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

Yingzhu and Liang Yunqian are from vastly different social classes, so she can only guide them, not control their relationship.

Once she takes the blame, she becomes the one who made the mistake. Yingzhu doesn't want to take the blame; what she should do is shift the focus away from the blame.

"Isn't Your Highness still angry about that matter? You've been so fierce these past few days, so naturally I don't dare to cling to you, for fear you'll suddenly lose your temper again."

Liang Yunqian was truly astonished; there were actually villains who would accuse him first and then try to pin the blame on him.

The only one who would dare to be so unreasonable in front of him is Shen Yingzhu.

"You're the one who's being stubborn and putting on a show. You were all agreeable before, but now you're being cold and uncooperative. In the end, you're still bothered by the fact that his wood carving was burned."

Liang Yunqian's domineering and unreasonable behavior did indeed anger Yingzhu, but if something happened, she would still have to use Liang Yunqian to seek benefits and achieve her goals.

Therefore, she could only tell herself not to argue with him anymore.

If he's being unreasonable, then she should resort to shameless behavior.

"Is Your Highness truly ignorant, or are you feigning ignorance? The real reason I'm angry isn't because the wood carving was destroyed, but because of your suspicion!"

I am already your woman, and I have said that I would have your children. I also broke off my engagement with him a long time ago and have nothing to do with him anymore. How could I possibly still have feelings for him? Yet you don't even bother to find out the truth and assume that I have ulterior motives, and you are so mean to me!

Last time, Qiuhe drugged you but then framed me. You promised then that you would listen to my explanation and wouldn't let others falsely accuse me again. But now, you're the one who's throwing dirty water on me...

Yingzhu spoke haltingly, her voice choked with sobs, until she was completely overcome with grief.

Tears welled up in her eyes once more, sliding down her neck.

Her aggrieved and helpless appearance made Liang Yunqian begin to reflect: had he really misunderstood her?

"The burning was the end of it. After returning to the manor, the master did not reprimand you. You were just being stubborn and giving him the cold shoulder."

"You'd rather get soaked in the rain than share an umbrella. You dislike me so much, how dare I bother you again?"

"If I really dislike you, I could simply take the umbrella and leave. Why would I get soaked myself and leave the umbrella for you?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Liang Yunqian suddenly regretted it. Why did he, a prince, have to explain his thoughts to others?

Yingzhu glanced at him, somewhat incredulous. Did he really think that way?

"Who told you not to make things clear, Your Highness? I always thought you disliked me, which is why I deliberately kept my distance from you and dared not speak, lest I say something wrong and be scolded by you again."

She pursed her red lips slightly, muttered softly, and then glanced at him timidly. She wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, her eyes full of wariness as she looked at him.

"In your eyes, am I such an unreasonable person?"

Yingzhu blinked her deer-like eyes, hesitated for a long while, and then said in a soft voice:

"Your Highness is like a lump of ice, cold and unwarm, yet also like a ball of fire, ready to be ignited at any moment. You burn things when you're angry; how would this servant know what the consequences would be if I angered you again?"

Rather than being constantly ignited by your anger, it's better to remain silent. If you don't speak, you won't cause trouble.

"..." He had always thought she was sulking and giving him the cold shoulder, but it turned out that she was afraid of him and chose to remain silent in order to protect herself.

With a sigh, Liang Yunqian raised his hand to stroke her cheek, but before he could touch her, she instinctively shrank back.

Liang Yunqian's heart softened, and he gently placed his fingertips on her jade-like cheek.

"I won't be mean to you, don't be afraid."

Yingzhu didn't dare to move, staring at him nervously, but he simply raised his hand and smoothed the stray hairs at her temples.

"Actually, I'm not as difficult to get along with as you think. I only have one requirement: the people around me must not have any disloyalty. Song Xingzhou has already sacrificed his life for the country, so you don't need to worry about him anymore."

You can keep your wooden carving, but I don't like his, so you can't keep it!

The wood carving has been burned, so let's consider this matter closed. From now on, I won't mention it again, and you shouldn't hold a grudge. As long as you don't betray me, I won't easily lose my temper with you.

He was always so domineering, and Yingzhu needed to rely on his influence. Since he gave her a way out, she shouldn't have continued to pursue the matter.

After all, revenge was the most important thing, and as for dignity, she could only put it aside for the time being.

"You said it yourself, you trust me and have no more doubts. For the next year, I will be completely devoted to the Prince, body and soul. Anyone who mentions that matter again is a dog!"

Yingzhu pouted and declared, her slightly puffed-out cheeks adding a touch of coquettishness, which stirred Liang Yunqian's heart, but her words inexplicably irritated him.

"Is there a time limit to your loyalty?"

"We agreed that after a year, once the child is born, I'd take the money and leave! Once I'm gone, you don't need to worry about where my heart is anymore, right?"

That is indeed the truth, but he didn't like hearing that.

"I never said I would let you go. It depends on my mood and your performance."

"Then this servant will certainly perform well, strive to serve the young master well, earn more rewards, and return home laden with spoils!"

At this moment, Yingzhu's eyes were no longer filled with fear, but only with anticipation for a free life a year from now.

That radiant light, pure and passionate, stung Liang Yunqian's eyes.

Isn't the Prince Rui's residence good enough? Why is she so eager to leave?

A strange fire slowly ignited in his heart. Liang Yunqian didn't agree to anything. He suddenly captured her lips, holding her clumsy little mouth, as if kissing her, or perhaps punishing her.

One moment she was speaking, the next her lips were forcefully sealed by his. Yingzhu lightly punched her small fist in protest, but he simply grabbed her wrist, held her knuckles, and locked her restless body firmly in his palm...

Yingzhu sighed inwardly, realizing she never had a peaceful night, as he had bullied her several times over.

I hope that God will take pity on her hard work and let her get pregnant as soon as possible, so that she won't have to be bullied by him anymore.

The brocade curtains ripple with crimson waves, and the long night brings sweeter dreams.

When she woke up in the morning, Qingfeng had already dressed and done her hair. Yingzhu looked in the mirror and remembered what Liang Yunqian had said last night, so she dipped more rouge in her rouge and applied it to her face.

Qingfeng, puzzled, said, "Miss, if you apply too much, your makeup will be ruined!"

Yingzhu didn't explain, but just smiled mysteriously, "You'll find out soon enough."

Afterwards, Yingzhu washed her hands and went to Deshan Hall as usual.

As soon as she entered the room, Xu Fanglin noticed several red marks on her left cheek.

"Yingzhu, your face... how come there are finger marks?"

Princess Rui had just put the scriptures away when she heard these words. She looked up and was taken aback.

"You serve Yun Qian, who would dare to lay a hand on you?"

Yingzhu covered her face in panic and cried, "Last night when I was serving the young master, I accidentally said something wrong and angered him, so he hit me."

"Yun Qian?" Princess Rui found it strange. "He never hits women, so why would he lay a hand on you? What did you do wrong?"

Yingzhu's gaze seemingly unintentionally fell on Xu Fanglin, causing Xu Fanglin's heart to skip a beat:

Was it because Yingzhu pleaded for Xu Zhao that the Crown Prince got angry and took action?

If these words were spoken to Princess Rui, she would be accused of being insensible and always thinking of her own family.

Xu Fanglin narrowed her phoenix eyes slightly, intending to warn Shen Yingzhu not to speak carelessly.

Yingzhu wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, no longer looking at Xu Fanglin, turned to Princess Rui, and began to sob.