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

For several days in a row, the emperor was so angry and frustrated after reading Xiao Lie's letter that he was filled with rage.

But Jiang Yueyao always arrived right on time, delivering the letter at the same hour every day without stopping.

"Is my royal uncle inside?"

Jiang Yueyao looked at the large boxes behind her. "Besides delivering Prince Xiao's letter today, I also brought other things."

"Please ask your father-in-law to pass on this message."

De Shun was genuinely intimidated by her, but what could he do? If they didn't let her in, he could just keep waiting.

They would even loudly proclaim their beliefs outside the temple.

The sounds outside had already reached the emperor's ears.

He angrily said from inside the hall, "Yu Hua, come in."

After Jiang Yueyao went inside, she had the people behind her put down the boxes and then told them to leave.

She was incredibly talented, and she personally sorted out the articles she collected.

She compiled a few of the most scathing criticisms and placed them on top of the box.

"Uncle, the Third Prince's actions have been extremely egregious, even angering many scholars and students."

"I brought over those articles that criticized the Third Prince."

Regardless of whether the emperor wanted to read it or not, she opened the box herself, picked out the most offensive sentences from several of the articles, and read them aloud.

The emperor wanted to lash out at her, but he couldn't.

It was because of what she brought; they were all written by those literary scholars and students.

She didn't need to bring it over; someone had already presented it to him for him to see.

If this continues, even the emperor himself might be severely criticized.

"De Shun, issue my decree: the Third Prince has committed a moral transgression and shall be fined one year's salary."

"Furthermore, he is ordered to personally go to Xiao Lie's house to apologize. If he fails to beg for Xiao Lie's forgiveness, he shall kneel outside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion for a long time without getting up."

De Shun was shocked; this was the first time the emperor had punished the third prince so severely.

He received the order and walked out with Jiang Yueyao.

"Princess, why did the Emperor allow you to associate with Prince Xiao? Do you really not understand?" De Shun couldn't help but ask. "Princess, please don't be offended. If I said anything wrong, just pretend I didn't hear it."

Jiang Yueyao glanced at Deshun, knowing full well that his words to her were at the emperor's behest.

"Thank you for your reminder, Eunuch. I understand now." Jiang Yueyao said respectfully, but she had her own thoughts on the matter.

She had heard with her own ears how the emperor had punished the third prince.

Jiang Heng wanted to go to Xiao Lie's house to apologize, but Xiao Lie wasn't there at all.

She had to quickly send a message to Xiao Lie.

I wonder how he is now.

Xiao Lie was following Xiao Tianze on a patrol of the military camp.

"Grandpa, I don't know much about war and defense." But he had read many military books and had seen soldiers training and border defenses, so he had some ideas.

However, it is not yet fully mature.

He needed to write down everything he had seen in military books.

After it was sorted out, it was sent to Xiao Tianze.

Xiao Tianze felt quite gratified as he listened to what Xiao Lie said.

"Don't always worry about Grandpa or the military; take care of yourself too."

Xiao Tianze wanted to bring up those sordid affairs in the capital several times, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

In his correspondence with Xiao Tianze, Xiao Tianze also tried his best to remain silent about it.

At this moment, I had been holding back for so long, but I couldn't hold back any longer.

"Grandpa has something to ask you." Xiao Tianze dismissed those around him. "What exactly is the deal with that Lin Wan'er?"

"She and the Third Prince..."

Xiao Lie truthfully replied, "Before Lin Wan'er married me, she was indeed in love with the Third Prince. It was I who insisted on asking the Emperor for her hand in marriage."

"Lin Wan'er was a pawn sent by the Emperor to my side, but she was later discarded. Her relationship with the Third Prince is no longer as pure as it used to be."

"This time, I forced him to meet with the Third Prince so that I could use my illness as an excuse to come to the frontier."

After hearing this, Xiao Tianze remained silent for a long time.

"But at the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Lin Wan'er really did fall in love with him for real." Xiao Tianze was extremely dissatisfied with Lin Wan'er. "You've already gained another pawn by your side, why don't you just divorce her?"

You have to love your own grandchildren.

Where can he be kept suffering injustice and being constantly cuckolded?

"Grandpa, Lin Wan'er is willing to be manipulated by me for the sake of her Lin family. I still need to use her to restrain the Third Prince."

"We can't take a break yet."

Xiao Tianze mistakenly believed that he still couldn't let go of Lin Wan'er.

All that can be done is sigh and lament.

Changing the subject, Xiao Tianze led Xiao Lie back to the military tent.

Upon entering, Xiao Lie saw that there were thirty people crammed inside.

"Grandpa, what's this?"

Xiao Tianze's gaze was deep, filled with worry for his safety. "These are the 'Shadow Guards' I secretly trained for you. This time when you return to the capital, let them accompany you."

Xiao Lie's eyes lit up with joy. It seemed his grandfather had come to his senses. "So, he's agreeing to overthrow the emperor?"

Xiao Tianze cursed, "That emperor is narrow-minded and intolerant, and he is plotting to get rid of our Zhenguo Duke's Mansion."

"He's wrong. We are loyal to this dynasty, not him."

If the emperor is disobedient, then replace him.

At the same time, Xiao Tianze secretly handed him a list.

"We are not without people in the capital. Grandfather has always understood what it means to have too much merit and overshadow the emperor. Once our military achievements are too obvious and prominent, it will bring disaster upon us."

"We had been secretly preparing and taking precautions in Beijing for many years. The people on the list have never had any dealings with us on the surface."

"Actually, Grandpa is a close friend of theirs. They are trustworthy. If you need their help, feel free to ask them."

Xiao Lie carefully put the items away; it seemed this trip had yielded other significant gains.

"Lord Duke, Prince, a letter has arrived from the capital." Seventeen appeared, holding a letter in his hand.

Xiao Lie's expression changed after reading it.

He had to hurry back to the capital.

Fortunately, he had met with several trusted generals yesterday and marked out several points along the route from the fortresses as their emergency contact points.

"Grandpa, I..." When the time came for them to part, Xiao Lie's eyes reddened.

Xiao Tianze didn't know when the grandfather and grandson would meet again after this parting, and tears rolled down his cheeks.

He turned his back, thinking that as long as he couldn't see Xiao Lie walk out, he would feel much better.

Just as footsteps sounded behind him, Xiao Lie hugged him tightly from behind.

Xiao Lie choked up as he said, "Grandpa, I'm going to the capital first."

Before the last word had even faded, he had already taken off running.

He didn't dare look back again. "Seventeen, we can't rest on the way back. If the Third Prince doesn't see me, the Emperor might become suspicious."

Seventeenth timely spread the word, and people prepared dry rations and swift horses for changing riders along the way.

"Your Highness, there's one more person we need to be wary of, and that's Lin Wan'er," Seventeen suddenly spoke up to remind us. "She's in the manor. What if she colludes with the Third Prince again and insists on breaking into your room to see what's going on?"