Forcing me to become a concubine? Remarrying the Ninth Prince, she'll be pregnant all over the

"Miss is intelligent."

Jiang Fulu's expression hardened, and he said in an even lower voice, "But I don't know if His Majesty was angry, because when he was preparing to leave for the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he sent someone to summon Grand Tutor Lin and his wife, but didn't let you accompany them."

The emperor ordered Wei Wujiu to administer the punishment, escorting Shen Huai'an to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to kneel for four hours, ensuring that the evening banquet for all officials could not be delayed. He also instructed Wei Wujiu to select a few trusted confidants to properly escort Lin Qinglian to Jing'an Temple to repent and become a nun.

Undoubtedly, although Lin Qinglian was demoted to a concubine, it would be very difficult for her to return to the Eastern Palace.

The emperor's urgent summons of Lin Rucong and Chen was undoubtedly due to Lin Qinglian's false pregnancy, intending to punish them severely for failing to properly discipline their children and deceiving the emperor.

If Lin Rucong still wants to protect Lin Qinglian, he will surely anger the emperor, who will then use this as an excuse to make trouble, putting the entire Lin family in imminent danger.

"But don't worry, Miss. There's Eunuch Hua serving you in the Emperor's presence. Any news will surely spread quickly. In addition, the Master has also instructed Night Hawk to inform Master Lin of everything that happened at Chengqian Palace."

Lin Wantang was just about to send a message to Lin Rucong, telling him to make full preparations to go to the palace to apologize, when she didn't expect that Wei Wujiu had already made his decision and had taken the initiative before her.

She breathed a slight sigh of relief: "My father is not a muddle-headed man. He will surely be able to resolve any decision. Thank you, Father-in-law, and thank you, Governor."

Jiang Fulu smiled and said, "Miss, please don't stand on ceremony with this old servant. By the way, I noticed that you have a new jade rosary in your possession, sir. The jade is lustrous and has excellent translucency..."

Without continuing, Jiang Fulu, seeing the slight smile on Lin Wantang's face, understood and said, "Your Excellency also loves it very much; this old servant can't take it off my hands."

A smile crept into Lin Wantang's eyes, and her eyebrows curved slightly. "Father-in-law, please stop joking. You're busy today, so please go and get on with your work."

As she spoke, she gestured to Chunhen, who had come over, to see Jiang Fulu off.

As Lin Wantang had predicted, Lin Rucong received word of the situation at his residence before it reached the palace. He immediately ordered Chen's release, as the two still had to maintain their charade as a couple. He also gave Chen a stern and authoritative warning.

Then, without changing into their court robes and crowns, the two men, dressed in simple linen robes, carrying bundles of thorns on their backs and the imperial sword bestowed upon them by Emperor Taizu, went to the palace to plead guilty.

"Your Majesty! Your humble servant has failed in his education, allowing him to commit such a heinous crime that violates moral principles, is immoral and disrespectful, and deceives the emperor!"

Upon arriving outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Lin Rucong presented the Imperial Sword and knelt down, lifting his robe.

"The wicked minister Lin Rucong, along with his wicked wife Chen, kneels and begs for divine punishment!"

His voice was booming, each word heavy with sorrow, and his loud apology almost drowned out the voice of the ordinary eunuch.

"Your Majesty, please be wise! Old Chen failed to properly educate his daughter, allowing her to develop a heart of a wolf! His lax management of the household resulted in this rebellious and wicked child! She faked a pregnancy to gain favor, disrupted the order of the Crown Prince, deceived Heaven and disrespected her ancestors, and shook the very foundation of the nation! This is the first crime."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is the heir apparent and the future of the nation. This wretched girl has resorted to such despicable tricks and even tricked His Highness into failing to notice and protecting her. This is using personal feelings to cloud the Emperor's judgment, and is already a treacherous act of bewitching the Crown Prince and sowing discord within the imperial family! This is the second crime."

Lin Rucong's voice was filled with sorrow as he struck his forehead against the ground with a resounding clang: "Your humble servant was bestowed with a sword by the Emperor Taizu. I am deeply grateful for this patriotic favor and should repay Your Majesty with my life. However, such a monstrous creature has emerged from my family, and I, this old minister, have failed to investigate and eliminate it first! This is not merely a family disgrace, but a heinous crime of betraying the Emperor Taizu's trust and tarnishing the pure reputation of the Imperial Sword!"

Upon hearing this, Chen turned pale and nearly collapsed from her knees, trembling as she clutched the brambles in her hands, terrified and on the verge of fainting.

The emperor slammed his hand on the table in the hall: "Grand Tutor Lin is certainly quick to get information; he must be afraid that the entire palace, civil and military officials, won't hear about this shameful affair!"

Hua Ershisan hurriedly knelt down: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! This servant has been by your side the whole time, and Lord Wei and Miss Lin are both in the palace, where security is tight. How could the news have leaked out?"

"You mean the Crown Prince..." The Emperor was suspicious.

Hua Ershisan, terrified, changed his tune: "This servant has no evidence and dares not slander His Highness the Crown Prince, but could it be Lin Qinglian?"

Since the Crown Princess has already been stripped of her title, it doesn't matter if she's smeared a little more.

When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down.

The emperor's face darkened, and then he heard Lin Rucong shout outside the hall: "As the father of this sinful daughter, I have no face to face Your Majesty, nor to stand between heaven and earth!"

After saying this, Lin Rucong suddenly drew his sword, the sharp blade pointing straight at his neck, as if he were about to commit suicide on the spot to atone for his sins.

The emperor was furious: "What are you all standing there for? Go and stop Grand Tutor Lin! Do you think I would really take his life over something so trivial!"

Having created his own trap, the emperor was suddenly caught in a dilemma, unable to vent his anger on anyone else.

In the Imperial Garden, screens kept out the cold, charcoal fires provided warmth, and a performance was already underway on the stage. People enjoyed the opera and the snow, creating an elegant and harmonious atmosphere.

Lin Wantang sat among a group of young ladies of similar age, calmly watching the dancers in green on stage. When she wanted to listen to Wanyi's words, Jiang Fulu bowed and walked around to her side.

"This old servant greets Princess Yong'an and Princess Wanyi."

After bowing and paying his respects, Jiang Fulu approached Lin Wantang and said, "Miss, there are some trivial matters that I would be grateful if you could come with me."

Lin Wantang nodded, exchanged a few more words with Yong'an and Wanyi, then got up and slowly walked away with Jiang Fulu, before being led to Yahe Hall.

This place was specifically for watching plays and listening to music. It had two large warm pavilions on the left and right, which were reserved for the emperor, empress, concubines, princes and princesses. The smaller warm pavilions on the lower level were used by members of the imperial family, princes and ministers.

Those who were not of high enough rank were seated under the stage in the Imperial Garden, also arranged in order of rank.

Lin Wantang had once visited Yahe Palace with Lin Rucong and Chen Shi. According to Lin Rucong's official rank, he was entitled to a warm pavilion in the innermost room on the second floor. However, because Lin Rucong resigned due to illness, that warm pavilion had long been given to someone else.

Jiang Fulu led her to the largest warm room on the right side of the lower floor. It had an excellent view of the play and was luxuriously furnished. Thick gold-embroidered carpets covered the floor, and eight incense burners were lit in the four corners, making it warm and comfortable.

"This is the master's land," Jiang Fulu explained with a smile. "Miss, you don't need to be reserved here. If you're tired, you can lie down for a while. If you want to eat anything, just call the servants to serve you. The master is still busy and will be here later."

Lin Wantang was slightly taken aback. Looking at the extravagant ornaments, she hesitated, feeling that it was inappropriate for her to stay here. She was mainly worried that Shen Huai'an might be up to no good and cause further trouble, thus offending Wei Wujiu.

Jiang Fulu saw through it at a glance and smiled, "Miss, there's no need to worry. The adults have taken care of it and guarantee that everything will be perfectly safe."

Therefore, Lin Wantang had no choice but to stop thinking about it for the time being.

She sat down, just about to ask how her father was, and Jiang Fulu was also about to say something, when she heard footsteps. Turning around, she saw a tall and slender figure slowly walking in, lifting the beaded curtain.