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

"You wretched child! Put that aside for now, what about the corrupt prefect of Luzhou?"

"Do you dare say that none of this has anything to do with you, and that it was all Li Huaimin's doing? Do you think I'm senile and incompetent?!"

There can only be one woodworm?

This is utterly ridiculous! Underneath one corrupt official lies a vast network of countless corrupt officials and maggots, who line their own pockets through embezzlement, harm the government, and bring disaster to the country and its people!

The emperor knew very well that the wicked child he had raised was no good at all, but he only tried to cover for him out of consideration for their father-son relationship, their marriage to the empress, and the fact that many officials in the court supported Shen Huai'an.

"Can't you really see it? I handed this corruption case over to Wei Wujiu, but what has he found out so far? Why hasn't he found anything? Is it because Wei Wujiu is incompetent and immoral, and nothing at all? He understands my intentions and is deliberately stalling for time to save face for you!"

Otherwise, with Wei Wujiu's strategic acumen, a mere corruption case in Luzhou could be thoroughly investigated and all those involved could be brought to justice within a few days.

"And what have you done? You dared to have the tribute looted at this critical juncture! What are you trying to do? Deliberately anger me to death? Or do you want everyone to see how powerful you, His Highness the Crown Prince, are!"

The emperor didn't need to order his spies to investigate further; just these few words, and seeing Shen Huai'an's trembling, kowtowed posture, were enough for him to understand everything.

"Father, please calm your anger! These are truly not my fault..."

"Whether you did it or not, I am your father, how could I not know!" The emperor interrupted, rising quickly and kicking Shen Huai'an to the ground. "Guards! Drag this wretched child to the courtyard; he will receive twenty strokes of the cane!"

"Anyone who dares to show leniency or mercy should not blame me for being ruthless!"

Shen Huai'an was suddenly stunned. He never dreamed that before he could even finish a word of rebuttal, he would be scolded and punished by the emperor.

"Father, I really didn't do anything. I've been framed..."

The emperor couldn't bear to listen anymore, and the guards rushed into the hall, dragging Shen Huai'an out quickly.

"By imperial decree, the Crown Prince's words and actions have been inappropriate. Effective today, he is to be confined to his quarters for self-reflection and is forbidden from attending court for the time being."

Hua Ershisan felt a sense of satisfaction and admired Wei Wujiu's foresight. With a series of moves, he had given Shen Huai'an a hard time. He secretly smiled and stepped forward to receive his orders.

In the courtyard, the sound of canes rang out. Shen Huai'an gritted his teeth in suppressed anger, but remained silent.

Wei Wujiu...

He kept repeating this utterly detested name in his mind.

He had planned everything meticulously, but he never expected Wei Wujiu to have such a trick up his sleeve!

He was truly a master strategist, anticipating all of Shen Huai'an's plans. Not only did he turn the tables and explain to the emperor why he had executed Wang Hu and Liu Yuniang, but he also cleverly shifted the blame onto Shen Huai'an. Even though Wei Wujiu did not shake Shen Huai'an's position as crown prince or his influence in the court this time, the emperor's impression of Shen Huai'an had clearly been greatly diminished.

Wei Wujiu then had Lin Rucong turn the tables on him, putting on a good show in front of the emperor first, which directly rendered Shen Huai'an's future plans useless!

Shen Huai'an couldn't swallow this insult, but he couldn't help wondering how much of it was Lin Wantang's doing. Could she really be conspiring with Wei Wujiu to harm him?

No! Impossible.

Lin Wantang was just angry that he went back on his word and didn't leave the position of Crown Princess to her.

This bit of resentment will eventually dissipate. Lin Wantang has him in her heart, and there's no way she would harbor deep hatred for him because of this, let alone join forces with others.

Shen Huai'an pondered the matter deeply, barely managing to endure twenty strokes of the cane before being helped into a sedan chair and sent back to the East Palace to be confined and punished. His dark, narrowed eyes were filled with a chilling mist.

Just you wait, this isn't over yet!

Meanwhile, Wei Wujiu rode at full speed and returned to the capital before Lin Wantang. He hurriedly went back to his residence to change into his court clothes and then entered the palace with Zhang Qian and Li Jinzhi.

A reprimand was inevitable. The emperor, citing the incident at Grand Tutor Lin Rucong's residence involving a group of villains, severely punished the group and suspended their monthly stipends for three months.

In the end, the emperor kept only Wei Wujiu and dismissed the rest of the emperor.

After the emperor and his ministers had been talking for a long time, Wei Wujiu returned to Jingyuan at 9:00 PM. He had dinner with the emperor in the palace, and Jiang Fulu prepared some late-night snacks, along with a bowl of strong medicinal soup.

"My lord, Miss Lin returned later, but she didn't stay long before the people from the Grand Tutor's mansion invited her back home. There are only a few days left until the first month of the lunar year, and the end of the year is approaching. Her wedding will be held soon next year, so Miss Lin should return home to prepare for her wedding."

Jiang Fulu helped Wei Wujiu remove his court robes and change into a light white undergarment, then carefully presented him with the medicine: "Miss instructed this old servant before she left that this medicine is a newly prepared prescription, and that you should drink it for half a month."

"After half a month, Miss Lin will find an opportunity to come back and perform acupuncture for you, sir. Look how thoughtful Miss Lin is; she is considerate of you in every way."

Wei Wujiu rubbed his temples, looking tired after a long day. Hearing this, he smiled lightly, said nothing more, and took the soup bowl, drinking it all in one gulp.

A moment later, just as Jiang Fulu was about to serve him some late-night snacks before he took a bath, Wei Wujiu seemed to be thinking about something and casually raised his eyes: "Where are those two girls? Did she take them with her?"

"Are you referring to Chunhen and Qiuying, sir? No, Miss returned to the Grand Tutor's mansion by herself."

Wei Wujiu frowned slightly, recalling what Lin Wantang had said about the grudges and animosity between her and her birth mother, Chen Shi. And she was going alone; what if something happened to her…

"What about Da Shun? Tell him to find a way to keep an eye on things at the Grand Tutor's mansion, and to report any issues immediately."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Fulu quickly replied, "Yes, this old servant understands. But please forgive this old servant for speaking out of turn, after spending these days together, this old servant has come to realize that you, sir, are somewhat concerned about Miss Lin, aren't you?"

Wei Wujiu hesitated for a moment, then recalled Lin Wantang's face, her composure in the face of danger, her meticulousness, her lack of sentimentality when necessary, and her decisiveness.

He smiled approvingly and said, "Since you've figured it out, then don't ask anymore. From now on, she'll be my wife, so please manage this household carefully and don't allow anyone to be disrespectful to her."

"Yes, I understand."

The night was deep, and the Grand Tutor's mansion was brightly lit.

Lin Wantang had just changed her clothes after returning to her boudoir when she heard a servant announce that the madam had arrived. She tried to go around to the inner room, but Chen Shi, who strode in, slapped her across the face without saying a word!

"Lin Wantang, how dare you even come back!"