He remarried after his mother's death, seized power over the world, and slept on the emperor�

Within three days, the news of Wang Kun's marriage proposal had spread throughout the acquaintances in the capital.

On a sunny afternoon, Lin Wenbo sent a gold-embossed invitation to Jiang Yuerong.

The purpose was to offer congratulations, but the location was not at the Lin residence, but at an extremely elegant villa in the suburbs.

Lin Wenbo stood beneath a blooming red plum tree, dressed in white, his smile gentle and warm.

"The plum blossoms here were planted by my father himself; ordinary people can't see them like this."

Jiang Yuerong's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her eyes.

"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Wenbo."

Lin Wenbo led her into the warm pavilion.

The charcoal fire inside the pavilion was burning brightly, and the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the four walls were not ordinary ones.

"This is the original work of the painting master of the previous dynasty, the 'Eighty-Seven Immortals Scroll'."

Lin Wenbo pointed to a long scroll, speaking casually.

"The words hanging on that wall are 'Pillars of the Nation', personally bestowed by His Majesty."

His gaze swept over Jiang Yuerong's shocked face, and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Wang, the Vice Minister of War, is also a student and old friend of my father. He is a fairly diligent person."

He then changed the subject and mentioned the Wang family.

Jiang Yuerong's heart sank.

Lin Wenbo was giving her a warning.

No matter how much power Vice Minister Wang wields, he is ultimately nothing more than a dog of Chief Minister Lin.

The man she was going to marry, Wang Kun, was nothing but a dog's son.

"Minister Wang is naturally an outstanding person."

Jiang Yuerong forced a smile.

Lin Wenbo chuckled and shook his head.

"Sister Yue Rong, there's no need for such formalities between us."

His voice was low and had a magnetic quality.

"With your beauty, talent, and virtue, it is a waste to pair you with that crude Wang Kun who only knows how to fight with swords."

Jiang Yuerong's eyes instantly reddened.

Lin Wenbo looked at her tearful appearance, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

He softened his voice, with a hint of sigh and regret.

"If I had known my sister's feelings earlier, perhaps... I could have arranged a truly wealthy and noble marriage for her."

Jiang Yuerong suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with tears, looking at him in disbelief.

"Brother Wenbo..."

She knew all too well what that fleeting possessiveness in a man's eyes meant.

That wasn't love; it was a ladder to power.

Jiang Yuerong's heart began to pound violently at that moment.

The Lin Wenbo before her was more handsome and more powerful than any man she had ever met in her previous life.

This is the path she should take!

This is the shortcut to wealth!

The son of a vice minister?

You're not even worthy to carry his shoes!

Having figured this out, the tears in Jiang Yuerong's eyes faded, replaced by a perfectly balanced shyness and admiration.

She lowered her head slightly, her voice barely audible.

"Brother Wenbo is joking... Yuerong... Yuerong is of humble status, how could I dare to hope for such a thing..."

That hesitant, unspoken gesture, that half-hearted, half-rejecting gaze—any man would understand.

Lin Wenbo's smile deepened.

The fish has taken the bait.

Three days later, Lin Wenbo hosted another private banquet.

This time, the location was a more secluded waterside pavilion within the Lin residence.

After several rounds of drinks, Lin Wenbo dismissed all the servants.

Only the two of them remained in the waterside pavilion.

The flickering candlelight illuminated Lin Wenbo's handsome profile, making him appear exceptionally gentle and affectionate.

"Sister Yue Rong, do you know why I'm helping you?"

Jiang Yuerong's heart pounded, and two blushes rose on her face.

"Brother Wenbo...is it for...?"

"for you."

Lin Wenbo interrupted her, staring intently at her.

"Also for our Lin family."

He paused, a hint of seduction in his voice.

"I can give you a status a hundred times more prestigious than that of the young mistress of the Vice Minister's mansion, making you the envy of everyone in the capital."

Jiang Yuerong's breathing stopped.

"but……"

Lin Wenbo then changed the subject.

"I need your complete trust and cooperation."

"Whatever Brother Wenbo asks Yue Rong to do, Yue Rong will do it."

Jiang Yuerong answered without hesitation, her eyes filled with infatuation.

"it is good."

Lin Wenbo nodded in satisfaction.

He personally poured her a glass of wine.

"After drinking this cup of wine, there will be no more estrangement between us."

Without a doubt, Jiang Yuerong picked up her glass and drank it all in one gulp.

As the liquor entered my throat, an unusual heat rose from my lower abdomen and quickly spread to my limbs and bones.

Her vision began to blur.

"Brother Wenbo...I...I'm so hot..."

She unconsciously tugged at her clothes, revealing a section of her snow-white neck.

Lin Wenbo got up, walked to her side, and picked her up in his arms.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Jiang Yuerong's remaining rationality was completely shattered by the combined effects of drugs and vanity.

She half-heartedly wrapped her arms around Lin Wenbo's neck and buried her face in his chest.

The gauze curtains fell, obscuring the spring light from the room.

……

Jiang Yuerong lay weakly in the brocade quilt, her eyes glazed over.

Lin Wenbo hugged her from behind, his voice so gentle it could melt your heart.

"Rong'er, I'm sorry you had to go through this."

Jiang Yuerong felt a pang of sadness, and tears streamed down her face.

"Brother Wenbo..."

"Don't worry."

Lin Wenbo gently kissed her hair and whispered a promise in her ear.

"The situation is tense right now. Your marriage to Wang Kun is part of your father's plan and cannot be changed easily."

"After this storm has passed, I will speak to my father and give you a proper title."

His voice carried an undeniable power of reassurance.

"Now, all you need to do is be patient for the time being and follow my instructions."

Jiang Yuerong was already completely overwhelmed by the passion of their lovemaking, so she no longer had any doubts.

She nodded obediently.

"Rong'er will listen to Brother Wenbo."

A cold smile flashed in Lin Wenbo's eyes, so quick that it was impossible to catch.

The next day, Lin Wenbo indeed became even more gentle and considerate towards Jiang Yuerong, just as he had predicted.

He personally inserted a fine blood jade hairpin into her hair and spoke softly.

"In a couple of days, I will arrange for you to have a formal meeting with Wang Kun."

"Remember, pretend nothing happened."

Jiang Yuerong nodded shyly.

After she left, the gentleness on Lin Wenbo's face vanished instantly.

He summoned his trusted maid, Cui'er.

"Go to the storeroom and fetch that set of South China Sea pearl jewelry, and deliver it to Miss Jiang."

Cui'er replied, "Yes."

Lin Wenbo then added, seemingly unintentionally.

"Be careful on the road, don't be clumsy."

Cui'er's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately understood what the young master meant.

"This servant understands."

Cui'er, carrying the brocade box, deliberately took a longer route, passing through the back alley of the servants' quarters.

Sure enough, they bumped into a rough old woman sweeping the floor at the alley entrance.

That old woman was Wang Kun's informant.

"Ouch!"

Cui'er tripped accidentally and almost dropped the brocade box from her hand.

The old woman quickly helped her up.

"Cui'er, where are you rushing off to?"

Cui'er hugged the brocade box even tighter.

"No...it's nothing. It's just that the young master rewarded Miss Jiang with a set of jewelry and asked me to deliver it to her."

The old woman, with her sharp eyes, smiled without showing any emotion.

"Young master is truly devoted to Miss Jiang. Yesterday, when we were admiring the plum blossoms, I heard he kept her until midnight before letting her return, and today he's bestowing such a precious gift upon her."

Cui'er's face turned completely red instantly.

"You... what nonsense are you spouting! Stop spreading rumors!"

She stamped her foot, as if to hide her guilt, and hurriedly ran away.

The old woman watched her departing figure, then put down her broom and slowly walked towards the side gate.

-----------------

Meanwhile, at the Prince Xin's residence.

Liu Jingyi's illness has greatly improved, but her complexion is still somewhat pale.

Jiang Bingning looked at her, but a sense of unease lingered in her heart.

Since the matter of Ji Shaohuan's poisoning was settled, the mother has become increasingly silent.

"Ice Freeze".

Liu Jingyi raised her head, interrupting her.

Her eyes were calm as still water.

"I have formally submitted the divorce papers to Jiang Chengxuan."