Chapter 426 Sending Betrothal Gifts

Chapter 426: The Betrothal Gifts

No one noticed that, separated by just a wall, Hua Feixue had overheard their entire conversation clearly.

The Dog Crown Prince is impotent?!

Could it be that the explosive he threw last night had scared Luo Jingshen into impotence?

At this thought, Hua Feixue felt like laughing.

The heavens truly have eyes—his careless act had turned into a nightmare for Luo Jingshen and Ji Qingqing.

How would the two of them face each other later?

He couldn't wait to see!

Madam Meng's guess was spot on. After about half an hour, a servant came rushing in, all excited.

"Madam, Second Miss, the Crown Prince's betrothal procession has arrived!"

Ji Qingqing stood up from her daze and immediately asked with delight, "Has the Crown Prince come as well?"

"He's here, he's here! The Crown Prince is wearing a dark crimson brocade robe today, riding a white horse. He looks so handsome—he should be at the Marquis's gate any minute now!"

Ji Qingqing curled her lips into a smile, her face glowing with smug satisfaction.

"Wonderful, he's here."

"It seems the Crown Prince has been cured and isn't mad at me anymore?"

With that thought in mind, Ji Qingqing hurried to the Marquis's front gate without stopping.

She was dressed today in an emerald misty gauze gown, decked out with pearl hairpins and jade ornaments, her face expertly made up to hide the handprint on her cheek. She looked absolutely stunning.

Ji Nanchuan, Madam Meng, and the three young lords were also dressed in fine attire, standing at the gate, busily greeting the arriving guests.

When the Crown Prince sent betrothal gifts, protocol only required the Marquis's residence to host a banquet for the Crown Prince alone.

But Ji Nanchuan, to save face, had invited many officials to attend the feast.

First, he wanted everyone to see how much the Crown Prince valued the Yongning Marquis's household.

Second, he also wanted to take this opportunity to curry favor with dignitaries, to pave the way for his sons' futures.

If he could also find a noble young lady for each of his three sons today, that would be perfect!

When Luo Jingshen arrived, he put on quite a show. A betrothal procession stretching over a hundred meters carried a hundred redwood chests, winding through the streets, drawing cheers and congratulations from the crowd.

He dismounted from his horse, and Ji Nanchuan and the officials hurried forward, kneeling to pay respects to the Crown Prince.

"We pay our respects to the Crown Prince. May Your Highness be blessed!"

"Rise, all of you!" Luo Jingshen's gaze swept across the crowd as he lightly raised his hand. "Today is the day I present betrothal gifts to Second Miss Ji. No need to be so formal, gentlemen."

Ji Qingqing stepped forward shyly, intending to speak with Luo Jingshen, but he brushed past her without even a glance.

"Men, carry all one hundred and twenty betrothal gifts into the Marquis's residence!"

Ji Nanchuan, however, noticed nothing amiss. Watching the guards carry the gifts inside, he was grinning from ear to ear.

It seemed he had picked the right man after all—the Crown Prince was truly devoted to their Qing Qing, which was why he was so lavish.

The Duke Rong's residence had only sent a hundred gifts for the Ninth Princess, yet the Crown Prince had sent Ji Qingqing one hundred and twenty. By comparison, their Qing Qing had even more face.

Qiu Min, watching from a distance, was so jealous her eyes turned red!

Ji Qingqing, why was she so lucky?

Was the position of Crown Princess really destined to be hers?

She couldn't accept it!

Ji Nanchuan, beaming with joy, stepped aside and made a "please" gesture toward Luo Jingshen.

"Your Highness, this official has prepared a feast. Please, come in."

Luo Jingshen strode in, with Ji Qingqing following closely behind. She didn't dare let anyone notice the tension between her and the Crown Prince.

But how could any of this slip past Qiu Min's sharp eyes?

She furrowed her brows slightly—why did it seem like the Crown Prince didn't want to have anything to do with Ji Qingqing?

Had something gone down between them that she didn't know about?

The front courtyard was a lively, bustling scene, but in the rear courtyard at that very moment—

Wu Jinxi and Chen Huaxiu were each locked in their own storage room. Madam Meng, afraid they might come out and run their mouths to ruin Ji Qingqing's big day, had locked them away, padlocking the doors from the outside.

However, with so many guests and not enough staff, Wu Shijie had been assigned to continue guarding the front gate, though Madam Meng had fed him a drug that made him mute, so he couldn't make a sound or speak.

Wu Chaoyang, meanwhile, was in the side courtyard, still having his lessons with the tutor.

Just then, the fragrant aroma of wine wafted into Wu Jinxi's nostrils. He sniffed hard, and his craving was instantly stirred.

"I really want a drink—even a tiny sip would do."

He had no other hobbies—he was just a hopeless drunk. Back in the mountain village, he couldn't live without it. Whenever he had a few copper coins, he'd blow them on wine.

Now that he was in the capital, things weren't as easy, and he had fewer chances to drink.

Wu Jinxi was dying for a drink, so he pressed himself against the door and took a few deep sniffs to ease his overwhelming craving.

Just then, the sound of a lock clicking came, and a hand reached in from outside, handing Wu Jinxi a food box.

"Today is a joyous occasion at the residence. The Second Miss is in high spirits and has ordered a household-wide celebration. She has specially bestowed this fine food and premium wine upon you—enjoy it."

At the words "premium wine," Wu Jinxi's eyes lit up!

He quickly took the food box and thanked profusely, "Thank you, Second Miss. Thank you, Second Miss."

It seemed their Yueyue, though sharp-tongued, still had a place in her heart for her old father!

Knowing he loved to drink, she had specially sent someone to bring him wine.

The aroma alone, even through the food box, smelled wonderful.

Wu Jinxi quickly opened the box, set out the three dishes, and began gulping straight from the wine jug.

Between sips, he praised, "This is truly wine only found in the capital—I've never tasted anything this good!"

Hua Feixue stood outside the door, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

This wine was from Ji Yuntang—strong stuff that gets you drunk faster, so of course it was good!

She tossed the key aside and, instead of locking the door again, went straight to where Chen Huaxiu was being held.

Chen Huaxiu was already drowsy inside the room when suddenly two voices—one male, one female—drifted into her ears.

The female voice said, "Have you heard? The Crown Prince sent one hundred and twenty chests of betrothal gifts to the Second Miss today. Every chest is packed with gold, silver, jewelry, and fine clothes. The Second Miss's courtyard can barely hold it all!"

The male voice whispered, "I've not only heard about it, I've seen it myself. Those jewels and ornaments are absolutely stunning—especially the full set of gold-inlaid jade bracelets and jade hairpieces the Crown Prince gave to the Second Miss."

"Tsk, tsk. They're so magnificent. If I had just one of those, I could buy a mansion outside and never worry about food or clothing for the rest of my life. Who'd want to keep slaving away as a servant here!"

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