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

Upon learning the whole story, Liu Changdong's face turned pale, and he suddenly knelt down in front of Xiao Lie, repeatedly crying out for justice.

"Your Highness, I have served the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion with all my heart for so many years. How could I have done something like this, embezzling money and deducting my monthly allowance? It must be that Wang Mingyi is jealous of your favor and is deliberately framing me. Your Highness, you must not listen to such slanderous words."

After saying that, he began to kowtow repeatedly, his forehead almost bleeding, as if he were truly a loyal and devoted person. However, Wang Mingyi pointed at him and sneered.

"Do I have to expose all the things you've done, bit by bit?"

Wang Mingyi cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Lie, "Your Highness, my words alone are not enough to be believed. Why not ask other witnesses? If the testimonies of a group of people all agree with my words, then it will be enough to prove that what I said is true."

Xiao Lie yawned lazily and gave the order.

"Steward, you take the lead and bring the rest of the managers here as well."

The shopkeeper accepted the order and left. In less than the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, everyone had arrived.

With a group of witnesses, Liu Changdong had no room for rebuttal. His face turned pale, and his limp body slowly slumped to the ground.

Xiao Lie couldn't help but sneer, "Liu Changdong, things have come to this, what else do you have to say?"

Liu Changdong trembled all over and could no longer utter a single word.

Xiao Lie waved his hand, instructing the steward to lead a team to check the accounts, make up for all the overdue monthly wages, and give each of the employees two taels of silver as a gesture of appeasement.

As for Liu Changdong, he was directly taken to the Jingzhao Prefecture by Xiao Lie's personal team. After learning the whole story and with conclusive evidence, Liu Changdong was beaten thirty times and imprisoned that same day. His remaining embezzled property was also confiscated and returned to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

……

Lin Wan'er was trapped in her room, extremely bored, when she suddenly heard a commotion outside the courtyard and couldn't help but inquire.

"What's going on outside? There seem to be people coming and going all day long?"

The old woman, who was quite uneducated, told her everything.

Upon learning the reason, Lin Wan'er frowned slightly, showing disdain and mockery.

"Letting a parasite lie on the Duke of Zhenguo's tent, sucking blood for so many years, only to be discovered now, Xiao Lie is truly useless."

Chunxue's eyes darted around, and she immediately whispered a few words in Lin Wan'er's ear, which made the woman's eyes light up.

She paced back and forth, unable to hide her joy.

"That's right. Xiao Lie is not good at household affairs, and now that such a big thing has happened, I should be in charge of the household. If I take charge of the household, it will be a good opportunity to get out of this godforsaken place."

After that, all the servants in the mansion obeyed her orders, and it became much easier for her to do whatever she wanted.

To pass the level, Lin Wan'er changed into a lotus-pink gauze dress and sat in front of the mirror. With the skillful touch of her maid, the woman in the mirror was already quite beautiful, and her appearance was instantly enhanced. She smiled slightly at the mirror, her willow-leaf eyebrows, almond eyes, and lotus-like face were indescribably bright and charming.

Chunxue was captivated by the sight. "Miss, you look so beautiful. The young master will surely love you."

"Who cares if he likes it? I wouldn't dress up if it weren't to make things easier for him."

As she spoke, the woman slightly raised her chin, the jewels on her cheeks swaying gently, making her even more charming and lovely, with a captivating and graceful demeanor. In her eyes, there was a hint of unwavering determination.

In the study, Xiao Lie suddenly yawned, frowning and rubbing his nose, puzzled.

"Who the hell is cursing me behind my back...?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the study door was pushed open a crack, letting in a fragrant breeze.

Xiao Lie rubbed his nose and looked over. He saw Lin Wan'er walking gracefully towards him and giving him a graceful bow. Her thin gauze dress revealed her fair skin.

Xiao Lie's brows furrowed even deeper, and he became increasingly wary.

This woman, dressed like that, must have ill intentions.

His face turned cold, and he took a step back. "Why are you here? Didn't I tell those maids to keep an eye on you?"

Lin Wan'er bit her lip slightly and gave him a shy yet reproachful look.

"As your wife, am I not even allowed to come and see my husband?"

As she spoke, the woman drew closer, her sweet fragrance wafting through the air. Her fair, lotus-root-like arms climbed up his neck, while one hand traced circles down his neck, making suggestive and provocative marks on his chest. The fleeting, elusive touch felt like a sticky little snake slithering across Xiao Lie's body, instantly sending shivers down his spine.

He yanked Lin Wan'er away, coldly sneering and mocking her.

"What, you're so lonely because you can't find a man?"

Lin Wan'er froze, her face flushed with embarrassment and anger. "Xiao Lie, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"I've already told you, the Third Prince and I have never overstepped any boundaries. That time... that time we were just talking, we never did anything else."

"Speak," she said, her eyes darting around slightly. Wiping away her tears with a mixture of grievance and frustration, she began to sob.

"I've already proven my innocence to you, and you still don't believe me. Are you trying to drive me to my death?"

"Everyone says that men are fickle and heartless, and that they don't cherish what they have once they have it. I didn't believe it at first, but in just a few days, you've lost interest."

Her eyes were red, and she looked at Xiao Lie with disappointment and vulnerability, as if her heart had been broken.

"Xiao Lie, before you married me, you said you would treat me well. Is this how you treat me?"

"Since you don't like me, then I don't need to stay any longer. I'll go back to the Lin residence now."

She wanted Xiao Lie to back down, but the person in front of her was no longer the same as before.

Lin Wan'er pushed open the door, but before she could even step out, she heard the young man's cold voice.

"Alright, now that you dare to step out of this door, I'll tell His Highness the Third Prince all about our wedding night. I think he'd really enjoy hearing it."

Lin Wan'er's eyes turned red with anger, and she was furious.

"Xiao Lie, you're shameless! How can there be such a scoundrel like you in the world?"

"If you don't go back to your Qingzhi Courtyard now, I'll show you what true shamelessness is."

Lin Wan'er trembled with anger. She couldn't understand how Xiao Lie could have become so completely sober in just a few days, to the point that even her seduction tactics had no effect.

Was it all an act, and Xiao Lie never had any feelings for her?

Lin Wan'er initially didn't believe it, but after observing Xiao Lie's behavior towards her these past few days, she became increasingly uncertain, and even the anger in her heart gradually subsided.

She glanced back; the young man's eyes were bright and gleaming, yet also held a hint of impatience.

She pursed her lips, twisted the embroidered handkerchief in her hand, and stormed off in a huff.

That Xiao Lie is truly despicable.

After she left, Xiao Lie snapped his fingers and summoned the Sixteenth Move.

"Keep an eye on Lin Wan'er and see what she's really up to."

"Oh, and have the steward go again and deal with all those servants who broke the rules and let Lin Wan'er out."

This woman's sudden show of goodwill must be for ulterior motives.

So, no sooner had Lin Wan'er returned to Qingzhi Courtyard than the steward followed her there. Within an hour, the entire Qingzhi Courtyard was filled with wails and sobs.