A month later.

Lu Jinshu, who had been imprisoned in Chenyou Palace for her confinement, was finally able to come out and see people.

So much has happened this month.

The one who made him feel the most threatened was Fu Yijing, who lived in Fuyao Palace. Fu Yijing had always been very favored, and now that he was pregnant, he could walk sideways in the East Palace.

Several of the courtiers who joined Fu Yijing's faction also relied on the big tree of Fuyao Palace. Their eyes seemed to be growing on top of their heads.

In late April, Ling Shumo had originally agreed to visit him and the child in the evening, but was intercepted by Xie Changning and taken to Deyang Palace.

On the morning of the next day, Lu Jinshu went to Fuyao Palace to pay his respects to Fu Yijing as usual.

Because there was a day off for the morning court today, Ling Shumo had breakfast with Fu Yijing in Fuyao Palace.

Fu Yijing pulled the shy Xie Changning over and looked at Ling Shumo with a smile, "Changning has been serving Her Highness the Crown Princess for a long time. I see that Her Highness seems to like him very much. Why not raise his rank today?"

Xie Changning wasn't the only one who had served Ling Shumo for a long time, but Fu Yijing only mentioned Xie Changning's name. This wasn't a big deal, and Ling Shumo wouldn't offend her husband. She smiled and said, "Let's do as the princess wishes."

Lu Jinshu saw Xie Changning bowing gracefully, looking up at Ling Shumo with eyes full of a thousand emotions, "Your Highness, I thank you for your grace."

Lu Jinshu smiled and congratulated Xie Changning, but his eyes darkened. Even if Xie Changning had been elevated to a higher position, he was still only a noble attendant. Yet, he dared to openly compete with him for the favor of the Crown Princess. With the support of the Crown Princess, he truly disregarded him, the Crown Princess's concubine. Since Xie Changning dared to do such an outrageous act, he should be prepared for his retaliation.

Lu Jinshu raised his eyes to look at Ling Shumo, his face full of grievance. "Your Highness said yesterday that he would come to accompany me, and I prepared a table full of food in advance. But in the end, Your Highness took a detour to Deyang Palace. My heart is as cold as the food on the table."

Ling Shumo then realized that she had ignored Lu Jinshu. She smiled and coaxed him, "Alright, alright, don't make such a heartbroken expression. It really makes me sad. I happen to be free today, so I'll go to Chenyou Palace and spend the whole day with you and Xihe. Will you be satisfied?"

Lu Jinshu was waiting for her to say this, and a smile immediately spread across his face. "Okay, Your Highness said so. You'll be my servant all day. Now, Your Highness, shouldn't you go back with me immediately?"

Ling Shumo walked over and took his hand, then turned back to Fu Yijing and said, "Xiaojing, you have to take good care of yourself and the baby in your belly. If there is something that can be pushed to others, don't do it yourself."

Seeing Fu Yijing smile and agree, Ling Shumo and Lu Jinshu walked out side by side. Lu Jinshu felt a strong gaze fixed on his back, as if trying to drill a hole in him. He didn't need to look back to know that Fu Yijing must be clenching the handkerchief in his hand in anger.

Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess came to Fuyao Palace early in the morning, originally intending to spend the whole day with Fu Yijing. However, now, with just a few words, he took her back to Chenyou Palace. It would be a miracle if Fu Yijing, the petty-minded and jealous husband, was not pissed off to death.

All the way to Chenyou Palace.

After a month, Grand Duke Ling Xihe's skin finally stopped being wrinkled. Ling Shumo was much happier with her daughter, and she and Lu Jinshu played with her for a while.

Lu Jinshu said, "It's rare that the weather is this good today. Let's take Xihe out to bask in the sun. Come to think of it, she's already a full month old, but she hasn't even left the house once."

Ling Shumo didn't doubt him and immediately agreed. "At this time, the apricot blossom forest opposite the Bi Bo Lake should be in bloom. Let's go there and take a walk."

Lu Jinshu originally wanted to lead them all the way to the shore of Bi Bo Lake, but Ling Shumo brought it up first, which was unexpected. He smiled and nodded, "I have a jar of peach wine in my collection. We can collect some apricot petals this time, mix them with the peach wine, and add a few spoonfuls of honey. If Your Highness is willing to come to my place tomorrow, the spring wine with apricot blossoms will be just right for you to drink."

"You are always like this, making drinks for me in different ways. I will have a treat tomorrow." Ling Shumo said, and the servants had already prepared the spare clothes that Ling Xi needed for going out.

Chenyou Palace is some distance away from the apricot blossom forest.

However, Lu Jinshu and Ling Shumo were going out for a walk, so they didn't ask anyone to prepare a sedan chair. The two of them walked side by side, slowly and leisurely towards the Bi Bo Lake.

…

at the same time.

By the clear lake.

Xiwu looked at the lake surface rippling with the breeze and spoke in a nonchalant tone, "Xie Changfeng's psychological endurance is too fragile. I just cut up the new clothes my family sent him, and he hid outside the door and cried all night."

After saying this, Xiwu turned around to look at Xie Changning and asked with a smile, "If we don't bully a coward like him, who else can we bully? You've also been to places like Chengguang Pavilion. The accommodation there is poor, and you have to do everything yourself. If you live in a place like that for too long and don't find some fun for yourself, you'll really go crazy..."

Before Xiwu could finish his words, Xie Changning could no longer bear it and punched him. "'Find some fun for yourself?' Xiwu, how can you be so normal and say such things? My brother is a living person, not a toy for your amusement!"

Xiwu was beaten so hard that he stumbled backwards, almost falling into the river. He was also angry, "He deserves to be bullied! He didn't sleep in the middle of the night and insisted on lighting the oil lamp, which made it impossible for everyone in the room to sleep. Does he think he is still the eldest son of the Xie family? No one in the East Palace will tolerate him!"

Xie Changning's eyes were red with anger. He wanted to kill Xiwu right now, but he forced himself to hold back. "A vicious person like you will soon get your comeuppance."

Xiwu originally thought Xie Changning would continue to punch and kick him, but he didn't expect him to still retain a trace of rationality. He remembered Lu Cejun's explanation to him, gritted his teeth, and decided to go all out.