, father and daughter? What merit did he possess to deserve this?

He quickly cupped his hands in thanks: "Your Highness's kindness will be forever remembered by my daughter and me."

Xiao Mingyue said, "Xiao Que'er is young, it's normal for her to want to join in the fun. Take her out for a walk, don't let her stay cooped up in the pharmacy all day."

Shen Yan nodded gently, his eyes soft and warm. "Yes."

Xiao Mingyue looked at him for a moment, her gaze settling on his slender shoulders, and suddenly asked, "Does Young Master Shen have a courtesy name?"

Shen Yan hadn't expected her to ask this, and hesitantly replied, "Yes, my grandfather gave me the courtesy name Qingheng when he was alive."

"Kiyohira."

Xiao Mingyue read it aloud softly.

The words that came out of her mouth lost some of their scholarly elegance and inexplicably carried a hint of tenderness.

Shen Yan's ears suddenly burned. He lowered his eyes, his mind a jumble of thoughts, like a ball of yarn being rummaged through by a kitten.

It's just a courtesy name; Your Highness addressing me that way is merely a matter of courtesy.

Xiao Mingyue noticed the bright red at the tip of his ear and a strange, mischievous pleasure welled up inside her.

This honest guy gets so shy just from being called by his name.

She gently stroked the rim of the cup with her fingertips, her voice softening slightly: "From now on, in the manor, I will call you Qingheng, is that alright?"

Shen Yan's throat tightened, and he said in a low voice, "It is my honor that Your Highness is willing to address me in this way."

Xiao Mingyue nodded in satisfaction and handed over a booklet.

"Qingheng, take these old accounts back and review them. You can settle them before the Lantern Festival; there's no need to stay up all night."

Hearing "Qingheng" again made me feel like my neck was on fire.

He answered "yes" and left with the account books, feeling as if he were walking on cotton.

I almost tripped over the threshold and fled in a panic.

Xiao Mingyue reopened the roster, her expression as steady as a mountain, but her mind was not on the pages at all; her thoughts were filled with the image of Shen Yan fleeing.

Is she that scary?