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

Yingzhu does need to use Liang Yunqian to protect her own interests, but the relationships among the people in the Prince's Mansion are complicated. She cannot rely solely on Liang Yunqian. She also has to find ways to resolve the power struggles among the other women.

Therefore, she must attend this welcome banquet.

After Song Xingzhou entered the mansion, he lived in Anchen Garden.

Although he couldn't see it, he could smell it; there was a strong, refreshing fragrance of plum blossoms in the courtyard.

"Yingzhu loves plum blossoms. In winter, she would pick a few branches from her yard, put them in a vase, and give them to me. Mother, did Aunt Shen send a message to Yingzhu?"

Upon suddenly hearing him mention Yingzhu, Madam Song paused slightly in her hand as she held the medicine.

When Song Xingzhou returned home, Song was relieved that her son was still alive, but also heartbroken that he was blind. She was determined to cure his eyes, but he kept asking about Yingzhu's whereabouts.

Fearing that he wouldn't be able to handle the truth, Song had no choice but to lie and say that Yingzhu had gone on a long trip to visit relatives and take care of her maternal grandmother.

Song Xingzhou begged Aunt Shen to write a letter to Yingzhu and tell her to come back soon.

Aunt Shen was at a loss, and Song repeatedly gave her meaningful glances before Aunt Shen reluctantly agreed to cooperate.

Madam Song only wanted to delay for a while so she could get her son's eyes treated quickly. Little did she expect that a jade pendant would cause such a commotion, and in the end, she and her son actually ended up in Prince Rui's mansion!

She knew Yingzhu was also in the mansion, but she dared not mention it, for fear that he would not be able to accept it.

After a brief pause, Madam Song said, "I have already sent a message, but the journey is long and the winter weather is cold, making travel inconvenient. Yingzhu may not be able to return before the New Year; she will probably have to wait until after the New Year."

"If you cooperate with the doctor to treat your eyes, you'll regain your sight after the New Year, and Yingzhu will come back. Otherwise, even if she comes back, you won't be able to see her, wouldn't that be a pity?"

Will Yingzhu be able to come back after the New Year?

Song Xingzhou also hoped it was true, but he had a bad feeling about it.

Yingzhu's younger brother went to study at the Imperial Academy, leaving Aunt Shen alone at home. Yingzhu was very filial to her mother, so how could she let her mother stay home alone?

Moreover, when neighbors came to visit him, his mother chased them away. What was his mother preventing the neighbors from seeing him?

Song Xingzhou felt there was something fishy about this, but he had no evidence.

He couldn't help but recall the scent of pomegranate he had smelled in the garden that day—a fragrance he was all too familiar with!

However, it's unlikely that Yingzhu would appear in Prince Rui's residence, and the maid said it was her sachet, so it might just be a coincidence.

Song Xingzhou took the bowl of medicine from his mother and drank it all in one gulp.

Before long, the doctor came to perform acupuncture on him. He cooperated fully, hoping to restore his eyesight so that he could see Yingzhu as soon as possible.

Tomorrow is the welcoming banquet, and everyone in the manor will be there. It's expected that Yingzhu will also be present. Madam Song is worried, so after her son takes his medicine, she will personally go to see Prince Rui to discuss countermeasures with him...

On the sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Prince Rui held a welcoming banquet for his fourth son, Song Xingzhou.

From this day forward, he will acknowledge his ancestors and return to his clan, changing his surname to Liang and his name to Liang Xingzhou.

Yingzhu also attended the banquet, but as soon as she arrived, she was summoned by Princess Rui.

"His Highness has a few words he'd like to tell you..."

Yingzhu felt uneasy upon hearing this, but it was the prince's order, and she had no choice but to obey.

A host of dignitaries and nobles came to offer their congratulations and gifts. Princess Rui and Princess Consort Xu Fanglin were busy entertaining the guests, and Liang Yunqian was also socializing with relatives and friends. Yingzhu sat quietly to one side, trying not to say a word.

The auspicious time of noon has arrived, and Liang Xingzhou needs to pay his respects to the elders in the household.

However, because he was blind and could not see, Prince Rui exempted him from many formalities, only allowing Xingzhou to pay his respects to the prince and princess, and waiving all other formalities.

Today, Liang Xingzhou was dressed in a violet robe, and the ribbon covering his eyes was also the same color.

With her hair bound by a silver crown, she exuded an air of grandeur, and even though she was blind, she still maintained her imposing presence.

Because he had practiced martial arts since childhood, he had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, which made him appear even more upright in his brocade robe.

This refined and elegant appearance is completely different from the one he used to be, living in Qingfeng Town and dressed in simple clothes.

Liang Xingzhou's identity has changed, and so has Yingzhu's. Although they are close at heart, they are no longer on the same path and are drifting further and further apart.

Yingzhu glanced at him only once before looking away and gently stirring her tea.

Diagonally opposite, Liang Yunqian was dressed in a silver-gray brocade robe, exuding nobility and elegance.

He secretly observed Shen Yingzhu's expression, but saw that her face was indifferent and there was no sadness in her eyes, as if she did not take it seriously.

But it's also possible that she deliberately acted indifferent because she knew he was there.

When the thought popped into his head, Liang Yunqian scoffed at himself for starting to be suspicious again.

Yingzhu has already explained twice, and she hates his questioning, so he shouldn't worry about it anymore.

After the ceremony, the banquet began.

The male and female guests were seated separately, and Yingzhu wasn't worried about running into Liang Xingzhou. She just hoped that she could get through the day peacefully and avoid any trouble.

Halfway through the banquet, Prince Rui personally led Liang Xingzhou to toast each table, demonstrating his high regard for this son.

The eldest son personally helped Liang Xingzhou and led the way, to show the harmony between the brothers.

When the toast was offered to Yingzhu's table, since Yingzhu was pregnant, she could not drink alcohol and only drank water instead. She stood up and responded along with everyone else.

Song, who was accompanying them, was on edge, because Yingzhu was standing opposite Xingzhou. She hoped that Yingzhu would be sensible and not make a sound so that Xingzhou would not notice her presence.

Once the toast is finished and the boat leaves this place, we will be safe today.

However, Consort Li suddenly spoke up.

"Today was supposed to be the Crown Prince's banquet for taking a concubine, Yingzhu, but she postponed it to coincide with Xingzhou's joyous occasion of recognizing his ancestors and returning to the clan. She agreed to hold a banquet for Xingzhou first, showing great consideration for the bigger picture."

Xingzhou, you must offer Yingzhu a toast to thank her for her compromise and cooperation.

"Yingzhu?" Upon hearing this name, Liang Xingzhou's expression froze. "What... is your surname?"

Madam Song was so frightened that her heart pounded, but she didn't have time to think about why Consort Li suddenly brought these things up. She simply clarified the situation from the side.

"The same name is just a coincidence. She is not that Yingzhu; she is the prince's concubine."

Is it really such a coincidence? But why did he smell a hint of pomegranate fragrance again?

"Miss Yingzhu, if I may ask, where do you live?"

Although Xu Fanglin knew the truth, she dared not expose it. Only when Consort Li called out Yingzhu's name in front of Liang Xingzhou was there a good show to watch!

Prince Rui looked very embarrassed, but because of the presence of guests, he could not vent his anger on Consort Li. He could only wait and see how Shen Yingzhu would respond.

Yingzhu glanced at Liang Yunqian, but saw that he stood proudly with his hands behind his back, not intending to answer first, as if he was waiting to see how she would respond to Liang Xingzhou.

Liang Xingzhou was also waiting, waiting for her to speak. As soon as she made a sound, he could tell whether this girl was his Yingzhu or not!