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

Confusion regarding the imperial heir is a grave crime.

Lin Qinglian and Chen Shi hated Lin Wantang so much, yet they dared not stir up trouble by bringing up Lin Yasong's matter, fearing that it would implicate their entire family. They were also afraid that if they secretly took someone else's child and tried to pass it off as the real one, they would be exposed if a blood test was conducted.

Jiang Sijiu knew that this was what Lin Wantang cared about most and wanted to be investigated thoroughly, so she said, "It really doesn't make sense. Give me some more time, and I'll think of another way to investigate."

Because Jiang Sijiu didn't want to burden her sister, she faked her death. Now, to avoid further complications, she can no longer acknowledge her sister.

"Yes, that's the only way." Lin Wantang rubbed her temples, her sleepy eyes showing relaxation, but her words were clear: "What about the others? Have you investigated the eunuchs in the Eastern Palace?"

Jiang Sijiu was about to say the same thing when he first took out a stack of papers from his sleeve and, upon hearing the sound, groped around and handed them over: "We've made some progress. These are rubbings of the household registration and slave registration of the forty-nine eunuchs of the Eastern Palace."

Lin Wantang remained silent, lowering her gaze to unfold the stack of papers. The top sheet contained the names of forty-nine people, divided into three categories with blank dividers in between, and the rest were rubbings.

Jiang Sijiu explained, "The top ten people were carefully selected by Li Fuhai through several rounds of screening. They are all people that the Crown Prince can trust, and they are in charge of all matters, big and small, within the Eastern Palace. They are essentially the stewards of the front and rear palaces."

And Sanxi was among these ten people.

Lin Wantang had already learned from Wei Wujiu that Sanxi was planted by Jiang Fulu.

"The seven people in the middle are probably... Lord Wei's men."

"As for the rest, I haven't investigated them thoroughly enough, but most of them were sent by various palaces. They might be people planted by the princes, or even the emperor himself. It's a mixed bag. Do you want me to investigate them one by one?"

Lin Wantang flipped through the pages, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully, but she waved her hand slightly at Jiang Sijiu: "No need for that. Just pick one or two from the top ten and use them."

Jiang Sijiu responded, but then pondered, "These ten people... are probably not easy to win over."

Lin Wantang smiled and said, "What are you thinking? Why should we go to such lengths to win them over? What we need to do is use their strength against them."

Lin Qinglian isn't stupid; she's not one to instigate or exploit those whose backgrounds are unclear. Especially since she has Shen Huai'an by her side. Like Lin Wantang, he was someone who had miraculously survived a bloody and turbulent past life. If Lin Wantang knows how to avoid danger, wouldn't Shen Huai'an know how to avoid repeating the same mistakes?

Therefore, we should use the palace servants trusted by Shen Huai'an to leak some information, causing Shen Huai'an and Lin Qinglian to panic and fight amongst themselves.

Otherwise, how long will Lin Qinglian continue to fake a pregnancy? Will she really wait several months to "give birth"?

Lin Wantang didn't have that kind of patience. Mercy to the enemy was also cruelty to herself. She beckoned Jiang Sijiu over and said, "Choose two palace maids. When they're on leave from the palace, spread the word that the Crown Princess is faking her pregnancy. Those two maids are the Crown Prince's people, so they certainly won't make a fuss. But what will they do?"

Previously, Lin Qinglian had a maid named Li who could help her cover up her actions and destroy her menstrual underwear. However, Li has been detained and sent to the estate by Lin Rucong. Lin Qinglian is now isolated and helpless in the Eastern Palace. How long can she continue this act?

Even if Lin Qinglian has bribed a few people during this period, we have already planted the seeds of suspicion in the Eastern Palace. If they don't sprout, aren't we just waiting to see the show?

After Lin Wantang finished speaking, she leaned back on the soft couch, her smiling eyes filled with a deep emotion.

Jiang Sijiu suddenly realized, nodding as she noted it down, and sighed, "You've played a clever game of cunning, but what if the Crown Prince confirms that the Crown Princess is faking her pregnancy and then decides not to help cover it up anymore?"

"It's alright, the palace banquet is coming soon, I have a way to make him unable to hide it." Lin Wantang said softly, her eyes cold and sharp.

The next day, the mansion was bustling with activity early in the morning as preparations were made for the banquet and the engagement ceremony was held in a joyous atmosphere.

Guests came and went in an endless stream, and ladies and young women from all over the capital arrived. Lin Rucong was busy greeting and entertaining guests outside, while Zhixia took over the management from Chen Shi and was even busier inside.

When the auspicious hour arrived, the Ministry of Rites delivered the imperial edict bestowing the marriage upon them, along with a betrothal letter personally written by Wei Wujiu.

As box after box of valuable betrothal gifts were carried into the mansion, a total of ninety-nine boxes, Wei Wujiu's sedan chair arrived at the main gate. Since Lin Xiao was not there, his brother-in-law Lin Che greeted the guests on his behalf. After a series of formalities, he led the prospective son-in-law into the mansion.

After formally paying respects to his future father-in-law, Lin Rucong, and presenting the betrothal gift list, Wei Wujiu performed the goose-shaped and tea-shaped rituals. Then, Lin Che led Wei Wujiu to the backyard. Under everyone's watchful eyes, unable to personally meet Lin Wantang, Wei Wujiu gazed at the graceful figure behind the gold-inlaid mother-of-pearl white jade screen. Unconsciously, a warm light gradually appeared in his cold eyes.

"By the Emperor's boundless grace, our two families have been granted this auspicious union. Today, I, the Governor, offer a thousand pieces of gold as a betrothal gift, and with Heaven and Earth as my witness, I promise to stay with you until we grow old together, and I will never fail you."

Wei Wujiu's low, deliberate voice, restrained by etiquette, was filled with profound wisdom and unwavering resolve.

Lin Wantang, behind the screen, had already gripped her handkerchief tightly at his words. Whether it was because others were watching or because the atmosphere was right, she couldn't help but feel her blood throbbing.

Before she could react, Wei Wujiu slowly said, "What you say is true, but words are easy to change and people's hearts are easy to change. Let's wait and see what happens in the future."

To put it bluntly, no matter how many promises or vows are made verbally, they cannot withstand the fickle nature of people's hearts over time. Wei Wujiu did not say much, but let Lin Wantang wait and see if he would be consistent in his words and deeds throughout his life.

Lin Wantang's eyes instantly reddened. She and Shen Huai'an had once made a similar vow, and he had made even more heartfelt promises that day. But in the end, Shen Huai'an dared not say a word that told her to look to the future.

Lin Che was still young, and while he followed etiquette, he couldn't suppress his protectiveness towards his older sister, so he looked up at Wei Wujiu and said, "It's easy to say, but hard to do. What guarantees can you offer?"

Wei Wujiu glanced down at him, then looked at her behind the screen, and said without hesitation, "On this day of our engagement, I, Wei Wujiu, make only one promise to my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brothers-in-law of the Lin family: I will have only one wife in this life, no concubines, and I will hold her hand and grow old with her."

Lin Che was taken aback, and then smiled, moved and shocked.

You have to understand the ways of the world. Let alone Wei Wujiu having any hidden illness, he is handsome and holds a high position. How many women could he not have? And what man would dare to make such a promise on the eve of their wedding?

Moved, Lin Wantang quickly lowered her eyes, trying her best to suppress the aching throbbing in her heart, and respectfully curtsied: "My love is sincere and earnest, and I will follow you without regret."