The bad husband wanted to bring his second wife into the house, so I turned around and became his st

He pondered for a moment, then said, "How about this, I'll go to the palace to see the emperor first and see if I can plead for Xiao Rong."

When Lin Wanqing heard this, a hint of gratitude flashed in his eyes.

"Thank you, Lu Shengyuan."

Lu Shengyuan smiled slightly, "Why should we be so polite? Wait here for me, I'll be back soon."

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the study, heading towards the palace.

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

Lu Shengyuan knelt before the emperor and pleaded for Xiao Rong.

"Your Majesty, Xiao Rong has always been loyal to you. This time, he acted like this because of the person he loves. Please show mercy and let Xiao Rong go this time."

Upon hearing this, the emperor's face darkened.

"Lu Shengyuan, you're actually pleading for him? Do you know that disobeying the emperor's orders is punishable by death?"

Lu Shengyuan was startled when he heard this.

He looked up, staring directly into the emperor's eyes, his tone firm, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask, knowing that Xiao Rong and Jiang Yu were in love, why did you insist on marrying the Ninth Princess to him? Isn't this simply forcing someone to do something against their will?"

The emperor raised his lips in a meaningful smile, his eyes deep.

"Lu Shengyuan, ah Lu Shengyuan, you are indeed smart. The reason I did this was just to test you."

"But Your Majesty, matters of the heart are not to be trifled with. Xiao Rong and Jiang Yu are deeply in love. If they were punished for this, wouldn't it chill the hearts of lovers all over the world?"

Lu Shengyuan argued with reason, his tone full of sincerity.

The emperor sighed softly, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"You're right. Matters of the heart are no joke. I never considered punishing Xiao Rong. I simply wanted to see if he could stay true to himself for the one he loves."

"Then Your Majesty, can you pardon Xiao Rong's sins and allow him to be reunited with Jiang Yu?"

Lu Shengyuan took the opportunity to make a request, his eyes full of anticipation.

The emperor shook his head slightly, his eyes revealing some profound meaning.

"Lu Shengyuan, my test is not over yet. Don't be too anxious. I have my own arrangements."

He paused, and there was a subtle consideration in his tone.

"Besides, I also want to give the prince a chance."

"Your Majesty, what you mean is..."

When Lu Shengyuan heard this, his heart tightened. He vaguely sensed another meaning in the emperor's words.

The emperor smiled slightly, and that smile showed his expectations for the prince, but also seemed to hide some kind of calculation.

"If Xiao Rong and Jiang Yu are able to be together smoothly, then Jiang Yu will have no choice but to become the Crown Prince's consort. This is both her destiny and her honor."

Lu Shengyuan was shocked when he heard this.

He was well aware of the emperor's power and tactics, and was even more aware of the prince's status and influence in the palace.

If the emperor really intends to marry Jiang Yu to the prince as his consort, then the interests and disputes involved behind this will be far more complicated than imagined.

He was filled with thoughts, but he didn't dare to say anything more. He could only respond respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

The emperor nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Okay, you can leave now. I have my own arrangements."

Lu Shengyuan stood up, looked at the emperor deeply, then turned and left the imperial study.

Prince's Mansion, study.

When Lin Wanqing saw Lu Shengyuan coming back, she immediately went to greet him, her eyes full of concern.

"Lu Shengyuan, how is it? What does the emperor say?"

Lu Shengyuan looked at Lin Wanqing's anxious expression and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

He did not answer Lin Wanqing's question directly, but remained silent for a moment, as if thinking about how to start.

Lin Wanqing felt a tightness in her heart when she saw Lu Shengyuan remained silent.

"Lu Shengyuan, please speak up. What did the emperor say?"

Lu Shengyuan looked up at Lin Wanqing, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Wan Qing, this matter... is much more complicated than we imagined."

Lin Wanqing frowned when he heard this.

"Complicated? What do you mean? Doesn't the Emperor want to let Xiao Rong go?"

Lu Shengyuan shook his head slightly, "It's not that the emperor is unwilling to let Xiao Rong go, but... this matter involves the crown prince."

"Crown Prince?" Lin Wanqing's eyes widened in surprise. "What does this have to do with the Crown Prince?"

Lu Shengyuan took a deep breath and told Lin Wanqing about the emperor's plan for the prince.

After hearing this, Lin Wanqing was completely stunned.

She never imagined that this matter would involve the prince.

"Then...what should we do? Are we just going to watch Xiao Rong being locked up in prison?"

Looking at Lin Wanqing's anxious expression, Lu Shengyuan couldn't help but feel anxious as well.

He held Lin Wanqing's hand and said firmly, "Wanqing, don't worry. I will definitely find a way to rescue Xiao Rong. It's just... this matter requires long-term planning."

Lin Wanqing looked at Lu Shengyuan's determined eyes, and the anxiety in her heart subsided a little.

She knew that Lu Shengyuan would definitely find a way to rescue Xiao Rong, and she just needed to trust him.

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

The emperor sat at his desk, playing with a chess piece in his hand, his eyes deep.

"Your Majesty, are you really planning to appoint Jiang Yu as the Crown Prince's consort?"

The eunuch beside him asked cautiously.

The emperor smiled slightly, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

"I naturally have my own plans. Although Jiang Yu is a woman, her influence cannot be underestimated. I want to see if the Crown Prince can subdue this chess piece."

The eunuch was shocked when he heard this.

He was well aware of the emperor's power and tactics, and was even more aware of the prince's status and influence in the palace.

If the emperor really intends to marry Jiang Yu to the prince as his consort, then the interests and disputes involved behind this will be far more complicated than imagined.

On the other hand, Jiang Yu lost his appetite because of Xiao Rong's matter and looked much more haggard.

She didn't know what to do and could only place her hopes on Lin Wanqing.

Seeing Jiang Yu looking so haggard, Lin Wanqing took her hand with heartache.

She whispered softly, "Yu'er, don't worry too much. Although Lu Shengyuan can't intervene directly in this matter, we still have the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion."

When Jiang Yu heard this, a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes, but then dimmed again.

"But, would the Marquis be willing to intervene? After all, this is a royal matter."

Lin Wanqing shook his head, his eyes firm.

"Yu'er, don't forget, Xiao Rong is his son. He won't let you suffer any injustice."

After hearing what Lin Wanqing said, Jiang Yu felt a little relieved, but still a little uneasy.

"Then...then what should we do?"

Lin Wanqing smiled slightly and patted the back of Jiang Yu's hand.

"Yu'er, go back and rest first. Get enough energy. We will contact the Marquis as soon as possible to discuss countermeasures."

Jiang Yu looked at Lin Wanqing, a warm feeling welling up in his heart, and he nodded gratefully, "Thank you, Wanqing."

Lin Wanqing responded with a gentle smile.

"We are sisters, no need to thank me. Just relax, we will take care of everything."