The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

Shaoqian stormed in, only to find Lu Linbai leisurely playing chess. She felt a rush of blood to her head.

That good-for-nothing son, he actually didn't go!

How did she give birth to such a thing?

In contrast to Shaoqian's fury, Lu Linbai remained remarkably calm. "Mother's arrival is just in time. Today, when I went to Zhuque Street, the shopkeeper said that a new batch had arrived—"

Shao Qian didn't even glance at it, nor did she have the patience to listen to him finish. She slammed the things on the ground, "Don't try to fool me with nonsense. I'm asking you, why didn't you go to Tianxiang Restaurant today?"

Lu Linbai was quite frank, "I didn't want to see them, so I didn't go."

Shaoqian was so angry she nearly exploded. "Don't you want to go? You think you're some kind of emperor who has the right to be picky?"

"If you weren't planning to go, why didn't you refuse in front of His Majesty yesterday? Changing your mind at the last minute—did you even consider how much the young lady must be waiting for you there!"

He had originally planned to go, but after seeing the palace yesterday, Lu Linbai felt it was unnecessary.

Lu Linbai said, "I don't like women who are full of scheming and only know how to plot. If she were even slightly smart, she would know what I mean."

Gan Si almost felt dizzy. What exactly did the prince want to do? Was he going to add fuel to the fire?

Shaoqian became even angrier, "Say that again if you dare!"

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Gan Si quickly stepped in front of him, "Madam, please calm down. Our Prince is—"

"Snapped!"

Shaoqian slapped Gan Si across the face, making him see stars and feel dizzy.

Lu Linbai frowned slightly. "Mother, today's matter was my decision. Why take your anger out on others?"

"That's right," Shao Qian sneered. "I hit him, but forgot to hit you."

"Snap—"

Another slap landed, even harder than before. Lu Linbai's head was turned to the side, and a visible finger mark appeared on his cheek, with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Mother, you've already hit her, please calm down."

Shaoqian looked at him coldly.

Lu Linbai wiped the bloodstains from the corner of his mouth with one hand. "You know your son, if he doesn't want to do something, no one can change his mind."

"On the contrary, it's you who are restless and agitated, even though it's autumn outside. You should see a doctor and get some calming Chinese medicine to ward off the urge to miss your daughter-in-law so much."

Shaoqian felt that even a dog was more intelligent than him, and left in anger.

Before long, the old nanny beside Shaoqian came over and said, "Your Highness, the Grand Madam wants you to kneel outside the ancestral hall. You are not allowed to get up until three and a half hours later."

"The Dowager Lady also said that she hoped the Prince would remember what he did today and that he would never regret it."

Lu Linbai: "Understood."

Having been slapped for no reason, Gan Si felt incredibly unlucky. "Your Highness, why did you do this to yourself..."

He had tried to persuade the prince several times, even if it was just to go and take a look, but the prince wouldn't listen. What could he do?

Also, the Grand Madam only needed to hit the Prince, why did she have to hit him too!

Lu Linbai remained silent.

He knew his mother wanted him to get married, but forced marriages are never sweet. If it were possible to force someone to marry, he would have married countless wives over the years.

Lu Linbai said, "You should rest for the next two days. Go to the accountant and get one hundred taels of silver as medical expenses."

With money in hand, the pain in my face and the soreness in my back vanished instantly.

But thinking that there might be another matter to come because the prince didn't keep his appointment today, Gan Si sighed and turned to leave.

"Click—"

A thunderclap exploded outside the window, and lightning illuminated the room in a stark white light.

The rain fell heavily, as if it had become even thicker.

Lu Linbai stood there, a vague sense of unease rising in his heart, as if something was beyond his control.

Lu Linbai disliked this unfamiliar feeling. He lowered his eyes, his fingers unconsciously stroking the old white rabbit jade pendant at his waist, his expression softening considerably.

Regret? Absolutely not.

……

"Xuan Niang, be a good girl and listen to me... I will make you Empress, and that position will only be yours."

"My beloved Xuan is truly alluring. The Qin family and the Lu family are all eyeing you. It seems I've really struck gold..."

The male voice was deep and ambiguous, with a hint of coaxing, like the low growl of a venomous snake.

"What kind of good person do you think Qin is? You actually want to elope with him? Ha, how naive."

Who is he?

Layer upon layer of dreams, like a silken net, entangled her, piercing her limbs and bones, controlling her joys and sorrows.

Ning Nishang felt like a puppet on strings, being manipulated and living in a daze.

Suddenly, a light appeared ahead. Ning Nishang felt a sharp pain in her chest, and blood dripped from her. She stumbled and ran towards it—

On the bed, Ning Nishang suddenly opened her eyes.

Cui Liu, who was guarding the bedside, noticed and immediately came over, "Miss, you're awake!"

Ning Nishang felt a dryness in her throat, her whole body weak, and her voice hoarse, "...What time is it?"

"Young lady, you've slept for almost a day and a night; it's already the afternoon of the second day."

It's been so long, no wonder I feel sore all over.

"The doctor came to see you and said you have..." Cui Liu swallowed the words she was about to say. "It's nothing serious, just a cold. You should drink your medicine first; it's still warm."

"Hmm." Ning Nishang didn't ask any more questions, but simply took the medicine bowl, swallowed it in large gulps, and the bitter taste spread from the tip of her tongue to the bottom of her heart.

After finishing the entire bowl, Ning Nishang sat there blankly.

"You can go out now, I want to be alone for a while..."

Cui Liu was still worried, but she still withdrew as instructed, saying, "Then I'll be right outside the door. Just call me if you need anything."

The door closed gently, and the room was empty.

Ning Nishang lay back down, staring blankly at the canopy above the bed, a growing sadness slowly creeping into her heart.

More than anything, I'm disappointed in myself.

Just how miserable must her life be for Tangtang and His Majesty to go to such lengths to arrange a marriage, yet it still doesn't work out?

If you're unwilling, why not refuse sooner?

If she agrees but then wants to back out, that's fine; she can just send a message beforehand. She's not begging to marry him.

Ning Nishang turned over to face the inside, tears streaming down her face unnoticed.

Like a little snail carrying unspoken thoughts, it meandered across her face, leaving traces of sadness.

"Xuan Niang." Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder.

It was Ning Wanrong.

Ning Nishang was engrossed in her own world and didn't realize when she had arrived.

She quickly sat up, wiped away her tears, and a smile appeared on her pale face, which inexplicably tugged at the heartstrings. "Aunt, when did you arrive?"

"I'm fine, I've already taken my medicine, don't worry."

Ning Wanrong had vented her anger outside, and now she just sighed deeply, "Aunt knows you're upset, it's not your fault, cry if you want to, it's just the two of us here."

Ning Nishang burst into tears again. She suddenly hugged Ning Wanrong, like a pitiful young animal returning to its den, with pleading in her eyes.

"Aunt, don't tell Tangtang... I'll be fine soon."

She was just a little sad, nothing more.

……

Ning Nishang tried to hide it from Qi Yitang so as not to worry her, but how could she not know?

In preparation for this meeting, Qi Yitang sent someone to Tianxiang Restaurant in advance to reserve a table, and even made arrangements with the waiter.

Once they have eaten and drunk their fill and are having a pleasant conversation, have him deliberately guide them, recommending that they visit the Wangjiang Pavilion for sightseeing, the Tingyu Pavilion for tea, and the Qizhen Pavilion for shopping.

These are all places she has investigated; they are suitable for young men and women to spend time together, and the atmosphere is elegant.

Even on rainy days, it has a unique charm.

The results of it?

Inside Yaotang Palace, Qi Yitang flew into a rage, yelling, "Beast! Scoundrel! Dog—"

"Lu Linbai, I see you've already chosen your path to death!"