Reborn to be without his father but with his son, the prince shouted, "I'm not dead!"

Chapter 81 Purchasing a Betrothal Gift
When Cao Lingru went to find Ji Xiuxu, Daduan was leading the imperial physician to treat Ji Xiuxu.

She was shocked and asked, "What happened to the Duke?"

"For some reason, the Duke's condition has worsened and he can't be woken up even if we call him." Daduan looked worried.

"When did you get sick? How come I didn't know?" Cao Lingru sat beside the bed worriedly, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"The Duke said that Madam had not been sleeping well recently and he didn't want to make her worry."

Cao Lingru caressed Ji Xiuxu's thin face with heartache, blaming her for being so focused on preparing a dowry for Ji Yunchu recently that she didn't notice Ji Xiuxu.

"Imperial Physician, how is the Duke?"

"It's nothing serious. It's just that he's old, and the Duke has been worrying too much lately, which has caused his condition to worsen."

The imperial physician's eyes flickered, and he looked up at Daduan calmly.

"Is the Duke angry again?"

When Cao Lingru saw Daduan nodded, she thought that the thing that could make Ji Xiuxu angry recently was the trouble between Deng Qiqi and Wei Yanyue.

She suppressed her anger and spoke in a gentle tone.

"Please ask the imperial physician to treat the Duke well. Please let me know what herbs you need. When the Duke is well, the Duke's Mansion will reward you handsomely."

The imperial physician forced a smile and said, "The Duke's condition is too serious. I will try my best."

"It's bad!" Yuan Niang walked quickly to Cao Lingru's side, "The people in the shop are clamoring for four months' salary, otherwise they will quit their job."

Cao Lingru felt a headache.

Those people were different from the servants in the mansion. She didn't have a contract to sell her body, so she couldn't control them.

"Ma'am, if they don't work, we won't be able to find anyone for a while."

"Ask someone to invite your cousin to go and take a look." Cao Lingru decided not to help Deng Qiqi buy the betrothal gifts.

Deng Qiqi should be able to understand the difficulties faced by the Duke's Mansion.

……

"My cousin, you've seen it too. It's not that the Duke's Mansion doesn't want to help you, it's that the Duke's Mansion really has no other way."

Yuan Niang said gently and kindly, "Ever since the Duke's Mansion split up, the Duke's Mansion has been cutting back on spending."

Deng Qiqi felt uncomfortable. Those people were making a fuss about asking for monthly payment, but they came at this time instead of earlier or later. It was obvious that they were trying to make things difficult for him.

What will he bring to Nanhou Mansion to propose marriage tomorrow?
"I heard that the eldest lady's dowry is quite a lot. Can you give me some of it? Otherwise, lend it to me to support the occasion and return it after I get married."

Cao Lingru stared in disbelief, "Deng Qiqi, your marriage is your own business. The Duke's Mansion is willing to help you with the betrothal gifts because of my sister-in-law's face. But now the Duke's Mansion is in trouble and can't help you. You force the Duke's Mansion to help you. Is there any justice in this world?"

"But the eldest lady said she would help me." Deng Qiqi said unwillingly.

"Qi'er, are you telling the truth?" Deng Huajie heard that someone came to the Duke's Mansion to ask for money. She guessed that the Duke's wife would take this opportunity to not help Deng Qiqi buy the betrothal gifts, so she hurried over to help.

Deng Qiqi said solemnly, "Yes, the eldest lady promised it herself."

Deng Huajie was delighted. She regarded Deng Qiqi as her own son. She was happy to see that the eldest wife could provide money and effort.

"Sister-in-law, your daughter has already spoken. It would be inappropriate for you to refuse, right?" His tone was quite sarcastic.

Seeing that they all wanted to gain benefits from her, Cao Lingru became so angry that her face turned blue.

"Someone, go get the young lady over here."

When Ji Yunchu heard that Deng Qiqi was forcing Cao Lingru to prepare a betrothal gift, she made her attitude clear as soon as she appeared.

"My dear cousin, please stop slandering me. When did I ever agree to use my dowry to buy your betrothal gifts? As a man, is it appropriate for you to use a girl's dowry as a betrothal gift?"

"You..." Deng Qiqi pointed at Ji Yunchu and was speechless for a moment.

He glanced at Cao Lingru and said boldly.

"Madam, the Duke, the eldest lady said that you wanted to marry Ji Anyu to me and tricked me into going to Jinghua Tower, otherwise what happened between Miss Wei and me would never have happened." Cao Lingru was surprised. She turned her head and saw Ji Yunchu looking calm and composed, and she immediately did not believe what Deng Qiqi said.

"Ji Anyu has already separated from the Duke's Mansion. She is not my daughter. How could I possibly talk about marrying her off? Deng Qiqi, you lie without thinking. You can even make up such a lie. It's ridiculous."

Deng Qiqi did not expect that the Duke's wife trusted Ji Yunchu so much. He looked at Deng Huajie anxiously.

"What I said is real."

"That's enough!" Cao Lingru was furious. "Deng Qiqi, your food, clothing and other expenses are all paid for by our mansion, and now you are plotting against my daughter. Sister-in-law, he is a member of your family, and you should pay for the betrothal gifts. I don't care about his marriage anymore!"

"This..." Deng Huajie pleaded, "Sister-in-law, Qi'er is marrying the daughter of the Nanhou Mansion, so we must not neglect the etiquette. I... I come from a humble family, so how can I understand those things? If I lose the etiquette, the Duke's Mansion will be ridiculed."

Cao Lingru regained his senses, "I allow him to marry a wife in the Duke's Mansion, it's just the betrothal gift, I don't care, if he continues to make trouble, he will get out!"

Deng Qiqi fell silent instantly when he saw Deng Huajie, and gritted his teeth, holding a grudge against what happened today in his heart.

Ji Yunchu sneered, an ignorant outsider wanted to take control of the Duke's Mansion. The Duke's Mansion had done its utmost by not kicking the person out.

Jifu.

"Miss, the Duke's wife really doesn't want to buy a betrothal gift for Deng Qiqi."

Ji Anyu peeled the orange slowly.

"Spread the news that Deng Qiqi will go to Nanhou Mansion to propose marriage tomorrow. I remember there is a teahouse not far from Nanhou Mansion. You can book a seat and we will go and take a look tomorrow."

The next day, Deng Qiqi went out with no desire, followed by eight servants carrying the betrothal gifts, most of the boxes contained bedding.

His betrothal gift was so shabby because Ji Qinqin disregarded their past friendship and tried to stop her mother from helping him, so her mother had to buy some secretly.

He just hoped that the people from Nanhou Mansion would not open the box containing the bedding.

He didn't dare go there with gongs and drums, for fear of being driven out of Nanhou Mansion.

Unexpectedly, there were many people standing outside Nanhou Mansion. Deng Qiqi was shocked. He wanted to propose marriage in a low-key manner, but why now...

When the housekeeper of Nanhou Mansion opened the door, he mistakenly thought that Deng Qiqi had brought a lot of people to show off, and he immediately smiled from ear to ear.

"Mr. Deng is here, please come in, come in, and accept the betrothal gifts."

Suddenly someone started to make a fuss.

"Open it and let us have a look."

"This young man is really generous. He brought several large boxes. I guess they must have contained a lot of good things."

……

Deng Qiqi was flustered and his hatred towards Ji Yunchu deepened.

"How can we let outsiders see the betrothal gifts? Butler, please move into the mansion as soon as possible."

The matchmaker knew what was inside, and the silver in her sleeve reminded her to join in.

"Yes, yes, housekeeper, please move in quickly."

Wei Luoyan, who came out to greet them, felt strange when he saw this and asked the butler to carry the betrothal gifts into the house first.

Deng Qiqi breathed a sigh of relief calmly and bowed to Wei Luoyan.

"Master Wei, I am honored to be here."

"Hmph!" Wei Luoyan was unhappy with Deng Qiqi and did not give Deng Qiqi a good look.

If it weren't for his momentary negligence, his sister would not have given it to Deng Qiqi.

Wei Luoyan looked up inadvertently and saw Ji Anyu sitting in the teahouse drinking tea, and Shen Jing was standing next to Ji Anyu.

It was obvious that he came to laugh at the Nanhou Mansion.

The handsome man and beautiful woman instantly hurt his eyes and made him furious!
(End of this chapter)