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 palace gates, instantly stunning everyone.

Shen Huai'an stared blankly at her. In her memory, Lin Wantang had always been gentle and obedient. When did she change into this?

Wei Wujiu also looked at her, a complex and mysterious light flashing in his dark eyes.

He certainly didn't need a woman to stand up for him, but no woman had ever protected him like she had.

An involuntary smile played on his lips; that was indeed interesting.

Lin Qinglian's lips trembled, and she dared not utter another word. Tears streamed down her face as she looked pleadingly at Shen Huai'an and her stepmother, Madam Chen, who stood beside her.

Madam Chen frowned, knowing that if Wei Wujiu took Lin Wantang away, all her subsequent plans would be in vain.

She pinched her palm hard, curtsied to Wei Wujiu, and forced a smile, saying, "Governor Wei, Lian'er is young and impetuous and has offended you. It is my fault for not disciplining her properly. However, Wan Tang is still an unmarried girl. It is really inappropriate for her to come back to the mansion with you, Governor. It would be better to let Wan Tang return to the Grand Tutor's mansion first, and then come with you on the day of the wedding."

"No need," Wei Wujiu interrupted her calmly. "My villa is very quiet, and no one dares to disturb me. As for etiquette..."

His gaze swept over the shattered phoenix crown on the ground, his words carrying a hidden meaning: "Today's marriage is already against etiquette, so why be bound by formalities? Madam Lin, rest assured, I, the Governor, will personally send someone to your door to formally formalize the betrothal and name-asking ceremony, and I will certainly not wrong Miss Lin."

After saying that, without giving Chen a chance to speak again, he stepped forward and extended his hand to Lin Wantang.

"Miss Lin, it's getting late, it's time to return home."

Looking at the large, well-defined hand in front of her, Lin Wantang placed her hand on it without hesitation.

"Thank you for your trouble, Governor."

The cool touch inexplicably calmed her heart.

Lin Wantang was led into the sedan chair, and the curtain fell, shutting out everything outside.

Shen Huai'an stared intently at the sedan chair as it drove further and further away, his eyes bloodshot.

His fists clenched tightly, and the anger and resentment in his heart almost swallowed him up.

He would never give up so easily; Wan Tang was his! He was determined to take her back.

Fortunately, Wei Wujiu was a eunuch and wouldn't do anything to Wan Tang.

The sedan chair moved forward smoothly, and Lin Wantang's palms were covered in sweat.

She truly succeeded, escaping the Eastern Palace and her destined tragic fate.

But is the road ahead truly a path to survival?

Wei Wujiu is unfathomable, perhaps even more dangerous than the Crown Prince.

Amidst my chaotic thoughts, the sedan chair had already come to a stop.

A respectful voice came from outside the curtain, "Miss Lin, don't be late."

Lin Wantang composed herself, bent down, and stepped out of the sedan chair.

Before me lies a quiet courtyard with white walls, black tiles, and upturned eaves, exuding the elegance of a Jiangnan garden.

Above the door hangs a sandalwood horizontal plaque with two characters written in bold, elegant strokes: "Jingyuan".

Wei Wujiu walked ahead at a leisurely pace, while Lin Wantang followed half a step behind him, silently observing her surroundings.

The garden was secluded with winding paths and scattered rockeries. Occasionally, servants dressed in blue would pass by and bow respectfully to Wei Wujiu from a distance.

About fifteen minutes later, Lin Wantang passed through a moon gate and stopped in front of an exquisite courtyard.

"Miss Lin, please rest here for now." Wei Wujiu stopped but did not turn around. His voice sounded somewhat faint in the twilight. "If you need anything, just tell the servants."

Having said that, he went off in another direction, his dark figure quickly disappearing into the deepening night and behind the lush flowers and trees.

Lin Wantang stood there, watching his figure disappear, feeling a sense of bewilderment.

He's leaving already? She thought he would definitely ask about his injuries.

At this moment, two maids dressed in light purple vests came up from inside the room and curtsied: "Your servants are Chunhen and Qiuying, serving you, Miss."

"Miss, you must be tired from your journey. Hot water has been prepared. Please take a bath and change your clothes first. We will bring you dinner later," said the maid named Chunhen softly.

The bathroom was filled with steam. Lin Wantang took off her elaborate wedding dress and immersed herself in the hot water, her tense nerves finally relaxing little by little.

She recalled that she had subtly inquired with the two maids earlier and learned that this courtyard was the one where Wei Wujiu usually lived.

Could it be that he's going to stay with me tonight?

Thinking of this, her cheeks couldn't help but flush.

But she took the initiative to marry him, so his arrangement wasn't a problem.

After her bath, Qiuying brought over a brand-new nightgown. The material was extremely soft brocade, very thin, but also a bit too thin.

Lin Wantang hesitated for a moment, then changed into the new clothes.

Living under someone else's roof, especially Wei Wujiu's, she had no room for complaint.

Dinner consisted of several side dishes and a bowl of soft, sticky rice porridge. It tasted delicious, but Lin Wantang had no appetite and only ate half a bowl.

After the meal, the two men helped her rinse her mouth and wipe her hands, then quietly withdrew and gently closed the door behind them.

The room fell silent, with only the soft crackling of the candle flame remaining.

Lin Wantang sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the unfamiliar and desolate room.

She dared not sleep, thinking she would just wait for Wei Wujiu to come, but she felt unusually tired, and gradually, her eyelids closed without her realizing it.

Lin Wantang's sleep was extremely restless, and she even dreamed about her past life.

The dream was bizarre and fantastical. She saw dark red, viscous pus and blood gushing out from beneath her. Shen Huai'an stood outside the door, his back to her, his figure distant and indifferent.

Lin Qinglian held two adorable boys in her arms and chuckled in her ear, "Sister, look how healthy my babies are. The ones you give birth to will always be filthy bastards."

"No! I'm not!"

She struggled and sobbed in her dream, her tears unknowingly soaking her pillow. She curled up into a ball, as if that would help her resist the bone-chilling cold and despair.

……

After Wei Wujiu finished processing several urgent official documents, he returned to the main courtyard of Jingyuan close to midnight.

Chunhen, who was on night duty, curtsied to him and whispered, "Master, Miss Lin doesn't seem to be sleeping well. I heard crying coming from inside the room."

Wei Wujiu's eyebrows twitched, but he said nothing and stepped into the main room.

He pushed open the door, and inside, only a floor lamp remained in the corner, casting a dim and soft light, while the air was filled with his familiar calming fragrance.

He walked to the bedside and looked down at it.

The woman on the bed was wrapped in a moon-white nightgown, and looked exceptionally frail.

Her black hair was scattered on the pillow, her face streaked with tears, and even in her sleep, her brows were tightly furrowed, her lips moved unconsciously, emitting soft, broken sobs.

The candlelight cast shadows on her face, and her long eyelashes, wet with tears, clung to her lower eyelids, making her look rather pitiful.

Wei Wujiu stood quietly before the bed, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

What great injustice has he suffered that he can't even find peace in his dreams?

Could it be that she truly fell deeply in love with Shen Huai'an, to the point of heartbreak?

But if that's really the case, why is she so determined to marry me?

Various speculations swirled in my mind, and a strange sense of unease welled up inside me.

Seeing the tears rolling down his face, Wei Wujiu, as if possessed, reached out his hand.

He gently touched her wet cheek with his fingertips, wanting to wipe away the tear stains.

Just then, a warm and soft hand suddenly reached out from under the quilt and tightly grasped his wrist.