Chapter 96 Both Princess and Xiao Tuanzi Want to Go Home with Her

Chapter 96: The Princess and Little Tuanzi Both Want to Go Home with Her

Ji Yuntang felt that Luo Feizhou's words carried a hidden meaning, and she cast a cold glance at him.

"There is no need for Prince Qi to be envious. What I make is nothing but simple fare, hardly comparable to the delicacies you enjoy daily at your mansion."

"Moreover, my husband has been bedridden for three years with poor digestion; he can only consume liquid food. Even if he wished to feast on delicacies, he couldn't. Doesn't Prince Qi know that?"

In short, Luo Feizhou kept expressing envy for Luo Junhe, yet in these three years, he had never once visited Luo Junhe, let alone known what he ate.

Luo Feizhou's expression flickered for a moment before he broke into a smile again.

"Heh, don't be angry, third sister-in-law. I was only joking."

Everyone present was well aware of Luo Junhe's condition. Not only Luo Feizhou, but even Luo Jingshen and Luo Junhe's own mother, Consort Li, had not visited him in three years.

Only that fool Luo Sinian came by once in a while; no one else wanted to go to the Prince Ye's mansion—they all thought it was bad luck.

If someone's about to die, why bother visiting?

Of course, Luo Feizhou could only think these thoughts to himself. To voice them would be immoral, and he didn't want to be seen as hoping for his brother's downfall.

Ji Yuntang ignored him. Prince Qi was a petty person, and she saw no need to stoop to his level.

Let him say what he wanted; she didn't care at all.

The others were busy eating, but Ji Qingqing and Ji Huaiche stood there like idiots, watching reluctantly.

They could only watch, not eat.

Ji Qingqing had thought Ji Yuntang's food would be hated, but in just a few moments, the plates were completely empty.

Not even a single grain of rice or a slice of scallion was left.

Though they hadn't eaten their fill, everyone was content. For Ji Yuntang to turn simple vegetables into such a feast, they saw it as a dish from heaven.

Consort Li and Luo Qianxue glared at the dishes as if the dishes were their enemies, and from beginning to end, neither of them touched their chopsticks.

Just then, Noble Lady An edged closer and asked eagerly, "Consort Li, aren't you eating? Could I have your share?"

Consort Li sneered to herself. Of course she wouldn't eat—she was afraid Ji Yuntang had put poison in the food.

She also stopped Luo Qianxue from eating.

Keeping a gentle smile on her face, Consort Li said to Noble Lady An, "Xue'er and I had some pastries before coming, so we're not hungry now. Please, take these."

Noble Lady An was overwhelmed with gratitude, repeatedly thanking her: "Thank you, Consort Li. You are truly kind-hearted. If I ever have something nice in the future, I'll share it with you."

Consort Li was scornful. A mere noble lady—what good things could she possibly have?

A few dishes from Ji Yuntang had made them act like this—they were so unsophisticated. No wonder they couldn't compete with her, destined to remain as noble ladies forever.

Noble Lady An had no idea what Consort Li was really thinking behind her warm exterior. She took away the portions meant for Consort Li and Luo Qianxue.

However, she didn't keep them for herself but shared them with other concubines and noble ladies.

Consort Chu finished her okra, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, cast a sarcastic glance at Consort Li, and rolled her eyes. "Playing virtuous!"

Then, her enchanting, bright face broke into a smile as she waved at Luo Feizhou.

"Zhou'er, come to your mother."

"What instructions does Mother have?" Luo Feizhou asked in confusion.

Consort Chu's eyes shifted as she looked at her son and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I see that this Princess Ye is capable and worth winning over."

Luo Feizhou: "..."

He had to admit that mother and son were of one mind—he and Consort Chu had thought the same thing.

However, Ji Yuntang was a difficult person to handle. He had already tried to win her over once, right after the medical competition ended.

Not only had she refused, but she had also slapped him.

Luo Feizhou dared not tell Consort Chu about this. Losing face was one thing, but he was mainly afraid that it would disrupt his later plans.

"Rest assured, Mother. I understand."

Consort Chu looked at her perceptive son and nodded with satisfaction.

Although Prince Ye's manor held little power, Ji Yuntang was truly capable. Now that her appearance had been restored, after dressing up she was no less than any other woman present.

Once Prince Ye died, she could make Ji Yuntang become Luo Feizhou's concubine—that wouldn't be a bad arrangement.

Ji Yuntang had no idea that the mother and son were scheming about her. At that moment, she had been summoned by the Empress and rewarded with a large pile of gold, silver, and jewels.

A pair of hollowed-out cloud-phoenix gold hairpins, a pair of jade Ruyi (auspicious scepters) with emerald and lingzhi motifs, a gold bracelet inlaid with pearls and emeralds, a large pile of precious tonics, along with ten thousand silver taels and five thousand gold taels.

Ji Yuntang was slightly stunned. She had truly witnessed the Empress's generosity—her generosity was indeed lavish.

Since she had entered Prince Ye's manor, Consort Li had not bestowed a single thing on her.

Luo Qingge said with a grin, "Third sister-in-law, if that's not enough, just tell my mother; I'll have her send someone to Fengyi Palace to fetch more for you."

Ji Yuntang was startled and quickly curtsied, "It's enough, it's enough. Your servant thanks the Empress for the generous reward."

The Empress smiled gently and said softly, "Princess Ye, you need not stand on ceremony. Ge'er is right. If you ever have any difficulties in the future, you can come to me, and I will stand up for you."

She could see that Consort Li did not like Ji Yuntang.

For some reason, the usually considerate Consort Li did not care for this daughter-in-law.

But Consort Li didn't like her; the Empress, on the other hand, did!

The Empress wished that Ji Yuntang could become her own daughter-in-law, so that the Empress would have someone to confide in more often.

Both of her children liked her—that was enough!

Ji Yuntang smiled warmly and nodded, "Thank you, Empress. Your servant will remember that."

In this way, she had managed to latch onto the Empress's powerful thigh.

Why wouldn't she want that?

Afterwards, the Empress awarded prizes to the other young ladies who had performed well, but none were as good as what Ji Yuntang had received.

Ji Qingqing was absolutely livid today. Not only had she received no reward, but she hadn't even managed to exchange a word with the Crown Prince, and she had lost all face.

If looks could kill, Ji Yuntang would have been hacked into a thousand pieces long ago.

The palace banquet had now come to a successful conclusion.

Before leaving, Luo Qingge held Ji Yuntang's hand, while Luo Xianan clung to Ji Yuntang's leg. The elder sister and younger brother were both reluctant to part.

"Third sister-in-law, I don't want you to leave. Why don't you take me home with you?"

"Fairy Sister, An'er doesn't want you to leave either. An'er wants to go home with you too!"

That way, he could eat Fairy Sister's cooking every day!

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