"Hmm." The eldest princess nodded. "This is a wolf-hair brush made exclusively for the palace, used only by painters. It seems Miss Ji is truly the greatest painter in the world. Such superb skills would probably put even the painters in the palace to shame!"
Ji Wushang stood up and stepped down from the stage. "Your Highness is too kind. I was merely doing my best. How could I presume to teach such a humble artist? The painters in the palace are truly the best of the best. My work is nothing more than a small, unworthy piece." She then bowed slightly to the crowd. "As for Your Highness's praise of a perfect match, that's a bit of an exaggeration. The Prince of Nan merely added a few strokes, and I simply followed the original style. It's hardly a fine painting. Your Highness's praise is truly undeserved." With that, she returned to her seat.
Upon hearing this, everyone knew that Ji Wushang was trying her best to defend her innocence, and also knew that after all, it wouldn't be good for the reputation of an unmarried woman to have rumors of a perfect match spread.
Nan Xuzong frowned, unsure whether to call her heartless or overly protective of her reputation. He simply felt genuinely uncomfortable; her attempts to distance herself from him were unsettling. He focused his gaze on Ji Wushang's face, but Ji Wushang remained serene, showing no sign of distress.
Nan Xuzong glanced back at her again, sighed inwardly, and then said to the Princess, "Miss Ji is absolutely right. What a match made in heaven? Hehe, I just added a few strokes haphazardly, which ruined the original beauty of the painting. What a pity, what a pity. I wonder if you could give me this painting? It would serve as a reminder to myself that I should paint more carefully in the future, and if I have to add a stroke next time, I must do my best."
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but admire Nan Xuzong's not only profound skill but also his eloquence. He bestowed praise upon Miss Ji, taking the blame upon himself while smoothly navigating the conversation to his main objective—the painting. He didn't mention needing to go all out next time; he had indeed been diligently working with the gold thread, otherwise, he certainly couldn't have produced such a magnificent and powerful work!
Upon hearing this, Nan Jinxue immediately cursed Nan Xuzong in her heart, "How shameless! Asking for a painting in front of everyone, isn't that just showing his admiration for Miss Ji? But he put it so subtly, trying so hard to belittle himself, that he even thought he was asking for the painting to warn her rather than because he liked Ji Wushang's paintings! Doesn't he know that he has a disability, and even if he admires someone, he should keep it in his heart, not be so obvious, making everyone laugh at Miss Ji! But now, his request for the painting is completely undeniable!"
Thinking this to himself, his gaze already drifted towards Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang was also slightly surprised. What was this? Did he want his painting? In front of everyone, he was being so arrogant! He said he just added a few strokes randomly, but he could tell from the strength of the strokes that he put his heart into it!
"No." The Crown Prince spoke, suppressing his anger, and stood up, saying to Nan Xuzong, "This painting was made in the Inner River Garden, and no one is allowed to take it away."
"What about the previous painting?" Nan Xuzong twitched the corner of his mouth, his hands reaching for the gold thread again.
The crown prince glanced at the man's gold hair and immediately took a step back. However, he thought to himself, "I am the crown prince, while he is merely the heir of a minor marquis's household! What do I have to worry about! Even if he has profound internal strength and high martial arts skills, he still has to consider the emperor's face and the face of the royal family! I am the future emperor, what does he think he is!"
“The previous painting has already been blown away by the wind, so let’s leave it for now!” The Crown Prince snorted lightly, speaking calmly.
"Oh?" Nan Xuzong raised his eyes, his eyes seeming to burn with flames as he looked at the Crown Prince, and suddenly laughed, "So, you can't take this painting away today?" His tone was as if the negotiations had broken down and he was about to throw his hat on the spot! This was completely different from his tone before!
No one around dared to make a sound. They never expected that a marquis's son would speak to the crown prince in such a tone!
“Then I can only ask the Empress Dowager for a painting.” Nan Xuzong said casually when everyone around him was silent, his tone as relaxed as if he were talking about the weather.
But the Crown Prince didn't feel relieved. He knew that if it weren't for the Empress Dowager's support, he, the Crown Prince, would have been deposed long ago! What would his position as Crown Prince have mattered? He would have been killed long ago! Nan Jinxue's birth mother, Aunt Zhao, would have crushed him, Nan Xuzong, long ago!
"This matter is decided by me, the eldest princess!" the princess declared. "As long as Miss Ji agrees, the Prince of Nan can take this painting away. This painting originally belonged to Miss Ji, not to our palace. Your Highness, don't you agree?"
The Crown Prince gave a soft hum before saying with dissatisfaction, "The Princess is right."
The atmosphere gradually relaxed. Ji Meiyuan was incredulous. Why was Ji Wushang stealing the spotlight at this Autumn Chrysanthemum Feast? Almost all the outstanding men were looking at her differently! It was unfair, absolutely unfair!
Ji Wushang listened, but his face turned slightly pale. Had the ball been kicked to his side again?
Nan Xuzong seemed to be very pleased. He cupped his hands and said to the Princess and the Crown Prince, "Thank you, Princess and Crown Prince!" As he spoke, he turned towards Ji Wushang.
He seemed like a god, with boundless light emanating from behind him, making it impossible for Ji Wushang to hide for a moment. However, Ji Wushang was no ordinary person; after all, he had been reborn once, and he wouldn't easily lose his composure!
Before he could even approach, Ji Wushang had already reacted and said, "That calligraphy was originally written by Prince Nan. He didn't ask me or not. If Prince Nan likes it, then take it. I have many paintings like that in my residence!" Just as Ji Wushang finished speaking, he glanced to the side and saw Bei Gongminhao and Nan Jinxue thinking about what to say. Suddenly, he had a flash of inspiration and said, "However, as for my residence, I don't give things away easily anymore."
Upon hearing this, both Bei Gongminhao and Nan Jinxue hung their heads in dejection and fell silent.
Nan Xuzong watched this dramatic scene with amusement, but still politely said, "Thank you, Miss Ji, for your generosity! It allows me to admire this painting every day and use it as a daily reminder of my painting skills."
"You're welcome, it's yours." Ji Wushang's lips twitched. What a convenient excuse, huh? He'd probably be the subject of gossip from now on. This matter would likely be the talk of the town by now! Sigh!
Another basketful of trivial matters.
Nan Xuzong didn't care; he was already quite satisfied. A servant helped him remove the painting from the screen and presented it to him.
Nan Xuzong looked at it and nodded. Just then, Gong Shu appeared out of nowhere and stood naturally behind Nan Xuzong, then took the painting. Everything was so natural.
Everyone had returned to the banquet. As the sky gradually darkened, the eldest princess said, "It's getting late. There will be a lantern festival in the capital today. I hope everyone will come out and enjoy it."
"Let's end today's Autumn Chrysanthemum Feast here!" The Crown Prince glanced at Nan Xuzong with disgust and snorted. "Let's go."
Before long, the group was led out of the Inner River Garden by the eunuch, and then they arranged their carriages in front of the original palace gate.
Ji Wushang and Ji Yinxue finally emerged, chatting and laughing together, while Ji Meiyuan remained expressionless, watching. Ji Wushang glanced back at her, letting out a cold laugh. Ji Meiyuan happened to see this and immediately shivered. But before she could take another look, Ji Wushang and Ji Yinxue were already sitting inside the carriage!
Ji Meiyuan couldn't believe that the gaze she had just seen was really Ji Wushang's. Was she seeing things? Or what was wrong?
"Second sister, why aren't you up yet?" At this moment, Ji Yinxue poked her head out of the carriage and looked at Ji Meiyuan.
Ji Meiyuan was taken aback for a moment, then frowned and said, "What's the rush!" With that, she got into the carriage.
Inside the spacious carriage, the three sisters sat together. As soon as Ji Meiyuan got into the carriage, she saw Ji Wushang looking at her coldly, and she immediately felt a chill run down her spine. She felt very, very scared by that look.
“I said I would tell Father about this when I returned to the manor.” Ji Wushang sneered. “I’ve done a pretty bad job as the eldest sister. My younger sisters don’t listen to me. I’m afraid Father will have to step in to deal with this, so that some people don’t know their place.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Meiyuan's face turned pale, and she immediately said, "Big sister, don't tell Father! I really couldn't leave at that time! Big sister, please don't tell Father!"
Ji Wushang shook his head, "Fourth Sister has already told me about calling you over to the banquet, and I know everything you said. Good Second Sister, let's go back to the manor and talk to Father!"
"Elder sister!" Ji Meiyuan was anxious upon hearing this. If Ji Dingbei heard this, he would definitely be punished! This person didn't understand respect for elders and juniors. According to the rules of the manor, the lightest punishment would be copying the "Women's Instructions" and "Women's Precepts" a hundred times, which would probably take five or six days to finish. Moreover, the more serious punishment would be being confined to the house for reflection! Aunt Bai had already been confined to her quarters for three months, and she absolutely refused to live such a life of confinement!
"Elder sister, please, don't tell Father. I... I really had something to do at the time, it wasn't that I disobeyed you!" Ji Meiyuan looked at Ji Wushang with a pained expression, almost kneeling down to beg for mercy.
Seeing that Ji Wushang was unmoved, Ji Meiyuan turned to Ji Yinxue, "Fourth sister, you know, I really couldn't leave back then, not that I didn't want to go back to eldest sister's side with you. Please speak up for me!"
"All I know is that you told me you didn't want to see me and that you told me to get lost!" Ji Yinxue replied coldly.
Ji Meiyuan was immediately stunned. She never expected that Ji Yinxue, who was usually gentle and lovely, would suddenly say such a thing. Moreover, wasn't she usually very docile and obedient?
Ji Wushang remained silent. Just then, the carriage started moving. Ji Wushang lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw Nan Xuzong's unique carriage. As always, he put the wheelchair inside. As always, his face was expressionless. However, he was openly holding Ji Wushang's painting in his arms.
Nan Xuzong sensed someone looking over and immediately turned his sharp eyes to meet Ji Wushang's pure and clear eyes. His heart felt as if a pebble had been thrown in, causing ripples to spread.
When Nan Xuzong looked over at Ji Wushang, he immediately lowered the curtain.
Nan Xuzong lowered his head, his hand touching the painting, but a smile unconsciously bloomed on his lips.
Bei Gongminhao and Bei Gongjueshi stood in front of the palace gate, watching the carriage of General Ji's mansion pass by, wanting to catch a last glimpse of the beauty inside, but they couldn't see her no matter what they did.
"You seem quite interested in the Fourth Miss." Bei Gongminhao smiled and climbed into the carriage.
However, Bei Gong Jue Shi leaped onto a fine steed, for "a graceful lady is the object of a gentleman's affections."
"You said that the eldest daughter should naturally be the first to marry, aren't you being a little too hasty?" Bei Gong Minhao leaned out and looked at Bei Gong Jueshi.
"No rush, someone else is more impatient than me." Bei Gong Jue Shi laughed, immediately reined in his horse, and headed back to the manor. Bei Gong Min Hao also had someone follow.
Nan Jinxue got out of the sedan chair, looked at Nan Xuzong, and got out of the carriage. "Brother, do you want to go back together?"
Nan Xuzong shook his head. "I have other things to do. You should go back first."
"Yes." No matter how much disdain and reluctance Nan Jinxue felt, as the second son, he still had to show due respect to the heir apparent! This was something he had always resented.
Nan Xuzong watched Nan Jinxue's carriage gradually disappear into the distance before saying, "Gong Shu, take me sightseeing. I want to see this year's lanterns."
"yes."
——
——
Ji Wushang's carriage had already set off, heading towards General Ji's mansion. As the journey drew closer and Ji Wushang still showed no reaction, Ji Meiyuan grew anxious and said, "Eldest sister, please don't tell Father about this, okay?"
Ji Wushang lowered the curtain for viewing the scenery, turned around to look at Ji Meiyuan, and glared at her, "Slap her."
Upon hearing this, Ji Meiyuan was stunned. Even Ji Yinxue was startled!
☆、062 Unrest in the manor! A conspiracy is brewing!
"Didn't you hear me? I told you to slap yourself." Ji Wushang leaned closer, as if he were saying something unimportant.
Ji Meiyuan was even more astonished, staring at Ji Wushang, "Big sister, tell me, tell me..."
"Slap yourself!" Ji Wushang frowned and said coldly, "Didn't you tell me not to tell Father? What, what you said back then is already water spilled, and you still want to take it back? Slapping yourself is a small punishment, don't you think?"
Ji Meiyuan's face turned deathly pale. She never expected that her mother would punish her like this! She was determined to get her revenge!
Ji Meiyuan slowly raised her hand, but no matter what she said, she didn't want to slap herself! What kind of daughter of an official would personally slap herself?
"It's voluntary, so people don't feel like I'm bullying you. By the way, have I bullied you, Meiyuan?" Ji Wushang looked at her innocently, then turned to Ji Yinxue, "Fourth Sister, tell me, should you slap yourself as punishment for saying the wrong thing?"
"Of course." Ji Yinxue harbored resentment and naturally felt no pity for her half-sister.
"You!" Ji Meiyuan was instantly speechless with anger.
"I didn't force you. Fourth Sister was there and saw it. Do as you please." Ji Wushang glanced coldly at Ji Meiyuan, then lifted the curtain to look outside.
Ji Meiyuan's face changed from red to green countless times. As she was about to reach General Ji's mansion, she finally hardened her heart, raised her right hand as if to execute herself, and slapped it against her face. However, she was afraid of the pain and swelling, so when it reached her face, she only gently touched it.
"I didn't tell you to touch my face." Ji Wushang lowered the curtain and turned to look at Ji Meiyuan. "Why are you touching my face? Your face is very pretty, isn't it?"
"No." Ji Meiyuan swallowed her anger, hardened her heart, made up her mind, and swung her right hand to slap herself across the mouth. With a crisp "smack," half of Ji Meiyuan's face immediately swelled up. Ji Meiyuan immediately burst into tears from the pain.
"Don't cry, or others will think we've bullied you. Second sister, once we're in the manor, do you know what to say and do?" Ji Wushang said with a smile.
Ji Meiyuan hated Ji Wushang so much that she gritted her teeth, but she didn't dare to lash out. "I accidentally tripped and fell while the carriage was moving and hit my face."
"Be more careful from now on. Come on, let your older sister take a look at you."
Upon hearing this, Ji Meiyuan was so angry she wanted to rush forward and kill Ji Wushang. However, Ji Wushang looked at her coldly, warning her to downplay the matter...
"Elder sister, you don't need to worry. It will get better in a few days," Ji Meiyuan said coldly, then turned her face away.
Ji Yinxue tugged at Ji Wushang's arm, "Big sister, like this..."
“You can look into it,” Ji Wushang said with a smile as he turned around.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yinxue fell silent. She wouldn't show concern! Her half-sister wasn't worth her concern! She knew perfectly well how her half-sister had treated her!
Ji Wushang remained silent, while Ji Meiyuan could only grieve alone on the sidelines. In her heart, however, she harbored a deep-seated hatred for Ji Wushang and Ji Yinxue.
Upon arriving at the General's Mansion, as expected, the three of them entered one after the other. Approaching them was Ji Tiankui, who greeted the three sisters, "Eldest sister, why are you back so early?"
"It's getting late, brother. Are you almost done with your wedding preparations? Congratulations, brother!"
"Not at all, not at all." Ji Tiankui's honest appearance was somewhat endearing at this moment. "By the way, did anything happen at the banquet? I heard about what happened when I came back from outside!"
Ji Wushang blushed slightly, but a hint of worry remained in his heart. He said, "Those are just idle chatter among common people. Brother, please don't listen to them, or you'll really make a fool of yourself."
"Look at what you're saying! The whole capital is talking about your two paintings! One was blown away by the wind, and the other ended up in the arms of that Prince Nan." Ji Tiankui pondered, "I never imagined that, according to those people, Prince Nan's martial arts are unfathomable, his golden silk wielding is incredibly skillful, and he can kill and take lives in an instant!"
"Brother, what do you take everyone else for? What do you mean by killing and taking lives with a flick of the wrist? I haven't seen anyone killed by him." Ji Wushang joked, "Your methods are no match for my father and brother. Who on the battlefield doesn't know my father and brother!"
"You have such a sharp tongue!" Ji Tiankui laughed, then looked back and saw Ji Meiyuan behind Ji Wushang, whose face was swollen and red. He immediately asked in surprise, "Second sister, what happened? Half of your face is swollen and red?"
Ji Wushang and Ji Yinxue looked at Ji Meiyuan with worry on their faces. Ji Meiyuan glanced at the two of them and burst into tears, "It was my carelessness. There was a bumpy section of the carriage, and I accidentally fell to the ground. Oh well, my elder sister said it's just a little swollen and nothing serious."
"Sigh, it's all my fault as the eldest sister for not taking good care of my two younger sisters. It's my fault." Ji Wushang's face showed a slight sadness as she blamed herself.
Ji Tiankui looked at her and said, "Eldest sister, don't blame yourself. Come, second sister, let me see... Hmm, it doesn't look too serious. You'll be fine soon." Then, he looked at Ji Meiyuan and said, "You don't need to attend the banquet tonight, and you don't need to go to the lantern festival in the capital. Let the doctor take a good look at you!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Meiyuan was immediately stunned. How could she not have thought of it? There was a banquet at the manor tonight! Ji Dingbei had invited many colleagues to drink and dine together, and those people would definitely bring along some wealthy young men. Moreover, there was the lantern festival in the capital tonight… Of course, she couldn't attend with her face swollen and red… If she had been able to think about this banquet and lantern festival, she would have tried her best no matter what. Attending these activities was more important!