Shock! The maid in the Marquis's mansion gave birth to the eldest son of the prince

"Qing Yuan, you, what can I say to you? Go back to the palace quickly. If our mother finds out, I will be punished too." Jing Hao said helplessly as he looked at his sister who was pouting and looking angry.

"I don't care, Prince brother. They maliciously slandered Brother Shenzhi. You have to punish them severely." Qing Yuan shook his head and said.

Jing Hao knew how his sister felt about Pei Jin, so he could only coax her humbly: "Qing Yuan, go back quickly. It would be bad if someone recognized you sneaking out of the palace. You are a legitimate princess, you can't let anyone talk about you."

"Brother Crown Prince, they are so mean. Everyone knows that Brother Shenzhi is not interested in women, so how could he have a concubine's eldest son? They want to ruin his reputation." Princess Qingyuan sneered and said angrily with her face raised.

"This..." Jing Hao felt that if he didn't tell the truth, his sister might ask their father for justice. He quickly pulled his sister's sleeve and whispered, "Qing Yuan, let me tell you that Shen Zhi does have a child. It was born to his concubine before he went to war. The child is about three months old now."

"Brother Crown Prince, you are lying!" Qing Yuan's eyes widened, and tears immediately filled her eyes. "How is this possible?"

"It's true. Because Shen Zhi disappeared at that time, everyone was afraid that he might have died. The Marquis's wife specifically reported to the palace shortly after the child was born, saying that Shen Zhi had an offspring." Jing Hao looked at his sister with heartache and spoke word by word. It is better to suffer a short pain than a long one. His sister will know it eventually.

"I don't believe it, I don't believe it." Princess Qingyuan burst into tears and pulled Jinghao's sleeve and cried.

"Someone, send the princess back to the palace and don't let anyone know." Jing Hao waved his hand and called the eunuchs and secret guards to send his sister back to the palace.

Looking at his sister's sobbing back, Jing Hao sighed, shook his head and walked back to the private room.

"Your Highness, come, come, let's toast together." Seeing Jing Hao coming, Lin Yi, the second son of the Earl of Qingping, quickly tried to smooth things over. He pulled Pei Jin to stand up together, raised his glass and said.

After three rounds of drinks, everyone had long forgotten the embarrassment that had just occurred.

"Everyone, Shenzhi has made great contributions in the northern border this time. We have completely destroyed the defense of Rong Kingdom without any effort. My father is very happy and has appointed Shenzhi as the prince's guest. He will take office in two days." Jing Hao raised his glass, looked around and said slowly.

Hearing this news, some were happy while others were sad. Jing Hao swept his eyes over the crowd, taking in everyone's expression.

"Congratulations, Brother Shen Zhi. You really deserve it. Your Majesty has a great vision!" Lin Yi jumped up happily and patted Pei Jin on the shoulder, with a look of great surprise on his face.

He is Pei Jin's best friend, two years younger than him. He has been obedient to Pei Jin since childhood. He is the happiest one that Pei Jin has returned to Beijing this time.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, and Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, for your kindness. Pei Jin will do his best to serve Your Majesty and Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Pei Jin bowed and said, his tone neither arrogant nor humble, just like before.

"Congratulations..." Everyone congratulated him and raised their glasses to toast him.

His Royal Highness nodded with satisfaction, his eyes becoming more scrutinizing. He knew clearly that Pei Jin's return to the capital had disturbed the seemingly peaceful balance of power among all parties. There might be some minor disturbances in the days ahead, but he could see through their little thoughts.

It was already late at night when Pei Jin returned home. He was slightly tipsy and his steps were a little unsteady. Mo Yan and Tong Shu helped him get off the carriage.

"My God, why are you drunk again?" Mother Zhou poked her head out from the gatehouse and hurried out while speaking.

Several servants had already opened the door.

"Mom, why are you waiting here?" Mo Yan asked, scratching his head.

"Madam is very worried, so she asked me to stay here. Here, this is the hangover soup that the kitchen just made." Mother Zhou raised a food box in her hand and asked quietly, "Will Master sleep in the study room or go back to Zhuxiang Garden today?"

Mo Yan shook his head, took the food box from Mother Zhou's hand, and glanced at the master and servant walking in front.

"Can't you ask?" Mother Zhou gave him a disdainful look, snatched the lunch box from his hand, and quickly took two steps to catch up.

"Prince, you should go back to Zhuxiang Garden to sleep tonight. It's cool there." She looked at Pei Jin and said in a low voice.

Although Pei Jin drank a few more glasses tonight, his mind was still very clear. Since he was drugged more than a year ago, he always kept an eye on everything and never drank from other people's wine bottles.

Hearing what Zhou's mother said, he nodded and said, "Mom, you can go back. We still need your care over there."

Mother Zhou was delighted, thinking that the prince was thinking about the young master. And, our young master is so adorable, who wouldn't like him, let alone his biological father.

"Sir, I will take you to the garden and serve you some hangover soup before you leave." Mother Zhou said happily, "Young Master will be well taken care of by Miss Chan Yi. He will be fine."

Pei Jin pursed his lips and said nothing. The image of the woman holding the child and coaxing him softly flashed before his eyes.

Loving mothers often spoil their children. He snorted in his heart.

Seeing that he didn't answer, Mother Zhou seemed to have thought of something, and shook the hangover soup and said, "My Lord, this hangover soup was made by Miss Chan Yi herself."

Oh, this woman can also make hangover soup? I don't know what sour things she put in it, Pei Jin hates this taste the most. However, she must know that I was drunk and made it specially for me. Forget it, I'll just drink it to give her face.

After finally entering the main house, Mo Yan helped him change his clothes and wash up before he slowly walked out of the bathroom, with the smell of alcohol still lingering in his heart.

"My lord, you have drunk the sobering soup. I will help you go to bed." Mother Zhou diligently brought over the green jade teacup.

Seeing her eager eyes, Pei Jin took it, reluctantly opened the lid and took a look. The bright yellow color was as clear as tea.

"This..." Pei Jin was a little curious. Why wasn't the color of bitter medicine soup as usual?

"Prince, please take a sip. There's honey in it." Mother Zhou smiled brightly.

Pei Jin lowered his head and smelled it. It had the scent of chrysanthemum, green plum, mint and orange. He couldn't help but take a sip.

The cool, sour and sweet taste spread from the tip of the tongue, which was sweet and fragrant. Pei Jin originally wanted to drink only one sip, but now he couldn't help but drink one sip after another.

"Miss Chan Yi also added some licorice, chrysanthemum and green plums to it. How do you think it tastes, my Lord?" Mother Zhou said softly, "I don't know where she learned it from."

"Not bad." Pei Jin put down the teacup, his eyes becoming clearer.

"That's good. You can have a rest, my lord. I will keep watch for you outside today."

Pei Jin felt a slight aftertaste in his mouth, which made him want to drink another cup. He was a little confused, how could a servant like her have such a strange idea.

He will have to investigate this woman's background tomorrow.

Chan Yi got up and fed An'er, and suddenly she sneezed loudly.

Is someone thinking about me? No, why would someone think about me? Someone must be scolding me. I have to be careful.

"An'er, be good." She patted the child gently and slowly closed her eyes.