“Okay.” Ji Wushang nodded, then opened the door. “Let them sit in the courtyard for a while, and I’ll make some snacks.”
"Yes." The maid withdrew.
Ji Wushang looked at Nan Xuzong, who was currently sipping tea, and asked, "Will you come with me?"
“Of course.” His eyes were deep. “Anyway, I don’t have anything important to do.”
"Alright." Ji Wushang immediately had Xian'er bring over some prepared pastries from the private kitchen. In the Marquis's mansion, only the Marquis, Aunt Zhao, Nan Xuzong, and Nan Jinxue had private kitchens.
As the thread was brought out, Ji Wushang went over to take a look, then nodded, "Alright, take it out!"
Xian'er bowed slightly and said, "Yes." Then she took it out.
Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang walked together into the courtyard outside.
Upon entering the courtyard, they saw Aunt Zhao and Miss Zhao sitting at the table outside, with Zhu'er and Xian'er entertaining them by bringing out plenty of snacks and fruits for them to enjoy.
When Zhao Yirou saw Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong arrive, her eyes widened in amazement. Her gaze lingered on Nan Xuzong's deep-set eyes; she had never seen such a gentle and refined man before. Though his face was cold, the tenderness he showed towards Ji Wushang, whether intentionally or unintentionally, filled her with envy!
He was wearing a jade crown and sitting in a slightly yellow wheelchair. His crescent-white robe made him look even more handsome. He had seen Nan Jinxue before. Nan Jinxue's nobility and elegance were superficial, but he had a domineering aura that could intimidate the world from the bottom of his bones. However, he deliberately restrained it, so that he revealed a gentle feeling.
Sensing that someone was watching him, Nan Xuzong suddenly looked up, his sharp gaze immediately sweeping across Zhao Yirou. Zhao Yirou was startled and quickly lowered her head.
Nan Xuzong was displeased. He wasn't some kind of monster, so why was he being looked at like that?
Ji Wushang looked at Zhao Yirou with her head down, and saw anger in Nan Xuzong's eyes. He immediately felt that his beloved possession was being coveted.
Ji Wushang frowned. He was his own!
Ji Wushang stepped forward and said with a smile, "Aunt Zhao, Miss Zhao."
"Young Master, this is Miss Zhao Biao," Aunt Zhao introduced.
Zhao Yirou smiled gently, "Greetings, Your Highness and Your Highness's Consort."
Nan Xuzong's face was icy cold. He didn't even glance at Zhao Yirou, nor did he say a word. He simply pushed his wheelchair and stood beside Ji Wushang. His expression seemed to say, "I don't like you here! Get the hell out of here!"
Ji Wushang smiled and sat down in front of them. "Don't blame Cong. He's not used to interacting with others. Cong..." Ji Wushang gestured to Nan Xucong with his eyes, and Nan Xucong nodded. "Greetings, Aunt Zhao, Miss Zhao!" His tone was cold, as if he had been forced to do so.
Aunt Zhao sneered inwardly. He doted on Ji Wushang so much, disregarding everyone else in the manor. She was determined to put Zhao Yirou between them, to make them resentful! Let's see how they'll gang up on us in the future!
Aunt Zhao asked, "Has the young master not left the manor?"
"With my beloved wife by my side, I won't leave the house." He said, giving Ji Wushang a suggestive look. Ji Wushang blushed instantly. How could this man speak like that in front of so many people! Wasn't he making her incredibly embarrassed? If word got out, people would think that she and he were having a wild night together!
"Um... are these snacks good? Should we ask the kitchen to make more?" Ji Wushang awkwardly changed the subject, and as he spoke, he squeezed Nan Xuzong's palm to stop him from talking nonsense!
Nan Xuzong watched her lips move gently as she spoke, her eyes filled with tenderness. She clenched her own hands, and he, in turn, grasped her delicate hand, tenderly caring for it. She tried to pull her hand away, but he held it tightly.
Listening to their conversation and their subtle interactions, Zhao Yirou sensed their deep affection. She wondered what would happen if she were in their way. She wasn't sure what would happen if she managed to oust Ji Wushang, but would she still be this sweet with him afterward?
Aunt Zhao smiled, "Yi Rou, what do you think of these pastries?" Even though they were aunt and niece, she still had to ask the guest first. Besides, this was also a way of passing the buck to Zhao Yi Rou, letting her decide for herself.
Zhao Yirou chuckled again in her melodious voice, "The snacks were delicious, thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness and Your Highness."
"I'm glad you like it." Ji Wushang nodded with a smile. They haven't even tasted it yet and they're already saying it's delicious? Are they afraid I'll poison them?! Humph!
"Then I wonder what brings Aunt Zhao and Miss Zhao to Moxuan Garden? Oh, right, I heard last night that you weren't feeling well, and when I went to see you this morning, you weren't awake yet! Fortunately, you've recovered, thank goodness!"
As Aunt Zhao listened to Ji Wushang's words, her anger surged. She never imagined she would experience such severe abdominal cramps! The investigation yielded nothing! She had only come to Moxuan Garden to check on Ji Wushang and see if she had any clues!
"It's just a minor issue with the food. It's nothing serious!" Aunt Zhao said.
Just then, a maid came in to report, "Aunt Zhao, Your Highness, Your Highness's Wife, the plump head maid has arrived and says she has something to say to you, Aunt Zhao."
Ji Wushang glanced at Aunt Zhao, then withdrew his hand from Nan Xuzong's palm. His eyes told him that he was thirsty before he let go. Ji Wushang then gracefully drank a cup of tea.
Aunt Zhao said, "Then let her in!" Since Nan Xuzong and the other man hadn't said anything, she could speak up!
Huanfei entered, and upon seeing Ji Wushang's slightly raised gaze, she trembled and immediately knelt on the ground. Should she speak...? Well, she should still speak, while her aunt was with her and the young master. If she spoke, perhaps her aunt would punish the young master's wife! It would be good to vent her anger for the servants in this mansion!
"What is it?" Aunt Zhao sneered.
"Auntie, for some reason, the Crown Princess dismissed many of the servants this morning. The servants are complaining, and I can't bear to see it, so I'm asking you to take charge..." said the head maid, Huanfei.
Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao's face paled instantly. Thinking back, she realized why there weren't many servants at Zhuangshu Garden that morning, and why there were so many unfamiliar faces! She was already furious when Ji Wushang replaced all her informants planted in various courtyards, except for those in Zhuangshu Garden, but she had to endure it because Ji Wushang was the head of the household and had the right to do so. But now, she was even replacing the people in her own Zhuangshu Garden?
Has Ji Wushang eaten the gall of a thousand-year-old leopard?
"Wu Shang, what's going on!" Aunt Zhao almost snorted, barely containing her anger as it was about to explode.
Anyway, the men in this mansion won't interfere with the affairs of the inner courtyard, so it's not unreasonable for Aunt Zhao to question Ji Wushang in front of him!
Aunt Zhao had already stabbed Ji Wushang countless times in her heart, seeing him as a villain!
Seeing that she was getting angry, Ji Wushang knew he would not back down!
"My aunt just said that the problem lies with the food! May I ask who prepared this food? I went to check on several aunts and young ladies before dawn, and they all suffered from food poisoning to varying degrees! I am in the same boat, barely managing to manage this courtyard! Ultimately, it's because of the pastries made by my aunt and Miss Zhao last night! May I ask, Aunt Zhao, if it's not a problem with the servants in your Zhuangshu Garden, then whose problem is it?" Ji Wushang sneered.
Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao's face turned deathly pale. "You vile woman, how dare you say such a thing!" she thought. Her implication was that if it wasn't the servants' fault, then it was Aunt Zhao and Zhao Yirou's scheme! This way, she would inevitably have to say it was the servants' fault, and thus, punishing them—whether by beating them to death or expelling them from the mansion—would be perfectly reasonable and even humane!
"Auntie, am I right? Why don't we investigate thoroughly and see who did it, whether it was a servant or someone else!" Ji Wushang had no intention of letting them off the hook!
Nan Xuzong smiled slightly, not participating in the struggle, as if he were invisible.
Seeing the tense standoff between Aunt Zhao and Ji Wushang, Zhao Yirou felt a chill run down her spine. She couldn't help but look up at Nan Xuzong, but Nan Xuzong's gaze was like a knife, cutting into her eyes. Zhao Yirou immediately dared not look again and lowered her head.
Aunt Zhao gritted her teeth as she listened to Ji Wushang's words, "Wushang is right! But you must question them carefully! There are many innocent people involved, so don't make a mistake!"
"How could I be wrong!" Ji Wushang said, as if he had been prepared, he took out a small folded book from his bosom and placed it in front of Aunt Zhao. He smiled and said, "If Aunt Zhao feels there is any ambiguity, take a look at this folded book and see if Wushang has made a mistake!"
Aunt Zhao snorted coldly, took the document, and opened it to read. Each page contained information about the servants, including their names, ages, appearances, positions they held, things they had done, and, more specifically, their crimes related to the meal!
Seeing Aunt Zhao's face gradually turn pale, Ji Wushang felt slightly satisfied and looked at Nan Xuzong. Nan Xuzong took Ji Wushang's hand and placed it in his own palm, ignoring everyone else.
"Aunt Zhao has already seen it. What do you think? Did I handle it properly?" Ji Wushang looked at her coldly.
"Alright!" The charges have all been listed. Even if Aunt Zhao had extraordinary abilities, she couldn't change these facts, let alone punish Ji Wushang! Nan Xuzong is right here. If she were to touch Ji Wushang, who knows what kind of reaction he would have!
"Very well." Ji Wushang sneered, "Since that's the case, guards, drag the head maid Huanfei away and give her fifty strokes of the cane!"
"What?!" Fifty strokes of the cane and she'd still be alive? Aunt Zhao jumped to her feet immediately. "You want to punish Huanfei! What did she do wrong?!"
"Your Highness! I don't know when I made a mistake that you have to punish me like this!" Huanfei seemed to be completely bewildered, and immediately kowtowed several times to Ji Wushang while kneeling.
Ji Wushang raised an eyebrow. "You came in and immediately said that I dismissed many servants this morning and even asked Aunt Zhao to make the decisions. Am I not the master of this Marquis's mansion? Although I am only half the master, I am still managing the backyard, whether I am helping Aunt Zhao or studying. You came in and started shouting and demanding that Aunt Zhao make the decisions for you! You made such a fuss without even asking what happened. What do you think this place is? Do you even respect me as the Princess Consort?"
Ji Wushang's face was filled with rage, causing the head maid, Huanfei, kneeling on the ground to tremble with fear. She had only come here to give her statement as instructed by the matrons in the courtyard, never expecting such a turn of events! Fifty strokes of the cane—would she even survive? She had parents and a young brother at home; she couldn't die, nor could she lose her job in the Marquis's mansion!
Aunt Zhao was trembling with rage. "You!" she cried, about to question him, when she felt a sharp, murderous gaze upon her. Startled, she looked at the gaze and met Nan Xuzong's sinister eyes, which were now deep and unfathomable. His hand was already fiddling with his golden thread, as if he would unleash it at the slightest dissatisfaction and take a life.
Aunt Zhao was taken aback, and immediately softened her tone, "Princess Consort, please be reasonable. Huanfei was just anxious and didn't know the details, which is why she immediately came in to report to me. You are half the person in charge of the inner courtyard of the Marquis's mansion, so it's only natural that she would report to you!" Damn it, she came at the wrong time. Nan Xuzong was by her side, and she couldn't confront her! Next time, she would definitely make her regret it!
Ji Wushang sneered. "Is this the kind of answer you're going to give?"
"Is that so, Huanfei? Tell me!" Ji Wushang looked at Huanfei kneeling on the ground with interest. Huanfei was Aunt Zhao's head maid. If he punished her, Aunt Zhao would be furious. However, this time, he decided to punish her a little more leniently, just to keep the power of the other concubines in the backyard in check!
"Yes, yes, I was too anxious! Please forgive me, Your Highness. I will definitely repent and serve all my masters well!" Huanfei said, immediately kowtowing again.
Ji Wushang chuckled. So she's changed her address now, calling everyone "masters"! She'd thought only Aunt Zhao was the master of this Marquis's mansion! Ji Wushang said, "Is that the reason... then let's reduce the punishment. After all, Huanfei was indeed wrong. If we let her off easily, the rules of this Marquis's mansion are unacceptable! Guards, give her ten strokes! Just a token gesture!" She spoke lightly, but it fueled Aunt Zhao's hatred!
This way, the punishment of fifty strokes of the cane is reduced to ten. Firstly, it's a minor punishment for Huanfei, while simultaneously telling the servants that Ji Wushang was merciful and gave Zhao Yiniang face by not beating Huanfei to death! Secondly, it demonstrates that Ji Wushang is the true mistress of this Marquis's mansion! A month isn't a long time, and Ji Wushang's rise to become the new mistress of the house is inevitable!
And the Prince of Nan will surely become a future Marquis! So what if he has a leg ailment! He is still the Prince of Nan, and a future Marquis will not easily change his mind!
Nan Xuzong remained expressionless, picked up the teacup in front of him, and took a small sip.
"What are you standing there for! Men, drag him away!" It's already a good thing he wasn't beaten to death; ten lashes are all he'll suffer for a few days! Ji Wushang snorted coldly.
Huanfei knew she had survived and kept kowtowing to Ji Wushang. A rough old woman came forward and dragged Huanfei away.
At this moment, a maidservant stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Young Master, Young Master's Consort, Aunt Zhao, the Second Young Mistress has arrived."
"Who sent her here!" Aunt Zhao shouted resentfully.
The maidservant immediately kowtowed heavily, at a loss for words. Ji Wushang coldly said, "I invited her. Does my Moxuan Garden need Aunt Zhao's permission to invite even one person?"
"I didn't mean that!" Aunt Zhao wished she could bite off her own tongue; she had spoken far too quickly!
"Please let her in," Ji Wushang said to the maid.
"Yes." The maid immediately scrambled down.
When Zhao Yirou heard that Ji Yinxue had arrived, she looked at Aunt Zhao. She and Ji Yinxue were on the same side, and she couldn't say anything just now. This was a matter of the Marquis's mansion, and as a guest, she couldn't get involved.
"What happened at Huanfei just now really made Miss Zhao laugh. I, as a half-head of the family, am still lacking in experience! I'm sorry Miss Zhao laughed at me!" Ji Wushang turned his gaze to Zhao Yirou at this moment.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yirou immediately felt embarrassed. "Your Highness is too modest. I was very impressed by how decisive and efficient you were in handling the matter. How could I possibly laugh at Your Highness?" Forced by Ji Wushang's sharpness, Zhao Yirou had no choice but to retreat in order to avoid giving Ji Wushang any leverage.
Aunt Zhao was even more displeased to hear that Zhao Yirou not only did not contradict Ji Wushang but also flattered her. It was infuriating that her own family was siding with outsiders instead of her!
At this moment, Ji Yinxue, dressed in a light-colored gauze dress, stepped forward with graceful steps and light lotus-like movements. Her forehead was adorned with lotus flower makeup, her cherry lips were dotted with rouge, and her smile was warm and gentle, yet it was hard to tell what was going on. When she saw that there were Aunt Zhao, Zhao Yirou, Ji Wushang, and Nan Xuzong in the courtyard, she glanced at Nan Xuzong a few times before placing her gaze on Zhao Yirou. Unexpectedly, this cousin was also there!
Let's see what they're up to! I heard what Aunt Zhao just said, do they think I didn't hear it from outside?
Ji Wushang stood up and said, "Sister-in-law, it's not good to stand. Come, sit down."
"Greetings, Aunt, elder brother and sister-in-law!" Ji Yinxue greeted them, and then sat down to the side as Ji Wushang had instructed.
"I asked you to come so you could try these new pastries I made," Ji Wushang said, pushing the pastries in front of Ji Yinxue. "My aunt and Miss Zhao both said they were delicious."
"Hehe!" Ji Yinxue smiled. "I don't have much of an appetite, so I won't eat. I ate too much last night and got a stomachache, which made me suffer terribly!" As she spoke, her eyes drifted to Aunt Zhao, as if to say, "It's all your fault for inviting someone to cook for you, causing trouble for everyone in the Marquis's mansion!"
Aunt Zhao snorted coldly, "If you don't like it, then don't eat it! Don't force yourself!"
"Of course!" Ji Yinxue refused to back down and spoke sharply. So what if she was the second young mistress? She was still the mistress! She would do her best to help Nan Jinxue secure his marquisate, and she would let him start making his move tonight! She was his wife, and from then on, she would be the wife of the marquis. At that time, she wouldn't just kick out one Zhao concubine, but a dozen or so Zhao concubines!
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "If you don't have a good appetite, you can eat some light food to soothe your stomach." As he spoke, Ji Wushang put the snacks aside. "I invited Yinxue here this time because my aunt and Miss Zhao are both here at my Moxuan Garden. I feel it would be more lively. Seeing you all here makes me happy!"
"You're happy, but I'm not!" Aunt Zhao sneered inwardly, her brows furrowing as she looked at Zhao Yirou. Zhao Yirou smiled, "Why isn't the young master saying anything?"
"If you don't like it, then don't say so!" Nan Xuzong replied coldly.
Zhao Yirou was shocked, not by his murderous gaze, but by his tone. He really was arrogant!
However, I think I might actually like this kind of aloof, handsome man... Even though he has some physical disabilities, it shouldn't affect my happiness!
Zhao Yirou was secretly plotting something, while Ji Yinxue, observing their expressions and the conversation they had just had, thought to herself, "Could it be that Zhao Yirou has already fallen for Nan Xuzong? If so, she won't have to oppose me and compete for Nan Jinxue! If she were to compete with Ji Wushang for a man, I might be able to help her! As long as she doesn't infringe on my interests but targets others, I can selectively offer my assistance!"
Ji Wushang's expression turned slightly cold as she glanced at Nan Xuzong. Noticing her displeasure, Nan Xuzong said directly, "It's getting late. Wushang is tired. There are still many matters to attend to at the manor." No need for further explanation; everyone was intelligent enough to understand that Nan Xuzong was issuing the order to dismiss her.
Aunt Zhao was feeling frustrated and wanted to explode, but she kept holding back. Fine, she'd leave then, she wouldn't have to keep it all bottled up here anymore!
"Then Yi Rou and I will take our leave first. There are still some matters to attend to in the accounting department!" Aunt Zhao said coldly, then stood up. Zhao Yi Rou gracefully stood up and bowed to Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong. "Then Yi Rou will take her leave first. Thank you again for your hospitality, Your Highness and Your Highness's wife."
"Miss Zhao, you're too kind!" Ji Wushang said indifferently.
Ji Yinxue had only been there a short time when she heard Nan Xuzong kicking people out, and she hadn't even said anything yet! But Aunt Zhao and Zhao Yirou had already left, so why should she stay and get in the way?