The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 613: This King Doesn’t Agree (1)_1

In this respect, Li Yanran could definitely be considered selfish. After returning from the Old Madam’s room, all she could think about was what outfit to wear.

She busied herself with grooming and dressing up early in the morning, completely forgetting to notify her parents about Chu Suifeng’s impending visit.

"Prince, Miss, please," Marquis Li heard the gatekeeper deliver the message and ran out to greet them hurriedly before he could even straighten his clothes.

When he came out and saw Lin Ziyin standing next to Chu Suifeng, he felt a pang in his chest. However, being a sly old fox, he managed to hide his displeasure. His face broke into a warm smile as he cordially greeted Chu Suifeng and Lin Ziyin.

Only when he saw Marquis Li stepping aside did Chu Suifeng, satisfied, hold Lin Ziyin’s hand and start walking inside.

Congyi snickered quietly behind them. At least Marquis Li had the wits to understand his place. Congyi was sure that if Marquis Li dared to act superior in front of the Prince, the Prince would find a reason to make the Marquis Residence uncomfortable upon his return.

"The Old Madam has been worried about you every day of the two months you were out on a campaign," Marquis Li knew that Chu Suifeng did not like him. Yet, unwilling to be ignored, he racked his brains to strike up a conversation and catch Chu Suifeng’s attention on their way in.

Choosing the Old Madam as the topic of conversation was the most suitable choice within the Marquis Residence.

As for Lin Ziyin, she assumed the role of a devoted wife and mother. She didn’t know Marquis Li well, and since she was a woman, as long as the conversation didn’t steer towards her, she didn’t need to engage in his banter.

Moreover, Lin Ziyin found Marquis Li, a man who changed loyalties with the wind, distasteful. So, no matter what he said, she only needed to maintain a smile.

"How is the Old Madam’s health?" Chu Suifeng’s mood had been particularly good lately, making it rare for him to speak amiably with Marquis Li.

It had been a long time since Marquis Li had seen the Prince speak to him pleasantly. Initially startled, he felt a surge of joy. As it turned out, talking about the Old Madam was indeed the right choice.

"I am touched by the Prince’s concern." Marquis Li’s eyes brimmed with happiness, feeling that the day had started on a good note. "The Old Madam spends most of her time praying and recuperating in the backyard. The Wang Residence had a heating wall set up for the winter, making the room particularly warm. Her cough has lessened considerably this winter. However..."

He began to hesitate midway through his speech.

As a former military academy professor, Lin Ziyin was proficient in psychology and skilled at reading people. Despite Marquis Li’s hesitations, with his troubled demeanor, she was sure that he was overjoyed at this moment.

Clearly, Marquis Li, a cunning old fox, was playing hard to get, hoping to attract Chu Suifeng’s attention.

As it involved the Old Madam, Chu Suifeng was indeed interested, "How so?"

Noticing the displeasure on his face, Marquis Li quickly finished his sentence, "The Old Madam seems to have reduced her food intake recently, and has lost quite a bit of weight."

So that’s what it was. They had thought Marquis Li would reveal some big secret.

Even Lin Ziyin, an outsider, knew that while the Old Madam appeared to be healthy, her internal health was deteriorating. Chu Suifeng had said that she wouldn’t survive this winter, and as it was already early December, it meant the Old Madam did not have much time left.