The concubine, a former cannon fodder, becomes pregnant, and the childless prince spoils her rotten.

Mu Yuan watched with great pleasure and leaned down to whisper to the concubine.

After receiving permission, Mu Yuan curled the corners of her mouth. This was the best time to prevent Lin Zhizhi from making a comeback, so that the concubine would not have to worry about the treasury accounts and her life would be easier.

They forcefully ripped Lin Zhizhi's clothes off, revealing the bruises on her collarbone. The onlookers were stunned and in uproar.

Lin Zhizhi's mother frantically pulled her into her arms, trying to cover the marks. Her voice was hoarse as she anxiously asked her daughter, "What are you doing?"

Mu Yuan, emboldened by her authority, said crisply, "If a thief raises a daughter who steals, the royal palace will become a laughingstock."

The concubine then said, "Your Highness, in my opinion, it would be better to sell them off."

The humiliating scene from her past life reappeared, but she did not shy away. She sobbed softly and said, "My mother has managed the storeroom for so many years, and she would never steal from us. If Your Highness does not believe me, you can thoroughly investigate the storeroom accounts."

Upon hearing that a thorough investigation was to be conducted, the concubine tensed up, her fingers gripping the armrests of her chair tightly as she suppressed her surging anger, and said, "Insolence! Who gave you the right to speak here?"

He couldn't help but look at the princess's reaction, wondering if she had noticed anything amiss.

Footsteps sounded; judging by the time, they should be back soon.

Lin Zhizhi's expression became even more sorrowful, and she slammed her head heavily on the ground with a dull thud. "This servant only felt that the Princess Consort has always been stern and upright, and would certainly not wrong my mother who has served the Princess Consort for more than ten years."

"Absurd!" Cen Jingyi had just approached when he heard Lin Zhizhi mention his mother. He valued filial piety above all else and naturally wouldn't allow the people in the inner quarters to discuss it in private.

Seeing his anger, the servants knelt down one after another to pay their respects, saying, "Your Highness, please calm down."

Even the princess and the concubine stood up and stepped forward. The concubine leaned closer and softened her tone, trying to change the subject away from the storeroom, "My lord, how long has it been since you last came to my room?"

When Cen Jingyi looked at her, his eyes were clear, as if he could see through her thoughts. This made the concubine anxious like an ant on a hot pan. It would be too much of a loss if the prince disliked her because of Lin Zhizhi.

Looking at the flustered Consort Feng, the princess said, "I don't know what's wrong with this little maid. I guess it's because Lin Zhizhi is beautiful and always attracts attention. Even a minor bump or scratch on her body can lead to speculation."

This implies that Consort Feng was jealous and ordered her maid to bully Lin Zhizhi.

Startled, Mu Yuan immediately knelt down. "I only heard that she had an affair with a servant in the manor. The rules in the manor are very strict, and maids and servants are never allowed to do anything reckless. In a moment of panic, I... I know I was wrong."

Lin Zhizhi's mother kowtowed to Cen Jingyi and apologized, "This old servant has served in the Prince's mansion for so many years without the slightest negligence. I am honored to have gained the Prince's trust and be allowed to manage the storeroom. Now, my daughter has been humiliated because of a fabricated charge. If you must punish someone, punish this old man. Zhizhi is still young. Please forgive her, Your Highness, for the sake of all the years I have served her."

Lin Zhizhi felt a pang of sorrow as she looked at that hunched back. Large tears rolled down her cheeks, and she kowtowed even harder, not even noticing when her skin was broken.

She pleaded pitifully, "It is I who have done wrong. If Your Highness dislikes me, please punish me, whether it is by whipping or selling me off. My mother and father are both old. Please allow them to retire and return to their hometown to spend their old age in peace."

The concubine never expected that Lin Zhizhi, who was usually so quiet, would react so violently. Fearing that things would really escalate, she swayed precariously.

Mu Yuan, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward to support her, but felt a sharp pain in her arm. She knew that the concubine was furious, and if this matter was not resolved properly...

Even the princess frowned slightly, considering how to explain. The matter was still unresolved, and Lin Zhizhi's mother was unlikely to be severely punished. It would be better to do her a favor. "I don't think Lin Feng's family would do such a thing. There must be some misunderstanding."

Cen Jingyi's eyes were deep and unreadable, revealing neither joy nor anger, yet he took in the reactions of the others.

Today he met an interesting scholar, whose quick thinking and insights were completely different from those who only read books, so he invited him to his mansion to drink and chat together.

Having considered recruiting him as an advisor, this presented an opportunity, so he asked, "What are your thoughts?"

"Although it is a matter of the household, there must be a home before there is a country, and a country before there is a home. I suppose Your Highness is so engrossed in politics that he may neglect household matters. I have heard that the Princess Consort is virtuous and kind, so I am sure she can handle such a small matter well." A petite young man spoke up, sounding very dismissive and seemingly not taking these people seriously.

Lin Zhizhi's face was pale. This was Liu Gulan, the female protagonist who had transmigrated into the book. Her mind was not on the Prince's Mansion, nor on Cen Jingyi, who had been granted the title of Prince early on but was disliked by the Emperor and lost his right to compete for the throne.

Her aim in getting close to and using the prince was to gain access to the palace, or even the imperial court.

Rather than resenting the infighting between the princess and the concubine, she was caught in the crossfire.

Lin Zhizhi was even more resentful that the ruthless Liu Gulan directly destroyed the entire palace, and hundreds of lives were lost due to her scheming and plotting.

Cen Jingyi could not hide his disappointment. This scholar was still too young, believing only rumors without knowing the truth or the hidden turmoil within.

These people all had their own ulterior motives. His gaze swept over Lin Zhizhi, only to see her tightly clutching her clothes, trying to cover her body, not intentionally putting on an act.

She knew that if this matter continued to escalate, it would become uncontrollable. She was just a servant girl, and it was Mu Yuan who had done the dirty work. If she kept pursuing the matter with the concubine, it would make outsiders think that the prince was not strict in managing his household.

When he saw her crying and making a scene, Cen Jingyi thought she wanted to accuse the concubine of her violent behavior. However, he did not expect that she would remain silent after he arrived and would not ask him to make a decision.

Before things had escalated to an unbearable level, he looked at the concubine again.

Trembling with fear, she forced a smile and said, "It was my fault for not restraining this servant properly. How about I punish her by making her kneel for three hours to reflect on her actions?"

Seeing that she took the initiative to admit her mistake, Cen Jingyi's expression softened slightly. "This matter will be handled by the Princess."

Seeing that he had taken her advice, Liu Gulan's eyes lit up. Only then did she remember to bow to the princess. She was not yet used to the complicated rules of this world, and said, "This humble student, Liu Gulan, greets the princess."

"This scholar is quite handsome, and looks almost like a woman," the princess replied with a slight smile.

Liu Gulan's heart tightened. She hadn't expected the princess to have such a sharp eye. She thought of Cen Jingyi's question earlier.

Could it be that these women in the book, who only know how to compete for favor in the mansion, have some extraordinary qualities?

When the concubine saw that the prince did not pursue the matter, she was overjoyed. She knew that the prince had feelings for her. Although he had no children, he spent no fewer nights in her room each month than the princess.

Cen Jingyi left with Liu Gulan, but the princess changed her mind. Rather than letting Consort Feng's people become the prince's concubines, it would be better to help Lin Zhizhi, who had a weakness and was easy to manipulate.

He immediately helped the two kneeling on the ground to their feet. His attitude was gentle, unlike the spoiled young lady of the concubine. He said, "Come with me first. I trust you."

"Yes."