Nan Xianxian immediately understood.
Ji Wushang was still looking at the ledgers in the accounting room when he heard some noises outside. After thinking for a moment, Ji Wushang closed the ledgers and went out.
"What's going on?" Ji Wushang looked up and saw several old women arguing about something.
"Princess Consort." Several maids knelt down.
Ji Wushang stepped forward and asked, "What are you arguing about?" He looked at the things on the ground. There was a bowl of lotus seed soup scattered on the ground, peanuts all over the ground, some flower pots were broken, and sand and soil were all over the ground. The yard was really a mess.
A slightly plump old woman knelt down and said, "Your Highness, I was thinking of taking lotus seed soup to Consort Zhao's Zhuangshu Garden, but this blind thing came over here and started moving flowerpots! That wretched thing bumped into me and broke the lotus seed soup. So, I thought of taking her with me to Zhuangshu Garden to tell Consort Zhao, but she insisted that it was my fault and refused to tell Consort Zhao anything!"
The thinner nanny, who was probably a rough maid, immediately exclaimed upon seeing the higher-ranking nanny speaking like that, "No, Your Highness! It was clearly this servant who brought out the flowerpot; I didn't expect her to bump into it!"
"Oh?" Ji Wushang pointed at the slightly plump nanny. "Nanny, you should hurry up and serve another bowl of lotus seed soup to Aunt Zhao. If you argue here, you'll only suffer later. You should know Aunt Zhao's temper; she won't waste any time or waste words with anyone." He then turned to the somewhat thin nanny and smiled, "As for you, whether you're right or wrong, you bear some responsibility. Here's what you'll do: clean up everything on the floor properly, especially the lotus seed soup. If you don't clean it up, don't come to the Marquis's residence again!"
Upon hearing this, the slightly plump nanny's face immediately lit up with a smile. "Thank you, Princess Consort, for upholding justice!"
The thin old woman felt bitter listening to this and cried, thinking of asking for a broom to sweep. Ji Wushang immediately said, "This broom won't sweep clean. Take off your clothes and clean them yourself!"
Ji Wushang looked at her, pointed to her somewhat worn-out coat, and smiled slightly.
The thin old woman was astonished and kowtowed three times in succession. "Your Highness, I never even wanted to wear this coat. I only put it on because of the cold weather. Is Your Highness trying to kill me today...?"
"How dare you!" the slightly plump old woman sneered. "Do whatever the Princess Consort tells you to do! All this nonsense, do you want to die?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" The thin old woman could only hold back her tears as she took off her tattered coat and slowly wiped away the lotus seed soup on the ground. Some of the servants around gathered around, pointing and whispering, while others, though still working, cursed Ji Wushang in their hearts.
"She clearly bumped into it herself, yet she's blaming Granny Qian for breaking the lotus seed soup she was making for her aunt!"
"That's right, why does the Crown Princess listen to her and ignore what Granny Qian says!"
"Isn't that Granny An? I've heard she's just as domineering and unreasonable! Little Granny Qian is really unlucky to have run into her!"
"Yes, she's throwing her weight around at Aunt Zhao's place!"
"Forget it, let's say no more! Otherwise she'll come after us!"
...
Ji Wushang smiled and watched as the slightly thinner nanny, whom everyone was talking about, wiped up the lotus seed soup on the ground while crying. The arrogant nanny, An, smiled obsequiously at Ji Wushang, "Thank you for upholding justice, Your Highness!"
Ji Wushang nodded slightly, looking at Granny Qian who was shivering a little from the cold. The dirt on the ground had probably been cleaned up, but that coat was definitely no longer wearable.
"Princess Consort, if there's nothing else, then this servant will take her leave. Aunt Zhao is waiting for this servant to serve her lotus seed soup!" Seeing that things were almost settled, Granny An was about to leave.
"Wait a minute." Ji Wushang looked at her and smiled. "Granny An, didn't you see Granny Qian wiping away the lotus seed soup stains on the floor for you while she was freezing? It's so cold, and you're wearing so many layers. Take one off and give it to Granny Qian!"
Granny An was taken aback. "Princess Consort, what are you saying? Didn't you just order her to take off her coat to wipe the lotus seed soup?"
"Yes, but this whole thing was caused by the two of you. Little Qian has already been punished; she even gave up her own coat. How can you bear to watch her freeze to death? What kind of mentality is that? Someone, strip her coat off!" Ji Wushang coldly rebuked. "What kind of mentality is that? Seeing that Little Qian has already been punished and is in this state, don't you have even a shred of conscience? Is there no justice left?"
"Princess Consort, you, you! No, don't take it off!" Granny An cried out as she watched several rough maids try to pull off her coat. "This is a brand new coat, how can you let them take it off, Princess Consort!"
"You're really arrogant, Granny An." Ji Wushang sneered twice. "All of you, stop now."
The surrounding maids stopped and listened to Ji Wushang speak, while the servants watching whispered amongst themselves.
"The Crown Princess wants to punish me, but I refuse!" Seeing that they had stopped, Granny An assumed that Ji Wushang was frightened, so she immediately said, "Aunt Zhao is waiting for me to bring the lotus seed soup over, so I'll take my leave now!"
"I gave you permission to leave?" Ji Wushang raised an eyebrow, looking at her. "What did you just call yourself? Me? You have some nerve! Who gave you that courage? Was it Aunt Zhao?"
"What's going on!" Just as he finished speaking, a sharp voice came from behind. Ji Wushang smiled, turned around, and saw that it was Zhao Yiniang, dressed in fine clothes and looking very wealthy, who was being led over by several maids.
·
☆、158 From Immortal to Demon, Only for Her
When Granny An saw that it was Consort Zhao who had come, she immediately rushed over to her, "Consort, it is the Crown Princess who wants to punish me on trumped-up charges!"
Everyone listened and whispered amongst themselves. This Granny An certainly knew how to talk, but the way the Crown Princess had just punished Granny Qian was truly infuriating!
Therefore, many people were watching to see what Ji Wushang would say and how the matter would end.
Ji Wushang found it amusing. This Granny An really knew how to talk. If he really did that, he would definitely be accused of arbitrary punishment! However, it seemed that he was indeed guilty now... He had punished Granny Qian without understanding the situation!
"Wu Shang, is that really the case?" Aunt Zhao asked magnanimously. "As the saying goes, family scandals should not be aired in public. If this is the case, then let it go. Besides, the Princess Consort doesn't know much about the Marquis's mansion. If there is anything she has done wrong, you servants should just go along with her!"
"Yes." The sycophantic servants naturally echoed Zhao Yiniang's words.
Ji Wushang stepped forward and said, “Aunt Zhao, what kind of fabricated charges is this Granny An making? There are a lot of people watching here. No one said that Granny An just said that Granny Qian knocked her down, so the lotus seed soup that was being served to you, Aunt Zhao, was spilled on the ground. Of course, I want Granny Qian to clean up everything on the ground.”
"But this treatment... Granny Qian even took off her coat! It pained me to see her like this. Granny Qian is cold, so I asked Granny An to take off her coat so Granny Qian could wear it. Is that wrong?" Ji Wushang stepped forward with a cold laugh. "Granny Qian, Granny An, is that how it is?"
"That's true." Granny Qian, fearing even harsher punishment, could only nod. In her heart, however, she harbored deep resentment towards Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang looked at Granny An, who said, "That's how it is, but I did nothing wrong. Why did I take off my clothes and give them to Granny Qian?"
"The Crown Princess asked you to take your clothes off, how could you possibly refuse?" Aunt Zhao said coldly, almost as if she was about to slap her.
"Yes." Upon hearing this, Granny An immediately thought of taking off her coat. Ji Wushang smiled. This was a good performance. Aunt Zhao made her take it off with just one sentence. Didn't this show that Aunt Zhao was "helping" him, abusing her power, and being completely unreasonable?
"Wait a minute." Ji Wushang stepped forward. "Which old woman just now referred to herself as 'I' in front of me, showing no respect for her elders?"
Upon hearing this, Granny An stepped back, thought for a moment, and had no choice but to kneel down, saying, "It is this servant."
"Then, what just happened? Why are you accusing me of some fabricated crime?" Ji Wushang stared at Aunt Zhao. "Aunt Zhao, isn't Granny An from your garden? How can she have no manners at all? This kind of unruly servant must have forgotten the rules! Aunt Zhao has painstakingly taught you all, handling everything inside and out personally. Yet you, this kind of unruly servant, deliberately broke the rules, making things difficult for Aunt Zhao. Your crime is even more serious! Guards, drag Granny An away, give her forty lashes, and throw her out of the Marquis's mansion!"
Upon hearing this, Granny An immediately cried out, "Madam, save me!"
"Still dare to beg for mercy? It seems you've really forgotten your place, relying on your concubine's favor!" Ji Wushang sneered, glaring at him. "Why aren't you dragging him away?"
"Auntie, spare me, spare me!" Granny An cried out immediately.
"Auntie, do you think Wu Shang handled it properly? This troublesome servant still refuses to admit his guilt. Alas, what do you think we should do about this unruly servant?" Ji Wu Shang put on an innocent look.
Aunt Zhao watched, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Since Wu Shang has said so much, and this Granny An is indeed guilty, then do as Wu Shang says! Hurry up!"
Immediately, four or five rough-looking old women came forward and pulled Granny An away.
Soon, the sounds of beatings and wailing filled the air. Ji Wushang chuckled and said, "Granny Qian, your clothes are dirty and you can't wear them. Go to the accounting office and get three taels of silver to buy some clothes! The punishment has been given, and the matter has been dealt with. Now, everyone can leave!" Ji Wushang turned to Aunt Zhao and said with a smile, "Aunt, the original plan was for you to guide me in managing the affairs of this household. If I have done anything wrong, I hope you will point it out."
"Of course, of course." Aunt Zhao smiled, but her smile didn't reveal a hint of genuine joy.
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now. I've looked through the account books in the accounting office. There are a few minor details, but everything else is fine. Aunt Zhao really puts everyone at ease with her work!"
"Hehe!" Aunt Zhao chuckled sweetly, "Then you should go and get some rest!"
Ji Wushang shouted, "Guards, take Granny Qian away and have the accountant give her three taels of silver!"
Immediately, someone came and took Granny Qian away.
Ji Wushang bowed slightly to Aunt Zhao and then left with Zhu'er.
As Aunt Zhao watched Ji Wushang walk away, her eyes filled with a sinister look. She spat in the direction of the half-dead Granny An before leaving with her entourage.
"Miss, now that you've subdued that Granny An, will Aunt Zhao cause you trouble later?" Zhu'er asked worriedly as she stepped forward.
"She's just here to probe my background. It's not unreasonable for me to put on a show for her." Ji Wushang said expressionlessly as he led Zhu'er back to Moxuan Garden.
——
Even if this is purgatory, Yiyun Shangcheng still certainly won't let this opportunity slip by. Even if it's purgatory, he'll still brave it! Besides, someone with demonic blood like his is leading the charge for him!
Bei Gong Jue Shi had only one belief: to return alive.
This royal palace in the Western Regions was a place of great importance, and Bei Gong Jue Shi had no idea how to get out. In a short period of time, he quickly learned the language of the Western Regions, and now, disguised as a guard of Yiyun Shangcheng, he followed Yiyun Shangcheng into the palace.
This is probably about negotiation, but only the two of them truly understand the intricacies involved.
Murs secretly ambushed all his troops around the palace. As soon as the uprising began, he would immediately follow Yiyun Shangcheng's instructions and start a massacre, washing the palace alive until the dynasty changed hands!
What is lost must be taken back!
Bei Gong Jue Shi was slightly taller than Yi Yun Shang Cheng. At this moment, dressed as a guard and following behind Yi Yun Shang Cheng, he attracted the attention of many people.
"Once I've finished this matter for you, you must give the antidote to Mu Chen, otherwise, I won't let you off!" Bei Gong Jue Shi said coldly as he walked along the official road, seeing that no one was around.
"I will give you the antidote, but Mu Chen is a princess of the Western Regions, and you are her husband. I cannot let the two of you leave as soon as you want."
"Isn't it enough that we're already dead?" Bei Gong Jue Shi said coldly. "Neither she nor I want to be involved in anything anymore, so you shouldn't force us!"
"You have your beloved Mu Chen, but I also have someone I love. If the time is right, I will let you go, but not now, Jue Shi, you have no right to negotiate with me!" Yi Yun Shang Cheng sneered, her eyes turning from purple to red, and then in that instant, her red eyes turned purple again. "Do you see? I am an emperor, not a coward who lets you bargain for me!"
"If that's the case, why bother using us?" Bei Gong Jue Shi said without any politeness.
"That's because I don't want to see you all having so much fun!" Yiyun Shangcheng sneered, pushing open the palace gate. "Go in."
His gaze sharpened, sending a shiver down Bei Gong Jue Shi's spine.
I don't want to see you all so happy... Do you even want to ruin your own sister's happiness?
Bei Gong Jue Shi didn't have time to think too much and went inside.
Inside the palace, incense burned, flowers drifted, and a unique exotic fragrance filled the air. The rich sound of bells, accompanied by some hoarse, quacking noises, made Bei Gong Jue Shi feel as if she were in a fairyland of a primitive tribe.
As soon as Yi Yun Shangcheng turned around, she pressed several acupoints on Bei Gong Jue Shi's body, saying, "Can't you calm your mind?"
Bei Gong Jue Shi was taken aback. "You mean?"
"Idiot! You idiot, how can I entrust Mu Chen to you!"
Bei Gong Jue Shi was taken aback upon hearing this.
"I'm warning you, if you die, I'll make sure Mu Chen marries Muers!" Yi Yun Shangcheng said coldly.
Bei Gong Jue Shi frowned deeply. That guy! His fists clenched tightly. "You dare!" he gritted his teeth.
"Then give me the head of the people from Yiyun Divine Mountain! I'll give you a chance!" Yiyun Shangcheng said coldly. "Follow me!" As he spoke, he began to perform a ritual, and instantly, the road in front of him became wider and clearer, allowing him to see everything inside the main hall. Dancers were dancing in front of him, and there were sounds of Western Region silk and bamboo instruments, and the jingling of bells.
The sound of the Qiang flute drifts on.
Bei Gong Jue Shi went in.
Yiyun Shangcheng walked ahead, looking at the person sitting in the main hall, who was none other than Yiyun Shenshan. This person was wearing a crown and royal robes. Sitting next to him was the Grand Wizard, whose eyes were sinister. As Yiyun Shangcheng and Beigong Jueshi entered, a cold smile appeared on his lips, as if he had seen a long-awaited delicacy.
"It's Shangcheng!" Yiyun Shenshan seemed delighted to see something and suddenly stepped down. "You're finally back!"
“Yes, I’m back, Uncle. Do you choose to abdicate, or do you want another option?” Yi Yun Shangcheng smiled coldly.
Those around were stunned. The high shaman, sensing something was amiss, waved for the musicians and dancers to leave. Yiyun Shenshan looked at Yiyun Shangcheng, "You're back, that's good. However, your father's old age and passing the throne to me was something I couldn't have foreseen. Shangcheng, if you want the throne, then take it!"
However, no sooner had he finished speaking than countless armored soldiers surged out of the palace from all directions. Furthermore, the great wizard, sitting on his high seat, took out a knife and slashed his own arm. Blood dripped onto the red carpet, but the blood was black!
Bei Gong Jue Shi looked somewhat uneasy. Not to mention that there were many of them, the great wizard on the high seat was probably planning to summon some powerful figures. Those black corpses were likely for that purpose!