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

Snow began to fall silently from the overcast sky, its heavy, fluffy flakes quickly covering the palaces and halls with a light white layer.

"Be careful, everyone, and don't jostle the two masters in the carriage."

Another group of ceremonial attendants walked slowly in. Among them, a eunuch, seeing that it had snowed, gave instructions to the sedan chair bearers and servants.

Sitting in the sedan chair were Yong'an and Lin Wantang.

The two were on their way to Chengqian Palace, and this was the only road they could take. They saw the golden carriage parked in the distance, and the eunuchs hurriedly bowed and approached the carriage to announce their arrival.

Inside the golden carriage, Shen Huai'an's eyes grew colder as he pondered something. With a slight upturn of his lips, he lifted the imperial curtain and reached out to catch the falling snowflakes.

"A timely snow promises a good harvest. This is the first time the capital has seen such heavy snowfall since the beginning of winter; it's a good omen."

The sudden snowfall seemed to have eased his mind considerably, and he smiled at Wei Wujiu again: "Lord Wei, why be so pedantic? Only those who understand the times can be heroes."

"Or perhaps..." Shen Huai'an's tone shifted, and he sat up, carefully stroking the jade pendant in his hand, tracing the character 'Tang' engraved on it, "Is Lord Wei still angry with me because of Tang'er?"

"This jade pendant is something that every member of the Lin family has. They wear it from birth. But when Tang'er came of age, she gave it to me with deep affection. I couldn't bear to betray such a deep love."

These words, though infuriating, also evaded the main point, making Wei Wujiu even more suspicious.

"Your Highness is too kind. This humble subject would not dare to overthink or speculate..."

Before Wei Wujiu could finish speaking, Shen Huai'an suddenly turned around and sat down next to Wei Wujiu, putting his arm around Wei Wujiu's shoulder, their close relationship resembling that of brothers.

"That's enough, no need for such formalities. I won't force you."

Shen Huai'an's change of attitude was inexplicable, as if he wasn't the one who had been so aggressive just now. "Just pretend I didn't say anything. As for that matter, it concerns Tang'er, so naturally I will stand with you."

This reverse mutation...

Wei Wujiu's eyes darkened further as he tried to avoid Shen Huai'an, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of another entourage approaching from afar through the lifted imperial curtain.

As luck would have it, the other sedan chair had also lifted its curtain at some point.

She revealed a graceful and elegant profile. Although she wasn't looking directly at him, Shen Huai'an's angle was so precise, as if Wei Wujiu had his arm around her shoulder, chatting and laughing happily.

Lin Wantang had already taken it all in, her face showing indifference, but her heart was filled with surprise and doubt. She clenched her embroidered handkerchief to steady herself, and after exchanging greetings with Yong'an, she also nodded slightly to the two people in the golden carriage.

"I hope Tang'er didn't catch a cold last night? I was worried about you going back alone."

Shen Huai'an could have ignored it and let the procession proceed slowly, or naturally exchanged a few words with his cousin Yong'an. However, he avoided both options and chose the most demanding and suggestive way to strike up a conversation with Lin Wantang.

Yong'an's expression changed, sensing something was amiss. Just as he was about to speak up for Lin Wantang, Shen Huai'an said with a smile, "It's also my fault. I was too... reckless last night."

This seemingly casual sentence deliberately emphasizes the tone of the last few words.

Yong'an's breath caught in his throat; he thought, "This is terrible!" Public opinion is a fearsome thing. What is the Crown Prince trying to do? The two emphasis on "last night," and that phrase "reckless"—is he trying to humiliate and trample Lin Wantang to death?!

Lin Wantang's fingers were already clenched so tightly they almost crushed the embroidered handkerchief because of those two sentences, but her face remained indifferent. She turned her head slightly and nodded in Shen Huai'an's direction, saying, "Your Highness is joking."

"What happened last night? I know nothing. Your Highness, are you perhaps mistaken? The palace banquet is imminent, and time is of the essence. I will not disturb you any longer and will take my leave now."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Wantang raised her hand and lowered the sedan curtain without looking to the side.

As the procession proceeded, after a while, Yong'an, still filled with shame and indignation, turned around and slightly lifted the curtain of the sedan chair to peek back: "What exactly happened? Brother Wujiu also got out of the golden carriage, could it be that they were...?"

"Have they put aside their past grievances and made peace?"

Yong'an's expression darkened further. She was unfamiliar with the political landscape of the previous dynasty, but she knew that Wei Wujiu and Shen Huai'an were rivals and irreconcilable. So what was the meaning of their "intimate" behavior in the golden carriage just now, like brothers?

"have no idea……"

Lin Wantang's voice was cool and indifferent as she murmured. Her heart was pounding like a drum, and she really hoped that she had just seen wrong. She really didn't want to suspect Wei Wujiu, but Shen Huai'an's coercion last night was still vivid in her mind.

When self-interest reigns supreme, there are no absolute enemies. Let's hope Wei Wujiu didn't collude with Shen Huai'an.

Lin Wantang's thoughts became increasingly chaotic, and her rubbing fingertips grew colder and colder. Just as she was about to say something to comfort Yong'an, Yong'an unexpectedly grabbed her hand.

"Sister Wantang, I don't know what's going on between you and Brother Wujiu, but I hope you're both doing well. The Crown Prince is cunning and treacherous, so don't be fooled by him."

"If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate, Sister Wan Tang. I'll do my best without hesitation."

Lin Wantang smiled gently, feeling comforted. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Thank you, Princess. If possible, when there are many people in Chengqian Palace later, I would like to trouble you to make an excuse for me. I need to find a way to see my father."

She needed to discuss Lin Yasong's matter with Lin Rucong first, and also make further plans.

Inside Chengqian Palace, the hall was bustling with activity. The concubines of the various palaces, the Crown Princess and the Second Prince's wife, the princesses and ladies from noble families gathered together, chatting and laughing in a harmonious atmosphere.

Outside the palace, the palace servants were busy, moving in and out in an orderly fashion. Because it was a palace banquet in the middle of the year, all the masters' ceremonial guards were in full force, and wave after wave of them blocked the palace gate.

"Princess Yong'an has arrived!"

"The eldest daughter of the Grand Tutor's mansion has arrived!"

As the announcement was made, Yong'an and Lin Wantang each brought a maid and slowly entered the hall. They first kowtowed to the Empress to pay their respects, and then performed the other rituals in turn.

"Please rise, everyone. Take a seat."

The Empress sat on her high seat, her smile kind and gentle. After exchanging a few pleasantries, her attention shifted to the two of them as Princess Yu and the others entered the hall.

Yong'an gave Lin Wantang a wink, then whispered to the maid beside him that Lin Wantang was feeling unwell and wanted to go outside for some fresh air. The maid went to inform the palace maid beside the Empress, and Lin Wantang, supported by Chunhen, quietly walked towards the back hall.

Unnoticed by anyone, Lin Qinglian caught a glimpse of her actions and gave a cold sneer.

She remembered Shen Huai'an's instructions: never let Lin Wantang see Lin Rucong in private, and keep a close eye on him.

Lin Qinglian's eyes gleamed with cunning. She helped the palace maid to her feet and chased after her, asking, "Sister, you just arrived, where are you going again?"