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

On one side, she was forced into prostitution along with all the women in her household; on the other side, there was Shen Huai'an, who was deeply in love with her and willing to help her despite past grievances.

What other choice did Lin Wan-tang have besides the latter?

At that time, let alone a concubine, even a lowly concubine, Lin Wantang would have no choice but to accept it and be grateful.

As Wei Wujiu pondered these thoughts, a cold glint of hatred flashed in his eyes. However, without any evidence, he couldn't just make wild guesses.

Since there are no leads to follow for the time being, why not play along and let Shen Huai'an think that he is helpless and at a loss?

It won't be long before Shen Huai'an reveals the leverage he wants.

Wei Wujiu sorted out his thoughts, standing straight against the cold wind.

Before long, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy and the abbot of the Huguo Temple entered the Imperial Study. After half an incense stick's time, Shen Huai'an, wearing a gray fur coat, came out with a few attendants.

Shen Huai'an looked down at Wei Wujiu, who was kneeling on the ground, and smiled: "Why bother, Lord Wei? Just follow the imperial order to investigate. Whether you find anything or not, report the truth to avoid suffering like this, won't you?"

Wei Wujiu remained coldly focused, only giving a perfunctory fist salute: "Your humble servant is unworthy."

It's still the same kind of nonsense.

Shen Huai'an was too lazy to say anything more, and with a chuckle, he turned and left with his men.

Not long after they left, Cui Fuhai bowed close to Shen Huai'an and whispered, "Your Highness is incredibly capable and meticulous in your actions. Even with the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard's extensive network of informants, they were helpless this time!"

Shen Huai'an smiled, raised his eyebrows, and continued walking slowly while humming a little tune.

Cui Fuhai then added, "But this servant dares to speak boldly, Your Highness should still be careful of Wei Wujiu, lest he become suspicious of Your Highness."

"He's bound to be suspicious," Shen Huai'an said without hesitation, toying with the jade fan. "He's not stupid. How could he not be suspicious when it's so obvious? But investigating a case isn't just about suspicion; you need evidence."

Those who plundered the tribute for him were sent to the Western Regions to work as merchants after the deed was done. They would not show up for at least a year or two, and the stolen tribute was sold off along with the caravan.

It was so meticulous that no matter how clever the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were, they couldn't find out a single thing.

Shen Huai'an curled his lips into a smug smile, then said with a knowing look, "Wei Wujiu must have found out about Lin Rucong, but he didn't alert him. He even came to the Emperor to apologize on purpose. Can you see that? He's intentionally biased and protecting Lin Rucong."

Cui Fuhai hesitated repeatedly: "Then what should Your Highness do?"

"No need for anything." Shen Huai'an paused slightly in his hand holding the jade fan. Thinking of Lin Wantang and her righteous words in the Guanghe Hall, his eyes darkened with anger: "Just find an opportunity to add fuel to the fire."

With a swish, he closed the jade fan: "If she doesn't know what's good for her, then she can only blame me for being ruthless."

Shen Huai'an is determined to destroy the Lin family's Grand Tutor's Mansion. If he doesn't plunge Lin Wantang into the abyss, she will never be able to see who is truly worthy of her reliance and trust.

Meanwhile, Hua Niansan was also serving the emperor until he fell asleep. She had the palace servants send off the abbot, leaving only the abbot of Huguo Temple to chant sutras and pray for the emperor in the hall. Hua Niansan took the opportunity to go to Wei Wujiu.

"You! You!" Hua Niansan was both angry and heartbroken. His best godson was a handsome and outstanding young man who had already made great strides at a young age, but he had made a mess of things when it came to his personal relationships.

At twenty-three years old, what couldn't he understand? He glared at Wei Wujiu and angrily said, "Don't try to hide it from me! Tell me, is it because of that Lin Wantang?!"

"I don't understand what you and His Highness the Crown Prince are up to, but it must be related to that woman. Wujiu, your health..."

Before Hua Ershisan could bring up anything, he glanced around before stepping forward and speaking in a low, warning voice: "Your secret cannot be known to others. Even if you get married on the eighth day of the third month, you cannot consummate the marriage. What are you trying to achieve?"

"Your unfilial son has caused your foster father worry." Wei Wujiu's cold expression remained unchanged, and his voice carried the chill of the wind: "It concerns the theft of tribute, so I hope your foster father will not think otherwise."

Hua Ershisan sighed, knowing that Wei Wujiu had his own plans and that there was no need for others to interfere. He said, "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine, but you must remember what I told you."

"One should always be wary of others, even spouses; one should not be too trusting."

"Yes, I will remember."

Hua Ershisan didn't say much, and as he was about to leave, he glanced at the palace servants outside the hall, "Are all you dog servants even breathing? Don't you know how to burn some charcoal or light a stove for Lord Wei?"

The palace servants were terrified and all knelt down on the ground.

Wei Wujiu remained calm: "Father, I have offended His Majesty and should reflect on my actions here. Let's skip the fire."

Hua Twenty-Three sighed even more heavily: "The Emperor has taken his medicine and fallen asleep. He won't wake up anytime soon. If you kneel here all night, won't your legs get injured?"

"My godfather is worried, but I am fine."

Hua Ershisan looked at Wei Wujiu, who remained calm and composed, and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. He returned to the palace first, hesitating whether to trouble the abbot to ask the emperor to put in a good word for Wei Wujiu after he woke up.

However, the abbot was always taciturn and straightforward, and unfortunately, he was mute and could not speak. Wei Wujiu had never liked Buddhism and always gave the abbot a cold shoulder, so the abbot was too lazy to associate with him.

Hua Ershisan thought that the emperor valued auspicious omens, and since his matter was quite serious, it would be difficult for him alone to plead for Wei Wujiu. After much deliberation, he finally called over a eunuch and whispered something to him.

The young eunuch acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Before long, the young eunuch arrived at Jingyuan and explained the whole story in detail. Jiang Fulu was at a loss and said helplessly, "This... how can Miss Lin handle this?"

While saying this, Jiang Fulu couldn't help but resent Hua Niansan in his heart. This old eunuch only knew how to stir up trouble. How could he involve Lin Wantang in matters of the previous dynasty? How could a woman like her explain and plead with the emperor in detail when she entered the palace?

"What does Your Excellency mean? If Your Excellency hasn't informed Miss Lin, then this servant believes we should fully respect Your Excellency's decision. Your Excellency has your own plans, there's no need for..."

Before Jiang Fulu could finish speaking, Lin Wantang, who was holding an account book and was about to ask about it, unexpectedly bumped into a young eunuch from the palace. She bowed and said, "This humble woman greets Your Excellency. May Your Excellency enjoy boundless blessings."

The lowly eunuch was hardly worthy of such formalities. Overwhelmed with trepidation, he couldn't help but feel a certain respect for Lin Wantang, and declined, saying, "Miss Lin, you flatter me. This servant is acting on the orders of Eunuch Hua, Lord Wei…"

After explaining in more detail, Lin Wantang's expression changed slightly, but she did not let Jiang Fulu refuse. She said, "This matter is of great importance. Please allow me to think about it, Father-in-law."