After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

"I've heard that the palace always invites musicians from the Imperial Music Bureau to perform during banquets. Since Your Highness was called away from the banquet because of me, I should compensate Your Highness with a piece of music."

That being said, it was just that Shen Tingjiao was impatient.

Pei Qingrong's appearance made her extremely anxious, fearing that one day she would open her eyes to find herself with a Crown Princess above her.

The Crown Princess can only be hers!

Shen Tingjiao never wanted to be a concubine. As the eldest daughter of the General's Mansion, why should she lower herself to become someone's concubine?

Shen Tingjiao dressed up very cleverly today. Her skirt accentuated her slender waist and covered her face, making her look like a woman holding a pipa, half-hidden behind her ear.

A beautiful woman holding a zither should be a very pleasing sight.

For some reason, a different face appeared in Xu Yanqing's mind.

After a long silence, he shook his head. "I thought you were in such a hurry because it was something important."

Shen Ting, realizing what he meant, turned pale and stepped forward to grab him.

"Does Your Highness really intend to marry Princess He Ning?"

Outside the door, Shen Lingyi listened with great interest, realizing that she no longer needed to go in.

Originally, I came here today to sabotage Shen Tingjiao's plans and to get revenge for making her jump into the water in the dead of winter last time.

Although it was her own choice to jump down to save people, Shen Lingyi still secretly blamed Shen Tingjiao for it, because she was petty.

But unexpectedly, Xu Yanqing was so sensible that she didn't even need to lift a finger.

"So Miss Shen also has this habit of eavesdropping."

A familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind. Shen Lingyi turned around and saw an emperor dressed in black robes with a half-smile in his eyes.

Today, Pei Heng was not as high-profile as usual, and he was dressed in ordinary clothes. However, he had an extraordinary demeanor, and even in burlap, he looked otherworldly.

Shen Lingyi raised an eyebrow. "Isn't His Majesty just like me, watching his own juniors make a scene here?"

Pei Heng glanced inside and said calmly, "I don't have any concept of 'family juniors'."

For some reason, he was in a good mood when he said this, and his tone naturally rose. But if those old ministers who were crying and wailing heard him, they would probably hang themselves.

They were constantly worried about the lack of an heir in the harem, while His Majesty seemed quite proud of it.

"Still watching?"

Seeing that Shen Lingyi had no intention of leaving, Pei Heng reached out and tapped her forehead, then pulled her away.

We walked all the way to the bustling street.

Shen Lingyi tilted her head back, pouting in dissatisfaction, "Why did you drag me away like that?"

"So you really intend to stand there until people come out? Have you ever considered how embarrassing it would be for your sister to be caught in this situation?"

"Why should I care about her thoughts?" Shen Lingyi sneered, thinking that Pei Heng was considering Shen Tingjiao's feelings, and angrily shook off his hand.

Pei Heng didn't explain; he simply didn't want to see the person next to him and Xu Yanqing together.

Someone who's about to have a crown princess shouldn't be getting involved with other people.

Halfway there, Shen Lingyi was stopped by an old painter: "Young lady, would you like to have your beloved painted in your portrait? It will only cost ten coins."

Shen Lingyi looked at the paintings on the stall; they were all exquisite.

Ten coins is clearly a bargain.

She thought of the empty Zichen Palace and suddenly had an idea, "Then I'll paint just me."

"this……"

Pei Heng raised an eyebrow. Although he didn't know what she wanted to do, he gestured for Fu Quan to take out the silver, "Do as she says."

The painter finished the painting in no time, capturing Shen Lingyi's expression perfectly, making it incredibly lifelike.

Shen Lingyi handed her portrait to Pei Heng, saying confidently, "The goddess pities the emperor for his hard work and constant affairs, so I will give you this portrait to ease your longing."

The girl's eyes and brows shone brightly in the light, and her red lips parted and closed, captivating Pei Heng's gaze. The thoughts in her eyes repeatedly entered his dreams.

Pei Heng accepted the painting.

Because there were still matters to attend to in the palace, Pei Heng could not stay outside for too long. He originally intended to send Shen Lingyi back, but in the blink of an eye, she disappeared into the crowd like a fish swimming away.

"Your Majesty?" Fuquan called out cautiously.

Pei Heng stood with his hands behind his back for a while, then chuckled and turned to leave.

After running out of that person's sight, Shen Lingyi still felt her heart pounding like a drum. Just kidding, she didn't want to go back so soon.

Peony was about to ask them where they were going when Shen Lingyi turned around and saw Pei Qingrong by the river.

Pei Qingrong placed a lamp into the river, her face full of sorrow.

"Has the princess fully recovered?"

Seeing Shen Lingyi approaching, she paused for a moment, "Thanks to the Second Miss, I managed to stay alive. I thought I'd come and stroll around during the Lantern Festival to clear my head."

Shen Lingyi's gaze fell on the river lantern, which had no name written on it, but instead contained a poem.

These kinds of lamps are usually meant to evoke people's emotions, but she only wrote poems.

Shen Lingyi felt she had discovered something. "Recently, everyone's been saying the Crown Prince is going to choose a consort. May I ask, what are your thoughts, Princess?"

To be fair, Shen Lingyi felt that Pei Qingrong's personality was not suited to the imperial family, and it would be better to let her go home as soon as possible.

Pei Qingrong gave a wry smile. "What can I think? The Empress Dowager thinks it's appropriate, and Father thinks it's good too. My opinion is the least important one."

"Then Princess, you might as well think more about yourself."

Pei Qingrong clenched her fist, her eyelashes drooping as if trying to conceal the turbulent emotions in her eyes.

The next day.

A controversy arose in the court over the Crown Princess. The Left Chancellor and a few royalists remained silent, while most others were in favor.

The main topic of discussion was when the Ministry of Rites would arrange the wedding, since it was the Crown Prince marrying his principal wife, and could not be taken lightly.

Pei Heng listened calmly to the ministers' endless discussion, and laughed at how they could argue over something like this.

At this moment, Fuquan ran in and whispered a few words to Pei Heng.

"It just so happens that your chosen Crown Princess is requesting an audience. Why not listen to what she has to say?" Pei Heng's voice was like shattered jade, and the surroundings fell silent instantly.

Pei Qingrong entered, led by a eunuch.

"Your Majesty, I, Pei Qingrong, pay my respects," she said in a calm yet firm voice, "I implore Your Majesty to rescind your decree. I do not wish to marry His Highness the Crown Prince as a concubine!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the court erupted in chaos.

"Princess He Ning is far too audacious. This matter was decided by His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, and even His Highness the Crown Prince did not say anything..." an old minister said indignantly.

"How can a woman speak in the imperial court? You shall leave immediately."

"This matter concerns my daughter's marriage, and I have not uttered a word. What will I do if it is none of my business in the future?"

"Just like Emperor Zhao's eldest princess, at that time there were internal and external troubles, what did it have to do with her, a princess? She was just a woman in the eyes of the adults. If she wanted to protect herself, why did she have to stand up and shoulder the rise and fall of the country?"

Pei Qingrong used the story of the eldest princess to refute the minister until he blushed.

For a moment, everyone fell silent. Ultimately, the decision rested with His Majesty.

Pei Heng looked at Xu Yanqing, who remained silent, and rested his chin on his long fingers.

"What is the Crown Prince's opinion?"

The next second, Xu Yanqing stepped forward, placed his hands on his forehead and kowtowed, "Your subject also begs Your Majesty to rescind your decree."

"Although I have met the princess a few times, we are not destined to be husband and wife. Forcing it will not lead to anything, and the princess's husband is not me."