Forcing me to become a concubine? Remarrying the Ninth Prince, she'll be pregnant all over the

"You saw her get into the sedan chair with your own eyes?"

Jiang Fulu hesitated for a moment, "No... but..."

Wei Wujiu, too lazy to listen to his nonsense, directly ordered, "Prepare the sedan chair! Go find someone!"

Deep within the palace grounds, palace lanterns hang everywhere under the eaves and corridors, their warm yellow glow spreading over the vermilion walls and glazed tiles.

The palace gates were tightly shut, the windows were dark, the palace paths were deserted and silent, even the dripping of the palace water clock was still, and the warm light enveloped a deep sense of rest.

Wei Wujiu alighted from his sedan chair outside the Chengqian Palace. Jiang Fulu bowed first to inquire, and the young eunuch on duty whispered a few words back. The slight noise startled Hua Ershisan, who was on duty in the hall, and he stepped out.

Just as she was about to reprimand the palace servants for their lack of discipline and disturbing the Emperor and Empress's rest, she caught sight of Wei Wujiu. Hua Twenty-Three looked suspicious, gestured for the others beside her to leave, and stepped forward, speaking in a low voice: "What brings you here so late?"

"Father, I have been searching for Lin Wantang but cannot find her. I guess she is still in the Empress's palace, so I have come here to fetch her. I hope you will do me a favor."

Wei Wujiu bowed, his whispered words carefully crafted.

Hua Twenty-Three frowned: "No, Her Majesty the Empress accompanied His Majesty through the banquet in the front hall, and then returned to rest and retire. She didn't summon anyone..."

Wei Wujiu remained silent, but his solemn expression spoke volumes.

Hua Ershisan frowned even more deeply, and took a deep breath: "You're so certain, could it be... something's wrong!"

He thought of something, clenched his fist and pounded his hands, and hurriedly glanced at the two side halls of the palace on the left and right. After hesitating, his gaze finally fell on the one on the right: "That is the Buddhist hall. No one is allowed to enter except when it is being cleaned."

But even so, how could Hua Niansan, who had been by the emperor's side for many years, not know the empress's character and behavior?

He shook his head repeatedly in frustration: "Even if they're inside, you can't just barge in to pick them up recklessly. Not only would it break the rules, but it would also give the Empress a reason to punish you!"

Because of Shen Huai'an's matter, the Empress not only took her anger out on Lin Wantang, but also hated Wei Wujiu extremely. However, since the inner palace was not allowed to interfere in politics, she had no reasonable way to make things difficult for Wei Wujiu.

Wei Wujiu gazed at the quiet and secluded side hall in the distance, hesitated for a moment, and then bowed to Hua Twenty-Three: "Father, I have offended you."

After saying that, he gave Night Hawk a meaningful look: "Go, search the palace!"

"Yes!" Night Hawk accepted the order and led his men towards the side hall.

Hua Ersan was shocked and tried to stop Wei Wujiu with the help of the palace servants from Chengqian Palace, but Wei Wujiu suddenly drew his sword and confronted Hua Ersan with it. The hostages then dared not act rashly again.

"Are you... insane?!" Hua Niansan stamped her foot in anger. "This is Chengqian Palace, the Empress's residence! You dare let people search it? This is insubordination! You're committing a grave act of treason!"

Wei Wujiu ignored him completely, and did not yield an inch with the sharp blade in his hand.

Hua Niansan was so angry she was practically fuming. She gritted her teeth and whispered, "Wei Wujiu! The great undertaking is about to succeed, why did you do this..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Night Hawk made a discovery and loudly reported it, and the candles in the main hall suddenly lit up.

"Who's making a scene outside?"

The emperor's voice rang out.

Wei Wujiu ignored him, striding into the side hall with his sword drawn. Ye Ying and several Imperial Guards had already subdued the attendants, leaving only Lin Wantang weakly struggling to stay upright. When she saw the newcomer, she tried to get up, but her legs were numb and sore, and she was in too much pain. She gritted her teeth and gasped for breath, desperately trying to move again, but Wei Wujiu, who had rushed in, grabbed her and supported her.

"Governor..."

"Yes, I'm here." Wei Wujiu responded, glancing at the crimson stain seeping from her knees. He immediately noticed something amiss with the prayer mat, and in a flash, he swept her up in his arms. His expression remained as cold as ever, but his eyes were filled with a chilling aura.

The already distant aura emanating from him instantly became heavy and oppressive, making the entire hall feel suffocating. Night Hawk and the others didn't even dare to breathe.

Lin Wantang endured the pain and gripped his court robe tightly: "I'm fine, Commander, please don't do this... put me down, don't break the rules..."

Without saying a word, Wei Wujiu hugged her even tighter and strode out, instructing Ye Ying, "Bring out that futon."

Nighthawk responded and went to pick up the prayer mat, only to find it covered with fine steel needles, which startled him.

"What's all this noise about? What happened?"

The Emperor, wearing a cloak, helped Hua Twenty-Three to the outside of the palace. They happened to see Wei Wujiu carrying Lin Wantang out of a side hall. He looked at the Empress behind him with a puzzled expression: "What's going on?"

The Empress chuckled awkwardly and curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty, when the palace banquet ended tonight, I found Lin Wantang to be well-behaved and sensible, and I took a great liking to her. She probably sensed my appreciation and said she wanted to stay and help me with some more tasks. But the banquet is almost over, what else is there to do?"

"I told her to go back and rest, but she refused. So I had Granny Ma bring her to Chengqian Palace, thinking that she could stay overnight and go back after the sacrificial ceremony was over the next day. But she was worried about His Majesty's health and wanted to come to the Buddhist hall to worship and chant sutras to pray for His Majesty's good health and long-lasting blessings. So I agreed."

"Who would have thought that Lord Wei would come all the way here looking for someone? And with such a fierce and imposing manner. This misunderstanding is due to my lack of foresight. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

The Empress's explanation seemed reasonable, and the Emperor, being old and blind, didn't look closely at Lin Wantang, nor did he notice the bloodstains on her dress. He waved his hand, signaling the Empress to rise.

"Since that's the case, Wei Wujiu, now that you've found the person, apologize to the Empress and kneel down to take your leave."

The emperor wanted to play peacemaker, but he was still ill and didn't want to bother with anything else. He had Hua Ersan support him and kept winking at Wei Wujiu, indicating that he should stop now and leave quickly.

Wei Wujiu ignored her. Despite Lin Wantang's insistence, he slowly put her down and knelt before the emperor, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, I have disturbed Your Majesty and the Empress's rest late at night. I am guilty of offense and inappropriate behavior. However, I humbly beg Your Majesty to judge and uphold justice for me and my wife!"

The emperor frowned, then saw Lin Wantang forcefully kneel and say, "Your Majesty, my maid Chunhen is being held captive by the Empress's men. Without any evidence, she is innocent and without fault. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and grant her a pardon!"

"Detain them?" The Emperor sensed something amiss and immediately looked at the Empress.

The Empress, still feigning ignorance, chuckled and said, "Oh dear, what's going on? Lin Wantang, what's wrong with you? That's not what you told me. I was just being kind by letting you stay here for the night, how can you start spouting nonsense like that?"

Without giving Lin Wantang and Wei Wujiu a chance to speak, the Empress teased, "Looks like she's still a child at heart. She's completely different when she sees her future husband!"