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

The emperor abruptly threw down the memorial and roared, "A stupid woman, a brat!"

He agreed to the marriage between the two families because he valued the Grand Tutor's family's background and wanted to give Jiang Heng more leverage.

But now, one or two people are short-sighted, thinking that just because the Grand Tutor's eldest daughter married into the Prince's mansion, he can do whatever he wants with her. Madam Shen, bound by propriety, dared not say anything, but as a father, couldn't she do something?

The emperor rubbed his forehead, sighed softly, and suddenly felt a headache coming on.

No wonder he felt that the voices impeaching the Fifth Prince had grown louder these days, as if something was no longer holding him back. Now that he thought about it, he was afraid that the Grand Tutor was secretly pushing things along.

Those two idiots, they managed to ruin his carefully planned game.

Thinking of this, the emperor's temples throbbed, and his head throbbed even more, as if someone had cleaved it open with an axe. Seeing this, De Shun immediately stepped forward and gently massaged him.

The maidservant below was still sobbing, "Your Majesty, please help the Princess."

The emperor exhaled a sigh of frustration, his face showing signs of exhaustion.

"De Shun, take my imperial edict with you and order Consort Xian to release the person back to her residence immediately. If she is unwilling, let her go to the Empress Dowager's palace to copy Buddhist scriptures to calm her anger and let her learn some manners in front of the Empress Dowager."

The admonition in these words was evident.

De Shun rolled his eyes, responded, and left with Yun Xiu.

Inside Chaohua Palace, Consort Xian was initially delighted to see De Shun, thinking that the Emperor had summoned her again. However, when she saw Yunxiu behind De Shun, her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately sensed something was wrong.

"Grandpa Deshun, this is..."

De Shun said calmly, "His Majesty has decreed that Your Highness should immediately release Princess Kang and allow her to return home."

Consort Xian panicked and felt ashamed. She glared at Yunxiu fiercely. Just as she was about to speak in her defense, Deshun calmly finished the sentence.

Consort Xian froze instantly, her face turning a deep purplish-red. She gritted her teeth angrily and ordered her maid to deliver a message.

Seeing that De Shun was about to leave, Consort Xian followed two steps and forced a smile.

"Eunuch Deshun, did that maidservant by Lady Shen's side say something inappropriate in front of His Majesty? I knew she and her mistress were restless. If His Majesty misunderstands, then I am greatly wronged."

"Your Highness, Consort Xian," De Shun drawled out, reminding her, "Forgive this servant for speaking out of turn, but although the Princess is your daughter-in-law, she is also an official's wife. If word gets out that you are being mean to the Princess, it could cause discord between the emperor and his ministers, which would be a taboo against the emperor."

"Before I arrived, His Majesty instructed that if Your Highness disagreed with the decree, you should go to the Empress Dowager's palace to copy Buddhist scriptures to dispel any resentment and learn some manners."

"Your Majesty's true intentions are clear to Your Highness, who has served you for so many years. I will not waste my breath trying to explain."

De Shun bowed and turned to leave. The Consort Xian was left behind, her face alternating between pale and flushed, as she secretly clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

Is His Majesty's harsh rebuke due to disappointment in her?

Thinking of this, she panicked and became terrified. She quickly summoned her personal maid.

"Later, bestow that set of ruby ​​jewelry from my storeroom upon the Princess Consort, and tell her that I am not feeling well today, so that she will not take it to heart."

……

In the town government palace.

Xiao Lie lit a candle, placed the secret letter in front of the fire, and carefully heated it. After a while, several lines of text slowly appeared on the blank back.

"My dear grandson, I feel as if I have received your letter. These are turbulent times. If the northern barbarians continue their antics, the border may become unstable. I intend to purchase a batch of grain and supplies..."

After reading it, Xiao Lie cautiously burned the letter.

The emperor was naturally suspicious. If he were to see this letter about the private purchase of grain and supplies, the charge of "plotting rebellion" would likely fall on the Xiao family the next second. Xiao Lie had no choice but to be on guard.

"But where can we buy such a large quantity of goods? Transportation will also be a hassle..."

After thinking it over and over, Xiao Lie suddenly felt annoyed and couldn't help but slam his fist on the table, cursing under his breath.

That damned emperor! If he hadn't always been so wary and cut back on the Northern Army's pay, how could those soldiers in the North have even run out of these things?

The gap in their ranks was something that even the Xiao family had to figure out how to resolve. It was hard to tell whether these soldiers were the Xiao family's soldiers or the imperial army's soldiers.

However, Xiao Lie was very clear about one thing: if the emperor continued to be so stingy, those people who were not Xiao family soldiers would become Xiao family soldiers.

"This matter is indeed quite troublesome, but if it is not resolved, the border troubles will likely become even more serious."

The young man tapped his knuckles on the table a few times and spoke in a deep voice.

"Sixteen, bring Wang Mingyi here quietly, and especially don't let Jin Daohe find out."

"Yes!" the figure in the shadows replied, and then quickly disappeared without a trace.

Xiao Lie had investigated and found that Wang Mingyi had a clean background. Moreover, he had worked diligently at Mingcuifang for several years without ever embezzling money. He was an honest and reliable person, and Xiao Lie could only feel at ease entrusting matters to such a person.

In the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, Sixteen quietly brought Wang Mingyi in through the back door.

"This humble servant greets Your Highness."

Wang Mingyi obediently performed the ceremony, not even daring to raise his head.

Xiao Lie gently blew on the steam rising from the tea, intentionally letting him cool down. After a while, the scalding tea gradually cooled to lukewarm. The middle-aged man, having received no instructions, remained unchanged and did not overstep his bounds in the slightest.

Xiao Lie nodded in satisfaction.

"Indeed, honest and upright, well-mannered and polite, and also calm and composed. Our Duke's mansion is in dire need of someone like you."

Wang Mingyi knelt down and bowed, "I dare not accept such praise from Your Highness. I am not talented enough to deserve such praise. However, I have already served the Xiao family faithfully for twelve years and am bound to the Xiao family by honor and disgrace. If Your Highness gives any orders, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."

"Very well! Since you have this intention, I, the young master, will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Xiao Lie personally helped the man up and then had someone offer him a seat and tea.

When he mentioned the large-scale purchase of grain and supplies, Wang Mingyi clearly sensed something, but he didn't say a word, only responding in a deep voice.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will be careful and discreet, and I will not let anyone notice."

"Aren't you curious why I bought so much food, fodder, and clothing?"

"If the master doesn't say, then the subordinate won't ask. I understand this rule."

Indeed, he's a capable person.

Xiao Lie smiled and said, "Then I'll wait for your good news."

"But remember, this can be done slowly, but it must never be discovered."

The purchase of large quantities of supplies was far too sensitive, so Xiao Lie dared not send anyone from his household directly. He could only indirectly have his subordinates handle it. Wang Mingyi had been based in the capital for many years and had extensive connections. He knew a thing or two about all the merchants doing business in the capital.

He knew which merchants had the backing of a lord and which were self-reliant; he even knew some of the foreign merchants. He planned to buy from those with weaker backgrounds in batches.