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

Imperial gifts and ceremonial guards, a warm sedan chair made of jade satin and yellow silk.

Lin Wantang couldn't tell whose the entourage was, but the guard at the front carrying the incense burner looked familiar, and then she saw that the one running up to her with small steps was none other than Jiang Fulu.

"Eunuch Jiang, the governor..." Lin Wantang whispered, glancing at the sedan chair out of the corner of her eye.

Jiang Fulu, who had been in a hurry, steadied his breathing before saying, "My lord has gone to the Grand Council, but he just obtained permission from the Emperor to allow Miss Lin to stay overnight in the palace to keep Princess Yong'an company and alleviate her loneliness."

Lin Wantang inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief when Wei Wujiu was not in the sedan chair.

Jiang Fulu smiled and said, "Princess Anyang also intends to keep Miss in the palace. With the wedding imminent, it is in accordance with the rules to have the Princess and the County Princess help and advise her."

Not only is it in accordance with the rules, but it can also elevate Lin Wantang's status. After all, not all daughters of officials are qualified to receive the guidance and advice of the Princess and other noblewomen before marriage. If word of this spreads in the future, their reputation will be excellent.

Lin Wantang had no choice but to accept the order. She nodded and thanked Jiang Fulu, but when he asked her to get into the sedan chair, she shook her head slightly and said cautiously, "Father-in-law, etiquette must not be overstepped."

This was a palanquin bestowed upon Wei Wujiu by the emperor in the palace; how could she possibly use it without permission?

"Miss, you are overthinking it. The adults have already considered everything carefully."

Lin Wantang had a sudden thought and couldn't help but smile self-deprecatingly. It was she who had been nagging Wei Wujiu. She was worried that she might make a mistake, so how could he not have made plans in advance?

So she didn't refuse any longer and got into the heated sedan chair. The incense burner was just right, and the temperature was just right to dispel the cold wind. The sedan chair swayed and moved for a long time before stopping. As Jiang Fulu bowed and lifted the curtain, Lin Wantang got out of the sedan chair and was stunned.

This is not the Brocade Palace, it is clearly... Chenting Pavilion.

"Miss, do not worry. With Princess Anyang and Princess Yong'an protecting you, your reputation will not be tarnished, and no one will dare to gossip about it."

Jiang Fulu smiled and explained in a low voice.

It was only then that Lin Wantang realized that Wei Wujiu's request to the emperor to let her stay in the palace to accompany the princess was just a pretext to deceive people.

She took a deep breath, but still couldn't shake off her worries. She said, "Since the Governor has considered it, then so be it."

Jiang Fulu smiled, bowed, and helped her into the palace: "Miss, you don't know, there's still some time before the end of the year. If you stay in another palace, you'll have to be very formal and cautious, not to mention you'll have to be observant and careful. It's not as convenient as staying in your own palace. The master just doesn't want you to suffer that kind of grievance."

Jiang Fulu's phrase "in her own palace" aptly reveals that Wei Wujiu intends to marry her and share everything he possesses equally with her.

This respect is truly invaluable.

Lin Wantang was lost in thought, and after a moment she came to her senses. Jiang Fulu was already helping her walk around the hall. The servants were all quiet, so there was no need to be too wary.

"Miss must be tired after a long day. Have them help you wash and dress. This old servant will have someone bring the meal shortly."

Just then, a noise came from outside, and soon Wei Wujiu strode into the hall.

He waved his hand, exempting Lin Wantang from the formalities, then gestured for the maid to remove her cloak. He asked casually, "How do you feel about the arrangements made for me?"

Lin Wantang smiled and handed him the still-warm hand warmer: "The Commander is meticulous and thorough, with multiple considerations and a comprehensive approach. I admire him greatly."

Wei Wujiu chuckled softly, then slowly walked towards her. Jiang Fulu, observing his expression, quickly bowed and withdrew with all the maids.

"That's all?" He wrapped an arm around her waist, not tightly, keeping a comfortable distance between them. "Nothing else?"

Lin Wantang lowered her eyes, a faint blush gradually spreading across her fair cheeks. "The Commander-in-Chief is only considering my situation. I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wei Wujiu interrupted him lightly: "No need for thanks."

He reached out and gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look up at him. His cold, stern face remained unchanged, and his deep eyes revealed nothing, yet a meaningful, slow voice rang out: "Aren't verbal thanks too perfunctory?"

"Then..." Lin Wantang sensed his desire to express her gratitude through concrete actions, but she shyly turned her face away and stammered, "Then what should I do?"

Wei Wujiu wanted to tease her a bit, so she wouldn't bother Lin Qinglian with her tricks, but seeing her hesitant to speak and her blushing cheeks, he instinctively tightened his embrace around her.

Feeling her gentle breath, I noticed she wore some kind of perfume, a faint medicinal scent with a sweet aftertaste, rich and not at all bitter, but rather...

Like a bewitching serpent, it stirred his mind and made him momentarily distracted.

Lin Wantang sensed his heavy breathing and shyly gripped his robe with her fingertips. After much hesitation, she finally took the plunge, stood on tiptoe, and gently pecked his fair cheek.

They separated very quickly, after just one touch.

She was already embarrassed and took a step back to avoid him: "This...is this alright? Commander, the rest...we'll wait until the wedding..."

Lin Wantang didn't even know what she had said. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire, burning fiercely into her lungs. In her panic, she tried to rush towards the inner palace.

Wei Wujiu's tall and slender figure froze the moment she touched his cheek. When he came to his senses, he didn't hesitate to stride after her and hug her from behind with his long arms.

In a dizzying moment, Lin Wantang couldn't even manage to cry out before he forced her onto the couch, pinning her down. His slender fingers lifted her chin again, and as his thin lips entered hers, their breaths lingering, his low, husky voice slowly approached: "Trying to run away after seducing someone? Who taught you that? Hmm?"

"No, I didn't..."

Lin Wantang bit her lip in embarrassment, her wandering gaze unsure of where to settle. Helpless, she followed his other hand tightening around her waist, and couldn't help but let out a soft moan, pleadingly saying, "Governor..."

Just then, Jiang Fulu bowed and entered: "My lord, a message has come from the Eastern Palace..."

"go out!"

Wei Wujiu's abrupt rebuke not only made Jiang Fulu, who was standing far behind the screen, stop in his tracks, but also startled Lin Wantang.

He frowned, knowing she was shy and they weren't even married yet. How could he let anyone see her being taken advantage of by him, not even Jiang Fulu, whom he trusted?

"It's alright, don't be afraid." He reassured Lin Wantang first, then leaned up and stepped around the screen. "What is it? Speak quickly."

"Yes." Jiang Fulu dared not guess wildly, nor did he dare to look around. He said, "Just a few days ago, two palace maids from the East Palace were on leave. They heard rumors outside the palace that the Crown Princess was faking her pregnancy to gain favor. When they returned to the palace, they told Li Fuhai about it. When the Crown Prince found out, he became suspicious and asked them to inquire about the life of the imperial physician Bai Ji."

"This afternoon, I learned that Bai Ju had received a great favor from the Lin family when she was young and down on her luck. It is only natural that the Crown Prince suspects that the Crown Princess's pregnancy is probably not true."