Father, who is both a heir and a descendant, is still biased; the bound system has gone berserk.

Ying Yufu's gaze fell on the peach wood comb, remembering that her older cousin seemed to like peach wood combs.

She was about to walk up and buy a peach wood comb like this. Although the comb wasn't expensive, she was happy as long as her older cousin liked it.

Just then, Xiao Dian's voice rang out, "[Host, take a look at the system shop. There are even better peach wood combs there, and the prices are reasonable.]"

Upon hearing this, Ying Yufu immediately asked curiously, "Little Dian, you're even selling goods now?"

Xiao Dian was immediately embarrassed and annoyed. [Host, don't talk nonsense. I was just offering a friendly suggestion. The peach wood combs in the system shop are imbued with the essence of heaven and earth; they're very good for your health.]

Ying Yufu's eyes lit up immediately. [Xiao Dian, why didn't you say so sooner? How many points per round?]

[It only costs ten points per game.]

Ying Yufu's eyes lit up, and she said, "Little Madman, I want thirty!"

Xiao Dian was truly shocked. [Goodness gracious, host! You really don't care about spending points. I thought you'd only buy one, but you bought thirty!]

Ying Yufu said, "I have too many people to deliver to."

【All right. 】

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on successfully purchasing thirty peach wood combs. The system has deducted 300 points. Your original points were 19216, and your current point balance is 18916.]

Suddenly, 30 peach wood combs appeared in Ying Yufu's space.

Ying Yufu took out a comb and presented it to the Crown Prince, saying, "Your Highness, this comb, made from a divine artifact, can nourish the body."

The prince took it and held it in his hands with great joy.

Is this a token of love that Fu'er gave me?

They had never exchanged gifts before; this was the first time Ying Yufu had given a gift to the Crown Prince.

The previous elixirs and other items don't count; the comb is what makes it all the more ambiguous.

Ying Yufu was slightly conflicted. In fact, she hadn't originally intended to use the comb as a token of their love.

She hadn't even considered sending the Crown Prince a token of their love.

However, since the Crown Prince had said so, she pursed her lips shyly and said, "I suppose so!"

The Crown Prince looked at her with a smile in his eyes and said, "In that case, I also have a return gift for Fu'er."

Ying Yufu was taken aback, her eyes brightening slightly as she looked at the Crown Prince.

She was momentarily stunned.

This was truly the first time a man had ever given her a gift.

In the past, she was the one who gave gifts to others.

Before she and Cang Mingze broke off their engagement, she was the one who gave Cang Mingze gifts. Cang Mingze accepted her gifts as a matter of course and never returned any gifts.

Ying Yufu was somewhat flattered.

Seeing the girl's obvious helplessness, the Crown Prince's eyes darkened slightly, and he said, "Exchanging tokens of love is a very common practice between couples who are about to get married."

As the prince spoke, he took out a brocade box from his bosom and handed it to Ying Yufu.

Ying Yufu took the brocade box in a daze, carefully opened it, and inside lay a lustrous and delicate auspicious cloud jade pendant.

The words "wealth and peace" and "long life" on the jade pendant immediately caught the eye.

It features a ruyi pattern and blooming peonies, making it intricate and exquisite.

The jade was as fine as mutton fat, without a single impurity, and had a smooth, lustrous sheen, clearly indicating that its owner had worn it for many years and never parted with it.

"This is the peace pendant I have worn since birth. Now I give it to Fu'er. From now on, I belong to Fu'er."

The prince spoke gently, his eyes smiling. Ying Yufu snapped the brocade box shut, her face flushing red.

It's so embarrassing.

Seeing her darting around and embarrassed expression, the Crown Prince's eyes softened.

If he had known she would be so happy with the gift, he would have given it to her sooner.

Ying Yufu put the brocade box away. "I will accept this token of love from His Highness the Crown Prince."

After a while, Ying Yufu composed herself and put the brocade box into her spatial storage.

……

The Yuan family residence.

In a secluded courtyard, Yuan Jingchen and Bai Mei sat facing each other.

The peach wood comb sat quietly in front of the two of them.

"Is this the peach wood comb my cousin mentioned, the token he was going to give to that noble lady?"

I felt sorry for Bai Mei, who looked at the peach wood comb with a bitter expression.

This comb is so much better than the one she uses.

She likes it too.

But thinking of her cousin's plan, she could only suppress her reluctance.

Moreover, the thirty coins for this comb were a large sum of money for her and her cousin.

They would never normally spend thirty coins to buy a comb.

Yuan Jingchen's expression was very calm. He looked at Bai Mei and said, "Cousin, once I've accomplished my mission, I'll definitely give you the best, not just a comb."

Bai Mei's eyes finally reddened. She nodded, "I know, I support my cousin's decision. Mei'er wishes my cousin's wish will come true."

Yuan Jingchen was also moved. He reached out and gently grasped Bai Mei's hand, "When my cousin rises to prominence in the future, I will never let Mei down."

"Cousin, Mei'er is willing to wait for you. From childhood to adulthood, Mei'er's world has only consisted of you. If you are going to marry a noble lady, could you take Mei'er with you?"

Mei'er was willing to serve her cousin as a maid, or serve that noble lady, serving tea and other women, without any complaints.

Mei'er only wished to stay with her cousin so she could see him every day.

"Mei'er, why are you doing this?" Yuan Jingchen looked at Bai Mei with deep emotion.

Two lines of clear tears hung on Bai Mei's face. "Cousin, Mei'er can't live without you."

Yuan Jingchen said, "Mei'er, I'm afraid you'll have to suffer for a while. Once I've accomplished my task, I'll speak to that noble lady and ask her to allow me to take you as my concubine."

Although you are a concubine, once you give birth to your child, I will ask your lady to agree to register your child under her name.

Bai Mei nodded. "Cousin, whether you are a concubine or a wife, Mei'er is content as long as you are by my side."

Yuan Jingchen sighed and couldn't help but get up to embrace Bai Mei.

"I really wish that noble lady had such a profound understanding of righteousness as Mei'er."

……

On the sixth day of the first lunar month, many officials and nobles in the capital went to Huangjue Temple to offer incense.

Ying Yufu invited Shangguan Fei, Yao Guang, Hai Mujin, and Xu Ningxiang to go to Huangjue Temple together.

Besides them, a group of noble young men followed behind.

For example, the Crown Prince, Feng Yuheng, and Ying Zhuoxiu, among others.

The plum blossoms at Huangjue Temple are in full bloom during the first month of the lunar calendar, with red and white plum blossoms complementing each other, creating a truly enchanting scene.

"The Purple Plum Grove is truly beautiful; I can't see such a beautiful scene in the southwestern border region," Shangguan Fei exclaimed.

Ying Yufu chuckled, broke off a plum branch, and tucked it into Shangguan Fei's hair bun. The red plum blossoms made Shangguan Fei's scarlet outfit even more radiant and beautiful.

Ying Yufu sized her up for a moment, then clicked her tongue in admiration, "My older cousin is truly heroic and beautiful. I wonder which man is so lucky to win your favor."

Shangguan Fei chuckled, "Fu'er, you little rascal, you've even learned to tease your older cousin now!"

Ying Yufu laughed and stepped back: "I'm about to get married, but my older cousin doesn't even have a fiancé yet, of course I have to tease you!"

Shangguan Fei indeed caught up with them.

Ying Yufu ran even faster.

Shangguan Fei retorted angrily, "Your older cousin isn't even married yet, why should I be in such a hurry?"

Shangguan Zheng, who was standing behind him with a calm expression, was taken aback.

Innocently caught in the crossfire?

He's just here to keep people company, to make up the numbers.

However, seeing his sisters having fun, he simply shook his head helplessly and didn't say anything more.

The Crown Prince smiled and said, "I heard that my cousin's fiancée will be completing her mourning period this year. Congratulations, cousin!"

Shangguan Zheng was taken aback. What did the Crown Prince call him?

Big cousin?

Although his wedding date with Fu'er has been set, they are not yet married. It is too hasty for the Crown Prince to address him in this way.

He thought this to himself, but didn't show it on his face. He said, "Your Highness, it is like this."

"I've heard that Miss Meng is exceptionally talented and was once hailed as the most beautiful woman in the capital. My cousin is truly blessed," Feng Yuheng said with a smile.

Shangguan Zheng's ears turned slightly red.

He had met the Meng family girl once before.

The Meng family's daughter... is indeed as rumored, exceptionally talented and elegant.

However, he had been stationed at the border for the past two years and had neither seen Miss Meng nor written her a letter.

Three years ago, Miss Meng and her family went to Anzhou with Mr. Meng to take up his post, and they have not returned since.

The mourning period is over, and the Meng family should return.

The group chatted and laughed as they dispersed into the woods.

The Crown Prince intended to be alone with Ying Yufu, and the others, sensing the situation, dared not approach to disturb him.

Meanwhile, Yao Guang and Ying Zhuoxiu, and Hai Mujin and Feng Yuheng also found opportunities to be alone together.

Shangguan Fei and Xu Ningxiang stood there, exchanging a glance, both looking rather helpless.

Just then, a figure slowly walked into the plum grove from outside.

"Oh, it's you, young lady!"

The man exclaimed in surprise. Shangguan Fei and Xu Ningxiang turned around and saw Yuan Jingchen standing behind them.

The man was tall and slender, dressed in blue, and had an outstanding demeanor.

Shangguan Fei also recognized Yuan Jingchen and said, "Oh, so it's the young master I met at Hongxiu Pavilion that day."

Yuan Jingchen smiled slightly: "That day at Hongxiu Pavilion, I really have to thank you for your help, otherwise, I would have made a huge fool of myself."

My name is Yuan Jingchen. May I ask your name, young lady?

Xu Ningxiang glanced at Shangguan Fei, a hint of gossip flashing in her eyes.

She was not very familiar with Shangguan Fei since this was her first time dealing with her, so she didn't want to make a direct joke at the moment. Instead, she silently watched the show unfold.

Shangguan Fei was well aware of Xu Ningxiang's gossipy gaze, but she remained calm and said, "It was just a casual gesture, young master, you don't need to take it to heart."

Shangguan Fei had no intention of getting to know him well, nor did she reveal her name.

He turned and left with Xu Ningxiang.

Yuan Jingchen's eyes darkened.

Shangguan Fei didn't respond at all.

If she doesn't fall for his trap, how can he continue his act?

"Girl, wait!" he called out hurriedly.

He caught up with the two of them in a few quick steps and said, "Miss, I have no other intentions. It's just that I am very grateful for your help that day, and your beautiful image has often flashed through my mind these past few days."

I observed that the young lady had a lithe figure and a weapon around her waist, but she didn't have any of the things a woman would use. A few days ago, I saw this item by the roadside and inexplicably felt that the young lady would like it, so I bought it on a whim.

I wish to present this item to you, young lady, and hope you will not find my kind intentions distasteful.

As Yuan Jingchen spoke, he took out the peach wood comb from his pocket and showed it to Shangguan Fei.

Shangguan Fei's expression was unreadable, but Xu Ningxiang's brows furrowed.

This man is so reckless; he gave the woman such a thing after only meeting her once.

It's inevitable that this will cause misunderstandings.

Yuan Jingchen is very confident.

He knew that his actions were abrupt, and that an ordinary woman would probably be angry, let alone fall for him.

But Shangguan Fei was different from other women.

Two years ago, he went to the southwest to pay respects to his maternal grandparents and happened to see Shangguan Fei once.

At that time, she heard Shangguan Fei tell her parents that if one day a handsome man, dressed in green, were to give her a peach wood comb, she would marry him.