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

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten.

The door to the side room creaked open, and Pei Yan walked out.

He changed into a dark blue brocade robe with gold trim, a jade belt around his waist, and a tall crown over his dark hair.

It still maintained its usual aloof and unapproachable demeanor.

A faint bluish shadow hung over his eyes, and his thin lips were pressed tightly together.

His entire being screams "unsatisfied desires."

The servants and maids guarding the courtyard all hung their heads, not daring to breathe.

Pei Yan didn't even have breakfast before going straight to court.

No sooner had he left than Lüyi entered the side room carrying a copper basin.

Jiang Guo'er was sitting in front of the dressing table, her cheeks flushed with an unnatural redness.

Her eyes darted around, her hand holding the eyebrow pencil trembled slightly, and she couldn't draw for a long time.

"Oh, what's wrong?" Green Ripple put down the copper basin and came over to tease her.

"That big fire in the break room last night, it's still burning!"

Jiang Guo'er's hand trembled, and the eyebrow pencil drew a long black mark on her forehead.

She was both embarrassed and annoyed, and reached out to tickle Lüyi's armpit.

"You little brat, if you keep talking nonsense, I'll tear your mouth off!"

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything more."

Lüyi smiled and begged for mercy, twisting a hot handkerchief and handing it to her while lowering her voice:

"Madam sent me to tell you that after breakfast, you should go to Songhe Garden with her. The Old Madam has something to discuss."

Jiang took the handkerchief and applied it to her face; the scalding heat helped clear her muddled mind.

So early? It must be something important.

Jiang Guo'er hastily ate a few mouthfuls of porridge and then followed Xue Lingyi to Songhe Garden.

Upon entering the warm pavilion, one sees the old matriarch sitting upright on the daybed, holding a string of tourmaline prayer beads in her hand.

"Please sit down."

The two sat down as instructed, and Granny Qin served tea before quietly leaving.

"The child in Guo'er's womb is the first legitimate grandson of our Pei family's main branch; we must not allow him to be lost."

"Guo'er previously suggested finding an honest and obedient concubine to pretend to be pregnant, so that she could shield her from the open and hidden attacks in the mansion."

"I've picked out a few girls, you can take a look and see for yourselves."

As she spoke, the old lady handed a list to Xue Lingyi.

Such a big thing could not possibly be kept from her.

"What about Xianxian? She has a great figure and looks, and she's also very clever. If you said she was pregnant, people would believe it."

Jiang Guo'er listened, her brows furrowing slightly.

Xue Lingyi shook her head at this moment: "Grandma, I'm afraid it's not appropriate for Xianxian."

"She's a 'slender horse' from Yangzhou, trained from a young age. Such a person might be useful for a short time, but she might not be able to endure it for seven or eight months."

The old lady pondered for a moment, then nodded. "How about Hua Chun?"

"Hua Chun won't do either," Xue Lingyi sighed. "She was sent by the Second Madam. The Second Master has always been... eager for quick success and instant benefits. If he knew that Hua Chun was pregnant, he might have other plans."

The old lady's eyes darkened slightly.

"What about Caiyue?"

"Caiyue is even more unsuitable. I've seen that girl before; her eyes are always darting around, she's definitely not someone to be trifled with."

Xue Lingyi rejected several candidates in a row.

Jiang Guo'er found it increasingly strange as she listened, and tugged at Xue Lingyi's sleeve.

Xue Lingyi ignored her and instead stood up from the brocade stool, curtsying to the old lady.

"Grandma, I believe it is most appropriate for me to handle this matter."

The old lady looked startled.

Jiang Guo'er was also shocked and her eyes widened.

"No! Madam, have you gone mad?!" Her voice trembled with anxiety. "You are the Prime Minister's lawfully wedded wife, how could you... how could you do such a thing for a mere concubine like me?"

How could she let Lingyi be put on the hot seat of public humiliation!

Xue Lingyi patted her hand reassuringly, her eyes still fixed on the old lady, and smiled calmly.

"The granddaughter-in-law has three reasons."

"First, the granddaughter-in-law is the legal wife. If she is pregnant, her status is the most legitimate, and it will be the best way to silence gossip. If someone still dares to make a move, it means there is someone truly audacious hidden in the household. We can take this opportunity to lure them out and make an example of them!"

"Secondly, since my granddaughter-in-law is pregnant, I can keep Guo'er by my side to take care of her. Her food, medicine, and tonics can all come from me. This way, she can nourish her pregnancy without arousing suspicion."

"Thirdly, the indentures of the women Grandmother just selected are not in your possession."

"The second, third, and fourth wives each have their own agendas. If word gets out, wouldn't all our efforts be in vain?"

At this point, Xue Lingyi smiled gently.

"Rather than entrusting such an important matter to a maid whose background is unknown, it's better to give it to my granddaughter-in-law."

"My granddaughter-in-law will not harm Guo'er, nor will she harm the Pei family."

The old lady looked at Xue Lingyi, her eyes, which had weathered many storms, now filled with emotion.

"Good child." The old lady sighed and reached out to pull Xue Lingyi over. "You've gone to such lengths for Yan'er and the Pei family. I'm sorry to have wronged you."

Jiang Guo'er wanted to persuade her again, but Xue Lingyi silenced her with a look.

After leaving Songhe Garden and returning to the main house, Jiang Guo'er could no longer contain herself and paced anxiously around the room.

"Lingyi! Are you crazy? You actually agreed to something like this? What if someone really tries to harm you...?"

"I'll be fine." Xue Lingyi pulled her to sit down, her face showing no sign of reluctance, but rather a faint smile.

"Guo'er, I didn't do this on a whim. I have my own selfish reasons for doing this."

Jiang Guo'er was taken aback. "Self-interest?"

"Firstly, by pretending to be pregnant, I can openly refuse the Prime Minister's advances and avoid living in constant fear."

Jiang Guo'er suddenly realized that this was indeed an excellent excuse.

"And the second one?"

Xue Lingyi slowly clenched the handkerchief between her fingers, her eyes turning cold.

"My father's 60th birthday is on the third day of next month. I heard that several of my maternal cousins ​​will also come from Jiangnan to celebrate his birthday."

When she brought up the past, her face remained gentle, but her voice trembled uncontrollably.

"Perfect timing, I want to take this opportunity to avenge the humiliation I suffered back then."

Her cousin who attempted to rape her back then!

Jiang Guo'er understood instantly.

Once such a joyous occasion is announced, the bride's family will naturally try every means to get close to her at the birthday banquet.

Setting up a trap at that time would be a natural progression!

"Lingyi..." Jiang Guo'er grasped her icy hand, "I understand! What do you plan to do?"

Xue Lingyi gritted her teeth and whispered, "I want him to never be able to harm anyone again."

Jiang Guo'er gasped.

She originally thought she was quite bold.

Who would have thought that the dignified and gentle Lingyi, when pushed to the limit, would also become ruthless?

"Okay, I'll help you! But this can't be rushed. We need to let others see it so he can face the consequences."

Xue Lingyi nodded emphatically.

The two discussed it in detail for half an hour.

After finalizing the initial plan, the atmosphere in the room finally relaxed.

Xue Lingyi suddenly winked mysteriously at Jiang Guo'er, took her hand, and walked towards the canopy bed in the inner room.

"Here, let me show you something."

"What's all the mystery about?" Jiang Guo'er was completely confused.

Xue Lingyi pointed to the bed, "Lift the mattress underneath."

Jiang Guo'er did as she was told with suspicion, lifting a corner of the thick brocade quilt.

The next moment, she froze.

There were quite a few pink stationery pieces pressed between the mattress and the bed board.

It's Xue Tao's paper!

Jiang Guo'er picked up a few sheets and examined them closely. They weren't love poems or love letters, but rather...

The little one was greedy today and ate a bowl of shaved ice; he coughed twice during the night.

Her fingertips trembled, and she picked up another one.

[He was so clumsy, combing my hair and actually pulled out three strands! I was so scared I almost knelt down. Am I that scary?]

[At midnight, the little one, I don't know what he was dreaming about, actually started crying...]

The handwriting is clear, vigorous, and restrained.

It is Pei Yan's courtesy name.

Jiang Guo'er forgot to breathe for a moment.

She had once suspected that Pei Yan often took Xue Tao's stationery to write to Xiao Yuzhen, to Lingyi, or to some old love hidden in his heart.

It turns out that none of them were true.

Is this person crazy? Why is she recording her everyday trivia?!

Jiang Guo'er subconsciously clutched her aching chest, her heartbeat suddenly becoming erratic.

My cheek felt a scalding sensation, burning hot.

Staring at Xue Lingyi in astonishment, he moved his lips for a long time but couldn't utter a single word.

Seeing her silly expression, Xue Lingyi couldn't help but raise her hand and gently flick her smooth forehead.

"Stupid? Now you should believe me..."

"The Prime Minister truly loves you."