The eldest daughter of Prime Minister Gao was caught cheating on her husband, and Prince Beigong Minhao of Zhenbei caught them in the act, killing the adulterer with a single blow! A letter of divorce was issued, and Prime Minister Gao's daughter, Gao Fengfen, was thrown out of the house! Now, according to the rules, she should be paraded through the streets as a public spectacle and then drowned in a pig cage in the river!
The sunset did indeed have a hint of blood in it.
Servants from the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion cleared the way, and a woman dressed in white, her hair disheveled, was being carried into the enormous bamboo pig cage. A careful observer could see that Gao Fengfen's face was deathly pale, and she couldn't speak. However, many more people were throwing eggs and vegetables at the woman, creating a complete mess!
Countless people were cursing this shameless woman, and everyone wanted to drown her in the Fuchen River, three miles outside the imperial city.
Women who commit adultery are destined to be paraded through the entire imperial city.
The Gao family was already infamous, and all of this was caused by Gao Fengfen.
At this time, it was the residence of Prime Minister Gao.
Prime Minister Gao sat in his grand chair, a fire burning in his chest. He slammed his hand on the table, his thick eyebrows furrowed in anger. "Truly unforgivable crimes! I, Gao Qihang, will never let the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion get away with this!"
"Waaah, sir, please send someone to save Fen'er! How can you bear to see her being bullied like this?" Madam Gao cried out, tugging at his clothes.
"You think I don't want to?" Gao Qihang roared. "If I were to speak up now and try to save Fen'er, it would be tantamount to saying that in addition to our shameless and immoral eldest daughter, our Prime Minister's Mansion also has an unreasonable Left Prime Minister! Tell me, what standing does our Prime Minister's Mansion have in the capital?"
"But now the whole capital knows about this! Waaah! Everyone knows that our Prime Minister's residence has a woman like Fen'er... Waaah, how are we supposed to face people now! I think Fen'er has been framed! Let's go and ask His Majesty to speak on this!"
"What a woman's compassion!" Gao Qihang sneered. "I heard that all the servants were there when they caught them in the act! What's there to say when you're caught like that? Seeing is believing! The facts are right in front of you, Fen'er, you can't save her!" As he said this, Gao Qihang felt a pang of sadness.
"What did you say? Can you really bear to watch Fen'er drown like this?" Madam Gao simply couldn't believe that her husband could be so cold-hearted!
As the dusk settled, Gao Qihang said, "For the sake of the Prime Minister's residence, we cannot save them! Moreover, I must prepare gifts and personally apologize!"
"Apologize in person? Whose door are you going to? Whom are you apologizing to?" Madam Gao stared at him wide-eyed. "Could it be the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion?"
"Or what do you think?" Gao Qihang sneered, "I think His Majesty already knows about this matter. The fact that he hasn't said anything yet is giving me a chance! I serve in the same court as the Prince of Zhenbei, and our marriage was originally a beautiful story. Unfortunately, it will now turn our two families into enemies. From now on, the Prince of Zhenbei and I will be strangers."
This is actually beneficial to His Majesty, because a marriage alliance between our two offices would strengthen the power of our respective officials. However, unexpectedly, this has happened, and His Majesty will naturally turn a blind eye. But, we still need to save face. If I don't personally apologize, I fear His Majesty will use various excuses to strip me of all my power! Then the Right Chancellor's power will become even greater!
Listening to Gao Qihang's analysis, Madam Gao was speechless and could only wipe away her tears with a silk handkerchief.
Gao Qihang put his arm around her shoulder, "Fen'er won't have died in vain..." The Zhenbei Prince's Mansion must pay the price!
Gao Fengfen was completely unconscious at this moment, letting herself become neither human nor ghost, uttering all sorts of trapped beast sounds of resentment in her heart, and unable to stop the curse in her heart.
Bei Gongminhao's face was cold and stern, his white robes fluttering in the wind. He didn't seem to react much to the sounds around him. However, his sharp eyes had already taken in everything, whether it was praise or pity, Bei Gongminhao just gave a cold laugh.
The procession finally reached the riverbank.
The wind blew even harder. Bei Gongminhao knew that no one would stop him; it seemed that Prime Minister Gao had decided to abandon Gao Fengfen as a pawn.
Bei Gongminhao sneered, reined in his horse, and looked at Gao Fengfen in the pig cage. "Did you see that? No one from Prime Minister Gao's mansion will come to save you! If they still considered you their daughter, they should have come to your rescue!" Bei Gongminhao wanted to provoke Gao Fengfen.
Gao Fengfen sneered, unable to utter a word. She listened to Bei Gongminhao's words for a moment, then turned ashen-faced and lay sprawled in the pig cage, awaiting death.
Beigong Minhao turned his head and glanced at the river. The wind on the river was a bit strong at the moment, chasing after his clothes and bringing a chill.
“Sink.” Beigong Minhao’s lips twitched slightly, and he extended a finger.
The pig cage was carried down by several servants and carried across the river to a large boat. The boat set sail and immediately headed towards the center of the river.
Everyone was craning their necks to watch the river sink.
Beigong Minhao only felt the wind getting a little stronger at this moment.
The boat had reached the middle of the river. Several servants carried the pig cage off the boat, tied it with a lot of stones, and threw it into the river.
Everyone watched as Gao Fengfen sank to the bottom of the river.
Bei Gongminhao felt no pleasure in punishing Gao Fengfen. In this drama of life, Gao Fengfen was merely a pawn, used by her father and by herself. However, her harassment and harm to Ji Wushang was just the beginning of her tragedy! No one could predict what would happen next.
This can be considered as removing an obstacle for Ji Wushang! What she couldn't finish, I will definitely finish for her!
Seeing that the boat was already heading back to the shore, Beigong Minhao immediately turned his horse around and returned to his residence.
Sure enough, as soon as he entered the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion, Bei Gongminhao saw the carriage of Prime Minister Gao parked in front of the mansion. He threw down his whip and immediately walked into the main hall.
A maid carrying some things walked up and bowed to Beigong Minhao, saying, "Your Highness."
Beigong Minhao immediately asked, "Father is back?"
"Your Highness, the Prince has not returned."
"Who is this person who came to visit?"
"It is Prime Minister Gao. The Princess has already instructed him to wait for the Prince in the main hall."
"When did you arrive?" He's here so early, he's come to apologize, huh!
"Before an incense stick burns."
"Alright, you may leave!" Beigong Minhao walked towards his courtyard, without going to the main hall.
Such matters can be left to Prime Minister Gao to wait on his own! Being allowed to enter the residence is already a great favor! However, whether or not he is granted an audience is up to the Prince of Zhenbei, and in the end, he will still lose face!
Bei Gong Minhao thought for a moment, then turned and walked towards the study of the Prince of Zhenbei. Sure enough, the Prince of Zhenbei was in the study. Bei Gong Minhao stepped forward and said, "Father."
"Hmm, is the matter finished? Have a seat." The Prince of Zhenbei swiped his pen and closed the memorial again.
"Yes." Bei Gongminhao nodded. "Father, Prime Minister Gao is waiting outside. Do you wish to see him?"
"What do you think? If you want your father to see him, your father will go and see him. If you don't want your father to see him, your father will send him away immediately!" The Prince of Zhenbei seemed to be saying, "I'll let you decide."
Beigong Minhao said, "If you won't see him, force him to jump over the wall!"
"Good!" The Prince of Zhenbei immediately sent someone over. "Say that I have already gone on a long journey and will not be back for a while. Tell Prime Minister Gao not to wait for me and to go and retrieve the body!"
The servant nodded and immediately ran off to do it.
Bei Gongminhao closed the study door and then took out a letter from his bosom. "Father, look at these letters. This is evidence of Prime Minister Gao's collusion with the Japanese pirates. As long as the time is right, we can bring down Prime Minister Gao's mansion!"
"Really?" The Prince of Zhenbei took it, a hint of disbelief on his face. But after taking it, he immediately opened it and became angrier the more he read. It was all treasonous deeds!
He slammed the letter on the table with a slap, the Prince of Zhenbei was furious. "What a bastard! He has already been appointed Prime Minister, with high rank and generous salary, and the Emperor has treated him well, yet he still did such a thing! I'm going to the palace immediately!"
Beigong Minhao grabbed him immediately, "Father, no rush."
"Hmm?" The Prince of Zhenbei raised an eyebrow.
"In my opinion, Prime Minister Gao is nothing more than a pawn. His only interest is to seize the throne. However, things are still unclear. If we hand over this letter now, we might alert the enemy. The mastermind behind the Japanese pirates must be prepared!"
"So what do you mean?"
"Don't rush. I told Father today because I wanted to tell you to have less contact with Prime Minister Gao. You and General Ji have been friends for many years. If he knew about this, he would definitely join us in dealing with Prime Minister Gao!" Bei Gongminhao said.
"Hmm, you make a good point." The Prince of Zhenbei nodded. "I'll go and speak with General Ji."
Beigong Minho smiled.
——
At the Marquis's residence, near the accounting office, the fire was burning even more fiercely.
"Go save her!" the Marquis cried out frantically. "You people, go save Jin Xue!"
Nan Xuzong's eyes were deep as he looked at Ji Wushang, who was also looking at Nan Jinxue in the distance. Although Nan Jinxue was feeling uncomfortable from the smoke, she still stared at Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong with wide eyes.
"Cong." Ji Wushang called out softly.
The next second, Nan Xuzong slammed his hand on the wheelchair, which flew off towards the collapsing accounting room. His golden thread lashed out, grabbing the oblivious Aunt Zhao who was wrapped up on the ground, and with a sharp tug, she was sent flying.
"Quick, catch it!" Even if she doesn't die, she'll definitely be badly injured. Let's see how long Aunt Zhao lives! Ji Wushang shouted loudly.
Some of the guards nearby immediately stepped forward to receive the person.
Nan Jinxue looked at Nan Xuzong with a hint of expectation in her eyes. Nan Xuzong rolled out the golden thread, one of which rolled the burning wood on his body and threw it far away, while another golden thread had already wrapped up Nan Jinxue.
Nan Xuzong snorted lightly and sent Nan Jinxue flying.
He turned his wheelchair around and immediately left the place where the food was being cooked.
The accounting office collapsed behind him.
Those around were stunned by the shocking scene. Nan Jinxue was caught before anyone could catch her, and she fell to the ground, lying unconscious.
"Quick!" the Marquis exclaimed in surprise, rushing forward immediately. "Doctor!"
Everyone crowded around to check on Nan Jinxue and Aunt Zhao. Ji Wushang stepped forward and asked softly, "Cong, are you alright?"
"It's nothing." Nan Xuzong's eyes flickered, and he lowered his voice, his gaze fixed on Nan Jinxue's direction. "Why did you ask me to save them?"
"To earn you a good reputation, anyway, they're all dying anyway." Ji Wushang stepped forward and whispered, "I'll go check on them."
"Yes." Nan Xuzong nodded.
Ji Wushang looked up at the accounting room, which was now completely burned down, with only the last flames remaining, the firelight soaring into the sky.
Shaking off all his thoughts, Ji Wushang stepped forward, "What's wrong with Aunt Zhao? Quickly, take her to Zhuangshu Garden and get the best doctor in the capital to see her!"
"And, second brother, alas!" Ji Wushang pretended to cover his face in sorrow.
Seeing Ji Wushang's actions, the concubines and young ladies around him also feigned sorrow. Ji Wushang could only laugh inwardly. These people probably all wished for something to happen to Aunt Zhao and Nan Jinxue, right? However, if it were him, they would probably laugh even more happily, even if they looked like they were crying!
Humans exist primarily for their own benefit. Those who truly care for you will stay by your side, unwavering, protecting and cherishing you, regardless of whether you gain anything from them.
The servants had already helped carry Aunt Zhao and Nan Jinxue back to their respective courtyards, and many doctors had been invited, with people assigned to take care of them and treat their illnesses.
The Marquis anxiously followed to see Nan Jinxue, while Aunt Zhao looked like she was going to die!
He looked like a piece of charcoal; if it weren't for his weak breathing, the Marquis would probably have ordered him to be put into a coffin right away.
After watching everyone disperse, Ji Wushang began to deal with the matter, ordering people to extinguish the fire and then dispose of the ashes.
After finishing his preparations, it was already past dinner time. Ji Wushang was starving and headed towards Moxuan Garden. Knowing that Nan Xuzong was busy with other matters, he let him return to Moxuan Garden first. As he walked along the corridor, Zhu'er followed behind him, but a gust of wind blew by, and the coldness penetrated to his very bones.
Ji Wushang had no choice but to hug her arms tightly. Zhu'er immediately stepped forward, "Miss, should I go get you your outer robe?"
"No need, let's go back quickly," Ji Wushang said, as they were heading towards Moxuan Garden anyway.
"Wu Shang." Just then, a gentle voice rang out. Ji Wu Shang looked up sharply and saw Nan Xu Cong walking towards him. A warm robe was placed on his lap. "I'm late. I just heated up dinner for you, but I'm still late... I'm sorry, Wu Shang, come quickly." He tried to get closer as he spoke awkwardly.
Ji Wushang felt a pang of sadness and ran forward.
Zhu'er glanced at the two of them, smiled inwardly, and then immediately ran off. With Nan Xuzong around, there was nothing to worry about!
Nan Xuzong handed her the outer robe, which Ji Wushang put on and immediately felt warm. "Let's go!" Without needing to say more, her heart had already been melted by him.
Nan Xuzong nodded with a smile on his face. In fact, he had a small wish in his heart... He really wanted to stand up, put an outer robe on her, and then hug her and go back together.
Will that day ever come?
Ji Wushang helped push his wheelchair, "Have you finished your business?"
"Yes, everything's mostly settled." Nan Xuzong nodded. "The wedding between Jueshi and Princess Muchen is set for the third day of the lunar new year."