Becoming a widow for the sake of good fortune? The short-lived prince lived a hundred years

When he looked up, a bright-looking girl was looking at Chu Jinxun with concern.

She was wearing a pink palace dress, the hem of her skirt swaying gently in the wind, and a delicate ribbon tied around her waist made her figure look even more slender.

She took light steps and slowly approached Chu Jinxun, her eyes full of worry and hesitant feelings.

Chu Jinxun raised his eyes slightly, glanced at her, and a slightly sarcastic smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Whether this prince is good or not seems to have nothing to do with Miss Qi. Are you trying to gain a good reputation by using this prince, or do you have other intentions? Don't waste your time on this prince."

Qi Mingyu's expression changed slightly, and a trace of hurt flashed in his eyes. "Your Highness, how can you say that? We grew up together, and I only came to ask after seeing that Your Highness was ill. I was sincere, how could I have any ulterior motives?"

Chu Jinxun sneered softly, "Miss Qi's concern is something I cannot bear. My frail body is not worthy of Miss Qi's deep affection."

Yan Xining stood aside, watching Chu Jinxun's ruthless and venomous rejection, and couldn't help but feel amused. She crossed her arms over her chest, with a faint smile on her lips.

Qi Mingyu is interesting. Chu Jinxun still looks sickly. Earlier, when he was trying to get married, even the Weiyuan Marquisate avoided him and wanted to bring back the country daughter they didn't want to see to marry him off.

Qi Mingyu is also known as one of the three most talented women in the capital. She is of noble birth and has won the position of Crown Princess. However, she is always hesitant and flirting with Chu Jinxun.

Even an outsider like her wouldn't believe him if he said he had no ulterior motive.

Qi Mingyu bit her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes: "Your Highness, why do you treat me like this? Am I so unbearable in your heart?"

Chu Jinxun stopped looking at her, turned around, took Yan Xining's hand, and said, "My princess is here, Miss Qi, please respect yourself."

After saying that, he took Yan Xining into the palace, leaving Qi Mingyu there, shaking with anger, but helpless.

Yan Xining was pulled by Chu Jinxun. She looked back at Qi Mingyu's embarrassment and couldn't help but laugh softly: "Your Highness, you really broke my heart."

Chu Jinxun raised his eyebrows: "I don't have the time to play along with her. You are my only princess, others should not dare to approach me."

He coughed violently again and bent over.

Yan Xining had to swallow what she was about to say and gently rubbed his back. When it comes to acting, she thinks Chu Jinxun's acting skills are better than hers.

The two walked in together.

The young eunuch brought the sedan chair.

Today's banquet was held in the Ruihe Hall, a magnificent palace whose red walls and yellow tiles shimmered in the sunlight. Its eaves and brackets resembled auspicious birds spreading their wings, agile and solemn.

The palace gate is tall and wide. The vermilion lacquered door is inlaid with rows of golden copper nails, and the door knocker is also an exquisite animal head shape, majestic and luxurious.

The seats in the hall had already been divided into male and female seats according to etiquette, and the furnishings on both sides were different but all very exquisite.

On the men's side, the tables and chairs are neatly arranged and appropriately spaced, making it convenient for everyone to communicate and interact.

The table was covered with a brocade tablecloth embroidered with royal patterns. The texture was thick and soft, and it glowed with a warm luster under the candlelight.

The women's area was decorated in a more delicate and graceful style, with soft tulle curtains in pastel shades like pink and purple draped from high above, swaying gently.

Many concubines, princes, princesses and court ministers have arrived, some talking in low voices, some smiling. For a moment, the hall is noisy and bustling.

As soon as Chu Jinxun and Yan Xining entered the hall, many people looked at them.

Some were curious and inquisitive, while others were indifferent and ignored. Chu Jinxun continued to cough, his sickness seeming out of place in this lively atmosphere.

Yan Xining carefully and tightly supported him as he walked towards his seat, and helped him to the prince's seat.

Several princes came, and the seventh prince looked at them unfriendly. However, thinking of the outcome of the eighth prince, he said nothing and just lowered his head and ignored them.

The third prince raised a meaningful smile and walked towards Chu Jinxun holding a glass of wine.

"Fifth brother, I'm glad to see you today. I heard you were ill again and I was very worried. But I was busy with worldly affairs and couldn't visit you!"

Chu Jinxun raised his head slightly and forced a smile on his pale face: "Thank you for your concern, third brother. It's just some minor problems, nothing serious." After that, he coughed again.

Seeing this, Yan Xining thanked him on his behalf: "Third brother, Jin Xun has been feeling unwell recently and cannot drink. I can't be by his side to take care of him. I hope Your Highness can take good care of him later! Don't let him drink!"

The Third Prince was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Sister-in-law is so considerate. Fifth Brother is so lucky to have you by his side."

Seeing Yan Xining was about to leave, Chu Jinxun reached out and held her hand, with some reluctance in his eyes.

He looked sick and somewhat restrained, and looked very pitiful.

Yan Xining patted his hand and comforted him: "Your Highness, my seat is over there. My third brother and the others are all here. You can sit here with peace of mind."

Only then did Chu Jinxun let go of his hand.

"Haha, my fifth brother and his wife are so loving and loving, they can't bear to be apart for even a moment!"

Chu Jinxun gave a shy smile.

This again caused the Third Prince to tease him.

When the Sixth Prince Chu Yunyan saw this scene, the corners of his mouth rose slightly, revealing an imperceptible sneer.

Originally, the third prince was in his camp.

He worked together with the Third Prince to catch the Second Prince off guard and uncovered everything he had done over the years, angering his father, the Emperor, who drove him out of the capital.

He should be the only one in power.

But he soon discovered that it was all due to his naiveté.

That bright and clear image of a man who loved only poetry, wine, and romance, free and easy, and without any desires, was nothing more than a disguise for Chu Feici. Ever since Chu Lin'an fell from power, he first obtained the qualification to be the chief examiner of the Spring Examination, and then, through his constant performance in front of his father, he received one errand after another.

It was also at this time that he realized that Chu Feici had already established his own power, and now that his father valued him, he was gradually showing signs of competing with him.

Chu Yunyan knew very well that if he did not curb Chu Feici's momentum in time, all his previous efforts would be wasted and his path to the throne would be plagued by many variables.

In other words, Chu Feici also knew what he was thinking, but when the two met, they would still act like brothers.

At this moment, Chu Feici, smiling and holding a wine glass, took the initiative to walk towards Chu Yunyan. "Sixth brother, today's palace banquet is really lively. Speaking of which, we brothers haven't gotten together much since the last wine tasting. I'll host you another day. Let's get together again!"

Chu Yunyan quickly stood up, a friendly smile plastered across his face. "Indeed, isn't that because Third Brother is busy? In the past, Third Brother had free time, and the wine and poetry were good, so the wine tastings were lively and relaxing. Now Third Brother is busy, and I haven't had the chance to drink your treasures for a long time!"

"It's my fault. We must get together after some time!"

The two of them laughed happily.

Chu Feici took a sip of wine and said nonchalantly, "Actually, when it comes to being busy, I can't compare to Sixth Brother. Sixth Brother has been quite experienced in handling Jiangnan affairs recently, and has helped Father relieve a lot of his worries. I, Third Brother, am ashamed of myself for not being as good as him."

Chu Yunyan sneered inwardly, but remained humble on the outside. "Third brother, you're joking. These are just trivial matters. How can they compare to selecting talented individuals during the Spring Examination? This is a major event concerning the foundation of our dynasty. Moreover, you handled the Jiazhou assignment with lightning speed, and even father praised you highly! As your sixth brother, I have nothing but admiration!"

Chu Jinxun was listening to the two people praising and testing each other not far away. He leaned forward slightly and another coughing fit came over him.

The cough sounded particularly abrupt in this bustling yet undercurrent-filled hall, drawing everyone's gaze. Then, their expressions changed.