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

When the concubine took the initiative to visit, Lin Zhizhi became wary.

When Feng Yao saw her carefully bowing and then unconsciously taking two steps back, her eyes were full of disdain.

Her heart ached terribly. Why wasn't she the one pregnant? She coldly replied, "It's only because the Princess is afraid of damaging her reputation that she's been so kind to you. Do you really think being able to get pregnant makes you some rare treasure? Which woman can't get pregnant? Stop putting on airs in front of me."

"Yes." Lin Zhizhi lowered her head and looked meek, having no intention of arguing with Feng Yao over this verbal battle.

Her appearance only made Feng Yao feel like she had punched cotton, which made her even angrier.

His words carried an unquestionable air: "Tomorrow you will come with me to Chanxin Temple to pray for the Imperial Consort. Since the Prince is not in the capital, we should fulfill our filial duties to the Imperial Consort on his behalf."

There are temples in the capital, but I chose to go to the Chanxin Temple, which is a day's journey by carriage.

Feng Yao's intentions were as clear as day, and Lin Zhizhi refused without hesitation, saying, "I am not feeling well these days and I am afraid I do not have the energy to go into the mountains, which would only offend the Buddha."

"Is that so?" Feng Yao's expression was unfriendly, and she was too lazy to pretend to be gentle in front of Lin Zhizhi. She said, "In that case, let Xu Mama come with me. She once served the Imperial Concubine and was also the Prince's wet nurse. Her status is enough, and I think she would be willing to pray for the Imperial Concubine's well-being."

This was a blatant threat: if Lin Zhizhi didn't want to go, then her mother would go instead.

If something really happens along the way...

Lin Zhizhi's face was somewhat pale, and she looked completely lost. She seemed to want to say something, but her expression towards Feng Yao was tinged with timidity.

This made Feng Yao feel much better, thinking that no matter how lucky Lin Zhizhi was, she was just a maid with no opinions of her own.

It's best to resolve this as soon as possible, lest Lin Zhizhi actually give birth to the eldest son, and since she is also the princess's person.

Feng Yao's situation will be truly difficult then, and she is currently trying her best to mend her relationship with her family.

Fortunately, her mother couldn't bear to see her suffer, and recently she secretly sent over a lot of money without her father's knowledge.

While Feng Yao was lost in thought, Lin Zhizhi was also pondering what to do.

At this moment, she had no choice but to agree, "My mother is old and it is really not suitable for her to travel so long. It is better for me to fulfill my filial duty."

"In that case, let's go."

This concubine was truly anxious. Although Lin Zhizhi had been on guard, she could hardly bear it when this concubine used such forceful means, threatening her with her mother to leave the mansion.

Even if Lin Zhizhi is firm in her stance and refuses to go no matter what, judging from Feng Yao's current methods, she is likely to resort to even more extreme measures.

Since her parents are both at home, it's better to go along with her wishes for now.

Perhaps fearing that Lin Zhizhi might be prepared, he now had his maid help him pack his things.

Granny Li stepped forward, grabbed Lin Zhizhi's wrist, and insisted on pulling her onto the carriage.

"I can walk by myself. Let me go, or I'll scream." Lin Zhizhi frowned and pushed him away, genuinely afraid that Granny Li would knock her unconscious.

"Do you really think the Princess will genuinely help you? Even if you call her over now, she'll just let me take you out of the manor." Feng Yao said, her face full of smugness.

Could this be a bad idea suggested by Liu Gulan?

In desperation, Lin Zhizhi said, "You've taken me away so blatantly. If nothing happens, that's fine. If something does happen to me, I'm just a lowly servant and nobody will care. But if the charge of plotting against the imperial heir falls on a concubine, the Empress will certainly not stand idly by. Not to mention the Prince, even your father will be implicated."

She knew that Feng Yao could be so arrogant in the mansion because she had her father's powerful backing.

Even high-ranking officials in the court would not overstep the emperor's authority in Yuanyang Kingdom.

Given how much the current emperor values ​​his offspring, how could he allow his concubine to persecute him like this?

Moreover, this is Cen Jingyi's first child. The imperial concubine is so eager to hold the imperial grandson, how could she give up so easily?

Unexpectedly, these words elicited a soft chuckle from Feng Yao. "I am merely fulfilling my filial duty, and you voluntarily accompanied me. Besides, nothing has happened yet. If something were to occur, why would I be punished?"

Feng Yao's expression was indifferent; she had come here today because she was fully prepared.

Does Lin Zhizhi really think she can be fooled by a few words?

Just as Lin Zhizhi was thinking of a solution, a fluffy little head peeked out from the window.

It was Fang Qiao, who had just run out to play. She peeked in, seemingly hearing sounds coming from inside the room.

He didn't dare to get close at that moment, and just looked at Lin Zhizhi with worry.

Lin Zhizhi's eyes lit up, but her expression calmed down. "Didn't we say we were going to Chanxin Temple to pray for the Empress? In that case, let's go that way."

Feng Yao looked around suspiciously, and seeing that the window was open, she walked straight over.

Seeing how wary she was, Lin Zhizhi's heart jumped into her throat.

Fang Qiao had only just hidden herself away; if Feng Yao discovered her, she would likely be taken away immediately.

She instinctively wanted to follow, but then she saw Granny Li's thick arms. "Young lady, you're pregnant now, so it's best not to think about running away."

Feng Yao placed her fingers on the window; the sun outside was a bit dazzling. She slowly peeked out.

Finding nothing amiss, he glanced down at the lawn not far away.

There were indeed no signs of anyone moving around. Could it be that Lin Zhizhi compromised because she was thinking of her parents?

Feng Yao curled the corners of her lips. She was glad that the girl knew what was good for her, which saved her a lot of effort. "Let's go."

These words were spoken to Granny Li. Lin Zhizhi felt her shoulder being gripped tightly, and the stinging pain made her gasp.

She was thus pushed into the carriage prepared by the concubine, and naturally she did not inform the princess of this matter.

At this moment, Lin Zhizhi could only pray that Fang Qiao could successfully send out the message. She was so intelligent that she would surely know to go to her mother for help.

The concubine and Liu Gulan were birds of a feather, and the methods they came up with together were certainly not trivial.

It seems they intend to make her disappear from this world completely.

The carriage came to a swaying stop just outside the city gate. A hand lifted the curtain, and a nimble woman climbed on.

Lin Zhizhi looked surprised and uncertain, and then asked blankly, "You are... Liu Gu's sister?"

Although she knew that Liu Gulan was a girl, she pretended that she had just found out.

It's unclear whether Liu Gulan's sudden change back to women's clothing was to conceal her identity or for some other reason.

Liu Gulan stared at her and laughed, "I thought you already knew. Aren't you supposed to be able to predict the future? That's why you knew about Fang Bin beforehand. What? Seeing my current expression, are you genuinely surprised or are you just pretending?"

"How could you be a woman? If you are a woman... then why are you standing beside the Prince?" Lin Zhizhi muttered, then looked at the concubine, "Since you know this, aren't you afraid that she's approaching the Prince to enter the palace?"