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

Xiao Lie narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke with sarcasm.

"Commander Xie, you're not suggesting this is just a misunderstanding, are you?"

Xie Ruming's words were completely stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say them.

Even he knew how weak such an explanation was. He suddenly looked up and stared intently at Xiao Lie, his expression both frightened and sharp, as if he had seen a ghost in human skin.

Xiao Lie has always been a playboy, yet he was able to calmly watch him fall into the trap with unusual composure. Such temperament and methods, yet he was previously only known as a playboy—he's been putting on an act far too well.

His gaze swept back and forth between the Fifth Prince and Xiao Lie, before he finally shuddered and his spirits waned.

Xie Ruming knew that his term as commander was probably over tonight.

If it were any other noble family here today, they might still have a chance to change their tune under the Third Prince's pressure. But the one sitting here is the Fifth Prince, who has a deep grudge against the Third Prince.

These two, fighting for the throne, had long been mortal enemies. With the Fifth Prince present, he probably wished he could take the opportunity to crush the Third Prince to death. As for him, the vanguard, he naturally became a sacrificial lamb in this silent battle.

Late at night, the Imperial Study was unusually brightly lit.

Jiang Yun pulled Xiao Lie down to kneel, pleading for his innocence.

"Father, I saw it clearly. This woman took off her clothes and seduced him, with ulterior motives. Prince Xiao is virtuous and did not lay a finger on her. He even tried to leave to avoid suspicion, but this woman pressed him and forced him onto the soft couch."

"Just then, Commander Xie led his men in and caught them red-handed. If it weren't for me, Prince Xiao would probably be in deep trouble today."

"Your Majesty, this matter is intricately linked, and someone must be plotting behind it. We beg Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter and give Prince Xiao justice, so as not to discourage the hundreds of thousands of loyal soldiers in the Northern Frontier."

Xie Ruming and Qiu Niang lay on the ground with their heads bowed, their hearts filled with utter despair.

The emperor glanced at it indifferently, having already made his decision. He tossed aside the sandalwood incense stick in his hand with annoyance and ordered De Shun to summon officials from the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Jingzhao Prefecture to the palace immediately to thoroughly investigate the matter.

This is a joint trial by the three judicial departments, and there is absolutely no possibility of a turnaround. It seems that His Majesty is determined to deal with this matter.

With a loud crash, Xie Ruming could no longer bear it and fainted from fright.

Soon, the relevant people were brought in for questioning. Whether it was passersby on the street or servants of the Duke's mansion, they could all testify that this Qiu Niang was very attentive and obedient. In fact, as the three parties continued to investigate, they even discovered that Qiu Niang's identity was fake.

She was born into the Xue family, the maternal clan of the Third Prince, and her status as a slave is still held by the Xue family.

Qiu Niang was terrified and cried out in despair, pleading desperately, but was held down firmly by the eunuch beside her.

"Your Majesty, it was all because I was momentarily blinded by greed and wanted to curry favor with the Duke's family. This matter was entirely my doing and has nothing to do with the Xue family..."

But her voice was so loud it hurt the emperor's ears. Before she could finish speaking, the chief eunuch, sensing the emperor's annoyance, immediately gave a signal to the eunuch beside him. The eunuch then stuffed a rag into her mouth and dragged her away.

The imperial study fell silent for a moment, leaving only Jiang Yun, Xiao Lie, and the others.

Seeing that Xiao Lie was still kneeling on the ground, the emperor spoke calmly.

"You've been wronged. Don't worry, if this matter is investigated and it's found that it was indeed done by Consort Xian and the Third Prince, I will definitely give you an explanation."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. With your words, I do not feel wronged."

The emperor waved his hand, ordering tea and a seat to be served. Xiao Lie obediently complied, but his heart sank as he repeatedly pondered the emperor's words.

It was almost obvious, yet the emperor hesitated and was unwilling to make a decision. It seems that he didn't really want to deal with Consort Xian and the Third Prince.

Indeed, he was merely a subject, and a hostage at that. Why would the emperor be willing to lose a son for his sake?

Xiao Lie silently drank his tea.

As dawn broke, the matter was thoroughly investigated and presented to the emperor. However, the emperor did not even glance at it. Instead, he waited until the third prince rushed to the emperor's presence to inquire before speaking indifferently.

"The three judicial departments are conducting a joint trial, and they all say that you and Consort Xian instigated this matter. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Jiang Heng was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead. "Your subject... Your subject is truly innocent!"

"This is all because my maternal family heard about what happened a few days ago and wanted to stand up for me, so they..."

"I have just learned of this matter and have immediately come to the palace to apologize. If Your Majesty wishes to punish me, I will not dare to utter a word of shirking my duty. I only hope that Your Majesty will not implicate my mother and the Xue family. I am willing to bear all the consequences of this matter."

Jiang Heng's words were a strategic retreat, transforming him from a mastermind into an innocent victim of the conspiracy, and making him appear exceptionally righteous.

Everyone present thought this was his way of getting away with it, but the emperor nodded with satisfaction.

"Very well, it's understandable that the Xue family stood up for you, but setting up a scheme to slander Xun Gui is punishable by law and should not be let off lightly."

After much deliberation, the emperor ordered Xue's eldest son to suspend his duties and reflect on his actions, leaving him to stay at home. This served as a warning to the Xue family and an explanation to Xiao Lie.

Jiang Heng breathed a sigh of relief and quickly spoke.

"This is all the Xue family's fault, and I am willing to apologize on their behalf. After we leave this palace, I will have someone send the gold, silver, and jade artifacts from our mansion to the Duke's mansion as compensation for the young master's fright."

Xiao Lie clenched his fists secretly, but his tone remained calm.

"Your Highness is too kind. How can we place the Xue family's affairs on Your Highness?"

"No, no, no, this whole thing started because of me. Please accept this compensation as a token of my appreciation."

The emperor nodded in satisfaction, "Indeed, Heng'er was also at fault in this matter, and I should also show my remorse."

"Deshun, take the two red corals that were presented as tribute this year to the Duke's mansion later."

De Shun acknowledged and immediately instructed the young eunuch to carry it out. Xiao Lie could only smile and thank him.

The emperor and the princes have already made such statements; if he were to pursue the matter further, he would be disobedient.

He gritted his teeth silently, a smile on his face, and said, "Your subject kowtows to express his gratitude for Your Majesty's grace."

As Xiao Lie and the Fifth Prince exited the palace gate one after the other, their faces instantly turned cold.

The Fifth Prince, fanning himself with a folding fan, spoke calmly.

"Father really favors Third Brother; he won't even part with a single finger."

He sighed softly, his eyes filled with pity, "It's just that the young master has to suffer."

Xiao Lie frowned imperceptibly. "After all, there is a difference between ruler and subject. The subject is not wronged, but Your Highness, His Majesty dotes on the Third Prince so much, I wonder how much sincerity he has for Your Highness."

The Fifth Prince slammed his fan shut with a "whoosh," his face stiffening.

He forced a smile. "Your Highness is indeed eloquent and unforgiving."

He only wanted to sow discord so he could reap the benefits, but in the end, Xiao Lie used the same tactic on him.

Unfortunately, it is extremely lethal.