The Prince Jing household had always been casual with one another. Hearing Qi Shuo ask this, Prince Jing and Princess Consort Jing asked in unison: “Shuo’er, who do you think should go?”

Under his parents’ gaze, Qi Shuo touched the tip of his nose: “How about I go on behalf of Father and Mother?”

Princess Consort Jing instinctively shook her head: “Don’t you dislike these kinds of occasions?”

Prince Jing felt somewhat displeased.

So his son didn’t like them—did that mean he did?

This woman was truly biased toward their son.

Just then Qi Huan also walked in. Upon seeing her second son, Princess Consort Jing said casually: “Why not have Huan’er go?”

Huan’er was rarely home anyway and loved joining in the excitement.

Prince Jing silently took a sip of tea.

Well, she wasn’t entirely biased toward their son.

Qi Huan looked completely bewildered, glancing at his parents then at his elder brother: “Go where?”

Qi Shuo smiled: “In a couple days there’s the Wuning Marquis’s wife’s birthday banquet. Since neither Father nor Mother can conveniently attend, I’ll make the trip.”

Qi Huan looked toward Princess Consort Jing.

Princess Consort Jing was still somewhat uneasy: “Shuo’er, are you really going?”

Shuo’er had a heart condition—what if it flared up in such a chaotic setting?

“Your son is the heir. If Father and Mother don’t go, it’s most appropriate for your son to represent Prince Jing’s manor.”

Hearing Qi Shuo say this, Princess Consort Jing nodded.

“So should I still go?” Qi Huan still couldn’t figure out what was happening.

Princess Consort Jing glanced at her second son: “Either way is fine, just stop frequenting those questionable places.”

Qi Huan protested his innocence loudly: “Your son hasn’t been doing that!”

Just that one time going with friends to stroll along the Jinshui River, they happened upon friends fighting with another group, and it ended up with both families finding out—Mother had been holding it over him ever since.

The two brothers left the main courtyard. Qi Huan eyed his elder brother, unable to suppress the corners of his mouth from lifting.

“What are you smiling about?” Qi Shuo glanced at his younger brother.

Qi Huan squeezed his eyes: “Elder Brother, your willingness to attend the Wuning Marquis’s wife’s birthday banquet on behalf of Father and Mother—is it because Second Miss Lin will also be going?”

Qi Shuo looked at his brother askance: “Stop squeezing your eyes. It makes you look sleazy.”

Watching his elder brother stride away, Qi Huan examined himself in the smooth corridor pillar.

Did he really look sleazy?

The young county princess’s shocked voice rang out: “Second Brother, what are you doing?”

Second Brother was walking along treating a pillar like a mirror—did he have some serious problem?

Qi Huan’s movements froze. He said nonchalantly: “Nothing. I have urgent business. I’m leaving first.”

He left Qi Qiong utterly confused. She turned and went to find Lin Hao to pour out her woes: “Ah Hao, I truly envy you having sisters.”

Lin Hao couldn’t help lifting the corners of her lips: “County Princess needn’t envy me. Sisters have their advantages, and siblings have theirs.”

Qi Qiong wanted to roll her eyes.

If the corners of Ah Hao’s mouth weren’t lifted quite so high, she might almost have believed her.

“Sister Chan hasn’t been going out lately. What’s she been busy with?”

Lin Hao smiled: “What else could it be? Embroidering her trousseau.”

Mentioning this, Qi Qiong pressed her forehead: “I almost forgot to tell you—there’s good news.”

“What news?”

Qi Qiong lowered her voice somewhat: “My cousin… Prince Wei, has actually lost weight.”

This was truly an astonishing thing. After all, the cousin she’d seen all these years had been a ball—a ball that kept rolling and growing larger.

Unexpectedly, when she saw him recently, she could clearly see he’d slimmed down.

Lin Hao knew Prince Wei would lose weight, but knowing was one thing—only when there was genuinely significant change did her heart truly settle.

She couldn’t escape convention—she hoped her elder sister would marry a graceful, handsome gentleman.

The young county princess continued: “If Prince Wei keeps losing weight, he might actually become quite good-looking. Tell Sister Chan to set her mind at ease.”

Lin Hao smiled gently: “Understood. Thank you for telling me this news, County Princess.”

“Next time I see Prince Wei, I’ll pay closer attention. If there are more changes, I’ll tell you.” Qi Qiong asked about other matters. “Will you attend the Wuning Marquis’s wife’s birthday banquet?”

Lin Hao shook her head: “Mother said to have the steward send a congratulatory gift.”

This meant she wouldn’t be going.

Qi Qiong secretly felt sorry for her elder brother.

“Will County Princess accompany the princess consort?”

“I’m not going either. That day Elder Brother will represent Prince Jing’s manor.”

Lin Hao didn’t think much of this. After parting with the young county princess and returning home, she was told by Lin Shi that they would be attending the Wuning Marquis’s wife’s birthday banquet.

“Didn’t Mother say we weren’t going?”

The various manors in the capital were connected by countless threads, with frequent social exchanges. Those with close relationships or who wished to curry favor would naturally attend personally upon receiving an invitation, while those with mediocre relationships or even private discord would simply send a steward with a gift and be done with it.

Lin Shi didn’t get along with the Wuning Marquis’s wife, so her sudden decision to go left Lin Hao puzzled.

The corners of Lin Shi’s mouth lifted, unable to suppress her joy: “Mother has good news to tell you.”

Lin Hao found these words strangely familiar. She cooperated by asking: “What good news?”

“Prince Wei has lost weight.”

“Ah, really?” Lin Hao put on a somewhat surprised expression.

Lin Shi was delighted: “No mistake about it. After getting this news, Mother secretly went to look, and he’s really lost quite a bit of weight.”

Lin Hao’s mouth twitched.

There weren’t many with curiosity as strong as Mother’s.

Lin Shi clasped her hands together, murmuring: “Thank heaven and earth. As long as Prince Wei keeps losing weight steadily, by the time he marries your elder sister he might even be a handsome gentleman.”

That way her eldest daughter wouldn’t be marrying a ball, and her heart as a mother would feel better too.

“You still haven’t said why you’ve decided to attend the Wuning Marquis’s wife’s birthday banquet again.”

Lin Shi looked matter-of-fact: “I did say—Prince Wei has lost weight.”

Lin Hao was bewildered.

What did that have to do with anything?

Lin Shi lifted her chin slightly, unable to hide her smugness: “Your elder sister was selected as Prince Wei’s consort, and countless people made snide remarks. Now that Prince Wei has lost weight, let’s see what they have to say.”

Those people were unethical—if their own daughters were selected, they’d be proud to marry into the imperial family, but if another family’s daughter was selected, they’d laugh about a perfectly good young lady marrying a big fat man.

Out of deference to Prince Wei’s status they didn’t dare speak openly, but a meaningful look, an ill-intentioned smile, or a roundabout sarcastic remark was enough to be irritating.

Lin Shi wasn’t the type to swallow her anger. Now that her prospective son-in-law was making progress, of course she had to reclaim face.

Lin Hao said helplessly: “Mother, there’s really no need—”

Lin Shi smoothed a strand of fallen hair: “We’d be idle anyway.”

Lin Hao thought about it and agreed—then they’d go.

“Ah Hao, wear something nice that day. Your elder sister needs to embroider her trousseau at home, so she won’t be going.”

“Don’t worry, Mother. All of daughter’s clothes and jewelry are beautiful.”

Lin Shi smiled.

That was true.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the Wuning Marquis’s wife’s birthday banquet arrived. Lin Shi brought Lin Hao and left the house.

Wuning Marquis Manor wasn’t far from the General’s Manor—walking would actually be quite convenient, but for this kind of occasion they naturally couldn’t just stroll over. Mother and daughter still took a carriage.

Lin Shi found the carriage stuffy and lifted the window curtain for air. With one glance she spotted the young man on horseback following behind.

“Ah Hao, Ah Hao.”

Lin Hao leaned over: “Mother, what is it?”

“Prince Jing’s heir is behind us. By the looks of it, he’s also going to attend the Wuning Marquis’s wife’s birthday banquet.”

Lin Hao had long known Qi Shuo would be going. Hearing Lin Shi say this, she didn’t react much.

Instead, Lin Shi sighed: “It’s not easy for him either. With such a sickly body, he’ll still have to support such an enormous princely manor in the future.”

Qi Shuo, who had ridden closer and was preparing to greet them: “…”