The Grand Secretary has no heir? His concubine gives birth to triplets.

Jiang Guo'er gasped.

After a moment of contemplation, she said frankly to Xue Lingyi, "Lingyi, getting close to Prime Minister Pei is my only chance."

"I must find out the truth behind the false accusations that my father and brothers were traitors and colluding with the enemy."

"We demand justice for the 108 members of the Murong family who died unjustly!"

Xue Lingyi's pupils dilated.

"If I could conceive Prime Minister Pei's child and give birth to a boy..."

Suppressing her heartache, Jiang Guo'er gritted her teeth and said, "If you don't mind, I'll register it under your name!"

The two looked at each other and remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, Xue Lingyi grasped Jiang Guo'er's hand tightly.

"it is good."

After an incense stick had burned, the two returned to the main room.

Jiang Guo'er remained standing in the corner, her eyes lowered.

Yet, she vaguely felt a cold gaze always falling on her face.

She quietly raised her eyes.

Pei Yan sat upright at the head of the table, holding a jade pendant, slowly picking out a piece of steamed perch, without even glancing at it.

Is it just an illusion?

Jiang Guo'er lowered her eyes, muttering to herself.

Unbeknownst to her, Pei Yan was harboring a strange, burning anger within him.

Ever since this woman changed into her jacket and skirt, the other maids have all found excuses to get close to her, some pouring wine, others serving dishes.

She alone stood in the corner like a wooden stake.

His eyes kept glancing towards Xue Lingyi.

They seem quite obedient.

But that smile was clearly directed at Xue Lingyi.

Has she forgotten who her savior really was?!

Pei Yan put down the jade pendant, picked up the teacup and took a sip, glancing at Jiang Guo'er from head to toe out of the corner of his eye.

The light blue jacket and skirt she wore looked loose and baggy on her.

His body was shriveled and withered, his cheeks were sunken, and his face was pale.

Her features were delicate and pretty, but lacked radiance; compared to a noble lady like Xue Lingyi, she was far inferior.

What's worse is that they have absolutely no sense of propriety.

Since you are to serve in the inner room, you should know how to read people's expressions and moods.

How could she stand like that, motionless in the corner, leaving her master standing there unattended?

Pei Yan became increasingly agitated the more he thought about it.

He looked away, leaned closer to the old lady, and whispered a few words.

The old lady was chatting with Xue Lingyi with a smile when she heard his words and was taken aback.

Immediately, a light appeared in his cloudy old eyes.

Thank God, Yan'er has finally come to his senses!

The old lady suppressed her joy and gave Jiang Guo'er several meaningful glances.

Then, she waved to Granny Li.

Granny Li leaned in and listened, and was somewhat surprised afterward.

But she didn't ask any more questions and quickly left.

Before long, Granny Li carried a small white jade bowl and walked straight to Jiang Guo'er.

The bowl contained a thick, clear yellow liquid that emitted a sweet, wine-like aroma.

"Jiang Guo'er, this is osmanthus wine bestowed by the Old Madam."

"This is specially for calming your nerves, drink it quickly!"

Jiang Guo'er stared wide-eyed in surprise at the old matriarch at the head of the table.

The old lady smiled kindly at him, bowed in thanks, and then raised both hands to accept the osmanthus wine, drinking it all in one gulp.

Until the end of the night, Xue Lingyi left with her maid, and nothing else happened.

Granny Li led Jiang Guo'er to the door of the inner room, gave her some instructions on the rules for concubines that she had long since memorized, and then hurriedly withdrew.

Jiang Guo'er took a deep breath and stepped across the threshold with all her might.

There was no incense in the room, only a faint smell of Huizhou ink.

Everywhere you look, there are heavy furniture made of huanghuali wood, and several antique Duan inkstones are displayed on the multi-treasure cabinet.

There wasn't even a bright, shiny vase to be seen.

"What are you looking at?"

A deep, cold voice suddenly rang out from behind the screen.

Jiang Guo'er immediately lowered her eyes and knelt down.

"This servant, Jiang Guo'er, thanks Your Excellency for saving my life!"

The dark silk boots came into her sight.

Get up.

Jiang Guo'er stood up respectfully, her head bowed and eyes demure, her hands clasped neatly in front of her.

However, her rapid breathing betrayed her nervousness.

Because she hid the doll in the deepest part of the ravine, with each breath, a gentle, soft friction swept over Pei Yan's chest once more.

Pei Yan's breath hitched, and his hands, hidden in his wide sleeves, suddenly tensed.

This woman, having come to serve him, still hasn't brought out the doll.

Are you planning to leave it pressed against your skin for all twelve hours?

He walked over and sat down, picked up the blue-and-white porcelain covered bowl, and casually stirred the tea leaves.

"Since you are serving in the inner room, you must remember the rules."

Pei Yan held the covered bowl, exuding an extremely oppressive aura.

"If you do something wrong, you will be punished twice as severely."

"This servant understands."

Jiang Guo'er responded softly, then boldly raised her head slightly and quickly glanced at Pei Yan's face.

A sudden chill ran down my spine.

The Prime Minister still maintained his aloof demeanor, but his tightly pursed thin lips were now an unnaturally bright red!

Even the cupid's bow showed signs of swelling.

It looked like he had been pinned against the wall and bitten hard by some fierce woman!

Jiang Guo'er's heart was in turmoil, her eyes filled with surprise and doubt.

Good guy!

Everyone in the household says he is abstinent from women and has a pure and simple heart.

What's wrong with these lips?

Could it be that she secretly kept a lover in a side room, and they went off to make love right after dinner?!

She curled her lip in disdain.

However, this is a good thing. As long as he can do it, her plan to have a son and take his place will have hope.

Pei Yan chuckled to himself as he saw her eyes darting around.

"What are you standing there for? Do I need to remind you what a concubine should be doing?"

Jiang Guo'er's cheeks flushed red.

She had been preparing for this day for over a month, and the advice from her governess was still ringing in her ears.

But when the time came, their hands and feet became unresponsive.

She walked awkwardly to Pei Yan and helped him undress.

However, due to her lack of skill, she accidentally tangled the belt and the inner garment tie together.

It took her a long time to untie it, and she carefully raised her head, afraid that Pei Yan would blame her.

How stupid.

Pei Yan inwardly complained, but did not utter a word of rebuke.

Instead, he was strangely amused by the woman's flustered appearance, and a barely perceptible smirk appeared on his lips.

Seeing that he was not angry, Jiang Guo'er secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

When she was taking off his outer robe, her little finger accidentally brushed against his strong, taut waist and abdomen, startling her so much that she froze.

Pei Yan's eyelashes trembled slightly, and his breath hitched.

"Hurry up, what are you dawdling for?"

Jiang Guo'er lowered her head and agreed, then quickly turned around, deliberately keeping her back to the flickering candlelight, and raised her hand to untie her jacket and skirt.

She quickly tucked the doll into her turquoise skirt after removing her clothes.

Pei Yan sneered; this woman did have some cleverness.

In the end, all she had left was a red bodice embroidered with twin lotus flowers.

A fair and delicate back was exposed in the dim light and shadow.

Pei Yan noticed her slender waist at a glance.

He could easily pinch it with one hand; it would probably break if he used too much force.

He also thought to himself that her fingertips were rough and her buttocks and breasts were not plump enough.

But as she raised her face, Pei Yan, as if possessed, reached out and grabbed her pointed chin.

His thumb pressed cruelly against her delicate lips, crushing them with undeniable force.

She used those ordinary-looking words to make a fuss about him?!

The calluses on my fingertips were rough and sent shivers down my spine.

Jiang Guo'er was forced to tilt her head back, her eyes glistening with tears, a blush spreading from her ears all the way down her neck.

She was being rubbed until she felt both pain and numbness, and a low moan gradually escaped her lips, growing louder and louder in the quiet inner room.

This old virgin...he has absolutely no sense of chivalry towards women!

Before long, Pei Yan's lower abdomen became hot.

His eyes darkened, and he finally released his rubbed, luscious red lips, picking up a handkerchief from the pillow to wipe his fingertips.

"Go and lower the bed curtains."

Pei Yan stared at her, his voice low and hoarse.

"Come up yourself."