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

Lin Wantang's thoughts were racing, and she sat down with her eyes lowered.

Completely unaware that Wei Wujiu had handed her the hand warmer again, she reached out her hand again before realizing it and just happened to touch his fingers.

The warmth of his slender fingertips contrasted with the slight coldness of her hands, which was quite uncomfortable.

Lin Wantang quickly withdrew her hand: "Wantang was being presumptuous."

"It's nothing." Wei Wujiu remained motionless, silently gazing at her. "In private, you don't need to be so formal."

As he spoke, he simply shoved the hand warmer into her hands and felt the coolness of her clothes once again.

Even inside the heated carriage, she was still so cold.

Wei Wujiu remained unmoved, closed his eyes to rest for a long time, and then murmured, "There is no fixed quota for charcoal in this governor's mansion. Just have the servants fetch as much as you need from the Imperial Household Department. You don't need to be frugal in the future."

After speaking, Wei Wujiu, sensing that they were about to arrive at Jingyuan by the sound of carriages and horses, added, "Later, I will have Jiang Fulu tell you about the estates, farmland, shops, and other matters below. You should also learn some ways to manage the household."

Lin Wantang hesitated for a moment. She hadn't expected that the wedding would still be a few months away, but Wei Wujiu was now asking her to take charge of all the affairs of the household.

The carriage slowly came to a stop. Without needing any announcement from the attendants outside, Wei Wujiu pulled his cloak over his shoulder and stepped out. Before leaving, he casually tossed her a sentence: "Your father-in-law is getting old, so consider this as helping him share some of the burden."

These words undoubtedly dispelled her concerns.

Lin Wantang was somewhat moved, but she didn't show it and simply nodded: "Thank you, Governor."

Upon returning to Jingyuan, the two commanders were already waiting in the study. Wei Wujiu went to the Silent Study to change into casual clothes.

Upon returning to Jingyuan, Zhang Qian and Li Jinzhi were already waiting in the study. Both of them were commanders of the Eastern Depot, with Zhang Qian in charge of punishments and Li Jinzhi in charge of administration, making them the second and third in command.

Wei Wujiu first went to the Mozhai Studio to change into casual clothes, and then went to the study to discuss the matter of Luzhou with the two men. They also had dinner in the study and talked by candlelight until late into the night.

Lin Wantang naturally wouldn't go to disturb them, so she took Chunhen and Qiuying back to the small courtyard early in the morning. Jiang Fulu had already ordered people to activate the hot spring in the backyard. A warm pool of hot water, a soak can warm the body and nourish the spirit.

Several maids waited respectfully by his side, each holding a handkerchief, medicine powder, flower petals, and other items to attend to him.

Lin Wantang knew that Chunhen and Qiuying were bound by the rules and dared not overstep them. After serving her bath and dressing, she said, "You two don't need to serve here anymore. Go back to your room and take a hot bath to warm yourselves up. You've suffered with me today."

"This servant dares not complain of hardship. Miss has taken such good care of us, and we are deeply grateful."

Chunhen and Qiuying almost suffered in the Shenxing Division. Although Wei Wujiu had them released and rescued, the two knew that Lin Wantang treated them like sisters and had shown them great kindness.

The two women knelt down and kowtowed solemnly: "Miss, from this day forward, we two servants will serve you wholeheartedly, share the same hatred for the enemy, and be loyal to you to the bone. If you have any disloyal intentions, we two servants will prove our loyalty with our lives."

This statement already makes a strong statement.

Unlike the maids who had served Lin Wantang since childhood in the Grand Tutor's mansion, although she treated them sincerely, they were all household servants and would naturally prioritize loyalty to the mistress of the house, that is, her mother.

So those people gradually obeyed Chen in the previous life and slowly became her spies and informants, planted by her side to watch her every move.

Since Chunhen and Qiuying were able to work in Jingyuan, Wei Wujiu must have already figured out their backgrounds. Now that the two were determined to confess, Lin Wantang naturally trusted them.

"Very well, then it's a deal. If the Governor and I enjoy lasting glory, neither of you will be disgraced."

Lin Wantang made a promise and, wearing an overcoat, strolled into the room, instructing everyone to hand over the management of the courtyard to Chunhen, with Qiuying assisting in the arrangements.

After expressing their gratitude, the two men withdrew.

The following day, a palace eunuch arrived with the Emperor's decree, officially setting the wedding date. The Imperial Household Department was chosen to handle the arrangements, and a plot of land was allocated for the immediate commencement of construction on the residence.

He also bestowed many rewards, the booklets of which were all quite thick, about half a foot in size.

After Lin Wantang led a group of maids and servants to receive the imperial decree and express their gratitude, she had Chunhen give the eunuch ten taels of gold as payment for tea and respectfully saw him off. Then she welcomed the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department.

Jiang Fulu took full charge, which also spared Lin Wantang from having to appear in public before she was even married.

Chunhen helped her back to the courtyard. On the way, she seemed to be calculating something, and when she spoke again, she hesitated, "Miss, I suddenly remembered, this marriage..."

Lin Wantang, being perceptive, seemed to guess what she meant and smiled, saying, "You mean I need to prepare a dowry for my wedding, right?"

Chunhen hurriedly bowed her head. She couldn't say these words, but she was worried about Miss Xinxi. Now, because of the previous broken engagement, Lin Wantang was already at odds with the Grand Tutor's Mansion. There were also rumors that she was a jinx. If she couldn't come up with a decent dowry for the wedding in a few months and had to get everything from the Governor's Mansion, it would inevitably make her even more ridiculed.

Lin Wantang remembered all of this, but she was thinking about how to find a legitimate reason to get Chen to willingly give up her share of the dowry.

"I'm aware of this matter, but we shouldn't rush things."

Lin Wantang said something, then waved for the servants to dispense with formalities, and stepped into the courtyard. There she saw Qiuying rushing out, holding a letter in her hand.

"Miss, this was sent by someone from the Grand Tutor's mansion." Qiu Ying bowed and presented the letter.

Lin Wantang took it, her eyebrows twitching slightly. She hadn't expected that Chen Shi would be so impatient before she could even make a move. Of course, the wedding date had already been set, so how could her mother not be anxious?

Unfolding the letter, one sees neat, tiny characters written in the style of Mr. Chen.

In just a few lines, without condemnation, blame, disdain, or contempt, he urged Lin Wantang to consider the bigger picture and return to his residence immediately to plan the marriage.

This is normal, and there's not a single flaw to be found.

Lin Wantang folded the letter and handed it to Qiuying to keep. She then went into her room, sat down, and drank tea. After a long while, she said, "Qiuying, send someone to the Grand Tutor's mansion and tell them that I am ill and not fit to return home for the time being. I will return after a few days of recuperation."

"Yes." Qiu Ying responded and withdrew.

As Chunhen poured more tea, she asked, "Miss, you seem to be alright. Are you trying to delay this?"

"Of course." Lin Wantang played with her teacup. In the Grand Tutor's mansion, her father had been depressed and his illness was sometimes better and sometimes worse. He had not attended court for a long time, and all matters were handled by her mother, Madam Chen.

If she offends them and returns home, who knows what kind of trap Chen and Lin Qinglian will set for her?

Perhaps we should postpone it for now.

Despite this, Lin Wantang couldn't help but feel resentful. She sighed and looked at Chunhen, "Tell me, why would someone who is clearly your own mother collude with others to harm her own flesh and blood at every turn?"