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

What?

Lin Wantang secretly clenched her embroidered handkerchief, lowering her eyes to hide the astonishment in them.

Yong'an tugged at her from the side, clearly also taken aback.

"To be honest, Your Majesty, His Majesty has always been in good health. He has also been taking the Golden Elixir on time as I advised, so his body is strong and his foundation is solid. His recent prolonged illness is due to qi stagnation. Just now, after I entered the palace, I went to the Qianqing Palace to visit His Majesty and used my internal energy to regulate his qi and draw out the blocked blood stasis. With a little rest, His Majesty will be well again."

Liu Yuniang's words, whether true or false, stunned everyone in the room. They then nodded in approval and admiration, and all believed her to be true.

Even An Yang hurriedly helped the maid to her feet and went to Liu Yuniang, praising and commending her, and thanking heaven and earth for the emperor's good health and imminent recovery.

The Empress was overjoyed and immediately issued an edict to reward Liu Yuniang with many precious and rare items.

Led by Consort Ning, all the concubines in the palace were overjoyed, except for Consort Xiao Yu, who stroked her high, swollen belly and smiled rather insincerely.

"That's wonderful! The Taoist priest is truly amazing!" Yong'an excitedly grasped Lin Wantang's hand.

Lin Wantang smiled and replied, "Yes, that's great." But in her heart, she had a different story.

She had never personally examined the emperor and was unaware of the extent of his illness, but according to a private conversation with Imperial Physician Liu, the emperor undoubtedly suffered from tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis has been difficult to cure since ancient times. Does Liu Yuniang really have such great supernatural powers?

Lin Wantang wasn't questioning Liu Yuniang's medical skills, but... Liu Yuniang was Shen Huai'an's person, so there must be something fishy going on!

Regardless, the emperor's condition improved, and with the Taoist priest Liu Yuniang's reassurance, both the emperor and empress felt more at ease. The originally planned simple New Year's Eve family banquet was changed to a grand celebration for the entire palace, with operas, music, dances, and music performances. As night fell, the palace was ablaze with lights, and the sounds of fireworks and firecrackers lingered for a long time.

Amidst laughter and cheerful conversation, everyone was relaxed, enjoying the food and drinks, and chatting and laughing. However, Yong'an remembered Wei Wujiu's instructions and kept trying to shield Lin Wantang from drinking.

Lin Wantang's food and other necessities were all prepared and delivered by Jiang Fulu's small kitchen.

This continued until after 9 PM, and the New Year's Eve vigil lasted until the first day of the new year. The Empress then dismissed the concubines, princesses, and noble ladies before the banquet in the front hall, so they could return to their palaces to rest. There would be sacrificial rites at dawn.

Everyone rose and knelt in turn to pay their respects.

Upon arriving in Yong'an, she leaned against the table, her hand supporting her chin, and said drunkenly, "I'm not drunk, I'm fine, you don't need to help me... Sister Wantang, let's sleep together tonight, I have so much to tell you!"

"Let me tell you, I have a really, really nice set of jewelry, made of Eastern Aventurine. I'll share some with you. From now on, you won't have to worry about offending me like they do. You can use Eastern Aventurine jewelry just like me..."

Yong'an was truly drunk; he was so drunk that he couldn't control his mouth anymore.

Lin Wantang was both amused and exasperated. Just as she was about to help the princess up, the Empress said, "Yong'an is still so young, so carefree. Xiaoping, right? What are you standing there for? Quickly help the princess back to the palace."

Xiaoping quickly agreed and was about to help Yong'an up with Lin Wantang when the Empress said, "Miss Lin, let Yong'an go back first. Please stay, I have something to tell you."

The Empress had spoken, and no matter how unwilling Lin Wantang was, she had no choice but to obey.

"Sister Wantang, let's go back to the palace..."

Yong'an was still talking nonsense and his hand was still grabbing Lin Wantang. Due to the Empress's majesty, Xiaoping had no choice but to hold Yong'an tightly and quickly bowed to take her leave.

Gradually, the remaining princesses also left, but the empress, somewhat tired, supported her maid and slowly walked past the constrained Lin Wantang, ignoring her and not mentioning what she wanted to say to her.

The Empress, supported by her maid, went directly to the front hall to accompany the Emperor and his relatives and ministers.

Lin Wantang was left standing there awkwardly, surrounded by palace servants busy cleaning. She didn't know whether to leave or stay. Just as she was hesitating, an old nanny walked towards her.

"Miss Lin, please come with this old servant."

Granny Ma was also one of the Empress's confidantes. Despite her age, she had a loud voice and a strong physique. She was also very selective in her treatment of people and never showed any kindness to Lin Wantang.

Lin Wantang was completely confused. While responding, she glanced at Chunhen, intending for her to inform Wei Wujiu. Otherwise, when Wei Wujiu returned to Chentingxuan, he would inquire about her if he couldn't find her.

Granny Ma, however, saw through her expression and said coldly, "There's no need to inform His Highness. It's just a small matter; it'll be over soon."

As she spoke, Granny Ma took the lead and walked out of the hall, but four palace servants stepped forward and guarded Lin Wantang and Chunhen all the way.

They walked to Chengqian Palace, but did not enter the main hall. Granny Ma led them into a side hall.

Inside was a Buddhist hall, where statues of gods and Buddhas, all made of pure gold, were enshrined. Incense tables and candles were set up, and the air was filled with the scent of sandalwood. Granny Ma also had a palace maid bring over a heavy prayer cushion.

It was thrown right in front of Lin Wantang.

"Kneel down and pay your respects," Granny Ma said, her tone arrogant. "No one lies before the Buddha. Surely Miss Lin doesn't lack even this much compassion and reverence?"

This is a classic case of moral blackmail.

Lin Wantang frowned slightly, but her cold expression remained unchanged. She simply said humbly, "Paying homage to gods and Buddhas is of course proper, but I don't understand, Your Majesty the Empress, what is the meaning of this?"

"Miss Lin, what do you think?" Granny Ma asked instead of answering, even threatening, "Are you trying to defy the imperial decree?"

Alright, with the Empress as a powerful figure to rely on, Lin Wantang doesn't need to confront her head-on and invite trouble.

"This humble woman would never dare to disobey the imperial decree."

As Lin Wantang spoke, she lifted her long robe with one hand, and with each step, her long skirt billowed up as she respectfully knelt and stepped onto the prayer mat. Every move she made exuded the heroic demeanor of a daughter of a military family.

But as soon as her knees touched the prayer mat, she felt a sharp pain. As she knelt down, the weight pressed down on her, and the pain was excruciating. In no time, a few drops of bright red blood seeped through her clothes and long skirt.

Lin Wantang gasped and immediately supported Chunhen with one hand.

"This... how could this happen? Miss!" Chunhen realized something was wrong and hurriedly tried to help Lin Wantang up.

"What business is it of yours, you lowly servant?"

Granny Ma angrily rebuked him and signaled the palace servants to step forward and subdue Chunhen, making her kneel to the side.

"That prayer mat is wrong! Miss is bleeding! Granny Ma, what are you doing? Her Majesty the Empress is so magnanimous! She would never be so harsh on my young lady! You must be doing this behind Her Majesty the Empress's back... Ugh!"

Chunhen struggled and screamed, but was disliked by Granny Ma, who ordered the palace servants to gag her.

Lin Wantang endured the excruciating pain for a moment, and tried to get up again, but suddenly found that she couldn't get up!