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

After a small celebration with the soldiers, Xiao Lie led sixteen, seventeen, and thirty Shadow Guards, preparing to set off.

Originally, he intended to keep Shen Qinglan and Jiang Yueyao here.

However, they had already packed their bags and followed him into the carriage.

"Why don't you come with Grandpa?" It would be safer to set off with the army.

Jiang Yueyao took his arm and nuzzled him affectionately. "You, Xiao Lie, you tricked me into coming to the frontier, but now you want me to abandon me? Don't you think too highly of me?"

"And another thing, to this day, you still haven't given me a proper title."

"What am I to you, running around like this?"

Xiao Lie fell silent.

He knew perfectly well how Jiang Yueyao treated him.

However, his future is uncertain, and he cannot provide her with a stable life.

Shen Qinglan was quick-witted and immediately saw through what he was worried about.

"Xiao Lie, since Yueyao has made her feelings clear to you, I won't hide them from you either."

"During the time we've spent together, I've also come to love you."

"I've already divorced the Third Prince and am now a free person. If I stay with you like this, do you intend to give me a proper status?"

Xiao Lie fell silent once again.

Having lived two lives, how could he not understand their feelings for him?

Upon careful consideration, they realized that he was plotting a rebellion, yet they didn't ask or say anything more and simply followed him to accomplish great things.

What reason does he have to hesitate?

"Once we return to the capital and everything settles down, I will come to marry you with all the proper betrothal gifts and a grand wedding procession."

Xiao Lie then stated explicitly, "Besides the two of you, there's also Consort Yuan in the palace. Once she leaves the palace, I will marry her as well."

Furthermore, there is also Lin Wan'er in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and he has not yet given her a letter of divorce.

Shen Qinglan and Jiang Yueyao both smiled when they heard Xiao Lie say that.

They leaned on his shoulders, one on each side, and then simultaneously looked up and kissed his cheek.

Xiao Lie blushed instantly, never expecting that he would become so popular.

After traveling for several days, enduring wind and rain, and just as he was about to enter the capital, he received a message sent by Consort Yuan via carrier pigeon.

He was overjoyed after reading it.

"Xiao Lie, what makes you so happy?" Jiang Yueyao came closer and took the secret letter from his hand to read it.

"Consort Yuan is pregnant, and it's your child!"

Jiang Yueyao was very impressed with Xiao Lie. "You have such ability, you even managed to cuckold the emperor!" She changed her address and stopped calling the emperor "Uncle Emperor".

Just as Xiao Lie was about to speak, he met Shen Qinglan's scrutinizing gaze.

Those clear eyes were filled with accusation.

She said resentfully, "You have been intimate with Consort Yuan, but you have never touched me or Yueyao."

"Tell me honestly, do you really like either of us that much?"

Xiao Lie panicked; he had to explain himself as soon as possible.

I absolutely cannot let my two future wives misunderstand.

"Before leaving Beijing, Gillian was very proactive, and I couldn't control myself, so I..." He repeatedly assured, "The three of you hold the same place in my heart."

"I hope you can keep your word and not show favoritism." Shen Qinglan is not confined to the inner quarters and will not dwell too much on romantic relationships.

But she also instinctively hoped that Xiao Lie could treat everyone equally.

Xiao Lie smiled outwardly, but felt a bit bitter inside.

It seems my backyard will be quite lively in the future. How did I end up with so many romantic entanglements?

A few days later, they finally managed to sneak into the capital.

However, they had to keep a low profile and dared not return to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

"Then let's go to my mansion." Jiang Yueyao wanted to take them all to live in her mansion.

Xiao Lie replied, "Everyone in the capital knows that you went to the frontier with me, even if we didn't leave together."

"But anyone could guess that."

They moved in, and even though only Jiang Yueyao was in the public eye while the others remained in the shadows, people would still wonder if they were all there.

They will also send people to investigate.

They must find another place to settle down, and also be able to hide perfectly.

Shen Qinglan had secretly made arrangements, and the underground gambling den had been empty since it was shut down.

No one in the capital would be watching this abandoned place.

This place is also quite secluded, so they can use it as a hiding place after moving in.

Xiao Lie had to admire Shen Qinglan; she was indeed witty and intelligent.

Upon arriving at the underground gambling den, the group worked together to tidy up the room.

The following night, Consort Yuan arranged for Xiao Lie to enter the palace.

The two met in a side hall, where Consort Yuan's belly was already slightly protruding.

When Xiao Lie thought about becoming a father soon, he couldn't help but pull Yuan Fei into his arms and place a careful kiss on her forehead.

"You, you're the most audacious of all! I clearly arranged for someone to take you away from the palace, how could you take it upon yourself to stay behind alone?"

"Thank goodness you're alright, otherwise I..."

Consort Yuan silenced him with a kiss, and after a long, lingering kiss, she said, "The Emperor trusts me completely, but his health is deteriorating. I'm afraid he won't last many more days."

"I will trick him into writing a will bequeathing the throne to our sons."

Xiao Lie was a little worried, "What if you give birth to a daughter later?"

"By then, none of the court officials will recognize him."

Consort Yuan already had other plans. "You still have Lin Wan'er and the others. Try your best to get them pregnant as soon as possible."

"We can stage a substitution for the prince."

If she gives birth to a princess after the full term, then a baby boy will be brought from outside the palace to be switched with her.

If male babies are born from Lin Wan'er and the others in the future, they can be switched back.

Regardless of the circumstances, it was Xiao Lie's own son who ultimately ascended the throne.

Xiao Lie pondered for a moment and then acquiesced.

"When will the Duke return to the capital in triumph?" Consort Yuan wanted to calculate the day she would poison the Emperor.

He calculated that they should be able to defeat the enemy in the next few days.

"At most half a month, Grandpa will be able to lead an army of 200,000 to garrison a hundred miles outside the city."

Consort Yuan had a plan in mind. "Then I will feed the Emperor more pills."

"You should also prepare a report of victory that will make the emperor faint from anger."

Xiao Lie chatted with Consort Yuan for a while longer before leaving the palace and returning to the underground gambling den.

He secretly dispatched ten Shadow Guards into the palace to protect Consort Yuan, ensuring she was not put in any danger.

As for the Imperial Clan Court, it's time to send the Third Prince to his death.

Xiao Lie decided to go there himself.

"Seventeen, go and make the arrangements."

Seventeen accepted the order and left, while Xiao Lie stayed inside, wiping the dagger in his hand again and again.

He only stopped when he had polished it until it shone brightly even in candlelight.

Seventeen returned just then. "Your Highness, everything is arranged. We can go now."