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

"My grandson, the military supervisor has arrived, and I am greatly hampered. Only by removing the eunuchs and those who harbor disloyal intentions can we have any chance of winning this battle. Otherwise, with internal and external troubles, I fear that the country will collapse before the enemy even attacks. This is a grave mistake, and resolving this matter is of paramount importance at present..."

Under the lamplight, Xiao Lie stared into deep thought at the short message.

Now, the emperor has sent trusted eunuchs to escort supplies and station troops to supervise the army. Ostensibly, this is to oversee the war and express concern for the military situation, but everyone with discerning eyes knows that this is because the emperor is dissatisfied with the Xiao family's growing power in the northern border and wants to divide their power.

This supervising eunuch was the first nail the emperor planted.

No, it's definitely not the first one, but the placement of this obvious piece will inevitably stir up the thoughts of those hidden pieces as well.

Xiao Lie frowned and said, "Even if the emperor was wary before, he never interfered in the military affairs of the northern border so openly. Could it be that he is really planning to take action this time?"

"Now the north is beset by internal and external troubles, and the people are restless. We are not afraid of external enemies, but we are afraid of certain people stabbing us in the back."

In case reinforcements are delayed, or the Great Xia army is being pursued and the city gates are deliberately closed, or the archers on the city walls slightly deflect their arrows and aim them at the Great Xia commander...

Xiao Lie didn't move his fingers, letting the flames burn the paper to ashes. His brows were furrowed, and his dark eyes, under the dim light, looked even more like black jade, serene and deep, radiating a chilling light.

Today, the Xiao family may seem to be living a life of luxury and prosperity, but in reality, they are on the verge of ruin.

"Since the emperor is going to be targeted by the northern military, I might as well give him a big gift."

Commander Xiao could not punish those generals with their own agendas without cause, but what if the crime did not come from the northern border, but from the capital?

Xiao Lie got up, walked to the wall, took down the calligraphy and painting on the wall, then moved his fingertips slightly and pressed down hard. A brick sank down, and a gap appeared in the intact wall. Several letters were neatly placed inside.

These letters are nothing other than material evidence of Jiang Yun's collusion with the Northern Border.

"I would like to trouble Your Highness and these 'loyal and brave' men to act as my vanguard this time."

……

First, rumors spread that the Third Prince was smuggling goods through the Grand Canal. Then, someone claimed that the Third Prince had resold huge amounts of grain, supplies, and even military equipment...

It's one thing for the prince to deal with grain and other supplies; it's common for powerful and wealthy people in the capital to collude with local merchants and do some small business in private. As long as the prince doesn't resell contraband like salt or iron, it's fine. At most, people will say he's greedy and lives a life of extravagance.

But if it involves the word "armory," then it is no ordinary matter.

Upon hearing this, King Kang turned pale with anxiety. Without a second thought, he hastily disposed of the relevant traces and ordered the personnel involved to lie low. He then immediately prepared to enter the palace.

On the steps, De Shun was three steps away, and he shook his head at him.

Jiang Heng was anxious and quickly lowered his voice to plead.

"Father-in-law, please let me in."

De Shun sighed softly and pointed to the sky.

"It is not that this old servant is stopping Your Highness, but Heaven has decreed that this old servant must obey. Please, Your Highness, be patient and wait for further developments."

"This..." Jiang Heng was well aware that De Shun's attitude was the same as the emperor's attitude.

But with such a critical matter at hand, he couldn't afford to worry about anything else.

If the emperor sees him, he still has room to defend himself; but if the emperor refuses to see him, he has probably already sentenced him to death in his heart.

His dealings with the Northern army, at best, constitute embezzlement of military funds and excessive greed; at worst, it's forming cliques for personal gain and plotting treason. As a prince and one of the heir apparent, his involvement in this matter is even more suspicious.

Having spent decades together, how could Jiang Heng not understand his father's temperament?

When things are good, he is truly good; he is a loving and tender father, even allowing his favored son to choose first when it comes to tribute from foreign lands. But when things are ruthless, he is truly ruthless, cruel and ruthless, leaving no room for compromise.

Jiang Heng immediately lifted his robe and knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly before the imperial steps, shouting loudly.

"Father, please see the truth! Your son is innocent! I beg you, Father, please see the truth! Your son is innocent..."

"Father, you have watched me grow up. Do you not know my character? Now, Father is willing to listen to the slander of others, but not to hear a single word of explanation from me?"

Jiang Heng kowtowed very hard, and soon his forehead became red, swollen, and bleeding. Blood dripped down his cheeks, but he didn't wipe it away. He just continued to kowtow, mixing the blood with the dust on the ground.

De Shun stood to the side, secretly anxious, his eyes filled with a hint of reluctance.

"Your Highness, why are you doing this? The imperial decree is difficult to disobey."

But the young man paid no heed, his eyes fixed intently on the vermilion carved door, as if he were determined to knock on it.

After a long while, a teacup slammed against the vermilion gate, and the emperor's thunderous roar came from inside.

"You beast, I was going to spare you for now, but since you're so reckless, then get in here."

Jiang Heng clenched his fists, his heart heavy as a stone. He struggled to his feet, took a few steps forward, and pushed open the door that seemed like an insurmountable barrier to him at that moment.

……

After the court session ended, the officials gathered in twos and threes, and their discussions revolved around the day's political affairs and the matter of Prince Kang.

"Tsk tsk tsk, His Majesty has been furious these past few days, so much so that we dare not say a word in the Golden Palace. It seems that the matter concerning Prince Kang is most likely true, and it will probably not end well."

"I heard that yesterday, Consort Xian removed her hairpins and knelt before His Majesty's palace in repentance. If His Majesty remembers the past kindness of risking his life to save her, he might not be able to soften his heart."

"The Virtuous Consort risked her life to save him, which is a testament to her loyalty. However, His Highness Prince Kang's actions are rebellious and disloyal. If His Majesty were to consider our past relationship, he might hate Prince Kang even more."

"But this is all too strange."

"Whether it's strange or not is not important. What's important is that His Majesty wants to make absolute decisions and will not tolerate any dissent in the court. This time, Prince Kang is probably going to be in trouble."

As if sensing the gloom over the Golden Palace, the capital has been shrouded in dark clouds for the past few days, with leaden clouds hanging low and heavy clouds gathering in one place, yet it never rains. They are like wads of cotton wool in a damp cotton coat, hanging on a clothesline. Just looking at them makes one feel cold and stuffy.

Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, a Suzhou embroidered screen with bamboo soaring into the clouds stood quietly, and two figures could be vaguely seen behind it.

The Fifth Prince, Jiang Yun, put down his teacup and chuckled.

"Your Highness is quite cunning, making me act as a tool to rid you of the scourge in your heart."

Xiao Lie smiled, not annoyed, and simply picked up the teapot and slowly filled the Fifth Prince's teacup.

"Your Highness, what are you saying? How could Prince Kang not be your greatest threat? Apart from him, this is not working for me, but paving a broad road to the throne for Your Highness."