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

Lin Zhizhi nodded, a gentle smile on her face, looking completely harmless.

The woman's mind raced, and she said, "If we take you back, can you help us find a daughter-in-law?"

Lin Shangya is really too wicked. The woman is not at ease entrusting her son to her. What if Lin Shangya bullies their son after they pass away?

"I won't do anything so heinous, nor can I conjure up a daughter-in-law for you," Lin Zhizhi said truthfully.

The woman was extremely displeased and immediately retorted, "How is it so heinous for her to become my son's daughter-in-law?"

Then Lin Zhizhi changed the subject, "But I can give you some money."

"How much silver can your family of servants earn? They just act all high and mighty in the mansion, making things difficult for us powerless commoners. In reality, aren't they just lackeys of those high-ranking officials and nobles?" The woman curled her lip, still remembering the time she was kicked out of the Prince's mansion.

While Lin Zhizhi was dealing with the woman, the princess had already made her move.

Instead of ignoring it, she made a big fuss about it and went directly to the authorities.

happy Ying was completely baffled and didn't know what the princess was thinking, but Yue Qi was on her guard.

She noticed that the princess was acting suspiciously, as if she were contacting someone. Only after receiving confirmation did she decide to report it to the authorities.

She had previously felt that the princess's words were easily misleading, and this was evident from happy Ying's behavior.

After she falsely accused the princess in the palace, she was filled with anxiety and even felt very grateful to the princess for saving her.

But if she calmed down and thought about it carefully, she wouldn't have disliked Lin Zhizhi so much if it weren't for the princess's words at the time.

She had no grudge against Lin Zhizhi, but because she served by the princess's side, she gradually developed a dislike for her.

In his desperation to save his life, he instinctively framed Lin Zhizhi, simply because he felt that Lin Zhizhi was easier to bully than the princess.

Just as she had expected, Lin Zhizhi had not laid a hand on her yet.

Once she calmed down and thought about it carefully, she realized that she had been used by the princess, which led to all the trouble.

Lin Zhizhi is clearly in the same camp as the Princess, yet she is also being schemed against. Not to mention that the Princess is now wary of them, she simply refuses to introduce them to the Prince.

After learning that Lin Zhizhi was pregnant, Cen Jingyi clearly had no intention of taking any more concubines. Once the pregnancy was stable, the imperial concubine would probably stop pressuring Cen Jingyi to take any more concubines, out of consideration for her grandson.

She always needs to find a way out for herself.

In Yueqi's eyes, going to Lin Zhizhi, who had given birth, and that concubine might be the right thing to do.

However, now that the concubine has brought two of her dowry maids into the mansion, she may not fully trust her.

How could Lin Zhizhi not care at all about her previous behavior?

but……

The news of the concubine's kidnapping spread like wildfire throughout the capital.

Even Feng Yao's parents heard the news and went directly to the Prince's Mansion, only to find out that Cen Jingyi had taken on a mission and gone on a long trip, and had not been at home.

Seeing the princess's worried and anxious expression, he casually mentioned that the maidservants in the mansion had also been arrested.

At this moment, the princess was filled with self-reproach, saying, "I didn't know they went to such a far place to pray for the princess. I guess it was because Consort Feng was eager for a child and had heard the recent rumors of twins in the capital. She wanted to quickly continue the prince's lineage."

"If I had known earlier, I would have had the guards accompany me. Even though my health has never been very good, I would not have missed such an important event and would have gone with them."

The two elders were shrewd people, and they understood their daughter's personality very well. How could they not understand what the princess said?

It must be that Feng Yao took advantage of the prince's absence to get rid of that maidservant, so she left the manor without the princess's knowledge, and even used the excuse of praying for the princess's well-being.

His initially aggressive attitude softened somewhat, and he spoke politely, "I was only acting rashly and mistakenly thought Your Highness was in the mansion, which led to my daughter being abducted by those bandits. I was terrified to hear of this in broad daylight and came here so abruptly. I apologize for any rudeness on my part and hope Your Highness will not take offense."

It was as if he wasn't the one who was supposed to be held accountable.

The princess remained humble and polite throughout, and nodded, saying, "Not at all. Anyone would be anxious in such a situation."

When the prefect learned of this, he was initially hesitant, but little did he expect that the emperor in the palace would find out.

The appearance of bandits near the capital is outrageous! It's blatant disrespect for imperial authority and shows no regard for the emperor.

He even sent the Imperial Guards to rescue people, insisting on finding people to suppress the bandits, and wished he could summon his generals right now to select talented individuals.

Seeing such a grand procession, the prefect hurriedly sent someone along, fearing that the emperor would think he had neglected his duty and thus punish him.

This caused widespread panic. If people had to worry about bandits even in the capital, was there any safe place in the country?

This news was clearly spread intentionally by someone with ulterior motives. When the Fifth Prince's concubine, Li Dan, approached him, she saw his gloomy and unpleasant expression and immediately knew that he was not the one who did it.

Before Li Dan could speak, the Fifth Prince gritted his teeth and said, "What a Crown Prince, what a Empress."

Li Dan opened her mouth slightly, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped, her face full of surprise and uncertainty.

"Speak your mind. Why are you being so timid in front of me?" The Fifth Prince was in a bad mood, so his tone was naturally unpleasant.

Li Dan bowed and said, "I was wondering if the Crown Prince's actions were due to the rumors about the twins these past few days, which angered Your Highness?"

"How did he get the information? And how did he manage to get my people to spread it?"

Hearing these questions, Li Dan's face turned pale, and she looked incredulous, almost losing her balance.

At this moment, she looked at the Fifth Prince and asked, "Does Your Highness suspect me?"

"I didn't say you had a problem, why are you panicking?" The Fifth Prince looked Li Dan up and down, a flash of suspicion crossing his eyes before softening his tone. "I called you here simply to ask if you have any leads? Or, have you noticed anyone acting strangely lately?"

Li Dan did not relax despite these gentle words. She forced a smile and said, "I have not found any problem."

She felt incredibly bitter. She had done the most for the Fifth Prince, yet when problems arose, she was the first person suspected.

The capital was in turmoil, and Feng Yao, who had been rescued, was still plotting how to make Lin Zhizhi suffer eternal damnation.

She was completely unaware of the repercussions of her actions, believing she had concealed them well and that no one would notice.

Her father was now furious and still refused to leave the palace.

He felt that his daughter was beyond redemption, and had done such a reckless and foolish thing. If the princess had even a little bit of shrewdness, he wouldn't have to worry about her so much.