Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

"What siege do I need to solve?"

Xie Xiuqi looked at her deeply and spoke slowly, "I think the Fifth Prince intends to ask His Majesty to grant you a marriage."

Shen Chuning was stunned at first, then, as if she had just heard the biggest joke in the world, she pointed at herself with a slender jade finger and asked in disbelief, "Me? I'm three years older than the Fifth Prince. Is he crazy to want to marry me? Besides, where do you get the basis for this so-called 'feeling'? Is it something you learned from observing the stars at night?"

At this moment, Xie Xiuqi's face darkened, "The Third Prince is about to return to the capital."

These words were like a thunderbolt, striking Shen Chuning directly.

"How do you know about this? My people didn't even report it to me!" Shen Chuning widened her eyes and asked Xie Xiuqi with suspicion.

Xie Xiuqi replied calmly, "After court yesterday, His Majesty summoned me to the Imperial Study. He asked me to choose an auspicious date for my trip to the capital, and gave me the Third Prince's horoscope. His Majesty and I were the only two present; even Eunuch Dequan had been dismissed."

After hearing what Xie Xiuqi said, Shen Chuning couldn't help but frown and slowly fell into deep thought.

Now that Prime Minister Su has retired, only Prime Minister Shen Huaizhong is left in the court with absolute power.

Once the third prince returns to Beijing, the current balance of power among the various forces in the court will be completely disrupted.

Everyone in the Xiao family has always been suspicious by nature, and Shen Jingwan happens to be by Xiao Yuanlang's side.

In this case, Xiao Yuanyi will definitely have doubts about Shen Huaizhong's position.

The only feasible solution to this dilemma seems to be to marry her who has a higher status in the Shen family.

Thinking of this, Shen Chuning shook her head slightly and analyzed calmly: "Even if he asks His Majesty for permission to marry, His Majesty will not agree. If he really agrees to this, it will be tantamount to openly forcing the Shen family to take sides."

However, Xie Xiuqi smiled faintly and confidently retorted, "What if he retreats to advance? For example, he might take the initiative to go to his fiefdom and at the same time offer a condition: in exchange for marrying you, he'd be willing to give up the splendor and wealth of the capital. In my opinion, Your Majesty would most likely agree to this out of the need to maintain superficial harmony between father and son and brothers. After all, Your Majesty values superficiality above all else."

Seeing Shen Chuning remained silent, Xie Xiuqi paused for a moment before continuing, "I've already sounded out Zhou Lin for you. If you still have feelings for someone else, you'd better make up your mind and make arrangements as soon as possible. After all, once His Majesty issues an imperial decree, it will be almost impossible to change your mind."

Hearing this, Shen Chuning couldn't help but think of what Zhou Lin had just said - it turned out that the reason why he was so caring and protective of her was simply because her aunt loved her very much.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss, but she quickly regained her composure and responded decisively: "When I return, I will ask my mother to complete my engagement letter and then send it to your house."

After hearing these words, Xie Xiuqi's originally tense face instantly relaxed, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and he finally revealed the first smile that truly came from the heart today.

He said softly, "Alright, let's get through this difficult time first. If you regret it later, it's totally fine to cancel the engagement."

However, Shen Chuning did not give a clear answer to Xie Xiuqi's good intentions, but simply replied: "Happy cooperation!"

The smile on Xie Xiuqi's face faded a little, and he also echoed, "Happy cooperation!"

The phrase "Happy cooperation" was, on the one hand, intended to soothe Shen Chuning's somewhat uneasy heart; on the other hand, it was more of a secret warning to himself - what he had with Shen Chuning was just a cooperation, and he must not develop real feelings.

……

Shen Chuning returned home and called Xuan You and Xuan Ying.

"How long have you two been following me?" Shen Chuning asked softly, with an indescribable complex emotion in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Xuanying and Xuanyou exchanged a glance before respectfully replying, "Young lady, I have been with you for over three years. During these three years, we have diligently protected your safety, not daring to slack off even for the slightest."

Shen Chuning nodded slightly, then gently placed the two silver bills on the table in front of her.

Her movements were graceful and calm, as if she was putting down not just a simple banknote, but a heavy past.

"You have been with me for a long time, and now it's time to go back to the Zhou family." Shen Chuning's voice was as calm as water, without too many ups and downs.

However, this sentence was like a bolt from the blue to Xuanyou and Xuanying.

Their eyes widened, their faces filled with disbelief.

Then, as if they realized something, they hurriedly knelt on the ground and said anxiously, "Miss, I don't know what mistake I made. If it is really my fault, please tell me clearly. I will definitely correct it and never make the same mistake again!"

Seeing the two men so anxious, Shen Chuning shook her head gently and said slowly, "You haven't committed any faults. On the contrary, I have seen your loyalty and dedication over the years. However, the newly trained secret guards here are now capable of standing on their own and can protect me well. Moreover, Xuanyou, you once said that you wanted to fight on the battlefield and realize your ambitions, but all I can give you is this money. I will talk to Young Master Zhou Er and send you to the north, where you can truly display your talents."

"Miss, we..."

They opened their mouths, as if they wanted to say something, but Shen Chuning waved her hand and decisively interrupted them: "Alright, no need to say any more. I have made up my mind. This matter is settled."

Xuanyou and Xuanying were originally arranged by Zhou Lin to be by her side to protect her.

Now that she knew the real reason why Zhou Lin treated her like this, she naturally didn't want to continue to accept his kindness.