Seeing his furrowed brows, unsure whether to sit or stand, Shen Tangning smiled and said, "Because your background is clean, and your interpersonal relationships are completely transparent."

Emperor Chongde needed a sword that was absolutely loyal to him, and Chi Yan, who belonged neither to a noble family nor could integrate into the commoner class, was a unique individual.

This knife is surprisingly handy, and you don't have to worry about it backfiring when you use it.

Chi Yan's eyelids drooped, and his tone was listless: "Even so, I still have a feeling that this is unrealistic."

But he also realized that this was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity. According to the normal procedure, he would have to linger in the Hanlin Academy for several years, either being sent to other places for training or staying in the capital for promotion. The promotion process would undoubtedly be very slow.

This was his perfect opportunity to win the emperor's favor.

But opportunities and risks often go hand in hand. If you don't do this job right, you could lose your head!

He suddenly sat up, looking at Shen Tangning with a solemn expression: "From now on, you should take more guards with you when you go out! Yuan Zhao's martial arts are not bad, but he can't fight against many people! How about I hire a few more guards for you?"

Yuan Zhao, who had been feigning sleep in the tree, slowly opened his eyes: "..."

Can you speak to him a little less behind his back?

Shen Tangning couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile: "Is it really that exaggerated?"

Chi Yan straightened his expression and analyzed the situation with her in a serious tone: "Look at Liu Yifu, there's a perfect example right in front of us! He's so pure and abstinent, yet he still couldn't escape being schemed against. Besides, he's all alone, so he has nothing to lose. I'm not like him; I have elderly parents and young children to support..."

Shen Tangning stared straight at him, a half-smile on her face: "Where did this 'small' come from?"

Chi Yan touched his nose and coughed so hard it shook the heavens and earth: "Um... isn't Ba Liang still a child!"

Eight ounces: "Achoo!"

Shen Tangning smiled and nodded: "I will be careful and try not to go out alone."

Chi Yan felt somewhat guilty and gave a self-deprecating smile: "I originally became an official so that my family could enjoy a life of honor and prestige. Now, before I can even enjoy the blessings, disaster has struck."

Shen Tangning paused for a moment, then leaned forward and took his hand: "We are husband and wife, one as one, so there's no need to worry too much about gains and losses."

Chi Yan's eyes showed emotion, and he swallowed hard: "Okay."

...

Before falling asleep, Chi Yan complained, "The Qi envoy will be arriving in the capital in a couple of days. I'm going to be busy again! I heard they're planning a marriage alliance. I wonder which unlucky guy will be the one to suffer?"

"A marriage alliance?" Shen Tangning turned her head slightly. "Is it a prince who wants to arrange a marriage alliance?"

Chi Yan closed his eyes and said casually, "She's a princess, I think she's the seventh in line? Your cousin, the crown prince, should be careful!"

His breathing deepened, and Shen Tangning stared blankly at the top of the tent.

The Seventh Princess?

She remembered that in her previous life, a prince from the State of Qi came and initially proposed a marriage alliance, but the proposal never came to fruition.

How did it turn into a princess marriage now?