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

Besides Xiao Jingchen being merely imprisoned, there was another thing that surprised Shen Jingque.

Xiao Changgeng surprisingly didn't punish her.

That day, she moved in front of Xiao Changgeng, keeping her eyes down and obediently extending her hand.

Xiao Changgeng sat in the armchair, gently tapping the ruler in his hand on the table.

Thump, thump, thump.

Shen Jingque would tremble with each tap.

Waaah, it's all over. Big brother must be really angry this time.

After the beating, will they still have to copy from the book?

Xiao Changgeng stared at her for a long time before casually tossing the ruler onto the table.

Then he stood up and strode over to her, reaching out to pinch her slender arm, his tone filled with tenderness.

"How did you get so thin? Have you not even had a proper meal while you've been out lately?"

"We've eaten," Shen Jingque replied softly. "It's just that the journey was a bit tiring."

Xiao Changgeng felt a pang in his heart at the sight of that pitiful, meek appearance.

That brat, so disobedient, running off and still can't take care of himself.

He turned away, put his hands behind his back, and stopped looking at her.

"Sigh... never mind."

"It's good that you're back safe and sound. I've asked for leave for you at the academy."

ha?

Shen Jingque was somewhat taken aback by this reversal.

She forged a leave slip, and you're just going to let her off the hook like that?

She sneakily ran up to Xiao Changgeng, tilted her head, and asked.

"Big brother, you really won't punish me?"

Xiao Changgeng opened his eyes upon hearing the sound, and there before him was a face as white as a peach.

He stretched out two fingers, pinched Shen Jingque's cheek, and shook it with gritted teeth.

"You're being punished by spending this entire month resting in the yard. You're not allowed to go anywhere until you've gained a few pounds!"

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!"

Shen Jingque shouted loudly, and Xiao Changgeng quickly let go.

Only then did he realize that the girl was faking it, and he snorted heavily through his nose in anger.

He completely forgot that he had just intended to teach her a lesson.

……

In the days that followed, Shen Jingque happily began to lie low and live a carefree life.

However, entertainment options in ancient times were so scarce that after a few days, I started to get bored.

When the sun is shining, she climbs the ladder to the roof of her yard to enjoy the view.

He leisurely enjoyed the breeze, casually cultivating a relationship with System 002, which had just awakened.

"I've inquired about it. The alchemist who practices alchemy and metaphysics by the emperor's side is named Tantai Liang."

"But the details that Xuanqi uncovered were flawless, which is rather strange."

Shen Jingque tentatively explored this in her mind.

"Does your shop have any medicine that can make people tell the truth, or any items that can verify identity?"

System 002's voice was extremely proud.

[Of course! The True Word Recipe can be redeemed for just 100 Luck Points!]

"Then hurry up and redeem one for me."

Well... hehe

002 let out two dry laughs.

[The host's current luck value has just been reset, and the balance is zero. Even the in-game store cannot be unlocked yet.]

Shen Jingque threw the melon seed shells onto the tile, gritting her teeth.

"Are you fucking kidding me? If you can't even get your money back, what are you talking about?"

002 started pumping with enthusiasm.

[So, host, you need to quickly acquire luck points! The sooner you accumulate enough luck points, the sooner you can unlock the exchange shop!]

"Oh?" Shen Jingque raised an eyebrow and asked, "Then how do you obtain luck?"

It's easy!

002. Let's begin the introduction in a cheerful manner.

[As long as you expand your influence in this world and strive towards our ultimate goal of 'changing dynasties and creating a prosperous era,' your luck value is guaranteed to skyrocket!]

Shen Jingque rolled her eyes.

She has been here for less than a year, and it is already a close call that she has managed to survive in this cannibalistic world.

This system talks about changing dynasties all the time; its arrogance surpasses even hers.

"You've got some nerve, making all sorts of demands."

Shen Jingque patted the crumbs off her hands.

"Now that the Emperor's suspicions have just been dispelled by my third brother's matter, everyone has to play it safe for now."

Hmm... perhaps you could start with small things around you? Like improving your social standing?

System 002 started coming up with ideas very proactively.

Shen Jingque touched her chin. "Hiss...right."

System 002's suggestion reminded her that she had wanted to increase Xiao Mingyue's influence among the women.

You should know that if she wants to rise to power in the future, she will definitely face opposition from those old scholars.

Men would not allow a woman like her to have power that supersedes theirs.

Therefore, they pooled the strength of women and took the route of surrounding the front yard from the back.

What Shen Jingque could do was improve the status of young noblewomen and enhance her own influence.

"What you said makes some sense. Let me think about it."

[Yes, yes, you're a smart and capable host, you can definitely do it!]

"Pfft!"

Shen Jingque was amused by it. After all, it was her own system, and it was quite good at providing emotional value.

It's much better than that 001.

But where do we even begin? We need to think this through carefully.

But this brings us back to square one.

Where should we begin to find out about Tantai Liang's background?

The system has received some help for now.

It seems we still need to rely on external help.

For example... Listening to the Wind Pavilion.

She had to go see Rong Jing.

……

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

"Young lady, get up quickly."

Green Calyx pushed open the door with a smile, holding a brand-new set of brocade autumn clothes in her hands, followed by several maids carrying copper basins.

Shen Jingque rubbed her eyes, completely bewildered, as Lü'e pressed her down in front of the dressing table, styled her hair into an exquisite double bun, and adorned her with a pair of red gold pearl flowers inlaid with rubies.

"Are there distinguished guests at the manor today?" Shen Jingque yawned.

"The county princess will know when she goes to the front hall." Green Calyx didn't say much, just smiled with her lips pursed.

As soon as Shen Jingque stepped across the threshold of the front hall, she froze.

The whole family was there.

Xiao Mingyue sat upright in the main seat, tilting her head to talk to Xiao Changgeng beside her.

Qin Lie and Xiao Changqi sat on either side.

Before she could even ask, Shen Yan came in from the doorway.

Shen Yan was dressed in a light blue casual robe covered in flour, with his sleeves still open, and he was holding a blue and white porcelain bowl in his hand.

"Sparrow, come quickly."

Shen Yan's eyebrows and eyes were gentle, and the beauty mark at the corner of his eye looked particularly soft in the heat.

"You must be still half asleep, you've even forgotten that today is the White Dew solar term."

"Eat the longevity noodles that Daddy made by hand while they're hot."

Shen Jingque stood frozen in place, her gaze fixed on the bowl, her throat feeling as if something was blocking it.

White Dew is the birthday of this body.

She doesn't have a birthday.

Shen Jingque, a modern-day orphan, doesn't know when she was born.

Therefore, to her, those two words were nothing more than a cheap little cake that was distributed to everyone at the orphanage once a month.

Her birth was never expected.

When she was in college, she would sometimes feel envious when she saw other people celebrating their birthdays in restaurants.

But it only lasted for a moment.

At that time, Shen Jingque had no energy for sentimentalism. Her part-time job paid 8 yuan an hour, and she had to work very hard to survive.

But in this world, these people who were originally unrelated to her have become her family, and today they are celebrating her birthday.

It felt like being pulled back to the ground after being suspended in mid-air, and then caught steadily.

It was so heartwarming; it brought tears to her eyes.

"What are you staring at?"

Qin Lie was the first to step forward and shove a short blade into her hand.

"Sister, this is a black iron dagger that I forged myself. It can cut through iron like mud."

"From now on, if anyone dares to bully you, no matter who it is, just stab them with this!"

After saying that, he scratched his head again.

"No, if anyone bullies you, come find your third brother, and he'll help you stab them!"

Xiao Changqi pushed Qin Lie aside with disdain.

"Hey, go away, third brother, it's a girl's birthday, and you're giving her something so violent and aggressive. Aren't you afraid of scaring your sister?"

He turned around and, with a smile, handed over a thick stack of things.

"Second brother is very generous. These are gold notes from Qiyun Trading Company. You can spend them however you want. If you need more, second brother will give you more."

Xiao Changgeng walked over, his gaze sweeping over his two younger brothers, his eyes subtly lifting upwards.

One encouraged his sister to fight and kill, while the other threw money at people.

Nonsense!

He handed me a bundle.

"Golden silk soft armor, worn over the inner garment."

Xiao Changgeng's voice remained flat, but his gaze towards Shen Jingque was warm.

"Ordinary swords and knives cannot harm you in the slightest; keep them for self-defense."

All eyes were on her.

"Sparrow, may you have endless joy and good fortune year after year."

Shen Jingque forced a smile.

She wanted to say a few witty words to thank him, just like she always did.

But tears just welled up without warning.

"Hey, why are you crying?"

Shen Yan panicked and frantically pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve.

"But...but you don't like noodles? Dad...Dad will make you something else."

"No." Shen Jingque sniffed, grabbed Shen Yan's sleeve, and wiped her face.

"Father, I'm so happy!"

She made a silent vow in her heart.

No matter how many open or hidden attacks lie ahead, she will protect them.

Everywhere she looked, there were her precious family members.

Xiao Mingyue frowned slightly as she looked at her tearful daughter.

So he got up, strode over to Shen Jingque, and pulled her into his arms.

"Why are you crying?"

"You are the apple of my eye in the Princess's household. As long as you want something good in this world, your mother can get it for you."

She lowered her head slightly, looking at her daughter in her arms.

"Tell me, what do you want most for your birthday today?"

The front hall fell silent as everyone smiled and looked at Shen Jingque, waiting for her to speak.

Shen Jingque lifted her head from Xiao Mingyue's embrace, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, and spoke cautiously.

"Mother, I want to see Rong Jing."