Sheng Yunrong walked slowly into the hall. She was wearing a lavender silk skirt embroidered with delicate plum blossoms and a jade hairpin inlaid with jewels on her hair. She walked lightly and gracefully.

As soon as Sheng Yunrong walked into the hall, she saw Prince Jing Pei Jinxiao standing there. He was wearing a black dragon robe, with an upright posture and a majestic look between his eyebrows. Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly and saluted Pei Jinxiao: "Your Highness Prince Jing, Yunrong is here."

Pei Jinxiao nodded slightly, his eyes lingered on Sheng Yunrong for a moment, and said, "Miss Sheng, please sit down."

After Sheng Yunrong sat down, Pei Jinxiao said, "The reason why I invited Miss Sheng here today is because there are some disputes between our country and our neighboring countries. I want to hear Miss Sheng's opinion."

Sheng Yunrong was slightly stunned. She didn't expect Pei Jinxiao to be so direct. She thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, the provocation by the neighboring country is clearly intended to test our bottom line. I think we should fight back and let them know our strength."

Pei Jinxiao's eyes flashed with admiration, and he said, "Miss Sheng is indeed smart. So, how do you think we should deal with this?"

Sheng Yunrong pondered and said, "We can send out elite troops to strike back at our neighbors with lightning speed, catching them off guard. At the same time, we can also strengthen our defenses at the border to prevent our neighbors from invading again."

Pei Jinxiao nodded: "Yes, I think so too. Then, Miss Sheng, are you willing to help me plan this operation?"

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly: "Don't worry, Your Highness, Yunrong will do her best."

Pei Jinxiao looked at Sheng Yunrong and secretly sighed in his heart: The eldest lady of the Sheng family is indeed worthy of her reputation, with both beauty and wisdom.

In the following days, Sheng Yunrong and Pei Jinxiao planned a counterattack against the neighboring country. The two often discussed strategies together, and their understanding of each other became deeper and deeper.

On this day, Sheng Yunrong was discussing matters with Pei Jinxiao in the study room, when suddenly a guard rushed in: "Your Highness, something bad has happened! The Sheng Mansion has been reported, and Lord Sheng has been recalled by the court."

Sheng Yunrong's face turned pale instantly when she heard this. Pei Jinxiao was also stunned. He looked at Sheng Yunrong and comforted her, "Miss Sheng, don't worry. I will definitely find out the truth and clear the Sheng family of grievances."

Sheng Yunrong held back her tears and nodded.

At this critical moment, she couldn't collapse easily.

After returning to Sheng Mansion, Sheng Yunrong saw her father, Lord Sheng, being taken away by the imperial guards, and her mother and sister crying bitterly. She gritted her teeth and told herself to be strong.

At this time, Pei Jinxiao came over and said to Sheng Yunrong: "Miss Sheng, I have sent someone to investigate this matter. I believe the real culprit will be found soon."

Sheng Yunrong looked at Pei Jinxiao, with a firm light in her eyes: "Your Highness, I believe you."

Pei Jinxiao felt warm in his heart. He gently patted Sheng Yunrong on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely give justice to the Sheng family."

After some investigation, Pei Jinxiao finally found the real culprit. It turned out that it was a spy sent by a neighboring country who was trying to sow discord within the Sheng Mansion and undermine the stability of our country. Pei Jinxiao captured the spy and cleared the Sheng Mansion of the grievances.

Sheng Yunrong looked at Pei Jinxiao gratefully: "Your Highness, thank you."

Pei Jinxiao smiled slightly: "Miss Sheng, these are what I should do. From now on, the Sheng Mansion will be my support."

…

Unexpectedly, there weren't many people in Prince Jing's mansion at the moment. Sheng Yunrong gently lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and caught a glimpse of a few servants busy in the courtyard. She couldn't help but feel a little confused. She frowned slightly, and then was supported by the maid beside her and walked into the main hall of the prince's mansion.

In the hall, Jing Wang Pei Jinxiao was sitting in the main seat, wearing a dark blue robe, with a handsome face and a hint of alienation between his brows. He looked up and saw Sheng Yunrong, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then he calmly stood up to greet her.

"Miss Sheng, I didn't expect you to come to my house in person today." Pei Jinxiao's voice was low and mellow, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly and said softly, "Your Majesty, I have something to ask of you. Would you be so kind as to meet me?"

Pei Jinxiao nodded slightly and said, "Miss Sheng, please speak."

Sheng Yunrong sat down gently and looked around the hall. She saw antiques and treasures everywhere, showing the wealth and nobility of Prince Jing's Mansion. She calmed down a little and said, "Your Majesty, the relationship between Sheng Mansion and Prince Jing's Mansion has become increasingly close in recent years. I would like to ask you something."

Pei Jinxiao raised his eyebrows slightly, as if he was a little surprised by Sheng Yunrong's words, but he still asked calmly: "Miss Sheng, please feel free to speak."

Sheng Yunrong took a deep breath and said, "My Lord, there are rumors among the people that you will marry the princess. Is this true?"

Pei Jinxiao's eyes flashed with a sharpness, but his expression remained calm: "Miss Sheng is really well-informed. Yes, our country has made peace with the neighboring country, and I have betrothed the princess to me."

Sheng Yunrong's heart tightened. She knew what this meant. She said slowly, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask what you think of this marriage?"

Pei Jinxiao smiled slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes: "Miss Sheng, what do you think?"

Sheng Yunrong was slightly stunned. She didn't expect Pei Jinxiao to throw the question to her. She thought for a moment and said, "I think that the marriage between the two countries is beneficial to the stability of the country, but I dare not speculate on what the prince is thinking."

Pei Jinxiao's eyes changed slightly, and he seemed to be somewhat satisfied with Sheng Yunrong's answer. He nodded gently and said, "Miss Sheng is really smart. In fact, I don't want this marriage."

Sheng Yunrong's eyes flashed with surprise. She didn't expect Pei Jinxiao to be so frank. She asked carefully, "Since the prince is unwilling, why doesn't he express his feelings to the emperor?"

Pei Jinxiao smiled bitterly and said, "Miss Sheng, do you think I don't want to refuse this marriage? But in the face of national interests, what does personal emotion count for?"

Sheng Yunrong was silent for a moment, but she felt an indescribable sense of loss in her heart. She said slowly, "Your Majesty, I have an unreasonable request. I wonder if Your Majesty can agree to it?"

Pei Jinxiao smiled slightly and said, "Miss Sheng, please speak."

Sheng Yunrong bit her lower lip and said, "I would like to ask Your Majesty to do your best to maintain the peace of the Sheng Mansion after the marriage. Although the Sheng Mansion is not as prominent as the Jingwang Mansion, it is also my home. I don't want to see the Sheng Mansion being implicated because of the marriage."

Pei Jinxiao's expression changed slightly. He looked at Sheng Yunrong, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes. He said softly, "Don't worry, Miss Sheng. I will do my best to protect the Sheng Mansion."

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly, as if a huge rock had been lifted from her heart.

"Pei Jinxiao, what are you doing?" Sheng Yunrong turned her head and stared at Prince Jing Pei Jinxiao who was sitting at the desk with sharp eyes.

Pei Jinxiao raised his head, a hint of depth flashed in his eyes, he smiled gently and said: "Miss Sheng, you are here. I am just dealing with some trivial matters, the palace is temporarily short of manpower."

"Trivia?" Sheng Yunrong sneered, "Is there some secret?"

Pei Jinxiao smiled slightly and said, "Miss Sheng has misunderstood. I do have some personal matters to deal with. However, since you are here, I will chat with you."