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

Lin Wan'er couldn't help but glare at him angrily.

"I knew you were unreliable."

"Alright, I promise you, once the matter is settled, I'll give you everything I'm owed, and it'll be more than last time."

Lin Wan'er's expression softened slightly, but when she touched the medicine packet on the table, she couldn't help but hesitate again.

"What kind of medicine is this?"

"You wouldn't have deliberately concocted some poison and then tried to use me to pin the crime of murdering the prince on me, would you?"

Xiao Lie was speechless.

"You really dare to dream. If you become a criminal, do you think my Duke Zhenguo's mansion can escape? If you die, I will also become a victim of your blade."

This might completely ignite internal strife within the Great Xia Dynasty, and if that happens, he will truly become a sinner.

Xiao Lie slightly raised his eyes, his expression meaningful.

"Don't worry, it's just some hallucinogenic drugs. It's definitely not fatal. At most, it'll just make him look ridiculous."

"If Jiang Heng becomes jealous of me because of this..."

Xiao Lie grew impatient with her questions and his face turned completely cold.

"What, in this Duke Zhenguo's mansion, you think you have the freedom to choose? You can refuse to do it, and I'll find someone else to do it, but if you offend me..."

Before Xiao Lie could finish speaking, Lin Wan'er's face paled slightly as she recalled his past methods.

She shuddered, forcing herself to remain calm, and said, "I...I'll go."

She was in deep trouble, and even Jiang Heng wouldn't help her. Since that was the case, she couldn't blame him for dragging him down with her. After all, he had deceived her before.

These are all the bitter fruits that Jiang Heng himself sowed.

If he had rescued her sooner, she wouldn't have had to do such a thing.

That's right, it's all Jiang Heng's fault.

Seeing that she silently accepted the medicine packet, Xiao Lie finally showed a satisfied expression.

Indeed, those who understand the times are wise.

Two days later, Lin Wan'er arranged to meet Jiang Heng in a restaurant. Jiang Heng initially didn't intend to go, fearing it might cause further trouble. However, after hearing that Lin Wan'er had stolen the letters between Xiao Lie and the Northern Border, revealing her intention to seize power, he couldn't resist her advances.

If he truly finds evidence that the Xiao family intends to seize power, the court will have a pretext to punish them. Once the trouble subsides, his position in his father's heart will surely rise to another level.

After much deliberation, Jiang Heng found it difficult not to waver.

Once the rebels are eliminated and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion falls, what will Xiao Lie be? He will be reduced to a prisoner without any dignity, groveling before him.

Thinking of this, Jiang Heng's blood boiled. He seemed to already foresee himself trampling Xiao Lie underfoot and getting his revenge.

Jiang Heng did not hesitate for long and immediately agreed to the appointment.

"Where's the letter you mentioned?"

Lin Wan'er smiled faintly and remained silent, offering him a cup of tea with her slender, delicate hand. Jiang Heng didn't hesitate much, gulping down the cup in one go. After only a few breaths, he felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed that Lin Wan'er seemed taller and stronger, and even the fragrance of her cosmetics was gone.

"Why does it look a little different from before?"

He shook his head. "Wait, what did you give me to drink?"

But the person in front of him did not answer; instead, they slowly stepped forward and approached him.

……

"Tsk tsk, you didn't see it, it was quite a sight. The moment the constables from the Jingzhao Prefecture rushed in, they saw Prince Kang embracing a man who bore a resemblance to the Fifth Prince..."

"Alas, the world is truly going to the dogs. How could a prince of the imperial family have such despicable thoughts? Thinking about it this way, what about the princess, what about the childhood sweetheart? Aren't they all just tools for him to cover up the truth?"

"Poor Princess Kang, she was also a daughter of a wealthy family. She could have married anyone else and ended up with a good marriage, but she had to marry Prince Kang..."

As soon as the rumors began to spread, Princess Kang, upon hearing the devastating news, found a white silk ribbon and hung it around her neck. Fortunately, her maid discovered her in time, thus saving her life.

Hearing this, everyone felt even more sorry for her, saying she had married the wrong person. Meanwhile, the court was submitting countless memorials impeaching Prince Kang, and the Grand Tutor, with tears streaming down his face, knelt before the jade steps, begging His Majesty to grant his daughter the dignity she deserved and allow her to become a nun at the imperial temple. Otherwise, if she remained in the capital, how could his daughter possibly live with any face?

The emperor was so angry from the series of incidents that his head ached, and he had no choice but to summon Lady Shen to the palace to comfort her.

"Good child, I'm sorry you had to go through this. Tell me what kind of compensation you want?"

They only mentioned compensation, not divorce. This was clearly an attempt to keep her in the Kangwang Mansion and wear her down. Hearing this, Shen Qinglan's heart sank.

She lay prostrate on the ground, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Your Majesty, now that I have married into the Kang Prince's household, I am a daughter-in-law of the imperial family and should stand with the Kang Prince's household through thick and thin. I dare not ask for any compensation."

"But things have come to this, and I have no face to stay in the capital any longer. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy and let me go to the Imperial Temple to be a nun who lives a simple life. I am willing to spend the rest of my life praying for the Great Xia and the Imperial Family."

"If Your Majesty is unwilling to agree, I have no other choice but to hang myself with a white silk ribbon to end my remaining life."

Shen Qinglan's shoulders trembled, tears streaming down her face, she cried pitifully.

Even though the emperor was furious, he couldn't bring himself to curse upon seeing this scene.

"You... it was Prince Kang who wronged you. Don't worry, I will definitely give you justice in this matter and will never let you become a nun."

If Shen were to become a nun, who knows what the whole world would say about the royal family.

The Shen family should be properly resettled. This is not only for the sake of justice for the Shen family, but also for the sake of the safety of the people.

Thinking of this, the emperor became even angrier. He slammed down a teacup and shouted.

"Shen has already entered the palace, so where is Prince Kang still fooling around? Does he think that just because he doesn't come to see me, this matter has nothing to do with him?"

"De Shun, you personally lead men to the Kang Prince's residence and bring the Kang Prince here. If he refuses, you must tie him up and bring him to me."

De Shun nodded obediently and left with his men.

The emperor rubbed his temples, feeling extremely annoyed.

Meanwhile, King Kang hid in his residence, not daring to see anyone.

"That bitch Lin Wan'er, she suddenly dared to harm me, it must be Xiao Lie who ordered her."

Upon further reflection on the previous two instances, King Kang felt even more enraged.

It would be one thing for him to have some romantic affairs, but this time he actually framed him and Jiang Yun. Such a thing that goes against morality and ethics is definitely not something Xiao Lie did to vent his anger. This is clearly aimed at ruining his reputation and making him ineligible for the throne.

With this drama unfolding, the chances of other princes succeeding to the throne will be greatly increased.

Jiang Heng was pondering which prince Xiao Lie would cooperate with next when he heard news that someone from the palace had arrived.

He frowned, intending to continue playing dead.

"Just say that I am not in the manor and send them away as soon as possible."

Before the servant could answer, someone outside the door chuckled softly.

"Your Highness, some things cannot be avoided. His Majesty had already guessed that you would try to hide, so before he came out, he specifically instructed his servants that if you did not wish to go in, you should be tied up and brought there."