"Think about it yourself. Why are you, a prince, in such a pathetic state while others like Chu Yanxi are in power and so wealthy? Look at you now, at the peak of your influence, and you've ended up like this. I'm ashamed for you."
Feng Jin reprimanded Chu Chenyi harshly. In all of history, no prince had ever fared worse than Chu Chenyi.
To be reduced to this state was truly embarrassing! It was also a great injustice to Lin Yuwei, having to endure such hardship with Chu Chenyi. It was too difficult for her.
After finishing her lecture to Chu Chenyi, Feng Jin couldn't bear to look at him anymore and got up to find Lin Yuwei for a chat.
"Sister Feng Jin, are you angry?"
From Feng Jin's flushed face, Lin Yuwei could tell that Feng Jin was quite upset.
"Don't even mention it. Chu Chenyi is going to be the death of me with his antics!" She was extremely frustrated by the matter. Her gaze shifted to Lin Yuwei, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. To marry such a useless man as Chu Chenyi, a good woman like her was truly like a flower stuck in dung.
"You've truly suffered, having to live in such hardship with useless Chu Chenyi. It's been hard on you."
After all, Lin Yuwei had been the eldest daughter of Marquis Pingyang's manor, accustomed to a life of luxury and fine dining. After marrying Chu Chenyi, she had to suffer with him.
"Sister Feng Jin, you went to ask him for money, but you didn't get a single cent, did you?"
Lin Yuwei immediately guessed what had happened. Given Chu Chenyi's current impoverished state, he certainly wouldn't have been able to give her any money.
"Don't even mention it. He's truly poor! He's a prince, how could he be this poor!"
She still couldn't fathom how Chu Chenyi had become so impoverished. Feng Jin furrowed her brows, her mind filled with questions and bewilderment.
"He's... foolish..."
Lin Yuwei said helplessly. After a pause, she added with resignation, "His salary was never much to begin with. Furthermore, Consort Yi Jing's maternal family had long fallen into decline and left Chu Chenyi with no inheritance. On top of that, he uses a portion of his salary to support the families of fallen soldiers. The household staff have also been living frugally with him, so naturally, there's no money."
Not to mention that she occasionally had to contribute money herself to make ends meet. If it weren't for doing small businesses with Sister Feng Jin, she would have lost her dowry.
Upon hearing Lin Yuwei's explanation, Feng Jin's face fell further. "It seems my money is truly hard to get back."
"Sister Feng Jin, why don't I help..."
"No need. Debts have their owners. Whoever owes money should pay it back. Besides, do I really lack that little bit of money?"
Her current assets, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say, were enough to rival the nation's wealth. Why would she truly care about such a small sum? She merely wanted to use this as an excuse to pressure Chu Chenyi.
"You, dear, don't you foolishly use all your private savings to subsidize him. Women need to have financial security. Remember, men are untrustworthy; having money in your own pocket is the most important thing!"
She was also worried that this foolish girl wouldn't be swayed by Chu Chenyi's sweet talk and foolishly give away all her money.
"I understand, Sister Feng Jin, don't worry. I would never do such a foolish thing."
Lin Yuwei patted her chest to assure Feng Jin. She was clear about this matter and would never do anything so foolish.
She had to guard her little treasury carefully, especially since Chu Chenyi's ulterior motives were known to everyone. He was constantly eyeing her finances, and if she wasn't careful, he might steal it all. She really needed to be vigilant.
"It's good that you understand."
Feng Jin murmured. However, seeing that Lin Yuwei wasn't some brainless love-struck fool, she likely wouldn't do anything so silly.
Still, she had truly wasted her efforts this time and schemed in vain, only to end up with nothing.
After all this, Chu Chenyi turned out to be an empty shell with a handsome facade. He held the title of prince, but in reality, his life was quite miserable.
They were both princes, yet the difference between them was so vast. She wondered what kind of father Emperor Xuanwen was, to treat his sons so differently. It was truly excessive.
"I won't talk to you anymore. Since I came here for nothing and have so little time, I'll be going back now."
Since she didn't get what she wanted, she didn't want to waste any more time here. It was better to return to her residence and rest in bed.
"Sister Feng Jin, you're leaving already? You've only just arrived. Stay a bit longer. I've already asked the kitchen to prepare food, all your favorites. At least have a meal before you go."
Lin Yuwei genuinely wanted Feng Jin to stay for a meal. As soon as Feng Jin arrived, she had instructed the kitchen to prepare food, catering to Feng Jin's preferences.
Seeing that the meal was almost ready, she absolutely had to make Sister Feng Jin stay.
She had been living at the Ling manor, eating and drinking for free for so long, and Sister Feng Jin had always been very kind to her. Now that Sister Feng Jin had finally visited, she couldn't let her leave hungry.
She stepped forward and hugged Feng Jin's arm, pulling her back with all her might, stubbornly refusing to let Feng Jin leave.
Considering Lin Yuwei's unborn child, Feng Jin dared not move much when being pulled back, fearing that an accidental movement might harm the baby.
After a brief struggle, Feng Jin finally relented, allowing Lin Yuwei to pull her back.
"Sister Feng Jin, just sit here comfortably and leave after eating."
She still had so many things she wanted to tell Sister Feng Jin, so how could she let her leave so easily?
Feng Jin was also at a loss with Lin Yuwei's persistence. Moreover, with Lin Yuwei carrying a child, even if she didn't care about Lin Yuwei herself, she had to consider the unborn child. She ultimately chose to stay.
"But we've agreed, you'll leave after eating. I have those two boys at home waiting for me."
It was all out of concern for her children. Otherwise, she could have stayed longer to accompany Lin Yuwei. But after having children, her entire heart was devoted to them, leaving no room for anyone else. Even Ling Mohan had to step aside now.
"Don't worry, Sister Feng Jin. I'll personally escort you back after dinner. You can rest assured."