After I became a passerby, I saved the villain's family

Duke Jiang and Jiang Ci'an were both stunned.

The third prince?

What is he here to do?

Duke Jiang threw the chess piece in his hand away, somewhat unhappy.

My good rest day was disturbed.

"Dad," Jiang Ciyan advised, "he is the third prince after all."

Duke Jiang raised his hand and straightened his clothes, saying, "Please come in, Third Prince."

Duke Jiang and Jiang Ci Yan came to the front hall and saw Xiao Yuheng standing beside them, and hurriedly saluted.

"Your Highness the Third Prince has come to visit us. I am sorry for not welcoming you from afar. Please forgive me."

The corners of Jiang Ci Yan's mouth twitched slightly, and he followed suit and saluted.

Is this still the same angry dad just now?

"I wonder why the Third Prince came here?"

After welcoming Xiao Yuheng to the seat at the head, Duke Jiang asked.

Xiao Yuheng smiled gently and said politely: "I just left the palace a few days ago and have been busy taking care of the affairs of the mansion. Today I finally have some free time, so I came to visit Duke Jiang and Little Lord Jiang."

"Your Highness, you are too polite. It is I who should be the one to pay you a visit." Although Duke Jiang disliked the Third Prince, he still had to save face.

Xiao Yuheng looked at the Jiang father and son in front of him.

Jiang Lianyi is loyal and disdains to form cliques with others. He is only loyal to the emperor.

Jiang Ci Yan seemed gentle and got along well with all the ministers in the court, but he had never been seen to be too close to anyone.

Since the Jiang family is so loyal, if I can win them over, won't I have no obstacles in the court in the future?

However, Duke Jiang has a temper as stubborn as a rock and is really hard to deal with.

But everyone has weaknesses.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Duke Jiang, Xiao Yuheng casually said, "I've long heard that the host of Leping County is smart and courageous. I was fortunate to see her at the palace banquet on New Year's Eve. She is indeed dignified and generous, just like Duke Jiang."

Duke Jiang didn't understand why the third prince suddenly mentioned Jiang Ruoli.

However, when he heard him praising Li'er, especially praising his daughter for looking like him, Duke Jiang was very happy.

Hearing Xiao Yuheng's words, Jiang Ci Yan was shocked and almost changed his expression.

Seeing that Duke Jiang's brows were somewhat relaxed and he was about to say something, he immediately interrupted him.

"Your Highness, you are joking. I have been living in seclusion in the palace for many years and I am timid and afraid of things. The first two times I saved the two princesses were purely coincidental. Afterwards, I was also scared for a long time. I don't deserve your praise."

Xiao Yuheng smiled when he saw Jiang Ci Yan looking nervous.

"That's it..."

This Jiang Ci Yan is really difficult to deal with.

After chatting for a while, Xiao Yuheng stood up and said goodbye.

"Farewell, Third Prince." Duke Jiang and Jiang Ci Yan bowed.

After leaving the Zhenguo Mansion, Eunuch Liu couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, are you really interested in the Princess of Leping? I don't think she looks stunning, and she often hangs out with Princess Yuyao."

Those who can play with Princess Yuyao are mostly people with bad personalities.

Xiao Yuheng smiled indifferently.

In his eyes, it makes no difference whether a woman is pretty or not, or what her character is like.

He only looks at whether the other party is useful.

No matter how stunning a woman is, she is nothing more than a man's vassal.

What he had his eyes on was not only the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion, but also the Jiang family army behind it.

"Let's go." Xiao Yuheng said, "We have distinguished guests coming to visit us tonight."

So what if it's a stubborn stone?

He has plenty of patience to deal with stubborn stones...

Looking at the third prince's departing back, Jiang Ci Yan's expression was solemn.

Duke Jiang was puzzled, "Boss, what's wrong with you?"

Jiang Ci Yan looked at Duke Jiang with cold eyes.

"Dad, the Third Prince has set his sights on my little sister."

"what?!"

Duke Jiang couldn't believe it.

My daughter and the third prince have never had any contact. How could two people who have nothing to do with each other be involved?

Besides, even if the Third Prince had this idea, His Majesty would never agree.

The Jiang family is powerful, and His Majesty will not allow such a great help to be given to the Third Prince.

The third prince was not stupid. He had just been expelled from the palace, so he did not dare to offend the emperor with this matter.

The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it seems.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible! You think too much, Boss." Duke Jiang denied.

Jiang Ci Yan understood what his father was thinking, but he had his own concerns.

"Father, I understand that His Majesty trusts the Jiang family and will not give the Third Prince this opportunity."

"But what if something happens to the Jiang family?"

Jiang Ci Yan looked at Duke Jiang steadily.

"Dad, don't forget that this scientific expedition is your son's disaster."

Duke Jiang was shocked and looked at Jiang Ci'an.

The boss is right. If something happens to him in this imperial examination, the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion will lose the favor of the emperor.

"Since it was the Third Prince who framed my son, he must have found a way to prove his innocence. According to my little sister, the Third Prince originally wanted to put my son to death."

"But now the situation has changed. The Third Prince has been driven out of the palace, and now he is eager to find a strong supporter."

"The loyal and powerful Zhenguogong Mansion is the best choice."

If something happens to Jiang Ci Yan, the Third Prince has evidence that proves his innocence, and he can use it as a threat to force the Duke of Zhenguo to surrender to him.

But what’s the use of just verbal promises?

If the Third Prince married Jiang Ruoli, he would have a firm grasp on the lifeblood of the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion.

Now that the Third Prince has been driven out of the palace, it seems that he has no chance of becoming the Crown Prince. If he continues to act nice and obedient, the Emperor will not worry that he will use the power of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion to plot something and will naturally let down his guard against him.

Even if Jiang Ciyan was cleared of the grievances in the end, the fact is that the imperial examination cheating case happened. Jiang Ciyan could not escape the blame for his poor management, and he would no longer be favored by His Majesty in the future.

What kind of trouble can a minister who has lost the favor of his king and a prince who poses no threat cause?

No matter how unwilling the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was, there was nothing they could do. As long as the imperial decree granting the marriage came down, the Jiang family had no choice.

After figuring out the interests involved, Duke Jiang slumped down in his chair.

This third prince has a very vicious mind.

His Zhenguo Mansion must never do the evil act of selling out one's son for fame and fortune.

Jiang Ci Yan stood quietly aside, allowing his father to think carefully.

But he always had two doubts in his mind.

Firstly, since the imperial examination cheating case had happened, why did the people planted by the third prince remain unscathed and serve as officials in the court?

Second, how did the person who stole the questions frame him? What evidence was there to prove that he was the mastermind?

After a while, Duke Jiang came back to his senses.

"Boss, don't tell your mother and Li'er about this." Duke Jiang said solemnly.

"My son understands."

-

As the scientific examination approached, Jiang Ruoli became more and more nervous.

How can I let my brother know that this scientific expedition is full of dangers?

At the dinner table, Jiang Ruoli was eating rice with a worried look on her face.

【well......】

The sudden sigh made all the Jiang family members stop eating.

What happened to Li'er?

【It’s all because of that list! 】

[If I can get the list of cheaters, I can prove my innocence even if my brother is framed.]

[But the list is in the hands of the Third Prince. I wish I could remember that list...]

Jiang Ci Yan's eyes flickered slightly.

It turned out to be a list.