Lin Yuwei clutched the porcelain bottle in her hand as if it were a treasure, her heart's desire finally within reach, her eyes brimming with uncontainable joy.
She impatiently opened the lid and sniffed the contents, a faint and comforting scent filling her senses. This was truly a wonderful item. Sister Feng Jin was incredibly generous to her, gifting her such a precious thing without a second thought.
"Use it as I've told you, and I guarantee there won't be a single mark on your abdomen."
She had personally tested this on herself, and during her pregnancies with the twins, Da Bao and Er Bao, her abdomen remained completely free of any marks. As long as Lin Yuwei persisted with this, she was sure to see results.
Feng Jin's gaze drifted towards the door, surprised that Chu Chenyi was still holding back and hadn't made an appearance yet.
"Why isn't Prince Jing here? Did you two have another tiff?"
"No, I can't be bothered with him anymore."
She no longer considered Chu Chenyi an issue. Moreover, she'd discovered that if she didn't pay him too much mind, she wouldn't get angry. Therefore, it was best to simply ignore Chu Chenyi.
Feng Jin's eyebrows rose slightly. It seemed there was still some hidden tension between them. Just as she was about to pry further, Chu Chenyi's bothersome figure slowly appeared before them.
"My, my! Prince Jing certainly has a lot of airs. It takes three invitations to get a glimpse of you. Truly not easy!"
Feng Jin's sarcastic words dripped with irony. The smile at the corner of her eyes sent a shiver down Chu Chenyi's spine.
He cleared his throat, his expression returning to its usual composure as he sat on a nearby chair. However, he dared not meet Feng Jin's gaze directly.
A pause ensued, and the three of them remained silent, the air falling into a rare quiet.
The slightly eerie atmosphere made Lin Yuwei feel uneasy and a little fearful. After a moment of hesitation, she cautiously ventured, "Um... would you like some tea? I'll brew some for you?"
Her words were met only by calm silence. Lin Yuwei immediately felt awkward and took a small sip of her tea.
Being ignored was incredibly awkward. She decided it was best to remain quiet and continue drinking her tea. Lin Yuwei fell silent for the rest of the time, not uttering another word.
Chu Chenyi's eyes darted around guiltily, never resting on Feng Jin.
He constantly pondered why Feng Jin was here and what her intentions were.
Finally, feeling the time was right, Feng Jin spoke, "Cai Qing, show His Highness the ledger."
"Yes, Madam."
Cai Qing, instantly recognizing she was addressed, produced the ledger she carried and presented it to Chu Chenyi.
"What is this?"
Chu Chenyi glanced at the thick stack of scrolls placed on the table, his brow furrowed in confusion.
What trick was Feng Jin playing now? What did she want with this? He needed to remain vigilant.
Feng Jin subtly glanced at Cai Qing, signaling her to speak.
Receiving the cue, Cai Qing reacted swiftly and began to explain, "Your Highness, these are the accounts for your stay at the manor. Please review them."
Chu Chenyi's brows knitted together, his face a mask of bewilderment. He had never anticipated Feng Jin resorting to such a tactic. Despite his surprise, he picked up the ledger and meticulously went through it.
He had to admit, the record-keeping was meticulous. Even the teacup he had broken was accounted for. Why not record the air he breathed, too?
He finally understood why Feng Jin had been so polite to him lately, treating him to good food and drink, attending to his every need with such care.
So, this was what she had been planning all along, setting a trap for him. He had to concede that Feng Jin was a master in this regard, and he was thoroughly defeated.
"You are truly remarkable. I was unlucky to have been caught in your trap by a moment's carelessness."
He could only accept his misfortune. He had initially thought Feng Jin had suddenly changed her ways, hence her unusual politeness, but it turned out he was just too foolish, being manipulated and not even realizing it, acting as if he were overjoyed.
Lin Yuwei seemed to grasp the situation as well. She reached for the ledger placed beside Chu Chenyi. Upon seeing its contents, she was instantly shocked, her face draining of color.
She hurriedly shoved the ledger back into Chu Chenyi's embrace, desperate to distance herself from him.
"This is all from your own expenses. It has... it has nothing to do with me."
The amount spent was simply too vast. She didn't have that kind of money. Each debt had its owner. Since Chu Chenyi had incurred the expenses, he should figure out how to pay them. She wanted no part in it.
Lin Yuwei took a step back, maintaining a distance from Chu Chenyi. She coughed lightly and explained, "Sister Feng Jin, if these are all debts he owes, then you should collect from him. It has nothing to do with me."
Chu Chenyi was instantly enraged by her callousness. Her change of heart was remarkably swift. This was a clear case of every man for himself when disaster struck.
Feeling abandoned, Chu Chenyi's expression darkened further. He would settle this score with Lin Yuwei later. For now, the most important thing was to find a way to get rid of Feng Jin, this great source of trouble.
"You never mentioned needing money before, so... so I will not acknowledge this debt!"
Discarding even the last shred of his dignity, Chu Chenyi looked at Feng Jin with a righteous air, though he felt extremely uneasy, fearing Feng Jin might devise another method to punish him.
"So, according to Prince Jing, you intend to renege on the debt?"
She had anticipated Chu Chenyi's attempt to wriggle out of it before she even came. It was, after all, his usual modus operandi. Fortunately, she had countermeasures prepared for him.
"This account is incomplete and lacks a clear beginning or end. It cannot be substantiated by your word alone. Without concrete evidence, I see no reason to acknowledge this debt."
He truly had no money. Even if he sold everything in the royal manor, it likely wouldn't be enough to cover the debt. At this point, he had nothing to lose.