After figuring all this out, Shang Changge began preparing for her escape plan.

The first step was to have Qingyao pack the valuables.

Qingyao couldn't help but ask, "Princess, why..."

Shang Changge raised his hand to stop Qingyao from continuing, and only asked, "Do you want to come with me?"

Qingyao nodded without hesitation; of course she would follow the princess.

Shang Changge: "Then don't ask any more questions, just do as I tell you."

Qingyao was very obedient and didn't ask any more questions, and went to pack her valuables.

Shang Changge returned to his study, found a map of the capital, and planned his route out of the city.

Whether the marriage will go through or not is still uncertain, but it's always good to be prepared and have a backup plan.

On the other side, at the General's Mansion,

Also in the study, Xiao Ji burned the letter that the Prime Minister had secretly sent.

In the flickering candlelight, Xiao Ji's handsome face, with its sharp features, appeared shrouded in mystery. However, after a short while...

The letter was completely burned, and the study fell into an eerily quiet silence once again.

After a long silence, Xiao Ji spoke.

Zhuihun appeared and left, and when he reappeared in the study, he had disguised himself as Xiao Ji.

Xiao Ji also left alone after Zhui Hun appeared, but instead of going to the appointment, he went all the way to the princess's residence.

Upon arriving at the princess's residence,

Xiao Ji noticed an increase in the number of people hiding in the Princess's residence, which was quite strange.

The maid who always stayed by the little rascal's side was not there. With Qingyao absent, Xiao Ji entered the study without any trouble.

Shang Changge was originally planning her escape route carefully, and had already devised multiple escape routes just in case.

Hearing the noise, he looked up and met Xiao Ji's eyes, who had appeared silently.

...

...

Very well, everyone in the princess's residence is useless.

Xiao Ji steadied himself and glanced at the map of the capital city spread out on the table, marked with circles, dots, and drawings.

His deep eyes narrowed slightly, then he quickly looked away as if he hadn't seen her. He knelt down on one knee beside Shang Changge.

He took the beauty's hand and kissed her fingertips, a kiss that was almost cold and devout, yet restrained.

"Is the princess preparing to elope?"

His voice was deep and magnetic, and although it was a question, it sounded more like a statement of fact.

Shang Changge tried to pull her hand back but it was held firmly and she couldn't pull it back. Unlike the previous times, Xiao Ji used a lot of force this time.

Shang Changge: ...

Shang Changge felt that since everyone was intelligent, they should speak frankly and openly.

Shang Changge: "Yes, I don't want to get married."

Xiao Ji: "Because you are unwilling to marry me?"

Shang Changge denied it, stating clearly: "It has nothing to do with anyone. I simply don't want to get married and have children, that's all."

Fearing that Xiao Ji still wouldn't understand, I decided to put it even more plainly and clearly.

"What I want is a free and unrestrained life, not to be tied down by a relationship."

I never thought about becoming anyone's wife, let alone a mother.

Shang Changge's expression and tone were more serious and earnest than ever before.

Xiao Ji saw all this and finally understood what Shang Changge meant when she said, "Don't love me, it won't end well" and "I won't take responsibility."

Shang Changge could tell that Xiao Ji understood, so she withdrew her hand again.

However, Xiao Ji held on very tightly, showing no intention of letting go.

Shang Changge: ?

Xiao Ji: "I have never intended to have children, nor will I, as a husband, interfere with my wife's freedom."

Shang Changge: "...So?"

Xiao Ji: "Princess, consider our marriage a partnership for mutual benefit. Once the Crown Prince successfully ascends the throne, our marriage will be null and void."

"The Crown Prince will naturally protect the Princess once he ascends the throne, so the Princess need not worry that the marriage cannot be annulled or that the Emperor will go back on his word."

"If the princess insists on leaving, many things will become uncontrollable, and the princess may not be able to leave the city smoothly."

Even if they manage to leave the city, the Crown Prince worries that the Princess will surely send people to search for them.

Regardless of their motives, the Emperor, Empress, and Prime Minister will send people to search for the princess. How long can she hide?

Xiao Ji wasn't making any promises; he was calmly analyzing the feasibility and pros and cons of the situation for Shang Changge.

Ironically, this was more persuasive to Shang Changge than making a promise to him. It has to be said that Xiao Ji's ability to win people's hearts is truly remarkable.

Or rather,

Xiao Ji truly understands Shang Changge, from doubting his own feelings to becoming certain of them and then getting closer and closer.

From making it clear that they wouldn't take responsibility to gain the opportunity to get closer, to now, seemingly making concessions but actually a long-term scheme to retain people,

It can be said that they planned step by step, one thing after another, and had Shang Changge completely under their control.