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

When the appointed day arrived, Lin Zhizhi went out early in the morning, and soon realized that someone was following her.

She walked a little off to the side and saw that the person following her was a maid from the mansion.

Clearly inexperienced in tracking, just as he was about to approach Lin Zhizhi after seeing her turn left and right, he bumped into Lin Zhizhi who was waiting for him.

"Why are you following me?" Lin Zhizhi asked. "Aren't you on duty today?"

"Did you open this road? It's none of your business!" The little maid was quite feisty, now pointing at Lin Zhizhi with her hands on her hips. "You're beautiful and love to cause trouble. I'm with you to prevent you from going out and having affairs and cheating on the Prince. What? You have a problem with that? You're not the master yet, wait until you become the master before you interfere… Waaah, why are you covering my mouth?"

Lin Zhizhi's head was throbbing from the noise. "Which courtyard do you live in?"

He doesn't seem very bright, yet he speaks such rude things with such confidence.

"She was originally a maid who did odd jobs, and she just started doing chores in the Princess's courtyard yesterday."

This maidservant is named Xiying. She was sold to the Prince's Mansion by her family and thus became a slave.

A shrewd woman like the princess prefers to keep these foolish and easy-to-control people by her side.

"Don't follow me, or I'll cut your head off," Lin Zhizhi threatened. Seeing that her panicked expression seemed genuine, she mustered her courage and tried to bite Lin Zhizhi.

Seeing her withdraw her hand, she finally gave up. She looked lively and energetic, and Lin Zhizhi couldn't control her at all.

happy Ying said smugly, "I'm naturally strong and healthy. I don't even get headaches or fevers. With your strength... don't try to run away!"

She wandered around here for a long time before realizing she had lost her way.

Lin Zhizhi sensed something was wrong and pondered for a long time, recalling happy Ying's expression.

At that moment, they saw the Fifth Prince's concubine arrive with a pregnant woman. The woman, holding her back, complained, "I told you to slow down. It would have been so much better to just stop the sedan chair here. Why did you have to walk so far? Don't you know I'm pregnant?"

"Since you know you're carrying a golden egg, you should stay quietly in the manor. Why did you have to come out with me?" Concubine Li Dan said with dissatisfaction and a hint of bitterness in her voice.

She and the Fifth Prince had been unable to conceive for many years, while this lucky woman had conceived on her first try, which made her extremely jealous.

If he were to stay in the courtyard and rest peacefully during his pregnancy, that would be fine, but he's not one to stay still. He insists on wandering around in front of her, deliberately trying to annoy her.

Hearing that she was going to have a gathering with her sisters, they clamored to come over, and even caused a scene at the Fifth Prince's place.

She was forced to bring the person along and had to be careful in everything she did.

It's been over six months already. If something goes wrong with her, she won't be able to explain herself no matter how hard she tries.

"I was just bored. Oh, this pretty one, is she one of your sisters?" The woman looked Lin Zhizhi up and down. "Which household are you from?"

"She's the prince's concubine, but she's also my close sister. You shouldn't mess with her." The concubine, fearing she would ruin things, quickly intervened. "This is Concubine Zhou from the manor."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhou's expression became extremely complicated, and her gaze towards Lin Zhizhi was also quite meaningful.

He asked, "Has the Fifth Prince been seen?"

"Never." How could she dare to recommend someone?

Aunt Zhou patted her chest and stroked her belly, saying, "He must not see this."

"Do you need to tell me?"

Judging from their conversation and tone, they should both be concubines.

If the child is born smoothly, Aunt Zhou will probably be promoted to a concubine, surpassing Li Dan.

However, Li Dan never took that woman seriously. The reason was simple: the woman was plain-looking, not as beautiful as her, and like her, had no family to support her.

As for the child in her belly, it's still unknown whether it's a boy or a girl, and Li Dan wouldn't be foolish enough to provoke her at a time like this.

"Look at us, we've been so busy arguing that we've neglected our little sister. We're sorry she had to laugh at us." Li Dan warmly grabbed Lin Zhizhi's wrist and pulled her towards the lakeside. "Let's go on the boat and talk."

He completely ignored the woman behind him.

Just then, a sweet shout rang out, "Lin Zhizhi! I've finally found you!"

A figure strode over and shoved Aunt Zhou, who staggered and nearly fell, clutching her stomach.

Enraged, she saw that the newcomer was dressed as a maid from the prince's mansion and immediately slapped her.

"How could you do this? Why weren't you more careful? If you had bumped into the baby in my womb, how would your barren royal family compensate us?"

Lin Zhizhi glanced coldly at happy Ying, who had appeared out of nowhere. Xi Ying's face was deathly pale, and the handprint on her face was very obvious.

He was trembling with fear and looked to Lin Zhizhi for help, as if asking what to do.

The woman's words were truly awful and disrespectful to the Prince's Mansion. Lin Zhizhi took a deep breath.

"Aunt Zhou, please calm down. You have already reprimanded Xiying for her recklessness. I will go back and report to the Princess Consort to teach her a lesson. Don't let a maid upset your health, and don't gossip about the Prince's Mansion because of a maid." Lin Zhizhi bowed slightly. Her words were relatively gentle at first, but her attitude became somewhat firm when she mentioned the Prince's Mansion.

Aunt Zhou wouldn't let it go, raising her hand to slap happy Ying again. "I didn't bring my personal maid with me today to meet so many ladies, otherwise would I have to personally discipline such a lowly servant?"

happy Ying had never seen anything like this before. Seeing that she was heavily pregnant but dared not resist, she had long lost her previous energy and spirit.

Her eyes were filled with tears, and she looked so aggrieved.

"Stop with that seductive act. Who are you trying to fool? There's no master here you're trying to seduce."

"I didn't! I'm not from your household, so why are you holding me like this?" happy Ying was indignant, but she didn't dare to approach Aunt Zhou.

If we continue fighting, we'll be slapping the Prince's Mansion in the face.

The incident of saving Fang Qiao had taught Lin Zhizhi a lesson, and although she was not injured in the stomach, she dared not risk her life again.

At this moment, he could only look at Li Dan and said, "If this matter gets out of hand, others will laugh at us. If it embarrasses the Prince and the Fifth Prince, none of us will be let off easily."

Li Dan didn't want to provoke Aunt Zhou either, and feeling unlucky at the moment, she said to happy Ying, "Don't just stand there like an idiot, go to the boat and see if the wine and dishes I had prepared are ready."

Upon hearing this, happy Ying covered her face and ran onto the boat.

While they weren't looking, Aunt Zhou slipped something into her sleeve. Her anger hadn't subsided, and she even started to dislike Lin Zhizhi.

Thinking about future collaborations with Li Dan, Lin Zhizhi helped her step onto the boat and whispered, "I think her belly is probably meant for you. Be careful."

"I know." Li Dan was extremely annoyed, only thinking about Aunt Zhou laying the golden egg soon. She couldn't stand this constant trouble-making.

Lin Zhizhi wondered what happy Ying's purpose was, and then took her seat as arranged by Li Dan.