Even the crown prince is getting a marriage of convenience? Why are you in such a hurry to stop bein

Jiang Yun used both kindness and threats, merely mentioning the pros and cons, which terrified Master Meng to the point of losing his mind.

Pursuing profit is acceptable, but getting involved in the struggle for succession is absolutely unacceptable.

Seeing that both sides were determined to win this matter, Master Meng wished he could take his whole family and flee the capital to avoid trouble, so how could he refuse?

Jiang Yun smiled very kindly.

"I do not wish to make things difficult for the Meng family. My purpose in coming here is not to win you over. All I want is for the Meng family to remain silent and observe from the sidelines. After the matter is settled, I will also share some of the profits as compensation for the Meng family's troubles."

Master Meng dared not accept it. If he accepted Prince Jing's money, it would be tantamount to siding with Prince Jing's mansion.

"No, no, Your Highness's coming to remind me is already a great act of kindness. How could I dare to accept Your Highness's money?"

"But... the Meng family must have spent a lot of money to cooperate with the alliance."

"It's just a small amount of money, consider it a lesson learned. Your Highness's willingness to come and remind me today, these few words that have protected my Meng family are worth more than ten thousand taels of gold. How dare I ask for any more silver?"

Jiang Yun was well aware of what Master Meng was truly worried about. Since Master Meng dared not accept the money, he could save himself the trouble of accepting it.

He smiled and sighed, "Master Meng is reasonable and understanding. It is a blessing for Great Xia to have someone like Master Meng who is dedicated to the country."

"No, no, I wouldn't dare."

Although withdrawing from this matter was a huge loss for Master Meng, it wouldn't be bad if he could forge a good relationship with Prince Jing.

Each of them had their own thoughts, but in the end, they sang in harmony, and it could be said that both host and guest were happy.

After leaving the Meng family, Jiang Yun sat in the carriage, a smile playing on her lips.

"This Meng Zhongyuan is quite perceptive; no wonder the Meng family business has developed to its current state."

"Hopefully, the Qiao family will be just as sensible."

……

Meanwhile, upon learning of this, Prince Kang immediately went to Chaohua Palace to discuss it with Consort Xian.

Jiang Heng smiled, a hint of ruthlessness and smugness flashing in his eyes.

"Mother, Xiao Lie is willing to back down, it seems he knows how powerful we are. Why don't we strike while the iron is hot?"

"My son, what do you intend to do?"

Jiang Heng took two steps forward and spoke to her in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Consort Xian's eyes flickered slightly, and she hesitated.

"Your idea is good, but what if Xiao Lie joins forces with others..."

Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Heng categorically denied it, a hint of fierceness flashing in his eyes.

"No, I will not give them the opportunity to unite and try to exclude me. It's not that easy for two groups to share the spoils."

Hearing this, a hint of hatred appeared in Consort Xian's eyes. She clenched her fists tightly and said coldly and resolutely.

"Now that you've made up your mind, go ahead and do it. Your mother will fully support you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Mother."

Consort Xian smiled slightly, "You and my son are mother, why should we talk about 'thank you'?"

Jiang Heng bowed respectfully, then turned and left after a moment. He did not return to the Prince's residence, but went to the Imperial Study.

"The third son wants to see you? Did he say what he wanted to say?"

De Shun shook his head, which immediately displeased the emperor.

Jiang Heng's repeated mishaps had left an impression on the emperor that he was a troublemaker, and his current quietness was the best thing for him.

But now he's come to the Imperial Study on his own initiative...

The emperor narrowed his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then sighed.

"Fine, let him in."

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"

"No need for formalities. What brings you here?"

The emperor thought that Prince Kang would get straight to the point, but to his surprise, he waited for a while and then fell silent.

He looked up and saw that the person's face was pale and there was a hint of hesitation in their expression.

The emperor's brow furrowed. "What, can't you say it? Then there's no need to say it?"

He let King Kang in, not to have him put on an act or try to sow discord between him and the king.

Upon hearing the order to leave, King Kang immediately knelt down, his eyes slightly red, his expression sorrowful.

"Father, I originally did not intend to speak of this matter, but it concerns the very foundation of the Great Xia Kingdom and the safety of its borders, so I have no choice but to speak. I beg you, Father, to forgive me and my fifth brother. Whatever I have said or whatever my fifth brother has done, please do not blame him."

"He...he just went astray for a moment?"

After saying this, he kowtowed heavily on the ground, silencing the entire imperial study.

The emperor squinted, sat up straight, and suddenly found it somewhat interesting.

It seems that Heng'er has a fatal weakness in Dao Yun'er's hands.

"Tell me first, what exactly happened?"

King Kang kowtowed again on the ground, his words sorrowful yet resolute.

"Your Majesty, I dare not say. Please grant my request first."

The emperor had no interest in playing along, much less in engaging in such convoluted schemes. He slammed down a memorial and coldly rebuked him.

"I told you to speak, so speak!"

With these words in mind, King Kang clasped his hands and spoke tremblingly.

"Father, I have discovered that my fifth brother is conspiring with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to rebel and collude with the border officials; he seems to harbor rebellious intentions!"

Upon hearing this, the surroundings fell silent, as if they had fallen into an endless abyss.

Even the experienced and knowledgeable old eunuch Deshun couldn't help but take a step back, revealing a look of horror.

The emperor was not startled, just a little surprised, and said calmly.

"Go on, tell me how you discovered it?"

So Jiang Heng began to tell his discovery, half-truthfully and half-jokingly.

At first, he only paid more attention to his own shops because of the deficit in his household. However, he unexpectedly discovered that the Xiao family was sending things to the border from time to time. Sometimes it was silver, sometimes it was grain and supplies, and sometimes it was money.

"Although this matter is inappropriate, I thought that Prince Xiao had repeatedly raised funds for the army, and I felt that he cared about the soldiers on the border and was making up for it with his own money, so I did not report it."

"But not long ago, I discovered that Prince Jing and Xiao Lie had been in contact for some time. In fact, the carts used for transporting goods were loaded with items prepared by Prince Jing, including weapons..."

Upon hearing this, the teacup crashed to the ground and shattered into pieces.

The emperor's face turned icy. "Is everything you're saying true?"

Jiang Heng was taken aback, then kowtowed heavily.

"It is absolutely true. Your Majesty would not dare to utter a single lie. If you do not believe me, Your Majesty may send someone to verify it."

The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression full of suspicion.

"If the two are cooperating, it should be a secret matter. How do you know that it is Prince Jing who is supplying them?"

"Father, I can see it with my own eyes. No matter how wealthy the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is, it is still just a noble family. Where would they get the money to supply so many things? And Prince Jing and Xiao Lie have a very close personal relationship. They are jointly raising funds in front of everyone. Who else could be funding all of this if not Prince Jing?"

The emperor looked at him suspiciously, unsure whether what he was saying was a deliberate frame-up or something true.

If it was a deliberate frame-up, then he was incredibly audacious; but if it was true, then the fifth brother was truly a master of deception.