Ning Shuo hadn't been praised by Ning Xuan in a long time, and he was so excited that his face turned red. He immediately knelt down and said, "Father, I have a plan that can ensure that my sister Shengping will be safe and sound in the future."

"What plan? Tell me quickly," Ning Xuan asked hurriedly.

“Shengping is already sixteen years old, it’s time for him to find a husband. From now on, Shengping and his husband will be together everywhere, and with protection, no one will dare to touch him!” Ning Shuo said loudly.

He spoke with great confidence, knowing that if the matter of the imperial son-in-law was brought up at this time, his father would certainly not object as usual.

As expected, Ning Xuan fell silent. He looked at Sheng Ping, feeling distressed.

Most noble ladies from ordinary families would be engaged around the age of thirteen or fourteen, but he was reluctant to let Shengping leave the palace and had always refused to discuss the matter.

This is the daughter he cherishes most in his heart.

Upon hearing the news of Shengping's assassination attempt today, he nearly fainted.

Sheng Ping looked at Ning Xuan, who had aged considerably, lifted the hem of her court robe, and knelt down. "Father, what my brother said makes sense. That's what I think too."

As she said this, she looked at Wang Yinian with affection in her eyes again.

Wang Yinian's heart fluttered, and he immediately forgot his original plan and knelt down. "Your Majesty, I have long admired Princess Shengping's reputation and earnestly request Your Majesty to grant us this marriage!"

Ning Shuo couldn't hide his fierce glare at Wang Yinian.

He said the Wang family would do bad things sooner or later!

The agreement was that His Majesty would hold a martial arts contest to choose a husband, and if Wang Yinian won first place, Shengping would have no choice but to marry him!

What's with this request for a marriage decree?

If they refuse, wouldn't all their previous efforts be in vain?!

He was so angry he wanted to tear Wang Yinian apart on the spot.

Ning Xuan looked at him with an ambiguous gaze, "So you're the one who saved Sheng Ping?"

Sheng Ping nodded, "Indeed, Father, the Imperial Guards arrived just in time!"

The word "王" was unconsciously emphasized.

Ning Xuan twitched his fingers, quickly glanced at Su Yan in the corner, and then looked at Wang Yinian. "Alright, the matter of bestowing a marriage can't be rushed. Let me calm down first."

He neither agreed nor disagreed.

Sheng Ping said, "Father, I am tired. Please allow me to take my leave."

Ning Xuan patted her shoulder, "Go ahead, but don't leave the palace yet, just stay here."

Sheng Ping nodded obediently, "Okay, I'll have the maid fetch some things."

Ning Xuan waved his hand.

Sheng Ping left, beckoning to Wang Yinian before he did.

Wang Yinian also hurriedly bowed and withdrew.

What an honor it would be for him to marry Shengping!

He was the second son of Wang Helu, the Minister of Revenue. His cousin was the favored Consort Wang, who, though without the imperial seal, was the true mistress of the six palaces, and no one dared to offend her. She was greatly favored by His Majesty.

His elder brother was the prefect of Yangzhou, and his third uncle was the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner. The Wang family was extremely powerful and influential, but he was just a lowly Imperial Guard.

Most of the members of the Golden Guard were sons of powerful and wealthy families who had little future prospects.

But if he becomes the prince consort, his status in the royal family will rise accordingly!

Sheng Ping walked very slowly, as if he were waiting for him on purpose.

He clenched his fist and stepped forward.

The princess had no smell, yet she was more comfortable to him than the brothels he frequented.

Sheng Ping didn't dare look at him, and turned to the maids, saying, "You follow a little further away."

Wang Yinian smiled and said, "Princess, you don't need to worry about repaying my life-saving grace today. Anyone else would have done the same."

Sheng Ping smiled, "Guard Wang is my savior, and I should thank you properly. What would Guard Wang like?"

Wang Yinian quickly shook his head, "Your heart is as clear as day, why should the princess ask any further questions?"

Sheng Ping feigned a shy expression, clutching her handkerchief tightly in her hand, "Why would Guard Wang happen to pass by there today?"

Wang Yinian chuckled, "That's the area I often patrol."

Sheng Ping lowered his eyes. "So that's how it is. We're really destined to meet."

The two strolled leisurely, one intent on getting information out of the other, the other completely unsuspecting.

Consort Wang, accompanied by a group of concubines, watched the two from afar in the Imperial Garden. Consort Wang covered her face with a handkerchief, smiling brightly, "Look, Shengping's good fortune is just around the corner."

The others echoed, and the news spread like wildfire throughout the palace and beyond.

When Sheng Ping returned to Zichen Palace, her maid had already returned from the princess's residence.

Chen, meaning rooftop and the Big Dipper, has been a word that emperors have cherished since ancient times.

When Ning Xuan named this side hall for her, it made countless people in the palace envious, both in the imperial court and the inner palace.

Two of the maids had been disguised; they were her two advisors left behind in the princess's residence.

Both of them were given to her by Su Yan. They were extremely hard-working students from poor families. Once they passed the imperial examination, they refused to accept the recruitment of aristocratic families and were falsely accused and exiled. Su Yan had saved quite a few people like them.

"Your Highness, this is the information about the Wang family from the Six Ministries, and the list of officials from the Six Ministries who have been on night duty these past few days is also here." Zhang Ding placed a stack of papers on Sheng Ping's desk.

His face had been disguised as a woman's, but his voice remained deep and rough.

Sheng Ping picked up the paper and quickly looked at it. "Ask Die Niang again if there's any way to change the voice. Details are key; we can't give ourselves away."

Zhang Dingying then turned to find Die Niang, who was doing the disguise.

This Butterfly Girl was originally a courtesan with the backing of a powerful figure in the martial arts world. However, after a failed mission, she was hunted down. Sheng Ping rescued her, and she became his maid from then on.

His skill in disguise is unparalleled.

Another aide, who was extremely handsome with fair skin and captivating peach blossom eyes, named Gao Hongyu, gently placed another stack of papers on the table. “Your Highness, these are the findings of your humble servants from the Six Ministries. Some of them are just rumors circulating among the people, but I have marked them.”

Sheng Ping simply hummed in agreement, his eyes never leaving the paper in front of him.

Gao Hongyu hesitated for a moment, then bowed to her. "Your Highness should take the best care of your health. Please allow me to bandage your wounds."

Sheng Ping frowned. "The Six Ministries are key to the next step. Go and check again. My wound is fine."

She knew very well that when fighting against a behemoth like the Wang family, every second counted.

The Wang family holds considerable military power and has amassed immense wealth, so we must be extremely cautious, or there may be no peace.

Peace should be the most important thing, rather than causing suffering to the common people because of the power struggles between the emperor and the aristocratic families.

She deeply believed that water could carry a boat, but it could also capsize it.

Gao Hongyu couldn't shake the worry between his brows, but he could only get up and investigate.

This is the prince he is so proud of.

After dinner, most of the officials from the six ministries had already left for home.

Sheng Ping, accompanied by Zhang Ding and Gao Hongyu, and with dozens of newly added guards around them, walked quickly toward the Sixth Division.

She was very familiar with the palace and chose routes that were rarely visited by people.

The night was as dark as ink, and the surging waves were hidden behind the clouds.

Sheng Ping stayed at Bailu Academy for only three months, where he was personally taught by Bai Zhiyuan.