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

Lin Wantang stopped upon hearing this, her heart sinking.

Her mind was preoccupied with how to control Shen Huai'an and protect the entire Lin family. She had no time to deal with Lin Qinglian and had no choice but to turn around and greet her: "Your Highness, I am feeling slightly unwell and would like to go outside for some fresh air."

"Oh?" Lin Qinglian's knowing smile turned sinister: "What a coincidence, the dragon in the palace is burning brightly, but it's a bit too hot. I'm also feeling restless, so I'll go with you, sister."

Lin Wantang was immediately annoyed, and knew that Lin Qinglian was doing it on purpose.

Most likely, she learned about Lin Yasong from Chen and then leaked it to Shen Huai'an, that unfortunate scoundrel and traitor from her family...

No, Lin Qinglian was not Lin Rucong's biological child.

They can't even be considered members of the Lin family.

Could it be that Lin Qinglian dared to collude with Shen Huai'an because of this? But why doesn't she consider that, apart from the Lin family, she is not even a high-ranking concubine's daughter? Without the glory of her maternal family, how could she possibly secure the position of Crown Princess?

Thinking of this, Lin Wantang was extremely disgusted with the fool in front of her, but due to the difference in their ranks, she could only nod and endure it for the time being: "Very well, Your Highness, please proceed with caution."

Lin Qinglian chuckled softly, supporting Zhu Jin beside her, and walked with Lin Wantang through the back hall to the outer corridor. They admired the falling snowflakes and the white expanse, and Lin Qinglian began to make plans in her heart.

She originally intended to use the preparations for the palace banquet as an excuse to retaliate against Lin Wantang, but Yong'an suddenly appeared and blocked her way. Lin Wantang was prepared and didn't fall for the trap.

Now that they finally have some alone time...

Lin Qinglian's downcast eyes held a cunning glint as she smiled and touched her barely visible belly: "I've been pregnant for a while now, but I still feel unwell occasionally, and my cravings are quite severe."

"Sister, you are skilled in medicine. Would you please take a look at me? That Physician Bai is too cautious. He only knows how to protect the pregnancy. I don't think his prescriptions are very effective. I trust you the most, so please give it a try."

As she spoke, Lin Qinglian also took Lin Wantang's hand, making a gesture as if to strike her abdomen.

Lin Wantang had been on guard all along, and at this moment she subconsciously wanted to pull her hand back, but Lin Qinglian held it too tightly, and she could not insist, so she said: "Your Majesty is too kind. This humble woman is without talent or virtue, and her so-called medical skills are only superficial."

"Why are you being so modest, sister?" Lin Qinglian's smile didn't reach her eyes, and she gestured for Zhu Jin to leave. "Between sisters, it's too formal for you to keep making excuses to me, sister."

Lin Wantang really wanted to slap her twice to see if it would wake this fool up, but she gritted her teeth and didn't break free, to prevent Lin Qinglian from playing tricks. She only said, "Your Majesty, please be well. If you are unwell, this humble woman will go and summon the imperial physician immediately..."

Before she could finish speaking, Lin Qinglian let out a cold laugh. Then, as if she no longer wanted to pretend or act, she gripped Lin Wantang's hand tightly and brought it down on her own abdomen, making a shoving motion. Lin Wantang screamed and fell to the side.

"Oh dear! Sister, how could you...?"

Lin Qinglian was determined to frame someone, and since she was not pregnant at all, she pretended to stumble and bump into a pillar, then hit the railing, and finally fell heavily to the ground. Her delicate fingernails even broke the blood sac she had prepared.

Blood gushed out instantly, flowing from between her legs, soaking her gorgeous clothes in a shocking sight.

Lin Wantang stood to the side, her pupils tightening repeatedly, not with shock or fear, but with a chilling disgust that reflected the blood-red ground, almost radiating murderous intent.

Lin Qinglian is completely brainless! It was a fake pregnancy, and Shen Huai'an was already trying to cover it up for her, but she still interfered and insisted on framing Lin Wantang, causing her to miscarry.

Did they think this would make Lin Wantang suffer a defeat and admit defeat?

Lin Wantang's cold, sharp eyes narrowed again and again. It's true that there's a way to heaven, but Lin Wantang doesn't choose it; there's no way to hell, but she insists on barging in. Fine, then let Lin Qinglian taste what it means to try to steal a chicken but lose the rice instead!

Having made up her mind, Lin Wantang stepped forward again to help Lin Qinglian, but Zhu Jin pushed her away, saying, "Miss Lin, I saw it clearly, it was you who deliberately pushed my mistress!"

Zhu Jin, being one of Shen Huai'an's men, naturally sided with Lin Qinglian. She immediately shouted, "Help! Your Highness the Crown Princess, something terrible has happened! Miss Lin has pushed and injured Her Highness the Crown Princess!"

The palace servants in the hall had already heard Lin Qinglian's cries of pain, and upon hearing this, they panicked even more. Before long, the Empress and Princess Anyang came out with their maids. Yong'an sensed something was wrong and followed them out.

"What happened?" The Empress spotted the blood beneath Lin Qinglian from afar and her expression changed instantly. She hurriedly said, "What are you all standing there for? Quickly help Qinglian to the side hall, and summon the imperial physician!"

Princess Anyang looked worried and hurriedly instructed, "Everyone, keep your mouth shut and don't disturb the masters in the palace, especially Consort Yu. She is still pregnant and it's best not to disturb her pregnancy."

Speaking of this, An Yang couldn't help but give the Empress a cold look, and deliberately added with a pointed remark, "The palace has been unsettled lately. Consort Mei just recently suffered a miscarriage without any apparent cause. Your Majesty must be careful!"

The Empress was taken aback. Indeed, An Yang knew that she had plotted to cause Consort Mei's miscarriage and was reminding her not to touch Consort Xiao Yu anymore. But if she didn't do that, how long could her son Shen Huai'an remain the Crown Prince after giving birth to so many imperial princes?

Lin Wantang sensed the undercurrent between the two, and then heard the Empress give An Yang a perfunctory reply before angrily saying, "Lin Wantang, did you deliberately push the Crown Princess? How dare you! You are so insolent!"

"Guards! Drag her out and give her twenty strokes of the cane! If the imperial physician diagnoses that the Crown Princess's unborn child is abnormal, Lin Wantang, don't blame me for disregarding Grand Tutor Lin's reputation and being ruthless towards you!"

Lin Wantang knelt on the ground, maintaining her proper etiquette. She was about to bow and speak when Yong'an hurried over, curtsied, and said, "Your Majesty, you mustn't! Lin Wantang is always well-mannered and respectful, a model of a noble lady. She would never do such an offensive and presumptuous act. There must be a hidden reason. I beg Your Majesty to investigate!"

"The facts are right in front of me, what more do you want me to investigate?" The Empress didn't care about the children of the concubines, but as a mother-in-law, she was particularly concerned about the grandchildren in Lin Qinglian's womb, and in her anger, she spoke sternly.

An Yang frowned and looked at Yong An with some surprise.

That look in his eyes was quite obvious. Wasn't Yong'an at odds with Lin Wantang? Why has he changed his tune recently?

"They have to investigate no matter what! Her Majesty the Empress can't just show favoritism and punish people arbitrarily!" Yong'an was extremely anxious and looked to Anyang for help: "Aunt..."

An Yang finally understood. Before he could speak up again to mediate, Lin Wantang kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty the Empress is discerning and would never listen to only one side of the story. I have a way to prove my innocence."