After returning to her room, Hua Qingqing shut the door and refused to come out.
When it was time for lunch, the Old Madam sent someone to invite her to eat, but she declined, using the excuse that she was feeling unwell.
At the dining table, Hua Dingzong was beaming, constantly toasting Prince Zhao with a broad, happy smile on his face.
Li Ji was in a foul mood and his responses were tepid.
Hua Manman, feeling guilty herself, barely spoke throughout the meal. Even when Hua Dingzong repeatedly gave her meaningful looks, hinting for her to say something to liven up the atmosphere, she pretended not to see and just kept her head down, focusing on her food.
And so, the lunch ended on an awkward note.
Hua Manman and Li Ji returned to the Prince Mansion by carriage.
The two of them didn't exchange a single word the entire way.
Upon returning to the Prince Mansion, Li Ji immediately went to his own residence, the Mountain and Sea Residence.
