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

Erxi broke out in a cold sweat in panic and knelt down with a thud.

"Your Majesty, this servant has served in the Eastern Palace since childhood and is not familiar with His Highness at all. Your Majesty, please investigate..."

Lin Qinglian smiled broadly: "Look how scared you are! What I meant to say is that you're all rootless bastards; calling you dog slaves is an understatement!"

Erxi breathed a sigh of relief and coaxed Lin Qinglian with a smile, but a strange look appeared in his eyes.

Lin Qinglian was coaxed into a smile, then flipped through the banquet booklet prepared by Yong'an. She sneered and decided to sit back and watch the show. She would wait and see who could save Lin Wantang this time after offending the princess!

The following day at noon, corruption was discovered in Luzhou, and someone went to the capital to appeal for justice. At the same time, a memorial delivered by express courier was also presented to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The emperor was furious and ordered the prefects in the capital to thoroughly investigate the appeal. He also suppressed the memorial from the prefect of Luzhou to defend himself and ordered several ministers to be summoned to the hall for discussion.

Wei Wujiu was among them. After receiving the imperial decree, he had the eunuchs help him put on his court robes and prepare his horse before leaving the mansion. Before leaving, he called Qiuying over and instructed her: "Inform Miss that my return from the palace is uncertain. If there is nothing to do these next few days, she should rest well."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will remember."

Just as Wei Wujiu had expected, they did not return that night after entering the palace to discuss matters, and the invitation from Jinxiu Palace was delivered as soon as it got dark.

Lin Wantang was in the courtyard with Chunhen and Qiuying picking up the herbs that were drying. She wasn't in a hurry to receive the invitations. She waited until all the herbs were brought into the side room, then picked out some more to take back to her room to grind.

"Miss, these tasks can be done by us servants."

Chunhen and Qiuying were constantly apprehensive. They had never seen their master serving them and working alongside them before. This was against the rules and etiquette.

Lin Wantang smiled, just as she had said to them before: "It doesn't matter who does it, I'm just sitting here doing nothing anyway. Besides, even if you serve me, I don't consider you servants."

Everyone is equal. Lin Wantang cannot change the rules and etiquette, but she has never treated those around her unfairly, nor has she shown them any special treatment.

After finishing her work, she finally had a moment to rest. Then she took out the invitation and, without thinking too much about it, said, "Go and prepare some gifts. Tomorrow morning, the two of you will come with me to the palace for a banquet."

Spring traces and autumn shadows, the two responded.

Chunhen asked one more question: "Miss, should we inform the master about this matter?"

"Yes, that's certainly the case." Lin Wantang agreed without hesitation, but hesitated for a moment, "However, the Commander-in-Chief has not yet returned from the palace, so it's not good to disturb him with such a small matter. Never mind."

Princess Yong'an had little interaction with her in her previous life. Although it was somewhat unpleasant, it was only two years later that Lin Wantang, unaccustomed to being on guard, began to suspect others of her true intentions.

The next day, after having breakfast, Lin Wantang, with the help of Chunhen and Qiuying, changed into an elegant light blue brocade silk dress, tied with a colorful silk sash inlaid with emeralds, and adorned with a hairpin in sky blue and kingfisher feathers, and earrings of jade beads.

Her embroidered shoes were elegant white, adorned with five-colored peonies in Suzhou embroidery. She wore light makeup, her beauty subtle yet captivating.

Just as dawn broke, the sedan chair arrived at the palace gate.

After stopping the sedan chair and walking, Lin Wantang, accompanied by two maids, saw many ladies and young women who had come to the banquet, all from prominent families and noble households.

Lin Wantang greeted everyone one by one, and also walked with several young ladies of similar age with whom she had a good relationship in the past, chatting about everyday things as they walked.

"Sister Wantang, your hair ornament is so pretty! Which shop did you buy it from?"

Wan Yi hadn't seen Lin Wantang for a long time, and as soon as they met, she warmly came over, expressing her longing with a smile, and then took a fancy to the hairpin that Lin Wantang was wearing.

She is Prince Yu's younger sister, and is too young. Usually, the old princess and Princess Yu would not allow her to show her face at such banquets. This time, however, she was allowed to come because she would be of marriageable age the following year.

Lin Wantang was surprised to see her here. She happily took Wanyi's hand and said, "I forgot which shop this hairpin is from. It's from a few years ago. If you like it, I can give it to you later."

"Really? That's so kind of you, sister!"

Wanyi happily hugged Lin Wantang tightly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Princess Yu winking at her, signaling her to come over and not walk with Lin Wantang. Wanyi couldn't help but purse her lips and whisper, "Sister Wantang, I heard that the Emperor has bestowed a marriage upon you and Lord Wei? Is it true?"

Lin Wantang also noticed the expressions on the faces of Princess Yu and the others, so she deliberately distanced herself from Wanyi and said softly as she walked, "It's true."

Wanyi exclaimed in surprise, "What? Rumor has it that Lord Wei is handsome, but also like a demon, ruthless and unpredictable. How can you possibly marry him, sister?!"

Lin Wantang couldn't help but chuckle: "Where did you hear such nonsense? Rumors are not to be believed. Governor Wei is a very nice person."

Wanyi couldn't believe it, but she couldn't gossip too much about virgins, so she whispered, "Sister, I heard a lot of rumors today, and they said some really unpleasant things about you."

Lin Wantang was slightly taken aback, glanced at Wanyi sideways, and seemed quite interested: "What's wrong with it? Tell me."

"This..." Wanyi, deeply influenced by the traditions of her people, couldn't bring herself to utter anything too vulgar. After a long pause, she finally managed to squeeze out, "They say you have an auspicious appearance, which is...unfavorable to your husband!"

"Xingke?"

Lin Wantang frowned slightly. After a moment's thought, it wasn't hard to guess that it was Lin Qinglian's doing.

It's likely that Shen Huai'an had people do a lot of dirty work behind the scenes.

As for the purpose? Of course, it was to persuade the emperor to retract his order and ruin her marriage with Wei Wujiu, thinking that in this way she would have nowhere to turn for help, obediently go to the East Palace, apologize to Shen Huai'an, and humble herself before Lin Qinglian.

Ha, you're really dreaming!

Lin Wantang didn't care at all and continued walking, saying calmly, "It's nothing. As long as I act uprightly and honestly, why should I fear rumors?"

These words were spoken casually, but the resolute attitude revealed between the lines truly shocked and greatly encouraged Wanyi. Therefore, even though Princess Yu sent her maid to summon her, Wanyi declined and still accompanied Lin Wantang.

Upon arriving at the Brocade Palace, the group entered the hall one after another to pay their respects and offer their greetings.

Yong'an walked slowly in, surrounded by palace maids, greeting everyone with a smile. She was approachable and friendly, without any airs of a princess. However, when she saw Lin Wantang paying her respects, her face suddenly darkened.

"You're Lin Wantang?"

Yong'an sat upright in his high position, his cold expression revealing a hint of arrogance: "Raise your head."

Lin Wantang was slightly taken aback, wondering what the princess meant, but she still maintained her composure and slowly raised her head.

Yong'an gazed intently at her. In just a moment, she saw Lin Wantang's delicate and aloof face, her elegant features, and her fair skin. She was truly breathtakingly beautiful.

Yong'an felt a surge of anger rising in her chest, her jealous fingers gripping the armrests of the chair tightly. She sneered and laughed, "Well, you are indeed stunningly beautiful, but Lin Wantang, do you know your crime?"