Prince Qi’s smile froze at the corners of his mouth.
The Princess consort liked it, so he bought it.
This was a whole shop, not just a few boxes of rouge. Was Seventh Brother burning through money?
Prince Qi felt a pang of jealousy. Who knew how much wealth Seventh Brother had amassed in the South over these years? If only he could use that to support him…
With this thought, Prince Qi’s expression grew increasingly gentle as he looked at Yu Jin.
To the side, Princess Qi felt even more bitter than her husband. She couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Si.
This was truly newlywed bliss, sweet as honey. With just one expression of liking something, Prince Yan had bought an entire shop.
As Princess Qi thought this, she suddenly reflected on her situation. She and the Prince had once been newlyweds too, but thinking carefully, she had rarely received gifts from the Prince over the years…
Princess Qi unconsciously put away her smile.
“Uncle,” Yu Jin greeted Duke An Guo.
Duke An Guo nodded. “Since the Prince and Princess have arrived, let’s go inside. It’s too hot out here.”
The banquet was set up in the flower hall, with separate tables for men and women.
Although the Old Madam was advanced in years, her spirit was quite good. Sitting in the seat of honor, she quietly observed Jiang Si. Seeing her graceful manners and composed demeanor, she couldn’t help but glare at Duchess Wei, Duke An Guo’s wife.
If Wei hadn’t managed things properly, how could this have led to Ah Yi developing an improper relationship with a commoner girl?
She had heard that Fourth Miss Jiang had a disagreeable temperament, but now it seemed she was much better than Qiao Niang.
They had truly lost out on a watermelon and picked up a sesame seed instead.
Having been mother-in-law and daughter-in-law for so many years, how could Duchess Wei not guess the Old Madam’s thoughts? Her heart sank.
Her younger son had been so stubborn, even attempting to drown himself for love. What else could she have done?
If they hadn’t broken off the engagement with the Eastern Peace Marquis’s family and allowed her son to have his way, should they have watched him seek death instead?
In the end, everything had become her fault.
The more Duchess Wei thought about it, the more irritated she became, and the more dissatisfied she felt towards Qiao Niang.
It was all because of that Vixen bewitching her son and turning his head. Otherwise, how could there be such vexing matters in the family?
At the table, everyone had their thoughts, except for Ji Fanghua, whose smile was genuine. “Sister-in-law, which rouge shop did the Prince buy for you?”
“Lu Sheng Xiang.”
Ji Fanghua’s eyes lit up. “He bought Lu Sheng Xiang? I love their fragrances.”
Jiang Si smiled gracefully. “If you like them, I’ll send you a few bottles every month from now on.”
Ji Fanghua thanked her straightforwardly. “That would be wonderful. Now I won’t have to worry about my maids being unable to buy them.”
Jiang Si appreciated Ji Fanghua’s personality. A few bottles of fragrance were nothing to her or the Duke’s family. If they kept pushing it back and forth, it would only seem petty.
Seeing Ji Fanghua and Jiang Si’s close relationship, Duchess Wei felt even more uncomfortable. Usually, this girl Fanghua barely exchanged a few words with Qiao Niang.
“Sister-in-law, it seems the Prince treats you very well. You certainly haven’t married the wrong person,” Ji Fanghua teased with a smile.
At the other table, Yu Jin’s sharp ears caught this, and his impression of Ji Fanghua improved considerably.
Hmm, there was at least one sensible person in the Duke’s family.
Hearing these words, Ji Chongyi’s hand holding the wine cup paused, his mood turning bitter.
Was his sister implying that it was fortunate Miss Jiang hadn’t married him?
He very much wanted to look at that table and see Jiang Si’s reaction, but reason prevented this impulse.
His sister wasn’t wrong. To be honest, he didn’t have any real feelings for Miss Jiang. It was just that— Ji Chongyi cast a deep look at Yu Jin.
It was just that seeing others in marital bliss while his own married life was a mess, without a moment of peace, made him feel unsettled.
Ji Chongyi laughed self-mockingly and drained his cup in one gulp.
Yu Jin caught Ji Chongyi’s reaction from the corner of his eye and laughed coldly in his heart.
Hmph, he wouldn’t even spare a glance for such a fool.
In the future, he and Ah Si would live their sweet little life, letting this fool be jealous.
Yu Jin also drained his cup in one go, feeling the wine was fragrant and extremely satisfying.
At the women’s table, the atmosphere became awkward due to Ji Fanghua’s words.
Second Madam Zhao glared at Ji Fanghua. “Child, don’t be so disrespectful to the Princess.”
This silly girl, wasn’t she just stabbing her sister-in-law’s heart with those words?
“Mother, how am I being disrespectful?” Ji Fanghua pouted.
Second Madam was at a loss with her daughter.
Jiang Si smiled slightly. “Cousin is right. I suppose I’m just lucky.”
Duchess An Guo’s expression didn’t look good.
Having been mother-in-law and daughter-in-law for nearly a year in her past life, she knew well how picky this seemingly kind and gentle Duchess could be.