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

Upon hearing Xiao Lie's words, the ministers felt as if they were about to die.

That damned brat! He wanted to offend the Emperor himself, why drag them into it? But they were suppressed by the so-called "righteousness of the nation" and couldn't even refute him.

The emperor, seated on the throne, also wore a somber expression, managing only a forced smile.

"I am deeply gratified that you have such a kind heart, Xiao Qing. Since it is for the sake of the Northern Border, how could I refuse?"

"Lu Yuanshan, I know the national treasury is tight, but since the Crown Prince has said so, please allocate another one million taels of silver to the northern border."

This sum of money was neither too large nor too small; it wasn't too stingy, but it wasn't particularly wealthy either. Dividing it among so many people in the Northern Territory would only extend their lives by a month or two.

But Xiao Lie knew that his actions and words today had angered the emperor, and he could not push him any further. If he pushed the emperor too far, the emperor might turn on him.

Xiao Lie forced a bright smile, knelt deeply, and shouted loudly, "Your Majesty is wise!"

The following day, His Majesty's concern about the military situation in the northern border spread throughout the capital. From wealthy merchants and nobles to ordinary people, everyone generously donated money. Anyone who refused was warned that the iron cavalry of the northern barbarians would trample down and march straight to the capital.

These words, half intimidation and half threat, resonated deeply with the people through the mouths of several storytellers. The wealthy merchants believed them and contributed the most money, while the powerful and influential, having already been plundered by the previous auction, were quite resentful and unwilling to contribute.

But given the circumstances, if they didn't express their stance, their reputation as heartless and ungrateful would spread throughout the streets the next day. They had no choice but to tremble as they opened their money pouch and hand over another sum of silver.

But if Xiao Lie still wants to squeeze more money out of him, then there's nothing more to say.

After all, everyone knows how much salary officials receive. If a family of officials were to donate a huge sum of money, it would be tantamount to courting death. Therefore, many families would rather sell their hairpins and bracelets than donate a single extra penny.

Xiao Lie also knew that things had reached a point where they were almost at their limit. If they pushed any further, they would be making enemies of the entire capital and courting death.

……

"Wan'er, Xiao Lie has been acting so rashly lately that he has offended many people. You are in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and I am really worried about you."

Having not received any comfort from home for many days, Lin Wan'er was moved to tears upon hearing this. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve, trying to suppress her grievances.

"Father, don't worry. Although Xiao Lie is reckless, he's not stupid. He knows how to behave. As long as I stay in my own courtyard, this fire won't reach me."

A dark glint flashed in Lin Yue's eyes. He frowned, and his fatherly affection became more pronounced, as if he were genuinely worried.

He let out a weak sigh, looking utterly weary.

"It's all because your father couldn't protect you that you ended up in this den of wolves, Wan'er. Do you blame your father?"

To say there was no such thing would be a lie. After all, she was just an ordinary young lady from a wealthy family. Even if the emperor intended to use her as a spy, he might not have felt comfortable using her. It was her father, the emperor's confidant, who mediated the situation, which finally convinced the emperor to make up his mind.

Her current predicament is also a result of Lin Yue's actions.

But now, seeing her father's eyes redden and filled with unspeakable guilt, Lin Wan'er felt a pang of bitterness in her heart, and all her grievances and resentment were thrown to the winds.

"Wan'er doesn't blame Father. How can the arm twist the thigh? His Majesty had this intention. Even if he hadn't made up his mind at the time, wouldn't he do it in the future? Father stepped forward and took the initiative to mediate, all to protect your daughter. Your daughter understands all of this."

Lin Yue patted her head, his eyes full of satisfaction.

"Good child, but this task is really too much for you."

These words almost brought Lin Wan'er to tears again. Seeing that the emotional appeal had been sufficiently stirred up, Lin Yue changed the subject and tentatively began to speak.

"I may be willing to endure it, but how can I, as your father, simply stand by and watch you stay in this den of wolves?"

Lin Wan'er looked up blankly, tears welling in her eyes, threatening to fall but not quite, looking rather innocent.

"Father, what do you mean by that?"

Lin Yue suddenly gripped her shoulders tightly and looked at her seriously.

"I have already obtained a decree from His Majesty. If you can handle this matter properly, His Majesty will grant you a divorce. From then on, you can decide your own marriage."

Lin Wan'er was deeply moved. The thing she had been looking forward to for so long was happening right before her eyes, and it felt quite unreal.

But when she thought about her current situation, she couldn't help but feel sad.

She covered her face with her sleeve and sobbed softly.

"But my reputation is ruined now. If we get a divorce, where can I go back to? If I go back to the Lin family, I will only tarnish the reputation of the Lin family's daughter. Even my father and mother will be gossiped about because of my daughter. I really don't want to..."

A hint of impatience flashed in Lin Yue's eyes. How could the young lady he used to spoil so rotten have become so indecisive and hesitant?

But when he thought of the stigma surrounding Lin Wan'er, Lin Yue's hand froze. He paused, intending to pat her shoulder, but instead patted her back instead, and said reluctantly.

"You don't need to think too much about this matter. You and Prince Kang were childhood sweethearts and loved each other. You should have been a perfect couple. If it weren't for Xiao Lie, you would have been together long ago. Now... now it's just that good things are often delayed. As for those stigmas, it's only natural that you are separated by distance and unable to control your feelings."

"Once you become Princess Consort of Kang, a concubine, your relationship with Prince Kang will be legitimate, and naturally no one will say anything."

Lin Wan'er's lips trembled in disbelief.

"A concubine?"

Lin Yue gave her a disdainful look, but after enduring it for a while, he still managed to offer some words of comfort.

"Wan'er, this is just a temporary measure. After all, you are a remarried woman. How can you be a concubine? It is indeed a disservice to you to be a maidservant, but with the love of Prince Kang, it's the same behind closed doors."

Upon hearing the name of the Prince of Kang, Lin Wan'er immediately became much more alert.

"Father! That Prince Kang has long since fallen in love with someone else. To him now, I am probably no different from a roadside weed. Marrying him would only be a humiliation. If I leave the Duke's mansion, I will only end up like this. I would rather stay here and die in the mansion for the rest of my life."

She didn't reveal the deeper reason: she and Prince Kang had long been enemies, and the rumor of Prince Kang's homosexuality originated from her. Although she didn't know the details and was being used by Xiao Lie, she had no room for explanation in front of Prince Kang.

King Kang probably hates her to death by now.

Knowing this, Lin Wan'er cowered even more in the Duke's mansion, not daring to peek out. But if the Duke's mansion fell, Prince Kang would probably come to settle accounts with her immediately.

Lin Wan'er concealed the panic in her eyes and put on a resolute expression.