Who said the heir would die out? The concubine is pregnant again!

Princess Rui's face stiffened instantly, a sense of foreboding washing over her. "You...who do you intend to marry?"

Yingzhu was also very curious about which family's daughter the Empress Dowager would match Liang Yunqian with.

She was waiting to see what would happen when he suddenly took her hand, gazed into her eyes, and smiled tenderly.

"That's naturally Yingzhu."

Princess Rui seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Although Yingzhu is Xu Kaishan's daughter, Xu Kaishan has already been imprisoned, so her status as the daughter of the Xu family is no longer noble. She is now the daughter of a disgraced official!"

"Our Prince Rui's mansion only kept her as a concubine because of the child. What makes her think she can become the Crown Prince's consort? It's utterly absurd!"

Yingzhu never coveted the position of Crown Princess; her only goal was revenge.

"Xu Kaishan is selfish and despicable. My mother has no intention of getting a formal title. She has officially divorced Xu Kaishan, and I have no intention of acknowledging him as my father!"

He is unworthy to be my father, and his crimes are none of my concern. However, I have no intention of coveting the position of Crown Princess. I urge the Crown Prince to reconsider.

Liang Yunqian made this decision after careful consideration and there is no need to think about it any further.

"Yingzhu, I've thought this through very clearly. The person I'm betrothed to in the Xu family is you, and the position of Crown Princess should rightfully belong to you!"

We missed our chance at marriage due to a series of unfortunate events, but now that the truth has finally come out, I should make amends for all the suffering you've endured over the years by making you my legal wife!

His stubbornness gave Princess Rui a lot of headaches.

Previously, no one knew that Yingzhu and Lao Si's fiancée simply shared the same name. Now that her identity and background have been revealed, everyone will soon know that she was once engaged to Lao Si.

With this relationship involved, it's inevitable that people will criticize her; she can't be your Crown Princess! This matter has already blown up so much; you should shut up and not make yourself a laughingstock in the capital!

Princess Rui's disdain was written all over her face, and Yingzhu understood her situation, so she never dared to hope for anything else.

"Your Highness, the Princess Consort is right. Let's settle this peacefully! I don't want to cause any trouble."

Yingzhu, being considerate and understanding, did not want to put him in a difficult position. Liang Yunqian tried his best to persuade her, but the result was not as expected.

"I don't want to marry anyone else, and I don't want anyone else to be jealous and try to harm you."

As he spoke, Liang Yunqian took out another imperial edict and slowly unfolded it.

"This is the Emperor's decree bestowing the marriage upon us."

Yingzhu looked closely and was surprised to find that the imperial edict actually stated that she and Liang Yunqian were betrothed!

"So you requested two imperial decrees? One was the Empress Dowager's decree of divorce, and the other was the Emperor's decree of marriage?"

The imperial edict was written clearly, but Princess Rui doubted that she was seeing things.

"How is this possible? How could the Emperor agree to your absurd request? Shen Yingzhu is clearly a concubine; how can a concubine be elevated to the status of a wife? There's no precedent for this!"

Yingzhu also found it strange. "What did you say to the Emperor? Why did he agree?"

This is Liang Yunqian's trump card!

"Back then, I captured the enemy leader and made great contributions. The emperor asked me what I wanted, but because I was seriously injured and had been recuperating at home, the matter was never mentioned again."

Later, the emperor bestowed upon me a jade pendant, saying it could grant me one wish. I never had a chance to use it, so I kept it as a keepsake.

I know that marrying you will not be easy, which is why I exchanged my military merits for the jade pendant to obtain an imperial decree for our marriage. The Emperor had given his word, and because of your truly special status and the hidden reasons behind it, the decree was issued smoothly.

"Such an important jade pendant should be kept safe and used only in crucial moments. How could you exchange it for a woman?"

Princess Rui couldn't understand why Liang Yunqian, who was always cold and aloof, was so devoted to Shen Yingzhu. It was even to an unreasonable degree!

Today's situation shocked not only Princess Rui, but also Yingzhu.

She remembered him saying that he had fought for several years in order to use his military merits to keep his position as heir apparent, but she was unaware of the Emperor's gift of the jade pendant.

"Why are you doing this? I've never aspired to the position of the principal wife."

Yingzhu was afraid of both the Prince's Mansion and him.

Although she said that day that she would observe his behavior, Liang Yunqian could still sense that she had never given up the idea of ​​leaving.

He needed to give her a sense of security, and he even selfishly considered using a marriage contract to tie her to his side.

Once she becomes his wife and has children, she cannot leave.

But this was his selfish desire, and he couldn't say it out loud, lest Yingzhu think he had ulterior motives.

"But I want to give you the best, and I'm willing to pay any price. It would be beneath you to be just a concubine; you should be my wife. If I marry you sooner, our child will be the eldest son of the legitimate wife."

He was thinking of her and her child, which is why he was in a hurry to give her the title of his legal wife.

None of these pearls had imagined that he would consider things so far ahead.

She is still in a daze. Princess Rui wanted to lash out, but she could only keep quiet because of the imperial decree.

She had painstakingly planned for so long, hoping that Tang Wei could become the Crown Prince's wife, but Shen Yingzhu, who appeared halfway through, took advantage of her. How could she be willing to accept that?

Unfortunately, Shen Yingzhu was pregnant and there was also an imperial decree, so Princess Rui could not take action against her for the time being.

For now, all she can do is wait, wait for Shen Yingzhu to give birth, and then make a plan...

On the same day, he divorced his wife and granted her a marriage.

Liang Yunqian handled the matter swiftly and decisively, leaving no room for maneuver. By the time Prince Rui returned to his residence, the matter was already settled, and he had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Next, the wedding ceremony was to be held. Liang Yunqian ordered people to select several auspicious days and invited Madam Shen to choose one.

Shen didn't have any particular thoughts; she suggested that he and Yingzhu discuss and decide.

However, Madam Shen felt it was inappropriate for her to continue living in the Prince's Mansion and wanted to go home.

Liang Yunqian specially prepared a large house for her, hired a group of servants, and settled her in a very proper manner.

In reality, Ms. Shen would rather go back to her original house, but the neighbors there would definitely gossip, which would only upset her. She couldn't explain herself and would only add to her troubles.

After much deliberation, Madam Shen followed the advice of her son and daughter, moved to a new residence, and took her son out of the palace.

Shen Songyan can stay at home until the Lantern Festival, and then go to the Imperial College. During this time, he can spend time with his mother.

After much consideration, the wedding date was set for March 16th.

Upon hearing this news, Liang Xingzhou could no longer sit still!

If Yingzhu were just a concubine, he could still take her away after she gave birth.

Once she becomes the Crown Prince's wife, it will be very difficult for him to take her away.

He had no patience to wait any longer, so he took Xiaobai's hand and went straight to see Yingzhu.

Yingzhu had just returned from a stroll in the back garden and was heading back to Wenzhu Pavilion. Halfway there, near the artificial hill, she suddenly spotted Liang Xingzhou!

The spring breeze lifts the hem of the green robe, stirring up old grudges and resentments.

Yingzhu felt a sense of foreboding, but Xiaobai had already spotted her and was barking at her. She had no choice but to step forward and bow.

Today, Liang Xingzhou was not bound by ribbons, and his eyes were clearly visible to Yingzhu.

His eyebrows and eyes were still the same as before, but his eyes no longer had any light, they could not focus, they were empty.

With a dejected expression, Liang Xingzhou asked softly,

"They say you're going to marry Liang Yunqian. I don't believe it! Yingzhu, I just want to hear you tell me yourself that this isn't true!"

After a moment of silence, Yingzhu's red lips parted slightly, "You heard me right, I am indeed going to marry the Crown Prince, and the wedding will be next month."

"Why? You clearly don't like him, so why did you marry him?"

Gently stroking her slightly protruding belly, Yingzhu said softly:

"He's willing to marry me, give me and our child a home, and ensure our future. Why can't I marry him?"

"I can marry you and give you a home! Yingzhu, I've always been here, I've never left, look at me!"

Liang Xingzhou expressed his stance hastily; he couldn't see her expression, only heard a sigh of regret.

"But I am carrying the Crown Prince's child. I have already said that I will cut all ties with you and have nothing to do with you anymore. I hope Fourth Master will be mindful of his words."

She was always so resolute towards him, but he refused to give up, insisting on scrutinizing every word to find any trace of him still in her heart.

"You only married him because of the child, right? I told you I don't care! If you want this child, I'll find a way to take you and the child away with you. If you don't want it, then leave the child in the palace, and I'll take you far away!"

Yingzhu, give me another six months, and I'm sure I can regain my sight and take you away! I'll take you away from this place of trouble. Don't let your reputation and your child force you to marry someone you don't love!

After returning to his residence, Liang Yunqian went to Wenzhu Pavilion. Hearing that she was in the garden, he went to look for her.

As he walked to the corner of the artificial hill, he heard Liang Xingzhou and Yingzhu's voices.

This Liang Xingzhou is still not giving up and is still pestering Yingzhu!

As he approached, he was startled to hear Liang Xingzhou question Yingzhu with these words.

Liang Yunqian abruptly stopped in his tracks, not moving any closer. He also wanted to hear how Yingzhu would answer the question.

Although Liang Yunqian expressed his opinion, Yingzhu only said that she would see how he performed and did not give any positive response.

She always felt that there was still a distance between her and Liang Yunqian, and that she hadn't reached the point where she could trust him to entrust her heart to him.

She agreed to marry him only out of consideration for her own interests and the current situation.

Liang Yunqian was able to protect her and her child, and that was enough. From beginning to end, she never considered feelings.

However, Liang Xingzhou pressed her for a clear answer, and he would not give up until she gave him one.

If she said she hadn't fallen for Liang Yunqian yet, Liang Xingzhou would definitely think he still had a chance.

After much deliberation, Yingzhu resolutely raised her eyes.

"I have been with the Crown Prince for so long, and he has always protected me, helped my mother seek justice, sued Xu Kaishan on my behalf, divorced Xu Fanglin for me, and even sacrificed his military merits to become my legal wife."

I am not a plant or tree, how could I remain unmoved? At first, I did get together with him because of the child, but now, we have long since developed feelings for each other.

I love him, that's why I'm willing to marry him, not just for the child, as you think. So please, Fourth Prince, let go of the past and stop bothering me and the Heir Apparent.

The gentle breeze carried Yingzhu's tender words through the cracks in the artificial hill, reaching Liang Yunqian's ears like a trickle of water, filling the void and regret in his heart.

So Yingzhu has already fallen for him?

When did this happen?

She said she wasn't interested in him when she was in the first year of junior high, but judging from his behavior, she's fallen for him in just two months?

The surprise lasted only a moment. After calming down, Liang Yunqian realized that this might be a lie told by Yingzhu to make Liang Xingzhou give up.

Even a lie was a comfort to him.

Yingzhu has made her point so clear, Liang Xingzhou should give up, right?

Liang Yunqian was unwilling to get involved as long as she could handle it herself, but unexpectedly, Liang Xingzhou was still persistent!

"Impossible! It's only been a few months, how could you have fallen for him so quickly? You just feel that he helped you and is someone you can rely on, so you've become dependent on him."

This isn't true affection, it's just gratitude. You shouldn't mistake being touched for love. Once my eyes are healed, I can protect you like before!

Yingzhu, don't marry him. Wait for me for another six months. Give me a chance to make up for what I missed, okay?

Liang Xingzhou pleaded in a sorrowful voice, but Yingzhu could not soften her heart in the slightest.

"The length of time doesn't matter. This is probably my fate with him. I no longer like you. Stop deceiving yourself. You're only causing me trouble."

"I don't believe it! The handkerchief you had my mother give me before the New Year, I've kept with me ever since, which proves you care about me. Why won't you admit it?"

Liang Xingzhou took out a handkerchief, trying to prove that she had a place for him in her heart.

Liang Yunqian frowned. Looking at the stitches, it seemed to be Yingzhu's handiwork. But when did she give the handkerchief to Liang Xingzhou?

Yingzhu isn't that kind of person. She's very cautious when it comes to relationships. There must be some misunderstanding here!

Liang Yunqian secretly told himself not to overthink it; he should wait to hear Yingzhu's clarification.

But then Yingzhu said, "I did embroider this handkerchief."

Upon hearing this, Liang Yunqian felt as if a gaping wound had opened up in his heart, letting in a chilling wind...

Yingzhu actually admitted it? This really is the handkerchief she embroidered for Liang Xingzhou? There was no misunderstanding in this?