I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 30 & Chapter 31

Wei Hanzhang felt somewhat conflicted. The man before her appeared dignified and self-composed, with a jade-like demeanor that easily endeared him to others. It was hard to believe that less than half a year after his legitimate wife's death, he was already flirting with other women.

The kind of scoundrel she detested most in her life was precisely this type. Her expression immediately cooled, and she said coldly, "My courtyard is in the southwestern corner. If you could dig the wall hole in my courtyard, that would be best."

Xiao Junzhan was already aware of this. Upon hearing her words, his smile grew even warmer. "I can manage that. Just come here tomorrow."

Wei Hanzhang slightly nodded, choosing not to say more. She turned to leave but was called back again.

Xiao Junzhan opened his hand, revealing the piece of ink jade in his palm, and said gently, "Miss Ranran, can you accept it now?"

"...I cannot accept it." Wei Hanzhang met his gaze and repeated, "I have a marriage contract; I cannot accept tokens from another man."

Her repeated mention of her marriage stirred Xiao Junzhan's anger once more. After a long silence, he replied calmly, "Do not keep bringing up your marriage contract; you do not have one."

Though his voice remained calm and placid, it made her heart skip a beat.

Unbeknownst to Wei Hanzhang, at this moment, even the hidden guards in the dense forest held their breath.

Each of them secretly sighed in their hearts; this daughter of the Zhongyong Marquis's residence truly had the guts of a leopard. In just a short while, she had stirred the emotions of the prince more than once.

"If you are unwilling to accept it now, then don't," Xiao Junzhan said again, retracting the unoffered ink jade. His expression grew indifferent. "It's getting late; you should go back."

Wei Hanzhang looked puzzled. What did "don't accept it for now" mean? As if she would accept it later!

She would definitely not accept it!

However, since she needed his help, despite her dislike for his scoundrel demeanor, she tried to maintain her composure. She gave a slight bow and wished him well before turning away with quick steps.

It wasn't until her figure had vanished for quite some time that Xiao Junzhan finally withdrew his gaze. His indifferent eyes swept over the stone where she had sat, and he softly instructed,  'Go inform the Prince of Yan. Ask to open a door in his courtyard wall. It must be discreet.'

A man resembling a guard emerged from the woods and bowed in acknowledgment.

Ning Hai quietly approached, seeing Xiao Junzhan gazing thoughtfully at a stone, and he did not dare to disturb him. Only after Xiao Junzhan finally looked away did he whisper, "Your Highness, the daughter of Princess Changle will have her coming-of-age ceremony in five days. She personally came to the palace today to invite you to attend the ceremony."

The current Emperor's heirs were difficult to come by. Princess Changle was his legitimate eldest daughter, the first child of the harem, and Xiao Junzhan's own sister, sharing the same mother. They were eight years apart.

In the eight years that followed, apart from the three Noble Consorts who each gave birth to a princess, no imperial sons were born in the harem.

By the time Xiao Junzhan was born, the current Emperor had already passed thirty years of age. Being both the legitimate son and the eldest, he was made the Crown Prince at the age of three. His birth mother, Empress Xiaoyi, passed away when he was five.