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

Despite being humiliated by being forced to kneel, Xiao Lie didn't seem to care.

The emperor is already at his last gasp; he won't be able to keep going for much longer.

Those standing behind Xiao Lie, upon learning of the emperor's actions in secret, were all furious.

Especially Gillian Chung.

She secretly slipped the poison powder hidden between her fingers into the emperor's food.

This poison powder is extremely similar to several potent ingredients in elixirs.

Even when the emperor noticed something amiss and summoned the imperial physicians, they couldn't find anything wrong.

The emperor ate the poisoned food, and after a short while, his head lolled to the side and he fell asleep.

Yuan Ajiao hurriedly came out of the main hall, helped Xiao Lie up in front of everyone, and headed to the side hall.

"Your Highness, before each time I am summoned to serve you in bed, I always do as you instructed and apply the fragrant powder that you sent to my forehead."

"The emperor has not touched me yet, but he believes that I am..."

To continue saying that would be too explicit.

Yuan Ajiao hesitated, her eyes fixed on him.

Xiao Lie was entangled by her, and she hooked her arm around his neck.

She kissed his lips again... After a while, Xiao Lie tidied his clothes and walked out of the side hall first.

Then, Yuan Ajiao walked out with a face as beautiful as a peach blossom.

The guards and palace servants waiting outside the side hall saw it, but no one dared to say anything.

The emperor was capricious; if they were to report Consort Yuan for having an affair, they would likely be the first to be executed.

After leaving the palace, Xiao Lie met Shen Qinglan and Princess Yuhua at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

"The situation at the front is critical. Although Grandpa is brave and skilled in battle, he is suffering from a lack of sufficient food and weapons to provide timely support." The reason why Xiao Lie met Yuan Ajiao today and became passionate with her was to say goodbye to her.

He didn't know if he would come back alive after going to the frontier.

"I want to personally go to the military camp to oversee the transportation of military supplies."

Shen Qinglan's eyes held a deep reluctance, but she didn't say a word about it.

He is a man destined for great things, and she cannot let her own selfish desires hold him back.

Princess Yuhua couldn't stop crying, and she threw herself into Xiao Lie's arms.

Xiao Lie froze, then raised his hand and patted her head.

"The Emperor received the letter I wrote to my grandfather and has already concluded that my Zhenguo Duke's Mansion is about to rebel." He had no choice but to take the people of the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion to the frontier. "After I leave, under the pretext of visiting the Empress Dowager in the palace, please deliver a secret letter to these people for me."

He wants to withdraw all the people he has placed in the palace.

Princess Yuhua held him, her whole body trembling slightly from grief.

Xiao Lie coaxed her, saying, "It's not like we're never going to see each other again."

"If you can't bear to be separated from me, you and Shen Qinglan can come find me after all our people have been safely evacuated from the capital."

"Really?" Princess Yuhua had doubts in her heart. The front line was so dangerous, why would Xiao Lie be willing to bring them with him?

Xiao Lie wasn't lying to comfort her; he assured her, "A gentleman's word is as good as his bond."

He was about to swear an oath to the heavens, but Princess Yuhua grasped his hand, saying, "No need to swear, I believe you."

After calming Princess Yuhua down, Xiao Lie told her to stay quietly to the side.

He walked up to Shen Qinglan and stared intently into her eyes with his deep affection.

He said, "The emperor knows that you and the Shen family behind you are plotting for me."

"The Emperor hasn't touched your Shen family because your family's foundation is too deep for him to shake."

"But if the emperor decides to kill our Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, then you and the Shen family will be implicated."

Shen Qinglan had already guessed what he was going to say next.

"I will publicly announce that I have broken ties with you and will never associate with you again." She had already decided that after Xiao Lie left the capital, she would take the remaining savings in the capital and go to a manor in the suburbs of the capital to wait for Princess Yuhua.

"Okay." Xiao Lie hugged them both once, then dared not linger any longer.

Seventeen urged from outside, "Young Master, it will be too late if we don't leave now."

"The palace sent word that the emperor has woken up and has sent people to the frontier to hold the Duke accountable."

Xiao Lie knew, however, that with the emperor's ruthless methods, this was nothing more than a smokescreen.

He instructed Seventeen to keep a close eye on everything happening inside the palace.

The emperor will surely take further major actions against their Zhenguo Duke's Mansion.

"Seventeen, remember this: once the princess leads us all to the villa in the outskirts of the capital, regardless of whether you have found out any more information..."

"You must take Consort Yuan with you when you leave the palace, meet up with the princess and the others, and come to find me."

Seventeen is stubborn, and Xiao Lie can only prevent him from going his own way by giving him strict orders.

Seventeen received the order and went to the palace first.

Meanwhile, Sixteen and the steward led everyone from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to pack their valuables.

Xiao Lie led them away, disguised, from the city gate.

Along the way, they endured wind and rain, sleeping in the open, their only thought being to reach the frontier as soon as possible.

While traveling, Xiao Lie did not forget to continue raising military funds to send to his grandfather and the others.

"Sixteen, are we almost there?"

This time, there were many of them, including some elderly monks and young children, who were unable to travel on horseback.

Some people rode in carriages, while others rode on horseback.

"Your Highness, we'll be there in a couple of days." Sixteen had already received the message: "The latest batch of supplies has been delivered to the military camp."

"Your Highness, rest assured."

Xiao Lie remained worried, concerned about Shen Qinglan and the others.

It is unknown whether they successfully escaped from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Outside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

The emperor specially dispatched the second and fourth princes to personally lead men to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to arrest Xiao Lie.

"Bring his head to me."

The third prince is still imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court, and the fifth prince has other intentions. The emperor can only rely on the second and fourth princes.

However, his two princes were too easily swayed and not ruthless enough.

He needs to take this opportunity to put pressure on them.

This was the first time the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince had been so highly valued by the Emperor, and they were naturally very excited.

The two men, accompanied by their guards, fed the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

The second prince shouted into the room, "Xiao Lie, get out here right now!"

Seeing no movement inside, the Fourth Prince cursed, "Xiao Lie, what are you hiding like? Come out and face your death!"

Why is there no sound inside despite all the commotion outside?

The second prince felt somewhat uneasy. "Break down the door and let's go in and take a look."

As soon as the door burst open, the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince exchanged a glance, both seeing panic in each other's eyes.

Where are they?

In such a large mansion as the Duke of Zhenguo, there wasn't a single servant in the front courtyard?

The second prince cried out in alarm, "Could it be that Xiao Lie heard the news and already packed his bags and ran away?"

The fourth prince, however, was not giving up and led his guards inside to search.

They searched again and again, but couldn't find even one person still alive and breathing.

The fourth prince was sweating profusely. "This is the first time Father has entrusted us with such an important task, and we've already messed it up."