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

"I can cure Governor Wei's old ailment from the northern frontier."

Her gaze was intense. "I know that during the battle of Langya Mountain, the Commander was chilled to the bone. Whenever it rains, he coughs and wheezes incessantly, and sometimes even coughs up blood. The imperial physicians were also helpless, saying that the Commander's lifespan was in danger."

She paused, looking at Wei Wujiu, "My maternal grandfather was a master physician of our time. I am not talented, but I have been learning medicine from him since childhood and have mastered the Eighteen Needles of the Ghost Doctor. If you trust me, you may give it a try."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Wujiu suddenly opened his half-closed eyes and stared intently at Lin Wantang.

His chronic illness was a closely guarded secret; apart from a few imperial physicians and His Majesty, no one knew the details.

Where did this Lin Wantang come from? Is it a coincidence, or is someone behind it?

But are her words true or false?

Countless thoughts raced through Wei Wujiu's mind. After the initial shock, he quickly regained his composure, though a dark undercurrent still surged deep within his eyes.

"Oh? Miss Lin, you've certainly impressed me. But do you know the consequences of deceiving me?"

His voice was deep and laced with laughter, yet it was incredibly dangerous.

Lin Wantang felt as if she were being stared at by the most ferocious beast. Cold sweat instantly soaked her back, but she still forced herself to meet his gaze. "Wantang will definitely not let you down."

"Good! Miss Lin truly lives up to her reputation as the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Lin; a military family like her is no exception." Wei Wujiu laughed heartily.

Everyone was puzzled. The two had been talking in hushed tones earlier, and no one else had heard them clearly. But now, judging from Wei Wujiu's expression, had he agreed to the marriage?

Shen Huai'an's unease surged, and he could no longer contain himself.

He stepped forward, standing between Lin Wantang and Wei Wujiu, his handsome face filled with gloom. "Wantang's marriage to me is the Emperor's decree, written by the Ministry of Rites, and proclaimed to the world! How can it be changed so easily?"

"What happened today was merely a momentary outburst by Wan Tang. I will personally take her back to the East Palace and comfort her. If the Commander-in-Chief has misunderstood anything, I will apologize on her behalf another day!"

He deliberately invoked the emperor and the law, attempting to use his power to intimidate her. He absolutely could not stand by and watch Lin Wantang actually marry Wei Wujiu!

Upon hearing this, Wei Wujiu slightly raised his eyelids, a faint smile appearing on his pale face.

"Your Highness, you are mistaken," he said slowly. "His Majesty bestowed this marriage in consideration of Grand Tutor Lin's past merits and the Lin family's eldest daughter's dignified appearance, making her suitable as the Crown Prince's principal wife. But now..."

His gaze swept over the shattered phoenix crown on the ground before returning to Shen Huai'an's face. His tone was mocking: "Your Highness's insistence on having the Lin family's illegitimate daughter enter through the main gate, forcing the legitimate daughter to take a side position, has already offended the Lin family's reputation and is not what His Majesty originally intended when he bestowed the marriage. It is only natural that Miss Lin would not want to be humiliated."

"Since the wedding ceremony hasn't taken place yet, and the marriage isn't finalized, how can it be said that it can't be changed?"

"You!" Shen Huai'an was speechless after hearing his words, his face turning red and white in turns.

Wei Wujiu stopped looking at him and instead whispered an order to one of the Imperial Guards beside him.

The Imperial Guard received the order, and with a flash, disappeared from the crowd like a ghost.

Before half a cup of tea could be brewed, the rapid sound of galloping hooves grew louder as a eunuch dressed in palace attire, carrying a bright yellow scroll, arrived at breakneck speed, escorted by a tall horse, and proclaimed loudly:

"Imperial edict has arrived!"

Everyone was startled and hurriedly knelt down.

The eunuch unfolded the imperial edict and read in a high-pitched voice: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: It is hereby learned that Lin Wantang, the eldest daughter of the Grand Tutor's family, is virtuous, diligent, gentle, and kind. She is hereby betrothed to Wei Wujiu, the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Supervisor of the Eastern Depot. An auspicious day shall be chosen for the marriage to demonstrate the Emperor's consideration for meritorious officials. This is the imperial decree!"

The imperial edict boomed like thunder.

Shen Huai'an suddenly looked up, staring incredulously at the bright yellow scroll, his knuckles turning white from the force.

To appease the powerful eunuch Wei Wujiu, the Emperor actually gave away his Crown Princess to someone else!

What about the dignity of the Crown Prince as a son of the Emperor?

"No! This is impossible!"

A surge of anger welled up in his heart, and Shen Huai'an let out a low growl out of control. Forgetting his manners, he suddenly stood up and was about to grab Lin Wantang's arm.

"Wantang! You cannot accept the imperial decree! You belong to me!"

Before he could finish speaking, a shadow suddenly fell over his eyes.

Wei Wujiu had somehow appeared in front of Lin Wantang and casually pushed Shen Huai'an aside with a wave of his hand.

Shen Huai'an staggered, and if the guards behind him hadn't caught him in time, he would have fallen in front of everyone.

"Your Highness," Wei Wujiu's voice was cold, yet carried a hint of warning, "His Majesty's decree has been issued. Miss Lin is now my betrothed. Please show some respect."

Supported by his guards, Shen Huai'an's chest heaved violently as he glared at Wei Wujiu and Lin Wantang, his eyes bloodshot with rage.

"Sister! How could you do this!"

Lin Qinglian rushed to Shen Huai'an's side to support him, then turned to Lin Wantang, her face filled with heartache and indignation, "His Highness the Crown Prince treated you with utmost sincerity, yet you so heartlessly betrayed him, turning to another? A eunuch no less! Where do you place His Highness? Where do you place the reputation of the Lin family?"

Before she could finish speaking, she saw a flash of red before her eyes.

"Snapped!"

A resounding slap landed squarely on her face, so hard that she almost fell over.

Lin Qinglian covered her face, her eyes filled with shock, shame, and a hint of resentment she couldn't hide.

She never expected that Lin Wantang would dare to attack her in public!

Lin Wantang slowly withdrew her hand, her fingertips still feeling a faint tingling sensation.

She stood ramrod straight, her red dress fluttering in the wind, her gaze as cold as a winter's pool.

"Lin Qinglian, this slap is to teach you to watch your mouth."

She took a step forward, emanating a chilling aura.

"Whom I marry is His Majesty's decision; how dare you, a mere concubine's daughter, interfere?"

Her gaze was like an icy blade, scraping across Lin Qinglian's face inch by inch. "You keep saying that His Highness the Crown Prince treats me with all his heart, but when he made me a concubine before we were even married, trampling on my dignity, where was that sincerity? You keep talking about the 'Lin family's reputation,' but when you and my mother made me lose face in front of the entire capital, did you ever think about the Lin family's reputation even a little bit?"

"I!" Lin Qinglian was forced to retreat step by step by her series of accusations, her face burning with pain, and her heart was in a complete panic.

The Lin Wantang before her was so unfamiliar that it instilled fear in her.

"Lin Qinglian, listen to me clearly!" Lin Wantang's voice was clear and resonant, reaching everyone's ears. "Governor Wei is a meritorious official of our Great Zhou Dynasty, and no one can be allowed to slight him!"

"This slap is punishment for your unbridled speech and disrespect for a meritorious official! If I hear another word of disrespect from your mouth..."

She paused, her voice suddenly turning icy: "It's not as simple as just a slap!"