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

Outside the main gate of the Princess's residence, dusk was gradually painting the upturned eaves and corners.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the steps of the mansion gate.

A hand with distinct knuckles reached out from inside the curtain and lifted it.

Shen Yan stepped off the carriage first, the winter sun shining on his blue cloth robe, making his gentle profile even more handsome.

He extended his right hand very naturally, looking into the car with a gentle gaze.

Xiao Mingyue took his hand and used it to lightly leap down from the carriage.

Even after entering the mansion, their clasped hands remained clasped.

Qingyuan, along with several maids, stood with their heads bowed under the porch, pretending not to notice the rare gentleness their mistress displayed.

In the courtyard of the mansion, Xiao Changgeng's wheelchair was parked in front of the steps of the main hall, a velvet blanket draped over his knees, and his fingertips were picking at a white jade chess piece.

Xiao Changqi gently waved his folding fan, standing beside his elder brother, his peach blossom eyes glancing repeatedly towards the doorway.

Shen Jingque darted out like a cannonball and crashed headfirst into Shen Yan's arms.

"Dad, are you alright, not missing any arms or legs?"

Shen Yan was knocked back half a step by her, raised his hand and touched the top of her head, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Father is alright, thanks to His Highness's protection."

Xiao Mingyue released his hand and glanced at the servants and several adopted sons who had already gathered in the courtyard.

"The wedding between me and Shen Yan will be held on a chosen date."

"From this day forward, he will be the master of this mansion."

As soon as the words were spoken, the servants who stood with their heads bowed gasped, and then began to whisper amongst themselves.

The eldest princess actually managed to force the emperor and empress dowager to submit from that dangerous situation.

Xiao Changqi put away the golden fan, his peach blossom eyes widened slightly, and then he grinned and took the lead in bowing: "Congratulations, godfather, congratulations, godmother."

Xiao Changgeng looked up at Shen Yan and nodded as a form of congratulations, a rare hint of genuine warmth showing between his cold and stern brows.

The servants in the courtyard also joined in, offering their congratulations: "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Young Master Shen!"

Within half an hour, the imperial edict conferring the title of "Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant" upon Shen Yan arrived at his residence in a grand procession, accompanied by a large number of rewards.

The bright yellow scroll was held in both hands by a palace attendant and slowly unfurled in the center of the main hall.

And this news spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

Inside the Yong'an Marquis's residence.

"Shen Yan... he actually has this kind of fate!"

Du Yuerong was shocked to learn that her despised "useless ex-husband" had transformed into an unattainable imperial son-in-law.

Startled, she accidentally knocked over the pregnancy-preserving medicine, the dark brown liquid spreading and creating a mess on the brocade quilt.

Shen Tingyun, who shared the same thought, sat to the side, her expression numb, wringing the handkerchief in her hand tightly.

Since arriving at the Marquis's residence, she has been subjected to all sorts of suppression by Zhao Yuwan, and her mother has also fallen ill and has no time to take care of her.

It wasn't until a few days ago that she learned her mother wasn't sick at all, but was three months pregnant.

It turns out that she had already conceived a child with the Marquis before their divorce!

It was precisely because of this that Zhao Yuwan had more reasons to humiliate her, and during this period she continued to insult the mother and daughter with terms like "slut" and "bastard".

On the other hand, her younger sister Shen Jingque, despite being born into poverty, managed to climb the social ladder and become a phoenix in the Princess's mansion.

She felt so much hatred and resentment.

Why does Shen Jingque have such good fortune?!

……

As night fell,

The main hall of the Princess's residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers.

On the long table was a casserole depicting the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, and in the middle of the bronze cauldron, steam was rising, filling the room with the aroma of mutton mixed with the fragrance of spices from the Western Regions.

Shen Yan sat beside Xiao Mingyue, his blue cloth robe replaced with a moon-white brocade robe, which made his face look even more handsome.

Her ears remained flushed, and her fingers rested awkwardly on her knees, unsure of where to put them.

Xiao Changqi brought over a wine cup, his peach blossom eyes curving into crescents: "Godfather, we must have a good drink today."

He raised his cup and touched it lightly, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. He then refilled Shen Yan's cup with the wine.

"This is grape wine from Persia. My godmother usually wouldn't even bring it out, but you're getting it all for free today."

Shen Yan looked at the swirling liquid in his glass, his face showing reluctance: "Chang Qi, I really can't hold my liquor..."

"You have to drink, even if it's just a little." Xiao Changqi filled his glass again, arguing, "On such a joyous occasion, how can we not drink?"

Xiao Mingyue rested her chin on her hand, glancing sideways at Shen Yan's flushed face, the curve of her lips becoming even more pronounced.

For the first time ever, she drank three cups in a row today, and a shimmering blush appeared between her brows and eyes, her usual sharp aura turning into a pool of spring water.

Shen Yan's eyes were glazed over from being plied with drinks, and even his hand holding the cup began to tremble slightly, yet Xiao Changqi continued to urge him to drink one cup after another.

Ji Qianshang pulled out an exquisite celadon bottle from somewhere and tossed it precisely over the table into Shen Yan's arms.

He raised an eyebrow and said teasingly, "Scholar Shen, oh no, Prince Consort, this is the Perfect Rejuvenating Pill that I personally refined."

"With your frail physique, you'll have to take good care of yourself to deal with Her Highness the Princess in the future."

This teasing remark caused the entire audience to burst into laughter.

Shen Yan was so embarrassed that he almost buried his face in the wine cup, his ear tips turning bright red.

Xiao Mingyue laughed, grabbed an empty wine glass, and smashed it at Ji Qianshang: "Get lost."

Shen Jingque held a glass cup and moved closer to Xiao Mingyue.

With eyes full of cunning and affection, she sweetly called out, "Mother, I wish you and Father could see each other again every year."

The cup is filled with light pink rose nectar, with petals floating and a sweet fragrance.

Xiao Mingyue took the drink and felt the hidden pain left by the poisoned arrow in her left shoulder suddenly ease, and the tense muscles that had been taut for days relaxed.

Her eyes flickered slightly as she glanced at Shen Jingque: "This floral dew is quite good. Did you learn it from Ji Qianshang?"

Shen Jingque puffed out her chest: "I made it myself, and it's delicious!"

Her lively and adorable appearance softened Xiao Mingyue's heart.

She immediately took off the jade pendant with a qilin from her waist and tied it around Shen Jingque's waist, saying, "Good daughter, from now on, with the Princess's Mansion backing you up, anyone who dares to touch you is touching my sore spot."

Turning her head, Shen Jingque ran to Xiao Changgeng's side with another glass cup in her hand: "Young Master, you should drink too."

Xiao Changgeng took the glass cup, coolly lifting his eyelids: "You call Changqi Second Brother, but I call you Young Master?"

Huh? Even ice cubes in cold noodles get jealous?

Shen Jingque's eyes darted around, and she readily changed her address to "Big Brother".

Xiao Changgeng's lips curled slightly.

That kid is a little devil.

He put down the glass cup, removed a black jade thumb ring from his thumb, and placed it in Shen Jingque's palm.

"Take this. You can use it to ask the Embroidered Uniform Guard for help in the future."

Shen Jingque held the heavy ring, blinked, and before she could thank him, Xiao Changqi's furious voice came from behind her.

"Brother! I asked you to lend me this ring, and you wouldn't even let me use it, but you just gave it to this girl like that?"

Xiao Changgeng picked up the glass cup, took a small sip of rose dew, and remained calm.

"Who said you're not my sister?"

Xiao Changqi was speechless. "Tomorrow I'll wear a silk skirt and go to your room to call you 'Big Brother' a hundred times!"

"That's wonderful! From now on, the Princess's residence will have a new Miss Xiao!"

Ji Qianshang made a casual joke, which caused everyone to burst into laughter.

The banquet lasted until midnight.

Inside the study of Yingzhu Garden, the charcoal brazier crackled softly.

Xiao Changgeng threw the secret report that had just been sent from the palace into the fire. The paper curled up, charred black, and finally turned into a wisp of smoke.

A tip-off from the palace revealed that the Emperor and Empress Dowager had a major argument in the Yanhe Hall, and the Cining Palace had been closed to visitors.

Xiao Changgeng summoned Xuan Qi.

"Pass down the order to strengthen patrols within the mansion in the coming days, especially at Xiling Residence and Yingzhu Garden."

His gaze fell upon the deep night outside the window.

His Majesty is not one to swallow his anger; he may have other tricks up his sleeve.

Overthinking is useless; it's best to just take precautions.

What's meant to come will come.

But this time, he will protect his family.

Unable to sleep either, Shen Jingque sat in front of her dressing table and once again took out the letter that Shen Tingyun had sent yesterday.

Whether it's feigning illness or setting a trap, it's all good.

She folded the letter again, tucked it into her sleeve, and blew out the candle.

"Now that my father's position is unshakeable, it's time for me to go and meet you."