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

The carriage returned to the Princess's residence. The servant had already returned ahead of time to inform Uncle Xu and prepare ginger soup and hot water.

Therefore, when the Shen family father and daughter stepped into Xiling Residence, it was already brightly lit.

Several old women and servants were already waiting under the eaves. Shen Jingque was wrapped up like a little dumpling by Lü'e and was carried directly into the house as soon as she landed.

"Hey! Don't pull my collar!"

Before being pushed into the medicine tub, Shen Jingque clung to the doorframe and called out to the yard, "Dad, go change your clothes first, don't catch a cold!"

Shen Yan's moon-white brocade robe was mostly wet, with water stains on the front of his clothes.

Hearing his daughter's powerful voice, the heavy weight in his heart finally lifted.

"Okay, Father understands," he replied gently.

With a "snap," the door slammed shut. Green Calyx ruthlessly pried open the claw that was trying to pry open the door frame.

The door closed, and soon the sound of the little girl screaming from the burning sensation of the medicinal bath could be heard from inside.

Before long, a pig-like scream came from inside.

"Hot, hot, hot! Did Ji Qianshang use hot pot broth to scrub my back? The smell is so strong it could be used to braise pig's trotters!"

Green Calyx held down the person struggling in the water: "Miss, the water temperature is just right, please behave yourself."

"I'm like a braised chicken, ready to be taken out of the pot and sprinkled with chopped green onions!"

Several old women under the eaves were shaking from trying not to laugh.

Hearing the sounds coming from inside the room, Shen Yan's expression finally softened.

He turned and went back to his room, where he changed into his old, faded blue cotton robe.

Before long, he returned, holding the soaked brocade robe in his hands, which he carefully unfolded.

Seeing this, Granny Yue quickly stepped forward and said, "Young Master Shen, please give these clothes to this old servant."

Uncle Xu had instructed her that she would be assigned to Xiling Residence to serve him from now on, and he dared not let him wash his own clothes.

Shen Yan slightly turned his body to avoid the nanny's hand.

"It's alright, I can do it myself."

Granny Yue thought he was thin-skinned and not used to ordering servants around, so she stretched her hand out.

"It's windy outside, and you've caught a chill tonight. You should soak your feet and rest early."

Shen Yan pulled the brocade robe closer to his chest, his temper gentle but his actions stubborn: "Granny, go and do something else. I'm just hanging up a garment, it's no trouble at all."

Seeing his insistence, Granny Yue couldn't force him to give up and had no choice but to relent.

A night breeze swept through the hall, causing the lamplight to sway back and forth.

Shen Yan rolled up his sleeves and wrung out the water from his brocade robe little by little.

His wrists were slender, and the blue cloth sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, revealing a section of his fair wrist bone.

He was doing menial tasks like hanging clothes, but he managed to make it look like he was burning incense and copying scriptures with a sense of piety.

This was the scene that Xiao Mingyue saw when she stepped into Xiling Residence.

She had already returned to the main courtyard.

They changed their clothes and ordered ginger soup to be sent over.

She had returned to the main courtyard, but sitting behind the large sandalwood desk, the image of Shen Yan with red eyes by the bridge kept replaying in her mind.

She looks like a porcelain doll that would break at the slightest touch.

I looked at the official document for a long time, but not a single word of it stuck in my head.

Unable to resist, he grabbed a black cloak and rushed over.

After all, the water fell right under her nose, so as the master, she had to come and inquire about it.

Upon entering, one is immediately struck by this picturesque scene of "handsome men hanging clothes to dry."

Xiao Mingyue slowed her pace slightly, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Is there no one in the manor to do these jobs?"

Shen Yan stopped what he was doing.

Upon seeing that it was Xiao Mingyue, he quickly put down his clothes and bowed respectfully.

"Your Highness."

Xiao Mingyue approached, pulling her cloak around her neck, and scanned the courtyard with her gaze.

"Where's the green calyx?"

"Miss Lü'e is inside taking care of the sparrow taking a medicinal bath." Shen Yan quickly explained, afraid that Lü'e would blame him. "I was the one who wanted to dry it. The sparrow fell into the water, and everyone in the courtyard was busy. I had nothing to do."

Xiao Mingyue glanced at the brocade robe, her gaze settling on the cuffs.

There was a long gash there, cut open by something.

"Why bother hanging it up when it's so broken? Just throw it away."

Shen Yan quickly took half a step forward, blocking the clothes rack: "You mustn't!"

Xiao Mingyue raised an eyebrow at him.

Shen Yan realized he had lost his composure, and his ears began to burn.

He lowered his gaze, his fingers gently touching the tear in the brocade robe, and whispered.

"This garment was a gift from His Highness."

In the night breeze, his voice carried a barely perceptible bitterness, "I've lived a life of poverty and have never owned such precious fabric. It's such a pity that I tore it in my haste today..."

"I was thinking that after it dries, I'll ask the embroiderers at the needlework shop to add a couple of stitches tomorrow, so I can still wear it."

He clutched the piece of fabric, stroking it with great care.

Having spent many years navigating the world of the powerful and wealthy, Xiao Mingyue had witnessed countless instances of opportunism and extravagant lifestyles.

But this man in front of her treated a casually ordered piece of clothing as a priceless treasure.

There was not a trace of obsequious politeness, only genuine care and concern.

Xiao Mingyue pulled her cloak tighter, trying to hide her racing heart, and her tone softened unconsciously:

"It's just a piece of clothing. Since you are a clerk in the manor, you are one of my people. The manor will take care of your and your daughter's food, clothing and daily necessities. There's no need to be so stingy."

Shen Yan felt a warmth in his heart, and a smile appeared in his eyes: "Your Highness's kindness will be remembered by me."

Xiao Mingyue suddenly found the address rather unpleasant to hear.

Mr. Shen is far too inexperienced.

Just as she was about to say something, Shen Yan suddenly took half a step back, gathered his sleeves, and bowed.

"What happened on the Jade Bridge tonight was due to Que'er's recklessness. She couldn't bear to see her sister being bullied, and in a moment of anger, she rushed over, which is why she bumped into the young lady of the Yong'an Marquis's mansion."

His head drooped even lower, his voice filled with deep self-reproach, "Not only did His Highness have to stand up for us in the street, but I also caused His Highness to have a grudge against the Marquis's mansion."

"It's already an immense favor that my daughter and I can even get food in this household. Now we're causing trouble for His Highness... I really..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Mingyue stepped forward, grabbed his wrist, and lifted him up.

"Shen Yan, it's your integrity to not curry favor with the powerful, but if you're so timid and hesitant in front of me, it makes you seem distant."

She took a half step closer, staring into those clear, glassy eyes, her voice firm and resolute: "I wield this immense power precisely so that I can do as I please."

"I can protect the territory of the Great Yong Dynasty, so why can't I protect you and your daughter?"

Speaking of the Yong'an Marquis's residence, a faint hint of contempt flashed in her eyes: "As for the Yong'an Marquis's residence... ha, what is it?"

A breeze blew through the corridor, lanterns swayed, and a warm yellow halo swayed on the two people before gradually fading away.

Shen Yan's chest heaved violently twice, the suppressed anxiety he had carried all the way was gently pressed down at this moment.

Ever since he was kicked out of the Du family's villa, he hasn't been able to sleep peacefully. He's afraid of losing his job and not being able to raise the sparrows, afraid that the Du family will come knocking on his door and cause trouble, and even more afraid that one day this high and mighty princess will lose her temper and kick them out.

Those worries, like maggots clinging to his bones, always managed to gnaw at him until he was riddled with holes in the dead of night.

But all his fear was contained by the person in front of him.

Shen Yan felt a surge of soreness in his nose.

He didn't push away the hand that was supporting him. Instead, he looked intently into Xiao Mingyue's eyes, a smile slowly spreading from the corners of his eyes.

"Then... thank you very much, Your Highness."

Xiao Mingyue felt her fingertips were a little hot, and her heart skipped a beat.

The lamplight gave the person in front of me a velvety edge, and his handsome and refined face, illuminated by the warm light, looked like a piece of fine warm jade, so smooth and moist that it seemed you could squeeze water out of it.

If he were to wear a bright red wedding dress... he would probably attract even more attention, wouldn't he?

The moment this outrageous thought popped into Xiao Mingyue's head, she almost bit her tongue.

She quickly released her hand, turned her head away, and coughed twice to cover the heat rising on her cheeks.

"Alright, you...get some rest."

After uttering those harsh words, Xiao Mingyue tossed her cloak aside and walked away quickly.

However you look at it, that back view gives off an air of fleeing in panic.

Shen Yan stood there, watching the dark figure disappear completely into the night, before his tense back suddenly slumped down.

He raised his wrist to his chest and took a deep breath, but he couldn't calm his wildly pounding heart.

Fortunately, it was dark enough, and His Highness left in a hurry, so he didn't see the embarrassment that made his ears turn bright red.

Shen Yan closed his eyes with a self-deprecating smile.

Shen Qingheng, Shen Qingheng, where did you get the audacity to harbor such treasonous thoughts towards the most esteemed prince of Dayong?

It's crazy.