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

"Since it's for the young master to take a concubine, we should ask for his opinion. This servant will only follow the arrangements of my masters and has no selfish motives."

Yingzhu's answer was cautious and reasonable, and since she didn't need to express her opinion directly, no one could blame her.

Hearing her tone, Xu Fanglin guessed that she was restless and probably thinking about climbing the social ladder again!

Princess Rui pondered for a moment, then ordered someone to invite the Crown Prince.

However, since the Crown Prince is not in the residence at the moment, this matter can only be put on hold until he returns.

While Princess Rui was still chatting, Yingzhu, who was standing to the side, felt uncomfortable and subconsciously scratched her face.

Granny Qiao glanced at it and exclaimed in surprise, "Miss Shen, it looks like you have a rash on your face!"

Yingzhu was terrified, her face turning pale. She hurriedly raised her hands to cover her face, "A rash? Why would I get a rash for no reason?"

Xu Fanglin hated Yingzhu's beautiful face the most. Now that she had a rash, she could no longer flaunt her pretty face to win favor!

The person most worried was Princess Rui. Yun Qian had just consummated his marriage with Yingzhu. If he were to dislike her again because of the rash, the matter of having children would be delayed once more.

The anxious Princess Rui immediately sent someone to fetch a doctor.

After Doctor Xue arrived, he took her pulse and asked, "Young lady, have you had any symptoms recently? What medicine have you been taking?"

Yingzhu thought carefully, "I haven't been sick or ill lately, and I haven't taken any medicine."

"That's strange," Doctor Xue said thoughtfully, stroking his beard.

"Young lady, your symptoms resemble poisoning from Tripterygium wilfordii. Where have you been these past few days? What have you touched?"

"I traveled back and forth between Lanzhao Garden and Tingsong Garden. Last night I went to the hot springs and accidentally fell in. I felt a little uncomfortable at night, but I didn't pay much attention to it."

To verify his guess, Doctor Xue went to the hot spring, scooped up a basin of hot spring water, and tested it in front of everyone.

"Your Highness, this hot spring water contains not only sulfur, but also Tripterygium wilfordii."

Princess Rui was not surprised. "Back then, when Yunqian injured his leg, the doctor said that Tripterygium wilfordii could clear the meridians and relieve pain, so we added Tripterygium wilfordii to the hot spring."

"Tripterygium wilfordii can only be used after processing, as it does have analgesic effects. However, fresh, unprocessed Tripterygium wilfordii is poisonous. It can cause rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, and even affect fertility!"

Xu Fanglin asked curiously, "The young master often soaks in hot springs, why hasn't he developed a rash? Only Shen Yingzhu is acting strangely?"

"The young master has been soaking in hot springs with Tripterygium wilfordii for three years, resulting in chronic poisoning and the loss of his heir. He will no longer experience obvious symptoms. Miss Shen's reaction is so strong because it is her first time in the hot springs."

The words "no heir" struck Princess Rui's heart like a bolt from the blue, making her tremble with rage!

"No wonder Yun Qian has been childless for three years; it turns out someone tampered with the Thunder God Vine!"

The truth was also discovered in my previous life, but it was two months later.

Yingzhu must make this matter public in advance, otherwise her two months of serving the emperor will have been wasted.

To bring up the matter of the Thunder Vine, Yingzhu took advantage of the trap Xiao Chuanzi set for her last night to go to the hot springs, and then tried to fall into it.

Her original intention was simply to use the rash to find out about Tripterygium wilfordii, but unexpectedly Liang Yunqian ate it!

Fortunately, the plan proceeded smoothly, and the reason why Liang Yunqian had no heir has been found out.

This matter was of great importance, and Princess Rui immediately ordered someone to summon Prince Rui, expressing her grief, indignation, and resentment.

"Your Highness, Yun Qian, as the heir of the royal family, bears the heavy responsibility of bearing an heir and inheriting the royal title. Yet, he has been poisoned and murdered for three whole years! We implore Your Highness to thoroughly investigate the true culprit and uphold justice for Yun Qian!"

Prince Rui always believed that Yun Qian's childlessness was due to the serious injury he suffered years ago, which damaged his very foundation. Little did he know that it was actually caused by human intervention!

"Such underhanded tactics are operating within the Prince's residence! By my decree, immediately and thoroughly interrogate the guards near the hot springs, as well as those who dispense and distribute the medicine, and we vow to find the mastermind behind this!"

At the Prince's command, the chief steward and guards immediately went to carry out the task.

Concerned, Princess Rui inquired with Doctor Xue about treatment options.

Doctor Xue sighed softly, "The young master's poisoning from Tripterygium wilfordii is quite severe. He needs to take medicine to recuperate, but it won't be cured in a short time. It will take at least a year for him to recover."

Now that the Crown Prince's vital essence is damaged, ordinary women will likely find it difficult to conceive. However, if a woman has a favorable constitution and the timing, location, and circumstances are right, she might be able to conceive soon.

Although the cause of the illness has been identified, the Prince Rui's mansion has many offspring, and Consort Li and her son are also eyeing the position of heir apparent.

Princess Consort Rui was afraid that Prince Rui would think that Yunqian had difficulty having children and then change the heir apparent, so she took the initiative to make a statement.

"Your Highness, Yingzhu is naturally fertile, and she has already overcome Yunqian's mental block and consummated her marriage with him. I believe she will soon conceive."

Prince Rui heard that a pregnant woman had come to his residence, but he had been busy with state affairs and this was the first time he had seen her.

"It is fate that you have caught Yun Qian's eye. Thanks to you today, we have been able to find out the reason why Yun Qian has no children. This is a great achievement and you will surely be richly rewarded."

Prince Rui was very generous, showering her with gold and silver treasures, but Yingzhu knelt down.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness and Your Highness's wife. If I may be so bold as to ask for something else, instead of the reward?"

"Yingzhu, how dare you be so insolent! The Prince has already shown you great favor by bestowing gold and silver upon you; how can you openly make demands?"

Xu Fanglin frowned and scolded, but Princess Rui waved her hand dismissively, "It's alright, tell me, what do you want?"

Princess Rui also wanted to take this opportunity to see just how ambitious Yingzhu really was.

After careful consideration, Yingzhu said, "My younger brother studies diligently, but due to his family background, he is unable to enter the Imperial Academy. I implore Your Highness to grant him a chance to broaden his horizons."

Xu Fanglin glanced at him and scoffed as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Only members of the royal family and the sons of officials of the third rank or above are eligible to enter the Imperial Academy. Your brother's status is too low; he is not qualified at all. It is simply presumptuous of you to make such a request to the Prince!"

Princess Rui thought she would ask for a better reward for herself, but it turned out that she was thinking of her family.

"Your Highness, Yingzhu has rendered a great service, yet she refuses gold and silver, and makes no attempt to benefit herself. Instead, she has fought for her younger brother's opportunity to study. Such deep sibling affection is truly rare. Perhaps Your Highness could make an exception and help them out?"

Xu Fanglin subtly criticized the Princess Consort Rui for always contradicting her, questioning just how much she disliked her as her daughter-in-law.

Even if Princess Rui speaks up for him, Prince Rui might not agree, right?

A mere commoner like Shen Yingzhu dares to dream of studying at the Imperial Academy? She's indulging in wishful thinking!

Xu Fanglin was certain that Prince Rui would not grant Yingzhu's request. Prince Rui stroked his beard and pondered, saying:

"The requirements for admission to the Imperial Academy are indeed strict, but since you have rendered meritorious service, and I am a man of my word, I will make an exception and allow your younger brother to study at the Imperial Academy as a companion student."

Upon hearing this, Xu Fanglin was stunned, while Yingzhu was overjoyed and kowtowed to express her gratitude.

Prince Rui had other matters to attend to, so he left first.

Yingzhu stood up and saw Xu Fanglin staring at her with hateful eyes.

In her previous life, Yingzhu also developed a rash and discovered that there was something wrong with the hot spring water.

But at that time she was in Lan Zhaoyuan, and Xu Fanglin detained her directly and went to find Princess Rui to expose Lei Gongteng's conspiracy, and then received a reward from Prince Rui.

Xu Fanglin took the opportunity to secure an official position for her younger brother, without mentioning Yingzhu once throughout the entire process.

Yingzhu suffered, but Xu Fanglin reaped the benefits.

Having learned from her past life, Yingzhu was able to find a way to personally expose Lei Gong Teng's conspiracy and then seek benefits for her family.

By using Prince Rui's arrangement for her brother's future, she knew that her father would no longer be able to threaten her with her brother's future!

Yingzhu's arrangements were very meticulous, and even if Xu Fanglin had objections, he couldn't say anything, since it was Prince Rui who had given his approval.

But Xu Fanglin wouldn't give up easily; she had to take this opportunity to teach Yingzhu a lesson!

Yingzhu was granted special permission by Princess Rui to return home to recuperate due to illness, and Xu Fanglin could no longer order her around.

After returning to her room, Yingzhu applied the medicine prescribed by the doctor, but the rash looked uncomfortable, so she covered her face with gauze.

Remembering the doctor's instructions, Yingzhu called out to Qiuhe.

"Please boil some mugwort water for me. Doctor Xue instructed me to take medicinal baths for the next few days."

Qiuhe sat there lazily, rubbing her nails without moving.

"So many people in the Prince's Mansion need hot water. The kitchen staff said that if we boil mugwort water first and then plain water, the smell of mugwort will get mixed in and affect the other masters' water use. Your mugwort water can only be boiled at Hai Shi (9-11 PM)."

"I boil water at Hai Shi (9-11 PM), and by the time it's ready, I'll take a medicinal bath. That'll be Zi Shi (11 PM-1 AM), and I won't be able to sleep for the first half of the night."

"Who told you to be just a concubine, not a maidservant? The kitchen staff don't treat you well, what can I do?"

Qiuhe shrugged and chuckled, "A concubine should be grateful for hot water! She dares to pick a time?"

Yingzhu didn't retort, but covered her face with her handkerchief and sobbed softly, because she caught a glimpse of a shadow behind the door out of the corner of her eye.

The next moment, someone stepped inside, lifting their boots, and sternly rebuked them.

"When did Lan Zhaoyuan get a lapdog that barks so loudly and clearly?"

Upon hearing that solemn voice, Qiuhe was greatly alarmed and immediately turned around to bow, "Young...Young Master? What brings you here?"