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

Jingxin Courtyard is located in the northwest corner of the Marquis's residence.

Outside the courtyard wall was a desolate bamboo grove, rustling in the wind as if someone were whispering.

When Shen Jingque stepped into the room, she saw Du Yuerong leaning against the couch under the window, her belly slightly protruding, about three months along.

A charcoal brazier burned inside, yet an indescribable chill still lingered.

Du Yuerong looked up and saw her, then smiled wryly, "I thought you wouldn't remember your mother today."

Shen Jingque stood at the door and did not go inside.

She came here simply to see if her birth mother was truly well and to put an end to this worry.

But Du Yuerong's next words instantly extinguished her last remaining warmth.

"Now that you and your father have climbed up to the Princess's household, you're all very powerful."

Du Yuerong sat up and looked Shen Jingque up and down, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

"They don't care whether your mother and sister live or die."

Shen Jingque did not respond.

She wasn't the original owner of this body, so she wouldn't be hurt by Du Yuerong's sarcastic and strange behavior.

But instinctively I still felt uncomfortable.

It was as if her doing well was a sin.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Du Yuerong added a hint of reproach to her voice.

"Why do you have to go against Miss Zhao every day? Can't you just back down a little? Your arrogance and domineering attitude are making it difficult for your sister to live in the mansion."

Shen Jingque remained expressionless and waited until she finished speaking before speaking indifferently.

"So you called me here not because you wanted to see your daughter."

"Are you blaming me for not resisting, for standing by and letting Zhao Yuwan bully me, for not fighting back or arguing, so that you and my sister could barely survive under her thumb and beg for food?"

"Mother, my sister is being bullied. Shouldn't you be the one protecting her?"

"Why are you trying to pin the blame on me?"

Du Yuerong's face flushed red, touched on a sore spot. "How could I not protect her? I didn't..."

She remembered the doctor's advice that she should not get angry because her pregnancy was unstable.

So she gently stroked her abdomen and softened her voice.

"Forget it, let bygones be bygones. Just avoid Miss Zhao from now on."

She paused, then said, "Now that you and your father have climbed up to the Princess's household, you should think more about your mother and your sister regarding any news, developments, or benefits. After all, we are family."

Shen Jingque: "You want me to be your spy in the Princess's residence?"

Du Yuerong's eyes flickered, "If the Marquis treats my daughter and me well in the future, he will naturally not forget you and your father."

Shen Jingque smiled.

She was an orphan and didn't know what a mother's love for her child was like.

But it's definitely not that kind of scheming or exploitation.

"Mother, what do you take your daughter for, a blood bag?"

"Why should you and my sister get all the benefits first, while Father and I have to cover for you when something goes wrong? There's no such logic in the world."

Du Yuerong was hit where it hurt and started cursing, slapping the edge of the bed.

"You've gone too far, you ungrateful wretch! I'm your own mother!"

Shen Jingque took a step back and shook her head.

"I'm here today as a daughter to visit my mother, but if all she does is ask for and take from me, then let's cut ties and take care of ourselves from now on."

"Farewell, Lady of Yong'an Marquis."

Then he immediately turned around and left the house amidst Du Yuerong's insults.

Green Calyx tugged at her sleeve with heartache, but didn't know how to comfort her.

Shen Jingque shook her head: "I'm fine."

She wasn't sad.

The biological mother of this body made her choice on the day of the divorce.

She just came to confirm an answer.

Despite this, she was still somewhat absent-minded, and thus took the wrong turn on her way back.

The scene before me was both strange and familiar, with artificial hills and strange rocks standing in abundance, making it easy to get lost when wandering among them.

Suddenly, Shen Jingque heard whispers coming from behind the artificial hill.

"I never imagined that you were the Third Prince, young master. I apologize for my disrespect."

The other is gentle and composed.

"You're too kind, Miss Shen. It was nothing but a small favor last time, don't mention it."

Xiao Jingchen and Shen Tingyun?

When did they meet?

She heard the two whispering something, but couldn't make it out clearly, so Shen Jingque quietly moved a little closer.

"I also ran into your sister at Wenjin Pavilion before, and I feel guilty for offending her. I wonder if you could convey my apologies to her?"

Shen Tingyun said with a flattered tone, "Your Highness is too kind. My sister... has a quick temper. I will definitely pass on your message later."

The two whispered to each other for a while, and then Shen Jingque saw Xiao Jingchen walk away through the gap in the artificial hill.

Shen Tingyun clutched her chest like a lovesick fool, her cheeks flushed.

Shen Jingque turned around from behind the rocks, startling Shen Tingyun.

"Sparrow, what are you doing here?"

Shen Jingque's gaze fell on the departing figure, and she got straight to the point.

"Stay away from that person, he's no good."

Shen Tingyun hadn't recovered from Xiao Jingchen's tenderness when she heard her sister speaking ill of him, which made her unhappy.

"Que'er, how can you say that about the Third Prince? He is a very, very good person."

She spoke with resentment, "His Highness is still apologizing for accidentally offending you before, and you turn around and speak ill of him. Que'er, is this how your father raised you?"

Having already been infuriated by Du Yuerong, Shen Jingque's temper flared up again when she saw that Shen Tingyun was oblivious.

"My sister is exactly what Mother taught her; she bullies people in the street alongside Zhao Yuwan."

As she spoke, her face turned cold: "I was just offering kind advice; whether you listen or not is up to you."

Seeing her sister's coldness and the movement of her lips, Shen Tingyun also became angry.

She had intended to tell Shen Jingque about Zhao Yuwan's plan to release snakes.

But seeing her younger sister's cold and sarcastic attitude, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue and turned her face away.

"Mind your own business."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Shen Jingque watched the departing figure and sighed.

Everyone has their own destiny, and it's hard to persuade a dying person with kind words. She had done everything she could to be kind and righteous.

Turning towards the flower hall, as I passed a secluded bamboo fence path, I suddenly heard a faint rustling sound in the air.

Shen Jingque paused in her steps.

Green Calyx heard it too, and her face turned pale. "Miss, that voice..."

Shen Jingque raised her hand to signal her to be quiet, and glanced at the grass under the bamboo fence.

The blades of grass were swaying slightly; something was approaching.

"Hiss—"

The sound grew closer, and Shen Jingque suddenly pulled Lü'e back two steps.

Three bluish-black snakes emerged from the grass one after another, their tongues flicking, their heads gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Green Calyx was so frightened her legs went weak. "Aunt, young lady..."

Shen Jingque stared intently at the snake, then smiled.

Moreover, snakes should be hibernating at this time of year.

Zhao Yuwan, you've finally made your move.