at the same time.

Lu Jinshu had already sat at the same table with Shangguan Xu.

Shangguan Xu tilted his head and asked curiously, "Is Noble Consort Lian (Xue Wu) really as beautiful as you say?"

Lu Jinshu nodded confidently, "Of course, he's so beautiful he looks like he stepped out of a painting. Lady Lian's mother was only a small-time prefect, yet she was able to become the Crown Princess's favorite attendant. If he wasn't as beautiful as a fairy, how could he have remained so favored in the Eastern Palace?"

Shangguan Xu's curiosity was now completely piqued, as if he had discovered some interesting toy. "Then take me to see him quickly."

Lu Jinshu just smiled and shook his head.

Shangguan Xu suddenly became anxious. "We in Xuanyou also have four recognized beauties. Each of them is praised to the skies, but when I see them, they only have two eyes, a nose, and a mouth. Nothing special. I haven't seen that noble maid Lian in person, so I'll just assume you're exaggerating."

Lu Jinshu's smile disappeared in an instant, and his expression also showed a little impatience. "Although I can't let you see Noble Servant Lian now. However, in five days' time, during the Qianqiu Festival, Her Royal Highness the Princess will travel with Noble Servant Lian. You can see him as long as you want then."

Lu Jinshu said this and stuffed an orange candy into Shangguan Xu's palm. "I feel a sense of familiarity when I see you. We hit it off right away. How could I possibly lie to you?"

Shangguan Xu had no doubts about it, and his original listlessness disappeared. He was now very much looking forward to the Qianqiu Palace Banquet.

While the two were talking.

Ling Shumo and Shangguan Ran walked over here chatting and laughing.

Ling Shumo was holding a bunch of branches full of peach blossoms in her hand. The petals of the blooming peach flowers were still stained with fresh dew, and it was obvious that they had just been picked from the peach tree.

Ling Shumo handed the peach blossom in her hand to Shangguan Xu, "I heard from your sister that you love peach blossoms the most, so I picked a fresh one from the tree for you."

Shangguan Xu leaned closer to the pistil to smell its fragrance. "This flower only blooms in spring. How can Your Highness find it in this season?"

Ling Shumo smiled and said, "There are special craftsmen in the East Palace who cultivate off-season flowers and plants. In addition to peach trees, there are many flowers in the greenhouse that bloom in spring and summer. If you like, when you marry into the East Palace in the future, you can pick any flower you want. If there are no flowers, you can tell me and I will go find them for you somewhere else."

Shangguan Xu's eyes lit up instantly, and he stood up suddenly. However, before he could say anything, he was interrupted by Shangguan Ran, "Weren't you clamoring to leave quickly just now? Now that I have finished talking to Sister Shumo, let's go back to the guild hall now."

Shangguan Xu wanted to speak but was forcibly dragged away by Shangguan Ran.

Ling Shumo and Lu Jinshu escorted the two of them several feet out of the East Palace. When the carriage with the Xuanyou Empire's emblem completely disappeared from sight, Ling Shumo's face suddenly darkened. "What's going on with Bai Lin? How did he get pregnant?"

Seeing that Ling Shumo was not surprised at all, but rather a little annoyed, Lu Jinshu finally let go of the stone in his heart. "When I first heard the news, I was as shocked as Your Highness."

Seeing Ling Shumo remained silent, Lu Jinshu tentatively asked, "After all, the baby in his belly is your highness's first child. How about you go to the palace and ask the imperial physician to give him a thorough diagnosis?"

Ling Shumo sneered, "I'm really afraid that a child born from a fool like him will inherit his pig brain.

He has hurt you to such an extent, you have done the most kind thing by hiring a doctor for him.

If he can give birth to a child safely, I will accept his orphan status. If he is unlucky and has an accident, then I can only say that he has committed too many sins, and losing the child is his retribution."

Lu Jinshu nodded frantically at Ling Shumo's words, but his face still showed a trace of worry, "The Lord and His Majesty have always been very concerned about your highness's offspring.

Although His Highness doesn't like Bai Lin, the child in his belly is innocent after all.

Most importantly, if the Queen asks about it, the situation in Yunguang Palace (Bai Lin's residence) is really not good."

Ling Shumo thought of the Queen, and the serious expression on her face softened slightly. "You are thoughtful, and I am just being impulsive. So, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Lu Jinshu said, "The child in Bai Lin's belly has the blood of the royal family flowing in his veins, so he must be raised well. But Bai Lin's behavior is truly too bad, and once the child is born, he must not raise it under his lap. It would be best if the child didn't even know who his biological father is..."

Lu Jinshu's words reminded Ling Shumo thoroughly, and Ling Shumo immediately made a decision, "After Bai Lin gives birth, execute him. Since he gave birth to my bloodline, I will posthumously confer the title of Chang Shi on him. As for matters before he gives birth, I will leave it entirely to you to handle."

Lu Jinshu lowered his head, but a smile appeared on his lips. "Even though Bai Lin committed such a horrific crime, His Highness still wanted to allow him to give birth smoothly. His Highness is truly merciful."

Ling Shumo suddenly stopped, turned around, put a hand on Lu Jinshu's shoulder, and then pulled him into her arms. "Just now at the dinner table, I was coaxing Shangguan Xu like that, and you were watching with a smile on your face, not even a bit jealous. Lu Jinshu, do you like me or not?"

A faint blush appeared on Lu Jinshu's face. He put his hand on Ling Shumo's chest and struggled to get out. "Your Highness, so many people are watching..."

Ling Shumo's arms tightened, her lips already pressed against Lu Jinshu's ear. "Last night, the night before yesterday, and so many other times after you blew out the candles, you never looked so reluctant. I thought you were a very dissolute person..."

Lu Jinshu's ears were tickled by Ling Shumo's breathing. He was so uncomfortable that he could no longer care about anything else. "Your Highness, I like you. How could I not like you?"

The strength in Ling Shumo's arms relaxed a little.

Lu Jinshu was finally freed, "Everything I have done to Your Highness is just a personal affair.

I know in my heart that His Highness the Seventh Prince of the Xuanyou Empire is of noble status, and His Highness wants to support him. As His Highness's servant, I naturally want to think what His Highness thinks and worry about what His Highness worries about."

Lu Jinshu said this, clasping his fingers with Ling Shumo, "As long as Your Highness thinks of me, no matter who Your Highness is with, I have no complaints."

Ling Shumo calculated the distance from here to Chenyou Palace in her mind. She really didn't have the patience to carry Lu Jinshu all the way there.

Shi Qi immediately had a sedan prepared.

Ling Shumo gently helped Lu Jinshu into the sedan chair.

Then she reached out and lowered all the heavy curtains on both sides.

Lu Jinshu's voice trembled slightly at the end of his words. "Your Highness, please don't be like this. We'll be at Chenyou Palace in less than half a cup of tea... Um... Um..."

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