After failing the imperial examination, he began to wield immense power after entering the palace!

King Wei stood at the entrance of the imperial prison, looking at the group of people before him, his smile deepening.

He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the crowd, his voice gentle and courteous:

"Thank you all for your concern. I am doing well inside."

"I am deeply grateful for your help these past few days, my lords. I will remember it forever."

These words were spoken flawlessly, neither arrogant nor humble, and with composure and propriety.

Upon hearing this, the ministers nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with admiration.

"Your Highness is too kind!"

"The Heavenly Prison is a place that Your Highness should never have been imprisoned in."

"It's good that His Highness is out, it's good that he's out..."

After exchanging pleasantries, Du Jiang stepped forward and bowed to the King of Wei.

"Your Highness, what are your plans next?"

He lowered his voice, his tone tinged with concern.

"Should we return to the Prince's residence to rest for a few days?"

The King of Wei looked at him, a slight smile curving his lips.

"No rush, my lords, I have an important matter to attend to today."

Everyone was taken aback and looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Something big? What's so big?"

The smile on King Wei's lips deepened, and a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

"Today, I am going to the Xiao family to propose marriage."

The words fell.

Everyone was stunned at first, then they all realized what was happening.

The Xiao family!

Although they were not considered a major family in the capital, they were a powerful branch among the gentry families of Jiangnan.

The eldest daughter of the Xiao family is stunningly beautiful and exceptionally talented, proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is the dream partner of countless young men from prominent families.

more importantly……

The Xiao family controlled a significant portion of the granaries and salt and iron resources in Jiangnan.

If the King of Wei were to form a marriage alliance with the Xiao family, it would mean a significant increase in the King of Wei's power.

Military power, provisions, and financial resources were all readily available.

By then, the chances of the King of Wei winning the struggle for the throne will greatly increase.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations!"

"The eldest daughter of the Xiao family is a renowned beauty in the capital. Your Highness has excellent taste!"

"The marriage alliance between His Highness Prince Wei and the Xiao family is truly a perfect match, a powerful alliance!"

"Your Highness, great joy! Great joy indeed..."

The ministers all offered their congratulations with clasped hands, beaming from ear to ear.

Du Jiang stood in the crowd, a satisfied smile on his face.

By marrying the daughter of the Xiao family, the King of Wei effectively bound the two families together.

By then, the power of the major clans in Guanzhong will be unprecedentedly united.

"Your Highness, shall we go now?"

King Wei smiled slightly and nodded.

"Lord Du is right. Let's go, follow me to the Xiao residence."

He straightened his clothes and strode forward with a composed and extraordinary demeanor.

But deep within those gentle eyes lurked a barely perceptible ambition.

Cao Mo's case resulted in him being imprisoned in the imperial jail for several days.

This incident served as a wake-up call for him; he could no longer wait.

The situation in the imperial court is constantly changing, with new variables emerging every day.

That little eunuch named Gao Jin killed Cao Mo, captured Zhou Wenyuan, broke into the princess's residence, and took away the prince consort in just a few days.

He has turned the Eastern Depot upside down.

If I don't speed up my pace, it will be too late when Gao Jin reaches out to me.

Therefore, he must form a marriage alliance with the Xiao family as soon as possible and strengthen his own power.

"Gao Jin..."

The King of Wei silently recited the words to himself, and the smile on his lips froze slightly.

That little eunuch, though a castrated man, made him feel a threat he had never felt before.

This feeling is very uncomfortable.

However, he doesn't have the energy to deal with Gao Jin for the time being.

What he needs to do now is to stabilize his own foundation.

Once the foundation is solid, it won't be too late to deal with that overconfident eunuch.

……

The Xiao residence.

Main courtyard, boudoir.

Xiao Ningxiang sat quietly in front of the bronze mirror.

She was about eighteen or nineteen years old, extremely beautiful, with a pair of almond-shaped eyes that were watery and exuded an indescribable charm.

Her skin was as white as snow, her lips as red as cinnabar, her nose was straight and delicate, and her chin was slightly pointed. Her whole face was so exquisite that it looked like it had been painted.

She wore a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a silver ribbon tied around her waist, which accentuated her slender waist.

Her full breasts stretched the thin skirt fabric, creating a beautiful curve.

She lowered her head, looking at her stunningly beautiful face in the bronze mirror, but there was no joy in her eyes.

There was only a faint sadness and a hint of unease that could not be concealed.

Behind her, two maids were styling her hair, holding hairpins and hair ornaments, preparing to insert them into her hair.

"Miss, this hairpin was specially made by the master. It suits your outfit perfectly today."

A maid smiled and inserted a gold hairpin into her hair bun. The tassels on the hairpin swayed gently and made a soft rustling sound.

Xiao Ningxiang didn't speak, but just looked at her reflection in the bronze mirror, where she was dressed in the most luxurious way.

Like a delicate porcelain doll.

Beautiful, but soulless.

"Squeak!"

The door was pushed open.

Xiao Zhengchun walked in.

He was about fifty years old, thin, with a serious face, wearing a dark gray casual outfit, and a jade pendant tied around his waist.

Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, a fifth-rank official in the imperial court.

In the entire capital city, this rank is not considered high.

But his status was far more important than his rank.

Because he was the eldest son of the Xiao family.

Although Xiao Zhengchun was only a fifth-rank physician, the entire Xiao clan stood behind him.

"Fragrance Lingers".

He walked behind his daughter, looked at her stunning face in the bronze mirror, and forced a smile.

"The King of Wei will be coming to propose marriage soon, so dress up nicely."

After a long while, Xiao Ningxiang finally spoke, her voice soft:

"Father, your daughter...does not wish to marry the King of Wei."

Xiao Zhengchun's brows furrowed instantly.

"The Prince of Wei is His Majesty's younger brother and is the recognized heir apparent."

"Marrying him means becoming the future Crown Princess and Empress."

"What's wrong with that?"

Xiao Ningxiang raised her head, looked at her father's stern face in the bronze mirror, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke:

"Father, our Xiao family has always been loyal to Consort Xie."

"Consort Xie has been very kind to our Xiao family. Father has seen all the benefits she has given us over the years."

"Now, behind Consort Xie's back, Father is marrying his daughter to the Prince of Wei."

"Once Consort Xie learns of this, she will likely be furious."

"At that time, the Xiao family..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was already very clear.

Xiao Zhengchun smiled after hearing this.

"Ningxiang, you are still too young."

"In the past, our Xiao family had no power, so we could only follow behind Consort Xie and pick up scraps."

"But as you can see now, His Majesty is getting older and his health is deteriorating day by day. The imperial physicians all say that he won't last more than a few years."

"Moreover, His Majesty has no children. Only the Prince of Wei is a prince whom His Majesty has come of age to grant and who has his own power."

"Throughout the court, everyone believes he is the next crown prince."

"When His Majesty passes away and Prince Wei ascends the throne, what will Consort Xie be? She will be nothing more than a concubine without children."

"By then, she won't be able to protect herself, let alone the Xiao family?"

"Ningxiang, you must understand your father's good intentions."

"As a father, I am not breaking my promise; I am thinking about the future of the Xiao family."

"If Consort Xie can give birth to a child, I will do everything in my power to assist her."

"It's a pity she couldn't give birth."

"We can't put all our eggs in one basket, can we?"