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

Seeing the unfriendly look in his eyes, Yingzhu changed her mind before she could say anything.

"A person like you, cold as ice and keeping everyone at arm's length, must be very virtuous and indifferent to women. Women wouldn't dare to like you; they could only look up to you with respect and keep their distance!"

"And what about you?"

Liang Yunqian took another step closer, and the distance between the two of them closed once again.

His broad chest blocked her view, but when she looked up, she saw his slightly bobbing Adam's apple and smelled the unique scent of pine tea that was wafting through her mind.

Yingzhu murmured, "This servant... cannot be too far from you, otherwise I will not be able to have children."

The atmosphere around them became intimate and alluring. Her red lips looked especially moist in the candlelight. Liang Yunqian's gaze remained fixed on her lips, and his sharp eyes momentarily lost focus.

However, before she could finish speaking, she continued with another sentence---

"No bonus of one thousand taels if you don't have a child."

The ambiguous atmosphere was suddenly shattered, and Liang Yunqian's dark eyes turned cold.

"So... you're only after that thousand taels of silver?"

"Of course! With a thousand taels, who would want to be a maid and suffer mistreatment? There's the Princess Consort on the left, the Crown Prince's Consort on the right, and Your Highness, the great Buddha, in the middle, and all around are those aggressive maids and nannies."

"If I make even one wrong move, I'll be punished and scolded. Such so-called wealth and glory are beyond my reach. I'd better hurry up and give birth to my child, take the money, and leave the palace to live a carefree life."

Many people think that Prince Rui's Mansion is a golden palace, but little do they know, it is a man-eating cage!

Shen Yingzhu was actually able to see through the true nature of the Prince's mansion's prosperity?

He was surprised by her insight, but those who are too insightful are often able to keenly perceive everyone's thoughts.

Therefore, what she said may not have come from her true feelings.

"Is this something you should say? You're getting bolder and bolder, daring to complain in front of me?"

Yingzhu had become accustomed to hiding all her worries and bearing them alone, but Liang Yunqian's doubts and his indifference tonight left her feeling helpless, leaving her with no choice but to take a risk.

"Although I am greedy, I have principles. You are the one I should be loyal to. I am wholeheartedly thinking of you and would rather get up early and suffer to resolve the conflict between you and the princess, but you suspect me of having ulterior motives."

"You refuse to teach me to write, and I feel wronged, which is why I complained a few times."

All the grievances in her heart turned into tears, overflowing from her glistening eyes.

Liang Yunqian slowly raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears that had slid down her face.

The movement was exceptionally gentle, so gentle that Yingzhu found it hard to believe.

Does this mean he... believes her?

Before she could even feel relieved, he suddenly wiped the tears that were on his fingertips, inch by inch, onto her lips.

Yingzhu's lips and teeth were tinged with the bitterness of tears, and at the same time, his warning rang in her ears.

"This is the path you chose. You must swallow your tears and bitterness yourself. Don't even think about conquering me with your tears!"

"..."

In that instant, Yingzhu couldn't help but wonder, what is this man's heart made of? Stone?

She suddenly remembered something Qingfeng had said to her in her past life---

"Everyone is scrambling to win the prince's favor and affection, but the prince is cold-hearted and indifferent; he could never be attracted to any woman."

Fortunately, Yingzhu didn't want Liang Yunqian's heart, but she needed his trust and protection to gain a foothold in the Prince Rui's mansion and avenge herself!

Because she clearly knew what she wanted, she wasn't saddened by his cold words. Instead, she told herself to keep working hard and win his trust through her actions!

"What you say is absolutely right, Your Highness. Suffering must be swallowed by oneself. This servant does not need Your Highness's sympathy or pity, but a child cannot be born alone, so Your Highness's cooperation is necessary."

As she spoke, Yingzhu tiptoed, raised her hand to wrap around his neck, and looked at him with a smile.

He continued to scrutinize her, unmoved. Yingzhu had no choice but to keep getting closer, pressing herself against him, nibbling his ear, and clumsily teasing him as he had done the night before.

He didn't respond, and Yingzhu couldn't help but wonder if she hadn't done something right.

She was about to adjust her moves when, in the next instant, she vaguely heard Liang Yunqian's originally calm breathing gradually become disordered. His hands, which were hanging down, finally couldn't hold back and pinched her breasts!

"Shen Yingzhu, you certainly know how to apply what you've learned."

Shen Yingzhu, who was nestled in his neck, smiled slightly. "This servant is a diligent and hardworking student. No matter what the young master teaches me, I will remember it and apply it in practice."

Liang Yunqian's desires had been stirred by her. Since their goal was to have a child, he didn't need to investigate her background at this time, as long as she could be of use to him.

He could no longer restrain himself; with a long arm, he pulled her to sit on the table.

This situation was somewhat novel to Yingzhu. "Last night it was a chair, why has it been changed to a table tonight? Can't we lie down in those curtains over there? Why do we have to be so curious?"

Between the two of them, he had always been the one in control.

She piqued his interest here, so he taught her here.

"Where we go is up to me; you have no say in the matter."

He was always so domineering, never caring about her feelings.

Her dress slipped down her back without her noticing, causing the brush holder hanging on the table to sway back and forth, making one's heart flutter...

That night, he made a ruckus until very late as usual, and Yingzhu dared not renege on her promise again. She had told Qingfeng in advance to wake her up early, because Princess Rui had instructed her to go there to read scriptures and pray for blessings at Chenshi (7-9 AM).

As soon as Liang Yunqian left, she had to get up and wash.

Recalling the news he had just heard, Qingfeng combed her hair while whispering something to her.

"Yesterday, Baolan returned to Tingsong Garden, but was driven away by the Crown Prince. He forbade her to serve there any longer. It seems the Crown Prince is avenging you!"

Upon hearing this, Yingzhu slowly opened her eyes. Although she was tired, she was not confused.

"He only dismissed Baolan because he felt she was untrustworthy and didn't speak the truth, not because he wanted to avenge me."

Qingfeng was surprised by Shen Yingzhu's rationality. After a brief pause, Qingfeng continued:

After leaving here, Baolan went to Xiuxuexuan.

"Xiuxue Pavilion?"

In fact, Yingzhu knew about that place, but that was something she knew in her past life. She didn't know about it in this life, which is why she asked the question on purpose.

Qingfeng explained, "That's Zhou Zisu's residence. She went back last month to celebrate her divine physician father's birthday, and only returned to the manor yesterday. Baolan went to find her, probably asking to be taken in!"

Zhou Zisu is skilled in medicine; she was the one who cured Liang Yunqian's leg injury.

This person is quite cunning; Yingzhu should be cautious.

Inside Xiuxue Pavilion, the maid Meixin reported in a low voice.

"Aunt Zhou, Baolan is kneeling outside, begging you to take her in. When you first entered the manor, Baolan often bullied you. Now that she's disliked by the Prince and ignored by the Princess, she's turned to you for help. She's truly a weathervane!"

Zhou Zisu smiled dismissively. "Since she needs my help, how can I stand by and watch her die? Let her in!"

"But she is wicked, and I am worried that she has ill intentions."

"That would be perfect. I need to give her a chance to prove herself."

Zhou Zisu smiled meaningfully. Mei Xin didn't understand her meaning, but she still followed her instructions and went out to invite Baolan in...

After finishing her dressing and grooming, Yingzhu stood up.

Next, she was going to Deshan Hall. She couldn't afford to be in distress any longer and had to stay alert at all times.

Even in winter, a few withered lotus leaves and branches still stand on the pond, their messy lines adding a touch of elegance, like a traditional Chinese ink painting.

Yingzhu was admiring the unique scenery of the pond when she suddenly heard Qingfeng say:

"Oh? That's the young master! The young master has returned so early today. There must be nothing going on in court, which is why he left early."

Yingzhu looked in the direction of the sound and saw Liang Yunqian's crimson official robes shining brightly in the morning light, exuding masculine spirit!

However, Yingzhu was some distance away from him, and before she could speak to him, a woman walked towards him from the fork in the road.

Yingzhu recognized Zhou Zisu at a glance, who was dressed in a flowing blue dress.

Zhou Zisu approached with a smile, her bright, crescent-shaped eyes curving into crescents. "Yunqian! I'm back! I arrived late last night, but I didn't come to see you because I didn't want to disturb your rest."

The name "Yun Qian" drifted to Yingzhu's ears on the wind.

Xu Fanglin never called him by his name, simply because the couple had never been very familiar with each other.

Zhao Tangwei called him "cousin," while Yingzhu was even more distant from him, only addressing him as "Young Master." Only Zhou Zisu called him by his name, Yunqian, which shows that the two of them had a closer relationship.

Liang Yunqian's expression was clear and bright. "You must be tired from your journey."

"I brought you lots of good things, come with me to your room and take a look!"

As she spoke, Zhou Zisu reached out to take his hand, and Yingzhu stopped in her tracks upon seeing this.

She suddenly realized that she didn't need to follow any rules, and there was no need for her to come forward and bow, as it would be an eyesore. She should just turn around and take a detour.