Jingrou knows many things, but this is something she doesn't know, but she does.

At first, he subconsciously didn't tell her the recipe, which puzzled him. But after he got back, he figured it was probably because he wanted to master a skill that Jingrou didn't have and enjoy her admiring gaze!

It was this slight vanity that kept him from telling Jingrou the recipe, instead keeping it to himself!

To make her rely on him more, just like what's happening now... Jingrou will especially look forward to the roast duck he makes, and she will focus all her attention on him.

I guess I got a little bit of her under my thumb. If I had told her how to roast lamb beforehand, she wouldn't be getting this kind of perk now.

Jingrou knew he was hiding it from her, but the thought of the delicious mutton made her ignore it!

Moreover, if someone roasts a lamb for her, she's happy to slack off and won't care why it's him who's roasting it.

Since the last time, Yinreng learned from Yinzhi that he liked Wenying, Yinreng went to tell Jingrou. After thinking it over and discussing it with Yinreng, Jingrou still told Wenying about it - she really didn't want to keep it from her good friend.

Moreover, after much deliberation, he still felt that he should let his girlfriends know, even though he thought that someone who could be recognized by Yinreng couldn't be too bad.

However, the First Prince had left a very bad impression on him, and even if she was resented by the First Prince, he was determined to help his little sister!

Moreover, Jingrou thought that if the eldest prince really had such intentions and wanted to treat Wenying sincerely, he would definitely not use such a thing to force her!

Then let's see how the eldest prince expresses himself. If the eldest prince can really move Wen Ying, then Jing Rou will accept it, since it's a matter between the two of them... But she wants to help Wen Ying as much as she can within her capabilities, at least not let her be threatened by the eldest prince and forced to agree to this matter, or do something against her own will!

Later, Yinzhi pointed at Yinreng and said that he had forgotten his friends because of a beautiful woman!

There was nothing he could do. He had been hoping that the Crown Prince would put in a good word for him and get Wen Ying to come out, but now she was avoiding him instead!

Upon closer examination, it became clear that the Crown Prince was behind it all! But he wasn't stupid; this whole affair revealed Wen Ying's attitude to him.

At the very least, people didn't want to see him, a reality that left him feeling extremely frustrated.

This caused Yinzhi to be very frustrated, and even though he was the one who initially organized the banquet, he was not very enthusiastic.

It's clear that Wenying didn't come this time.

After hearing what Jingrou said, she was both panicked and at a loss, but she subconsciously chose to avoid him. Although she disliked the eldest prince and disagreed with some of his actions, the difference in their status made Wenying subconsciously afraid that he would force her.

Moreover, after learning of his thoughts, Wen Ying had an indescribable feeling. His mind was in turmoil, and he couldn't think straight, so he decided to avoid it this time.

Back at the estate, Yinreng led Jingrou to select mutton. Since it was to be roasted for him, he let Jingrou decide which cut of mutton to roast.

At this moment, Yinzhi had just cut it open with a knife—he had been very well prepared for this matter from the beginning and was also very enthusiastic.

Ultimately, the emperor granted them a great deal of freedom, and the palace maids and eunuchs didn't need to do these things themselves...

He had originally thought that it would be very interesting if Wenying came along; he could cut the meat for her and grill it for her... But if she didn't come, then all his arrangements would be meaningless; even if he cut the meat, he would be listless...

When Minghui and the others first arrived, they were a little unaccustomed to not having anyone to serve them. But they gradually relaxed and are still riding horses right now, not back yet!

"Hmph... My second brother, the Crown Prince, has returned on horseback with his family, while I, poor brother, am left alone here..." Yinzhi said sourly.

He seemed to be shrouded in a sense of dejection. He hadn't come prepared today. Usually, he speaks loudly and clearly, as if his voice comes from his diaphragm, and his eyes are always bright. But at this moment, they were dim, making him look particularly pitiful.

It was like an abandoned wolfhound, so majestic, yet displaying an expression completely opposite to its appearance.

Even if he said something bad, Yinreng wouldn't feel like blaming him.

Actually, compared to anger, Yinzhi felt more bitterness in his heart. This bitterness made him temporarily disregard Yinreng's "betrayal" of him by revealing the matter.

It was as if his youthful feelings and emotions had been suddenly cut short. Even though he already knew that Wen Ying probably didn't like him, knowing that and seeing her avoiding him were two completely different things...

So he seemed very depressed all day, and seeing others so cheerful made him feel completely listless.

Yinreng sighed inwardly, "Brother, if you keep teasing me and Jingrou like this, I'll get angry." As he said this, his eyes nervously fell on Jingrou. Seeing that she didn't show any unusual reaction, he breathed a sigh of relief, but felt a little disappointed.

Ignoring the disappointment, he continued, "Brother, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. At least Princess Wenying knows your feelings. In the future, you'll be able to think more clearly about what you want to do, without having to worry about the consequences. The most important thing now is to let Princess Wenying see your sincerity, instead of wallowing in self-pity here. Seeing Princess Wenying's attitude, don't you know you're leaving a bad impression?"

These words made Yinzhi even more dejected, but he raised his head again, his eyes filled with thought.

"The impression wasn't very good..."

How come he never realized before that the Crown Prince was such a treacherous person, and that it hurt so much when he was stabbed in the back!

Jingrou left silently... She felt something was off listening to them. They were talking about her best friend, but seeing the eldest prince like this, she couldn't bring herself to be sarcastic or dissatisfied.