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

Lin Zhizhi remained silent, but when she felt Cen Jingyi's gaze on her, she slightly curved her eyebrows, revealing a playful expression.

If Liu Gulan had brought this up before her, the prince might have really become suspicious of her.

Now that this matter has been completely resolved, given how blatantly targeted he was, the prince must know what kind of person Liu Gulan is.

Since she disliked her, Lin Zhizhi deliberately feigned a slightly panicked expression to mislead her.

Seeing that she was smug and had already fallen for his trap, he regained his composure.

He seemed to be forcing himself to speak: "Without any evidence, young master, you cannot make baseless accusations."

Liu Gulan was convinced that what she said was true, and felt that many things in this world were more rigorous than the novels she read.

It turned out that it was the betrayal of those close to the prince that caused him to suffer so much misfortune.

She felt that Lin Zhizhi was right and looked down on her even more. "Your Highness can investigate. That concubine must have already whispered with the Fifth Prince. It seems that the Fifth Prince will make a move soon."

After she finished speaking, Liu Gulan noticed that Cen Jingyi's eyes were full of anger, and she looked completely bewildered.

Cen Jingyi repeated his previous question, his tone now clearly unfriendly, carrying a hint of murderous intent, "How did you find out? Lin Zhizhi heard from the servants that you had been staying in the outer courtyard where guests were received. Now that the rumors have been suppressed, if you have no connection with the Fifth Prince, how would you know that he hasn't even begun his plan?"

Liu Gulan felt something was amiss; how could Lin Zhizhi know these things before her?

Just as he was about to splash the dirty water on her, he saw her staring at him with a half-smile.

A chill ran down his spine, and he quickly bowed in greeting.

Cen Jingyi had already incurred a lot of anger in the government office, and now she had touched a raw nerve.

"I overheard someone talking about Your Highness by chance, and I also just learned that people in the outskirts of the capital dare to slander Your Highness like this, so I made this guess."

"Speculation? Since there's no evidence, how are you any different from those who spread rumors?"

The series of questions made Liu Gulan dare not speak rashly, and she was so nervous that fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Although she escaped a disaster at the government office, she was somewhat unwilling to accept that she had stumbled here.

She wanted to say something more, but when she looked up at Cen Jingyi, she felt a chill run down her spine and lowered her head again. "It was I who should have made unfounded assumptions about Miss Lin."

If she had known earlier that Lin Zhizhi was so perceptive and would have already noticed the rumors circulating in the mansion, she wouldn't have been so rash.

But the book never mentions that this little maid was such a clever person. How could someone who was easily fooled by the people in the mansion, and even kind-hearted to the point of being stupid, have become like this?

Could it be that after she transmigrated into the book, she influenced the characters in the book?

"Is that something you should say to me?" Cen Jingyi said with displeasure.

Liu Gulan reluctantly bowed to Lin Zhizhi, saying, "I have misunderstood you, young lady. I hope you will forgive me."

"It doesn't matter what I do, but if you want to befriend the prince, you should stick to his side."

These words were veiled, clearly implying that Liu Gulan was in cahoots with the Fifth Prince.

She unconsciously tightened her grip, the slight pain keeping her mind clear. With a calm smile on her face, she said, "I have no ulterior motives, as the sun and moon can attest."

Liu Gulan never took Lin Zhizhi seriously, and she wouldn't have explained this statement if the prince hadn't been there.

Why should she need the criticism of little Lin Zhizhi? Her relentless pursuit is merely because she harbors resentment towards Lin Zhizhi for questioning her about why she went to that remote area when they were at the government office, forcing her to reveal her true feelings in front of everyone.

What a meticulous woman! Liu Gulan secretly tried to outdo her, when she heard the prince speak: "Recently, you should focus your energy on the shop's affairs; you don't need to worry about anything else."

"Your Highness..." Liu Gulan came to the Prince's mansion wanting to be a staff member. What does this mean?

We're not using her anymore?

Was it because of that slip of the tongue just now? Or had he already become suspicious when they were at the government office?

Seeing that Cen Jingyi's expression was not good, Liu Gulan did not dare to add fuel to the fire and had to step back to discuss the matter further.

Now she noticed Lin Zhizhi completely, and the confusion that had arisen in her heart was quickly suppressed.

In fact, Lin Zhizhi was also very surprised. In her previous life, Liu Gulan had been a staff member in the mansion for a long time. It was only after she gained fame by using Fang Bin's intelligence that she took the initiative to contact other princes and completely abandoned the prince.

Why is it that the prince has decided to no longer use her?

If Fang Bin were still advising her, he would never let her mention the Fifth Prince.

Originally, Liu Gulan wanted to regain the prince's trust, but now she has completely convinced the prince that she is involved with the fifth prince.

Lin Zhizhi thought that Liu Gulan should not dare to cause trouble again in the short term.

Seeing that Cen Jingyi was still angry, she took the initiative to pick up the brush and ink, grind the ink, and combined her memories from her previous life with what the concubine had said before, to sort out the complicated web of relationships.

"As long as Your Highness is willing to investigate, there is no clean place in this capital. Why should we fear their underhanded tactics?" Lin Zhizhi's voice was clear and bright, her eyes reflecting the image of the man before her.

He has striking, handsome features and an upright posture; sitting here, he exudes a powerful and imposing presence.

In her past life, Lin Zhizhi both feared and dreaded him, yet also longed to gain his attention.

Only now do we realize how difficult it is for the prince to move forward, and how difficult it is to protect the prince's mansion.

Cen Jingyi glanced at the papers. Lin Zhizhi's handwriting was delicate and beautiful. It was not easy for her to find out these things in such a short time. It was clear that she had put a lot of thought into it.

Although he was aware of most of these things, her actions were merely to demonstrate her loyalty and to appease him.

Then he asked, "When will you go and fetch the medicine for my bruises and sprains?"

Lin Zhizhi knew that such a clumsy excuse could not fool Cen Jingyi at all. At this moment, she bent down, looked up at him, and showed her complete innocence.

"Whenever Your Highness desires it, this servant will fetch it, or even now."

She boldly placed her hand on Cen Jingyi's arm and gently massaged it, saying, "Only when Your Highness is well can the Prince's Mansion be well. Only when the Prince's Mansion is well can this servant and my family be well."

Lin Zhizhi wanted to tell Cen Jingyi that once you are registered as a slave, it is very difficult to get rid of it. Not only in the capital, but all the slaves in the entire Yuanyang Kingdom suffer.

Serving in the manor is much better than anywhere else, especially since she is already the prince's woman.

Therefore, Your Highness need not doubt her; she will always stand by Your Highness's side.

"Do you know who sent that man to take the blame?"

Unexpectedly, the prince asked this question. Lin Zhizhi was stunned for a moment before honestly replying, "This servant does not know."

I originally thought that only the Fifth Prince had such extraordinary abilities, but now I realize that's not right. No matter how well-informed the Fifth Prince is, he can't keep an eye on the Prince's residence all the time.

How could they find a man who looks so much like Liu Gulan so quickly?

Moreover, the Fifth Prince's spies had already committed suicide, completely cutting off his sources of information.

"I have such a powerful and influential person in my residence. Even though he is under house arrest, he still has the power to intervene."