Yuan Zhao shrugged: "I overheard a conspiracy. Your family's steward bribed a few henchmen to kidnap you and teach you a lesson."
He wouldn't have bothered with this if it were anyone else, but he overheard Shen Tangning's name and, remembering that she had saved his life, he felt compelled to intervene.
As for why Yuan Zhao knew Shen Tangning's identity, she introduced herself so readily that day, clearly waiting for him to come to her.
"Butler Wang?" A hint of surprise flashed in Chi Yan's eyes, but his expression quickly darkened. "It was actually him."
Shen Tangning was surprised for a moment, then instantly understood, and smiled knowingly: "I'm afraid he was turned away by the Lady of the Marquis a couple of days ago, which is why he's seeking revenge."
Yuan Zhao wasn't interested in these grudges and entanglements, and reminded her, "These assassins are clearly from another group. I suspect it's because you helped me escape from the princess's residence that the Third Prince has his eye on you."
Shen Tangning's expression showed no surprise, which surprised Yuan Zhao.
It seems this woman is more intelligent than he imagined.
He said stiffly, "You saved my life, and I saved yours. Now we're even."
Shen Tangning was unwilling to agree. She had gone to great lengths to save him that day, not so that he would so easily repay the debt of saving her life!
"What you're doing is not fair. As far as I'm concerned, it took a tremendous amount of effort for me to save you at the Princess's residence that day."
She put on a worried expression and said, "Now I'm being targeted by someone like the Third Prince. You could even say that my current predicament is inextricably linked to you. Do you admit that?"
Yuan Zhao pondered for a moment, then nodded stiffly.
Chi Yan watched the spectacle from the sidelines, and he had a premonition that this big oaf could be fooled by Shen Tangning.
"But for you, dealing with these assassins is a piece of cake. Although it was also a life-saving favor, it's not equal. Besides, I was in danger because of you. Am I wrong?"
She spoke with righteous indignation, her eyes even carrying a hint of condemnation.
Yuan Zhao is an assassin. Although he is skilled, he is single-minded and no match for Shen Tangning.
After thinking it over, he realized she made a lot of sense. Under her gaze, he felt guilty and couldn't lift his head. He wisely backed down and asked, "So what do you want?"
Shen Tangning smiled and became more agreeable: "There's a saying that goes, 'A life-saving grace should be repaid with one's body'..."
Both men stared at her warily.
Chi Yan looked blankly at him: Oh no, he's a living, breathing person standing here.
Doesn't she try to hide this from others?
Yuan Zhao's limbs stiffened, and his face grew increasingly wooden: What does this woman want to do? He's not someone to be trifled with!
Shen Tangning said in a lighthearted tone, "How about this, you do things for me, and I'll pay you?"
She noticed their gazes and asked in a strange tone, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
The two: "..."
It turns out it was selling one's life, not selling one's body.
Don't gasp for breath next time you speak!
Yuan Zhao hesitated. He was a cold-blooded and ruthless assassin, unwilling to get involved in the feuds and disputes of wealthy and powerful families: "I won't..."
Shen Tangning smiled slightly: "Name your price."
Yuan Zhao immediately felt humiliated, and her face turned cold: "Miss Shen, I am not the kind of person who would bow down for a pittance!"
"Is one hundred taels a month enough?" Shen Tangning frowned, her tone hesitant. "Isn't two hundred taels a bit too little?"
Yuan Zhao: "..."
He took a deep breath, his expression upright: "Okay, when will you take office?"
Chi Yan: "..."
Good lad, you won't bow down for five pecks of rice, but ten pecks would be fine, right?
Both parties expressed satisfaction with the deal.
Yuan Zhao believed that a first-rank official's monthly salary was only 180 taels of silver, and working for Miss Shen would be more lucrative than being an official... and offer better prospects.
Shen Tangning felt that it was well worth the money to hire a bodyguard comparable to a royal assassin for only two hundred taels of silver!
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