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

She forced herself to overcome her fear and asked sharply.

"Xiao Lie, what exactly do you want to do?"

If she does this, who will be willing to serve her in the future? Won't she become a lonely figure in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?

A nameless fear welled up inside me.

"Stop! Tell them to stop! The other servants are servants of your Duke Zhenguo's mansion, and I have no right to interfere. But Chunxue and the others are maids of my Lin family. What business is it of yours? What right do you have to interrogate them?"

"On what grounds? It's because you're unchaste and have a guilty conscience. The more you try to prevent them from being interrogated, the more suspicious they become. Even if I beat them to death here, my father-in-law won't dare say a word."

Meeting the young man's cold gaze, Lin Wan'er felt a stab to the heart and was immediately filled with fear.

Her body was weak and trembling. She could only stand up by holding onto the coffee table next to her.

It's over. With this happening, the reputation of all the Lin family girls will be ruined. If Father finds out, he will definitely not let her off the hook.

She bit her lip secretly, her eyes flashing as she desperately tried to think of a solution. But no matter how hard she racked her brains, she couldn't come up with a single way out. All she could do was face a complete dead end, leaving her at the mercy of others.

Lin Wan'er's face was pale, her back was cold and damp, and she slumped limply in the chair without saying a word.

Seeing her like this, Xiao Lie was finally somewhat satisfied.

Hmph, he's intimidated her now and broken one of Lin Wan'er's arms. After today, she'll probably learn her lesson.

If this woman could obediently act as a mascot and stay in a corner, he wouldn't be unable to tolerate her. But if she still harbors rebellious intentions and wants to do something to bring down the Xiao family, then today's events are just an appetizer.

Lin Wan'er was filled with anxiety and unease, completely unaware of Xiao Lie's probing gaze, and didn't even know when he left.

……

Xiao Lie casually sat down in the chair, lifting his robes.

Originally, the original owner planned to accompany Lin Wan'er back to her parents' home on the fifth day, but now that this has happened, what's the point of him going back?

A servant rushed in to report, "Your Highness, Lord Lin has arrived?"

"Oh, so fast?"

He thought that old fox Lin Yue wouldn't come until tomorrow, but he didn't expect him to come tonight.

"Okay, please treat them well. I'll change my clothes before I go over."

After Lin Yue finished his tea, looking deep in thought, Xiao Lie appeared, dressed in a lake-blue brocade robe. In the past, the original owner of this body had been extremely respectful to Lin Yue, her father-in-law, to win Lin Wan'er's favor, but now… who cares anymore?

He is the heir of the Duke's mansion. Even if Lin Yue is only a second-rank official, he still has to sit obediently below him.

Xiao Lie calmly took the seat of honor without any humility. A hint of annoyance flashed in Lin Yue's eyes, but his smooth political skills quickly made him realize his mistake, and he immediately put on a look of deep remorse.

"Your Highness, I have failed in my duty to raise my daughter and I am truly ashamed before you and Marshal Xiao. Whether you intend to divorce her or send her to the imperial temple to become a nun, I will have no objection. She has committed such a disgraceful act, and whatever her fate may be, she deserves it..."

After Lin Yue feigned tears and wiped them away with his sleeve, his next words took a sudden turn.

"There is one thing I must say, even if the young master dislikes it."

Is the main event about to begin?

Xiao Lie raised an eyebrow slightly and extended his hand. "Lord Lin, please speak."

Lin Yue glanced at him hesitantly, as if he couldn't bring himself to speak, but after a moment's hesitation, he finally spoke, his voice trembling.

"Your Highness, whatever your hatred or resentment towards my daughter, the old lady will have no objection. However... there is a difference between ruler and subject. This matter involves the Third Prince. I implore Your Highness to consider the bigger picture and the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, and not to cause immeasurable consequences due to momentary recklessness."

"No matter what the Third Prince has done, he is of imperial blood. To us subjects, he is the emperor."

"Oh? Then, Lord Lin, what do you think is the proper way to handle this?"

Lin Yue pondered for a moment, then sighed helplessly.

"I know that Your Highness has been wronged, but both thunder and rain are acts of imperial favor. Even if Your Highness is wronged for the time being, I urge you to bear with it. As for the next few months, it would be best to stay at home and avoid the limelight."

"In this way, the Crown Prince becomes the aggrieved party who took the initiative to quell the controversy and showed great understanding of the greater good. Even if His Majesty and the Third Prince do not say it, they will silently remember the Crown Prince's kindness in their hearts."

Xiao Lie couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

That old scoundrel Lin Yue is really something else. Instead of advising the adulterer to be a decent human being, he comes to advise the aggrieved party to be righteous. This isn't an apology; it's clearly a warning and an attempt to establish his authority.

No matter what their masters do, they are still the masters, and as for them as subjects, they can only endure it.

As for Lin Wan'er, Lin Yue, that old scoundrel, seems to be willing to go all out, but since he wants to quell the controversy and cover up the situation, can he really lay a hand on Lin Wan'er? Not only can he not lay a hand on her, but he also has to treat her well, even pretend to be loving and affectionate, and try his best to eliminate the impact of this matter.

He really thought of everything, specifically targeting the Zhenguo Duke's family for personal gain.

Xiao Lie narrowed his eyes slightly, tapping his knuckles lightly on the table. "What if I don't want to?"

Lin Yue sighed deeply, his eyes filled with complex emotions, showing pity for the reckless young man.

"Your Highness, if you insist on demanding an explanation, I'm afraid you'll displease His Majesty. Under heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the earth, all people are his subjects. You are in the capital, yet you still dare to anger His Majesty. Aren't you courting death?"

"Youthful vigor is a good thing, but one must also consider the actual situation. Temporary concessions may seem weak, but they are the sign of lasting wealth and prosperity."

He smiled slightly, his expression suggestive.

"The young master is exceptionally intelligent, so much like Grand Marshal Xiao. Does the young master truly not understand?"

"A moment of arrogance and disrespect will bring disaster upon the whole family."

Xiao Lie's heart skipped a beat. He stared intently at Lin Yue, trying to find a flaw in his expression, but all he found was a fake, sorrowful look.

This old bastard dares to threaten him?

His purpose in coming here today is not Lin Wan'er, but Xiao Tianze.

Xiao Lie narrowed his eyes slightly. "Then, Lord Lin, what do you think should be done?"

The smile in Lin Yue's eyes deepened, and his gaze towards him couldn't help but carry a hint of smugness and pity.

As expected, he was just a young man who couldn't handle anything. He was so frightened by the slightest mention of the matter that he couldn't sit still and had no composure whatsoever.

But these things are good too, they save him a lot of trouble.

He hesitated for a moment, feigning hesitation to make his expression appear more sincere.

"As I have said, thunder and rain are all acts of imperial grace. Your Majesty is benevolent and should be loyal to the emperor and obey Heaven. Only in this way can we ensure peace for generations to come."

A life without worry for generations? It's likely that Xiao Tianze will relinquish his military power one day, and the next day, they will be dragged to the marketplace and beheaded.

A look of confusion crossed Xiao Lie's face, followed by even greater fear.

"Yes, yes, yes, tomorrow I will follow Lord Lin's advice and go to the palace to express my stance. I will absolutely not let His Majesty worry about the Third Prince and Wan'er. At worst..."