The eldest princess came to the Prince of Qin's mansion under the pretext of visiting Ling Zhiru.
After all, Shangguan Wanning was still a wanted person by the court at this time. In order to hide her identity, she disguised herself as the eldest princess's maid, mixed in with many maids with her head down, so she was not so conspicuous.
While the princess and Ling Zhiru were chatting in the garden, Shangguan Wanning was about to sneak away when she saw Ling Zhiru's personal nanny coming over.
"Your Highness, the concubine has fainted."
Ling Zhiru paused, impatiently put down the cup in her hand, and scolded: "If you faint, then faint. Why are you telling me? I'm so annoyed."
"What's going on?" the princess asked softly.
"Ah! Aunt, I really envy you. You are the only woman in your mansion. Unlike me...that Shangguan Xiaoxiao, I get angry when I see her. She usually acts like a spoiled child and flatters the prince."
"I disdain to use such despicable means, otherwise, she would not have the chance to show up in front of the prince. Now, she can't even protect the prince's bloodline, and she still wants to ask the prince to release her father. If the prince doesn't agree, she will kneel at the door of the study. It's ridiculous, who cares about her."
Ling Zhiru said this, with a smug look on her raised eyebrows.
When she learned that Shangguan Xiaoxiao had been kneeling at the door of Xiao Zhenting's study for a day and a night and Xiao Zhenting had ignored her, she was so happy.
Shangguan Wanning frowned slightly and sighed secretly.
Sure enough, just as Li Siniang said, Shangguan Xiaoxiao did not have an easy time in the Prince Qin's Mansion.
However, she still had some conscience and thought about pleading for her father.
"Aunt," Ling Zhiru leaned towards the eldest princess and asked in a low voice, "The Prince Consort obeys you in everything. Can you teach me how you do it?"
"Want to know?" The eldest princess looked at Ling Zhiru with interest with a mysterious smile.
Ling Zhiru nodded repeatedly.
Shangguan Wanning saw the eldest princess secretly making a gesture to her. She knew the time was right and walked away quietly.
She tried her best to avoid the maids and guards in the mansion and walked towards Xiao Zhenting's study.
When she turned the corner of the corridor, she saw two servants carrying Shangguan Xiaoxiao passing by her.
Shangguan Xiaoxiao half closed her eyes, fell into a semi-comatose state, and was still mumbling something to herself.
Although Shangguan Xiaoxiao's current fate was her own fault, Shangguan Wanning still felt a little uncomfortable.
She took a deep breath to calm herself down and came to the door of Xiao Zhenting's study.
How should I start the conversation when I go in?
Shangguan Wanning hesitated and did not knock on the door.
"Are you going in or not?"
Shangguan Wanning was startled when she heard Xiao Zhenting's voice from behind. The moment she turned around, she felt her waist tighten.
Xiao Zhenting hugged her, pushed her back, pushed her into the study and quickly closed the door.
He held Shangguan Wanning in his arms, let her lean against the door, and stared at her quietly.
Shangguan Wanning's heartbeat quickened, she secretly clenched her fists, trying her best to endure it.
After a long time, a faint smile appeared on Xiao Zhenting's lips.
"You are so brave. There are people everywhere trying to arrest you. How dare you come to my house?"
Shangguan Wanning smiled sweetly and gently shook off Xiao Zhenting's hand.
"Didn't the prince send people to look for me everywhere? So, I came here."
Xiao Zhenting looked at Shangguan Wanning. There was really an aura about this woman that made him unable to stop.
"Then..." Xiao Zhenting stretched out his arms, embraced Shangguan Wanning in his arms, lifted her chin and moved closer, "You finally came to beg me."
Shangguan Wanning reached out and covered Xiao Zhenting's mouth, neither humble nor arrogant.
"I think you misunderstood, Your Majesty. I am not here to beg you. I am here to discuss cooperation with you."
"Cooperation?" Xiao Zhenting laughed. "Given the current situation of your Shangguan family, what right do you have to talk to me about cooperation?"
"Can you please let go first, my Lord?"
Shangguan Wanning really couldn't stand the feeling of leaning in Xiao Zhenting's arms.
Xiao Zhenting hesitated slightly, but still let go of Shangguan Wanning and took a few steps back to keep a distance from her.
"My father is the prime minister of the dynasty. Many important officials in the court are his students. You know his influence in the court better than I do. As long as you are willing to let my father go this time, he will become your helper in the future and help you ascend to the throne."
Xiao Zhenting did not answer, but just stared at Shangguan Wanning.
Cold sweat broke out in Shangguan Wanning's palms. She took a deep breath and said something meaningful.
"Your Majesty, you should know that the person who helped you succeed is my father."
Xiao Zhenting's eyes were filled with inquiry. After a long silence, he said faintly, "Last time I asked someone to give you red spider lilies, why didn't you accept them? Don't you like them?"
Shangguan Wanning's heart beat even faster.
"No, I like it very much, but... the time is not right yet."
An unfathomable smile appeared on Xiao Zhenting's face.
"Ning'er, you and I were originally in love, but you changed your mind and fell in love with someone else. You became close to Mu Jingrui. Now, the Shangguan family is in trouble, and you want me to let your father go. But how can you promise me that your father will cooperate with me after he is released?"
"I can marry you as a token of my sincerity."
Shangguan Wanning's words made Xiao Zhenting's smile gradually freeze on his face.
"really?"
"I will never break my promise."
"Okay, then I'll take a small deposit first."
As Xiao Zhenting spoke, he rushed over and pressed Shangguan Wanning against the wall again, then kissed her on the cheek.
"No...let go..." Shangguan Wanning struggled desperately, trying to push Xiao Zhenting away.
"I want to see your sincerity. If you want to cooperate with me, you have to be my woman first."
Shangguan Wanning's face was ashen. She took out the silver needle she had prepared in advance and stabbed it into Xiao Zhenting's neck.
A sharp pain made Xiao Zhenting tremble all over. He raised his hand and slapped Shangguan Wanning on the face.
Shangguan Wanning staggered several times before she could barely steady herself, and half of her cheek quickly swelled up.
Xiao Zhenting covered his neck and glared at Shangguan Wanning angrily.
"It seems that you have no sincerity in cooperating."
"No, Your Majesty, I want to cooperate with you. And in the current situation, I have no choice but to work with you. However, Your Majesty has not yet agreed to marry me, so I naturally have to do my best to maintain my innocence. Is that wrong?"
Shangguan Wanning's attitude was firm, and Xiao Zhenting gradually calmed down.
"You know best how I feel about you, how could I not agree?"
"No, I have to confirm with you, Your Majesty. I'm talking about a wife, not a concubine."
Xiao Zhenting was stunned and frowned slightly.
"You mean, you want to be the Princess of Qin?"
"That's right. If I, Shangguan Wan Ning, want to get married, I must marry in a formal way, with three letters and six ceremonies. I don't want to be like Xiao Xiao, who was bullied by Ling Zhiru after marriage and whose life was in danger at any time."
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