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

"Your Highness, the people around the Princess are keeping a close watch on her, so the people I brought couldn't search her thoroughly. But the fact that the Princess brought more than a dozen boxes with her to stay at Qingtan Temple for a month must be suspicious."

"However, I was careful and counted them carefully. When the princess left, she had the same number of boxes as when she came, and each one was heavy, so they were not empty."

"This servant believes that what's inside is part of the princess's dowry, and it hasn't been leaked out."

Upon hearing this, Consort Xian sighed heavily, slammed her delicate hand on the coffee table, and her exquisite and beautiful face was now filled with boundless rage.

"What's the use of just a dozen or so boxes? When Lady Shen entered the Kang Prince's mansion, her dowry was no less than a hundred loads. Where did all that dowry go?"

What's worse, they were completely unaware that these things had been moved out. And most importantly, the farmland, shops, banknotes, and large dowry items had all been transferred out. It's obvious that these things were no longer with Madam Shen.

The thought of all that hard-earned money slipping through her fingers made Consort Xian's heart ache with anger.

Seeing this, Qiulan quickly stepped forward to help her catch her breath and give her water, comforting her.

"Your Highness, please don't worry. The things have been taken out, but the person is still here. As long as we keep the Princess firmly in our grasp, why should we be afraid that the Shen family's money will run away? Right now, the most urgent matter is still the Princess and the Prince's affairs."

Hearing this, Consort Xian became even angrier and slammed her hand on the table again.

"How could I not want to? But these days, Heng'er and I have repeatedly tried to befriend her, but Shen has always been weak in return. In my opinion, that slut Shen Qinglan is shameless and deserves to be taught a lesson."

"That's right. As long as she hasn't divorced, she's still Your Majesty's daughter-in-law, and Your Majesty should have the final say. In that case, Your Majesty might as well put up with it for now and plan for the future. When Shen Shi has no hope of divorce, Your Majesty will have her own time to vent her anger."

Consort Xian gave a reluctant "hmm," and said, "That's acceptable."

"I have been patient and patient, but Shen's stubborn nature has not changed in the slightest. How can I plan for the future?"

Qiulan whispered two words into Consort Xian's ear.

"child."

"child?"

Qiulan slowly explained, "Hasn't Your Majesty considered why His Majesty has been so slow to respond to the Shen family's request? His Majesty is dragging his feet for two reasons: first, he wants the Shen family to think things through, and second, he is concerned about His Highness and Your Majesty, and doesn't want the Shen family to divorce."

"But in the current situation, even if His Majesty wanted to stop it, he would have no good excuse. But if the Princess Consort were to become pregnant, it would be different. Throughout history, there has never been a case of a Princess Consort being pregnant and then getting a divorce. Moreover, this child is His Majesty's eldest grandson, which is of extraordinary significance."

"Furthermore, from pregnancy to childbirth and recovery, it takes about a year. During this time, women are naturally vulnerable and prone to overthinking. If Your Highness can be more gentle and considerate during this period, how could the Princess not change her mind?"

"Moreover, the bond between mother and child is innate. After the princess gives birth, how could she bear to leave her child, leaving the child without anyone to care for him? If the prince remarries and a stepmother comes to the house, mistreating her child, what will she do then?"

Qiulan dissected the matter thoroughly, analyzing it meticulously, and finally convinced Consort Xian.

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Consort Xian's eyes. She nodded. "You're right. As long as she gets pregnant, everything will be settled."

……

After being ignored for several days, Liu Yun'er finally realized she was afraid.

She couldn't sit still any longer, so she personally made several plates of pastries in the small kitchen and had the maid deliver them, trying to soften Xiao Lie's heart.

The snow-white pastries are pressed into various shapes, with soft and slightly sweet fillings, and are filled with red dates, lotus seeds and other ingredients. One bite is quite nice.

Xiao Lie squinted, took a few bites, was in a good mood, and felt it was time, so he nodded.

"Release Aunt Liu over there, but make sure she remembers not to make the same mistake again. If there is a next time, it won't be as simple as just locking her up for a few days."

The maidservant responded and went back to report. Upon hearing this, Liu Yun'er gritted her teeth inwardly, wishing she could tear Lin Wan'er of the West Garden to pieces, while on the surface she had to put on a grateful and receptive expression.

She wiped away her tears, lowered her head, and obediently agreed.

"Yes, I understand."

For the next few days, Liu Yun'er tried every trick in the book to please Xiao Lie, singing songs, dancing, and occasionally staging a reunion under the moon or a late-night confession, which almost made Xiao Lie lose control.

Xiao Lie spoke jokingly, a hint of something deeper flashing in his eyes.

"Qingqing, you're so enthusiastic, is there something you want?"

Liu Yun'er glanced at him shyly and reproachfully, then gently moved closer to his chest, becoming increasingly intimate.

"My greatest wish is to be by the Prince's side."

"Yun'er is so obedient, could it be that she said this on purpose to deceive this young master?"

Xiao Lie gently lifted her chin, raising her small face. Two blushes immediately rose on the woman's face, making her eyes sparkle.

She retorted playfully, "Does the young master not believe in Yun'er's feelings for you?"

She reached out and wrapped her arms around Xiao Lie's waist, her eyes sparkling with allure, her voice as sweet as a swallow's song.

"Although Yun'er is only a concubine, she has already silently regarded the young master as her husband in her heart. As long as her husband is happy, Yun'er is happy. What other wishes could she have?"

After saying that, she lowered her eyes, a hint of sorrow flashing across her face.

"Yun'er knows that her status is lowly and cannot compare to the position of the Crown Prince's wife in the Crown Prince's heart. As long as the Crown Prince can remember Yun'er more, Yun'er will be satisfied."

Deeply moved by their passion, Xiao Lie and the delicate beauty in his arms engaged in several passionate encounters. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Liu Yun'er hesitantly brought up the matter of managing the household, which Xiao Lie readily agreed to. Overjoyed, she wrapped her arms around Xiao Lie's neck and pampered him once more.

After the two had completely cleaned up, Liu Yun'er got up and left. Sixteen finally couldn't help but show up, his eyes full of confusion.

sixteen

"Your Highness, you knew perfectly well that Liu Yun'er had ill intentions, so why did you still agree to her request? Isn't this like inviting a wolf into the house?"

Xiao Lie scoffed, "Being wary of Liu Yun'er is certainly safer, but if we get rid of one Liu Yun'er, there's no guarantee there won't be a second or third. Rather than that, I'd rather let her earn some small merits and keep her by my side."

At least Liu Yun'er isn't very bright, so keeping her is better than the emperor replacing her with someone smarter.

"And it would also be a good opportunity to test how many spies in this mansion have not yet been discovered."

"Sixteen, immediately arrange for several guards to keep an eye on Liu Yun'er. If there is any unusual activity, report it immediately."

Sixteen cupped his hands in a fist salute and replied, "Yes!"

A few days later, Liu Yun'er finally managed to sneakily gather some information about the Duke's mansion.

The emperor frowned deeply as he looked at the secret letter presented to him.

"The Duke's mansion is extravagant. On the 16th, Xiao Lie spent 100 taels on a single banquet. On the 17th, he heard that Lady Tang of Chunfeng Tower was a master of music, so he spent 300 taels to listen to her play music all night long..."