The Eldest Princess' Substitute Husband (Transmigration) - Chapter 11

“It’s good as long as Your Highness feels comfortable…”

******

Guzi’s face was again filled with a simple-minded confusion. “What does ‘starting a business’ mean?”

Song Jinsheng hesitated to speak, then leaned back in the chair casually and crossed her legs, looking quite dashing. “You don’t need to understand that. You just need to help me do a few things.”

“First, go to the streets and see which areas have the most crowded shops. Second, help me find out which shops are for sale. Try to find one that’s cheap and big, okay?”

Guzi listened carefully, nodding. “It’s a small matter. Master can rest assured, Guzi will do it well.”

“Good. When you come back with the information, I’ll reward you… But it’s still too early to talk about opening a shop. I’m still missing something…”

“Missing what?”

Missing what? Money, of course. Without money, how could she open an online store? Without an online store, how could she get modern goods?

Without money, all of her ideas were just castles in the air.

However…

Song Jinsheng pursed her lips and squinted her phoenix eyes, looking out the open window. Her gaze drifted to the corridor not far from the house, the path that led to the princess’s bedchamber.

Since she was in the prince consort’s residence, as the prince consort, she had to make the most of her position.

The wealthiest person in this manor was undoubtedly Wei Luoyi.

*****

The next evening.

A few servants who were sweeping leaves in the courtyard gathered together, whispering and gossiping. As they talked, their expressions kept changing from shock to laughter, as they covered their mouths.

They weren’t the only ones in the manor who were acting this way today. Ever since Song Jinsheng had gone to the Eastern Kitchen in the afternoon, the servants who knew what was going on had started to whisper.

Even Dongyang, who usually didn’t meddle in other people’s business, couldn’t help but talk to Chunyue about it.

It wasn’t that she was a gossip; it was just that the prince consort had specially made a table full of dishes for the princess and had even invited her to dine with her. This was the first time this had happened in a year, and it was truly rare. How could it not pique people’s curiosity?

It seemed that the prince consort had truly changed after waking up. It was a rare occurrence…

*******

The servants outside kept on discussing, wondering what kind of loving and harmonious scene was unfolding inside. But they probably had no idea that the room was quiet. The two of them sat upright, silent, without a hint of the intimacy a married couple shared.

When she first learned that Song Jinsheng had invited her to dinner, Wei Luoyi was curious. What was the meaning behind this action?

Not only had Song Jinsheng invited her, but she had also gone to the Eastern Kitchen to find out what she usually liked to eat. She had then created a beautiful table of dishes and had even asked Chunyue and Dongyang to leave, saying that she didn’t want them to disturb their time together.

Why was she being so attentive?

Song Jinsheng sat facing Wei Luoyi. Seeing that she wasn’t talking or even picking up her chopsticks, but just staring at the dishes for a long time, not knowing what she was thinking, made Song Jinsheng feel a bit flustered.

After pondering for a while, Song Jinsheng was the first to break the silence. “I’ve learned some new dishes recently, and I thought I’d make them for you to try.”

She pointed to the dish closest to Wei Luoyi and introduced them one by one. “This is called stuffed tofu, this is sweet and sour jiao bai, steamed carp, sweet and sour fried eggs, and pig trotter soup…”

These weren’t new dishes she had just learned. A few of them were her specialties, all to please Wei Luoyi so she could ask for money.

“Come on, this stuffed tofu is delicious. I’ll get a piece for you.”

With that, Song Jinsheng got up and moved her chair to sit next to Wei Luoyi. She took a bowl and scooped a piece for her. “Your Highness, please try it.”

Her closeness interrupted Wei Luoyi’s thoughts. Wei Luoyi glanced at her, then lowered her eyes to the bowl. The tofu was filled with meat and drizzled with a sauce. It looked shiny, tender, and very appetizing.

Wei Luoyi said nothing, but took a spoon, scooped some up, and put it in her mouth. Her eyes immediately widened, and her previously furrowed brows relaxed.

“How is it? Is it delicious?”

Wei Luoyi swallowed and turned to see Song Jinsheng’s face full of expectation. She turned back and scooped up another piece, saying blandly, “It’s alright, not bad.”

System: Tip, Wei Luoyi’s favorability +2.

It can even add favorability?

Song Jinsheng bit her lip to hide her smile and said softly, “It’s good that it’s not bad. Then Your Highness, please eat more.”

“Why did the prince consort suddenly want to dine with me today? Do you have something to say?” Wei Luoyi put down her porcelain spoon and asked bluntly.

Song Jinsheng’s hand, which was about to pick up her chopsticks, paused. She looked at Wei Luoyi with feigned innocence. “Didn’t I say? I just wanted you to try my cooking.”

Wei Luoyi said, “If that’s the case, Guzi could also taste it. There’s no need to go to such lengths to find me.”

“How can that be the same? Your Highness is my wife, of course you should be the one to taste it. It’s only right for a prince consort to take care of his princess.”

“Oh?” Wei Luoyi raised an eyebrow and looked at Song Jinsheng with a complex gaze. “Not long ago, weren’t you in a hurry to get a divorce from me?”

“…”

Song Jinsheng chuckled, her eyes curving into a smile, looking pure and innocent. “I wasn’t in my right mind then. Now I’ve thought it through. As long as Your Highness still needs me as your prince consort for a day, I will fulfill my duties well.”

Sigh, when you’re living under someone else’s roof, learning to pretend is a necessary skill.

Since Wei Luoyi needed a tool, she would temporarily be this tool-like prince consort. By pleasing the princess, her life in the manor would be much better.

Seeing that Wei Luoyi was staring at her silently, Song Jinsheng smiled again, trying to look gentle and harmless.

She got up and walked behind Wei Luoyi, placing her hands on her shoulders. When she felt her flinch, she leaned close to her ear and said soothingly, “Your Highness can just sit and eat. I’ll give you a massage. If you’re uncomfortable, just say so.”

With that, without waiting for Wei Luoyi’s permission, Song Jinsheng began to massage her on her own accord.

She used to go back to the orphanage often to massage the headmistress. Her technique was skilled, and the pressure was just right.

But she had forgotten that the headmistress was elderly and could handle the pressure. But Wei Luoyi’s skin was thin, and her body was delicate; she couldn’t withstand such force.

Sure enough, as soon as Song Jinsheng applied pressure, Wei Luoyi’s brows furrowed in pain, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft groan. “Ooh… it hurts…”

Startled, Song Jinsheng quickly released her hands and softened her touch. “How about now? Should I go lighter?”

Song Jinsheng was kneading an acupuncture point. When the pressure was right, Wei Luoyi felt much more comfortable.

She didn’t like being touched by outsiders, but if Song Jinsheng was trying to please her, it wasn’t unacceptable.

“No need, this is fine. I didn’t expect the prince consort to be so good at serving people.”

“It’s good as long as Your Highness feels comfortable…”

The unintentional conversation between the two of them was heard by Chunyue and Dongyang, who were waiting outside.

When they heard Wei Luoyi’s pained groan, they immediately approached the door in concern. But then they heard the two of them say those things.

They couldn’t see what was going on inside, but the words were ambiguous. Just by listening, they couldn’t help but let their minds wander, wondering what kind of intimate scene was unfolding inside the room…

This… didn’t the princess say the prince consort had a secret illness…? So how is this happening now…?

Sigh, this prince consort is something else. How could he do this during dinner…?

The more Chunyue and Dongyang thought about it, the more flustered they became. Their faces flushed with embarrassment. They immediately turned and walked away, sending the other maids away, telling them to stay farther away. Otherwise, if word got out tomorrow, who knows what the people in the manor would be whispering about.

*****

[Author’s Note]

Chunyue is the prince consort and princess’s biggest fan.

Support The Eldest Princess’ Substitute Husband (Transmigration)