Inside the private room, Li Ying said impassively,

"Don’t you think what you’re saying is absurd? Even if you’re going to lie, you should at least come up with a decent one."

Lin Qingzhi had long expected the Fourth Prince to question her.

After all, something like foreseeing the future seemed truly preposterous to ordinary people.

If she were in his shoes, her first reaction would undoubtedly be suspicion, too.

Lin Qingzhi appeared very confident.

"If Your Highness doesn’t believe me, you can put it to the test."

Li Ying retorted, "How?"

"I know that Princess Anshun will become pregnant next month. You can wait and see. If, after a month, things develop just as I’ve said, it will prove that I’m not lying."

Up in the large pagoda tree, Li Ji relayed this conversation to Hua Manman.

Hua Manman whispered, "Is Princess Anshun’s pregnancy such a special thing? Why would she use it as proof?"

Li Ji also lowered his voice, explaining close to her ear.

"I’ve heard that Princess Anshun’s constitution makes it difficult for her to conceive. They’ve been married for decades but still don’t have a single child."

Hua Manman’s eyes sparkled with the light of gossip. "How do you know that?"

Li Ji chuckled lightly. "Once, when I went to the palace, I happened to overhear Prince Anshun complaining tearfully to the Saint.

He said that not only could Princess Anshun not bear children herself, but she also wouldn’t let him take any concubines, being fierce and domineering to the extreme.

The Saint then asked if he wanted to divorce his wife and remarry.

He thought about it but still shook his head and refused.

In the end, the Saint sent an Imperial Physician to treat Princess Anshun, hoping to help her conceive.

Unfortunately, it was never effective."

The situation with Prince Anshun and his wife was no secret; many people in Shangjing City had heard about it.

By now, almost everyone was convinced that Princess Anshun was barren.

Poor Prince Anshun was destined to be childless his whole life, with no one to inherit his vast family fortune.

Yet now, Lin Qingzhi was asserting that Princess Anshun would become pregnant next month.

If she weren’t completely confident, how could she dare say such a thing?

Li Ying felt this was indeed a good way to test Lin Qingzhi’s claims, so he nodded in agreement.

"Then I shall wait and see."

Seeing this, Lin Qingzhi sighed in relief internally.

Others might not know, but she was certain that Princess Anshun would definitely get pregnant next month.

Before she was reborn, she had heard the women in the rear courtyard gossiping heatedly about this very matter.

To them, childbirth was a lifelong priority. Some women would resort to any method just to have more sons.

After learning that Princess Anshun had suddenly become pregnant, the women were naturally curious about what method she had used. If possible, they wanted to try it too.

Perhaps because everyone’s gossip had been so enthusiastic, Lin Qingzhi still clearly remembered the timing of this event, even after dying once.

Counting the days, it would happen to be on the eighth of next month.

Li Ying had someone escort Lin Qingzhi back.

Hua Manman knew that her daily mission of eavesdropping was over for the day.

She waited for Prince Zhao to take her back.

But the next moment, she saw the Fourth Prince in the private room suddenly turn around, his gaze fixed directly on their position.

Hua Manman’s heart leaped in shock.

At the same time, Prince Zhao’s light chuckle sounded by her ear.

"Heh, we’ve been discovered."

Hua Manman turned her head to look at him.

But she saw that he wasn’t flustered at all. He was even in the mood to pat her head and soothe her. "Don’t be nervous. It’s fine."

Just then, the Fourth Prince in the private room spoke.

"Since you’re already here, why not come in and have a seat?"

Li Ji leaped down, holding her, his robes fluttering.

The two of them landed steadily on the ground.

The two guards at the entrance to the pavilion immediately looked toward them, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords, as if they would draw their blades at any moment.

The Fourth Prince’s voice came from the second floor.

"Let them come up."

The two men immediately released their sword hilts and stood ramrod straight again.

Li Ji led Hua Manman openly into the pavilion and went straight up to the private room on the second floor.

Li Ying’s gaze fell on Hua Manman.

Coincidentally, Hua Manman was also looking at him.

Their eyes met.

Li Ying couldn’t help but recall many memories.

Her, dressed as a man, disguised as a little book boy, helping him scare off the Second Prince and the Fifth Prince.

Her, collapsed on the roadside, in so much pain she looked like she was dying.

And her, standing gracefully in a bright red wedding dress, holding a fan.

...

Back then, he didn’t know that she might be the person he was looking for.

He had only thought of her as an ordinary stranger, whose life or death had nothing to do with him.

As a result, he missed many chances to hold onto her.

Li Ying’s feelings were incredibly complicated at this moment.

He both hoped Hua Manman was the person he was looking for, so he wouldn’t have to continue his arduous search...

...and yet he hoped she wasn’t, because he couldn’t face all the opportunities he had foolishly missed.

Li Ji took a step forward, blocking Hua Manman from view.

He curved his lips into a slight smile, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"Fourth Prince, for you to keep staring at my Princess Consort like this... I’m afraid that’s rather improper, isn’t it?"

Li Ying snapped back to his senses, forcing down the chaotic thoughts in his mind and responding calmly.

"Compared to Prince Zhao’s act of eavesdropping, my staring is hardly worth mentioning."

’Getting caught eavesdropping by the very person we were spying on is so awkward. I have no idea how to explain this.’

But Li Ji was perfectly composed, speaking calmly as if nothing had happened.

"My Princess Consort and I were merely passing by. We saw the view from the tree was nice, so we went up to rest for a while. We didn’t expect to see the Fourth Prince having a private meeting with Lin Liangyuan."

Hearing him use the words "private meeting," Li Ying subconsciously glanced toward Hua Manman.

However, Hua Manman was completely hidden behind Li Ji. Li Ying couldn’t even see a corner of her sleeve.

Li Ying frowned slightly and said with displeasure,

"I was just exchanging a few words with Lin Liangyuan. There is nothing illicit between us. I’d ask Prince Zhao not to make wild accusations."

Li Ji sneered, "What are you so nervous about? It’s not like I’m going to tell anyone."

Li Ying knew that denying it further would only make things worse, so he forcefully changed the subject.

"Since you were able to find this place, Prince Zhao, you must have already known that Lin Liangyuan and I were meeting here. You must have a spy watching her, don’t you? Did you suspect long ago that something was off about her?"

Instead of answering, Li Ji retorted, "So what if I did? And so what if I didn’t?"

Hearing his tone, Hua Manman felt the urge to punch him, even though she was on his side.

’I have to admit, this scoundrel’s talent for pissing people off is truly top-tier.’

Li Ying was not pleased, but he had endured so much humiliation and abuse since childhood that he had long since grown used to it.

A bit of sarcasm from Prince Zhao was nothing to Li Ying.

Li Ying asked pointedly,

"How did you know something was off with Lin Liangyuan, Prince Zhao? Could it be that she also made advances toward you?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

’So we’re slinging mud, are we? Anyone can play at that game.’