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

Shen Jingque sat next to Shen Yan, taking in the expressions of her mother and elder brother.

She naturally understood the stakes involved.

But at this moment she couldn't show anything unusual, so she could only cooperate with Shen Yan and try her best to liven up the atmosphere at the dinner table.

"Third brother is right, we'll meet force with force and water with earth."

She picked up a piece of braised pork and put it into Qin Lie's bowl.

"Third brother, eat more. Only when you are full will you have the strength to beat those bad guys who spread rumors to a pulp."

Qin Lie grinned broadly as he looked at the glistening braised pork in the bowl.

"Hehe, Sparrow still cares about me the most."

As Shen Yan watched his two children interact, the smile in his eyes deepened.

He reached out and ladled a bowl of hot soup for Shen Jingque, then slowly began to speak.

"Sparrow, don't just keep putting food on your third brother's plate, eat some too."

"You still have important things to do."

Shen Jingque paused in her soup-drinking motion, blinked, and began to feign ignorance.

"Huh? What? I can't hear you, the wind is so strong."

"Stop joking around. Have you forgotten what you promised Mother?"

"In a few days, I will personally go to General Dingyuan's mansion to apologize. Your father will prepare gifts for you."

Shen Jingque slumped onto the table, utterly dejected, and let out a long sigh. Even the soup in her bowl no longer tasted good.

At this moment, Xiao Changgeng also raised his eyebrows, looking at Shen Jingque with a half-smile.

"Come back to apologize and visit Yingzhu Garden. Your older brother also needs to speak with you."

Shen Jingque felt goosebumps all over her body when she saw Xiao Changgeng's expression.

Oh no, she almost forgot that she had asked for leave by impersonating her older brother's handwriting. They're going to settle scores with her later.

Good heavens, can we fast forward to this part?!

……

A few days later, in the early morning, Shen Jingque led several carts of gifts to the Dingyuan General's Mansion.

The carriage rumbled along and stopped in front of the general's mansion.

Shen Jingque straightened her clothes before lifting the carriage curtain and jumping out.

Two rows of servants stood in front of the mansion gate. As soon as they saw her get out of the carriage, someone went in to announce her arrival.

Before long, Xu Wanying hurried out to greet her.

The smile on her round face was much more subdued than when she left Beijing, and there was a hint of caution in her eyes.

"Sparrow, you've come."

Xu Wanying lowered her voice and said quickly, "My father is not in the mansion today, only my stepmother is here."

Shen Jingque squeezed her hand; her palm was icy cold.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

The two walked in side by side. As soon as they entered the second gate, they saw a graceful woman standing on the steps of the main hall.

Xu Wanying's stepmother, née Zeng.

The woman wore a light purple brocade jacket with gold trim, and a red gold phoenix hairpin in her hair. She had a smile on her face, but the smile did not reach her eyes.

"Please forgive me for not welcoming you properly, Your Highness."

Zeng curtsied, speaking politely but in a lukewarm tone.

Shen Jingque returned the greeting.

"Madam, you are too kind. It was my abrupt visit that I took the liberty of coming. I hope you will not take offense."

Zeng stepped aside and led the two into the flower hall.

A maidservant served tea. Madam Zeng picked up the covered bowl, gently stirred the tea leaves, and didn't rush to speak.

Shen Jingque sat to the side, pondering how to start the conversation.

Xu Wanying sat beside her with her head down, twisting her handkerchief between her fingers, clearly very nervous.

After a long pause, Zeng slowly spoke.

"What brings you here today, Princess?"

Shen Jingque put down her teacup, her expression sincere.

"Madam, I have come here today specifically to apologize to you."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "A few days ago, Yingying came with me out of the capital. It was my fault for taking her away from the capital without my permission, which caused Madam some worry."

Zeng's smile deepened, as if she appreciated Shen Jingque's politeness.

"Your Highness, I dare not accept such praise."

She put down her teacup and changed the subject.

"Wanying has been wild since she was a child and doesn't know what's important."

"Her father is away leading troops most of the year, so as her stepmother, I can't be too strict with him."

"However, her audacity in leaving the capital without permission has caused quite a bit of trouble for the county princess and the eldest princess."

As she spoke, Madam Zeng turned to look at Xu Wanying, her voice turning somber.

"Why aren't you bowing and apologizing to the county princess?"

Xu Wanying bit her lip, stood up, and tried to kneel down.

Shen Jingque reacted quickly and grabbed her.

"Madam, there's no need for that."

In fact, even if she hadn't come to apologize today, Madam Zeng wouldn't have dared to blame her.

Shen Jingque came today mainly to support Xu Wanying and prevent her from having a hard time at home.

But her stepmother seemed to be used to belittling and scolding Xu Wanying, and she didn't even try to hide it from her.

Shen Jingque helped Xu Wanying sit down, her gaze cold yet resolute as she looked at Madam Zeng.

"Madam, you may not know this, but Yingying has made great contributions on my trip to the southwest."

"During the floods and epidemics in the southwest, Yingying helped me establish an isolation zone to treat the victims."

"Mother has already submitted a petition to His Majesty, requesting that Yingying be rewarded."

"With such merit, how can Madam allow her to kneel down and apologize?"

Zeng's expression froze for a moment.

She clearly hadn't expected Shen Jingque to be so protective of Xu Wanying.

However, she reacted very quickly, her coldness vanished immediately, and she put on a surprised smile.

"Oh, I see!"

Zeng got up and walked over, took Xu Wanying's hand, and smiled broadly.

"I knew Wanying was lucky; it turns out she's benefiting from the county princess's influence."

"This is wonderful news! I must tell her father the good news right away."

Shen Jingque watched Zeng Shi's face change so quickly and sneered inwardly.

I had heard Xu Wanying say before that her stepmother came from a humble background and treated her well, but she always belittled her intentionally or unintentionally and controlled her in every way.

The last time I saw her at the academy, I blamed Xu Wanying without even knowing the facts.

Looking at him now, he's just a snob who's used to belittling the weak and praising the strong.

She stood up and took Xu Wanying's hand.

"Madam, Wanying is my closest friend. My mother also said that she is naturally free-spirited and straightforward, which is extremely rare."

"Therefore, please do not be too harsh on her, after all, she ran away from home because of her sisterly bond with me."

Shen Jingque looked at Zeng Shi meaningfully, "If she is punished or saddened because of this, I will feel very guilty."

"At that time, I will have no choice but to personally apologize to General Xu."

Zeng's smile froze; she understood the deeper meaning behind those words.

"Since the county princess says so... I naturally won't blame her anymore."

Shen Jingque nodded in satisfaction.

That's good.

When she took her leave, Xu Wanying saw her all the way to the door.

She murmured, "Sparrow... thank you for today."

Shen Jingque squeezed her hand and whispered, "Silly girl, if I don't protect you, who will? If this woman causes you trouble again, come to the Princess's residence and I'll have my mother complain to your father!"

Xu Wanying stopped crying and smiled, nodding emphatically.

The carriage slowly drove away from the Xu residence and suddenly stopped as it turned into a narrow alley.

"Princess, there's a carriage blocking the way ahead."

The coachman's voice came from outside.

Shen Jingque frowned and lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

Sure enough, there was a carriage parked ahead.

Although the carriage frame was simple in design, the curtains were made of silk, and the horses were not ordinary ones; it was clearly a carriage belonging to a wealthy family.

"It's okay, let's wait a bit."

Soon, the carriage turned around and made way for Shen Jingque's carriage, then passed by it.

Just then, a gust of wind blew by and lifted the curtain of the carriage opposite.

Shen Jingque glanced inside subconsciously.

The person sitting in the carriage was none other than the Second Prince, Xiao Jingyu.

The prince, whom she remembered as dull and honest, was now looking serious, head bowed, reprimanding the servants in the carriage.

"Hulagai..."

Shen Jingque was taken aback.

What does this mean?

Second Prince...when did he learn to speak a foreign language?

She suddenly remembered what Xiao Changgeng had said yesterday: that the Second Prince had suddenly become interested in court affairs.

A bad feeling was brewing in her heart.