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

You don't want any credit at all?

But now, everyone in the capital knows that Prince Jing and Consort Shu were involved in mediating this matter.

Jiang Yun wasn't trying to get no credit at all; he felt that the credit for his assistance was too little, and he wanted to claim the top credit.

However, this was exactly what Xiao Lie wanted. As a mere subject, he was concerned about the country and its people, and he was responsible for procuring military provisions. How could he compare to a prince doing this? It was more in line with the court's etiquette and the emperor's wishes.

While no one in the royal family dared to stand out, he was always jumping around and stealing the limelight. Although these royal relatives didn't say anything, they couldn't help but find him "an eyesore."

Now that King Jing is willing to take credit, it has actually helped him get rid of a big problem.

Xiao Lie smiled readily and said, "Your Highness is mistaken. This ship is now filled with nobles and dignitaries. If it weren't for Your Highness and Consort Shu's reputation, how could so many people have been attracted?"

"In my opinion, Your Highness and Her Majesty deserve the greatest credit for this auction. We only played a minor role, which is not worth mentioning. But if Your Highness and Her Majesty had not been there, we would have been without our backbone."

These words made Jiang Yun laugh heartily, feeling completely relieved.

"You, you! I never realized before that Prince Xiao was so eloquent."

The two of them, in a friendly exchange of toasts, happily settled the matter of who would get the credit for this achievement.

To the outside world, it was said that Prince Jing and Consort Shu were concerned about the country and its people and took the initiative to do so, while the other dukes' mansions were merely assisting from the sidelines after hearing the news.

Upon hearing that the auction had raised a total of three million taels of silver, the emperor's eyes showed a complex expression.

"Fifth brother is very thoughtful."

De Shun, who was standing to the side, quickly bowed and smiled, "Fifth Prince is showing consideration for His Majesty and wants to share His Majesty's burdens. It is a blessing for Great Xia that the Fifth Prince is so filial. This old servant is also very happy to see this."

The emperor chuckled twice, but there was no joy in his eyes.

"If he were truly so filial, then Heaven would be smiling upon him. I fear he is not genuinely filial, but rather deliberately seeking fame. Look, Xiao Tianze just resigned from his post citing old age and declining health, and now Xiao Lie is holding a grand auction. It's obvious that the old man and the young man are putting on a show, and this kid just jumped right in, trying to steal the credit. Does he think I'm blind?"

De Shun gave an awkward smile and could only force himself to say, "Your Highness is eager to make a contribution, and besides, there is a difference between ruler and subject. How can a subject be so arrogant as to stand in front of a prince? It is only right that the credit be given to Your Highness."

The emperor shook his head in disappointment. His sons were far inferior to a eunuch in their speech and conduct.

But the truth behind it can only be guessed by a few discerning individuals.

When news of Jiang Yun and Xiao Lie being rewarded by His Majesty for their meritorious service in organizing the auction reached the Kang Prince's residence, the Kang Prince immediately smashed a large number of things.

"Even Prince Jing is involved with him; this group of people is deliberately trying to oppose me."

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He even suspected that the Fifth Prince might have deliberately framed him for his previous affair with a man.

He snorted twice, then couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Well, well, Fifth Brother, you're willing to go to such lengths to bring me down. I won't let either of those two or that damned bitch get away with it."

He was rebuked by His Majesty, and rejected by the court and the people. Now, the only one still standing by his side was his mother. No, there was also his wife. Regardless of what she thought now, whether she disliked him or not, as long as His Majesty didn't relent, she would always be his Princess Consort Kang.

He wants the Shen family's connections, and he wants the Shen family's wealth too.

Inside Qingyi Garden, the Dharma assembly had long since ended. For several days in a row, Prince Kang sent over various exquisite pastries and some trendy trinkets.

In the past, this would have made the mistress and servant overjoyed, but at this moment, it only chilled them to the bone.

Yunxiu's eyes were filled with tears as she tightly gripped her young mistress's arm, feeling extremely wronged.

"Miss, the Prince has repeatedly shown goodwill and is willing to make amends, but I'm afraid he is unwilling to let you go."

Shen Qinglan sighed softly, feeling as if a huge boulder was pressing on her heart. She reached out and wiped away the tears on the maid's face, her eyes filled with only a calm and resolute light.

"Don't cry, crying won't solve anything now."

"Since they want to bind me with layers of rules, I'm going to forge my own path."

Time flies like an arrow, and the Mid-Autumn Festival has arrived in the blink of an eye. In the past, the Mid-Autumn Festival banquets were all royal family banquets, and only some festival gifts and delicacies were sent to the residences of officials of various ranks to celebrate together.

However, this year, Consort Xian held a separate palace banquet for the Mid-Autumn Festival, inviting famous ladies and noblewomen from the capital, and even some of the noble sons who were close to the royal family.

Xiao Lie received the invitation, but only frowned.

"It's unlikely that Consort Xian's sudden appearance and actions were truly out of genuine joy, or a desire to share in the merriment with the noble families of the capital."

Since Prince Kang was reprimanded, Consort Xian's palace has gradually become deserted. At this time, instead of reflecting on her mistakes in seclusion, she insists on holding this palace banquet, braving the mocking gazes of the powerful and influential families in the capital. There must be a reason for this.

After racking his brains without finding a solution, Xiao Lie lowered his eyes and gave a forced smile.

"If I can't figure it out, then I won't think about it anymore. I'll find out when I get there."

……

At the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet, seated below the Consort Xian were none other than Prince Kang and his wife.

Shen Qinglan's expression was indifferent, without a trace of a smile, like a clay puppet, while Prince Kang, unusually, wore a gentle smile, adding wine and serving dishes to her, looking like a loving couple.

Consort Xian covered her mouth and chuckled, "Look at you all, I only asked Lan'er to come for a meal, and this boy rushed over as if he was afraid that I would bully the princess. My good intentions have been turned into me being a wicked old hag."

"I told him that this was mostly a banquet for women and young men, and that his presence as a high-ranking official would surely make everyone feel uncomfortable. But he insisted on staying with the princess, making me look like the villain who was trying to break them up."

The Consort Xian gave him a reproachful look, "He treats the Princess Consort better than he treats me. I've raised him for so long, and he's turned out to be an unfilial son."

The Prince of Kang smiled sheepishly, cupped his hands, and replied, "Mother, Lan'er is shy, so I'm accompanying her to put her at ease."

Consort Xian pointed and shook her head with a smile.

"Look at you, you can say such cheesy things, aren't you ashamed at all?"

The virtuous concubine and her son worked in unison, and everyone present was shrewd enough to see through their intentions.

The officials' families all laughed and echoed their sentiments.

"A harmonious marriage and a harmonious family are the keys to a long and lasting life. Your Highness, Consort Xian, is truly a blessed person."

"Yes, yes, the Prince Kang and his consort are so loving, they are truly a model couple in the capital, and we are so envious."

"A man must first cultivate himself and manage his family before he can govern the country and bring peace to the world. The harmonious relationship between His Highness Prince Kang and his wife is a sign that great things are about to happen."