Shang Changge: "If we treat our marriage as a business partnership, what will General Xiao gain from it?"

The old emperor's intentions were clear: Xiao Ji's choice to side with the beauty's younger brother was tantamount to opposing the old emperor.

As the saying goes: "All the world's hustle and bustle is for profit."

Why would Xiao Ji do this if there weren't enough benefits? Don't tell her it's because Xiao Ji likes her.

Xiao Ji is 28 this year, not 18.

She couldn't believe that a mature general who had led troops into battle for many years without a single defeat would be love-struck.

Xiao Ji: "It's not convenient to say the specifics, but as the princess said before, the Crown Prince is the best choice for the people of Qingyan and for me as well."

Shang Changge: I understand, there are mutual benefits involved.

Marriage is more about providing security for the other party, and she is just a pawn in this game of mutual benefit and cooperation.

"Knock knock." There was a knock on the study door.

Shang Changge looked up and asked, "What is it?"

The one knocking on the door was the leader of the assassins; his voice was still hoarse, but now it carried a murderous intent.

"Princess, are you in danger?"

Shang Changge glanced at the composed Xiao Ji, and then, realizing that he had been there for so long, couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"No need, there's no danger. If you're worried, just find a place nearby to eavesdrop."

After saying that, she added, "We'll intensify our training tomorrow, so that you won't even know when I'm dead inside."

Shang Changge, with a hint of gritted teeth and disappointment, swallowed the word "useless" back down her throat after much restraint.

The leader of the assassins: "Yes."

Actually, there was no need to scold him. The leader of the assassins knew he was useless the moment he discovered there was an extra person in the study.

After confirming that the princess was not in danger, the leader of the assassins silently jumped onto the roof of the study, looked up at the bright moon, and began to reflect.

He couldn't understand it.

He used to be a formidable second-in-command in the Crown Prince's elite guard unit, so why has he fallen to such a useless state?

Not only could he not defeat the princess, but he also failed to notice the tall and powerful general sneaking into her study...

The night was cold, and the wind was cool.

The leader of the suicide squad looked at the moon, questioning life and his ideals.

Under the eaves, inside the study,

Shang Changge looked at Xiao Ji and gave an affirmative answer: "I agree."

Since it's a marriage based on mutual benefit, there's nothing to worry about.

"But I'll say it again: don't love me, it won't lead anywhere. General Xiao, don't develop feelings for me that you shouldn't, I won't take responsibility."

Whether she's narcissistic or overestimates her charm, some things still need to be made clear.

She doesn't deny that her irresponsible behavior makes her a "scumbag," but she won't be the kind of scumbag who deceives people's feelings.

She has principles, and being blatantly and clearly a scumbag is her principle.

Xiao Ji: "Okay."

Xiao Ji got up from the ground, lifted Shang Changge up with one arm and carried her into his arms.

Then he sat in the seat that Shang Changge had just been sitting in, rested his face on Shang Changge's shoulder and neck, and didn't say anything more.

He let the sweet fragrance of peonies emanating from the beauty in his arms linger and surround him inch by inch.

The tension that had gripped me since seeing the map of the capital finally eased at this moment.

Shang Changge, being held like a rag doll: ...

She felt something was off and became even more suspicious.

Unable to hold back any longer, she asked, "Xiao Ji, have you already fallen for me?"

There's a saying that goes, "The eyes are the windows to the soul." Shang Changge wanted to turn her head and look the man holding her in the eye.

However, Xiao Ji held her even tighter, preventing her from moving. The man's warm breath and deep voice answered her.

"no."

Two decisive words, and the iron arm gripping Shang Changge's slender waist tightened even more.

A cold, almost imperceptible kiss landed on the beauty's neck, and her exquisitely thin lips parted slightly:

"Just as the princess lusts after my body, I also lust after the princess's beauty, nothing more."