The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today - Chapter 18

18

At that moment, Ji Rongjin had already let go of her hand, but the smugness in her eyes lingered. She cast a fleeting glance at Lin Changcun, and as expected, the young man was gnashing his teeth in anger, looking as if he wanted to tear a piece out of her.

Ji Rongjin raised an eyebrow slightly, then withdrew her gaze. She turned to General Lin and his wife, performing a proper and respectful bow.

General Lin and his wife’s expressions were somewhat stiff, even carrying a hint of awkwardness, though it lasted only a moment before they averted their eyes.

“Princess, Consort, please come inside,” said Lin Buhui, Shen Zhuwan’s uncle. Though close to her, he never overstepped in matters of etiquette. Years on the battlefield had ingrained a cold, disciplined seriousness into his very bones.

Shen Zhuwan nodded with a smile. “Let’s go in together, Uncle, Aunt, Cousin.”

General Lin gave a calm, noncommittal “Mm,” while Madam Lin warmly led Shen Zhuwan inside, chatting and joking with her as they walked.

The women walked ahead, with General Lin following at a measured distance. This left Ji Rongjin and Lin Changcun trailing behind.

Their eyes met briefly. Lin Changcun suddenly took a cautious step back, let out a cold huff, and quickened his pace to catch up with the others.

Ji Rongjin: “…?” Was that half-step retreat for real?

She was puzzled. Clearly, Lin Changcun was the one acting like a thief—why was he the one being cautious?

Could this be the legendary case of a thief crying “catch the thief”?

Ji Rongjin grumbled inwardly but followed along.

Inside the dining hall, the group had barely arrived when a youthful, joyful voice called out, “Big Sister! Brother-in-law! You’re finally here!”

Under the bright candlelight, the young emperor, dressed in casual attire, was swinging his short legs in the air. He held an unfinished pastry in his hand, and upon seeing the two, his bright black eyes sparkled with delight.

He quickly stuffed the last bit of the pastry into his mouth, jumped off the chair, and ran toward Shen Zhuwan.

Shen Zhuwan’s expression flickered with surprise upon seeing Shen Chi, but she quickly regained her composure.

Madam Lin chuckled. “When Chi’er heard Wanwan was coming to the manor tonight, he insisted on joining us. But he got distracted by those peach blossom pastries and didn’t come out to greet you.”

The young emperor’s fair little face flushed red. He mumbled, “I only took one bite… I didn’t expect Sister to arrive so soon.”

His comment only made everyone burst into laughter.

He’d been “taking one bite” for the time it takes half an incense stick to burn.

Shen Zhuwan’s eyes softened with a gentle smile. “Chi’er, I can feel how much you’ve missed me,” she said warmly.

The room erupted in even louder laughter.

Shen Chi, still a child, blushed with embarrassment and clung to Shen Zhuwan, acting spoiled. Shen Zhuwan stood still, her expression a mix of helplessness and indulgence.

Ji Rongjin joined in the laughter at first, but then she was surprised to realize that Shen Zhuwan could actually tease children.

Thanks to Shen Chi’s antics, the atmosphere lightened considerably. Madam Lin led everyone to their seats.

Naturally, Shen Chi wanted to sit next to Shen Zhuwan. The seat on his other side was meant for Ji Rongjin, but after sitting down, the young emperor looked at Ji Rongjin with such obvious excitement in his eyes.

Ji Rongjin instinctively glanced at Shen Zhuwan, who happened to look up at the same moment.

Their gazes met briefly in midair before both quickly looked away.

Ji Rongjin couldn’t refuse Shen Chi’s request and sat beside him as he wished.

The young emperor was thoroughly satisfied. He leaned in secretively and whispered to Ji Rongjin, “Brother-in-law, you won’t believe what gift I prepared for Sister!”

Ji Rongjin played along, feigning curiosity. “What gift?”

“It’s a secret.” Shen Chi said with utmost seriousness.

Ji Rongjin couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m looking forward to it,” she replied, glancing at Shen Zhuwan.

She hadn’t noticed before, but now she saw a figure swiftly take the seat next to Shen Zhuwan.

Ji Rongjin’s smile froze. Who else could it be but that scoundrel Lin Changcun? He sat so confidently, as if the chair wouldn’t dare collapse under him.

Her smile vanished so abruptly that Shen Chi immediately noticed something was off. Following her gaze, he saw “Brother Lin” sitting beside his sister.

The young emperor furrowed his brows, sensing something amiss.

His eyes darted between Brother-in-law and Brother Lin, and after a moment, realization dawned.

Suddenly, he shouted at Lin Changcun, “Brother Lin, you can’t sit there!”

His tone was so resolute it sounded like he was ready to enlist in the army, startling everyone at the table.

Ji Rongjin blinked, looking at Shen Chi’s serious expression.

Shen Chi’s dark eyes gleamed with wisdom as he declared confidently, “If you sit next to Sister, Brother-in-law will get jealous!”

His words landed with the force of a thunderclap, childish yet filled with absolute certainty.

Boom! Ji Rongjin’s mind exploded.

Her face must have been cycling through every color of the rainbow—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. If a thermometer were placed on her head, the mercury would have shot to the top. Her face was hot enough to boil an egg, maybe even make egg drop soup if you added some water.

Seriously, little brother? How do you know everything? And more importantly, why do you say it out loud?

The dining hall fell into dead silence. Ji Rongjin didn’t dare look at General Lin and his wife’s expressions. She could only stare at Shen Chi, her face unchanged but her dilated pupils and shrimp-red cheeks betraying her thoughts.

And Shen Chi, seeing his “Brother-in-law’s” flushed face, added considerately, “Look, Brother-in-law’s face is red with anger!”

Ji Rongjin’s vision went dark.

You’re really good at reading the room.

General Lin and his wife finally snapped out of it. Madam Lin frowned and scolded, “Lin Changcun, come sit here and switch places with me.”

Lin Changcun, stunned by the young emperor’s words and now reprimanded in his mother’s stern tone, reluctantly stood up, though he dragged his feet.

Madam Lin took the seat beside Shen Zhuwan and smiled apologetically. “Changcun doesn’t know better and caused offense to the Princess and Consort. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Ji Rongjin: “…”

If Shen Chi hadn’t pointed it out, she wouldn’t have even known she was “jealous.”

Still flushed, Ji Rongjin shook her head and forced a smile. “It’s fine.”

Shen Zhuwan, looking at Ji Rongjin’s red face, curved her lips slightly and shook her head. “It’s fine.”

In the end, Lin Changcun’s seat hadn’t even warmed up before he was ousted by Shen Chi.

Ji Rongjin felt a bit better. Though the young emperor’s words were a bit reckless, they were effective.

Satisfied, she scanned the table. Next to Madam Lin was… oh, General Lin. So Lin Changcun must be sitting next to the general. Wait… what?

Ji Rongjin turned her head and, sure enough, found Lin Changcun sitting to her right, his face devoid of expression.

When she looked at him, Lin Changcun glanced back, and Ji Rongjin clearly saw the utter despair in his eyes.

She glanced at General Lin, sitting upright beside Madam Lin.

Oh… I get it.

Ji Rongjin couldn’t help but grin. First, she was amused that the stern general secretly insisted on sitting next to his wife even at dinner. Second, she was tickled by Lin Changcun getting displaced twice.

Though he ended up next to her, she was still delighted.

Feeling cheerful, Ji Rongjin decided to be nicer to the young emperor. Noticing his sneaky glances at the pre-dinner pastries, she handed him one.

Shen Chi’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Brother-in-law!”

Ji Rongjin smiled, but when her gaze fell on the pastry, she paused. Peach blossom pastry? She remembered the princess seemed to like these.

Without thinking, Ji Rongjin picked up another piece and handed it to her left. Shen Zhuwan, assuming it was for Shen Chi, was about to remind him not to eat too much when she saw the hand pass Shen Chi and stop in front of her.

Shen Zhuwan froze, looking up to meet Ji Rongjin’s equally startled eyes.

Ji Rongjin, caught up in her amusement, only realized her hand had acted on its own when she came to her senses.

At that moment, facing Shen Zhuwan’s playful expression, she felt the pastry in her hand was scalding.

“Your Highness.” Ji Rongjin tried to stay calm, but after addressing her, she didn’t know what to say next. She stood there, tongue-tied, looking both pitiful and comical.

In the midst of her embarrassment, the pastry was suddenly lifted from her hand. Shen Zhuwan took the delicate treat and smiled lightly. “The Consort is thoughtful.”

Ji Rongjin quickly withdrew her hand, her fingertips curling slightly as she smiled warmly. “It’s only right.”

The small interlude passed quickly, with everyone showing varied expressions.

Ji Rongjin noticed Shen Zhuwan only took a small bite of the pastry before setting it down. Meanwhile, Lin Changcun, with a resentful look, kept shoving peach blossom pastries into his mouth one after another.

Ji Rongjin’s temple twitched. She couldn’t tell if Shen Zhuwan liked it or not, but given how restrained and proper she was, her preferences probably weren’t obvious.

During dinner, the group chatted and laughed, creating a lively atmosphere. Ji Rongjin found it odd that Lin Changcun, after being moved, hadn’t caused any trouble. She wondered if he was plotting something big.

She took a bite of food and subtly glanced at Lin Changcun, only to see him suddenly bite down harder when their eyes met, even baring his teeth at her.

Like a dog guarding its food.

Ji Rongjin silently grumbled, inching away from him discreetly.

After dinner, the group moved to the reception hall. Though Shen Zhuwan had said gifts weren’t necessary, General Lin and his wife still presented birthday gifts, wishing her a happy birthday.

Madam Lin genuinely cared for Shen Zhuwan and gave her a valuable bracelet and earrings. The porcelain jade bracelet was carved with plum blossoms, symbolizing “the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold.” Knowing Shen Zhuwan’s past struggles, they hoped for her to find sweetness after hardship.

Shen Zhuwan wasn’t one to fuss. She accepted the gifts, put them on, and her eyes warmed with emotion. “Thank you, Aunt and Uncle.”

Madam Lin patted her hand, saying nothing more.

The gift-giving began. Shen Chi clearly wanted to present his gift but also wanted to save it for last to surprise Shen Zhuwan. His conflicted expression amused Madam Lin.

With great tact, Madam Lin prompted her son. “Changcun, didn’t you prepare a gift for the Princess?”

Lin Changcun’s eyes brightened, though he seemed a bit nervous. “I made it myself. I hope Wanwan doesn’t mind.”

Shen Zhuwan smiled gently. “No matter. Since it’s Cousin’s heartfelt effort, how could this princess mind?”

This Princess.

The slightly formal title made Ji Rongjin glance up, sensing the smile on Shen Zhuwan’s face fade slightly.

Reassured, Lin Changcun beamed and took out a prepared box—likely made by someone else. Inside lay a peach wood hairpin.

The hairpin wasn’t unattractive. Ji Rongjin glanced at it, thinking Lin Changcun had put in real effort.

She saw nothing wrong with it, but she noticed Shen Zhuwan’s smile visibly dim. She didn’t even take the hairpin.

What’s wrong? Does the Princess dislike handmade gifts?

Ji Rongjin looked up, puzzled, just in time to catch a flash of anger in Madam Lin’s eyes, quickly suppressed. “Changcun, didn’t you say you were giving a painting?”

“Mother—”

Lin Changcun started to speak, but General Lin gave him a faint glance. “Go get the painting you prepared.”

Lin Changcun fell silent, looking hopefully at Shen Zhuwan, but she still didn’t acknowledge him.

After a tense moment, Lin Changcun’s eyes reddened. Without a word, he closed the box and left to fetch the painting.

Ji Rongjin found it baffling. It was just a hairpin—why not accept it?

She quietly moved to Dongmei’s side and whispered, “What’s wrong with giving a hairpin?”

Dongmei glanced at Madam Lin, who was chatting and laughing with Shen Zhuwan, and whispered back, “The hairpin itself is fine, but a peach wood hairpin is a token of love. Accepting it means accepting the sender’s feelings.”

Ji Rongjin: “…”

She took back her earlier thought. That hairpin could not be accepted.