“I can’t do this to you! The Marquis’s mansion has treated us well. If the Marquis finds out you’ve done this, he won’t let you off the hook!” Madam Qi said worriedly.
Nan Aoyu said, "I knew about this relationship, but I just didn't expect that even though I kept it so secret, that little girl still found out! She's only been married into the family for a little over a month, it's unbelievable!"
"Have you forgotten? Who is the man behind her? The Prince of Nan is not someone to be trifled with!" Madam Qi stepped forward. "You know about the relationship between the Prince of Nan and the Empress Dowager!"
“I know, but he’s just a useless prince. He’s not going to rise to the heavens no matter what!” Nan Aoyu shook her head. “Forget it, what should we do now that the princess has caught us red-handed?”
"Transfer the silver quickly, or she will definitely blackmail you again!" Madam Qi said. "My family is in the countryside outside the capital. If you're willing, you can move that 200,000 taels of gold to the countryside."
"Is it safe in the countryside?" Nan Aoyu looked at Madam Qi, seeing her determined eyes, and nodded. "Okay, I'll listen to you!"
"Yes." Madam Qi nodded. The two then went into the room.
Little did they know, someone was eavesdropping outside. Hearing their conversation, he was shocked to discover that it involved so much silver! Immediately, the maidservant ran into the courtyard.
A moment later, a shrill voice came from a secluded courtyard, "Are you telling the truth? There are two hundred thousand taels of gold?"
"Yes, Madam, Madam Qi is thinking of having Master move her to the countryside!"
"That bitch! She actually tried to embezzle those two hundred thousand taels of gold! Even if she transferred it, do you think she could get it back? It'll all be eaten up by that bitch anyway! No way, I won't let them have their way! Go, listen carefully, find out which bank it is, and what silver it is—why should it be given to that bitch!" Her son is the legitimate heir; he's supposed to inherit all the property! How could she let someone else take it!
Aunt Liu glared angrily and ordered the maid to leave immediately.
"You can't even give birth to a son, so you're already eyeing money? Dream on! Let's see how secure your position as wife is. Once Hao'er grows up, won't that position be mine?" Aunt Liu glared coldly at the spot where the light had gone out in the distance.
——
The next day, Nan Aoyu finished all the account books and asked Ji Wushang to review them. However, Nan Xuzong did the work for him, requiring Nan Aoyu to carefully flatter him for quite some time. Only after Nan Xuzong found the account books satisfactory did he let Nan Aoyu go do other things.
For several days in a row, Ji Wushang stayed in her room to rest, with Nan Xuzong occasionally accompanying her for walks in the courtyard. He would also give instructions to the people in the courtyard.
The sky was a bit blue. The wedding of Bei Gong Jue Shi and Yi Yun Mu Chen was approaching, and the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion seemed very happy. Bei Gong Jue Shi was at the mansion, and although he had a somewhat cold attitude, he was still making arrangements for his wedding.
The King of the Western Regions had quelled the invasion of the King of Bohai and even killed the King of Bohai's son, Mordan, which made the King of Bohai resentful, but he dared not offend again.
In just a few days, they recaptured all seven lost cities and even killed Prince Mordan. Such speed of battle and ruthless methods spread throughout the continent.
Bei Gong Jue Shi watched as Bei Gong Min Hao prepared for his wedding. Just as she was about to step forward, she heard the sound of a flute. Her heterochromatic eyes flashed, she glanced at Bei Gong Min Hao, and immediately turned and left the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion.
Upon arriving at the inn, they entered and saw Yiyun Shangcheng already seated on the tiger-shaped chair, holding a golden dragon wine cup and swirling the wine. "How did things go?" he asked, his wicked gaze fixed on Beigong Jueshi, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"All troops are ready. Kill them today!" Bei Gong Jue Shi said coldly.
"Fine, tomorrow is your wedding day with Mu Chen, and I don't want to see bloodshed on your wedding day! But if you fail to complete the mission, don't blame me for being impolite!" Yi Yun Shangcheng sneered, "Mu Chen can marry anyone at any time!"
Bei Gong Jue Shi seemed completely unmoved, showing no reaction whatsoever to his words.
Yiyun Shangcheng smiled slightly. This was indeed a demon made of a stone heart.
Bei Gong Jue Shi walked out.
It's just killing someone! It's that simple!
The Imperial Palace.
Huangfu Ting looked arrogantly at the man in black kneeling on the ground, his face as cold as ice. "You're more trouble than you're worth. Take your own life."
The man in black had sweaty palms, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead down his back.
He decided to end it all... but he had no other choice!
The man in black had no choice but to draw his longsword and slit his own throat! Blood splattered everywhere, and he died.
Huangfu Ting snorted coldly, without much reaction, and several men in black came forward to deal with the corpse.
Huangfu Ting walked into the inner hall, looked at Empress Yao and Huangfu Lan who were sitting there, and sat down opposite them with a cold snort.
"Mother, your rash act of sending someone to assassinate those two is tantamount to pushing me into a fire!" Huangfu Ting said with considerable dissatisfaction.
"I did all this for your own good, that's why I eliminated them for you. How was I supposed to know they were so capable!" Empress Yao raised an eyebrow. "How can you say that I pushed you into the fire? They would never know it was I who sent them!"
"You don't understand the power of the Prince of Nan." Huangfu Ting glanced coldly at Empress Yao. "Do you think the Prince of Nan is such a simple person? If he only had the Empress Dowager backing him, he would have been dead long ago, but he wasn't! This shows that he has considerable power of his own! Your actions are exposing us!"
"He certainly doesn't know that I sent people to do it!" Empress Yao said coldly. She was Huangfu Ting's mother! How could he speak to her like that!
"He only needs to investigate to find out that it was the Empress Dowager who sent people to assassinate them! I was originally thinking of ways to win him over, but the Empress Dowager is quite something, giving me such a surprise!" Huangfu Ting sneered.
Empress Yao was displeased. In the end, she had only acted impulsively to kill other enemies because she was worried about his throne! Was he grateful to her, yet he still mocked her like this?
"Mother, Second Brother, please stop arguing. Things have come to this point, and there's no use saying anything now. Given the current situation, at least the Prince of Nan won't take any action, so we still have time. Since the Prince of Nan and his wife are no longer at our disposal, then let them both die! As long as they don't get in our way, that's fine," Huangfu Lan said, standing up.
"That's what I meant too. I just wanted to show you what I'm capable of!" Empress Yao looked at them, finally fixing her gaze on Huangfu Ting. "The Third Prince has already begun his actions. If you don't hurry, he might take the Crown Prince's position!"
"I understand." Huangfu Ting snorted coldly. He was already happy if she didn't cause him any trouble, otherwise how could he compete for the position of crown prince!
"Lan'er, you need to hurry up! The King of the Western Regions has just returned victorious from defeating the enemy, and he must be very happy. He is going back to the Western Regions to pay homage. If he hasn't taken a concubine by then, some ministers will probably send their daughters to him!" Empress Yao looked at Huangfu Lan with her foxy eyes.
Huangfu Lan said, "Yes, I understand. I'd like to, but others aren't willing, and there's nothing I can do about it!"
“It was truly remarkable that the King of the Western Regions was able to withstand those medicines last time. This time, we need to plan carefully. I've found out his preferences. How about you do it this way?” Huangfu Ting said.
Huangfu Lan frowned slightly as she listened, "Will this work?"
“It will work. He goes to the September Pavilion to drink every day, so you can just wait for him there! This time, he will definitely succumb to your temptation!” A glint of light flashed in Huangfu Ting’s eyes.
Huangfu Lan nodded. Indeed, if she married a man like the King of the Western Regions—a noble, ruthless, and supreme ruler—he might become the sole emperor who unified the continent! In that case, she would be his empress, and everyone would kneel at her feet, at her beck and call!
Having traveled extensively and learned a great deal, I refuse to believe that I cannot subdue a king of the Western Regions with my own methods! Since ancient times, even heroes have found it hard to resist the charms of a beautiful woman, and I refuse to believe that I cannot take him down completely!
A bright light shone in Huangfu Lan's eyes.
...
Ji Wushang donned a light red emerald green shirt and a floral-print, misty, fragrant pleated skirt. Her skin was like solidified cream, her fragrance like a delicate orchid, and her slender, fair hands and jade-like complexion made her even more alluring as a wife. Before the dressing mirror, Ji Wushang had Zhu'er style her hair into a flowing cloud bun, adorned with a phoenix jade hairpin and several exquisite jade pendants, creating a striking and elegant look that was both beautiful and refined.
Ji Wushang sat in front of the mirror, looking at his reflection. Just then, he heard the sound of a wheelchair being pushed behind him. Ji Wushang turned around and saw Nan Xuzong smiling at him.
Zhu'er immediately lowered her head upon seeing the two of them.
Ji Wushang stood up and walked over. "I'm all better now."
"Hmm, so beautiful." Nan Xuzong looked her up and down and sighed.
"You're handsome too." Ji Wushang found himself at a loss for words. The more he was with him, the less he knew how to respond to each of his compliments. His own language had become clumsy and inept.
Nan Xuzong smiled and shook his head slightly. "How can you talk like that?"
“Let’s go, it’s been a long time since I’ve taken you out for a walk,” Nan Xuzong said.
"Hmm." A few days have passed, and he's starting to miss everything outside. Ji Wushang said, "I think I'll go to Jiuyue Tower. The food there is actually quite good, and I'm tired of the food at home."
"Okay." Nan Xuzong's smile widened slightly.
The two left the mansion together and rode in the same carriage, with Gong Shu acting as the coachman.
After Ji Wushang turned the corner, he said, "Someone was eavesdropping on our conversation."
"Don't worry, it won't be a problem. Don't worry." Nan Xuzong gently stroked her nose. "If anything happens, I'll definitely support you."
Seeing him say that, Ji Wushang felt at ease. He then thought about how the manor had been operating these past few days. Could it be that he was relaying messages for him and managing things on his behalf?
"Have you been helping me with the inner courtyard matters these past few days?" Ji Wushang asked.
"Yeah, it makes me feel bad that you're working so hard, so it's good for me to help you manage things. I promise I'll do everything according to your wishes," Nan Xuzong said with a smile.
Ji Wushang nestled gently in his arms, "I'll do whatever you say."
Nan Xuzong hugged her even tighter.
As soon as the maid saw Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang leave the mansion, she ran into the courtyard.
Upon hearing the maid's report, Aunt Jin asked, "Did they really leave the manor?"
"Yes." The maid nodded. "They went in the direction of September Tower, and they won't be back for a while."
"Fine, do as I say!" Aunt Jin sneered.
The September Pavilion was already quite full of people. Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong went in and saw that it was packed with people. Ji Wushang said, "The September Pavilion is doing really well."
"Mm." Nan Xuzong nodded.
At this moment, the waiter came forward and was shocked to see that it was Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang. Just as he was thinking about how to speak, Nan Xuzong said, "Give us a superior private room."
"Yes, I'll take care of it right away!" The waiter nodded immediately.
Nan Xuzong raised his hand slightly, and Gong Shu immediately lifted Nan Xuzong's wheelchair up from behind and carried him upstairs, with Ji Wushang following behind them.
Everyone dining at the September Pavilion was astonished; this Prince Nan was truly extraordinary! The beautiful woman behind him, the servants assisting him—the strangest people in the entire capital were none other than these!
Only after the person had disappeared into the far end of the corner did they stop talking and continue drinking.
In a private room, a man dressed in a black patterned robe was slowly sipping a cup of wine. At this moment, a noticeably different atmosphere could be sensed. Who had arrived? Narrowing her purple eyes, Yi Yun Shangcheng walked slightly to the door and gently opened it a crack. She saw Nan Xu Cong and Ji Wu Shang coming upstairs together.
The door was closed immediately.
I never expected them to dine here!
Yi Yun Shangcheng's eyes flickered slightly.
Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang went into a side room, and after closing the door, Gong Shu stood guard outside.
Ji Wushang asked, "What do you like to eat?"
Nan Xuzong shook his head. "I'm here today to show you a good show."
"Um?"
"The King of the Western Regions is over there," Nan Xuzong pointed in the opposite direction. "There's going to be a good show. Do you like it?"
"Did you design this?" Ji Wushang asked.
Nan Xuzong shook his head, "Let's talk while we eat, take our time."
Just then, a waiter brought the food over. "Sir, your meal is ready."
Nan Xuzong nodded slightly without saying a word.
After the waiter left, Gong Shu immediately closed the door again, not allowing anyone to disturb Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong.
After quite some time, Nan Xuzong listened intently and said, "They're here."
"You can't see anything from here, so how can you watch the show?" Ji Wushang looked at him. His hearing was excellent, but his own was not.
“It’s easy.” Nan Xuzong walked towards the wall, then pressed a spot. After a short while, Ji Wushang felt the spot sinking!
Ji Wushang looked at him in surprise and said, "Don't be afraid."
Ji Wushang immediately leaned in, and before long, he no longer felt any sinking. Nan Xuzong pushed the wheelchair to another window, opened it, and Ji Wushang was surprised to see the Yiyun Upper City across the street. Could this be considered a form of peeping?