Madam Li and her daughter came to a stop after they were a fair distance away.

They turned back to see the Dowager Duchess chatting with the Grand Princess while being surrounded by the high-society wives of the imperial officials.

Madam Li was quite upset to witness this scene.

If not for her daughter’s silly mistake those years ago, the one surrounded by those lofty wives today would be her.

She clenched her teeth, feeling bitter over this.

Her gaze turned toward the direction the Emperor and Empress had left for and a thought crossed her mind. She pulled her daughter along with her.

Li Tong’er was not happy either.

She had been quite embarrassed when the mistake she had made when she was younger was revealed publicly. She felt the need to crush everyone who had laughed at her under her feet.

However, she would need to be someone of high status to do that. She would have to be the Emperor’s favorite concubine.

It was only with the Emperor’s protection that she would be able to recover from the shame she had incurred. When people talked about her in the future, they would only be able to talk about how she was the Emperor’s most beloved woman.

A thread of hope appeared in her heart when she thought about this.

She followed her mother for a while before pulling her hand away suddenly. “Mother, let me handle whatever comes next.”

Li Tong’er was quite confident.

Madam Li saw the determined look in Li Tong’er’s eyes and suddenly understood. She could finally stop worrying now; her daughter knew how to fight for her rights. That position had been meant for Li Tong’er in the first place. Even if she could not return to claim it, she could still fight for the Emperor’s adoration.

“Go ahead.” Madam Li encouraged her daughter and patted Li Tong’er’s hand.

Li Tong’er smiled confidently and walked toward the peach orchard where the Emperor and Empress had headed to.

Lu Liangwei had stayed in the peach orchard for quite a while with Long Yang and she suddenly felt the need to relieve herself.

The larger her belly grew, the more frequent Lu Liangwei had to use the lavatory.

When Long Yang noticed her sudden silence and her attempts at hiding her urges, he immediately knew what was happening. He leaned near her ear and laughed softly. “Are you trying to hold it in when you’re with me, hmm?”

Lu Liangwei shot him a look. She gently pulled her hand away from his. “I’ll go ahead to the lavatory then.”

“I’ll accompany you.” Long Yang put a hand on her shoulder as he led her away.

The lavatory was located at the other end of the peach orchard.

Lu Liangwei noticed Long Yang had no intention of slowing down when they had already reached the lavatory, so she said with some frustration, “Are you planning to go inside with me?”

Long Yang was taken aback but collected himself to reply indignantly, “Of course. Your belly has grown quite large by now. It would be quite inconvenient for you to be in there alone.”

Lu Liangwei secretly thought about how she would not want his help no matter how inconvenient it was.

Her gaze swept toward Zhu Yu, who had been following them step-by-step from behind.

With His Majesty around, Zhu Yu tried her best to stay out of sight. She did not dare follow too closely, but when she saw Lu Liangwei turn around to look at her, she immediately understood the meaning of her mistress’s gaze and stepped forward.

“Miss.”

Lu Liangwei pushed Long Yang away. “Zhu Yu can accompany me inside.”

She was not used to people standing by her side while she used the lavatory.

However, now that her belly had grown so much—coupled with the fact that she was wearing a long dress—it made things very inconvenient and it would be easier with Zhu Yu’s help.

Long Yang no longer insisted on accompanying her when he saw Lu Liangwei refuse his offer. He merely reminded her, “Be careful in there.”

Lu Liangwei nodded in reply and entered the lavatory with Zhu Yu.

Even though it was only a lavatory, the room was surrounded by peach trees whose flowers were blooming beautifully. The surroundings looked heavenly and the scenery was simply stunning.

Long Yang walked on a little further. With one hand tucked behind his back, he waited for Lu Liangwei and admired the beautiful view in the meantime.

It was silent all around.

Right at that moment, a loud exclamation broke the silence.

Long Yang jumped, thinking that something had happened to Lu Liangwei. He whirled around in a flash, only to see a strange woman a few paces away from him fall down.

Long Yang’s fears dissipated as he halted in his steps.