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

"Young Master, you've worked hard. These chores are our job, so please don't bother with them."

He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and winked at Xiao Lie.

"Rest assured, I understand. After this matter, all the credit will go to you, Your Highness."

"So savvy?"

Xiao Lie glanced at him with a smile, and the eunuch immediately bowed even lower, his smile becoming even more obsequious.

"I hope you will take good care of me in the future, Your Highness."

Xiao Lieye put on a nonchalant air, surveying the room without paying any attention.

"Oh, why bother with all this? I'm happy now, so go ahead and make your future bright."

"Yes, yes, Your Highness is wise."

With the old eunuch setting an example, the servants in the mansion served him even more attentively. Some served tea and water, some massaged his shoulders and legs, and some, unable to find an opportunity to flatter him, even tried to sing a little tune in a high-pitched voice.

The melodious and lively tune was pleasing to the ear, but compared to the courtesans in the brothel, it was far inferior. To Xiao Lie, it was like the buzzing of mosquitoes. He waved his hand.

"Alright, alright, you're all here serving me. Who's going to do anything for me? Get out of here. If you don't do your job properly and implicate me, you'll be in big trouble."

The group looked embarrassed; they hadn't expected their flattery to backfire so badly. They bowed and smiled obsequiously, then hurriedly ran away. Without these people watching, Xiao Lie broke off a segment of orange and popped it into his mouth, finally feeling much more relaxed.

His gaze swept over each of them, a hint of something deeper in his eyes.

Among these people, who exactly were the emperor's spies?

……

This time, the Empress Dowager returned to the capital not alone, but also with the orphaned daughter of Prince Gong, who is also the Emperor's niece.

The emperor specifically ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare a sumptuous banquet to entertain the two. Since they were all family, there was no need for formalities; the sentiment was enough.

During the banquet, the emperor inquired about the two men's journey to a famous temple hundreds of miles away to cultivate their minds and devote themselves to Buddhist practice.

Princess Yuhua pouted, her little face scrunched up like a bitter gourd.

"It's not fun. The temple is a quiet place. There's nothing fun about it. All day long, you either listen to the master preach Buddhism or kneel and chant sutras. Yueyao's knees are almost numb from kneeling."

"However, it's not without its advantages. At least the vegetarian food at the White Horse Temple is excellent, truly one of the best in the world."

These childish words made the emperor and empress dowager laugh heartily.

The emperor pointed at her and shook his head helplessly.

"Mother, look at this girl. She's been with you for so long, but she hasn't heard a word of Buddhist teachings. All she remembers is eating."

The Empress Dowager shook her head helplessly, "She is so young and has not experienced much. How could she know the profound and subtle nature of Buddhism? Let it be, let her go."

A glint flashed in the emperor's eyes. Though he smiled, a hint of inquiry crept into his gaze.

"However, Yueyao is also a young lady. Does she intend to stay after returning with the Empress Dowager this time?"

Jiang Yueyao is the only bloodline of the Emperor's younger brother and is favored by the Empress Dowager. Her prestige surpasses that of even the princesses in the palace. The Emperor's question indicates that he intends to arrange a marriage for her.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yueyao looked to the Empress Dowager for help. The Empress Dowager merely frowned and patted Jiang Yueyao's hand, showing a clear intention to protect her.

"This girl is still young. I plan to keep her by my side for a few more years. It won't be too late for her to ask for permission when she takes a fancy to someone. If I am still alive then, it wouldn't be impossible for me to ask for a personal decree."

Her words subtly excluded the emperor, telling him that as an old woman, she was still alive, and that his uncle had no right to interfere in Jiang Yueyao's marriage.

After all, in the Great Xia Dynasty, the first few princesses were either sent to marry foreign rulers to secure peace on the border, or to marry officials to stabilize the court. In the end, none of them were to their liking. For the sake of the so-called "greater good", these golden branches and jade leaves, despite their immense value, still had to swallow their grievances and bear it all.

If the emperor can use his own daughter like this, how well can he treat his niece, Jiang Yueyao,?

Sensing the meaning behind the Empress Dowager's words, the Emperor's smile faded, but he said nothing, only offering a curt reply.

"The Empress Dowager has her own plans; I was overthinking it."

Jiang Yueyao finally returned to the capital, and the Empress Dowager did not restrict her from living in the palace. Instead, she let her return to Prince Gong's Mansion so that she could "keep company" with her parents.

When Xiao Lie heard about this, he was eating grapes in the purchasing office. When the name "Jiang Yueyao" was mentioned, all he could think of was a chubby little girl with a round face, rubbing her eyes and crying.

"Xiao Lie, you big bad guy, I'm never talking to you again."

Time flies, and after several years apart, they have all changed. Now, when he thinks of Jiang Yueyao and her pure and innocent identity as a member of the imperial clan, the smile in his eyes fades, replaced by a deep sense of helplessness.

He originally wanted to say hello to the chubby girl, but the current situation involved too many things, which made things worse.

Xiao Lie didn't go to her, but Princess Yuhua came to him herself.

Xiao Lie asked someone to serve him tea, tapped his knuckles on the armrest, and frowned deeply.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?"

The young woman blew out another breath, raised her cup and sipped. Her eyebrows and eyes were exquisite, her hair ornaments swayed gently by her ears, and her jade beads glittered. Every gesture she made exuded the demeanor of a first-class noblewoman.

Jiang Yueyao chuckled, "I don't need to do anything specific, I just wanted to see what kind of person Xiao Lie has become, the one who once said he would emulate his ancestors by riding horses and achieving great deeds."

As a child, Xiao Lie was immersed in the military camp with his grandfather and indeed had a period of time when he was influenced by the "heroic ambition".

But after only a few years in the capital, he was spoiled by the city's entertainment, and gradually declined, no longer resembling his childhood self.

Having not seen each other for many years, what was Jiang Yueyao's intention in starting with this? Was she planning to test him on behalf of the emperor? If so, then that little bit of childhood affection would ultimately be gone.

Xiao Lie chuckled, "Are you really taking to heart the frivolous words of a young girl who is unaware of the ways of the world?"

Jiang Yueyao's eyes widened slightly, and she repeated incredulously, "Ignorant and reckless words."

Xiao Lie nodded. "Of course, there are so many good men in this world, why should I be the one to play the hero? I'd rather stay in my cozy nest, listen to some tunes, eat grapes, and enjoy a few more carefree years."

Jiang Yueyao bit her lip, her gaze complex, as if she wanted to peel off the layer of skin on his face to see whether what lay beneath was his true self or a facade.

Jiang Yueyao said in a deep voice, "Xiao Lie, have your ambition been worn down by just a few years of wealth and luxury?"

Xiao Lie chuckled, "Princess, you've served the Empress Dowager since childhood, eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures. You haven't had many days of wealth and carefree living, so naturally you can't appreciate its benefits. Once you truly experience it, you'll realize that it's far more than just a 'pleasant' experience."