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

Shen Qinglan's words were so well-chosen that even though the Prince of Kang still had doubts, he couldn't question her further.

Now he has failed to do a good job and eliminate the great threat of the Xiao family for his father. Instead, he has been outmaneuvered and punished in public.

This had already displeased and disappointed his father.

We must not allow any further discord to reach Consort Xian because of this matter.

There must be no more unpleasantness between mother and son.

"Your Highness, is there anything else you wish to ask?" Shen Qinglan's eyes were cold, and her face showed signs of weariness. "I am tired and wish to rest."

King Kang, Jiang Heng, snorted coldly and angrily reminded her, "You'd better have a clear conscience and have never done anything under my nose that betrays me."

He grabbed Shen Qinglan's slender, fair neck and tightened his grip slightly. "Otherwise, I'll make you wish you were dead in the Kang Prince's mansion."

There was not a trace of fear in Shen Qinglan's eyes. She simply said calmly, "In the end, Your Highness still doesn't believe me. Why don't we go to my mother's place together and clarify this matter?"

Jiang Heng was so angry that she almost choked. She never expected that the woman would bring up Consort Xian again and again.

In the end, he could only turn away in a huff, and even kicked the door to vent his anger.

Meanwhile, Xiao Lie was having tea with Shen Qingge and Lin Yu.

Shen Qingge couldn't hide his smile, and he couldn't help but look at Xiao Lie with even more admiration. "Back then, my family insisted on stopping me from hanging out with you."

"I never imagined you were always playing dumb to fool others."

"Now that this has happened, my elders at home are urging me to learn to maintain the pure friendship between us."

Lin Yu also laughed and said, "It's thanks to your idea that we were able to make Prince Kang suffer such a big setback."

After making a lighthearted remark, Lin Yu's serious expression vanished. "You've been spending far too much time with Prince Jing lately. It's bound to arouse suspicion, making people wonder if you're colluding with him."

How could Xiao Lie not understand the meaning behind Lin Yu's words?

Her concerns coincided with those of Sixteen: "Ultimately, we can't conspire with a tiger for long. Perhaps after this matter is resolved, we should stop associating with Prince Jing?"

Xiao Lie raised an eyebrow. It was too late to part ways and sever ties now.

The emperor had long since concluded that his relationship with Prince Jing, Jiang Yun, was not close and that it was all for the purpose of bringing down Prince Kang.

"You don't need to overthink it." They were on good terms with him, and now their family interests were deeply intertwined, so it was no longer as simple and pure as a few people's personal relationship.

Xiao Lie wanted to make his plans clear to them so that they could give an explanation to their families.

Not only could they not avoid seeing each other, but they also had to openly seek pleasure together with Prince Jing.

He has a perfect place in his mind.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu and Shen Qingge couldn't help but gasp.

"You're incredibly audacious, actually thinking of going out for drinks and entertainment with Prince Jing?"

King Jing was meticulous and eager to obtain that position.

Why would she be willing to play along with such an absurd act?

Xiao Lie had his own ideas, so there was no need to explain too much to them. "You just need to wait and watch the show. I've already had the stage set up."

After they parted ways, before Xiao Lie could even climb into bed to sleep, Sixteen excitedly leaped in through the window.

He was startled. "Why didn't you use the main entrance? Why did you jump out the window to scare me?"

Sixteen excitedly stepped forward, "A letter has arrived! The Duke has received this batch of supplies."

Xiao Lie was somewhat surprised.

Because the route was changed at the last minute, they arrived several days earlier than expected.

The heavy weight that had been pressing on my heart can finally be lifted.

The border war is of utmost importance, and the soldiers cannot be allowed to go hungry, cold, or lack sufficient equipment.

He said the emperor was far too foolish.

If it weren't for his grandfather being there to keep things in check, those enemy armies from various countries with their wolfish ambitions would have already invaded.

Over the years, they have been wary of his grandfather and have only dared to conduct minor harassments and raids at the border.

If the soldiers are truly suffering from hunger due to insufficient military supplies and lack of suitable weapons, and the city is lost, then the emperor will have something to cry about.

"Young Master?" Sixteen, thinking Xiao Lie had been frightened out of his wits, tentatively inquired, "Should we call Old He to take his pulse?"

Xiao Lie snapped out of his reverie. "Distracted by thoughts? Do you really think I, your young master, am made of porcelain, so fragile?"

He suddenly thought of something else, "Shen Qinglan is suspected of being targeted by Prince Kang. Have you contacted her?"

Although the meditation room at Qingtan Temple is secluded, it's best to avoid running into it these days.

But he was also nervous about the large sum of money they had earned.

This part is all managed by Shen Qinglan.

Please, please don't let anything unexpected happen.

Sixteen then realized that he had been too excited and had forgotten to deliver the two secret messages.

"Both the Duke and Princess Kang wrote secret letters and asked me to deliver them."

After receiving the letter from Shi Liu, Xiao Lie first began to read the family letter.

To his surprise, his grandfather was not worried about him risking his life to deliver the military supplies.

Instead, it brought endless worries.

Seeing his furrowed brows, Sixteen's heart leaped into her throat. "Has something bad happened?"

Xiao Lie sighed, "Now that I'm here, I'm being watched by everyone. My grandfather is worried about my safety and wants to urge me to return to his side as soon as possible."

Sixteen was shocked. "If we go back, who will send us military supplies?"

Wouldn't we be doomed?

Even Sixteen understands this principle; Grandpa must have thought it through carefully.

Grandpa still cares about him more than anyone else, just like before.

Xiao Lie certainly wouldn't leave. He had already turned the court upside down, so he had to stay and continue causing chaos.

Perhaps his grandfather had anticipated that he wouldn't go back easily, and had helped him plan another way.

"Don't worry, just follow me and boldly venture out here," Xiao Lie said frankly. "Grandpa has formed an alliance with the garrison commanders of several nearby cities. If I am in any danger, they will have a way to protect me."

His gaze lingered on Sixteen. "As for you, why don't you head back first? A storm is brewing, and I'm barely clinging to life myself..."

Sixteen couldn't help but interrupt him, "I am the person the Duke gave to the Heir Apparent, and I will follow him to the death. Don't say such things again. I can't drive him away."

Xiao Lie laughed, "If others hear you acting like this, they'll think there's some kind of unspeakable relationship between us."

His voice suddenly lowered a few decibels, "The piece we placed a while ago is about ready to play its role."