Shen Ning clenched her sleeves under the table, carefully considering her answer.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but my abilities are limited and I dare not accept such an important task. What Miss Tao saw that day was not true. I did not drive Steward Liang away, but hoped that he would help my sister who was thinking of divorce to guard her dowry. When my sister divorces and returns home, he will naturally come back. At that time, we will still ask him to manage the family business."
I never expected that Butler Liang would one day become her shield.
After saying that, he stood up and said, "If Your Highness needs anything, I am willing to pass on your message. I am also happy that Steward Liang has gained Your Highness's favor."
"It's getting late, I'll take my leave now."
Shen Ning bowed and slowly backed away, intending to leave. That deep gaze followed her like a shadow, and just as she was about to turn around, it came: "I don't seem to have said that I was discussing this with you, Miss Shen. This is an order."
The shield didn't work; they were after her.
Shen Ning stood still: "Your Highness, how can you make such a decision based solely on Tao Ji's words? It is far too hasty. I am truly unfit for this important task, and it would be terrible to ruin Your Highness's hard work."
King Zhao gazed at her meaningfully: "You are too modest. I dare to give you an important position because I have thought it through carefully. The news that Tao Ji brought only makes me appreciate you even more."
“Shen Ning, you are a smart man. My personal visit to see you is enough to prove my sincerity.”
Sincerity? It's more like a threat.
Then King Zhao told her what a threat was: "I admire you and will not make things difficult for you. I can give you a few days to think it over. However, those two attendants below will remain here for now. I await your reply."
Detaining Yu Zhu and Mo Lin is not the ultimate threat. If she really can abandon these two and not be threatened, then who will be next?
King Zhao's power was enough to overthrow the court, and dealing with her would be a piece of cake.
Shen Ning stood there for a long time, so long that it almost made people lose patience, before she finally slowly turned around.
Looking directly at King Zhao, sizing up this unfathomable man, Shen Ning had been given a second chance at life, gaining ten years of experience and knowledge of the next ten years. But she never dared to be arrogant, thinking herself so powerful or looking down on others.
The man in front of her was also in his early thirties. In terms of experience, he was no less experienced than her, and in terms of status and power, she was insignificant.
All she knew was that ten years into the future, but under absolute power, no matter how much she knew, it wouldn't allow her to turn the tide at this moment.
Finally, she grasped the box containing the land deed, her face expressionless: "Your Highness has high hopes for me, and I am willing to give it a try. However, my abilities are limited, and if I cannot meet Your Highness's expectations, please do not blame me."
King Zhao smiled with relief, his gloom instantly dissipating, as if bathed in a spring breeze.
"I believe you will not disappoint me."
Then he pointed at Tao Ji: "This girl speaks highly of you, saying that you hit it off immediately. From now on, let her learn how to manage the business from you. You should teach her well."
Princess Chang Le said they hit it off immediately, which made Shen Ning very happy, but for Tao Ji, that same feeling was a disaster.
No matter how nicely it's described, it's nothing more than surveillance.
"I wouldn't presume to offer instruction, but if Miss Tao Ji is willing to learn, I, Shen Ning, will naturally impart all my knowledge."
"It's getting late, Your Highness. I won't disturb you any longer. I'll take my leave."
I'm tired, and I don't want to keep pretending anymore.
King Zhao achieved his goal and knew that Shen Ning was in a complicated mood, so he didn't keep her this time and released her with a wave of his hand.
After bowing to King Zhao, Tao Ji followed Shen Ning, not daring to get too close, and followed at a leisurely pace.
Upon seeing Tao Ji, Yu Zhu instantly transformed into a fighter, ready to charge at Shen Ning's command.
Upon learning that Tao Ji was going back with them, Yu Zhu was dumbfounded: "Miss, why? She doesn't seem like a good person."
Peach Princess feigned tears: "Those words are truly heartbreaking, I..."
Tao Ji wanted to continue acting, but Shen Ning glanced at her and she immediately chickened out.
Shen Ning got into the car with a cold expression: "Let's go."
Once outside, Shen Ning looked out. It was an unnamed alley, with the entrance and exit through the back door. After many twists and turns, it was quite difficult to figure out where she had entered. But she was certain that it was not the Prince Zhao's residence.
The carriage moved slowly, with Tao Ji following on horseback. This time, they returned safely to the Shen family.
After getting off the carriage and entering the house, Shen Ning said to Yu Zhu, "Go and get the rope. Haven't you been wanting to tie her up? Now's the time."
Polygonatum: ? ? ?
He took off running the next moment.
Momohime: "No, young lady, what are you doing?"
Yu Zhu quickly came out with a rope, and also pulled Liu Ying and Mo Xue'er out. The three of them stared at Tao Ji menacingly. Mo Lin stood to the side, and a set of bow and arrows appeared in his hand at some point.
Tao Ji's expression changed slightly: "Is Miss serious?"
Shen Ning stood to one side, looking at her coldly: "If you come to my Shen family, you have to abide by my rules. If you don't want to stay, the door is right there, no one will force you."
Is this a way of kicking me out?
Tao Ji tried to explain: "Shen Ning, I can explain. It's not what you think, I..."
"Let's do it!"
Several people rushed forward and hugged Tao Ji tightly, while Yu Zhu took a rope and started tying it around her neck.
Peach Princess rolled her eyes instantly; she felt like she was really going to die here.
Does this brat even know how to tie someone up?!
In the end, Yu Zhu used three binding methods on her, tightening each one as tightly as possible, determined not to give her a chance to escape.
Momohime couldn't escape, but she felt she was about to die.
"Miss Shen, are you trying to kill me?" Tao Ji said angrily.
Shen Ning ignored her completely.
"Take her to a room and lock her up. Yuzhu, keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't die."
Yu Zhu: "Yes."
Peach Princess: "......" My life is over.
Shen Ning went to the study and sat there blankly. She didn't even notice when Liu Ying came in to bring her tea. It was only when Mo Xue'er took a handkerchief and wiped her face that she came back to her senses.
Liu Ying asked with concern, "Miss, did you encounter any trouble when you went out today? Why did Tao Ji come back with you?"
Before Shen Ning could answer, she touched the box in her sleeve.
Upon seeing this expression, Liu Ying immediately stopped asking further questions.
He turned around and went out to ask someone to prepare hot water so that the young lady could soak in it and relax.
Shen Ning was truly exhausted, overwhelmed and suffocating, both physically and mentally drained.
Despite her myriad thoughts, she was completely lost and couldn't find a way out.
I felt a little better after taking a bath and changing clothes, but it didn't relieve my worries.
King Zhao's sudden move really frightened her. He was after the throne, and he was going to be the loser. Anyone who followed him would be doomed, and their whole family would die with him.
Most importantly, Shen Ning had tested the waters and found that King Zhao had chosen her not just because of Tao Ji's one-sided story.
If it was truly Tao Ji's fault, Shen Ning could breathe a sigh of relief; otherwise...
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