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

The courtyard gate was smashed open with great force.

Xiao Changqi rushed into Yingzhu Garden, clutching his head, a noticeable bump on the top of his head.

Coupled with his grimacing expression, it was quite comical.

He extended his index finger, pointing directly at the hidden arrow in Shen Jingque's hand, his voice filled with heartache and indignation.

"You repay kindness with enmity! You absolutely repay kindness with enmity! Little Sparrow, I copied books for you until my hand cramped up last night, and today you use hidden weapons to attack me."

Shen Jingque immediately hid the hidden arrow behind her back, clasped her hands together, and looked apologetic.

"I'm sorry, second brother, I haven't learned how to control the new hidden weapon."

Then she pointed at Xiao Changgeng, "My elder brother is a witness, he can testify that I really didn't mean it!!!"

Xiao Changgeng's gaze swept over the large bump on Xiao Changqi's head, and the corner of his mouth turned up slightly before quickly returning to normal.

"What are you doing at Yingzhu Garden so early in the morning?"

Xiao Changqi covered his head, his expression becoming even more aggrieved.

"Brother, it's one thing if you don't stand up for me, but why are you interrogating me?"

Xiao Changgeng: "..."

Xiao Changqi saw his elder brother roll his eyes almost imperceptibly, choked for a moment, and then turned to Shen Jingque.

"Lv'e said you came to Yingzhu Garden, so I made a special detour to find you."

Shen Jingque tilted her head. "What do you want?"

Xiao Changqi suddenly stammered, his gaze drifting to the old locust tree in the courtyard. "Have you forgotten what you promised someone?"

Huh? Is there?

Shen Jingque raised an eyebrow and went through the recent events, but couldn't think of anyone she still owed a debt to.

She took a half step back suspiciously, looking Xiao Changqi up and down. "Second Brother, you're not trying to extort something from me, are you?"

Xiao Changqi was so angry that he kicked a small pebble at his feet.

"You think I'm trying to extort you?"

"You heartless bastard, do you think I need your pittance?"

As he spoke, he slammed his fan on the stone table with a "bang," gritting his teeth, "What did you promise Manager Fan at the White Crane Tower on New Year's Eve? You said you'd go to Fan's Incense Shop to visit her and thank her. What, you've forgotten?"

Shen Jingque slapped her forehead.

She did indeed make up stories to create opportunities for Xiao Changqi.

But after school started, my mind was completely filled with the Four Books and Five Classics, and I completely forgot about this matter.

"I...forgot."

She gave an awkward smile.

Xiao Changqi glared at her with exasperation, "How could you forget what you promised? How can you be so untrustworthy at such a young age!"

Shen Jingque narrowed her eyes, looking at Xiao Changqi's anxious appearance, and suddenly understood everything.

What's going on? It's obvious that you want to see them but can't find a reason to do so.

She leaned over, grabbed Xiao Changqi's hand, and smiled so wide her eyes disappeared.

"Second brother, just say you want to see Manager Fan, why beat around the bush?"

She patted her chest with an air of confidence, "Come on, I'll go with you to see Sister Fan today!"

Xiao Changqi's face instantly turned red to his ears, and he stubbornly said, "What do you mean you'll accompany me? I'm just afraid you'll break your promise and ruin the reputation of the Princess's Mansion."

"Okay, okay, yes, yes, it's all for me."

The two walked out hand in hand.

Xiao Changgeng watched the two figures disappear noisily outside the moon gate, then shook his head.

"Both of them seem like they'll never grow up."

……

The East Market opens early.

The shops along the street were all open, their signs swaying in the wind, creating a bustling scene.

Shen Jingque suddenly slapped her thigh as if she had just remembered something: "Second Brother, do you think I should bring a gift since this is my first visit?"

Xiao Changqi was prepared and took out a brocade box from his pocket.

"It's all prepared. A box of South China Sea pearls is a gift for Manager Fan."

Shen Jingque opened it, glanced at it, and immediately snapped it shut.

"Second brother, we are visiting friends, not going to propose marriage."

These pearls are all as big as quail eggs, don't scare Manager Fan.

Xiao Changqi's fan stopped in mid-air: "Is it really that exaggerated?"

Shen Jingque sighed; his second brother was truly clueless.

"Your relationship with Sister Fan isn't close enough for you to give such an expensive gift. It's too presumptuous of you to do that."

Seeing that he still looked confused, Shen Jingque gave an example.

"To put it another way, if someone suddenly gave you ten chests of gold unconditionally, what would your first reaction be?"

Xiao Changqi frowned slightly, but answered with certainty, "There's a trap here!"

Shen Jingque shrugged. "That settles it then."

"Sister Fan is also a businesswoman. If you give her a gift like this, she will suspect that you have ulterior motives."

Even if he trusts your character, he will still feel a lot of pressure.

Xiao Changqi stared blankly, nodding as if he understood but not quite: "So, what should I give her? I can barely even get a kind look from her these days, how am I supposed to provide her with that...emotional value you mentioned last time?"

Shen Jingque smiled mysteriously and took out a small box from his pocket.

"Sister Fan works with perfumes and comes into contact with floral resins every day, so she knows a lot about skincare."

"This is a beauty elixir I just refined. Why don't you use it to find common ground with her?"

"Make her feel that you are willing to put in the effort for her."

Xiao Changqi stroked his chin and said, "Oh, that makes sense."

The carriage stopped in front of Fanjiaxiangfang.

Fanji Incense Shop is a three-story wooden building with upturned eaves. The two characters "Fanji" on the door plaque are written in sharp strokes and were personally inscribed by Fan Suyao.

The first floor is a counter for general customers, filled with various incense cakes, incense balls, and incense dews; the second floor is a private room for VIPs; and the third floor is a perfumery workshop.

As Shen Jingque entered the store, her nose was filled with a sweet and rich fragrance, and her eyes immediately lit up.

Like a sparrow that has wandered into a garden of flowers, she looked around and touched everything, becoming quite fond of the various small porcelain vases displayed on the counter.

Xiao Changqi followed behind her, gently waving his folding fan, his face composed.

In reality, he kept glancing at the stairwell leading to the second floor.

The waiter on the first floor who recognized him rushed over with a smile, "Young Master Xiao, you've arrived! What new incense would you like to see today?"

Xiao Changqi closed his fan and asked reservedly, "Is Manager Fan here?"

The waiter smiled obsequiously, "The manager is entertaining guests in a private room on the second floor. If you two have any urgent business, I can go up and inform him."

Xiao Changqi immediately waved his hand, "No rush, no rush, let's take a look around casually."

Then he wandered around the store absentmindedly.

Shen Jingque turned to look at Xiao Changqi, "Second Brother, you come here often?"

The waiter blurted out, "Young Master Xiao came eight times last month, and each time he bought the most expensive spices."

Shen Jingque couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He came eight times in a month, but it seems he hasn't seen his sweetheart each time. He's really at his wit's end, so he's using her as an excuse to keep him occupied.

Xiao Changqi coughed awkwardly, about to say something in response.

A muffled thud suddenly came from the second floor.

It sounded like something hit the ground hard, followed by the crisp sound of porcelain shattering.

Shen Jingque's smile froze on her face.

The waiter was also taken aback, and stammered, "Perhaps the manager accidentally knocked over the teacup... Please forgive the rudeness, sir."

Before he could finish speaking, a muffled dragging sound came from the second floor, like someone struggling.

Shen Jingque's heart skipped a beat.

wrong.

How come there's not a sound of conversation in the private room where guests are entertained, but instead there's this kind of noise?

She reached out and tugged at Xiao Changqi's sleeve. "Second brother, something's not right up there."

Xiao Changqi's face was still flushed, and he was taken aback by what he heard. "What...?"

Another very soft sob was heard.

He recognized the voice.

Xiao Changqi's expression changed drastically. His folding fan fell to the ground with a clatter, and he rushed out.

"Suyao!"