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

The maidservant promptly bowed and handed over the wine; one cup for each person was placed behind the screen.

Lin Wantang held up her wine cup and said softly but earnestly, "I drink this cup to you and make three wishes: first, that the world be peaceful and the nation prosperous; second, that you be healthy and blessed with long life; and third, that we grow old together and meet again often."

"Okay." Wei Wujiu's Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice became a little hoarse. He picked up his wine glass and drank it down with Lin Wantang.

The ceremony is complete.

Lin Che left with Wei Wujiu and the others with a smile. After Lin Rucong placed the letter of engagement in the ancestral hall, they had a chat. Then, they busied themselves with setting up banquets at the Grand Tutor's Mansion and Jingyuan Garden to entertain the distinguished guests.

Lin Wantang returned to her room. There was no need for her to entertain guests at today's banquet. She chatted for a long time surrounded by several young ladies who were her family's friends. Only after her maid invited them to the banquet did she finally have some peace and quiet.

"Miss must be exhausted today." Xiao Qiu came over to massage her shoulders. "But I really didn't expect Lord Wei to be so generous to you, Miss. The betrothal gifts are so plentiful that the front yard can hardly hold them all!"

Xiao Qiu, thinking of the envious looks on the faces of the ladies, was overjoyed: "I heard that Jingyuan is going to have a banquet with sixty-six tables today. This is quite a spectacle! The wedding day will be even more grand!"

Lin Wantang laughed as she listened. She hadn't expected Wei Wujiu to prepare so many betrothal gifts in advance. It was the first time in a hundred years that such a thing had happened in the capital.

"Miss, I'll take the liberty of addressing Lord Wei as your son-in-law. Your son-in-law's grand entrance today is not only to bring honor to you, but also to dispel those unsavory rumors about you."

They say she broke off the engagement, that she was shameless and ignorant of etiquette, that she had forgotten all the virtues and precepts for women, that she was a jinx and a bringer of misfortune. The rumors have never stopped. But today, Wei Wujiu has spent a fortune on a dowry, with all the proper rites and gifts, and it is even more extravagant than any other marriage.

The point is to make it clear to everyone that from now on, Lin Wantang is not only the eldest daughter of the Grand Tutor's Mansion, a golden branch and jade leaf, but also the wife of Wei Wujiu, the Director of the Eastern Depot. The more others slander her, the more he will respect her, and see if any fools dare to spread rumors again.

Xiao Qiu could see it all, so how could Lin Wantang not know? That's why she was so moved and her heart was pounding. She took a deep breath and patted Xiao Qiu's hand: "The Governor is an excellent young man, but let's not talk about this for now."

"Go tell Chunhen and Qiuying to stop busying themselves outside and go serve the meal."

Xiao Qiu listened to the instructions and happily replied, "Yes, sir."

Meanwhile, after ignoring Shen Huai'an for several days, the emperor, taking advantage of the busy year ahead and the recovery of the stolen luminous pearl, which was considered an auspicious omen, pardoned Shen Huai'an from his confinement.

After Shen Huai'an received the imperial decree and expressed his gratitude, Li Fuhai respectfully escorted Hua Ershisan out. When he returned, he saw that Shen Huai'an's gloomy expression had not diminished, and Li Fuhai asked, "Your Highness, what's wrong this time?"

"Everything is going according to Your Highness's plan, so why do you still have something on your mind?"

Shen Huai'an glanced at him lightly, then walked around to sit behind the desk. "Was it lively outside today?"

The question seemed casual, but Li Fuhai knew perfectly well what it implied.

"It's bound to be lively. Today, the Grand Tutor's Mansion and the Director of the Eastern Depot are engaged in a marriage ceremony. All the civil and military officials in the capital have gone to attend the banquet. It's grand, but what use is a wife to a eunuch with no roots?"

Shen Huai'an leaned back in his chair and chuckled coolly: "It's all in name only, otherwise why would I have let that Wei fellow take advantage of me so easily?"

only……

The thought of Lin Wantang becoming husband and wife with someone else, even if it was just in name only, made him unhappy!

"Forget it, let's focus on the bigger picture first." Shen Huai'an sighed to himself, but then sneered, "Once I use a little trick, I'll show her what kind of person that Wei guy really is."

Li Fuhai felt a chill run down his spine at the thought of Shen Huai'an's masterful scheme of sowing discord. He hesitated to continue his obsequious behavior, but then caught a glimpse of a young eunuch peeking in at the palace gate. He bowed and withdrew, then approached the gate and angrily shouted, "You dog of a servant! How dare you!"

The young eunuch hurriedly knelt down, "This servant should inform Your Highness that it's still uncertain, and this servant wouldn't dare to disturb Your Highness..."

Li Fuhai frowned, listened to the eunuch's whispered words, his expression instantly changed, and he quickly bowed again to Shen Huai'an's side: "Your Highness, this dog servant heard some gossip from somewhere, saying that the Crown Princess is pregnant..."

Shen Huai'an's face darkened: "What do you mean?"

"It seems...not true, Your Highness. Please calm down. This servant was just listening to that scoundrel's nonsense, but rumors outside the palace are truly terrifying, Your Highness..."

Shen Huai'an abruptly stood up, about to erupt in anger, but then, with a hint of doubt, he asked, "Which imperial physician diagnosed the Crown Princess with pregnancy?"

"Your Highness, it is Bai Ji, the apprentice of Liu, the Imperial Physician."

"Go and find out who this person has been in contact with recently, and investigate quickly." After giving the order, Shen Huai'an hesitated for a few more steps, but ultimately did not go to confront Lin Qinglian.

After all, he already knew in his previous life whether Lin Qinglian could have children, so he couldn't believe such nonsense. But how could there be such a thing as a rumor out of nowhere?

Shen Huai'an, filled with doubt, looked even more unwell.

The following day, after the court session, Wei Wujiu was kept behind by the emperor. Regarding the corruption case in Luzhou, the emperor severely punished the prefect Li Huaimin, confiscated his property, and exiled his entire family to Lingnan. However, the emperor was unwilling to pursue the others involved too much.

"My dear minister, you should understand the principle that 'if the water is too clear, there will be no fish' better than I do. This country, though it seems that I am in charge of it all, is actually not entirely under my control."

The emperor caught a cold and coughed a few times, waving his hand to stop Hua Twenty-Three from serving him. He then leaned against the dragon bed and scrutinized Wei Wujiu's expression.

Wei Wujiu lowered his eyes, revealing no emotion. After a moment of contemplation, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I will follow your orders."

The emperor was quite satisfied. He cleared his throat and said, "The New Year is just around the corner, and you will be getting married next year. How are the preparations going? If anything is missing, let the Imperial Household Department take care of it. There's no need to hold back your words out of politeness. You are a meritorious official of our dynasty and a trusted minister whom I rely on. Your marriage must not be compromised."

Wei Wujiu bowed again to express his gratitude, and listened to the emperor ramble on for a few more times. When the emperor mentioned the palace banquet again, he said, "The empress has not been feeling well lately, and she is unable to manage the palace banquet the day after tomorrow, so she has entrusted it to the crown princess."

"As for the Crown Princess, she is a newlywed who has only recently entered the palace, and she has neglected many rules and etiquette. Yesterday, she asked the Empress to summon her sister to the palace to help with some matters. I have already issued an edict to summon her. My dear minister, why don't you stay in the palace starting today?"