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

After the Spring Equinox, the day for enrollment at Qishan Academy arrived.

Outside the vermilion gates of the Yong'an Marquis's mansion, a blue-curtained carriage stood quietly.

Shen Tingyun stood beside the car, bowing respectfully to the middle-aged man in front of him.

The man, dressed in a dark purple brocade robe with floral patterns, was none other than Marquis Yong'an, Zhao Heng.

He nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Shen Tingyun, before giving a stern lecture.

"Since you have gained the favor of the Third Prince, it is your good fortune."

"From now on at the academy, make the most of every opportunity. If the Third Prince gives any orders, you must obey them without question and do not act childishly."

At this point, he seemed to remember something and added in a low voice.

"Of course, don't forget to tell your father, after all, we're family, aren't we?"

Shen Tingyun's heart trembled slightly, but her face remained obedient as she softly said, "Yes, daughter will follow Father's teachings."

Zhao Heng nodded in satisfaction.

That day, the Third Prince specially sent someone to inform him, and he was surprised to find that this girl, who usually didn't show off, actually had such abilities that she could catch that person's eye.

Although the current emperor has many sons, among his three older sons, the eldest prince is sickly and weak, while the second prince is dull-witted and of humble origin.

Perhaps only the Third Prince has some good fortune.

With no crown prince yet established and the political situation in the court volatile, the Zhao family needs to make plans as soon as possible.

He would be happy if this could strengthen the bond between the Marquis of Yong'an's mansion and the Third Prince.

"Go on, don't be late."

Zhao Heng waved his hand.

Shen Tingyun got into the carriage, the driver cracked the whip, and the carriage rumbled off towards Qishan Academy on the outskirts of the city.

Shen Jingque was also heading towards Qishan Academy in the morning light.

Inside the carriage, Shen Yan looked worried and instructed, "Que'er, the academy has strict rules and is full of scions of noble families. You... don't be too sharp-tongued."

Shen Jingque was peeking through the curtain at the spring sunshine when she heard this. She turned around and smiled, "I know, Father. Am I the kind of person who causes trouble? No way!"

After all, Shen Jingque in the original book didn't have such good fortune.

She went to the Marquis's residence for a year, and Du Yuerong gave birth to a son. From then on, no one had any energy left for her.

The Yong'an Marquis's mansion would naturally not hire a famous teacher for her stepdaughter. Instead, they would let her learn some needlework etiquette with the other illegitimate sons and daughters, keeping her hidden away and unknown to the world.

During this time, the original owner of the body was noticed by Xiao Jingchen and, after coming of age, was brought into the palace and became his only female official, thus beginning her love-hate entanglement with Xiao Jingchen.

They toiled and struggled, yet were confined within the palace walls.

Shen Jingque's opportunity to come to Qishan Academy is entirely due to her following the Eldest Princess.

Although she didn't care about classical Chinese, she couldn't let the princess down.

After all, this place is full of scions of prominent families, and she now represents the face of the Princess's residence.

As I was thinking, the carriage came to a stop.

The father and daughter got out of the car and walked to the entrance of the academy. Shen Yan was about to give a few more instructions when his gaze passed through the crowd and suddenly stopped.

Not far away, beside the carriage bearing the insignia of the Marquis of Yong'an, a slender figure dressed in a light purple dress was looking back.

It was Shen Tingyun.

Fatherly instinct compelled Shen Yan to take a few steps forward.

Shen Tingyun's eyes also reddened. She quickly stepped forward, clutching Shen Yan's sleeve tightly with both hands, her voice trembling with tears: "Father..."

A few stray hairs clung to her cheeks, and the scabs on her forehead were particularly glaring, making her look like she had suffered a great injustice.

Shen Yan's heart tightened: "Yun'er, what happened? Who bullied you?"

After all, she's his own daughter; it would be a lie to say he doesn't feel sorry for her.

But what followed was a complex mix of pain and struggle.

When Lü'e returned to report that day, he already knew about Shen Tingyun framing Shen Jingque in the Marquis's mansion.

At this moment, he was worried about his eldest daughter's situation.

On the other hand, she felt that if she showed concern and care, it would be too unfair to her youngest daughter, who had been innocently framed and almost lost her reputation.

Shen Jingque had already disembarked from the other side of the carriage and witnessed the entire scene.

That day, when Shen Tingyun framed her at the Marquis's residence, he also adopted this pitiful demeanor.

It's like this again now, it's really annoying.

She could see that Shen Yan was conflicted and didn't want to put her father in a difficult position.

So she rushed forward, smiling at Shen Tingyun, and said, "Oh? Sister, you've come to the academy too? I never expected that we sisters would meet again here. What a coincidence!"

She looked Shen Tingyun up and down, feeling that his clothes and accessories were more presentable than those at the Flower Festival.

It seems that the Yong'an Marquis's mansion treats her quite well.

Unexpectedly, Shen Jingque's frank good intentions were misinterpreted by the sensitive Shen Tingyun.

Shen Tingyun's expression froze. She released Shen Yan's sleeve, her tone turning cold: "I am now a proper young lady of the Marquis's mansion. What, if my sister can come, why can't I?"

Shen Jingque was completely stunned.

No, sister, did you take a Sichuan opera class to change your expression so quickly?

She was so delicate and frail just a moment ago, like a delicate Lin Daiyu, how come she changed her attitude in the blink of an eye?

She didn't say anything offensive.

Shen Jingque's temper wasn't something to be trifled with, and she immediately turned cold, saying in a flat tone, "I didn't mean that; you're just being too sensitive."

"you!"

Shen Tingyun's breath caught in his throat.

Meanwhile, Shen Yan, watching his two daughters suddenly start arguing again, felt a pang of pain in his eyes.

Why has his once gentle and obedient daughter become like this?

Could it be that in such a short period of time, they have lost their true selves amidst wealth and power?

Shen Tingyun had calmed down by now. She didn't say anything more, bowed to Shen Yan, and then turned and left.

All that remained was a sigh from Shen Yan.

Well, everyone has their own destiny. The most important thing now is my youngest daughter.

He turned and handed the book box to Lü'e.

"Take good care of Miss, and don't let the sparrow get wet in the rain."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Green Calyx readily agreed, and then skipped and hopped into the academy with Shen Jingque.

As soon as they entered, the master and servant exclaimed in surprise.

The stone archway in front of the academy is majestic, and the ancient cypress trees in the courtyard are lush and full of charm accumulated over the years.

Shen Jingque took a deep breath, feeling as if the air was filled with the scent of knowledge.

At this moment, a few older students arrived and introduced Qishan Academy to the new students.

Most of the information was similar to what she already knew.

However, when the class division system was mentioned, Shen Jingque felt a little uncomfortable as she listened.

Qishan Academy divided students into classes according to age. Girls entered the "Initiation Class" before the age of 14 and boys before the age of 15 to study the Four Books and Five Classics for their initial education.

After the age of fifteen, boys would enter the "Zhuodi Class" to study poetry, prose, and policy essays related to the imperial examinations.

After a girl reaches the age of marriage, she enters a "girls' school" to specialize in learning virtues, needlework, and the etiquette of being a good wife and mother.

Several older-looking young ladies from prominent families were huddled together, covering their mouths with handkerchiefs, excitedly whispering among themselves.

"I heard that the teacher in the girls' school is from the palace and has the strictest rules, but as long as you can get an 'excellent' grade in the assessment, your future husband's family will think highly of you when you are asked to marry."

"Yeah, that's right. I'm looking forward to going to the girls' school as soon as possible after I come of age. Now we're learning these damn Four Books and Five Classics in the main courtyard. It's so boring and tedious. Anyway, we won't need it in the future."

Shen Jingque frowned silently.

This class division system is tantamount to forcibly cutting off women's unlimited potential. Even if noblewomen are qualified to receive education, it is only to cultivate them into qualified appendages and reproductive tools.

Those common women, however, had their fate predetermined from birth.

What's even more frightening is that most women in this world have long accepted such discipline and even take pride in it.

Shen Jingque sighed. This wasn't just a world of torture for the original female lead.

For all women, this is a world lacking fairness and where their value is not recognized.

Just then, a mocking voice suddenly came from the side:

"Why are you sighing at such a young age?"