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

"Do you think I'm a coward who fears death?"

Lin Wantang was stunned. She was about to say "But..." but before she could finish, Wei Wujiu's deep voice crushed her: "Or do you think I would easily abandon you?"

Lin Wantang's feelings for him were revealed the moment she insisted on breaking off her engagement with Shen Huai'an. In front of everyone, she spoke eloquently, recounting his entire life story.

She was completely different from ordinary ladies from noble families. The difference was that she was unrestrained and free-spirited, and even under the constraints of social norms and the rule of law, she dared to love and hate.

These words had already touched Wei Wujiu's heart. As they spent more time together, even if their feelings for each other weren't particularly deep, he was at least certain that he was committed to this marriage.

No matter what his betrothed wife does, or what she is involved in, even if it is deceiving the emperor, Wei Wujiu will protect her to the end and never give in.

His inherent domineering and assertive nature is equally formidable.

Lin Wantang looked troubled and speechless, as if she wanted to say something more, but Wei Wujiu brushed it off with a single sentence: "Don't worry, Jiang Fulu, serve Miss well."

"Here, from the old slave province."

Jiang Fulu bowed and leaned closer, helping Lin Wantang out of the sedan chair with one hand, and watched Wei Wujiu board the sedan chair and leave with the entourage.

Lin Wantang stood in the cold wind, secretly distressed, regretting that she shouldn't have hesitated last night and should have been honest with him. That way, the two of them could have made plans earlier. But now... she could only pray that nothing bad would happen today.

Meanwhile, as the sedan chair moved forward, Wei Wujiu leaned back, casually playing with the Bodhi seed bracelet in his hand. As each bead slipped out, his thoughts gradually became clearer.

The person Lin Wantang met last night was definitely not Lin Qinglian.

Otherwise, even if trouble were to arise within the inner palace, it would absolutely not implicate Wei Wujiu, and Lin Wantang would not have told him to protect himself this morning.

So who was the person she met last night? Do we still need to guess?

But what leverage does Shen Huai'an have that could make Lin Wantang panic and fear? Could it be... about her mother, Lin Yasong?

Yes, only this matter could make her so worried and flustered.

Wei Wujiu's narrowed eyes were sinister, their cold light like snow, as if he were about to plot something, but the sedan chair stopped.

"My lord, we've run into His Highness the Crown Prince."

Jiang Fulu's voice came softly from outside.

Wei Wujiu gave a cold smirk. "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."

He stepped aside, lifted the sedan curtain with one hand, and was then helped down by Jiang Fulu. Facing the approaching entourage, whose sedan curtains remained unmoved, he bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "Your humble servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Normally, Shen Huai'an would have remained unmoved by such a gesture, but today was different. He cleared his throat in the sedan chair, and Li Fuhai immediately understood, quickly signaling the sedan chair bearers to stop, and then said with a smile, "This servant greets Lord Wei."

"It's cold and windy, Lord Wei, please don't stand on ceremony, please board the golden carriage."

The prince's palanquin was luxurious and grand, and the interior of the golden palanquin was also extremely large, with a charcoal fire burning brightly, making it warm as spring.

But would Shen Huai'an so easily invite a mere official into his golden carriage? There must be a trick involved.

Wei Wujiu refused to fall for the trick and remained unmoved, continuing to perform the salute: "Your Highness is of noble birth, and today's palace banquet is filled with many matters. This humble subject dares not overstep his bounds and delay Your Highness."

Shen Huai'an smiled coldly from inside the sedan chair. Without letting Li Fuhai waste words, he condescended to lift the imperial curtain, revealing a handsome face with a wicked and gloomy expression, and said indifferently, "It's alright. I have something to discuss with Lord Wei. You may all leave."

"Yes."

Li Fuhai took the lead in obeying the order and gestured to all the sedan bearers and guards to step back and move aside.

Thus, Wei Wujiu could no longer evade the question. He could only coldly step forward and bow as he entered the golden carriage. When he was about to perform the proper salutation, Shen Huai'an gently waved his hand and rested his chin on his hand, saying, "No need for formalities, Lord Wei. Do you know what I have to say?"

Wei Wujiu sat down to one side, but before he could speak, Shen Huai'an's next sentence angered him, and his eyes darkened.

Shen Huai'an said with a smile, "It seems Tang'er didn't tell you? What does it matter if you're husband and wife? You're not of one mind."

This is stirring up trouble and sowing discord.

Wei Wujiu's indifferent expression suddenly turned cold again, and he slightly raised his eyes: "Your Highness, what is it? Please speak frankly."

"The remnants of the rebellious faction from the previous dynasty—if I remember correctly, many years ago, my father ordered Lord Wei to secretly investigate and wipe them out with all his might. But what was the result?"

Shen Huai'an leaned calmly against the soft couch, one hand supporting his chin, the other still toying with the jade pendant he had carried with him for many years. "Lord Wei, the remnants of the rebels are right before our eyes, how can you conceal this from us?"

The voice was slow and deliberate, yet it was like a ferocious beast baring its fangs or a venomous snake flicking its tongue, so sinister that it sent chills down one's spine.

Wei Wujiu remained calm and composed, his silent gaze fixed on Shen Huai'an as he said in a deep voice, "This humble subject is ignorant and does not understand what Your Highness means."

It's clear they don't want to fall into the trap or accept the challenge.

Wei Wujiu also realized that after Shen Huai'an learned about Lin Yasong's matter, he did not want to report it to the emperor immediately. Instead, he wanted to use this matter to sow discord between him and Lin Wantang and disturb their peace.

Therefore, Wei Wujiu pretended to know nothing to cover up his ignorance, just to see what other tricks Shen Huai'an had up his sleeve.

Shen Huai'an smiled knowingly: "Lord Wei is a smart man, so he shouldn't do anything foolish. He should also know the principle of 'the bow is put away after the birds are all gone.' Father is old and has made arrangements for you long ago. But I know that Lord Wei is loyal to the country and the people and has made great contributions. He really shouldn't end up in such a miserable state."

These words were a clear reminder to Wei Wujiu that the emperor had long harbored murderous intent towards him.

No matter how much he concealed his true strength, when the emperor passed away, it would also be the time for his own death!

Shen Huai'an tossed and turned the jade pendant in his hand with great interest, seemingly letting Wei Wujiu see the character "Tang" engraved on it.

A sly smile played on his satisfied lips as he said, "I can promise that if I ascend the throne one day, I will ensure your and the Grand Tutor's mansion's lifelong happiness and prosperity. As for that secret... I can bury it forever."

Wei Wujiu's brows furrowed, his scrutinizing gaze like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, silently revealing his profound understanding.

"I only need a little 'sincerity' from you. From now on, all matters concerning the Eastern Depot, large and small, must first be reviewed by me. As for the Grand Council? I won't make things difficult for you, but you should also consider where it should be placed, right?"

This means that Wei Wujiu should follow Shen Huai'an's lead from now on, and while keeping it a secret from the emperor, he secretly joined Shen Huai'an's ranks.

This way, Shen Huai'an would not expose Lin Wantang and would protect Lin Wantang and the entire Lin clan.

Not to mention that Wei Wujiu would not be willing to be subordinate to someone else, Shen Huai'an is definitely not well-intentioned!

Wei Wujiu smiled and brushed it off, saying perfunctorily, "Your Highness is joking. The affairs of the Eastern Depot are too complicated and trivial. It's not worth Your Highness's concern for such trivial matters. Besides, it is not permissible according to etiquette and law."

Upon hearing his polite refusal, Shen Huai'an's smile vanished, replaced by a fierce and menacing aura!