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

Lin Wantang's words echoed in front of the empty palace gate, and for a moment the entire place was silent, even the sound of breathing seemed to stop.

The crowd's gazes shifted back and forth between her and the dark sedan chair, filled with surprise, fear, and disbelief.

The sedan curtains were still as water, and the people inside seemed completely unresponsive to the commotion outside.

"Tang'er! Have you gone mad?" Madam Chen rushed forward first, breaking the dead silence.

She grabbed Lin Wantang's arm, her nails almost digging into her flesh: "Do you know what you're saying? That's Wei Wujiu! The eunuch second only to the emperor! How can you ruin your future like this?"

Lin Qinglian rushed forward, tears streaming down her face, and pleaded, "Sister! Don't be so angry! Quickly apologize to His Highness the Crown Prince, and let's pretend this never happened. Marrying a eunuch will truly ruin your life! How can Mother and I just watch you jump into a fire pit?"

As she spoke, she glanced quickly at the black sedan chair, her eyes filled with fear.

Lin Wantang forcefully shook off Chen's hand, her gaze sweeping over Chen and Lin Qinglian's panicked faces. She sneered, "I'm granting you and the Crown Prince's wish, making you the legitimate Crown Princess, ensuring you have many children and a high position. Shouldn't you be overjoyed? Why are you still so concerned about who I marry?"

Lin Qinglian's crying stopped abruptly, her face drained of color, her eyes darted away, and she was momentarily speechless.

The fog in Lin Wantang's mind intensified. Her mother and Lin Qinglian's obstruction and panic were not just because they thought it would be shameful for her to marry a eunuch. They seemed to be afraid of something. Were they afraid that she would really not marry Shen Huai'an?

"Wan Tang! Stop fooling around!"

Shen Huai'an finally snapped out of his shock. He stepped forward, his handsome face turning somewhat sinister with anger. Suppressing his emotions, he said, "We have already exchanged vows and performed the traditional marriage rites. Heaven and earth bear witness, you are destined to be my person! How can you marry anyone else but me!"

He stared at Lin Wantang, his expression complex and difficult to decipher.

For the sake of power, for the sake of his legitimate son, and for the sake of securing his position as crown prince, he had no choice but to wrong her and even scheme against her. But he was by no means without feelings for her.

The bond of childhood sweethearts, the entanglement of partners from a past life—even if it's mixed with disappointment and embarrassment, there are still many feelings left behind.

He had already decided that she was his and would never allow her to marry another man, let alone a eunuch!

Lin Wantang met his gaze without fear, her tone resolute, "Your Highness, you are mistaken. I am not being willful or acting out of spite, but I genuinely wish to marry Governor Wei."

She turned around, looked at the black sedan chair, and said clearly, word by word, "In my heart, Governor Wei, who drove out the barbarians and supported the country, is a meritorious official of the dynasty and a true pillar of the nation. If I am to marry, I want to marry such a person."

As soon as the words were spoken, the dark sedan curtain, which had been as still as a rock, finally moved.

A hand with distinct knuckles, though slightly pale, reached out and gently lifted the heavy curtain.

The first thing that caught everyone's eye was a pair of black brocade boots, followed by a tall figure slowly stepping out of the sedan chair.

Wei Wujiu stood in the sunlight.

He wore a black python robe with a jade belt around his waist, and his posture was as straight as a pine tree.

Unlike the effeminate eunuchs that people usually imagine, his face was a kind of sharp handsomeness. His skin was very white, and even his lips were almost pale. His slightly upturned phoenix eyes had faint blue shadows under them, revealing an inescapable sickly weariness.

However, none of this diminished his imposing aura; simply standing there quietly was enough to inspire awe and make people afraid to look at him.

His cool gaze swept over the crowd, finally landing on Lin Wantang, a hint of inscrutable interest flashing in his amber eyes.

"Miss Lin," his voice was cold and deep, like jade striking a chime, clearly reaching everyone's ears, "you intend to marry this governor?"

He paused, a very faint smile curving his pale lips.

"The reason? This governor is a eunuch, powerless and childless, merely an old servant by His Majesty's side. His Highness the Crown Prince is young, handsome, and holds a high position of power; he is the right match for him."

As he spoke, his gaze, whether intentionally or unintentionally, swept across Shen Huai'an's pale face.

Lin Wantang straightened her back, knowing that this was a huge gamble.

If she wins the gamble, she can escape the quagmire of her past life; if she loses, she will be doomed forever.

She met Wei Wujiu's gaze and said, word by word:

"At the age of twenty-one, Governor Wei took charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial, helping His Majesty to adjust the administration of officials, investigate arrears, and replenish the national treasury."

At the age of 25, he oversaw the construction of dams on the Yellow River, personally venturing into dangerous areas to ensure the safety of countless people downstream.

At the age of thirty, when His Majesty was seriously ill and the court was in turmoil, he overcame all opposition, stabilized the central government, and ensured the safety of the nation.

"Furthermore, last year he led a large army to guard the northern frontier, and in the Battle of Langya Mountain, he led a hundred elite warriors to launch a surprise attack on the barbarian king's camp, preventing the barbarians from invading the south for ten years."

With each word she spoke, the expressions on the faces of those around her changed.

These events were not private, but the way they were recounted by a woman confined to her home in such a setting was particularly moving.

Wei Wujiu's eyes flickered slightly, the ambiguous smile on his face faded a bit, and something slowly settled deep in the depths of his eyes.

Lin Wantang continued, "I am not talented, but I have studied the classics and know the meaning of loyalty. In my heart, only those who bring merit to the country and benefit future generations are true heroes. As for the continuation of the family line..."

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over Shen Huai'an and Lin Qinglian with a hint of mockery. "It's not the sole standard for judging a person's worth, much less should it become a woman's lifelong shackles and sins!"

Shen Huai'an's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot, and his fists clenched so tightly in his sleeves that they cracked loudly.

Lin Wantang's words were practically a blatant statement that Wei Wujiu was far superior to her and more worthy of marriage!

How could this save face for him, the crown prince?

"Absurd!" he shouted, "Wantang, I'll let your youth and momentary lapse of judgment prevent you from pursuing your nonsense! Guards, take Miss Lin back to her bridal sedan chair!"

Several attendants from the Eastern Palace stepped forward in response.

"slow."

Wei Wujiu coughed lightly and uttered a single word in a very soft voice, yet it made the attendants stop in their tracks.

He chuckled and looked at Lin Wantang, "Miss Lin, you flatter me. I am merely doing my duty."

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger, "However, these are all the reasons why Miss Lin wants to marry me. So, what makes Miss Lin think that I, the Commander, would marry you?"

Lin Wantang's heart skipped a beat, knowing that the most crucial moment had arrived. She looked up and met those dark eyes that seemed to see through everything, and slowly spoke.