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

"this……"

Hua Ershisan's expression turned indignant, a complex mix of shock and anger, and he paused in his speech.

He glared angrily, hesitating to speak several times, but finally couldn't stand Wei Wujiu's calm and composed demeanor. Hua Twenty-Three was both anxious and furious: "Since you know, how can you still do as she wishes?"

"She's clearly using you, trying to use you to eliminate... wait a minute!"

Hua Twenty-Three paused again, carefully considering the matter before asking with doubt, "What grudge does she have against His Highness the Crown Prince? Is it because of the previous marriage? Then... could it be that I've misjudged her?"

Hua Niansan hadn't had much contact with Lin Wantang, but he had personally witnessed how she cleverly resolved and retaliated against Princess Yong'an's deliberate harassment, and later even made peace with Yong'an, and now they were like sisters.

Lin Wantang appears gentle and weak, always following the rules and regulations. Every move she makes exudes the elegance and upbringing of a noble family. However, she is actually vengeful and will never suffer injustice or accept bad luck. With a little planning, she can retaliate against the slightest grievance. Behind every word and action lies a rebellious spirit that leaves no room for criticism.

Hua Niansan actually greatly admires and appreciates such a woman.

Therefore, he didn't quite believe that Lin Wantang harbored resentment because of her previous marriage with Shen Huai'an.

"If that's the case, then why does she hate the Crown Prince?" Hua Twenty-Three didn't want to sow discord, but he also couldn't bear to see his godson suffer a loss and be deceived: "It's clearly love, isn't it? The deeper the love, the deeper the hate..."

"Godfather," Wei Wujiu interrupted after a long silence, "that's not how it is."

"What is it?" Hua Niansan asked in return.

Wei Wujiu paused again, his deep eyes falling on the brazier not far away, watching the smokeless charcoal burning, and recalling everything that had happened in the past few days...

"She didn't explicitly tell me..." he began slowly, his eyes clouded with doubt, but he ultimately concealed it: "But I choose to believe her."

His words were concise and to the point, yet his indifferent tone left no room for argument.

Perhaps it's related to her biological mother, Lin Yasong, who knows?

But this raises a question. Wei Wujiu remembered that day at Jingyuan, Wei Wu suddenly attacked him, and Lin Wantang was injured while protecting him. Afterwards, she confided in him and said that she hated Shen Huai'an, Lin Qinglian and Chen Shi.

But at that time, she didn't seem to know the truth about Lin Yasong.

Wei Wujiu did not intend to reveal these things. He and Lin Wantang had already been intimate and consummated their marriage. She was his own woman and his rightful wife. Even if she made mistakes or was confused, he could not forgive her.

But there's one exception.

That was his bottom line, his Achilles' heel.

Wei Wujiu's eyes were dark and hidden. After a moment, he looked up and saw Hua Niansan's worried face. He smiled and said, "Father, there's no need to worry. I know what I'm doing."

"That would be best." Hua Ershisan knew that his godson was sharp-minded, skillful, and had been planning and strategizing for so many years, always meticulous and flawless, so he didn't need to worry about anything.

The sedan chair arrived at Chenting Pavilion. Hua Niansan was the first to get out of the sedan chair and helped the little eunuch into the hall. He then solemnly conveyed the emperor's decree: "By imperial decree, tomorrow's sealing ceremony and silkworm-raising ceremony will be conducted by Wei Wujiu, who will assist the princes in personally managing them."

Wei Wujiu bowed and accepted the imperial decree.

Lin Wantang, supporting Chunhen, knelt down along with the many maids and attendants.

After finishing his business, Hua Ershisan was helped to sit down and have a sip of tea. He cleared his throat, glancing at Lin Wantang casually, but said to Wei Wujiu, "I don't know what's wrong this year, His Majesty's health is not good, and Her Majesty the Empress has been overthinking things, so she hasn't been feeling well lately either."

"With the imperial physicians attending to us and Physician Liu overseeing things, they say it's nothing serious. Daoist Qingchenzi has also received an urgent message from a hundred li away, saying he's on his way to the capital and will arrive at the palace soon."

With Qingchenzi around, the emperor's tuberculosis might see a gradual improvement.

Lin Wantang did not want the emperor to die at this critical juncture; she wanted to wait until she tripped up Shen Huai'an before making a move. Hearing this, she felt more at ease.

"But there's still a lot to do before the New Year, sigh." Hua Ershisan muttered, "Tomorrow we'll hold the sealing ceremony and the silkworm-rearing ceremony on the same day, the day after tomorrow we'll have to worship the gods, and then we'll have to prepare for the royal banquet."

Wei Wujiu didn't say much, just listened to Hua Niansan's rambling, and she explained the detailed arrangements of the past few days. Just then, a palace servant announced that the Third Prince and the Sixth Prince had sent people to invite Wei Wujiu to come and discuss the grand ceremony for tomorrow.

"Yes, send someone to tell His Highness the Third Prince to invite the other princes to Rufu Palace to discuss this together. I'll be there now."

Wei Wujiu gave instructions that he should go into the bedchamber and have Jiang Fulu help him change his clothes. Lin Wantang bowed to Hua Niansan and then followed him into the bedchamber.

"Commander, it's already night."

She spoke, her words sharp and suggestive, while also keeping a close eye on Wei Wujiu's expression: "How are you feeling?"

Wei Wujiu was momentarily stunned, then smiled calmly: "I'm fine now, no need to worry. I don't know when I'll be back tonight, so don't wait for me."

Lin Wantang frowned in doubt, stepped forward and took his wrist to examine it. His pulse was still normal. She said worriedly, "How do you know he's alright, Commander? The poison hasn't been neutralized yet."

She spoke in a low voice for the last few words.

Wei Wujiu gently raised his hand to smooth out her furrowed brows. "Yes, but I have a feeling the poison won't flare up again. Did you apply any medicine to your hands today?"

He took her left hand in his and looked closely at the white cloth still wrapped around it. There was no longer any blood seepage. He tried to untie it, but Lin Wantang curled her fingers to cover it.

"My hand is fine and doesn't hurt anymore, but Commander, I can't listen to your so-called premonition and just..."

Before she could finish speaking, Wei Wujiu stroked her cheek and leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"I'm really fine, don't worry."

After he finished speaking, seeing Lin Wantang's surprised expression, he leaned closer to her ear, his low, husky voice brushing against her delicate skin, and slowly asked, "Have I ever lied to you?"

"...For the time being, of course not." Lin Wantang suppressed her embarrassment, enduring the heat rising to her temples, her questioning gaze still undiminished: "But..."

"No buts." Wei Wujiu said decisively, ruffling her hair. "Trust me."

Without saying anything more, he paced around and gestured for Jiang Fulu to come and help him change.

Hua Ershisan was still in the outer hall, so Lin Wantang didn't feel comfortable saying anything more to him. Worried and puzzled, she left the bedchamber with a lot on her mind. Not long after, Wei Wujiu changed into a set of dark-colored casual clothes and left the palace with Ye Ying.

Following his retreating figure, Lin Wantang's worries deepened. Just then, a servant from the Grand Tutor's mansion rushed over with a message. After being informed by a palace attendant, the servant kowtowed before Lin Wantang, overjoyed, and said, "Miss, Master is safe and sound!"