Baoqi watched Ji Dingbei walk away, then immediately went to check on Ji Meiyuan's injuries. Seeing that she was asleep, she felt relieved, but then she noticed that the silver needles on her body were missing, and she was terrified. "Doctor, quick, check Miss's pulse! She accidentally pulled out the silver needles! Check her right away!"
The doctors immediately stepped forward, saying, "Yes, yes!"
After taking the pulse, apart from finding some irregularities, there was nothing wrong. However, Baoqi was anxious, "Take another look, take another look!"
Several doctors shook their heads, "It's alright, it's alright, she should be out of danger now, the second young lady will recover."
"Why is Miss so often emotionally unstable?" Bao asked.
"It seems the Second Miss has something on her mind!" The doctors exchanged glances, thinking that she probably had something to hide and had done too many bad things!
"Alright, go and prepare the medicine and bring it here." Bao Qi, relying on Aunt Bai and Ji Meiyuan as her backers, naturally ordered these doctors around.
The doctors nodded and left.
Baoqi looked at it and shook his head.
Ji Wushang returned to her courtyard and began embroidering a dragon and phoenix. She had already finished embroidering one dragon, leaving only the flying phoenix. While embroidering, she listened to the news in the plum garden about Ji Meiyuan's attempt to kill Ji Dingbei. Ji Wushang smiled inwardly, dismissed the maid, and continued embroidering.
A messenger came to report that Ji Yinxue had woken up, but she couldn't speak or move her body; she could only stare blankly at the bed curtains.
Ji Wushang said, "In that case, shall we have a doctor examine you?"
"Reporting to Miss, I have seen her. That maid Pingting is quite clever; she actually found many doctors to treat the Fourth Miss!" Xian'er stepped forward and said.
“Yes, I’ll go see her this afternoon and give her some gifts tonight,” Ji Wushang nodded and said.
Xian'er was a little confused after hearing this. Why was the fourth young lady being given a gift?
"You may leave now. Keep a close eye on things," Ji Wushang nodded. "The wedding preparations at the manor have begun. You can go and help if you have time."
"Yes." Xian'er was also happy to help with the wedding arrangements at the mansion. After all, it was two young ladies getting married together, and General Ji's mansion would definitely not be shabby.
Ji Wushang watched her leave, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes. Today, he would personally sever Ji Yinxue's arm! Let's see how she fights alone! Aunt Bai will definitely not let Ji Yinxue off the hook. Hmph, if she wants to become the Second Young Master Nan's legal wife, she'll probably have to get past Aunt Bai! When they're fighting tooth and nail, he'll take care of them all at once! Let them all go to hell!
Ji Wushang changed his clothes, styled his hair into a peony bun, and inserted a few jade hairpins before going to the Orchid Garden.
In the orchid garden, everyone was doing their own work. When Ji Wushang entered the courtyard, he saw that some of the petals of the crape myrtle had already been picked, probably to be made into powder for Ji Yinxue's skincare.
Ji Wushang smiled and went inside. Zhu'er looked on, puzzled. Why was her young mistress smiling at the crape myrtle? Did she also like this kind of flower? She thought she would tell Steward Lin and have him send a pot of it to the courtyard, but she should ask her young mistress later. That flower had already made her angry for quite a while last time.
Ji Wushang turned to look at her, "Zhu'er, why aren't you leaving yet?"
"Yes." Zhu'er immediately followed up and said, "Miss, do you like those crape myrtle flowers? Should I talk to Steward Lin and ask him to give us a pot?"
"No need, I'm just watching the flowers bloom. It's fine to admire them from a distance. There's no need to ask for them." Ji Wushang glanced back at her. "Go inside."
"yes."
Ji Wushang went into the room. Pingting had already informed Ji Yinxue that Ji Yinxue had woken up. Ji Wushang went up into the inner room and looked at her. She was lying on the bed with a stiff expression, struggling to look at him. Ji Wushang smiled and said, "Fourth Sister has finally woken up."
The voice sounded full of concern to those around her, but Ji Yinxue detected a hint of sarcasm in it. Her brows furrowed, and she tried to speak, but no words came out.
Ji Wushang sat on the edge of the bed and said, "If you can't speak, then rest well and don't say anything. I understand what you mean. I know you miss Father and Aunt! Father came to see you a long time ago and cares about you a lot! As for Aunt Nangong, she's still the same as before. Never mind, let's not talk about sad things." Ji Wushang's face was filled with sorrow and pity, which made the servants around her secretly wipe away tears. This sisterly affection was truly precious!
Ji Yinxue glared at her, her eyes flashing with a fierce light, but Ji Wushang pretended not to notice. "You should rest well. Oh, and I have some good news for you. Second Sister has also woken up. Isn't that wonderful? You and Second Sister are getting married soon. It's double happiness, a great joy for our General Ji's Mansion." Ji Wushang spoke excitedly, while Ji Yinxue's face immediately darkened. She tried to break free, but her limbs were weak, and she couldn't utter a single word!
"Fourth Sister, you also think this is a good thing? That's wonderful! I think you and Second Sister will definitely get along well." Ji Wushang fiddled with his fingers and looked at Ji Yinxue with a grin, then looked at the maids and servants beside him and said, "You can all go down! Go do what you're supposed to do, I'll take care of things here."
"Yes." Several maids and servants who had been serving and cleaning bowed and left. Pingting looked up at Ji Yinxue's expression, but Ji Wushang had already blocked her way.
“Pingting? Why aren’t you going down? I have some private matters to discuss with Fourth Sister. You can go down first!” Ji Wushang said kindly.
"Yes." Pingting had no choice but to leave.
Looking around to make sure no one was watching, Ji Wushang said, "Fourth Sister, I just overheard something in the courtyard. Sigh, since you and Second Sister are both marrying Young Master Nan, there's bound to be a debate about who will be the principal wife and who will be the concubine. Even if she's not a concubine, she'll only be a secondary wife. Of course, this is Young Master Nan's decision. But I just heard that the principal wife's position will likely be determined according to seniority and social status."
Fourth Sister, if you recover quickly and have a son or daughter, you'll definitely be able to secure your position as the principal wife. As for Second Sister, although you're older, you're only a few months younger than me. In terms of talent and character, I've always thought you're the best... Never mind, I'm only telling you this out of consideration for our years of sisterhood. Just listen to it." Ji Wushang said, tucking her quilt in.
Ji Yinxue clearly heard it, a hint of excitement flashing in her eyes. She looked at Ji Wushang, thinking of saying something. Ji Wushang, of course, knew what she wanted to say, but deliberately pretended not to understand. "Fourth Sister, what do you want to say?"
"Eek!" Ji Yinxue couldn't speak. She could only worry anxiously. Ji Wushang looked at her with a sad expression. "Alright, you should rest early! I should go now. I'll have the doctor come and see you later." As he spoke, he glanced at the person eavesdropping outside the curtain. Seeing that no one was looking in his direction, he brushed his hand across Ji Yinxue's face. "Fourth Sister, I believe you'll get better soon."
Ji Wushang smiled as she spoke, stood up and walked out. Pingting, who had been eavesdropping outside, immediately bowed when she saw Ji Wushang come out, saying, "Young Miss."
"Okay, take good care of Fourth Sister. If anything happens, be sure to tell me." Ji Wushang said to her, "I'm leaving now. I'll have someone call the doctor to come and check on Fourth Sister's condition."
"Yes, thank you, Miss!" Pingting bowed.
Ji Wushang nodded and walked out. As soon as he left, Pingting immediately went into the inner room. She had heard their conversation. The second young lady had woken up and was trying to steal the fourth young lady's position as the principal wife? If she did, wouldn't she be bullied as part of the dowry? No, she had to ask the fourth young lady what to do!
"Miss, how are you?" Pingting stepped forward and looked at Ji Yinxue.
Ji Yinxue shook her head. How could she possibly get better?
“Miss, please forgive my insolence. Just now, fearing that the eldest young lady might harm you, I secretly overheard your conversation outside the door. It seems to me that what the eldest young lady said is correct. The second young lady already knew that you and the second young master of the Nan family were engaged. I never expected that she would scheme against the second young master of the Nan family, forcing him to marry the second young lady! If we're talking about seniority and hierarchy, wouldn't you be at a disadvantage, Miss? The second young master of the Nan family originally belonged to you, but the second young lady took him away! Now she wants to take away your position as the principal wife. I feel so sorry for you, Miss!” Pingting said, tears streaming down her face.
"Cough, cough." At this moment, Ji Yinxue suddenly started coughing violently. She didn't know why, thinking that her desire to speak was too strong, so much so that she broke through the restraint of not being able to speak.
Pingting immediately poured a cup of tea on the table, then sat on the bed, helped Ji Yinxue sit up against the headboard, and brought the tea to Ji Yinxue's lips, "Miss, Miss, are you alright?"
Ji Yinxue gripped the teacup with both hands, then drank the tea with trembling hands. Pingting watched as she poured the tea out, but Ji Yinxue waved her hand to indicate she didn't want it. Pingting then put the teacup down, sat on the edge of the bed, and helped her catch her breath. She figured Ji Yinxue was about to speak! Unexpectedly, after the eldest young lady left, the fourth young lady could speak again!
Ji Yinxue took a long time to catch her breath before slowly whispering, "I, cough cough, I know."
"Miss, please speak slowly." Pingting's face was filled with surprise; her young mistress was finally able to speak!
"Mm." Ji Yinxue nodded, holding Pingting's hand, and said, "Pingting, I heard everything you said just now. Now, I'm going to ask you to do some things!"
"Miss, please give your orders. I will do anything that can help you!" Pingting nodded as she looked at Ji Yinxue.
"Bring me that little black wooden box from under my bed." Ji Yinxue put her hand down.
Pingting immediately went to do it, and sure enough, she took out a small black wooden box from under the bed.
“Open it. There are several different bottles inside. I carefully bought them from outside.” Ji Yinxue glanced at them and then said, “Take out the one that says ‘Heartbreak Powder’.”
Upon hearing the words "Heartbreak Powder," Pingting was immediately shocked and looked at Ji Yinxue, who coldly said, "Hurry up and give it to me!"
"Yes." Pingting immediately looked through several medicine bottles, surprised to find that they had all sorts of medicines, including Xiaoyao San, Wushi San, and Hedinghong! Finally, she found this Duanchang San. Just from the name, she knew that taking it would definitely cause her to die from a broken intestine!
Pingting took it out with trembling hands and said, "Miss, I've taken it out."
"Fine, put the intestinal-severing powder into Ji Meiyuan's medicine! If someone finds out, you can take it yourself too! I will treat your family well!" Ji Yinxue said fiercely.
Upon hearing this, Pingting immediately knelt down. "Miss, Miss, I don't want to die. You... why don't you let Xiao Rong do it?"
Hearing this, Ji Yinxue angrily retorted, "You wretched servant! Have you forgotten how good I've been to you? If it weren't for me protecting you, you would have already been dragged out by the eldest young lady to pay for Feng Yun's life! How could you still be standing here kneeling here?!"
"This servant dares not disobey Miss's wishes, but I still have an elderly mother to support at home!" Pingting kowtowed and begged for mercy.
“If you don’t do it, you’ll end up like Feng Yun. She drowned herself in a lake, but you can drown yourself in a well!” Ji Yinxue said coldly and sternly.
Pingting was stunned. Yes, she should have realized it. She should have realized it when she killed Fengyun. If she hadn't followed the Fourth Miss, she would have been killed one day!
"I haven't mistreated you. All you have to do is sneak into the kitchen when no one's around and slip some medicine in, and you'll be out unnoticed. It'll only take a little time! After it's done, I, Ji Yinxue, will definitely reward you with gold and silver! Your younger brother has been clamoring to go to school, hasn't he? I'll give you the silver! I'll make sure he does! Your father's shop isn't doing well, so I'll send someone to help manage the estates around the manor!"
"Hmph, I, Ji Yinxue, am the Fourth Miss, and I keep my word! If you're thinking of getting married in the future, I'll find you a good servant so you can live a life of comfort and ease! If you like the Second Young Master Nan, I'm willing to share him with you! I'm just trying to secure my position as your legal wife, just as you said! Who told Ji Meiyuan to dare try to compete with me? If you don't want to do it, fine, someone else will definitely do it for me! Don't regret it then!" Ji Yinxue used both soft and hard tactics, enticing and coercing. Although her tone was soft and weak, it struck Pingting's heart at every turn.
Hearing this, Pingting nodded and said, "Yes, Miss is right! I am so grateful that Miss doesn't mind my lack of hospitality. I have only had this life for a few days. Today, let me repay you!" As Pingting spoke, she turned her gaze to the bottle of Heartbreak Powder.
"Alright, wrap the intestinal-severing powder in paper, put one packet in her medicine jar, and take one packet with you too, just in case!" Ji Yinxue's "just in case" simply meant that if things were exposed, she would have to take the intestinal-severing powder and commit suicide!
Pingting nodded, "Don't worry, Miss. If I can't finish this, I won't come back! But please help me take care of my family." As she spoke, she wrapped two packets of Heartbreak Powder in Xuan paper.
“Pingting, as long as you do this for me, I will take care of them for you no matter what!” Ji Yinxue looked at her back and smiled.
"Yes, this servant will definitely obey Miss's orders and do a good job!" Pingting finished tidying up, then knelt on the ground and kowtowed. "Miss, when do we go?" Her family was in her hands, what else could she say? Besides, what she said just now made sense, so she might as well go all out!
"Nighttime." Ji Yinxue's eyes were like knives.
——
After leaving the Orchid Garden, Ji Wushang went straight back to her own Fragrant Garden. A smile remained on her lips as she called for Zhu'er to bring up the dragon and phoenix embroidery and began sewing.
“Miss, you seem to be in a very good mood today!” Zhu’er said, looking at Ji Wushang.
"Yes, indeed." Ji Wushang put down the dragon and phoenix embroidery. "The real show is about to begin, how could I not be happy?"
"Miss, what's the show?"
"Why ask so many questions?" Ji Wushang glared at her. "The more you know, the worse it is for you."
"Then Pearl would rather not know," Pearl pouted. "Miss, would you like to bring some snacks to try?"
"Alright, go ahead!" Ji Wushang waved for her to leave, and after Zhu'er left, Granny Shi came in from outside.
"Granny Shi, you did a good job. I was just about to look for you!" Ji Wushang looked at her, and Granny Shi knelt down and said, "Miss, this old servant has come to tell you something."
"Go ahead and speak!" Ji Wushang looked at her and smiled. "Get up! You don't need to kneel anymore."
"Miss, when I passed by that courtyard just now, I saw Aunt Bai enter the plum garden."
"Yes, I went in to see my second sister. It's normal." Ji Wushang lowered her head and continued working on her embroidery.
"This old servant noticed that Aunt Bai's complexion isn't good. Is something about to happen?" Granny Shi asked. "Does Miss wish to instruct this old servant on something?"
Ji Wushang nodded. These old women were different; sometimes they were quite shrewd. If they were devoted to him, that would be good.
“Something unexpected will happen tonight. I want you to seize the opportunity and let everyone go and watch the show.” Ji Wushang beckoned Granny Shi to come forward and then whispered a few words in her ear.
Granny Shi nodded in agreement, "This old servant will certainly handle it well."
"Alright, then I'll leave this to you." Ji Wushang took out a jade bracelet from his pocket. It was clearly made of high-quality jadeite, with a bright luster, making it a top-grade item.
"This is for Granny Shi. Granny Shi has always been by my mother's side, and recently she has also been working for Wushang. It's really been hard on you, Granny Shi. Please accept this." Ji Wushang said, and then put the jade bracelet into Granny Shi's hand.
Granny Shi's eyes lit up. In all her life, she had never seen such a beautiful jade bracelet!
"This, this is not right, Miss. Taking care of Madam Bei and doing things for you is our duty as old servants. How can we accept your jade bracelet?" Granny Shi said, hurriedly declining.
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "Granny is an old woman, so she naturally knows the rules of this mansion. I don't have anything valuable on me, so please accept this jade bracelet." Ji Wushang placed the jade bracelet in her hand, and then stood up. "Granny, please accept it! I'm tired and want to rest for a while."
"Yes, then this old servant will accept it..." Granny Shi beamed, stuffing the jade bracelet into her bosom. She thanked Ji Wushang repeatedly before leaving. Once outside, seeing that no one was around, she immediately took out the jade bracelet from her bosom and began to breathe on it, rub it, and admire it, her face beaming with joy.
Ji Wushang watched her leave with a slight smile before returning to her own room. Zhu'er had already brought up the snacks. Seeing that Granny Shi had just left, she said, "Miss, the snacks are here."
"Just leave it there!" Ji Wushang glanced at her.
"Miss, why did I see Granny Shi looking so happy just now?"
"Because she encountered something that made her happy. If I encountered something that made me happy, I would definitely smile too." Ji Wushang answered simply, then glanced at Zhu'er, who had placed the pastries on the table.
"It's alright, you can go now. I'll do my needlework quietly by myself," Ji Wushang said, bowing his head.
"yes."
As Ji Wushang admired the dragon and phoenix embroidery he had just finished, he gave a cold snort and then began to frame the embroidery.