Nan Zaiqing's eyes widened immediately. "You're saying it's fake? How can you prove it?"
"It's easy. Just have the manager of the jewelry store come over, and we'll know." Ji Wushang smiled and turned his head. "Someone, go and fetch the manager of the jewelry store for me!"
"Yes!" The errand boy immediately accepted the order and went to carry it out.
Nan Zaiqing looked at Granny Chun as if questioning her: if the gold hairpin really was fake, wouldn't that ruin things?
Granny Chun was sweating profusely. This was indeed not Nan Zaiqing's gold hairpin… Granny Chun had seen Nan Zaiqing wear it and was pleased, but she certainly couldn't take it, so she had someone make a copy. She was still carrying it when she saw Xian'er pass by. Remembering that she had heard yesterday that Ji Wushang had dealt with Granny An, Granny An was Granny Chun's cousin, and they usually did shady things together. Now that she saw Xian'er, she naturally wanted revenge. In her desperation, she took out the newly made copy and used it.
Looking at Granny Chun's expression, Ji Wushang knew that this was the situation.
Nan Zaiqing said, "It's getting dark. I think we should just leave it at that, sister-in-law. It seems like it was all a misunderstanding. Let's just forget about it and pretend it never happened!"
"Fifth Miss, how can this matter be left like this? You've already set a precedent. If there's no result, won't people laugh at us? If word gets out, won't they laugh at our Marquis's Mansion, saying that our master punishes servants at will? Fifth Miss, aren't you afraid of damaging your reputation? Fifth Miss is still young. If word gets out and people say all sorts of nonsense, it will probably be a troublesome matter for you to get married in the future."
Nan Zaiqing was taken aback. How come she hadn't thought of this! But no, she just didn't want to let Chun Mama punish her... she was her wet nurse!
"Your Highness, the manager of the Jewelry Store has arrived!" At this moment, a servant stepped forward and called out.
Ji Wushang smiled, "Very good, please come here." Ji Wushang gently waved the gold hairpin at Nan Zaiqing, who wished she could snatch it back!
"Greetings to the Crown Princess and Fifth Miss." The jewelry store manager stepped forward and gave a slight bow. Merchants were considered lower in status than those in politics, hence the bow.
Ji Wushang said, "Sir, there's no need for such formalities. I invited you here so that you could see whether this gold hairpin is real or fake." With that, Ji Wushang handed the gold hairpin to the shopkeeper, who looked to be about thirty or forty years old.
The shopkeeper nodded, respectfully accepted the gold hairpin, and then examined it closely.
Nan Zaiqing's palms were sweating, while Granny Chun was even more terrified. Had she driven herself to her death? She had actually said to beat him to death with sticks! Heavens, was this her fate?
"Your Highness, these are just ordinary ironware pieces, coated with gold powder. I've checked them several times, and they are indeed as described; there are no mistakes," the shopkeeper replied respectfully.
"You must be mistaken! Granny Chun, this is my gold hairpin!" Nan Zaiqing thought, determined to make a final desperate attempt.
“This, this…” Granny Chun stammered.
"I swear on my life, I haven't made a mistake in my appraisal. This is indeed a fake gold hairpin." The shopkeeper saw that Nan Zaiqing's face was fierce, but he still told the truth.
"Very well, someone, take the manager away and give him ten taels of silver." Ji Wushang smiled, then turned to face them and gently moved his lips, "So, it was Granny Chun who framed Xian'er, while Fifth Miss beat my maid Xian'er so badly... You tell me, Granny Chun, go and accept your punishment! Beat her to death with sticks."
"Spare me, Your Highness! Your Highness, it was my fault, I shouldn't have spoken out of turn, please forgive my life!" Granny Chun kowtowed as she crawled toward Nan Zaiqing, "Fifth Miss, please speak up for me, please let me live!"
"Heh!" Ji Wushang sneered, "Fifth Miss, how should you punish her? You also hit Xian'er. If word gets out, it'll be seen as indiscriminate beating without any explanation, Fifth Miss..."
"Guards, drag this wicked servant, Granny Chun, away and beat her to death with sticks!" Nan Zaiqing said coldly, stepping on Granny Chun's chest and kicking her away.
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "Fifth Miss is indeed ruthless. Yes, that's exactly how you should treat those unruly servants!"
Those around them felt their hair stand on end. They never expected that someone who had worked for the Fifth Miss would be executed by her! Granny Chun was Nan Zaiqing's wet nurse!
Ruthless, vicious!
The servants all despised Nan Zaiqing.
At this moment, several rough-looking old women came up. When Chun Mama saw them, she immediately cried out, "Miss, Miss! Miss, I did it for you! I only slandered that maid Xian'er because I listened to you!" Seeing that she was about to die, Chun Mama spoke recklessly and wanted to say everything.
Upon hearing this, the people around were surprised and all looked at Nan Zaiqing.
Ji Wushang sneered, "So, it was Fifth Miss who ordered it. I was wondering how Granny Chun could have such audacity to do something like this. It was Fifth Miss!" This exclamation was quite meaningful.
"What's wrong?" Just then, a deep voice rang out. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was none other than Marquis Nan Aogan of Jinnan!
Ji Wushang smiled and bowed respectfully, "Father."
"Father!" Nan Zaiqing's face lit up with joy. Her father, the Marquis, doted on her so much! Nan Zaiqing jumped up to him, "Father!"
"No need for formalities! What's going on here? Why are there so many people kneeling on the ground?" the Marquis asked calmly.
Nan Zaiqing was about to speak out, but Ji Wushang said, "Father, this matter should be told by the servants who were present, so as to ensure fairness. If there are any lies, we can confront them."
"Hmm, go ahead." The Marquis pointed to a servant in the crowd who was assisting Nan Zaiqing.
The servant saw Nan Zaiqing's thin lips move and knew she wanted him to lie. The servant was trembling and was about to speak when he heard Ji Wushang say casually, "Father, what would happen if someone dared to lie to you?"
"Chop it up and throw it on the back hill to feed the dogs," the Marquis said decisively.
Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang said, "Oh, alright then, please tell me slowly, young man." A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Ji Wushang's eyes as he looked at the servant's face, causing the servant to shiver and tremble.
"Yes, it was this Granny Chun who falsely accused Xian'er of stealing the Fifth Miss's gold hairpin. After examination, the hairpin was found to be fake... Xian'er was beaten by the Fifth Miss for no reason. Then, because Granny Chun had said beforehand that if she did it, she was willing to be beaten to death... So, the Fifth Miss sentenced Granny Chun to be beaten to death. Granny Chun panicked and blurted out that the Fifth Miss had ordered her to do it..." The servant, feeling timid, revealed the truth.
☆、162 A Night of Unforgettable Parting (Deluxe Edition)
Ji Wushang listened and said, "Everyone around us is listening and watching. Father, if you don't believe me, you can ask them what really happened."
Nan Zaiqing looked at the Marquis's ashen face, not daring to breathe, "Father, I, I..."
With a sharp "slap!", the Marquis slapped Nan Zaiqing across the face. "Get back!"
"Father, why did you hit the Fifth Miss? Fifth Miss, are you alright?" Ji Wushang was very surprised and stepped forward. "Fifth Miss, what happened to your face?" As he spoke, he turned his head back. "Father, the Fifth Miss is only eleven or twelve years old. Please don't punish her."
"Hmph! Shameful!" the Marquis snorted angrily.
Ji Wushang sneered inwardly. Who was this charade for? To demonstrate his impartiality? Or to express his disappointment in his students?
"Father, please don't be angry. Fifth Miss was probably just playing around," Ji Wushang advised.
"I don't need your pity!" Nan Zaiqing glared coldly at Ji Wushang, who shrugged. "I'm doing this for your own good."
People around them were pointing and whispering.
Nan Zaiqing was so angry she wanted to tear that servant who spoke the truth to pieces! Her fierce eyes looked like she wanted to devour him.
"Guards, drag this Granny Chun away and beat her to death!" How could he not grant her the punishment she had given herself! The Marquis's tone was as cold as ice.
The few rough-looking old women standing to one side came forward and dragged Granny Chun outside. Granny Chun's pig-like screams did not affect their decision at all.
The Marquis snorted coldly and said, "Disperse!" before leaving immediately.
Nan Zaiqing glared at Ji Wushang, gritting her teeth in hatred. "Hmph!"
Ji Wushang didn't care and bent down to help Zhu'er pick up the thread from the ground. "Thread, are you alright?"
"Thank you so much, Miss, for saving my life!" Xian'er was moved to tears. If Ji Wushang had been a step slower, the Fifth Miss would have surely beaten Xian'er to death!
Ji Wushang nodded, "Let's talk about it when we get back! Someone, go and fetch a doctor!"
The servant immediately ran off to find a doctor.
Ji Wushang took Xian'er back to the courtyards of her servants and settled her in before returning to Moxuan Garden. The setting sun cast long shadows in the courtyard, lengthening the loneliness.
Before Ji Wushang even entered, he heard the sound of a flute, "Ambush from Ten Sides." The sound was mournful, filled with countless worries, yet concealing deadly intent. The waves were turbulent, and danger lurked everywhere. A glimmer of hope appeared in the darkest hour, but it vanished in an instant! Ji Wushang's nerves were on edge.
He walked in and saw Nan Xuzong playing the flute to the moon. Seeing Ji Wushang enter, he said, "You're back?"
"Hmm." Ji Wushang looked at him, sitting on the stone bench in front of him, her eyes meeting his. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"
"Not at the moment."
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "I have one."
"I'm going out for a while. You must take care of yourself at the Marquis's residence," Nan Xuzong suddenly said, putting away his flute. "I'll only be gone for three days. If anything important happens, you must wait for me to return before dealing with it."
"Where are you going to do what?" Ji Wushang asked, looking at him. "The backyard of the Marquis's mansion is quite lively."
"Let's go inside and talk." Nan Xuzong embraced her and led her into the house. After listening to her recount what had just happened, he said, "In that case, they can't hold back any longer. You need to be careful. I brought Beigong Jueshi back."
"Bei Gong Jue Shi?" Countless images flashed through Ji Wu Shang's mind. Yes, he had been missing for quite some time. "Where is he?"
“He became the prince consort of the Western Regions. He married the princess of the Western Regions.” Nan Xuzong looked at the night sky, which was getting darker. “However, the two of them have become kings of the Western Regions, and are just pawns of Yiyun Upper City… If we don’t bring Jueshi back, I’m afraid his life will be in danger.”
"you mean?"
“Bei Gong Jue Shi is a sealed demon. He carries a murderous aura and is a cursed star. He was taken to Wudang Mountain by the Taoist Tai Bai when he was young, which saved him from disaster. I have already sent people to find out, and Min Hao also knows that Jue Shi’s help in Yi Yun Shang Cheng’s usurpation of the throne has awakened the demonic nature within him. Therefore, we must bring Jue Shi back before Yi Yun Shang Cheng takes control of him.”
“Okay.” Ji Wushang nodded.
Nan Xuzong held her in his arms. "Tomorrow, the King of the Western Regions will enter the palace to meet the Emperor. If anything happens, you must be careful. The only thing I'm worried about is you."
"I will wait for you patiently, and you must come back safely." Ji Wushang said, looking up at his exquisite features.
He nodded and gently covered her lips with his.
"Hmm." Ji Wushang sighed softly, a sound barely audible. His large hand moved downwards, his eyes deepening. "Wushang, Wushang."
"Mmm." Ji Wushang closed her eyes, letting him take what he wanted. Parting is always painful, so the only thing to cherish is the present. But then, her stomach started rumbling.
Ji Wushang looked embarrassed and muttered softly, "I'm hungry."
He gave a wicked smile, "I'll feed you."
Upon hearing this, her face turned even redder, "What are you saying!"
His thin lips lightly kissed her forehead and neck, their heat sweeping over her beautiful body. "I'm telling the truth." He gently nibbled on Ji Wushang's earlobe, blowing softly on her sensitive spot. Ji Wushang felt herself trembling, thinking of refusing, but his steel arms held her tightly, not letting her move an inch. His advances were targeted; after several rounds of lovemaking, he had gradually figured out her soft spot, and he decided to give her an unforgettable night.
Nan Xuzong kissed every part of her body tenderly, making her make alluring sounds, softening her like water, and letting her lie sprawled in his arms.
Ji Wushang murmured softly, her hands involuntarily climbing up his neck to make him more stable and closer to her.
The heat was unprecedented. He knew she was on the verge of exploding, and he was even more so. But he wanted her to be even more alluring. He controlled his own climax, and the heat from his large hands left Ji Wushang nowhere to escape, causing her to completely succumb.
"Remember how I made you feel, Wu Shang." Nan Xuzong murmured as he lightly kissed her. Upon hearing this, Ji Wu Shang immediately opened her bright eyes. "You? What were you saying just now?"
"It seems you're not focused enough." He sighed, pulling her close with a forceful, passionate kiss, as if trying to steal her breath and swallow her whole!
He was somewhat violent; his gentleness had diminished, replaced by a hint of madness from the depths of his heart, "Wu Shang, Wu Shang!"
"Mmm." She cried out helplessly as his large hand reached down from below. "Wu Shang, call my name!"
"Cong." Guided by him, Ji Wushang unintentionally called out his name.
Even though they were still in wheelchairs, they didn't feel the space was cramped at all; instead, it added to their fervor.
He swallowed hard, then covered her lips with another passionate kiss. He kissed her from head to toe, as if he wanted to leave his mark on her body before he would stop. He tugged at her belt, igniting everything about her. "Wu Shang, Wu Shang."
"Cong, Cong." Ji Wushang felt a surge of madness from the bottom of her heart, she had never felt this way before. "Mmm." She suddenly opened her hazy eyes, unable to believe that he had taken her like this.
He had indeed gone mad; his frenzied movements made Ji Wushang feel that the two of them might break the wheelchair at any moment. However, as it turned out, her worries were unnecessary. She too was softened by the waves of pleasure and reached the peak of ecstasy.
As the passion subsided, the two nestled together, slightly out of breath; she too felt utterly exhausted. After a moment, she gently pushed her away, saying, "That's enough, it's time to rest."
"Hehe." Nan Xuzong chuckled foolishly, turned his head, and looked at Ji Wushang with his eyes. He saw her slightly flushed face and realized that he was still lingering with her and hadn't pulled away yet.