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

"You think Qiu He isn't the real culprit? You think I'm protecting Xu Fanglin?"

Yingzhu glanced at him, her gaze frank. "This servant doesn't know who the real culprit is, but I feel there's something fishy about this matter. Your Highness must also sense something is amiss, yet you're unwilling to investigate further."

After a long pause, Liang Yunqian finally spoke:

"Xu Fanglin's father, Xu Kaishan, is vying for the position of Minister. At this time, we must not spread any news that is detrimental to the Xu family. If he fails, the position of Minister will fall into the hands of another political faction. This matter concerns the political situation and cannot be taken lightly."

Furthermore, my mother favors her niece. If you were to divorce Xu Fanglin, she would immediately order me to marry Zhao Tangwei. You didn't want to do as they wished, so you stopped there and didn't pursue the matter further.

Yingzhu was not surprised to hear these words from him.

She knew from the beginning that Liang Yunqian was investigating this matter not because he cared about her, but because he had been drugged and was trying to find out the truth for himself.

The investigation was discontinued later, also due to considerations of the political situation and personal interests.

As for whether Yingzhu's grievances will be avenged, it is not that important to him.

Having realized what was going on, Yingzhu stopped foolishly pressing for answers and instead feigned panic, changing the subject.

"Why did you tell me these things, Your Highness? This must be your secret, right? If I know too much, won't my life be in danger?"

"..." Her focus seemed somewhat peculiar.

"It shouldn't be mentioned, but if I don't explain the cause and effect, you'll think I'm covering up a broken promise."

"Even if the young master really protects you, there's nothing this servant can do to you."

Yes! She really misunderstood him, so what?

It wasn't a very serious matter to begin with, so why should Liang Yunqian care about her opinion?

After a moment of silence, Liang Yunqian said, "Given your petty nature, if I don't explain myself clearly, won't you start gossiping about me behind my back?"

Yingzhu, feeling offended, brushed a stray hair from her temple. "At most, I can only keep my thoughts to myself; I wouldn't dare to openly slander the young master."

"I'm telling you all this, you won't just turn around and tell the Princess, will you?"

Meeting his probing gaze, Yingzhu asked curiously, "Why should I tell the Princess?"

"The princess has repeatedly proposed to take you as a concubine; she seems to like you very much."

Liang Yunqian's tone was very calm, as if he were chatting with her casually, but Yingzhu could sense his suspicion from this calm tone.

So all the explanations he gave her weren't because he cared about her thoughts at all; he was just saying them on purpose to test her and see if she would complain to the Princess Consort.

This man is indeed very cunning!

When dealing with him, Yingzhu can never be careless and must always be on high alert, as she never knows when she might fall into his trap.

"It's all because of what the Taoist priest said. The Princess Consort hopes that I will get pregnant soon, which is why she treats me so well."

But I will always remember His Highness's words and will not get too close to the Princess Consort. You are the great tree that protects me, and I will not cling to anyone else besides you.

Liang Yunqian did not express his opinion, but stared at her for a long time, as if trying to figure out whether her words were true or false.

His gaze was so deep that Yingzhu felt uneasy.

"Why is Your Highness looking at me like that?"

He felt conflicted about the woman in front of him; he still couldn't see through her.

"Sometimes you seem foolish, and sometimes you seem clever. Which one is the real you?"

If I said I was stupid, he probably wouldn't believe me.

Yingzhu pondered for a moment and said, "I grew up in the marketplace. If I didn't have a little bit of cleverness, I would be easily bullied. But my little bit of wit is not enough to get by in the high-ranking royal family."

Because ordinary people only care about petty gains and only look at the present, while you wealthy families in your mansions are looking for long-term benefits and making strategic plans.

"When I got here, I realized that I couldn't outsmart them, because they didn't try to harm you to your face, but stabbed you in the back—that's even more terrifying!"

She neither claimed to be stupid nor smart, but used the difference between the two to demonstrate to him that her life in the Prince's mansion was not easy.

She was describing the true situation, thereby diverting his attention.

Liang Yunqian didn't delve any further, but said in a deep voice, "The Prince's mansion is a dangerous place. Remember to be careful with your words and actions, and be loyal to only one person. Don't be like Qiuhe, a fence-sitter who turns to both sides."

After giving the warning, Liang Yunqian stood up and returned the hot water bottle to her.

Upon taking over, Yingzhu casually remarked, "The Qiuhe incident is still unsettling. I'm fine on my own; please don't assign any more maids from now on!"

Liang Yunqian's dark eyes shifted slightly. "I know what I'm doing. You don't need to worry. Just rest and recuperate."

After giving his instructions, Liang Yunqian turned and left.

Yingzhu's tense nerves finally relaxed. She sighed inwardly that it was not easy to stay in the Prince Rui's mansion. Not only did she have to worry about having children, but she also had to guard against the scheming and infighting among these people.

However, the fiercer they fight, the more knives Yingzhu can wield against Xu Fanglin!

I just don't know what Liang Yunqian meant by "measures," and whether he understood her unspoken meaning.

Yingzhu finally fell asleep in the early hours of the morning after suffering from insomnia. By the time the birds started chirping, the news had already reached Xu Fanglin's ears.

The maid Lan Yun recounted in a low voice, "Last night, the young master went to visit Yingzhu and stayed there for half an hour. He also brought her hawthorn milk balls, saying that she had a poor appetite and that they could help stimulate her appetite."

That's Xu Fanglin's favorite food; you have to queue up to buy it.

Liang Yunqian actually brought a can for Yingzhu, but not for her?

Frustrated and irritable, Xu Fanglin immediately put the hand warmer aside. "Does he really care about Yingzhu? Or is he just deliberately trying to spite me?"

"Yesterday, the Crown Prince drove Qiuhe away and even publicly refuted the Princess Consort on your behalf, proving that the Crown Prince doesn't believe Qiuhe's accusations. So the Crown Prince has no reason to be angry with you!"

Xu Fanglin did have a glimmer of hope, but she knew Liang Yunqian was not someone who could be easily fooled.

"Just because the young master doesn't pursue the matter doesn't mean he won't suspect me. Qiuhe was so specific, and she is indeed my confidante. Plus, Shen Yingzhu is gossiping behind my back. How could he really not suspect me at all?"

If he had no grudges, why would he only bring pastries for the concubines, omitting me, the legal wife?

Xu Fanglin grew increasingly angry, so he ordered someone to summon Yingzhu.

Yingzhu had gone to bed late last night and was having breakfast when Lanyun interrupted her, saying that the Crown Princess wanted to see her.

"I've only eaten a few bites of my food. Please allow me a moment while I finish eating, and then I'll go."

Lan Yun chuckled and said, "Who are you putting on airs with? My dear sister, don't forget that your position as a concubine was given to you by the Crown Princess. How can you expect the Crown Princess to wait for you?"

Yingzhu wasn't putting on airs. "It's fine on ordinary days, but today I have to take my medicine. I have to eat a full meal first. I can't take it on an empty stomach."

"Then let's postpone the medicine. It's just a cold and fever; it won't kill you if it's delayed. I'm doing this for your own good. The Princess Consort is in a bad mood today; don't upset her!"

Lan Yun pulled Yingzhu outside, and Yingzhu had no choice but to put down her chopsticks.

But when she rushed over, Xu Fanglin was having breakfast.

Her phoenix eyes glanced at Yingzhu with a deep, unwavering gaze. "Have you had breakfast? Would you like to sit down and eat with us?"

If it's a genuine invitation, they won't ask if the person has eaten; they'll just pull them down to sit.

Before Yingzhu could speak, Lanyun answered for her, "When I went there, Yingzhu had just finished eating. She wasn't hungry. What would you like to eat, Master? Let Yingzhu serve you."

Yingzhu is still sick and in poor spirits. Why is she being made to do all the other maids in the room?

Even though Yingzhu was dissatisfied, she knew that Xu Fanglin was an unreasonable person who took pleasure in humiliating her. If she refused, she would only be punished.

Thinking of this, Yingzhu obediently stepped forward and, despite her hunger, served Xu Fanglin food.

Xu Fanglin savored the food slowly, while Yingzhu, smelling the aroma of the dishes, found it increasingly difficult to resist.

While eating porridge, Xu Fanglin casually remarked, "I heard the young master sent you hawthorn milk balls? You're trying to conceive, how can you eat hawthorn?"

Yingzhu was aware of this taboo.

"The matter of the thunder vine has not yet been investigated, so even if we have sex twice, it will be useless, as I am not pregnant yet."

She only ate a few pills after confirming that she was not pregnant.

Feeling humiliated by the rebuttal, Xu Fanglin put on a stern face and issued a warning.

"From now on, as you continue to serve the Crown Prince, there is always the possibility of you becoming pregnant. You must not touch any food related to hawthorn! Lan Yun, go to Yingzhu's room and take out her jar of hawthorn milk balls so that everyone can share them."

Lan Yun agreed and turned to go into her room.

Yingzhu needs at least two or three more days to fully recover. During this time, she can use hawthorn to stimulate her appetite, but Xu Fanglin made this request. It's clear that Xu Fanglin is sending her something to give Liang Yunqian, who holds a grudge against her, and trying to intimidate her!

She had planned to eat a little herself and save most of it to take home to her mother in a few days, but Lan Yun divided up all the hawthorn milk balls in front of her, leaving not a single one!

Her hopes were dashed, and Yingzhu felt a lump in her throat and her eyes reddened.

"Why is it so noisy so early in the morning?"

A clear, resonant voice suddenly rang out from the entrance. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and were surprised to see a man in a crimson brocade robe and black boots stepping inside. His tall and upright figure was none other than Prince Liang Yunqian!

As soon as Liang Yunqian entered the room, he saw the maids standing in a row, each holding a hawthorn milk ball.

Xu Fanglin waved for them to leave, and Lan Yun took the initiative to speak.

"Your Highness, it was Yingzhu who told everyone that Your Highness dotes on her and bought her a jar of hawthorn milk balls, which you then shared with everyone to try."