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

When Shen Jingque woke up, a large amount of sunlight was already streaming through the window.

She sat up from under the quilt, looked around blankly, her mind completely empty.

She clearly fell asleep on the desk last night.

How come I opened my eyes and found myself lying in bed?

Remembering the homework she had copied yesterday, she threw off the covers, and without even putting on her shoes, ran barefoot to her desk.

The desktop was neatly tidied up.

Shen Jingque picked up the stack of papers and flipped through a couple of pages. Her own handwriting, written in a garish, scraggly style, was tucked inside.

There are also a few pages that are deliberately crooked and distorted, clearly the second brother trying to imitate her, and the result is a kind of beauty that seems to transcend the body.

But no matter what, her brothers copied it for her a full 10 times.

Shen Jingque hugged the paper, so moved that she almost cried.

It's so great to have an older brother; a child with an older brother is a treasure!

At this moment, Green Calyx brought in hot water.

"Miss is awake. Shall I take the copied 'Standards for Being a Good Student and Child' to the Prince Consort's study?"

Shen Jingque immediately stuffed the stack of punishment copies into the book box, then raised a finger and shook it.

"No, no, no, I can't give it to my father now."

Green Calyx asked in confusion, "Why?"

Shen Jingque sat back on the bed and put on her shoes. "Paying the punishment copy means I have to go to the academy today."

Qishan Academy has a five-day work week and a two-day weekend. If she submits her application this evening, she can have three days off, which is like getting a free mini-holiday.

Green Calyx nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"What are you doing today, Miss?"

Shen Jingque pondered for a moment, "Let's do something to repay our brothers for saving us from our troubles yesterday!"

By now, Xiao Changgeng's health pills are almost finished, and she needs to replenish them for him.

Make some beauty pills while you're at it, and give them to my second brother to help him pursue Manager Fan.

As she spoke, she quickly finished washing up and then sent Lü'e to the kitchen to get breakfast.

Then he closed the door and focused his mind into the Shennong space.

The spirit spring grass in the space has matured.

The leaves are adorned with glistening water droplets, and when the wind blows, the refreshing fragrance of herbs spreads.

Shen Jingque rolled up her sleeves and got to work.

"Come on, you working stiffs."

Let's also contribute to the Princess's Mansion's rehabilitation efforts today!

She sorted out the main ingredients and auxiliary ingredients and put them into the alchemy furnace separately.

The pills were quickly prepared, and she packed them into several boxes before leaving the space.

Just then, Lü'e returned, and she handed her the box containing the health pills, instructing her to deliver it to the Princess, before turning and running away.

"Hey—Miss, aren't you going to have breakfast?" Green Calyx called out.

There's no one left; they've vanished without a trace.

Yingzhu Garden remains as quiet as ever.

When Shen Jingque pushed open the door, Xiao Changgeng was walking slowly in the courtyard, leaning on an ebony cane.

Xuan Qi followed two steps behind, his hands hanging at his sides, ready to catch the person at any time.

Xiao Changgeng walked slowly, but his steps were much more steady than last time.

The right leg still dragged when it landed, but the knee was already able to bend.

He walked step by step across the bluestone ground, sweat beading on his forehead, but his back remained ramrod straight.

Shen Jingque's eyes burned with desire, and she rushed over.

"Big brother!"

Xiao Changgeng stopped and saw her running towards him, so he reached out to stop her.

"Slow down."

Shen Jingque stopped in front of him and circled him halfway.

"You can go now!"

Seeing that she was even more excited than he was, Xiao Changgeng's eyes warmed.

"You can only walk a short distance."

"Much better than last time!"

Xiao Changgeng raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Why did you come today? Don't you have to go to the academy?"

Shen Jingque looked around and put her finger to her lips to shush.

"I haven't handed in yesterday's copying assignment to Father yet, so let me skip school for one more day!"

Xiao Changgeng remained silent for a moment, then shook his head with a hint of helplessness.

It's normal that she can't sit still and study with her personality.

Xuan Qi pushed the wheelchair behind him and helped him sit down again.

In the morning sunlight, the girl's round face glowed with a slight sheen, as fresh and beautiful as a newly formed dewdrop.

But when Xiao Changgeng's gaze fell on the light red mark on her face, his expression darkened.

He suddenly said, "From now on, come to Shadow Bamboo Garden every day and let Xuan Qi teach you basic martial arts."

Shen Jingque took a half step back in fright, shaking her head like a rattle drum.

"No, no, I can't even stand in a horse stance."

She was never athletic; she couldn't even do ten sit-ups, and she only managed to run 800 meters during her physical fitness test when she was in school.

Moreover, she already found going to the academy for classes every day tedious and tiring enough; learning martial arts on top of that would exhaust her.

However, Xiao Changgeng's face still showed some worry.

"The academy is mostly filled with scions of aristocratic families. Sending secret guards to take action would easily give others cause for criticism."

"What do you plan to do if you encounter another Tom, Dick, or Harry who attacks you next time?"

Shen Jingque choked.

She really hadn't thought that far ahead.

Yesterday, Xu Wanying and He Lanqing were there, but what if she's all alone next time?

You can't always expect to pass by a classmate who happens to know martial arts.

She thought for a moment and asked, "Are there... hidden weapons that don't require much physical strength to use?"

Xiao Changgeng was taken aback; there really was one.

He looked at Xuan Qi and said, "Go and get the box on the third shelf of the bookcase."

Xuan Qi turned and went into the house. After a short while, he returned with a flat sandalwood box.

The box lid was opened, revealing a hidden arrow lying inside.

The outer shell is covered with plain blue satin, and the mechanism is small and delicate. When unfolded, it fits the forearm, and when the cuffs are down, it is not noticeable.

Xiao Changgeng handed the hidden dart to her, his fingertip pointing to two different mechanisms. "Turn left to fire the dart, turn right to fire the lead bullet."

Then Xuanqi put it on her wrist and demonstrated: "With your palm facing forward, you can fire by flicking your wrist. This is specially designed for the civilian secret agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Shen Jingque's eyes lit up, and she immediately slipped the hidden dart onto her left arm. "This is so cool!"

She imitated Xiao Changgeng, fastening the sleeve dart to her wrist, turning the mechanism to the left, and then suddenly jerking her wrist.

With a soft "thud," a gleaming black dart shot out and accurately embedded itself in the trunk of an old locust tree three zhang away, penetrating deep into the wood.

The little girl blushed with excitement, rubbed her wrist, and turned the mechanism to the right.

"One more time!"

Xiao Changgeng glanced at the darts on the tree trunk and casually reminded him, "The trajectory of lead bullets is erratic, stand still before you shoot."

"I know, I know."

Shen Jingque paid no heed and raised her hand before she could even steady herself.

Xuan Qi's expression changed slightly. "Miss, that direction is the courtyard wall."

If a lead bullet hits a wall, it could bounce off and injure you.

Fortunately, the bullet was extremely inaccurate; it flew over the wall and disappeared without a trace.

But the next instant, a scream came from outside the wall.

"Ouch—who hit my head?!"

Shen Jingque froze on the spot, slowly turning her head to look at Xiao Changgeng.

"Big brother, you didn't hear anyone calling outside just now, right?"

Xiao Changgeng nodded expressionlessly: "I heard you, it's your second brother."

Then, calmly and cruelly, he said the second half of the sentence: "If nothing unexpected happens, he's going to come in and beat you up."