"Hmm, let her in. You all, get out! As for the clothes being made, do what needs to be done, and do you even know what kind of clothes they should be made?" Aunt Zhao sneered.
"Yes." The two women, Huanfei and Yanshou, immediately went out.
Ji Yinxue, wearing embroidered shoes, swayed her hips as she walked in, saying, "Greetings to Auntie."
"Sit down," Aunt Zhao said, pointing to a spot on the couch.
"Yes." Ji Yinxue smiled, bowed, and then sat down.
"Is there something you need, Yinxue?" Aunt Zhao had long known that this woman was no pushover, but since she listened to her, she would reluctantly consider leaving her a way out.
"I've been thinking about you, Auntie, for a long time, so I came to see you." Ji Yinxue said with a smile.
"Hmm. You're much more thoughtful than anyone else," said Aunt Zhao. "Someone, bring up the snacks. These wretched maids, they're all such a handful! Seeing Yinxue come, they even forgot to bring her some snacks!"
"Auntie, you have truly frightened Yinxue. Yinxue is merely fulfilling her filial duty; how could I possibly deserve such proper hospitality from you?"
The snacks had already been served. Aunt Zhao dismissed all the maids and servants and said with a smile, "Everyone has left, so there's no need for formalities. Tell me, what do you want to do?"
"Auntie is truly intelligent; I admire her from the bottom of my heart." Ji Yinxue flattered her, "I've heard that Auntie knew several masters before. I wonder if you could introduce me to one or two who could remove the Xuan Ying Needle from my body?"
"The Mysterious Shadow Needle?" Aunt Zhao was stunned. "A legendary weapon that hasn't appeared in the martial arts world for twenty years. Who implanted it into your body?"
“Of course, only a wicked person would want to kill me. If you can find such a master, Aunt, I will repay you by serving you like a slave!” Ji Yinxue said, kneeling down before Aunt Zhao with tears streaming down her face. “Aunt, do you know such a person?”
Ji Yinxue is, after all, Nan Jinxue's wife, and Nan Jinxue is Zhao Yiniang's biological daughter. Naturally, Nan Jinxue will side with Zhao Yiniang. Besides, Ji Wushang clearly intends to oppose him. Therefore, if he rescues Ji Yinxue and they join forces, they can definitely seize Nan Jinxue's marquisate. Then, Nan Jinxue will work for Huangfu Ting, and once Huangfu Ting ascends the throne, Nan Jinxue will surely rise rapidly in rank!
“It’s not that I don’t know this person, but I have a way to control the activation of the Xuan Ying Needle… By the way, when was this Xuan Ying Needle implanted in your body?” Of course, Aunt Zhao wanted to know the reason.
“A few days before my wedding, a lot happened. This needle was originally left to me by my mother, but I never expected it to be stolen and implanted in my body…” Ji Yinxue thought for a moment, then continued, “If I’m not mistaken, this needle was implanted by Ji Wushang. There’s a rift between us!”
"Oh? Very good." Aunt Zhao's lips curled into a smile. This is good; the enemy of my enemy is my friend!
Ji Yinxue felt uncomfortable hearing her say "very good," but she still smiled and nodded.
"That means you only have six months to live," Aunt Zhao said bluntly. "If you can help me, I will definitely make sure you survive these six months, and afterwards, we will share wealth and prosperity together!"
"Thank you, Auntie!" Ji Yinxue looked at her. Sure enough, she had guessed correctly; this Aunt Zhao was indeed a formidable figure! She knew about the Xuan Ying Needle, which had disappeared twenty years ago—what else didn't she know?
Ji Yinxue chatted with her with a smile, making small talk, before slowly walking out.
After Aunt Jin delivered the clothes to Ji Wushang, she went back on her own. Several maids greeted Nan Xianxian and bowed, "Third Miss."
"Hmm. Where did you all go just now?" Nan Xianxian asked, looking at the maids.
"Reporting to Third Miss, we have arrived at Moxuan Garden. My aunt instructed me to send the finished clothes to the Crown Princess."
"Oh, is that so?" Nan Xianxian thought to herself as she immediately entered Jinbi Garden. "Auntie."
"What are you exclaiming about!" Aunt Jin scolded, but her voice was full of smiles. "You may all leave!" After dismissing the maids and servants who were learning embroidery, she had Nan Xianxian sit down next to her. "What's wrong?"
"She actually managed to escape yesterday! I'm not happy about it, Auntie!" Nan Xianxian said coquettishly.
"About Granny An? Granny An is Aunt Zhao's person, not someone we sent. What's wrong with that? She helped us get rid of someone, which is good."
"Auntie, I just heard the maid say that you sent her some clothes. Did you stand up for me?" Nan Xianxian stared at her with wide eyes.
"Do you even need to tell me? My precious daughter, you can rest assured about what your aunt does!" Aunt Jin smiled. "As long as she wears the clothes I had sent, I think she'll never be able to conceive again! Isn't that enough?"
"Mm." Nan Xianxian nodded.
"How do we know if she'll wear it or not?" Nan Xianxian had just relaxed when this thought came to mind, and immediately asked.
“The bride must wear the new clothes given by the elders, which signifies that she has joined the family,” Aunt Jin said patiently. “If she doesn’t wear them, it is a great disrespect.”
"I see." Nan Xianxian smiled. "She'll get what's coming to her! Since she can't have children, we can have our eldest brother take a few concubines and make her furious!"
"You're so good at thinking. You're not getting any younger. Look which young master you've fallen for. It's time to get married!" Aunt Jin patted her head.
"Yes." Nan Xianxian nodded.
Ji Wushang felt exhausted and just wanted to sleep. When someone feels tired about something they care about, then they are truly exhausted.
Upon entering the inner room, I smelled a pleasant fragrance and couldn't resist taking a few breaths. But then I suddenly remembered my past life. It was the same fragrance, but I later learned that it was the scent of musk, which is most likely to cause infertility!
Ji Wushang was shocked and immediately covered his mouth and nose, looking around to see where the fragrance was coming from.
However, inhaling a little bit shouldn't be a problem. Ji Wushang isn't pregnant right now, and besides, she knows that it's actually very difficult for her to get pregnant. It's not that she's not prepared, but she knew from her past life that her body doesn't easily conceive... Moreover, she really suffered from the side effects of that musk in her past life.
Ji Wushang noticed the newly delivered clothes, all of them light-colored silk robes, which suited his taste quite well.
He picked up the clothes and smelled them. Sure enough, he could smell a faint musk scent. If he hadn't been alert, he definitely wouldn't have noticed this!
Ji Wushang felt a surge of anger. "Fine, they all want me dead and hurt! If they're going to be ruthless, then let's be ruthless together!"
I was preoccupied with this matter, which is why I hadn't focused my attention on things at home. Little did I know, I almost fell into a trap!
"Zhu'er." Ji Wushang called out to Zhu'er, who was guarding outside. Zhu'er immediately came in, "Miss."
☆、161 Framed? Beat him to death!
"Take all these clothes to the laundry room. You watch them; they need to soak in three spoonfuls of salt for an hour before they can be washed clean." Ji Wushang walked in without even looking up. "I don't like wearing unwashed clothes, understand?"
"Yes." Pearl picked up the clothes and immediately went to do it.
Ji Wushang watched her go down, took out a bottle from his bosom, opened it, and a fragrance wafted out. Ji Wushang casually fanned it with his hand, then put the bottle back in his bosom.
Ji Wushang went to open the window to let the smell dissipate faster.
A breeze blew in through the window, and Ji Wushang breathed in the wind, which carried the scent of snow, and closed his eyes contentedly.
But then a shout came from outside, "You maid, what are you doing here! Don't you have eyes? Guards, beat her!"
"Ah, spare me, Fifth Miss, spare me, spare me!" It was Xian'er's voice!
Ji Wushang's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately rushed out.
"Beat him! Beat him to death! How dare he take my things!" Fifth Miss Nan Zaiqing was furious. She looked at Xian'er, who was beaten bloody by several servants on the ground, and still shouted to continue beating him.
Ji Wushang saw the thread lying on the ground with its head in its hands and shouted, "Stop!"
Nan Zaiqing looked at Ji Wushang and sneered, "Continue!"
"How dare you!" Ji Wushang stepped forward and shoved the servants aside, protecting Xian'er beneath her. The servants immediately dared not approach, for she was, after all, the Crown Prince's Consort. They all looked at Nan Zaiqing, hoping to get her instructions.
"Oh, it's the Crown Princess! I thought it was someone else!" Nan Zaiqing looked at Ji Wushang with surprise. "Sister-in-law!"
Everyone around immediately bowed to Ji Wushang, saying, "Greetings to the Crown Princess!"
Ji Wushang stood up, looked at Nan Zaiqing, and sneered, "Fifth Miss, what happened?" In his memory, this Fifth Miss was the most annoying. She liked to exaggerate things for no reason, and was arrogant and domineering. She was really disgusting! She was only eleven or twelve years old now. What would she be like when she grew up! In his previous life, he had been bullied by her a lot. She was constantly ordered around and criticized by her! She would beat his maid at the drop of a hat!
In the end, this brat actually married into a good family!
Ji Wushang sneered. Now that things are starting over, nothing will be the same!
A good family? I'm determined to marry her off to a heartless scoundrel!
"It was this maid who stole my hairpin. I discovered it, and she ran this way. So I brought my men here, caught her, and was going to beat her to death!" Nan Zaiqing smirked and sneered. He was about to kick her out.
It is true that in powerful and influential families, there are instances where masters beat their servants to death, and these incidents are not subject to legal constraints.
Ji Wushang stopped her, preventing her from interfering, saying, "Fifth Miss should ask clearly before using torture."
"And what about the hairpin that was stolen?" Ji Wushang continued to ask.
"Here." Nan Zaiqing had already been beaten up and had vented her anger, but seeing Ji Wushang causing trouble made her excited again.
Nan Zaiqing held a gold hairpin, which was perfectly crafted and quite beautiful.
"Let me see." Ji Wushang stretched out his hand. Nan Zaiqing was unwilling but could not stop him. This was the Crown Princess, and he could not go against her now.
Ji Wushang held it in his hand and suddenly felt it seemed much lighter. This wasn't made of gold... "Xian'er, tell me, did you steal this?"
"Your Highness and Fifth Miss, I did not steal anything! I was just passing by Fifth Miss's villa, intending to leave, when suddenly several old women and servants rushed out, accusing me of stealing Fifth Miss's gold hairpin. But I really didn't steal it! The old women wouldn't listen to my explanation and threatened to beat me to death on the spot. I had no choice but to flee back, hoping Your Highness would uphold justice. I never expected Fifth Miss to come with her people and chase me here. I was terrified and fell to the ground, where I was brutally beaten." Xian'er looked at Ji Wushang with teary eyes.
Ji Wushang nodded, "If that's the case, then why didn't Fifth Miss find out the truth before hitting someone? This is the Marquis's mansion. If word gets out that Fifth Miss punished the servants without asking any questions, what will outsiders think of our Marquis's mansion?"
"Sister-in-law, listen to what my Granny Chun has to say!" Nan Zaiqing was very proud. She pointed to Granny Chun, who was standing to the side bowing and scraping. Granny Chun's hair was falling out in all directions, but her eyes were very clever. After her small eyes rolled around a few times, she greeted her with a smile, "Reporting to the Princess Consort."
"Slap!" Ji Wushang slapped Granny Chun across the face, leaving five finger marks on her cheek!
Those around were shocked, and Nan Zaiqing became even more furious, "You! Sister-in-law, what right did you have to hit Granny Chun?"
"What, this Granny Chun can stand and talk to me now? I didn't tell her to laugh, so what is she laughing at!" Ji Wushang sneered, "Kneel down now!" His voice was so stern that it was astonishing.
Nan Zaiqing felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing this and dared not rush forward. Ji Wushang's aura was fierce, and Nan Zaiqing was naturally no match for him.
Granny Chun covered her aching, swollen left cheek, knelt down, kowtowed, and said, "Your Highness, what that lowly maid Xian'er said just now was not the truth! This is what happened. When I passed by Miss's Qingrou Garden, I saw Xian'er acting suspiciously. I became suspicious and went up to ask her."
Who would have thought that Xian'er would be so secretive? I suspected something was wrong; she must be hiding something! I thought of taking her to the young lady for questioning, but she refused. In the struggle, the gold hairpin she stole fell to the ground. I then called for help. I intended to take her to the fifth young lady for interrogation, but she refused and escaped here. I had no choice but to send someone to inform the fifth young lady, and she came with her men!
Ji Wushang nodded, "Oh, is that really so?" Her hand was still weighing the "stolen" gold hairpin.
"If there is even half a lie, may I die a horrible death!" Granny Chun looked at Nan Zaiqing, who was so smug, while the princess consort looked utterly useless. Moreover, she insisted that she had made a firm claim, and all the nannies and servants could vouch for her; it was the truth!
"Please punish this insolent servant, Xian'er, Your Highness!" Granny Chun kowtowed again. Although her face was swollen from being slapped, it was alright. As long as she killed all of Xian'er's maids one by one, then let's see how long this Your Highness could live!
Nan Zaiqing was extremely excited. This was exactly what she wanted. Now that she was out, let her punish her own people! That would be much more satisfying!
"Granny Chun, what kind of death do you mean by 'not a good death'?" Ji Wushang smiled.
Granny Chun was taken aback. Looking at Ji Wushang's smile, she thought about whether she had said something wrong, but couldn't figure it out. She thought to herself, "It must be the Crown Princess who is trying to scare me!"
"Of course, beat him to death with sticks!" Granny Chun raised her hand triumphantly, her eyes drifting to the thread on the ground. "If the Princess Consort can't bear it, this servant can have someone take the thread away; it certainly won't be in your way!"
"What do you think, Fifth Miss?" Ji Wushang asked, looking at her.
“The facts are right in front of us, sister-in-law. You can’t bear to punish that wretched maid Xian’er, can you?” Nan Zaiqing said coldly.
Ji Wushang nodded, "Yes." Ji Wushang stood up and shouted, "Guards, take Granny Chun away and beat her to death!"
ah?
Everyone around was stunned when they heard this, and Granny Chun was even more bewildered!
"What are you saying!" Nan Zaiqing looked at Ji Wushang. "Why is it Granny Chun who is being punished!"
"Fifth Miss, I feel deeply sorry for you. Such a wicked servant has been by your side all this time, which has really blinded you. Even I, as the eldest sister-in-law, can't stand it. However, this time, it's very good that this Granny Chun has been exposed."
"Sister-in-law Ji...!" Nan Zaiqing almost called out Ji Wushang's name, but she still had a sliver of reason left. "What sorrow? I will not give you any reason until you tell me!"
"Listen," Ji Wushang stepped forward and looked at her, "This hairpin isn't real. I wonder, would our Marquis's mansion possess a fake gold hairpin?"
What?