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

Xiao Lie hadn't expected that this woman with her gentle features would have such a stern air about her.

He raised an eyebrow, toning down his frivolous demeanor.

"continue……"

Shen Qinglan straightened her sleeves and smiled faintly.

"I know Your Highness wants money, but the Kang Prince's Mansion truly cannot raise that much. I am willing to give you a portion of my dowry. However, this is not to fill the Kang Prince's Mansion's deficit, but rather to ask Your Highness for a favor."

"What kind of help?"

"Should I leave the Prince Kang's residence with dignity?"

Xiao Lie narrowed his eyes, not expecting her to say something so bold.

"Do you know what you're saying? Throughout history, there have been very few examples of people of your status getting divorced."

The daughter of a high-ranking official was given to a prince, or the emperor himself would personally issue an imperial decree to bestow the marriage upon her.

How can such a marriage be dissolved? Wouldn't that damage the royal family's reputation and tell the world that there is discord within the royal family?

Shen Qinglan gave a cold laugh, tinged with mockery.

"Throughout history, it's rare for a prince to have an affair with a courtier's wife. This isn't the first time something like this has happened, so what's one more?"

In the past, Shen Qinglan would not have dared to hope for a divorce, but now that the Prince of Kang has lost face and is despised by the court and the public, it is not so hard to understand why she proposed a divorce under these circumstances.

Understanding alone isn't enough; she needs to find someone else to help her. Otherwise, on her own, the divorce will remain fraught with difficulties.

Seeing that the young man seemed to be thinking, Shen Qinglan couldn't help but step forward and lower her voice.

"If Your Highness feels it's not enough, I'm willing to give half of my dowry. That's already a great show of sincerity. Your Highness must leave some money for me to rely on, right?"

The daughter of the Grand Tutor, with a generous dowry, is a fact known to all.

"Why...are you so willing to give?"

Xiao Lie vaguely felt that Shen Qinglan was being a little too hasty.

Not long ago, when he met Shen Qinglan, this woman still looked listless, as if she intended to endure it until the end of time.

In such a short time, this woman suddenly changed her attitude.

Xiao Lie found it increasingly strange.

Shen Qinglan's smile froze, and her face darkened.

"As expected, I couldn't hide it from the young master. I am indeed in a hurry to get a divorce. It's just that the Kang Prince's mansion is in debt. The Consort Xian has already warned me several times, asking me to use my dowry to relieve the mansion's immediate crisis."

"If it were truly just to repay the debt owed to the Crown Prince, I would have tolerated it. But I know that Consort Xian is insatiable and has always looked down on me. If this is the first time, there will inevitably be a second, a third... If it happens a few more times, my dowry will probably be completely squandered."

Her dowry was substantial, and many people were eyeing it, so it was understandable that Consort Xian was tempted. However, she did not expect Consort Xian to be so greedy. When Consort Xian refused, Consort Xian tried to coerce and entice her to give it up.

She can still endure it now, but if she stays any longer, she doesn't know how much longer she can hold on.

"Rather than living in fear and anxiety in the Prince Kang's mansion, it's better to cut ties cleanly and decisively."

Shen Qinglan spoke very earnestly, and as Xiao Lie listened, he felt a pang of sympathy for her. Of all the people she could have married, she had to end up in such a terrible family.

However, he was indeed very moved by Shen Qinglan's "sincerity".

The border is short of money, food, and everything else, and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has been having a hard time lately. If they could really get a large sum of money from Shen Qinglan, it might solve their immediate crisis.

"How much is your dowry?"

Seeing him waver, Shen Qinglan smiled faintly, took a few steps forward, and whispered a number in his ear. Xiao Lie was so shocked that he could hardly speak.

So much silver?

No wonder Consort Xian is so inhuman; if he were Consort Xian, he would also find it difficult to be human. Faced with so much silver, Xiao Lie felt that if he hesitated for even a second longer, it would be disrespectful to this money.

"Don't worry, I will definitely help you get out of this misery."

"Then...this humble servant will thank you in advance, Your Highness."

Xiao Lie covered his lips with his fist and coughed awkwardly twice.

"Ahem... Well... it's not safe to keep so much silver in Prince Kang's mansion. I do know a few reliable banks, so perhaps..."

Shen Qinglan bowed and readily agreed.

"When we return to the manor later, I will immediately take stock of the dowry and send the items out. After that, I will leave the rest to you, Your Highness."

"No problem, no problem. If any fool dares to steal your money, they will be making an enemy of this young master."

Shen Qinglan was amused by his words, raised her sleeve to cover her lips, and the silver butterfly in her hair trembled slightly.

This immediately eased the tension between the two.

……

If you want Shen Qinglan to divorce, you can only throw dirty water on Prince Kang. It would be best if the dirty water was so dirty that the royal family would feel guilty and willing to grant her wish.

But what kind of dirty water can achieve this result?

Xiao Lie stroked his chin, feeling somewhat troubled. After all, this dog emperor's skin was thicker than he had imagined. The affair between Lin Wan'er and Prince Kang had become known throughout the entire capital, yet this dog emperor could still pretend not to know.

If it were just some ordinary dirty business, the emperor would probably continue to turn a blind eye.

If that's the case, then it's better to just go for the big one.

Thinking of this, a dark glint flashed in the young man's eyes. He beckoned to Sixteen and whispered a few words in his ear.

"Go find a江湖人 (jianghu person) who resembles the Fifth Prince somewhat..."

Upon hearing his words, Sixteen's face turned pale, and his jaw dropped in astonishment. He stammered.

"Your Highness, this...this is not a good idea."

"I told you to go... so just go and stop whining. If you keep talking nonsense, I'll make you go on stage yourself."

Sixteen was so frightened that he immediately covered his chest, shook his head like a rattle drum, and said repeatedly.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will handle this matter properly and will not let you down."

Xiao Lie nodded. "Okay, go ahead."

Although he had made arrangements, he still needed to give Lin Wan'er a few words of advice. After all, he had played such a big trick on Prince Kang today, and it wouldn't be good if Prince Kang got angry.

He rushed to the West Garden. Upon hearing his words, Lin Wan'er nervously wrung out her handkerchief.

"What...what do you mean? You're letting me out to meet Prince Kang? Do you think I'm disgusted by the...?"

Isn't a green hat green enough?

Xiao Lie's face darkened, and his voice turned cold, "I asked you to go and appease Prince Kang, give him some hope, and prevent him from resorting to desperate measures."

"Of course, it's common for old lovers to rekindle their romance, but if you think the current turmoil isn't big enough, then go ahead and continue. Who knows whether the imperial decree or the virtuous concubine's decree will arrive at the mansion before you do?"

Xiao Lie's words were threatening, and Lin Wan'er's face turned pale. How could she not hear the implication in Xiao Lie's words?

If she continues like this, I'm afraid the Emperor and Consort Xian will not tolerate her.

Lin Wan'er suddenly felt hesitant. "Since you know His Majesty and Consort Xian will be dissatisfied with me, why did you insist on sending me?"

"Because only you can handle this."