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

The flattery from everyone made Consort Xian and her son feel elated, almost beaming with joy. The only discordant element in this scene was the dignified and bodhisattva-like Consort Kang, whose cold face completely ruined the harmonious atmosphere.

Consort Xian caught a glimpse of this and gave her a displeased look. Prince Kang gritted his teeth inwardly, forcing a smile, and quietly squeezed the woman's wrist.

He lowered his voice and warned.

"Shen, on such a joyous day, how can you not smile? If word gets out, people will think I've been bullying you."

Shen Qinglan's eyebrows twitched slightly, but she spoke curtly.

"I don't see anything to be happy about, and I can't bring myself to laugh."

King Kang paused, his expression darkening, and he almost lost his composure.

These days, he has tried his best to please Madam Shen, but Madam Shen is like a person with facial paralysis, and has never given him a kind look.

Several times, he tried to stay at Qingyi Garden as night fell and consummate his marriage with her, but Shen would coldly rise and see him off. When he didn't move, Shen would push and shove him out.

This made Jiang Heng lose face completely. Before he could even argue with Shen Qinglan about these things, Shen Qinglan actually threw a tantrum at his mother's palace banquet.

Jiang Heng held back for a long time, but finally couldn't help but whisper.

"Shen family, remember your place!"

Shen Qinglan gave him a cold look, her eyes full of mockery.

"If Your Highness is dissatisfied with me, you can simply divorce me. Why bother pretending to please me here? It's all just a facade for outsiders. I'm not willing to play along."

"You...you're being insolent, Shen Qinglan! Don't you have any sense of propriety?"

Jiang Heng couldn't help but slam his hand on the table and shout, which immediately drew the attention of everyone present. The scene fell silent, and among these probing gazes, there was more or less a desire to watch a good show.

Jiang Heng's face darkened, and he slowly straightened his posture. Consort Xian's expression was also unpleasant. She glared fiercely at her good-for-nothing son, but when she looked at Shen Qinglan, her eyes were filled with overwhelming anger and dark hatred.

She turned her head away, forced a smile, and let the dancers and musicians go on stage. Under the influence of the song and dance performance, her previous displeasure seemed to have completely faded away.

But Consort Xian and her son's faces remained gloomy. Xiao Lie glanced at them discreetly, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in his arm. It turned out that Lin Wan'er was staring at Prince Kang and his wife, and because she was fixated on something, she subconsciously pinched his arm.

Xiao Lie brushed her hand away and spoke lazily.

"Stop staring. Even if you keep staring, you'll never become Princess Kang."

Lin Wan'er snorted, her eyes filled with resentment.

Xiao Lie found it amusing. "I originally planned to release you, but you were unwilling. Now that you've seen Prince Kang and his wife, you're still unwilling."

"Women, why are you always changing your mind like this? Haven't you given up yet?"

"Who hasn't given up? I just feel... I feel so unlucky to have married such a jerk like you."

The promise of a princess consort made to her by Prince Kang was lost, and later she couldn't even get the position of concubine. Now, with her reputation ruined, she could only be tied to Xiao Lie. After thinking it over, Lin Wan'er felt a burning resentment in her chest.

She hated Xiao Lie, and hated Jiang Heng even more.

If he hadn't been so cowardly and weak, unable to resist the imperial decree, how could she have ended up in this state, forced to watch other women possess things she never dared to dream of, things that other women even discarded like trash? The thought of this made her feel incredibly bitter.

I just feel that life is full of different aspects, and people's fates are ultimately different. Why is it that Shen Qinglan has such a good life, while she can only be looked down upon and used as a pawn?

Seeing the changing expressions on her face, Xiao Lie's smile faded, replaced by a hint of wariness.

Lin Wan'er, however, remained oblivious, staring resentfully at Prince Kang and his wife.

……

Consort Xian had intended to stage a scene of marital harmony during the palace banquet to salvage the imperial decree for her and her son, but Shen Shi was stubborn and uncooperative. Consort Xian couldn't bear to look at the singing and dancing at the banquet.

She stared at the cold-eyed Shen Qinglan, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes.

She originally wanted to give Shen a good look, but since Shen was so ungrateful, she wouldn't hesitate to take a hard line.

Consort Xian smoothed her hair and spoke softly to the maid beside her.

"Qiulan, let's start preparing to nourish your body now."

Qiulan was startled. "Your Highness, here you are?"

"Didn't you say that all the medicinal soup should be sent to Prince Kang's residence, and then given to Madam Shen when the opportunity arises?"

Consort Xian gave a cold laugh. "Does she look like she's obedient? She even dared to openly contradict her husband at the palace banquet. Who knows what will happen when she returns to the Kang Prince's residence?"

"Instead of waiting for her to return to the Kang Prince's Mansion and cause trouble, it's better to strike now. Even if she makes a scene in the palace, with the title of husband and wife in front of us, I doubt anyone else will dare to say anything."

"At most, it can be said that the couple were young and impetuous, and couldn't control their emotions. Even if His Majesty knew, he wouldn't be too harsh on them."

Upon hearing this, Qiulan couldn't help but smile. She curtsied and whispered.

"Your Majesty is wise; this servant will certainly complete the task properly."

Consort Xian nodded in satisfaction. "Go."

Not long after, a young palace maid serving wine accidentally knocked over a wine bottle, staining Princess Kang's dress. A large water stain spread across her clothes, which was extremely unsightly.

The young palace maid was so frightened that she knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Please, Your Highness, spare my life! I didn't mean it! Please, Your Highness, spare my life!"

Although Shen Qinglan was displeased, seeing the little palace maid's posture as if she was about to kowtow until her head broke, she couldn't help but feel pity and softened her tone.

"It's alright, I'll just go change into a dress."

Consort Xian gave a wink, signaling a palace maid to take her to change her clothes. But when she reached the side hall, before she had even finished changing, Aunt Qiulan, Consort Xian's attendant, entered carrying a bowl of hot soup.

"Greetings, Your Highness. This nourishing soup was specially prepared for you by Her Majesty. It can strengthen your body and help you conceive a child. Please do not disappoint Her Majesty's kindness and drink it all."

Shen Qinglan straightened her clothes. The words "gaining a son in one fell swoop" felt like needles pricking her ears, making her feel disgusted.

In the past, in order to have a son, Consort Xian forced her to drink bowl after bowl of medicinal soup. Now that she is about to divorce Prince Kang, Consort Xian is still forcing her to drink medicine.

This isn't about hoping for the continuation of the family line; it's clearly about using the child to bind her to someone else.

The woman spoke coldly, "Please convey this to Mother Consort, Aunt. Such a fine thing is beyond my ability to accept."

She took two steps to leave, but two palace maids on either side grabbed her arms and pinned her to the spot, unable to move.

Qiulan, carrying the medicine bowl, stepped forward with a cold laugh.