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

Whoosh!

Lin Wantang was shocked.

I accidentally bumped into the corner of the table beside me, causing the tea set on it to shake and make a noise.

The already quiet hall became even quieter.

Many people glanced at Lin Wantang but didn't notice anything amiss. Only the Empress cast an unpleasant look at her. The maidservant beside her immediately examined her and stepped forward to angrily rebuke Lin Wantang: "How dare you!"

"How dare you behave so disrespectfully before the Empress! Miss Lin, you are supposed to be a model of a noble family's daughters, yet your words and actions are utterly unbecoming!"

Lin Wantang quickly lowered her head, stood up, stepped forward, and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I have been unwise and have failed in my duty. I am guilty."

The Empress glanced at the scolding nanny with a serious expression, waved her away, and then gestured to Lin Wantang: "Why are you making such a fuss over such a small matter? Get up."

"But I'm also a little curious. Miss Lin has always been known for her sense of shame and impeccable manners. What's wrong with her today? Is she feeling unwell? Or is something on her mind?"

The Empress's words were clearly an attempt to make a mountain out of a molehill and seize the opportunity to lash out.

Originally, the Empress's attitude towards Lin Wantang was indifferent; she neither liked nor disliked her. Even though the Empress harbored resentment when Lin Wantang publicly broke off the engagement and refused to marry the Crown Prince as a concubine, the Emperor was able to use her to restrain Wei Wujiu and Lin Rucong, which could be considered a case of overdoing it.

However, because Lin Qinglian faked her pregnancy and died suddenly, it not only implicated the Crown Prince, but also caused him to lose power. As a result, the Empress was often reprimanded and scolded by the Emperor. How could the Empress not feel disgusted and resentful towards Lin Wantang?

"Your Majesty, no, that's not it. I simply..."

Lin Wantang was about to subtly defuse the situation when a cheerful voice interrupted and crushed her—

"Is it because of me?"

Liu Yuniang smiled kindly, her white robes flowing, exuding an air of refined elegance, like a banished immortal. She waved her whisk and said, "To be honest, Your Majesty, this... Miss Lin, is she? She should have had a chance to eat vegetarian noodles with me before."

Lin Wantang felt a chill run down her spine; she hadn't expected Liu Yuniang to actually dare to say it!

In Dingxian County, Liu Yuniang and Wang Hu colluded to cheat and abduct respectable women, forcing them into prostitution for their own profit. They were also suspected of stealing tribute and stealing a luminous pearl.

Wei Wujiu and Lin Wantang investigated everything that day, but worried that there might be a trap or unexpected changes. In order to avoid any complications and not wanting to fall into Shen Huai'an's trap, they killed the two of them first.

So, shouldn't Liu Yuniang have died like Wang Hu?

How could this be...?

Yes, afterwards the Embroidered Uniform Guard reported that Wang Hu could not bear the torture and committed suicide. Lin Wantang had seen Wang Hu's body, but Liu Yuniang said that she was so frightened that she also died, but her body was dirty and she was not allowed to see it.

Was it that the Imperial Guard colluded with Liu Yuniang to deliberately deceive her and fake her death, or... did Liu Yuniang manage to deceive everyone and fool them all?

Lin Wantang was stunned, her thoughts in disarray. The Empress, following up on Liu Yuniang's words, asked, "Oh? Such a coincidence?"

"Your Majesty, I am often away from home, traveling all over the world. I dare not say that I am well-informed, but it is not unusual for me to encounter people who are not vegetarian."

Liu Yuniang spoke eloquently, as if she had deliberately brought it up just to warn and scare Lin Wantang. She turned to the side, wearing her signature amiable smile, and said, "Miss Lin, what do you say?"

Another layer of meaning to these words is asking Lin Wantang: Do you dare to talk about the Ding County matter?

Do you think the Empress will believe you? Will she stand up for you and for all those girls who have been harmed and poisoned?

Obviously impossible.

Because the moment Lin Wantang looked up and met Liu Yuniang's gaze, everything became clear: the person behind Liu Yuniang was definitely Shen Huai'an!

Even if Lin Wantang says nothing, the Empress seems unwilling to let her off easily. If she is foolish enough to say everything, the Empress will be able to frame Lin Wantang even more easily.

It's like handing a knife to someone, adding to your own sins.

Lin Wantang was clearly not going to do anything foolish. She smiled coldly, nodded and bowed: "What you say is true, Daoist. If we happen to meet again in the marketplace and I do not recognize you, it is because I am blind. I hope you will not take offense."

Immediately, she bowed to the Empress and said, "Your Majesty, today my words and actions were inappropriate, but my conduct was flawed. I know I am guilty, and I hope Your Majesty will not forgive me. I will go outside the palace to reflect on my mistakes."

These words silenced the room even more.

If Lin Wantang does not apologize, the Empress will definitely seize the opportunity to retaliate, and a minor punishment will be necessary as a warning.

She actually took the initiative to apologize and even went to the palace to kneel as punishment to reflect on her mistake. Not to mention today is New Year's Eve, even on an ordinary day, the Empress would not make a big deal out of such a small matter, which would be petty.

The Empress raised her hand to smooth the pearl and jade phoenix hairpin in her hair and sneered, "It seems that you are indeed a girl raised in the Grand Tutor's family. Your manners and etiquette are impeccable. Never mind, no need for formalities. Go and sit with Yong'an. Look how anxious Yong'an is, afraid that I will punish you out of my narrow-mindedness."

Upon hearing this, everyone relaxed and covered their faces with their handkerchiefs, laughing.

Seeing Lin Wantang thank the Emperor and rise, Consort Ning quickly gestured to the maid beside her to help her up, saying, "If you ask me, Her Majesty the Empress is the most magnanimous. Such things as picking fights and taking out one's anger on others are absolutely unacceptable. What do you all think?"

These words, intended to cover up the truth, nearly exposed the Empress's true intentions.

The Empress's smile froze, while Consort Ning continued to smile and chat with the other concubines, glancing around. But the glances she occasionally gave were full of hostility and provocation.

Consort Ning and the Empress have always been at odds because Consort Ning is the biological mother of the Second Prince.

The Empress was furious when she thought about how Shen Huai'an had been punished one after another, which seemed to have given many people something to think about. She gritted her teeth and immediately started to argue with Consort Ning, making veiled remarks.

An Yang sat in the first seat on the left, with Yong An and Lin Wantang behind him. An Yang frowned repeatedly in displeasure, turning to the side and muttering, "What kind of behavior is this? They've completely wasted their royal dignity!"

Seizing the opportunity, Yong'an added in a low voice, "Jealousy, Aunt? Look at the Empress! She doesn't act like the head of the six palaces at all!"

"So, those born out of wedlock are just no good!" An Yang sighed and shook his head, then cleared his throat and raised his voice to the Empress, "Empress, isn't that enough?"

"Consort Ning, you should say less. His Majesty is still ill. Now that Daoist Qingchenzi has arrived, has he visited the Qianqing Palace?"

An Yang promptly stopped the argument and steered the conversation back to the main topic.

The Empress suddenly realized, and with a hint of regret, glanced coldly at Consort Ning before looking at Liu Yuniang: "Taoist priest, how is His Majesty's health?"

Lin Wantang also listened attentively, eager to see what clever tricks Liu Yuniang had to cure the emperor's tuberculosis.

Facing the expectant and eager gazes of everyone in the hall, Liu Yuniang bowed to the Empress and said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty's health... is now fine."