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

After listening, a glimmer of light appeared in Xiao Lie's eyes.

"Old He was truly prescient, eliminating the potential trouble for me long ago."

"That's right, I haven't been wasting my time all these years."

Seeing Xiao Lie lying in bed looking sickly, the old man seemed quite distressed. He picked up his medicine box and walked away, grumbling.

After he left completely, Xiao Lie couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

The old folks left by my grandfather are the most reliable. They are top-notch in their professional skills and interpersonal abilities, and they are also very shrewd. They are much smarter than Sixteen, who is all body and no brain.

He couldn't help but sigh, "Sixteen, oh Sixteen, only after comparing today do I realize that I've been giving you too much monthly pay."

The boy immediately turned pale and begged for mercy, kneeling down in front of the bed.

"Your Highness, even if I'm not clever, I've still worked hard serving you. I earn my money through hard work."

"Indeed, my word is law. Since I have made a promise to you, how can I deduct your monthly salary?"

Before Sixteen could even feel happy, he noticed a hand patting his hand, and the young master casually added a sentence.

"Then we'll deduct your reward money; you won't get any next month's reward."

"Ah, Your Highness, no..."

No matter how much Sixteen wailed, Xiao Lie kept his eyes tightly shut and remained unmoved, clearly determined to carry out the money-saving talent program to the end.

"Sixteen, work hard and eat more fish to nourish your brain. When you are like this one day, the prince will not treat you badly."

At noon, Sixteen angrily ordered the small kitchen to cook a braised fish. He then ate three large bowls of rice with resentment while facing the braised fish.

……

"Is Xiao Lie's illness really real?"

Inside the Qianyuan Hall, there are golden carvings and jade steps, and auspicious beasts exhale fragrance.

The emperor leisurely fiddled with the sandalwood beads in his hand, unable to help but reveal a hint of surprise.

"Did you hear me clearly?"

"This servant heard it clearly, there's absolutely no mistake, that's exactly what Physician Zhao said."

That's truly strange. Xiao Lie's illness was so unusual that the emperor initially thought it was a clever way for him to escape, but the words of his subordinates have overturned his idea.

After thinking about this for a while, the emperor finally gave up the idea.

"In that case, let him recuperate properly at home. If he needs any medicine, just let him come to the manor to ask for it."

"As for the spring sacrifice, there's no rush. We'll discuss it after the New Year. Let the subordinates handle the related matters. He can return to his duties once he's recovered."

It seems His Majesty is unwilling to let Prince Xiao leave.

De Shun sighed slightly, said "Yes," and withdrew, accepting the order.

At the same time, a secret letter was quietly delivered to Liu Yun'er.

Is the Crown Prince about to die?

The news struck Liu Yun'er like a thunderbolt, leaving her dizzy and overwhelmed.

If the prince falls, where will she find a place in this mansion?

The mere thought of this possibility terrified Liu Yun'er.

She paced back and forth in the room.

"What to do, what to do..."

After a few moments of thought, a cold glint flashed in her eyes. "Hmph, if the prince really is gone too, then I'll have to make a fortune before he dies. When he's about to die, I'll immediately take my things and leave, to a place where no one can find me..."

Being a cosmetics merchant in the countryside is better than living in fear and having to be subservient to others in the capital.

So, starting the next day, Liu Yun'er changed into various colored dresses and carried all kinds of desserts and soups, peering out the door, hoping to get a chance to go in and serve.

Even if she can't get in, as long as she comes enough times, the prince will eventually find out about her feelings.

Even if a little bit slips through his fingers when he dies, it will be enough for her to enjoy for the rest of her life. If the prince hadn't died, wouldn't that be even better? No amount of finery can compare to offering help in times of need. Her current attentiveness is practically telling the prince that she is the one he can truly entrust his heart to.

This is practically a sure-fire way to make money.

Liu Yun'er's sweet, delicate voice sounded like a chattering sparrow to Xiao Lie.

He picked at his ear, a hint of impatience flashing between his brows.

"This woman comes to my door and shouts all day long. If you didn't know better, you'd think she was there to check on my patient, but if you didn't, you'd think she was there to get revenge and disturb my peace."

"Your Highness, I will go out and send her away."

Xiao Lie waved his hand impatiently and said, "Let her go copy scriptures. I'm sick, and she's dressed in bright colors, looking all energetic. Isn't she deliberately trying to annoy me?"

"Let her copy the scriptures and pray for my well-being."

"Alright!"

After hearing the message from the person in front of her, Liu Yun'er was dumbfounded.

She stared wide-eyed, pointing at herself in disbelief.

"What did you say?"

"That's right. The young master thinks that deliberately dressing like this to give him peace and quiet is actually to annoy him, so that you can stay in your room and copy scriptures to pray for blessings."

Liu Yun'er couldn't swallow her breath. She endured it again and again, and could only grit her teeth, her face contorted in a grotesque smile.

"Yes, Your Highness. I will go back and transcribe the scriptures to pray for blessings, and I will not disturb Your Highness's peace."

She smiled and turned to leave, but as soon as she stepped to the side, she angrily wrung out her handkerchief.

"This Prince Xiao is truly clueless about romance."

She gave the blind man all her flirtatious glances.

Lin Wan'er in the West Garden knew that it was the illegitimate child who was enjoying himself, and Chunxue couldn't help but worry and scolded her.

"Miss, you're still in the mood to laugh in this situation? If the young master dies, you'll be a widow. How will you face yourself then?"

A widow can stay with her husband's family or break off all ties and return to her parents' home to remarry. As for Lin Wan'er, her current reputation makes it certain that she will not be able to get married. Staying in the Lin family would tarnish the reputation of the other Lin family girls and would also make her disliked. The best solution is for her to stay in the Duke's mansion.

Given the Crown Prince's current attitude, he might very well leave a will for her to remain confined to her small plot of land and live a lonely life. As for taking control of the Duke's mansion and rebuilding its former glory, that's out of the question.

As long as the prince is still alive, she will remain the prince's wife; if the prince is gone, she will not even have a title.

While the purebloods were filled with worry, Lin Wan'er was quite cheerful.

"This is retribution for all the bad things he's done. It's God's will to punish him. What does it have to do with me?"

"If he's really gone, I'll take my dowry and go back to the estate to live, far away from the capital. I'll be just as free, which is better than being constantly watched by him."

Although Xiao Lie lifted her confinement, he still had her in his heart. She had to stay in the West Garden and could only stroll around the mansion at most. It was difficult for her to even leave the mansion.

The restrictions on her comings and goings were even more stifling than when she was a girl in her parents' home.

On a whim, Lin Wan'er couldn't resist spreading out a piece of paper, picking up a pen, and writing a sentence on it.

Do not rush out when the medicine stove is warm with smoke; for serious illnesses, it is best to carefully prepare a soup.

Spring Snow peeked out, but couldn't quite understand some of it.

"Miss, what does this poem mean?"

Lin Wan'er smiled smugly, her eyes crinkling.

"I advised him to take good care of himself and get well soon, and maybe he would recover."