"Hardly a coincidence. I've been waiting for you for an hour."
Tang Ningshuang spoke coldly as she looked at Jiang Xiaobai.
"..."
Jiang Xiaobai's mouth twitched.
An hour?
No wonder Zhang Xinnian had taken so long just now.
So this woman had been waiting in the carriage all along.
Wait...
He hadn't gone out these past two days. Had this woman been sitting in the carriage whenever she had nothing else to do?
That thought was more than a little unnerving!
"Ahem, well..."
Jiang Xiaobai cleared his throat and said with a rueful smile, "Sister Tang, you really can't blame me for this!"
"When Eunuch Gao announced the decree, I refused on the spot. I had no idea His Majesty would send you to protect me."
At this point, Jiang Xiaobai spread his hands, looking utterly innocent. "So if you want to blame someone, blame His Majesty!"
"This really has nothing to do with me!"
Jiang Xiaobai knew Tang Ningshuang aspired to join the army, kill enemies on the battlefield, and defend her home and country!
But to protect him, Tang Ningshuang had temporarily joined the Shadowguard Bureau, going completely against her original ambitions.
"I know it isn't your fault!"
Tang Ningshuang acknowledged that much, leaning back against the carriage as she added, "But... it's still because I have to protect you!"
"Then..."
"Don't worry!"
Tang Ningshuang's expression grew colder. "I'll keep you safe!"
With that, Tang Ningshuang turned away and stopped looking at Jiang Xiaobai.
Jiang Xiaobai breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing her icy expression, he thought it best not to say anything more.
This woman was clearly nursing a grievance.
After all, she had earned the top rank in the Military Examination and expected to join the army and slay enemies. Instead, His Majesty had tossed her