Listening to her daughter's heartfelt words, the pregnant Lady Hou went on a killing spree.

"Alright, stop taking your anger out on my things. When they come back, you can vent your anger on them."

Prince Qingyang stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the room.

"I absolutely forbid anyone from having two wives; this is the root of all family chaos."

Only low-class families would dare to have two wives. For members of the royal family like them to say such a thing would be a laughing stock. The couple couldn't bear the shame of it.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, the Young Master and the First Madam have returned."

"Let them in."

Seeing all the maids and servants waiting outside, Xiao Yang was a little scared. But when he saw that Ji Chunjiao was still beside him, he straightened up and went inside.

Feeling uneasy, Ji Chunjiao followed them into the house, and the two knelt down respectfully.

"I have met my father and mother."

Prince Qingyang was a military general who fought in many battles in his youth. Most military generals have bad tempers, and Prince Qingyang was no exception.

Upon seeing his second son, Prince Qingyang, he was furious and got up to kick him.

Xiao Yang was kicked away and crashed heavily to the ground.

"puff!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood, and when he raised his head, his face was full of disbelief. His father had actually treated him so cruelly.

Previously, the Prince of Qingyang placed all his hopes on his eldest son. From a young age, he was taught both literary and martial arts by renowned teachers.

And their eldest son has grown into the man the couple had hoped for.

The second son wouldn't need to carry on the family line, so he was spoiled a bit.

But they never expected that their eldest son would die so young, and their second son's temperament was already set in stone, no matter how hard they tried to change him.

The couple never considered trying to correct their second son's personality. Given the current prestige of the Prince's Mansion, they figured they could let him play as he pleased, and they would focus their energy on educating their grandson.

Therefore, the couple never laid a heavy hand on their second son, which explains why Xiao Yang was so surprised when he was kicked.

Ji Chunjiao was startled and rushed forward to throw herself on Xiao Yang.

"Young Master, what's wrong? Don't scare me."

Seeing that Xiao Yang was out of immediate danger, she then turned around and knelt before the prince and princess.

"It's all my fault, please forgive the young master."

"Ji, did I ever say I wouldn't stop you from remarrying? There are plenty of fine men in the capital, so why do you have to set your sights on Xiao Yang?"

Ji Chunjiao put on a helpless and resigned expression.

"My mother knows that matters of the heart are the most unpredictable."

"But have you ever thought about whether what you're doing is fair to my deceased Li'er?"

Ji Chunjiao straightened her kneeling posture a bit and looked up at Princess Qingyang with fearless eyes.

"I have a clear conscience as the daughter-in-law who has served my master for three years. But Mother, the dead are dead, and the living must continue."

I'm still young; I can't hold onto a three-month relationship with this old man for the rest of my life.

In terms of acting skills, Ji Chunjiao has never lost. Her innocent and conscientious demeanor left Princess Qingyang speechless with any questions she might have.

"Since that's the case, the Prince's Mansion can no longer accommodate you. You may return to your parents' home. If you don't want to return, there is a manor outside the city where you can stay. You can no longer stay in the Prince's Mansion."

"We, the Prince and I, will pretend we never heard of the matter of him taking on two wives; you should just forget about it."

"Mother, I disagree. I love my sister-in-law. Please grant us your blessing."

I really can't live without her.

At first, he was only with Ji Shi for fun, but as time went on, he became addicted to it.

He was truly reluctant to separate from Madam Ji now. Madam Ji was much more sensible and capable than Madam Lin, and she was even better at managing the household. He felt that Madam Ji was the only suitable candidate to be the mistress of the Prince's Mansion.

As for the Lin family, they'll just be treated as a second wife, just like before.

"The traitor!"

The Prince of Qingyang was enraged again and, disregarding his second son's injuries, kicked him once more.

Since he already has a grandson, he'd be willing to beat this rebellious son to death today, just to prevent the royal family from falling into ruin in his hands later.

After being kicked again and spitting out another mouthful of blood, Xiao Yang was truly terrified.

He seemed to be choosing between saving his life and the Ji family, as he was genuinely afraid of being beaten to death by his own father.

Seeing that the situation was unfavorable to her, Ji Chunjiao immediately dropped a bombshell.

"I'm pregnant, and the child is the young master's."

Xiao Yang was overjoyed.

"Sister-in-law, are you telling the truth?"

Ji Chunjiao nodded emphatically.

"It's true. I was planning to tell you in the next couple of days, but I've been too busy."

The Prince of Qingyang and his wife exchanged a glance, and all their anger vanished instantly, as if doused with a bucket of cold water.

Ji Chunjiao's move directly exploited the couple's weakness.

She knew better than anyone how much the Prince and Princess of Qingyang wished for more children in the royal family, but unfortunately, Xiao Yang's wives and concubines were all disappointing, and after three years of marriage, they only had one legitimate son.

She was certain that the two of them would keep the baby in her belly.

"Father, Mother, please agree. I have never asked you for anything since I was a child."

Princess Qingyang looked at her second son with a face full of disappointment.

"Have you forgotten what you said when you knelt before me to propose to the Lin family back then?"

"Mother, things are different now. If I had known that my elder brother would not be here, I would never have married Lin."

The Lin family is a small and humble household, and Madam Lin is truly unfit to be the head mistress of the household.

"Mother, didn't you always say that it's perfect for my sister-in-law to sit here now? You're satisfied with her in every way."

Princess Qingyang was filled with regret, regretting that she had spoken ill of Lin Shi in front of her second son, who had taken it to heart.

"Someone, go and fetch the imperial physician."

A voice outside responded, "Yes," and immediately a maid went to fetch the family physician.

None of the four people in the room spoke again, but Ji Chunjiao and Xiao Yang, still kneeling on the ground, did not tell them to get up.

The moment Physician Zhang entered the room, he sensed something was wrong.

"Physician Zhang, go and take the Madam's pulse."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Physician Zhang knelt down beside Ji Chunjiao, and Ji Chunjiao stretched out her hand, waiting for the physician's pulse diagnosis.

The physician at the Zhang residence examined the patient's pulse for a few breaths, then withdrew his hand as if he had been burned.

He knelt down on the ground, which perfectly concealed the surprise and doubt on his face.

"Your Highness and Your Highness's wife, the First Madam is pregnant and has been pregnant for over two months."

"Step down."

"Yes."

Physician Zhang left the room, raising his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

The servants waiting outside the house kept their eyes down, barely daring to breathe.

"Keep the child."

The two of them were delighted.

"Before the child was born, Ji was confined to the courtyard and was not allowed to step out of the courtyard gate even once."

You two are not allowed to see each other again. When the child is born, tell everyone that he/she is adopted and registered under your older brother's name.

After the child is born, Lady Ji, you shall go to Qingxin Nunnery outside the city to pray for the eldest son's well-being, and never return.

"Mother!"

Xiao Yang shouted, and Ji Chunjiao's expression changed.

Princess Qingyang gave her second son a single cold, sharp look, which shut down all the words Xiao Yang was about to say.