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

"I will explain everything to him about the past."

"But a year ago, after the small settlement, he appointed a military governor to go to southern Fujian for disaster relief. When passing through Linqing, he encountered bandits and then disappeared for three months. What happened during this time made him realize that he could no longer deceive me."

Lin Wantang spoke slowly and deliberately, knowing very well that ever since she visited the East Palace late at night and secretly poisoned Shen Huai'an, the two of them had not only broken off their relationship but also laid everything bare.

If we want to trick Shen Huai'an again this time, we have to throw something real at him.

A half-truth, a half-lie, is the best way to dispel his doubts.

Lin Wantang suppressed her thoughts and smiled at Qiu Ying again: "Have you remembered it? Have someone relay it clearly, without missing a single word."

"Yes, I understand."

Qiu Ying accepted the order and was about to leave when Lin Wantang stopped her again: "Wait, there's no need to keep this a secret. Let people spread the word intentionally or unintentionally, but don't say that I'm meeting the Crown Prince on the evening of the fifth day of the new year. Just say..."

"The Crown Prince will wait for his beloved on the Vermilion Bird Bridge that day."

Lin Wantang didn't really want to harm Consort Xiaoyu. Although it was inevitable and a few people would have to be sacrificed, the choice was up to Consort Xiaoyu herself.

Qiu Ying remembered this well and proceeded with caution after bowing and stepping down.

The next day, the maid who had gone to the Imperial Ancestral Temple returned and reported to Qiu Ying. Qiu Ying then came to Lin Wantang and bowed, saying, "Madam, the matter has been accomplished, but... our people at the Imperial Ancestral Temple did not see His Highness the Crown Prince. They only relayed the message to Li Fuhai, whose attitude is unclear. We do not know if he will pass it on to the Crown Prince."

Lin Wantang, dressed in an elegant blue silk fur coat and holding a hand warmer that had just been filled with charcoal, was intently examining and grinding ancient surviving scrolls. Upon hearing this, she looked up and smiled lightly: "Yes, we will. Just wait and see."

Qiu Ying smiled and agreed, then followed Lin Wantang's instructions to fetch various herbs.

Suddenly, a noise was heard outside. Qiu Ying arrived first and came in a moment later with a letter.

"Madam, this is an urgent letter from the south. It's most likely... a letter from Lord Lin to you?"

In fact, it was a letter sent by Jiang Sijiu, but in order to get it into the palace, it needed to be verified by many parties, so it was disguised as a family letter written by Lin Xiao.

Lin Wantang, with a clear understanding, took the document and slowly unfolded it.

The delicate small regular script was written in great detail. As you turn the pages, it really does look like a casual family letter. But if you take out the ninth character of each line, you can put it into a sentence: "In order to find the twin poison antidote, wait quietly for three days."

In other words, Jiang Sijiu and Wei Liu's mission was accomplished; they not only uncovered the secret Mirage Heart Sand of Miao territory, but also obtained the Twin Awakening Dream Fennel.

If we wait just three more days, the poison that Wei Wujiu and Lin Rucong have been suffering from for many years will hopefully be cured.

It's no longer like now, where the emperor poisons them intermittently and then gives them tea or wine containing short-term antidotes to prolong the effects. Instead, it's a one-time treatment that completely frees them from the poison's control.

"Not bad." A heavy weight lifted from Lin Wantang's heart. She smiled, folded the letter, and handed it to Qiuying to put away. "No need to reply. We'll leave the palace and return home the next day."

By the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, not only will the poison be neutralized, but there might also be some interesting drama to watch.

Lin Wantang closed the book, and was also in the mood to make an incense seal, which would also be a good opportunity to teach Qiuying and Chunhen. Coincidentally, Yong'an came to visit and heard that she was injured. He was very worried when he saw Lin Wantang, and the two chatted intimately.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Ancestral Temple on the outskirts of Beijing.

The wind rustled through the treetops, birds flew by, disturbing the snow that had accumulated on the trees and causing it to slowly fall. One of the black crows flapped its wings and flew low, landing headfirst on Li Fuhai's arm as he walked out of the courtyard.

Li Fuhai removed the bamboo tube from the bird's leg, took out a small letter, released the black crow, and turned to go into the house.

"Your Highness, there is news."

The room was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense, and the incense burner was burning brightly. Shen Huai'an, dressed in a dark blue embroidered brocade robe, leaned casually against the table, his long, straight legs draped over it, and he was tossing a piece of jade around in his hand.

He reached out and took the letter, unfolded it, glanced at it, and then tossed it into the incense burner not far away, where it burned.

"Interesting, and just right."

He chuckled, revealing pearly white teeth, which only made his handsome face appear even more gloomy: "Timing, location, what am I lacking?"

Li Fuhai was aware of his entire plan, and bowed with a smile: "Of course, it's about the people, but Your Highness already has them."

Shen Huai'an stroked the jade pendant in his hand, his fingertips flicking as he slowly said, "Then this stagnant pool in the capital should... start to ripple."

Li Fuhai repeatedly agreed, then asked, "Your Highness, what should be done with that Marquis Chun?"

Lord Chun was ordered to guard the Imperial Ancestral Temple year-round and was a pillar of the imperial clan. However, he was dissatisfied with Shen Huai'an's abuse of power after being punished and sent to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. After several unsuccessful protests, he wanted to submit a memorial to impeach him, which is why he was secretly detained.

"The old Marquis will be a wise man..."

Shen Huai'an had barely finished speaking when he happened to hear the old Marquis's furious curses coming from the backyard: "Shen Huai'an! You unfilial son! The Emperor punished you by sending you to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to save your life! Not to let you indulge in extravagance and debauchery..."

That's quite a fast turnaround.

Seeing Shen Huai'an's face darken, Li Fuhai quickly said, "Your Highness, please don't be annoyed. This old man doesn't know what's good for him. Let this servant handle it!"

"Absolutely not!" Shen Huai'an raised his hand to stop him: "At any time, harming one's own clan is a grave taboo! It's not worth it, and it's not necessary."

Li Fuhai nodded obediently and hurriedly went outside, instructing his servants to gag the old Marquis Chun to avoid causing any trouble.

When Li Fuhai bowed and returned, the jade piece that Shen Huai'an had been tossing missed its target, hit the corner of the table, and fell to the ground, breaking into two pieces.

Shen Huai'an stared at the broken jade, his hand, which he instinctively reached out to catch it, still hovering in mid-air, somewhat lost in thought.

This jade was given to him by Lin Rucong a year ago during the betrothal ceremony, who said it was something Lin Wantang would keep close to her.

This is our pledge of love, a vow we will never break.

Now that the jade is shattered, shouldn't... our love also be severed?

Shen Huai'an let out a cold laugh, which inexplicably frightened Li Fuhai. He hurriedly stepped forward, carefully picked up the broken jade, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and then comforted him, "Your Highness, peace year after year is a good omen."

"Heh heh heh...bullshit!" Shen Huai'an's laughter faded, and a fierce glint appeared in his eyes: "The fifth day of the lunar month, is it? How could she even come up with something like this, trying to fool me like I'm a fool!"

The poisoning wasn't fatal, but it drove him mad and angered the emperor. Lin Wantang thought Shen Huai'an would fall for it a second time.

"Then Your Highness won't go on the fifth day."

Before Li Fuhai could finish speaking, Shen Huai'an waved his hand slightly and uttered a single word: "No, I insist on going."

"Let her know what it means to be naive and how cruel reality can be!"