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

An Yang felt that she was deliberately bringing up a sore spot, and glanced at Yong An.

Before she could speak again, the Empress regained her composure and asked suspiciously, "Whether Lin Wantang refused or not is another matter, but is this her so-called way of proving her innocence?"

In other words, Lin Wantang was suspected of knowing that Lin Qinglian was faking her pregnancy.

In a more serious scenario, she might even cover up and help Lin Qinglian fake her pregnancy to curry favor, harboring malicious intentions!

Lin Wantang remained calm and moved to bow to the Empress: "Your Majesty, what I didn't say earlier, the so-called method to prove my innocence, is that I know some basic medical skills and can assist the imperial physician in doing my best to protect the Crown Princess's pregnancy."

"You!" The Empress felt a sharp pain in her chest from this reason and explanation, her face instantly darkening. "Sweet talk! Did you think you could fool me?!"

"Your Majesty, that's not quite right," Yong'an immediately interjected. "Lin Wantang's medical skills are well-known throughout the capital. Regardless of whether she pushed and injured the Crown Princess, even if she wanted to repent and make amends, what's wrong with her wanting to assist the imperial physicians in doing her best to protect the Crown Princess's pregnancy? What kind of deception is this?"

"Your Majesty the Empress wouldn't be so reluctant to punish her own son's wife just because the Crown Princess is faking her pregnancy, and would she try to shift the blame to someone else to play the role of a good mother-in-law?"

Yong'an's words were a bit harsh, but her criticisms were spot on. Plus, she was still young and charming, which wasn't annoying. Seeing the Empress's terrifying expression after being exposed, she quickly bowed her head and said, "Your Majesty the Empress is tolerant and loving. Your virtue as the mother of the nation is a model for all women. You would never be so confused as to be suspected. Yong'an's words were disrespectful just now because she was worried and troubled. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

This statement is both offensive and unfair, and it also flatters the Empress with compliments.

No matter how much the Empress wanted to cover for Lin Qinglian, she couldn't. She suppressed her anger and pursed her lips, saying, "Yong'an's kindness is something I will not blame."

"Lin Wantang, you may be exempt from criminal liability, but the grudge remains. Time cannot bear the sight of bloodshed, yet because of you, many taboos have been broken. Do you know your crime?"

"This humble woman knows her crime and is willing to accept punishment."

The Empress felt a tightness in her chest and a sense of unease. She waved her sleeve and said, "Go out and kneel for two hours as punishment. This is a small punishment to serve as a warning to others."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I accept the punishment."

Lin Wantang kowtowed without changing her expression. When she was about to get up, she saw that Yong'an looked dissatisfied and was trying to plead for her. She quickly shook her head slightly at Yong'an, indicating that it was not advisable.

She was only forced to kneel in the snow for two hours, but when Lin Qinglian's false pregnancy was exposed, the emperor, upon closer investigation, would easily discover that Shen Huai'an was suspected of covering it up. The two of them would be severely punished, far more severely than this kneeling punishment.

Most importantly, this was unexpected by Shen Huai'an, and it disrupted his plans. He would have to think twice before trying to expose Lin Yasong again.

Lin Wantang could use this time to meticulously plan and strategize with Lin Rucong, and perhaps even find out what Wei Wujiu and Shen Huai'an talked about in Jinlu. Once they had cleared things up, they could avoid any misunderstandings.

This is truly a golden opportunity.

Before leaving, Lin Wantang glanced indifferently at the inner hall. It seemed she had to thank Lin Qinglian. Without her foolish move that backfired, how could Lin Wantang have gotten a chance to catch her breath?

She arrived outside the palace, feeling the snow falling softly. Just as she was about to lift her robes and kneel down to be punished, she heard a eunuch announce that the Emperor had arrived, accompanied by Wei Wujiu.

He strode confidently behind the emperor, dressed in a black python robe with both civil and military sleeves. His demeanor was refined, his steps were swift, and his handsome face was expressionless and cold, as cold as snowflakes, making people afraid to approach him.

From a distance, Wei Wujiu seemed to glance at Lin Wantang, or perhaps he didn't.

His pale eyes were tinged with the scent of falling snow, and a gust of cold wind swept through, sending dust swirling in the air.

The emperor also saw Lin Wantang. He saw her bow but did not say anything. He strode into the side hall. But not long after, Wei Wujiu walked out of the hall.

The attendant quickly draped a black fur cloak over his shoulders, then held up an umbrella, and followed him step by step toward Lin Wantang.

"Did you get into trouble again?"

The low sound was like heavenly music, but it was much lighter because it was mixed with wind and snow.

Lin Wantang frowned slightly, then smiled faintly and said without correcting her, "I suppose so."

Wei Wujiu knew she was wronged. Lin Qinglian was deliberately picking a fight, and she had nowhere to avoid it. Because of the many eyes around, he didn't say anything more. He took the oil-paper umbrella from his attendant and held it over her head to shield her from the snow. His tall figure also blocked the wind for her.

"Governor, this..."

Lin Wantang was about to say that this was against the rules and ask him not to interfere, but Wei Wujiu interrupted her, asking, "Do you know you're wrong?"

She blinked in confusion, then nodded instinctively, "I know I was wrong."

"Get up," Wei Wujiu said calmly. While Lin Wantang was still stunned, he bent down and helped her up with one hand. He then raised his chin towards the main hall and said, "There are many distinguished guests in the hall. The palace banquet is important. Go and help the Empress with the arrangements."

"Huh?" Lin Wantang was taken aback again, and lowered her voice as they were close together: "You've pleaded guilty and exempted me from punishment? Won't this implicate you? The Emperor will definitely..."

"No need to worry."

Wei Wujiu interrupted again, and handed the fur coat to the servant. The servant understood and quickly presented Lin Wantang's white fox fur coat. Wei Wujiu took it and draped it over her shoulders, slowly tying the knot: "Someone has only themselves to blame. Listen to me, don't worry about it."

"But..." Lin Wantang really wanted to reveal all the things Shen Huai'an had coerced her into doing, but the occasion wasn't right, so she kept quiet and changed her words: "Yes, I will listen to the Governor. The Governor must also act cautiously and remember to be careful."

Wei Wujiu gave a soft "hmm" and was about to watch her go to the main hall when Lin Wantang took a few steps, thinking that she seemed to have caught a glimpse of the jade pendant in Shen Huai'an's hand outside the golden carriage early in the morning.

She hesitated for a moment, then turned back to Wei Wuji: "Commander, Wan Tang has known propriety and shame since childhood. She has never had anyone in her heart before. The family jade pendant she wore since childhood was accidentally broken when she was eight years old. The jade pendant that His Highness the Crown Prince is supposed to be a token of love was given to her by her father on her behalf during the betrothal ceremony two years ago."

"I don't want to lie to you, nor do I want the governor to feel any distance between us. This string of jade prayer beads is something I've loved and always carried with me since I was a child. I heard from my father the other day that it was also something my mother owned."

As Lin Wantang spoke, she took out a string of exquisite and delicate, bright green prayer beads from her sleeve. The perfectly placed tassels at the bottom accentuated her slender, fair fingers.

"If the Governor does not mind, I will present this rosary to the Governor today."

The meaning behind it is self-evident.

Wei Wujiu lowered his eyes to look at the prayer beads she offered, but did not take them. After a moment of contemplation, he retorted, "I had no one I loved before, but what about now?"