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

Lin Wantang accepted the invitation and, upon unfolding it slightly, saw Lin Qinglian's handwriting.

A cold smile crept onto her lips.

"Miss, His Majesty issued an edict yesterday, officially appointing Lin Qinglian as the Crown Princess and placing her in the Eastern Palace."

Qiu Ying added with her hands at her sides, "This flower-viewing banquet is the first time she has hosted a banquet for the powerful and influential people in the capital since she was newly married and officially took the throne. To put it bluntly, this is clearly an attempt to show off the power of the Crown Princess."

Chunhen brought in freshly brewed pre-Qingming Longjing tea. Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but curl her lip: "She's just a concubine's daughter who's been promoted to the rank of wife, yet she acts like she's ascended to heaven."

"Miss is now the betrothed of the Lord, and the marriage was bestowed by His Majesty. With the Lord's merits, it is only a matter of time before the Miss is granted an imperial title after the marriage. Her status will be extremely noble, no less than that of the Crown Princess."

Lin Wantang placed the invitation on the table, picked up a teacup and took a small sip. The tea's refreshing aroma suppressed the surging anger in her heart.

She raised her eyes, cleared her throat, and said with a shrug, "Even so, I'm even more determined to go."

"Otherwise, breaking the rules would be detrimental to the adults, but..."

Lin Wantang's faint smile froze slightly. Even if Lin Qinglian wanted to show off, the date of the flower viewing banquet was not quite right.

Because today is the day Princess Yong'an returns to the capital.

In her previous life, Lin Qinglian went to the capital alone today to welcome the princess. At the same time, relying on her childhood best friend, she poured out her heart to the princess, saying how she was ostracized and tormented after marrying into the Eastern Palace. The princess was furious and the next day used the excuse of her son to go to the Eastern Palace to give Lin Wantang a good scolding.

Afterwards, the princess did a lot to win over Shen Huai'an for Lin Qinglian's sake, which shows the deep sisterly bond between them. They were truly willing to go to great lengths for each other.

How could Lin Qinglian have forgotten and neglected this princess in this life?

"But what is it, Miss?" Chunhen asked, bowing slightly.

Lin Wantang snapped out of her thoughts and waved her hand slightly: "It's nothing. Go and get ready, prepare the sedan chair."

"Yes."

After washing and dressing, Lin Wantang took Chunhen and Qiuying out.

As soon as she reached the entrance of Jingyuan, she saw four Imperial Guards dressed in flying fish robes and with embroidered spring knives at their waists standing solemnly to her side. Upon seeing her come out, they all bowed and saluted: "Your subordinates greet Miss Lin."

"The Chief Supervisor has ordered that the young lady be escorted to and from the Eastern Palace at all times, ensuring her safety."

The four men were tall and imposing, their embroidered spring knives gleaming coldly in the sunlight, clearly indicating that they were Wei Wujiu's most trusted confidants.

Lin Wantang's heart stirred slightly. Although Wei Wujiu did not say it explicitly, this action was undoubtedly to support her and prevent her from being looked down upon in the Eastern Palace.

"Thank you all for your trouble." Lin Wantang nodded slightly and calmly stepped into the sedan chair.

The sedan chair moved smoothly forward and soon entered the palace. Palace rules were strict, and all those entering the palace had to dismount and stop their sedan chairs, undergo inspection and verification with their entourage, and then proceed on foot.

Walking along the vermilion palace walls and glazed tile roofs, one could see many palace servants carrying various items, who subconsciously avoided bowing to Lin Wantang, all bustling about in a hurried and busy manner.

"Miss, that's the Brocade Palace over there."

Chunhen leaned closer and whispered something.

Lin Wantang paused slightly and glanced in the direction Chunhen had indicated.

Jinxiu Palace was where Princess Yong'an lived before she was married. Although she was a princess, her father had saved the emperor's life many times. However, he had few children, so the emperor doted on Yong'an and brought her into the palace to be raised from a young age.

A few years ago, Princess Yong'an volunteered to marry a foreign ruler in the northern frontier. After her husband died, she was left alone and helpless in the northern frontier. She was also plotted against and harmed by others. After many twists and turns, she was finally able to be brought back to the capital.

The emperor was grateful and ordered the Jinxiu Palace to be redecorated, presumably so that Yong'an would reside there for a long time to come.

Lin Wantang glanced at her attendants and said to Chunhen, "I heard that the princess loves jade. We brought quite a lot with us. Pick out some of the best pieces, along with the white fox fur from the spring hunt and the cloak that has already been made. Give them all to the head eunuch of Jinxiu Palace and tell him that our governor's office congratulates the princess on her triumphant return to her hometown and wishes her peace and prosperity from now on."

Chunhen nodded subconsciously in response, but hesitated for a moment before pausing.

"Miss, aren't these... meant to be sent to the Crown Prince's Palace? And that cloak, that's..."

Although Wei Wujiu did not say it, he had someone take this cloak from the storeroom early in the morning. It was made of Shu brocade and used ten white fox furs. Even so, it was still a little too small for Wei Wujiu.

The meaning of taking it out is very clear: it is undoubtedly meant for Lin Wantang, to keep her warm as winter approaches and the weather turns cold.

But Lin Wantang wanted to give it to the princess?

It's important to know that ten white fox pelts took Wei Wujiu a great deal of effort and a long time to accumulate.

Chunhen dared not speculate further, and lowered her voice to ask, "Miss, could it be that you intend to win over the princess for the sake of the master?"

Lin Wantang continued walking, quite surprised by the remark, and smiled, asking in return, "Why would you have such a thought?"

After a short pause, she helped Chunhen up and said, "Those congratulatory gifts were not originally intended for the Crown Prince's palace."

A small flower-viewing party, and she thinks she can just hand over a grand gift from Wei Wujiu's treasury? Dream on! Are Lin Qinglian and Shen Huai'an even worthy of each other?

"I just didn't want to be impolite. Besides, it's a joyous occasion for the princess to return to court in honor."

It's all just for show. If possible, Lin Wantang would never want to have anything to do with the princess again in this lifetime.

Hearing Lin Wantang say this, Chunhen was completely relieved. After bowing, she turned around to select a congratulatory gift to send to Jinxiu Palace.

The group continued on their way and soon arrived at the main hall of the East Palace.

The hall was already bustling with activity, as the wives and daughters of the capital's most powerful and influential families gathered together, their elegant attire and graceful demeanor accompanied by laughter and chatter.

"The Grand Tutor's Mansion..."

The eunuch who was announcing the arrival at the palace gate was about to shout when a maidservant who had run out stopped him with a wink. Instead, the maidservant bowed to Lin Wantang and then announced to the hall, "Miss Lin, the betrothed wife of the Governor-General, has arrived!"

This message was neither in accordance with the rules nor in a proper manner.

She even made it clear that changing the name from the Grand Tutor's Mansion to the Governor's Mansion was a way of making all the nobles and dignitaries in the capital hear clearly that Lin Wantang had moved into her husband's family home before even getting married, which was unprecedented and shameful.

Chunhen and Qiuying were both a little angry and were about to speak when Lin Wantang stopped them.

"It's nothing, go inside."

However, Lin Wantang had anticipated this show of force since the day she called off the engagement, so why would she be afraid of such things now?

She left behind her Imperial Guard followers and entered the hall with only Chunhen and Qiuying. The once noisy hall instantly became quiet, and all eyes turned to her.

There was curiosity, a desire to explore, and also a subtle sense of apprehension.

After all, no one expected that Miss Lin, who publicly broke off her engagement in front of the palace gates the day before yesterday and instead wanted to marry Wei Wujiu, the powerful official with immense influence, would actually dare to attend the flower-viewing banquet at the Eastern Palace today.

Just then, a soft yet authoritative voice rang out from the center of the hall: "Who has arrived?"