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

After a moment's thought, Yingzhu asked, "Can I still receive a thousand taels of silver as a concubine?"

"..." Liang Yunqian guessed several possibilities, but he never expected her to reply with such a sentence.

"You only care about that one thousand taels of silver? Have you ever thought about the benefits you'll receive after becoming my concubine? It will be much more than just one thousand taels."

She shook her head, her bright red lips slightly pursed.

"In just one month, I have been injured and sick three times. Being bullied, framed, and punished is commonplace. People used to say that high-ranking families are treacherous, but I didn't believe it. Now that I've experienced it firsthand, I believe it wholeheartedly!"

Life in this Prince's mansion is too unbearable; there's always intrigue and backstabbing. I'm afraid I won't live to enjoy any comforts here. I'd rather take a large sum of money and leave!

The Prince Rui's mansion was like a gilded cage, attracting outsiders who all wanted to climb up to it. But Shen Yingzhu only felt fear and wanted to avoid suspicion.

The problems she mentioned do exist, but Liang Yunqian is a member of the Prince Rui's mansion, and he cannot avoid this identity; he can only face the challenges head-on.

"Everyone wants wealth and glory. To gain something, you have to pay a price. It's not that easy."

"Therefore, I chose to give birth to a child and get money, as this method is quick and effective."

"Only money in hand is truly secure. Using the status of a concubine to exchange for long-term benefits requires cunning and involves risk, which is unsuitable for servants."

She kept talking about money, so Liang Yunqian tried to probe her again.

"What if you could become a concubine and receive a thousand taels of silver? Would you be willing to become a concubine?"

This wasn't a discussion; his tone carried a hint of seduction, and Yingzhu always felt he had ulterior motives.

After much deliberation, Yingzhu shook her head. "I promised my mother that I would return home to be with her after a year. If I become a concubine, who will take care of my mother? Cherries are nice, but I'm still worried about them. I still have to take care of her myself."

"Can you take care of your mother for the rest of your life? In the end, you still have to get married."

"Then let's find a son-in-law who will live with us! With a thousand taels of silver in hand, I won't have to worry about finding a husband!"

Yingzhu smiled indifferently; she didn't see that Liang Yunqian's expression had already changed.

"You're using my money to find a husband who will live with you? Shen Yingzhu, who gave you the audacity?"

Judging from his tone, he seemed angry again, but Yingzhu was not afraid at all.

She had previously made it clear to him that she did not want to be a concubine. If she readily agreed today, it would prove that all her previous words were lies.

In order not to arouse Liang Yunqian's suspicion about her motives, Yingzhu chose to refuse.

"That's the reward I earned by bearing your child and harming my own health. Once it's in my hands, it's none of your business, right? Why do you still care what I do with the money?"

"You've got a really good plan!" Liang Yunqian scoffed, his eyes already reddening as he looked at her again.

"I've already said that whether I let you go after a year depends on my mood. Since you've been disobedient, then don't even think about leaving the Prince Rui's residence. You're destined to be a concubine!"

Yingzhu had refused repeatedly, waiting for these words.

She didn't know Liang Yunqian very well, but she was about 60-70% familiar with him. She had already guessed that if she readily expressed her desire to become his concubine, he might not agree.

However, if she shows resistance, it will only anger him, and his pride will make him rebellious, forcing her to become his concubine.

Only by becoming a concubine could she receive better treatment after becoming pregnant, allowing her to take good care of herself and preventing Xu Fanglin from bullying her as recklessly as he had in her previous life.

However, she couldn't show that she wanted to become a concubine, because Liang Yunqian had always been suspicious of her background and purpose, and she had to make him bring it up himself!

Xu Fanglin pressured her to persuade Liang Yunqian that Princess Rui had repeatedly requested to hold a banquet, and that they were all putting pressure on Yingzhu. So, she shouldn't blame Yingzhu for taking advantage of this to seek her own benefit!

Even though she had achieved her goal, Yingzhu still had to pretend to be very unhappy.

"Why is the young master going back on his word? You said we'd decide later, why are you making a decision now? Isn't that too hasty?"

Before she could finish speaking, Liang Yunqian suddenly lowered his head, captured her lips, and kissed her fiercely!

This kiss held no tenderness, only a warning!

Unable to dodge, Yingzhu sobbed helplessly.

Amber thought the two were fighting and started meowing anxiously. Disturbed by Amber, Liang Yunqian finally released Shen Yingzhu and gave her a stern warning.

"You want money? I can give it to you, but you must remember—you are now my woman, and you should be devoted to me! Don't think about your dead man, and don't even think about taking in a husband!"

"You're so domineering!"

Yingzhu covered her lips, which he had kissed red, with her hand, muttering unhappily. The next moment, she heard Liang Yunqian ask in a stern voice, "What did you say?"

Startled, Yingzhu immediately covered her mouth. "It's nothing. You are the master, Your Highness. Whatever you say goes. This servant dares not have any objections."

"You'd better know your place and stop testing my limits!"

Liang Yunqian had already made his decision, so Yingzhu would go along with his arrangements. As for whether the plan would work, that would depend on his performance.

The next day, when Yingzhu went to Deshan Hall again, Princess Rui asked about the matter, and Yingzhu lowered her head in shame.

"This servant has already spoken to the young master, but he... refuses to agree. This servant has done her best, please forgive her, Your Highness and the young master."

"The young master protects you so much, how could he possibly disobey you?"

Xu Fanglin suspected that Shen Yingzhu had ill intentions!

"I don't think you mentioned it at all, did you? You don't want me to have a birthday banquet, you want me to be laughed at, that's why you deliberately didn't advise the young master, right?"

"Your Highness, you've misunderstood. I really did say that, but I could only offer advice; the final decision rests with Your Highness!"

Yingzhu explained aggrievedly, but Xu Fanglin scoffed:

"It's one thing if you don't take me, your master, seriously, but this is Mother's instruction! How can you not even heed Mother's words? You made a promise, yet you can't keep it. Aren't you jeopardizing Mother's important plans?"

Xu Fanglin deliberately stirred up trouble, dragging Princess Rui into the fray. Princess Rui lost face and glared angrily at Yingzhu.

"Yingzhu, I trusted you, that's why I entrusted you with this important task of persuading them. I've already explained the pros and cons to you, how could you disregard the bigger picture? You've disappointed me so much! Kneel down!"

Seeing this, Granny Qiao whispered a reminder, "Your Highness, perhaps it would be better not to punish her by making her kneel. It wouldn't be good if the young master saw it."

"He just came to pay his respects yesterday. He doesn't come every day, only once every five or six days. He's unlikely to come again today, so you don't need to worry. I don't believe you, Shen Yingzhu, would dare to complain about me!"

Princess Rui disagreed and issued another order.

Yingzhu had long anticipated that she might be punished by kneeling today, and having learned her lesson, she had already tied a thick cotton bandage around her knees.

Since she couldn't avoid punishment, she tried to find a crooked way to deal with it, at least to avoid injuring her knee again.

Yingzhu obediently knelt down, which made Xu Fanglin angry. She then discussed countermeasures with Princess Rui.

Princess Rui sighed, "Now we can only discuss it with the Prince. As long as the Prince speaks up, I don't think Yun Qian will dare to object."

"Ah? This..." Xu Fanglin couldn't help but feel guilty. "But if I tell the truth, the prince might blame his daughter-in-law."

"You did something wrong, so it's only right that you were reprimanded. But while you're being reprimanded, Your Highness must ultimately consider the bigger picture."

Xu Fanglin had no better option at the moment and could only follow the Princess Consort Rui's arrangements.

Yingzhu, who was kneeling to the side, moved slightly, and was suddenly slapped on the back by Granny Chen!

"Kneel up straight! Don't sit on your heels!"

This scene was witnessed by Liang Yunqian, who lifted the curtain and entered the room. Liang Yunqian strode forward and slapped him across the face!

Startled by the sudden attack, Granny Chen was completely stunned. Before she could even see who it was, she was kicked hard in the side! In pain, Granny Chen fell to the ground, crying out in agony.

The maids instinctively wanted to help him up, but when they saw the prince's icy face, they dared not approach.

Yingzhu looked up in surprise and saw Liang Yunqian, dressed in a crimson official robe, standing proudly with his hands behind his back. His imposing aura, though not angry, was awe-inspiring!

Yingzhu secretly praised him for arriving at the perfect time. At this moment, Liang Yunqian looked so handsome and dashing in her eyes, radiating brilliance!

This scene caught her completely off guard, and Princess Rui was greatly shocked.

"Yunqian, what are you doing? Granny Chen was just reminding Yingzhu. She's my personal maid and has the right to discipline her!"

Liang Yunqian's gaze swept across everyone present, his voice stern and his expression solemn.

"Yingzhu has served me for a month, and she may be pregnant now. Yet, Granny Chen dared to hit her waist. If the child is harmed, can she bear the responsibility?"