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

Upon seeing the newcomer, Liu clung to him like a lifeline, breaking free from the guards and throwing herself at Jiang Heng's feet, wailing and crying, "My lord! You must do justice for me! That wretched wretch Xiao Lie... he beats and scolds our elders! And he even tried to drive our whole family out! He's gone too far!"

Jiang Heng frowned slightly and looked at Xiao Lie: "Young Master Xiao, what's going on?"

Xiao Lie leaned against the doorframe, a half-smile on his face: "Your Highness is quite nosy. Do I need to report to you even when I'm handling family matters?"

Jiang Heng raised an eyebrow, showing surprise.

Although Xiao Lie was fond of drinking, gambling, whoring, and womanizing, he was always well-behaved in front of him.

Especially after forcibly taking Lin Wan'er's marriage contract, she felt extremely guilty whenever she saw him, like a mouse seeing a cat.

But today, his tone was extremely arrogant.

Jiang Heng, puzzled by the turn of events, maintained his gentle smile: "Young Master Xiao, I was merely passing by when I heard the commotion in the mansion, so I came in to investigate. After all, Liu is your maternal aunt. Even if an elder has made a mistake, a junior should not lay a hand on her, much less drive her out. If this gets out, it won't be good for the reputation of your Duke Zhenguo's mansion."

His words were perfectly worded, making him appear reasonable while subtly implying that Xiao Lie was unfilial.

Madam Liu quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, Your Highness is right! Xiao Lie, quickly apologize to your aunt, and we'll let this matter go!"

Xiao Lie smiled.

Jiang Heng even became a rational and objective person.

You should avoid these idiots on rainy days, or you'll get struck by lightning.

"Your Highness is right."

Xiao Lie suddenly nodded and sighed slightly, "It is indeed wrong of a junior to lay a hand on an elder."

A smug look appeared on Liu's face.

A hint of contempt flashed in Jiang Heng's eyes—a piece of trash is a piece of trash; he gives in as soon as he's pressured.

However, the next second, Xiao Lie changed the subject: "But I really have no other choice."

He pulled out a stack of papers from his pocket and unfolded them: "If you want to get involved, then get involved to the end. These are the IOUs her son has for gambling dens in the capital, totaling 18,000 taels. I've heard that His Highness the Third Prince is kind-hearted and treats the people like his own brothers. If you can help pay off this debt, I'll let her stay in my residence."

Jiang Heng's lips twitched slightly.

Eighteen thousand taels of silver was no small sum, even for a prince like him.

Moreover, on what basis?

"This is your family matter, and it is not appropriate for me to interfere."

Jiang Heng took a step back.

"Hmm? It's inconvenient for you to get involved?"

Xiao Lie feigned ignorance and asked, "Your Highness, what were you doing just now...?"

Jiang Heng felt like he had swallowed a dead fly; he was utterly disgusted.

Lin Wan'er was her childhood sweetheart, and the two had long harbored feelings for each other. This time, she was used as a pawn to marry into the Duke's mansion... Even though Lin Wan'er repeatedly assured him that she would not let Xiao Lie touch her, he still felt disgusted.

He had intended to teach Xiao Lie a lesson, but he never expected that the other party was actually in the right, and he almost got dragged into a ditch.

Jiang Heng was furious, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Seeing that the Third Prince was pretending to be deaf and dumb, Lady Liu was filled with despair and her face turned ashen.

She was so anxious that she almost blurted out that the Emperor wanted her to be a spy, but she didn't have the courage to say it.

Xiao Lie sneered and gave the guard a wink.

As Liu was dragged out, her face flushed with anger, she kicked wildly, crying and screaming, "Let me go! You servants! You ungrateful beasts! I am the heir apparent's aunt! I am the mistress of the Duke's mansion! Ah—!"

The guard had a bad temper and knocked her unconscious with one punch.

The world is finally quiet.

Xiao Lie looked at the Third Prince in front of him without saying a word.

Jiang Heng's lips moved, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Just then, the door behind Xiao Lie suddenly opened.

Lin Wan'er walked out with red eyes and tears streaming down her face. Her pitiful appearance would break anyone's heart.

"Your Highness..."

Lin Wan'er's cry of "Your Highness" was full of twists and turns, tinged with tears, and anyone who heard it could feel the grievance and affection in it.

Jiang Heng's heart tightened, and he looked up.

Lin Wan'er stood by the door, her eyes red and swollen, tears streaming down her face like broken beads. Her usually beautiful and proud face was now filled with sorrow.

Jiang Heng's pupils contracted sharply, his heart aching as if it were about to break.

"Your Highness,"

Lin Wan'er's voice trembled, "You...you've come?"

Her question was tinged with sorrow, but her eyes were fixed on Jiang Heng. Her tearful eyes held grievance, pleading, and an indescribable mix of emotions.

Their eyes met, and it was as if everything around them had disappeared.

Jiang Heng's Adam's apple bobbed, and after a long while, he managed to speak with difficulty: "I... I was passing by and thought I'd come to congratulate you on your... your wedding."

He spoke with great difficulty, especially the words "newlywed".

Xiao Lie leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, watching the scene of "deeply gazing into each other's eyes" with great interest.

It has to be said, it has that Qiong Yao vibe.

but……

Do these two really think he's dead?

"Oh, you were just passing by."

Xiao Lie suddenly spoke, breaking the nauseating silence, "I thought the Third Prince had come specifically to visit my wife."

He emphasized the word "Madam" very heavily.

Jiang Heng's expression changed slightly. He withdrew his gaze and barely maintained his composure: "Young Master Xiao is joking. I have known Lin... and the Princess Consort since childhood. Now that she has married into your household, it is only natural for me to show some concern."

"Oh?" Xiao Lie raised an eyebrow. "So, Your Highness has seen it now, my wife is doing very well. She was on her wedding night last night and is still refreshed this morning—is that right, Wan'er?"

He turned to look at Lin Wan'er, his smile full of malice.

Lin Wan'er's face turned deathly pale, her lips trembled, and she couldn't utter a single word.

Jiang Heng's chest heaved. He absolutely refused to believe that Lin Wan'er would consummate their marriage with him, and felt that Xiao Lie was disgusting him. "Xiao Lie, I was merely exchanging a few words with Wan'er, why are you so hostile?"

Xiao Lie seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. "Third Prince, you're exchanging glances with my wife right in front of me, and you won't even allow me to be hostile? The royal family is indeed domineering!"

Jiang Heng took a deep breath, deciding not to get entangled with him, and turned to look at Lin Wan'er.

"Wan'er, shall we go for a walk and catch up, just like before..."

Lin Wan'er instinctively reached out her hand.

But just then, Xiao Lie suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"If you dare to go, I'll let him know how much you screamed last night, and how many times you soaked the sheets."

Lin Wan'er was struck dumb, her outstretched hand frozen in mid-air.

She turned her head sharply and met Xiao Lie's eyes, which seemed to be smiling but weren't.

The mockery and threat in his eyes were like a bucket of ice water, poured over her from head to toe.

Yes, she is no longer a virgin.

The unbearable images from last night flashed through Lin Wan'er's mind, and she felt a chill run through her body.

If Jiang Heng knew that she was already with Xiao Lie... how could he possibly still want her given his status?

"Wan'er?"

Seeing that she didn't move, Jiang Heng called out again, her hand still outstretched.

He wore a confident smile—he believed that Wan'er would definitely choose him.

From childhood to adulthood, Wan'er relied on him the most.

Even if she is forced to marry Xiao Lie, her heart will always be with him. As long as he reaches out, she will follow him without hesitation.

however……

Lin Wan'er definitely wouldn't dare to move.

Jiang Heng's smile froze.

Xiao Lie revealed a mocking smile and slowly said, "Your Highness, even if you two were childhood sweethearts, she is now married. You came uninvited and invited her out under the guise of catching up. Do you perhaps have some special fetish for married women?"