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

"Master... Lin Rucong!"

"How can you do this to me?! You're so heartless! Have you forgotten what you did back then... ugh!"

The angry roars eventually turned into sobs, and Chen's unwilling and resentful grief broke the silence of the night.

Lin Rucong was so angry that he pounded his chest and stamped his feet, shaking his head and sighing repeatedly. Then he looked at Lin Wantang with a face full of guilt and distress, "Tang'er, your father knows that you have many doubts in your heart. Now, it can't be hidden anymore..."

"Wait a moment, you and Lord Wei will come to my study, and I will tell you everything slowly."

Lin Rucong sighed, his expression complex. He rubbed his temples with one hand and then instructed the servant, "Go and fetch Zhixia."

Zhi Xia is Lin Che's mother, but she has no official rank in the household and is basically no different from a servant.

A moment later, Zhi Xia knocked on the door and entered. She bowed to Wei Wujiu and Lin Rucong, and also gave a curtsy to Lin Wantang. Her face was gentle and well-behaved, and her temperament was as soft and obedient as her voice.

"Master, Lord Wei, Miss, this servant does not know what has happened, but I hope you will take care of your health."

Lin Rucong didn't particularly like her; he was always indifferent. At this moment, he gestured for her to rise and asked, "How is Lin Che?"

"Che'er was frightened and has some minor injuries. The imperial physician has already treated him and he is fine. This servant thanks you, Master, for your concern on behalf of the Fourth Young Master."

Lin Rucong hummed in agreement and stroked his beard: "Lin Che has never been in good health since he was a child. Fortunately, he was there during this turmoil. Zhixia, go with the butler to the storeroom later and pick out whatever you like. Don't be stingy."

Lin Rucong then instructed the steward to fetch more high-quality medicinal herbs and tonics for Lin Che.

Zhi Xia was flattered and immediately knelt down to express her gratitude.

Lin Rucong helped her up and said, "Madam is ill, and it will be difficult for her to manage the affairs of the inner courtyard of the mansion in the future. Zhixia, you have been in the mansion for some years now. I will discuss with the elders of the clan later and make you the second madam. You can take care of the affairs of the mansion for now."

Zhi Xia was taken aback. Anyone else would have rushed to respond, but Zhi Xia hurriedly stepped back and bowed again: "Master, this is inappropriate. This servant is of little merit and does not aspire to great achievements. As for managing the affairs of the household, perhaps..."

"Auntie," Lin Wantang said at the right moment, and even changed her address according to Lin Rucong's wishes.

The word "Auntie" stunned Zhixia, but it also moved her to tears, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears.

Lin Wantang walked around and gently took Zhixia's hand: "Aunt, you have served Father and raised Fourth Brother for so many years. You are of upright character and easy-going. Now you are capable of managing the affairs of the mansion."

Zhi Xia moved her lips, and then heard Lin Wantang tighten her grip on her hand and say, "Don't refuse."

"this……"

Zhi Xia knew that Lin Wantang meant well and was afraid that if Chen regained favor and power, she would humiliate and torment her as before. After all, Lin Wantang would not stay at home for long before getting married and it would be difficult for her to take care of and protect her and her son in the future.

Tears of gratitude streamed down Zhixia's face. She quickly turned away and used a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. She accepted the responsibility of managing the household, but added, "Master, Miss, I am only temporarily managing the household. If the young master gets married in the future, all matters of the household will still be handled by the young mistress."

This makes sense, and it also happened to bring up Lin Xiao's marriage.

Lin Rucong had already chosen a suitable candidate for his son, so he nodded and said, "Well, Xiao'er will be getting married soon too, so we'll discuss it then."

Having resolved these matters, Lin Rucong took Zhixia out first.

Only Lin Wantang, Wei Wujiu, Jiang Fulu, and a few maids remained in the room.

Since they were not yet married, the two could not be alone together. Therefore, even if Jiang Fulu wanted to avoid it, he could not. He could only stand awkwardly to the side, keeping his head down and avoiding looking at the indecent thing.

Wei Wujiu stepped forward slowly, without saying a word, and first took Lin Wantang's hands, examining them carefully. After confirming that she was unharmed, he asked, "What about the rest of your body? Are you injured?"

"No, thank you for your concern, Governor. I'm doing well." Lin Wantang looked at him with a smile. Although she couldn't discern any particular expression on his handsome face, her concern was evident in her eyes and brows.

She had been pampered by her father and brother since she was a child. She couldn't say she was used to being cared for, but she certainly didn't want to be neglected and indifferent by Shen Huai'an like before.

Especially when compared to the other two, Lin Wantang felt that she must have been blinded by greed in her past life, otherwise why didn't she take a liking to Wei Wujiu earlier?

Lin Wantang swept away her troubled thoughts and looked at Wei Wujiu's stern and unsmiling face. Wanting to tease him and ease the tension of the night, she asked, "Commander, is it proper for you to return to the manor with my father like this?"

"What if I really did something utterly rebellious against my mother? Would the Governor's visit be... to uphold justice and eliminate my own family?"

Wei Wujiu's slightly furrowed brows deepened immediately, but he took the opportunity to tighten his grip on her hand: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Lin Wantang's heart sank. She had only meant it jokingly, teasing him, and had no intention of testing him. But what if she had accidentally hit the nail on the head...?

Before she could let her thoughts wander, she heard Wei Wujiu casually remark, "Whatever you do, isn't it all within your rights?"

In other words, he came with Lin Rucong to support Lin Wantang, not to judge whether her actions were right or wrong, or to advocate for the greater good.

Lin Wantang was slightly taken aback, but quickly understood the implication and couldn't help but smile.

She smiled brightly and flamboyantly.

This also made Wei Wujiu glance down at her unintentionally, but he couldn't look away for a moment.

Jiang Fulu, mindful of the time, had to clear his throat despite how inappropriate it was: "My lord, my lady, if this old servant dares to presume to speak further, shouldn't we move to the study in the front courtyard?"

There were still more important secrets that hadn't been revealed. Lin Wantang kept them in mind, so she quickly responded and led Xiao Qiu into the inner room first. After changing her clothes and putting on her robe, and combing her hair properly, she went to the front yard with Wei Wujiu.

Upon entering the study, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood incense. Lin Rucong was already waiting for the two of them behind the desk.

Wei Wujiu stepped forward and nodded slightly: "Grand Tutor, this matter concerns my family. If there is any inconvenience, I will naturally decline."

Lin Rucong sighed and waved his hand gently: "There is no need for that. Lord Wei is already engaged to my daughter, and the betrothal ceremony will soon be completed. To put it bluntly, since you are now my son-in-law, there is no need to be discreet about family matters."

"I'm afraid I'll have to make Lord Wei laugh." Lin Rucong sighed more heavily, then looked at Lin Wantang who had approached, and patted her hand reassuringly: "Tang'er, have you considered what Father wants to say?"

Lin Wantang hesitated for a moment, then nodded without hiding anything: "Yes, I've heard some of the gossip from the servants in the mansion, and combined with all the things Mother has done to me over the years..."