Chapter 400: Uninvited Guest

Chapter 400: Uninvited Guests

Before he could finish, Luo Jingshen interrupted him, "I'll handle the management, and all you need to do is collect the money. Isn't that good?"

"Or does the Marquis think he can manage things better and more skillfully than my people?"

A sour expression crossed Ji Nanchuan's face as he lowered his head and said, "I wouldn't dare imply that, my lord."

"Then we're agreed. The people I've arranged are all retainers who have been doing business by my side for years. They know the ins and outs of running a barbecue restaurant like the back of their hands. With them in charge, there won't be any problems. You can rest assured, Marquis."

Despite his reluctance, Ji Nanchuan dared not defy Luo Jingshen and could only reluctantly nod his assent.

"Then I'll entrust it to Your Highness!"

Throughout it all, he never told Luo Jingshen that he had used the dowry prepared for Ji Qingqing to go into partnership with him.

After returning to the mansion, Ji Nanchuan, to ease Ji Qingqing's worries, told her that the barbecue restaurant was doing great business and that he would be able to redeem her dowry in less than a month.

Ji Qingqing felt much relieved upon hearing this.

That afternoon, Qiu Min found Ji Qingqing and shared the news she had gathered with envy written all over her face.

"Qingqing, do you know how much betrothal gift Duke Rong's mansion has prepared for Princess Jiu?"

"Two hundred chests—a full two hundred chests of betrothal gifts, each one filled with fine silks and brocades, gold and precious jewels. The procession stretched from one end of the city to the other! It was an absolutely magnificent sight!"

"Qingqing, when the Crown Prince sends his betrothal gifts to you, they should be no fewer than two hundred chests, right?"

Ji Qingqing was well aware that Qiu Min was there to pry for information—she was just green with envy that Ji Qingqing was to marry the Crown Prince.

Although the other woman hid it well, Ji Qingqing still caught the envy in Qiu Min's eyes, and a flicker of disgust flashed in her own.

"We're not getting married anytime soon; he hasn't even sent the betrothal gifts yet!"

Qiu Min's smile faltered for a split second before snapping back to normal, and she let out an awkward chuckle. "Is that so?"

"Then do you know how much dowry Princess Jiu has?"

Before Ji Qingqing could respond, she said loudly, "I figured you wouldn't know, but I've heard that the Empress alone prepared a dowry of one hundred chests for Princess Jiu."

"And that's not even including what Grand Tutor Su's mansion has prepared for her—I heard they've also sent sixty chests as a contribution to her dowry."

"With that much dowry, she's every girl in the capital's dream! I'm just so jealous!"

After saying this, Qiu Min suddenly grabbed hold of Ji Qingqing's hand and gazed at her with a pleading look.

"Qingqing, has Madam Meng prepared your dowry yet? Could you let me feast my eyes on it?"

She then added with some embarrassment, "I'll be honest with you, I've got a bet going with the other young ladies that your dowry would surely be more than Princess Jiu's, but they wouldn't believe me. It's so unfair to you, Qingqing."

"You're the future Crown Princess, the eldest sister-in-law of Princess Jiu, and the darling of the three young masters of the Marquis's mansion. How could your dowry possibly be less than Princess Jiu's?"

"Qingqing, just let me see it—just one glance, that's all. That way I can go and shove it in their faces for you."

She tugged and swung Ji Qingqing's sleeve back and forth. Ji Qingqing's expression soured, and she snatched her sleeve back.

"Sister Qiu Min, I consider you a friend, and this is how you treat me? You bet on my dowry with other people?"

Qiu Min didn't understand why Ji Qingqing had suddenly become angry, and she quickly explained, "Qingqing, don't be upset! I just couldn't stand how smug they were and wanted to shut them up for you."

Ji Qingqing turned around, her expression turning cold. "I appreciate the thought, Sister Qiu Min, but there's no need. I'd advise you not to make such pointless jokes about me with others in the future. If the Crown Prince were to find out, I doubt he'd go easy on you."

She couldn't very well say that not a single penny of her dowry remained, could she?

With Qiu Min's loose lips, the whole capital would know within a day!

Ji Qingqing couldn't bear the humiliation.

Seeing that Ji Qingqing was genuinely angry, Qiu Min dared not press further. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she slunk off looking embarrassed.

The moment she reached a secluded spot, she rolled her eyes and spat on the ground.

"What's she putting on airs for? Just because you've accepted the Emperor's marriage decree doesn't mean you'll definitely become the Crown Princess. The wedding is still two months away—who knows if the Crown Prince will even marry you!"

Little did Qiu Min expect that her throwaway words would prove prophetic, becoming a nightmare that haunted Ji Qingqing.

As daylight dimmed and the setting sun was swallowed by the moonlight, the Marquis Yongning mansion was brightly lit inside and out.

A black oil-cloth carriage came to a stop at the mansion's gate.

A family of four stepped out. Among them were a middle-aged couple dressed in coarse cloth, with sun-darkened skin and hair styled in the most common woman's bun.

Behind them were two boys, one tall and one short. The older boy looked about eighteen or nineteen, his clothes washed to a faded white, yet a sharp glint shone in his eyes.

The younger one appeared to be only six or seven, his eyes darting around restlessly as he peeked out from behind the middle-aged woman.

He asked timidly, "Mother, is this Second Sister's home?"

"It's so grand here, just like the palace. I've never seen such a beautiful mansion before."

The middle-aged woman, named Chen Huaxiu, patted her youngest son's head, her face crinkling into a mass of smiles.

"Don't talk nonsense, child. This isn't the palace—the palace is much bigger than this. If you want to go, I'll have your Second Sister take you there someday."

The middle-aged man paid no attention to the mother and son's conversation. Staring at the magnificent Marquis Yongning mansion before him, he swallowed hard.

"When I entered the city, I already asked around. The future Crown Princess lives in the Marquis Yongning mansion, so our daughter must be staying here, no doubt!"

"I never imagined, never in a million years, that I, Wu Jinxi, would one day become a royal relative. From now on, our whole family doesn't need to go back to that little mountain village. We'll stay in the capital and enjoy the good life with your Second Sister."

The young boy Wu Chaoyang immediately clapped his hands in delight. "Great, great! Then I'll be the Crown Princess's own little brother. Let's see who dares to bully me or call me a poor wretch from now on."

Beside him, the older son Wu Shijie gazed at the gleaming plaque with rapt fascination, a greedy glint flashing in his eyes.

His heart raced with excitement, and he barely suppressed his thrill as he said, "Father, Mother, I'll go knock on the door."

A knock sounded, and the door opened from within. The gatekeeper of the Marquis Yongning mansion, seeing a few shabbily dressed people outside, shoved Wu Shijie away with a look of disdain.

"Shoo, shoo, this isn't a place for beggars like you. Get lost!"

Wu Chaoyang charged forward angrily, his face full of defiance. "We're not beggars! We're here to see my Second Sister."

"Do you know who my Second Sister is? She'll scare you to death—she's your Crown Princess!"

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