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

"Keep an eye on it and collect more." Xiao Lie already had a plan in mind; it seemed his plan could be launched ahead of schedule.

"Even if Brother Xiao hadn't reminded me, I would have kept a close eye on the Fifth Prince." Shen Qingge suddenly mentioned Shen Qinglan, "Brother Xiao, could you help my distant cousin?"

"Isn't she your ally too?"

Xiao Lie and Shen Qingge have a close relationship, so he can speak his mind without hesitation.

"I remember your two families weren't very close," Xiao Lie said curiously. "Why are you speaking up for her?"

Shen Qingge recalled her childhood days at the ethnic minority school.

He had also studied with Shen Qinglan, and given Shen Qinglan's talent, he shouldn't have been wasted his entire life in the Kang Prince's mansion.

"If you really want to help her, then keep a close eye on the Fifth Prince." That's enough; there's no need to go overboard.

Shen Qingge immediately understood after hearing Xiao Lie's words.

If the Fifth Prince's treasonous deeds were exposed, he would only assume that they were committed by the Third Prince.

By then, the Third Prince will be constantly vying for power with the Fifth Prince, so he won't have time to worry about divorcing Shen Qinglan.

Xiao Lie could also help push things along.

"Then, Brother Xiao, I'll take my leave now." After leaving, Shen Qingge went directly to the city gate.

Just then, they ran into the Fifth Prince, Jiang Yun, who had disguised himself and sneaked out.

He followed quietly and discreetly.

"Your Highness, everything at the imperial estate on the outskirts of the capital has been prepared. When shall we depart?" Seventeen had already helped to deliver the "special products" brought back from the frontier.

The ministers in the court were all willing to go to the imperial estate on the outskirts of the capital for a secret meeting.

For Xiao Lie to leave the capital in a grand manner, he needed to request permission from the emperor.

After all, he was a hostage.

Sixteen entered from outside and closed the door. "Your Highness, the Emperor's decree has arrived."

Xiao Lie had already ordered Sixteen to send his handwritten letter to the palace.

He obtained an imperial edict from the emperor, granting him permission to recuperate at the imperial estate in the suburbs of Beijing.

"Seventeen, have those Shadow Guards I brought back from the frontier already infiltrated our household?"

He instructed Seventeen to handle this matter.

"Your Highness, rest assured, their identities will not arouse suspicion, and there will be no problems." Seventeen was meticulous and had checked and rearranged the arrangements multiple times.

Xiao Lie didn't ask any more questions, only instructing him to be more careful in everything.

Now that we have received the imperial decree, what are we waiting for? Let's set off immediately.

However, to his surprise, Princess Yuhua caught up with him shortly after he arrived at the imperial estate on the outskirts of the capital.

"Xiao Lie, you left without even saying goodbye." Princess Yuhua begged the Empress Dowager before she was allowed to come along.

Xiao Lie didn't need to be wary of her, but having her by his side still made him worry that things wouldn't be as convenient.

Jiang Yueyao saw the hesitation in his eyes. "I just came here to relax and spend some time with you."

"No matter how busy you are, when you shouldn't be there, I'll just wander around the Imperial Estate by myself."

Xiao Lie let her go and ordered people to quickly tidy up the yard next to his.

The following night, his Shadow Guards sprang into action.

They deployed several sentries around the imperial estate on the outskirts of Beijing, so that any disturbance in the vicinity would alert them immediately.

Only in this way can he feel at ease meeting more civil officials and famous generals.

After the place became an impregnable fortress, Xiao Lie met his first mysterious visitor.

"Young Master Xiao, our Xu family is willing to form an alliance with your Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, with you as our leader."

This is Xu Qianfa, the current Vice Minister of War.

Xu Qianfa's military power was also significantly reduced.

However, the Xu family is a century-old family with a powerful private army.

"Minister Xu, most of our members are still military officers. The Imperial Household Department and the Six Ministries need more allies to operate more effectively."

"Otherwise, we warriors alone would not be able to handle the situation."

Xiao Lie first invited Xu Qian to come over, so that he could help contact more trustworthy people.

Xu Qianfa was also a capable person, "There are trustworthy people in the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works."

"I'll go and probe the situation. Prince Xiao, wait for my news."

Xiao Lie couldn't help but get excited. If he could really have connections in the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, then they wouldn't have to worry about military supplies in the future.

Even the transportation aspect has been resolved.

"Minister Xu, then I'll have to trouble you to run around a bit more." Xiao Lie had Sixteen bring over a small box of gold.

Xu Qianfa refused to accept it no matter what, saying, "Young Master Xiao, our Xu family is willing to rely on the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion only because the current emperor makes us see no hope."

"Seeing the country gradually decline in his hands, he felt panicked, worried that our Xu family would be greatly affected."

"It's because we believe that your Zhenguo Duke's Mansion can protect the country and ensure the survival of our aristocratic families."

The emperor not only wanted to get rid of the Duke of Zhenguo, but also wanted to weaken the power of these aristocratic families.

Who could tolerate an emperor like this?

Xiao Lie sighed, "Currently, none of the emperor's sons are capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities."

"We need to overthrow the emperor, and then we need to carefully select a new monarch."

Xu Qianfa didn't have a good candidate in mind either, and only said, "The Duke of Zhenguo was also capable of becoming emperor. If no one in their Jiang clan can be chosen to take the position, then it would be better for the heir to take it himself."

Xiao Lie refused repeatedly, "Our Zhenguo Duke's Mansion is at the forefront, simply to protect ourselves."

"I also don't want to see the country I've built go to waste."

"My grandfather didn't care about the throne back then, and I look down on it even less now."

Xu Qianfa wouldn't force Xiao Lie, so he didn't say anything more.

After secretly sending Xu Qian away, Xiao Lie sent another letter to Shen Qinglan.

Since the emperor and the third prince coveted her dowry, they decided to pull another "golden cicada shedding its shell" trick.

Among Shen Qinglan's dowry were several fertile fields.

That absolutely cannot fall into the hands of the Jiang family.

Xiao Lie gave Shen Qinglan some advice, but how she decided to do it was up to her.

Xiao Lie's days at the imperial estate were far from leisurely.

In just a few days, he met with many people and implemented many plans.

Even the locations for making contact were prepared.

"There's still no news from Shen Qinglan?" With everything settled on Xiao Lie's side, a huge weight was lifted from his heart.

The only thing that troubled her was the dowry that Shen Qinglan had.

Sixteen stood to the side, grinding the ink for him. "Princess Consort Kang has encountered some tricky troubles, which are difficult to deal with for the time being."

"However, they also sent a letter saying that they would definitely find a solution within ten days."

Xiao Lie finally breathed a sigh of relief and then asked, "After we left the capital, was the Third Prince released from the imperial prison?"

Sixteen hurriedly replied, "News has come from the capital that the Emperor does not dare to release the Third Prince easily, but the Emperor's health is deteriorating, and he has sealed off the entire Imperial Hospital, saying that he wants to find the person who poisoned him."