TFSRITA Chapter 178

Yan Qing remained silent, quietly listening to their conversation, trying to get a sense of what kind of person he was.

The more she listened, the more she thought… perhaps he wasn’t too bad after all. Maybe the Marquis of Pingwu could give him a chance? At least he seemed better than the Crown Prince.

As for the Third Prince… he was definitely out of the question.

As Yan Qing mulled over her thoughts, she suddenly felt her hand being tugged. Turning her head, she saw Ji Jiahun frowning as he grumbled, “The Fourth Prince is talking to you. He’s asking what method you used to tame me.”

Yan Qing smiled, meeting the Fourth Prince’s knowing expression. She replied softly, “No method at all. My husband is naturally wonderful.”

“Ah, I see…” The Fourth Prince shook his head with a playful sigh.

Ji Jiahun’s frown immediately turned into a bright smile. He had been worried Yan Qing might embarrass him by spilling his secrets, but she hadn’t. Filled with joy and affection, he glanced at her with pride. Truly, his wife wouldn’t let him lose face.

In Dayan, there wasn’t much strictness between men and women mingling, but during formal banquets, male and female guests were typically separated. The entertainment areas were shared, but women were hosted in the back courtyard while men stayed in the front.

Yan Qing followed the Crown Prince’s servant to the rear courtyard.

After visiting the Crown Prince’s one-year-old child and teasing him for a bit, she stepped out and found herself among a group of noblewomen.

Thanks to her high status, everyone treated her with respect. Even though she’d had a reputation for being unconventional, they were still cordial, avoiding any discomfort.

Socializing felt relatively easy.

Yan Qing, now more reserved in public, exchanged a few pleasantries before wandering off to explore on her own. Her mood lifted as she enjoyed the banquet.

Eventually, she reached a lotus pond and became fascinated by the plump koi fish swimming lazily around.

Noticing her interest, a quick-witted servant brought over some fish feed.

Initially, she thought of it as food, but seeing the lively koi, her thoughts shifted to treating them like pets. She didn’t decline and began scattering the feed into the water, watching the fish eagerly swarm toward it.

“Lady Ji, you seem to be having fun.” The Crown Prince’s voice suddenly rang out.

Yan Qing turned, giving a polite bow. “Greetings to Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince waved a hand dismissively, indicating she could forgo the formalities. His eyes, however, carried a faint displeasure as he fixed her with a somber gaze. He asked in a low voice, “Why did you say those words the other day, Lady Ji?”

“Which words?” Yan Qing looked genuinely puzzled.

The Crown Prince let out a cold snort. “Don’t play dumb.”

“I truly don’t know.” Yan Qing’s tone remained light, her smile calm.

The Crown Prince’s eyes darkened, but he forced a strained smile. “Then let’s leave it at that.” With that, he turned and walked away, his robes swirling behind him.

Yan Qing shrugged and continued feeding the fish.

Barely two minutes passed before another voice, this one teasing, broke the silence. “If you keep feeding them, they’re going to overeat.”

Yan Qing smirked. “Greed knows no bounds. If they overeat and die, it’s their fault.”

“Not in the best mood, I take it?” The Fourth Prince stepped closer, his tone warm yet keeping a respectful distance.

This corner of the garden was quiet, located near the front courtyard where male guests lingered. Yan Qing, fed up with the noise in the back courtyard, had wandered here for some peace.

She didn’t bother hiding her irritation and nodded openly. “Of course not. Being stared at like that would ruin anyone’s mood.”

“A candid soul,” the Fourth Prince chuckled before steering the conversation toward lighter topics. “Lately, the capital has been abuzz about Lady Ji’s remarkable talents. Even though I’m unmarried, I must admit I’m curious—how did you tame Ji Jiahun, someone so notoriously playful, and turn him into a model husband?”

Yan Qing laughed. “Because I’m beautiful, perhaps?”

“Maybe, but it’s certainly more than that.” The Fourth Prince shook his head with a smile. “His transformation has been so dramatic that people in the capital now say he married…”

“A tigress?” Yan Qing raised an eyebrow.

The Fourth Prince chuckled again and shook his head. “No, a virtuous wife.”

Yan Qing blinked in surprise. The public opinion had shifted that much?

Just as she was about to ask further, a servant approached them. “Young Marquis Ji is gambling up front. Word has it he’s made quite a large wager. This servant thought it best to inform Your Highness and Madam.”

In the open space of the Crown Prince’s front courtyard, a crowd had gathered, buzzing with excitement.

When Yan Qing arrived, she saw Ji Jiahun in the center, facing off against a smug young man. Both were flanked by their respective supporters, while the rest of the crowd watched eagerly, clearly there for the spectacle.

The youth facing Ji Jiahun sneered with disdain. “You can’t even make your own decisions? Are you so whipped by a woman?”

“Say that again!” Shi Yibin’s eyes flared with anger, and he surged forward, ready to argue.

Ji Jiahun and Qi Haolin quickly pulled him back, with Zhang Zhong scowling at the offender.

Among them, Ji Jiahun seemed the calmest. Holding Shi Yibin with one hand and resting the other behind his back, he replied evenly, “What do you mean whipped by a woman? It’s called mutual respect in marriage. You wouldn’t understand since you’ve never had a wife.”

The crowd erupted into laughter—not mockery, but a mix of exasperation and amusement.

Most wore expressions of surprise. Since when had this notorious troublemaker become so sensible?

The youth flushed red, his anger boiling over. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ji Jiahun shrugged. “Exactly what I said.”

“You—” The youth began, but Yan Qing’s voice cut through the commotion.

“Your Lordship, what’s going on here? What are you gambling with my husband about?”