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

"You're pregnant now, how can you travel and work so hard with me? Besides, I'm not going there for fun. Not to mention the long journey, there's always the risk of controlling the spread of the epidemic." Cen Jingyi disagreed, and his tone left no room for doubt.

Lin Zhizhi couldn't say she wasn't afraid of the epidemic, but she was worried about the danger Cen Jingyi's trip. "Your Highness, please be careful in everything you do."

"I'm taking Fang Bin with me. Did you promise him anything when you negotiated with him?"

"I only asked him to think more about my daughter, and I didn't make any promises." Although Lin Zhizhi had tried to entice him, she didn't offer any real benefits other than the small amount of silver.

It was expected that Fang Bin would not agree, and Lin Zhizhi believed that the prince would be able to persuade him.

Judging from Cen Jingyi's current expression, Fang Bin must have already gained a lot of benefits from him.

At this moment, her eyebrows curved into a smile, showing some curiosity about how the two were negotiating.

"If the trip goes smoothly, we can return in a little over a month." Cen Jingyi will inform the household about this later, but he will not mention the purpose of the trip. He summoned Lin Zhizhi because he wanted to know how she learned about the epidemic.

His expression became more inquisitive as he asked, "I've negotiated with that imperial merchant, and he purchased some of the medicinal herbs you mentioned. Unfortunately, no one in the capital recognizes them, not even Fang Bin. Lin Zhizhi, don't you find that strange? Even that imperial merchant looked completely bewildered when he heard that these herbs could cure the epidemic. You've never traveled south; how did you know? Or is the epidemic related to you?"

"How could I have done these things?" Lin Zhizhi looked astonished, then found it difficult to speak, and slowly knelt down.

After hesitating for a long time, he ultimately did not utter a word.

"Go ahead," Cen Jingyi said, wondering what trick she was up to this time.

"I learned of this during a nightmare some time ago, and I was so uneasy that I mentioned it to Your Highness. I know Your Highness doesn't believe in these things, so I dared not explain the reason. Please forgive me, Your Highness. I have absolutely no ulterior motives, and I would never dare to be involved with the epidemic."

"This is utterly absurd." Cen Jingyi clearly did not believe it, but then he thought of the rumors from the Imperial Observatory. Now that the news of the twins being born and the heavens blessing Yuanyang had spread throughout the capital, it must be the work of the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince.

Since Lin Zhizhi and the Crown Princess are both pregnant, the celestial phenomena observed by the Imperial Observatory can only be known on the day the children are born.

Lin Zhizhi remained silent; this was the explanation she had come up with earlier, so that the prince would have no way to verify it.

There are also drawbacks; the prince might think she has something wrong with her head.

We also have to thank the Crown Princess and the Imperial Observatory for the scene that caused.

Even if Cen Jingyi had some doubts, he wouldn't drag her out and burn her on the spot.

"Get up and sit down first," Cen Jingyi said, sighing as he did so. He had originally thought that Lin Zhizhi's deliberate approach to him and her becoming his concubine was his mother's intention.

The fact that Lin Zhizhi was so disliked by her mother upon entering the palace, and that she was met with such harsh words of rebuke, indicates that there was no contact between them.

"It's inconvenient for Fang Bin to travel with a child. In a couple of days, he will let Fang Qiao stay at his residence temporarily, and you can take care of her."

These words made Lin Zhizhi tense. "Your Highness, how can you use his daughter to force him to do something?"

Cen Jingyi stared at her, his expression weary, a deep melancholy in his eyes.

Lin Zhizhi inwardly cried out in alarm, realizing that she had misunderstood the prince's intentions. "This servant understands."

Since her rebirth, the prince has never severely punished her, which has made her increasingly unscrupulous, and she has come to regard the prince as having a good temper.

"It was Fang Bin who requested that his daughter stay with you temporarily; he trusts you."

Lin Zhizhi suddenly looked up and blinked. Although she didn't speak, the smile in her eyes was obvious, which added a touch of coquettishness.

"If there's nothing else, you may leave."

"Yes."

Cen Jingyi did not pursue the matter further. As for whether he believed her story or not, time would tell.

Perhaps because it was rare for the Prince's Palace to have an heir, the Princess Consort did nothing more than visit him from time to time.

The princess is now genuinely protecting Lin Zhizhi, not letting her do any work, and wishing she could send more people over to serve her.

After Lin Zhizhi had politely declined the suggestion to have happy Ying come over, the princess personally supervised the maids to serve her.

Cen Jingyi came over more often, perhaps to prepare for his trip south. He would only stay for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before leaving.

He always managed to run into the princess, and I heard that he even summoned her at night.

Lin Zhizhi's mother was really worried about her, so she came over to comfort her and tell her to relax, "Whatever you do, we servants can't interfere. Fortunately, you don't have to serve her closely now. Your most important thing now is to give birth to the child in your womb safely. The Princess Consort has come over time for this. Now that she has achieved her goal, your life will be easier."

The princess was certain that Cen Jingyi would visit Lin Zhizhi often, taking into account her pregnancy.

She had only just arrived to make her presence known, and even though she hadn't spoken directly, how could Cen Jingyi not know what she was thinking?

"But the Prince still hasn't relented on the power to manage the household affairs." Xu Jie's face was full of worry. Ever since her daughter became a concubine, she had been constantly on edge. "The Princess Consort wants to elevate your rank, but the Prince has never agreed. And that other concubine, the day she is confined to her quarters is approaching, I'm afraid she won't tolerate you."

"Mother, are you here to comfort me, or to scare me?" Lin Zhizhi asked, somewhat amused and exasperated. "Don't worry, Mother, I'm fine."

She is not the eighteen-year-old Lin Zhizhi; she has experienced far more cruel things and knows the princess and the concubine well.

"Mother is just worried," Xu Jie sighed. "The child in your womb has saved you from this predicament; both you and he are blessed. Our family is also fortunate to have the Prince's favor."

"Mother is right, that's exactly it," Lin Zhizhi comforted her.

During the time Cen Jingyi was in the mansion, she lived a very comfortable life.

After the concubine was released from confinement, she did not cause trouble for Lin Zhizhi, but she maintained close contact with Liu Gulan.

They even openly allowed her to enter and leave the mansion as a man.

The fact that the two were able to cooperate suggests that the concubine also holds leverage over Liu Gulan. She probably already knows that Liu Gulan is a woman, which is why she is so unscrupulous.

After packing everything up, Cen Jingyi left without making a fuss. He even volunteered for a harmless overseas assignment, finding a good excuse to go on his long trip.

If he is away from the capital for at least a month or two, no one will look for him.

Perhaps being ignored has some advantages; Cen Jingyi suspects that even the supreme ruler wouldn't realize he has already left the capital.

The Crown Prince is currently enjoying great popularity, so it's likely that the other woman has no interest in him.

Neither the princess nor the concubine knew his destination. At this moment, they saw him off at the gate of the mansion with worried expressions, their eyes clearly showing their reluctance to part.

The sun is scorching hot these days, and Xu Jie accompanies Lin Zhizhi to see the prince off.

Having lost the prince's protection, how will Lin Zhizhi, who is pregnant, manage to live in the prince's mansion?