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

Lin Zhizhi hurriedly added, "happy Ying acted rashly and did offend Aunt Zhou. Aunt Li only allowed her to board the ship to help her out of the predicament."

"This is quite a coincidence," Cen Jingyi said. "I should apologize to my fifth brother for the poor management of the servants in the manor."

The Fifth Prince's lips twitched twice. He didn't think Cen Jingyi was such an easy person to talk to. This sudden admission of wrongdoing and submission made it impossible for him to pursue the matter further.

As for how to punish him, Cen Jingyi did not mention it again.

Seeing that he wanted to let the matter drop, Dou Xiuchan looked anxiously at the Crown Prince, then slumped over and fainted again.

He was helped up by the person next to him and slowly woke up.

She looked at the Crown Prince with a sorrowful expression, "I am unwell, please forgive my rudeness."

The Crown Prince knew perfectly well what she meant: besides wanting to punish Lin Zhizhi, she also wanted to win his favor.

"Xiuchan has truly been wronged."

Before the Crown Prince could speak, Cen Jingyi said, "At the time, everyone was trying to avoid danger, so some minor bumps and bruises were inevitable. Only Zhizhi was punished; the other women were all fine. If this matter were to be spread by someone with ulterior motives, it would be detrimental to the Crown Prince's reputation, making people think that the Crown Prince's actions were biased, which could damage the dignity of the royal family."

After speaking, he glanced at the Fifth Prince. Cen Jingyi was always methodical in his actions and his words carried weight, so no one would underestimate him.

The fifth prince was enraged by that glance. "Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think I would do such a despicable thing?"

"My fifth brother would never be so despicable," Cen Jingyi said, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The Crown Prince knew exactly what kind of person the Fifth Prince was.

Seeing Cen Jingyi publicly protect Lin Zhizhi, he couldn't help but glance at her again.

His impression of Lin Zhizhi was not as good as that of happy Ying. Although she had just implicated the world and tried to reverse the situation with morality.

But she was too insignificant and her voice carried little weight, so no one paid her any attention.

It seems that Seventh Brother really likes this kind of person, which is why he acted out of character.

It was rare for the Crown Prince to find fault with his seventh brother, but compared to the rumors spread against him by his fifth brother, he had already made up his mind.

"This was an accident. The boatman didn't check the boat properly beforehand, so it was unintentional. It's just heartbreaking that my fifth brother and I both lost a child. We must comfort the people in the courtyard when we get back. As for the maids in my seventh brother's courtyard, he can deal with them when he gets back." The Crown Prince spoke, his expression softening, and his gaze towards Dou Xiuchan was reassuring.

Cen Jingyi cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty is truly benevolent and kind."

The Fifth Prince gave a soft snort. Even if he was dissatisfied, he couldn't refuse the Crown Prince's request. He said, "I will listen to what my elder brother says."

This situation was more dangerous than Lin Zhizhi had imagined. In her previous life, she lived a carefree and unambitious life, completely unaware of the undercurrents surging within.

She was also fortunate that Cen Jingyi was willing to protect her, which would make it easier for her to move around among these women in the future.

Perhaps Cen Jingyi had already seen through her thoughts, but just wanted to see just how far she could go.

Having suffered a great loss this time, Li Dan must be eager to regain favor, and perhaps she can offer some assistance in this regard.

happy Ying was somewhat bewildered, unaware that she had survived a close call. Seeing that all her masters had dispersed, she asked, "Is that all?"

Perhaps because Lin Zhizhi had spoken up for her before, happy Ying is now clinging to her even more tightly, saying, "I saved two people this time, and I will surely be praised by the princess when I return."

Did she think that the prince's punishment was so easy to get through?

"Why do you have to act like this in front of me?" Lin Zhizhi's face was ugly. Only after the crowd had mostly dispersed did she dare to slowly stand up.

However, he bumped into someone and was pulled away by happy Ying, who then saw that it was Cen Jingyi.

Seeing him step back slightly to avoid happy Ying's close approach, she said, "It seems I really need to find someone to teach you proper manners when we get back."

"Yes." happy Ying was still relieved that she could speak with the prince, thinking that the princess would definitely value her just as much when they returned.

She knew that Lin Zhizhi was sent to the prince's bed by the princess.

Cen Jingyi arrived in a carriage. When he asked the two of them to get on, happy Ying jumped up without hesitation, as if she wanted to throw herself at Cen Jingyi.

Lin Zhizhi hesitated for a moment, but seeing Cen Jingyi staring at her, she finally sat down next to the coachman and whispered, "Your Highness, this is against the rules."

We can't let outsiders laugh at us anymore. If the Fifth Prince says something, who knows what it will turn out to be?

If Cen Jingyi defends her today, he will probably be accused of being blinded by lust.

"Drive," Cen Jingyi said.

Lin Zhizhi is now wondering whether the ship's rudder was truly happy Ying's doing, or if there was another reason.

Logically speaking, the princess should be like the concubine, and should not harm the prince.

Her fingers unconsciously gripped the car floor tightly. She couldn't see the princess that way; perhaps everything was different from what she thought.

Originally, all I knew was that the princess and the prince treated each other with respect. After so many years of getting along, it seemed that the prince only remembered the kindness the princess had shown him back then.

What lies behind this remains unknown to her.

"Lin Zhizhi, come in." Cen Jingyi's calm voice rang out. She hurriedly got up and lifted the carriage curtain, only to see happy Ying covering her wrist with a wronged expression.

When happy Ying saw her, she opened her mouth slightly, seemingly afraid of Cen Jingyi, and then closed her mouth tightly again.

She hadn't heard any sound, or even heard happy Ying speak. Now it seemed that happy Ying must have done something to offend the prince, to have angered him so much.

"Feng Yao has been neglecting household affairs lately, and today's events have alarmed many of the women. Since you are already familiar with them, go to the storeroom and fetch some silver to prepare generous gifts to appease them."

These are things that Cen Jingyi shouldn't have to worry about, but he brought them up in front of happy Ying.

This was not what Lin Zhizhi had expected, and she dared not accept it now.

"This servant truly does not understand these matters and fears that it may displease the concubines and cause them to have opinions about the Prince's Mansion. I have noticed that the Princess Consort's complexion has improved considerably recently. This matter is complicated, but the Princess Consort is meticulous and will surely be able to handle it well." Lin Zhizhi bowed, not daring to look at Cen Jingyi's expression, but her heart sank to the bottom.

She dared not risk offending the princess at this moment, but she also did not want to be abandoned by the prince.

"Yeah?"

"I fear I am not up to the task."

Cen Jingyi's voice made Lin Zhizhi unconsciously clutch her dress, which was still stained with traces of lake water.

She must look terrible right now, and Xi Ying isn't doing much better.

All of this was something that never happened in her previous life, or perhaps it did happen but she was unaware of it.

If she hadn't gone to Li Dan's gathering, the Prince's Mansion probably wouldn't have been involved.

Lin Zhizhi's actions influenced the development of many things. She thought that if things continued like this, the Prince's Mansion would not be destroyed in the end, and she would not be exiled.

Now is not the right time. Even if the prince wants her to replace the concubine to counterbalance the princess, she cannot withstand the hostility from all sides.

Moreover, the concubine will be released in time, and she will surely restrain herself. If she helps the princess gain some power to manage the household affairs, she can help the princess gain some power to manage the household affairs.

Now that the two sides are facing off again, she no longer needs to worry about being unable to move an inch within the mansion.

Even if it means she won't be summoned in the short term, she can at least have a safe pregnancy.