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

Will Liang Yunqian really give her a choice? Will he be that understanding?

She guessed he was just pretending to be magnanimous and testing her.

If she really chooses Liang Xingzhou, then both she and Liang Xingzhou are finished!

Liang Xingzhou has been blind for two years, and ordinary doctors cannot cure him. Only the imperial physician found by Prince Rui can treat him, so she should not interrupt his treatment plan.

Given the current situation, she has no other choice.

After much deliberation, Yingzhu finally handed her hand to Liang Yunqian.

"I will go back to the Prince's mansion with you. I have already said that I have cut all ties with him and have already broken off the engagement. I will not have any further entanglement with him. You can rest assured, Your Highness."

She did not look Liang Yunqian in the eye when she said these words, but instead lowered her eyes.

Judging from her expression, she didn't seem very happy; she looked somewhat reluctant.

But at least she didn't outwardly choose Liang Xingzhou, so Liang Yunqian didn't hold it against her for the time being and shook her hand in return.

"Liang Xingzhou, Yingzhu has made it very clear that you are only blind, not deaf. Considering that you were confused and lost your temper when you first met Yingzhu, I will not hold it against you for now."

But if you dare to bother Yingzhu again in the future, don't blame me for disregarding brotherly affection and being ruthless towards you!

"Yingzhu..." Liang Xingzhou tried to approach her, but his foot was tripped by a stool.

He ignored the pain in his palm; all he wanted was to get to Yingzhu's side. However, the feeling of wanting to touch her but not being able to see her frustrated him.

"You can't even find her, yet you claim to protect her? How can a blind man like you compete with me, the young master? Heal your eyes first before spouting such threats!"

With a cold sneer, Liang Yunqian wrapped a fox fur coat around Shen Yingzhu, then put his arm around her shoulder and led her outside.

Yingzhu glanced at Liang Xingzhou; his palm was still bleeding, but she couldn't say anything, otherwise Liang Yunqian would become suspicious, and Liang Xingzhou would harbor illusions.

In the end, Yingzhu didn't say anything more and was pulled away by Liang Yunqian.

"Yingzhu, listen to me..." Liang Xingzhou wanted to say more, but was stopped by the guards at the door.

"Fourth Master, we are acting under orders. Please forgive us and do not make things difficult for us."

At that moment, Liang Xingzhou suddenly realized that even though he was Prince Rui's son, he was still an illegitimate child.

He had no say in the palace, and the guards would never listen to him. Although Liang Yunqian's words were harsh, they were true.

He's blind and can't even touch Yingzhu, so how can he protect her?

The most urgent task is to treat his eyes. Once he regains his sight and is free to move around, he can then save Yingzhu from her suffering.

With this in mind, Liang Xingzhou decided not to chase after them and instead to take a longer approach.

Liang Yunqian finally came to pick her up, but this was the situation.

The two sat in the carriage in complete silence, the atmosphere so quiet it was almost unsettling.

Liang Yunqian didn't say a word, and Yingzhu didn't try to make conversation either. She just sat quietly to the side, her breath hot.

She closed her aching eyes and leaned against the pillow.

She used to be very talkative and always found topics to talk about. But this time, she had a somber face and was clearly unhappy.

Liang Yunqian couldn't help but think of a certain possibility.

"If I hadn't come today, would you have left with him?"

Hearing him ask those questions with her own ears, Yingzhu's heart sank instantly.

"The young master's concubine, going with the fourth prince? Do you think I would do such a thing?"

In your eyes, am I really that shameless? First, I broke off my engagement, then I eloped with another man while pregnant with his child?

"So what? You're only afraid to go back to him because you broke off the engagement and are now my woman? You still have feelings for him? You still like him?"

This wasn't the first time she'd encountered such a situation, and Yingzhu, unable to bear it any longer, glared at him angrily.

"How many times have I explained this to you? Why do you still doubt me?"

"I want to believe you too, but how did you answer when Liang Xingzhou asked you if you didn't like me?"

Every word she said pierced Liang Yunqian's heart!

"You said you would be loyal to me, but you didn't deny what Liang Xingzhou suspected—that you didn't like me. Is liking me shameful? Are those two words too hot to say?"

Why won't you tell him? Are you afraid he'll be upset if he hears? Or is it because he guessed right, you don't like me at all?

She thought the matter was over, but he was still investigating.

"Why is Your Highness dwelling on this? It's not something you should be concerned about."

"Don't evade the main point; answer my question!"

Meeting his eyes, burning red with anger, Yingzhu knew there was no escape and she could only answer directly.

"When the Taoist priest first told my fate, he said I was destined to have a child. From the day I entered the manor, the princess and the crown princess warned me that my task was to bear children for you. I should remember my place and not fall in love with you."

Liang Yunqian stared at her suspiciously, feeling that she was making excuses.

"They'll tell you these things?"

"The Empress said that whether one is a maidservant or a concubine, one is serving the master and must be clear about one's place, and respect and be loyal to the master."

Once I fall in love with my master, I will have evil thoughts, become jealous and envious, and try to possess my master's body and soul. These are thoughts I should not have, which is why they warned me not to like the prince.

I have always kept in mind the teachings of the Queen and the Crown Princess, and dare not harbor any affection for the Crown Prince; my loyalty lies solely with you.

Yingzhu's answer was reasonable and well-founded, and everything she said was true, just what Xu Fanglin had warned her about.

Liang Yunqian could easily investigate; she wasn't lying.

However, Liang Yunqian was not satisfied with this cautious and restrained reply.

"I don't care what they say. I just need to know your true feelings: do you have even a shred of affection for me?"

"I...haven't considered this question."

"Did you ever like Liang Xingzhou? Was your relationship with him arranged by your parents, or was it mutual affection?"

Recalling the past, Yingzhu's delicate brows furrowed, her knuckles clenched together, and she remained silent for a long while before finally speaking:

"It's all in the past, why are you still dwelling on it? Is it even meaningful?"

She was avoiding the question and didn't give a direct answer, but Liang Yunqian had already guessed the answer.

"If it were just an arranged marriage, you would definitely admit it, but since you won't say it, then it means you were mutually in love. Even though the engagement is off now, you still loved him, didn't you?"

After asking the question, Liang Yunqian saw Yingzhu's impatient look and knew that she was angry again.

"I'm not doubting you. I can let bygones be bygones, but I need to know if there's a place for me in your heart now?"

Don't worry about what others say, just tell the truth.

Don't tell me you haven't considered this. Feelings are an emotion, not a test. There's no need for careful consideration or weighing of options. Too much thought and concern actually indicates a lack of sincerity.

Liang Yunqian said a lot, blocking all her escape routes, determined to get an answer from her.

Judging from his attitude, he probably won't give up until he gets an answer.

After careful consideration, Yingzhu glanced at him sideways, her red lips slightly parted.