The number one rebel of the Great Wu

"how?"

The Crown Prince looked coldly at Shen Qingci.

Shen Qingci trembled with anger, her beautiful eyes glaring at the Crown Prince for a long time before finally calming down.

Then he opened his mouth casually.

"Your Highness, please grant me a divorce!"

Boom!

The moment the words "divorce" were uttered, even Xiao Lie's expression changed drastically.

He had thought that as the Crown Prince, no matter how much trouble Shen Qingci caused, she would still have to consider the dignity of the royal family.

After all, she has always been a sensible person.

"You, you actually want a divorce from me, the Crown Prince!"

"Do you know the consequences of this?"

Xiao Lie roared, shaking the heavens.

These two words had been lingering in Shen Qingci's heart for a long time, and compared to Xiao Lie's fury, she was calm.

"I know."

"With the separation from the Crown Prince, there will be no place for the Shen family in the Great Wu Kingdom."

"I, Shen Qingci, may only drift aimlessly, destined to grow old alone."

"And you still dare...!"

Xiao Lie pointed at Shen Qingci, his fingertips trembling.

"Your Highness, please grant me a divorce!"

Shen Qingci ignored him and only coldly repeated himself.

"you……!"

Xiao Lie was furious, but even though he wanted to tear Shen Qingci apart alive, he could only hold back!

This marriage was bestowed by my father, the Emperor. If I dare to divorce him, not to mention what will happen to the Shen family, my father's approval alone will be a huge problem for me!

What to do!

Xiao Lie clenched his fists, his eyes darting around with a hint of panic before finally settling on Chen Changgeng.

Now that things have escalated to this point, wouldn't it be incredibly embarrassing for him to just back down and admit defeat?

Right now, if someone could give me a way out...

"Please, Your Highness, calm your anger!"

"Your Highness, please calm your anger!"

Chen Changgeng cleverly raised his head and began to make up a story without changing his expression or skipping a beat.

"Actually, the Crown Prince had already prepared the invitation for the old general on his way back to the manor, but I was too busy with manor affairs to send it out in time."

"As for the resettlement of the White Wolf Rebels, the Crown Prince has also thought it through and arranged for the soldiers to live in a residence in the capital."

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince is concerned that with so many women in the household, the sudden arrival of a group of soldiers, fully armed and ready for battle, will inevitably cause panic among the people."

After saying that, Chen Changgeng bowed to General Jiang again.

"Your Highness knows that the Jiang family has never been involved in court affairs. If we suddenly invite General Jiang to our residence, it may cause gossip and be detrimental to the Jiang family."

"The Crown Prince once told me that he knew that many people in the court had some complaints about him, but now he has come to his senses and will work hard to improve himself in the future, to show the world his virtue and ability, and to treat all students with benevolence."

"At that time, the people of the world will be convinced, talented people will flock to serve, and all the officials in the court will praise him with their pens."

Upon hearing this long string of words, Crown Prince Xiao Lie was first taken aback, then immediately slammed his hand on the table.

"Yes, yes, yes! That's exactly what I think!"

"My beloved concubine, you have truly misunderstood me!"

"The truth is, I feel the time isn't right yet!"

Xiao Lie stomped his feet, looking aggrieved.

Shen Qingci gave Chen Changgeng a deep look.

Could that pig-brain of a prince really say such a thing?

She'd be a fool to believe that!

But for now, she could only put it aside and go along with Chen Changgeng's words, playing along.

"Little Gengzi, is this really true?"

Chen Changgeng bowed in trepidation.

"Your Highness, these words came from the Crown Prince himself, and they are all from the bottom of his heart."

"This lackey is merely parroting; if there is even the slightest falsehood in his words, may he be struck by lightning!"

"Hahaha! Okay, okay!"

"A prodigal son's return is more precious than gold; it is a blessing for the entire nation that our Great Wu Dynasty has such a crown prince!"

"I will certainly report this matter to His Majesty; I am sure His Majesty will be greatly pleased upon learning of it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Boheng burst into laughter.

Shen Qingci gave a soft hum and glanced at the Crown Prince.

"Then this matter will be entirely decided by the Crown Prince."

Shen Qingci made a concession, and the atmosphere naturally eased.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the Jiang family left the Crown Prince's residence. As for arranging accommodations for the Jiang family, Shen Qingci assigned the task to Chief Steward Lin.

At the entrance of the Crown Prince's residence.

As soon as Jiang Boheng mounted his horse, he raised his hand and called to his granddaughter Jiang Baiwei, his face solemn as he carefully gave her instructions.

"Starting tomorrow, you will come to the Crown Prince's residence every day to have this young Gengzi treat your illness."

"This boy is no ordinary person. If we have the opportunity, we must recruit him to serve our Jiang family."

"You must know, this matter... concerns the very survival of our Jiang family!"

Jiang Baiwei handed the reins to her grandfather, her face full of disbelief.

"How could an ordinary eunuch be a matter of life and death for the Jiang family?"

"Grandpa, aren't you giving him too much credit?"

Jiang Boheng frowned, reached out and gently tapped Jiang Baiwei's forehead, his expression showing some annoyance.

"What, you don't even believe Grandpa anymore?"

"His Majesty's meaning is very clear this time: our Jiang family can no longer remain uninvolved."

"In the struggle for the throne, the slightest misstep can lead to utter ruin!"

Jiang Baiwei rubbed her forehead, looking aggrieved, and turned to look in the direction of the Crown Prince's residence.

Since Grandpa has said so, we might as well tie up that little eunuch and whip him hard!

If the soft approach doesn't work, then we'll have to use the hard approach!

Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince's study.

The crown prince, beaming with pride, pushed open the door to the study and went inside.

Behind him followed Chen Changgeng, who looked very cautious.

After seeing the Jiang family off, the Crown Prince summoned himself to his study.

Could this guy have actually had his meridians opened up by his own words and is now ready to turn his life around?

"Little Gengzi, please sit down!"

The crown prince smiled and pointed to the seat next to him.

"This servant...this servant wouldn't dare!"

The more Crown Prince Xiao Lie acted this way, the more uncertain Chen Changgeng felt.

"I think you're absolutely right!"

"To demonstrate virtue and competence to the world, and to treat all students with benevolence and kindness!"

"You are a capable person. I had a slight misunderstanding about you before, but now I have decided to reward you handsomely!"

"Tell me, what do you want!"

Those words not only touched his heart but also solved a major problem for him. How could he not be happy?

But Chen Changgeng dared not relax at all. The Crown Prince's temperament was such that he could change his mind faster than turning the pages of a book, so he quickly bowed.

"This servant serves the Crown Prince with utmost dedication and without seeking anything in return."

Xiao Lie grinned and waved his hand.

"No, that won't do. Those who have rendered meritorious service should be rewarded!"

"If you don't take it, it means you're still her person, not mine!"

Xiao Lie's smile faded, and his gaze towards Chen Changgeng suddenly held a hint of threat.

Chen Changgeng felt a chill run down his spine and quickly knelt down.

"Your Highness, please understand that although I was recruited into the household by Her Highness the Crown Princess..."

"But ultimately, it's all for the purpose of assisting Your Highness, so of course you're one of my people."

"If Your Highness truly wishes to reward this servant, then this servant dares to make a request!"

"I demand one life!"

"Oh? Who?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lie immediately became interested.

"This man's name is Zhao Heng!"

"He is a minor clerk in the capital's government office."

Right now, what the Crown Prince wants is trust.

An ancient book says that the closest relationship is one where you've shared spoils, fought together, studied together, and so on... cough cough.

If I simply accept money now, it won't do any good. I might as well go with the flow and use Zhao Heng's life as a pretext.

With such a great favor, Xiao Lie's doubts were largely dispelled.

"What could a mere clerk have done to offend you?"

Xiao Lie clearly had no recollection of this person and looked quite puzzled.

Chen Changgeng knelt on the ground and immediately recounted in detail how Zhao Heng had caused his family to be destroyed and him to be imprisoned.

Xiao Lie's eyes widened like copper bells after hearing this!

"What! There are still such corrupt and lawless people in the capital's government offices!"

"To dare deceive even this Crown Prince, you are utterly audacious!"

Xiao Lie stood up abruptly and waved his hand angrily.

"Someone, go to the capital's government office and bring Zhao Heng here."

"Don't worry, Xiao Gengzi, I, the Crown Prince, will personally take charge of this matter for you!"