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

Rumors spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

Ordinary people treated it as nothing more than common gossip, but the noble families of the capital sensed something else entirely. This scandalous affair had spread far too far, as if someone was deliberately trying to make it known to everyone.

The thought that it was Prince Kang who leaked the information and even gained a good reputation in the process made even those who weren't quick-witted smile knowingly. Meanwhile, the women in the inner quarters and young ladies looked at Lin Wan'er, who had been staying at home for a long time, with more respect.

She didn't even show up, yet she managed to stir up two men into a fight over her, even taking it to the imperial palace. This woman's seductive skills are truly remarkable. They tacitly understood each other, and their sympathy for Xiao Lie grew even stronger.

In the hall, the emperor was having a headache from the noise, and De Shun spoke up at the right time.

"My lords, is there anything else you wish to report? If not, please speak..."

Then, King Kang shook his sleeves, calmly stepped forward, and bowed in the Golden Palace.

"Your Majesty, I hereby impeach Xiao Lie, the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, for his improper conduct, lack of filial piety and brotherly love, and utter disregard for propriety and law."

Jiang Heng briefly recounted what had happened the previous day, which immediately aroused the dissatisfaction of many court officials.

"Your Majesty, we have heard the teachings of the sage in the past. The sage said, 'Filial piety is the constant principle of Heaven, the righteousness of Earth, and the conduct of the people.' Xiao Lie beat his brother and disobeyed his mother, violating human ethics and moral principles. He must be severely punished to uphold the rites and laws."

"Your subject seconded this opinion. The sage said, 'A gentleman focuses on the fundamentals. When the fundamentals are established, the Way will arise. Filial piety and brotherly love are the foundation of being a person.' How can a person who is neither filial nor brotherly establish himself and live a meaningful life? If we do not punish them severely, I fear that all the people of our Great Xia will follow suit. If mothers are not kind, sons are not filial, and brothers are not friendly, after ten years, families will be in trouble, the country will be in chaos, and destruction will not be far away."

……

The rebukes grew increasingly harsh, as if Xiao Lie were the cause of his family's ruin and the root of the country's chaos. Occasionally, one or two court officials couldn't stand it and tried to plead for Xiao Lie, but they were all met with fierce criticism from the Kangwang faction.

Everyone present knew perfectly well that Prince Kang was determined to find a pretext to punish Xiao Lie this time.

Soon after receiving the imperial edict to enter the palace, they arrived at the Xiao family residence. Xiao Lie was prepared, bringing his account books and his steward, and they entered the palace together.

"Xiao Lie, your actions are rebellious, unfilial, and disrespectful to your elders, all witnessed by His Highness Prince Kang. What excuse do you have?"

"Xiao Lie, even the emperor is subject to the same laws as commoners. You disrespect your elders and brothers. If we turn a blind eye to you, wouldn't everyone follow suit, leading to chaos and disorder? Even if you are the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, you cannot escape the crime of being unfilial and disrespectful to your brothers."

"Your Majesty, I propose that Xiao Lie be stripped of his title, given forty strokes of the cane, and confined to his quarters for six months to reflect on his mistakes, as a warning to others."

A fierce wave of malice swept in, threatening to engulf the young man in the hall.

Everyone thought this spoiled young master would be terrified. But he remained calm and simply bowed.

"Your Majesty, I also have a memorial to present. The Liu family, mother and son, have misused the Duke's mansion's funds to entertain officials, attempting to bribe and collude with them. Including this banquet, the Liu family, mother and son, have been extravagant for many years, owing the Duke's mansion a total of 27,000 taels. I tried to collect the debt, but Prince Kang turned the tables on me. I beg Your Majesty to do justice for me."

"Speak," he said, presenting the account book and IOU with both hands. The emperor glanced at them quickly, his expression darkening slightly, but he managed to suppress his anger and looked at Prince Kang.

"Third brother, what do you have to say?"

"Your Majesty, this is only Xiao Lie's word. How can you believe it so easily? Besides, I personally witnessed him pushing and shoving Liu and her son."

Xiao Lie curled his lips into a sneer, "Third Prince, selling official positions and engaging in bribery and collusion are serious crimes committed by the court. That Liu woman dared to do such things in the Duke's mansion just to help her good-for-nothing son get ahead."

"If I don't sever ties with them, my Zhenguo Duke's Mansion will be the one to suffer. May I ask, Your Highness, what is wrong with my actions to protect my family and avoid disaster?"

"Your Highness and the court officials all say that I am unfilial and unbrotherly. But a mother's love is what makes a son filial, and a brother's affection is what makes a brotherly bond. Over the years, Liu and her son have used the guise of relatives to plunder a total of 27,000 taels of silver from the Duke's mansion. If you gentlemen think that is not enough, then you may invite Liu and her son back. Be generous, for I cannot tolerate it with my narrow-minded nature."

"You gentlemen are all eloquent and erudite, quoting classics and all first-rate talents, all saints without a blemish. If you still insist on smearing me now, then you should set an example for me. If you allow me to squander my wealth and violate the law, and are willing to endure it, then I will be completely convinced."

When Xiao Lie spoke, the entire court fell silent.

The Kangwang faction looked at each other in bewilderment, never expecting such a hidden story behind the scenes.

The extravagant spending of the Liu family, including their mother and son, and their collusion in bribery and selling official positions, has struck a nerve with the current emperor.

Even if the ministers of the Kangwang faction wanted to speak, they dared not. They could only hang their heads like quails, completely devoid of their previous arrogance.

Seeing this, Xiao Lie sneered, "What a shameless person!"

With just one sentence, several court officials turned pale and red-faced, but they couldn't say a word. They could only glare at him secretly and not bother with him.

At this moment, Jiang Heng's face was pale and his body trembled slightly. The emperor could not hide his disappointment upon seeing this.

This is his good son—meticulously planning, yet he was effortlessly outmaneuvered and rendered speechless. If he had done more research before the encirclement, would he have ended up in such a sorry state?

Too arrogant, too hasty, and with methods full of flaws—simply foolish.

The ledger was slammed onto Jiang Heng, who shuddered and immediately knelt down.

"Father, your son..."

"What should you do?"

Jiang Heng took a deep breath and touched his forehead to the ground. "This matter was indeed reckless of your son. Your son is willing to apologize to the Crown Prince. As for the Liu mother and son, they are truly hateful. It would be better to have them beaten to death to uphold the law and also to maintain the face of the court."

Xiao Lie glanced at him in surprise and said leisurely, "Third Prince, your speed in admitting and correcting your mistakes is truly impressive."

Jiang Heng clenched his fist tightly, veins bulging, and glared at him angrily.

"Young Master Xiao is eloquent and has left all the ministers speechless. It is clear that the rumors of him being a good-for-nothing playboy in the capital are not entirely true. Young Master Xiao is quite good at pretending."

Xiao Lie's smile froze slightly. "Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. With the Third Prince sending so many people to throw dirty water on me, I can't afford not to be clever."

"When it comes to eloquence, who can compare to His Highness the Third Prince? If it weren't for His Highness's silver tongue, I really wouldn't have been able to ask His Majesty to make the decision today."

Xiao Lie bowed again. "Your Majesty, while the Liu mother and son are indeed despicable, no amount of punishment will help the Duke of Zhenguo's pockets. I only ask Your Majesty to help find all the silver that the Liu mother and son have amassed over the years. If we cannot find this silver, I will not be able to eat or sleep in peace."