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

"Do not rush out when the medicine stove is warm; for those suffering from serious illnesses, it is best to gently prepare a soup."

Looking at the servant's letter, Xiao Lie's lips curled into a mocking smile, and he couldn't help but scoff.

Sixteen peered out, scratched his head, and looked on, puzzled.

"Your Highness, Lin Wan'er's advice to you to rest and recover is well-intentioned, isn't it?"

"Good intentions? This seems to be advising me to take good care of myself and recover slowly, but from another perspective, isn't it also a curse that I'll be sick for a long time?"

"She's cunning; she's focused all her energy on how to subtly insult me."

Xiao Lie Xian threw the letter onto the coffee table beside him, and Sixteen couldn't help but feel annoyed.

"Such intentions are truly despicable, Your Highness. Perhaps I should think of a way to teach her a lesson, lest she become so careless with her words and dare to say anything."

"Forget it, given her current situation... it's just a momentary outburst of words, nothing serious."

Now, Lin Wan'er has become an enemy of the Kang Prince's Mansion and severed ties with the Lin family. The current emperor has even sent a spy to replace her. Her only refuge in the capital is now the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, where the two of them have even worked together to deal with the border poison problem…

All of this meant that Lin Wan'er had practically tied half her life to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, with no turning back.

She now poses virtually no threat to Xiao Lie, and Xiao Lie has always been tolerant of people like her.

He clapped his hands and said lazily.

"Since she's so hot-tempered, that's perfect. Let her eat only vegetables for the next two weeks to cool her down."

……

Heavy snow is falling, and winter is deepening. Two months have passed in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Lie's public image is "gradually improving." Thanks to Old He's cover-up and deception, Physician Zhao didn't notice anything amiss. In fact, during private discussions about medical skills, he discovered Old He's exceptional medical abilities and, overjoyed, considered him a close friend.

Naturally, with Lao He's hints, the rumors of this "strange illness" were woven together to make them seem more and more real.

The emperor felt rather complicated as he listened to the news relayed by his spies.

These days, the news sent back by the scouts is nothing more than that the young master had no appetite and didn't eat today, or that he ate an extra bowl, or that he was in slightly better spirits and took a stroll in the garden.

It was all just trivial matters of daily life. As the emperor watched, he began to feel like he was raising a son.

And they were the kind of parents who were afraid of raising him to death.

Looking at the details of his "recovery"—such as his eyeliner indicating he was in better spirits and had a better appetite—he felt a subtle sense of relief.

He has never cared this much about his own children.

The emperor put down the secret report and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Once I see he's recovered, I should find him a martial arts master to strengthen his body, lest he become like a sickly seedling, easily blown over by the wind, causing him too much trouble."

De Shun chuckled softly, but noticing the gaze coming from above, he suddenly covered his mouth and put on a serious face.

"Your Majesty is wise."

The wind and snow were bleak and desolate, but the soldiers on the frontier suffered even more than the refugees in the capital.

Fortunately, with the help of the Shen family and the mobilization of a large amount of resources by the merchant guild behind them, the battle was not so difficult.

Even Xiao Tianze couldn't help but lavish praise on it in his letter.

"In the entire capital, there are truly few families like the Shen family who can put righteousness before personal gain."

"Grand Tutor Shen is an upright and loyal man, and his daughter is also very intelligent. It's a real pity that she was ruined by the royal family. Since we have received the Shen family's favor, we should repay it. If they ever need anything in the future, you should do your best to help them."

Xiao Lie did not reveal his deal with Shen Qinglan, but obediently agreed to it.

After all, if he were to say directly that he intended to ruin the royal marriage, Old Master Xiao might think he was incredibly audacious and reckless. If he were to send someone to hunt him down and teach this unfilial grandson a lesson, that would be disastrous.

But the Shen family's kindness is something to be cherished.

In Qingtan Temple, in a secluded side room.

Shen Qinglan sighed softly.

"My father and I simply believe that the Xiao family has more to offer than just Xiao Shuai. After all, Xiao Shuai is a founding hero who has protected the peace of the Great Xia border for decades and made outstanding contributions. How could such a person..."

Before he could finish speaking, he let out a long sigh.

The woman's long, dark eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and a look of solemnity and reluctance flashed across her face.

Although His Majesty acts discreetly and cherishes his reputation, how could he possibly conceal the murderous intent lurking beneath His Majesty's saintly facade from Grand Tutor Shen, who has been immersed in officialdom for decades, served in the same court with him, and shared a decades-long relationship with him as ruler and subject?

Shen Qinglan's face was ashen. "My father only has me as his daughter. He originally planned to retire in his old age, return to my hometown in the countryside, and find another marriage. Although it wouldn't be as prestigious as in the capital, I wouldn't have to get involved in these turbulent events. I could have my own peaceful and happy life."

"But who knew that the imperial decree of marriage would come so quickly, so quickly that we were not prepared. I became the Princess Consort of Kang, and my father was forced to stay and had to work hard for the Prince of Kang because of me."

"But I know that Father did not want any of this. He saw that His Majesty and Commander Xiao were suspicious of each other, and that His Majesty even deliberately delayed military pay and mistreated the soldiers in order to suppress Commander Xiao's arrogance. After that, he could no longer suppress the anger in his heart."

"The fire of power struggles can burn, but it should not burn the innocent soldiers who are loyal to the country and willing to sacrifice their lives. This transport of grain and supplies was strongly promoted by my father. He did not intend to curry favor because of the alliance, but simply felt that things in the world should not be like this."

"Since he has the ability, he should be helped. Even if it's just to brush some snow off some people's shoulders, that would be good. My father's actions are all in accordance with his conscience, so the young master need not worry about it, much less keep it in mind. Commander Xiao has made great contributions, and the Shen family enjoys wealth and honor, so they should also do their part."

After hearing this, Xiao Lie realized that all the words he had prepared were useless. He could only let out a sigh of frustration and cup his hands in greeting to the woman in front of him.

"I admire the noble character of Grand Tutor Shen and Miss Shen."

"Miss Shen, rest assured, since the Shen family is willing to disregard the consequences and assist the Northern Border, I, Xiao, will also do my utmost to help Miss Shen escape from the Kang Prince's Mansion. I'm not doing this for any other reason than that I can't stand by and watch."

"Miss Shen deserves a more fulfilling marriage."

Why would that inhuman emperor use her as a stepping stone to pave the way for his own son?

They didn't even ask a single question beforehand; they were determined to force a sale. This behavior is truly shameless.

Upon hearing this, a genuine smile appeared on the woman's face.

Her eyes were bright and gentle, and her smile was warm and gentle.

"Then... I will await Your Highness's surprise."

Time flew by, and Xiao Lie, who had been ill for several months, finally recovered.

He stood in the courtyard, exhaled, rubbed his hands together, and said.

"Fine, we still have to fight this battle."

"Sixteen, let's go to the procurement office today and see how deep this mess really is."