Chapter 1609: Chapter 60: Third Prince, Ji Mingyu! (Part 2)

On top of the noodles, a large pile of braised beef formed a small hill, topped with three fried eggs.

"Thank you, sister-in-law!" Ji Mingyu stood up to greet.

"Third Prince, you are too courteous! You are the biological brother of the Seventeenth Princess." Liuu Wanwan replied with a dignified modesty.

She knew that her demeanor represented the face of Jiang Ning.

At this moment, Ji Mingyu took the braised beef noodles brought by Liuu Wanwan with a flourishing smile, then took a deep breath, looking completely entranced.

"Such fragrant braised beef noodles, the rich sauce and full odor, not even within the Imperial Palace have I smelled such appetizing noodles."

As he spoke, his face revealed an expression of serious craving.

He then sat down next to Jiang Ning, appearing relaxed and at ease. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

He picked up the chopsticks from the table, first trying a mouthful of noodle soup, and couldn’t help but praise repeatedly: "These noodles are delicious! Freshly aromatic and rich in sauce, sister-in-law is quite the master hand, no wonder the Dongling Marquis appears so entranced."

"If the Third Prince likes it, then eat more, there’s more in the pot!" Liuu Wanwan said.

"Okay!" Ji Mingyu nodded heavily, "Then I won’t be polite with sister-in-law!"

With that, he forked up a large chunk of noodles with his chopsticks, then took a big bite.

As the noodles went down his stomach, he quickly exhibited a look of delight.

A big bite of noodles, then a big bite of braised beef, a big sip of noodle soup, then another bite of noodles, a fried egg...

At this point, he no longer chose to exchange pleasantries with Jiang Ning and instead displayed a true foodie’s demeanor, like a street disciple, showing none of the refined etiquette expected of a royal offspring.

He understood that to bridge the gap, holding onto his princely demeanor wouldn’t help.

At this moment, the atmosphere seemed to harmonize.

Little Dumpling stared with round eyes, curiously examining this unfamiliar yet imposing guest.

Jiang Li and Liuu Wanwan exchanged a glance and silently quickened their dining pace.

Zhong Ling kept her head down, eating her noodles in small bites, not involving herself in the sudden visit of the Third Prince to Jiang Ning.

As for Su Qingying, she completely ignored the unexpected visit of the Third Prince.

At this moment, Ji Mingyue was also immersed in the delicious braised beef.

After eating more than half a bowl, she rubbed her stomach and looked at the remaining noodles and braised beef in her bowl, thoroughly understanding why Jiang Ning loved this dish so much.

She silently glanced at Jiang Ning and then at Liuu Wanwan.

"I absolutely must learn sister-in-law’s cooking skills!!" she chanted silently in her heart, "To conquer a man, one must conquer his stomach first."

A moment later.

Jiang Ning put down his chopsticks with a face of satisfaction.

"Need more noodles?" Liuu Wanwan asked.

"Thank you, sister-in-law, but no more!" Jiang Ning replied with a smile.

At this moment, Ji Mingyu also slowly put down his chopsticks, showing a look of contentment.

"Truly envious of the Dongling Marquis; to enjoy such delicious food regularly is one of life’s great blessings."

As he spoke, he pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, speaking in a gentle tone.

In contrast to Ji Mingyu’s well-mannered demeanor, Jiang Ning simply licked his lips.

"Was your trip to Guangning Prefecture smooth, Dongling Marquis?"

"It went smoothly!" Jiang Ning nodded, "As of now, Guangning Prefecture has settled down, so I decided to return to the Royal Capital."

"And was the journey smooth? From Guangning Prefecture to the Royal Capital, the mountains are high and the road is long, Marquis, given your current condition, there might be some difficulties; my royal father is suffering from a curse, and now..."

At this point, Ji Mingyu suddenly clenched his fist, his eyes filled with fury, teeth biting fiercely.

"Third brother, what’s wrong with royal father now?" Ji Mingyue, overhearing the conversation, immediately put down her chopsticks and noodles, asking nervously.

Though she had already received the news, at this moment she still felt incredibly tense.

"Not very good!" Ji Mingyu shook his head, glancing at Ji Mingyue again.

"Alas—" he sighed and continued, "To know the specifics, you, Shiqi, should go to the Imperial Palace for a visit later!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Mingyue’s heart sank.

Seeing Ji Mingyu’s demeanor, she understood that the news was indeed true.

"Dongling Marquis, actually you shouldn’t have returned at this time!" Ji Mingyu changed the subject, addressing Jiang Ning.

"Why is that?" Jiang Ning asked.

"As a wise person, the Marquis should know that while the Royal Capital appears prosperous as always, beneath it lies a swirling current; with the royal father’s ailment, who knows how many have nurtured ambitions because of it, given the Marquis’ special status, stepping into this Royal Capital stirs countless hearts, Shiqi being so young should not mingle in the storm of the Royal Capital."

The implication in his words was perceptible to all present.

Jiang Li and Liuu Wanwan exchanged glances, showing a hint of perplexity.

They didn’t grasp the palace upheavals, but from the fragmented words and the current atmosphere, Liuu Wanwan also discerned some situation.

At this moment, Ji Mingyue’s fingers tightened slightly.

"Countless hearts, does that include the Third Prince?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Including!" The Third Prince Ji Mingyu’s demeanor was composed.

Then he said, "The Marquis should understand, even though the royal father’s health has deteriorated for a long time, the position of Crown Prince remains uncertain! The royal father is not ignorant; he must know the instability it has already caused, which shows that he has given tacit consent, consent for us brothers to contend."

"The royal father also understands, the current Great Xia needs a capable, bold, strategic, and resourceful person to ascend to that position."

"Only such a magnanimous leader can sweep away the current decline of Great Xia, rescuing it from its impending fall!"

Jiang Ning raised his eyes, looking at Ji Mingyu.

"Does the Third Prince believe he is that magnanimous leader?"

"Yes!" Ji Mingyu gazed calmly at Jiang Ning and nodded.

Despite his calm exterior, he did not show any sharpened edge.

Then he addressed Jiang Ning again, "I wish to invite the Marquis to lend me a hand, if the Marquis is willing to nod in agreement, when I succeed, I will open the royal treasury wide and utilize every available resource to help the Marquis escape the deadlock of the Curse Killing Skill!"

As he spoke, he looked at Ji Mingyue.

"I would also personally host an extraordinarily grand wedding for the Marquis and Shiqi."

"I wonder if the Marquis is willing?" Ji Mingyu’s gaze was intense as he looked at Jiang Ning, longing evident in his eyes.

At this time, Liuu Wanwan got up, took Little Dumpling’s small hand.

Jiang Li also got up, patting Jiang Yiming.

The family of four rose, Jiang Li gave Jiang Ning a look and then headed outside.

Zhong Ling saw this and quietly got up.

Just then, Su Qingying pressed her shoulder, and she immediately sat back down.

Jiang Ning watched this scene and said lightly, "The Third Prince has ambition and grand aspirations, which is a good thing!"

"Then what does the Marquis mean...?" The Third Prince Ji Mingyu asked.

"Thank you for your kindness, Third Prince, but I have no plans at this time." Jiang Ning said.

Hearing this, Ji Mingyu stopped beating around the bush, leaning forward slightly.

"I know the Marquis has a deep relationship with Shiqi and is also quite close with the eighth brother. The eighth brother is talented and kind-hearted, but the Marquis should know that the eighth brother lacks support from a maternal clan and any forces behind him among the numerous princes in the royal family, he is one without hope, so I hope the Marquis deliberates carefully, if you choose the eighth brother on returning to the Royal Capital at this time, it would be stepping into a deadlock."

At these words, Ji Mingyue’s face turned pale, her lips moved, but no sound came out.

She knew her third brother’s words were factual.

The succession of a prince is not only a matter of personal ability but a contest of the forces behind them.

Ji Minghao, like her, was born of the same mother, who was frail after giving birth to them both and has long since passed away.

And her mother’s status was ordinary, not the daughter of a significant clan.

In the struggle for the Crown Prince, she could offer no support.

Ji Mingyu continued, "I have no intention to compete with the eighth brother, nor do I wish to see brother fight brother, causing kin pain and delighting foes. But circumstances are beyond our control; if no one stands up to stabilize the situation, it might end up benefiting outsiders, or letting some ambitious wolves succeed, which would truly be the disaster of the Ji Clan’s reign and the people’s calamity."