Granny Guo quietly brought a stool and sat down next to her, then slowly helped massage her legs to relax them.
Ji Wushang stood there for a while before slowly walking forward. "Grandmother, I just copied the Diamond Sutra and brought it here for you to see."
After waiting for a while, the old lady seemed to react, turned her head, and saw that it was Ji Wushang. A hundred feelings welled up in her heart. It was a pity for Wushang. She would definitely have to find a good marriage for her another day. She said, "Wushang, come here and sit with me for a while." As she spoke, she patted the side of her bed.
Ji Wushang obediently walked over and sat down. Nuannuan asked, "Is Grandmother feeling unwell? Should we see a doctor? We just came down from the mountain. The weather changes too quickly. Grandmother should take care and eat more things that are good for the lungs and help with breathing."
The matriarch gently patted Ji Wushang's hand, "You, you always know how to be filial. My dear granddaughter, I'll definitely find you a good marriage someday!"
"What marriage? Grandmother, I don't quite understand. Could you please explain it more clearly?" Ji Wushang asked nervously, looking surprised.
Looking at her expression, the matriarch assumed she was unaware of what had happened and said, "Your fourth sister will be adopted by your mother and become her legitimate daughter. Then, your fourth sister will be engaged to your cousin Zhou."
“Isn’t Wu Xia not yet of marriageable age? But this is a good thing, a good thing. The family will have another happy event. Grandmother, today we went to Yuanyue Temple to pray for blessings, and Buddha appeared to us!” Ji Wushang said with a smile.
"Alright, alright, alright." The matriarch nodded, seeing that she wasn't angry that her fourth sister, originally a concubine's daughter, had become a legitimate daughter, and that she didn't mind marrying before her, she slowly felt relieved. However, she still felt she had treated Ji Wushang unfairly. Although Ji Wushang was originally a legitimate daughter, a legitimate daughter should marry first, but unexpectedly, the younger sister married first. If word got out, people would think that the eldest sister, Ji Wushang, couldn't get married!
It's truly a case of Wu Shang feeling wronged.
The elder's wife relaxed her brows and said, "That's very good."
Before leaving, the matriarch of the Yuan family still rewarded Ji Wushang with quite a few things. Ji Wushang thanked her, took a jade hairpin, and went back.
Just as they left the Elder Madam's quiet garden, they saw Ji Wuxia walking over triumphantly, looking smug, as if she had accomplished something great!
Ji Wushang sneered inwardly. Did Ji Wuxia think she had become a phoenix and could climb to the top of the tree?
"Hey, isn't this Big Sister?" Ji Wuxia walked over with a provocative and smug look on her face, as if she had already trampled Ji Wushang under her feet. Ji Wushang found it funny. Wasn't this a clown taking the lead?
Let her be smug if she wants to! It'll be truly impressive if she actually becomes smug in the future!
Seeing her arrogant demeanor, Ji Wushang still laughed and said, "Isn't that right? I just came back from Grandmother's Jingyuan and heard that Fourth Sister is going to marry Cousin Zhou! She's also going to be adopted by my mother as her legitimate daughter, which means she'll be my own sister! Congratulations!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wuxia was utterly bewildered. Why should she be adopted by that sickly woman, Madam Bei? Who knows when she'll die! Her own aunt was a hundred times better than her! No, wait, she was currently an illegitimate daughter; if she were adopted, she would become a legitimate daughter! Looking at her smiling face, Ji Wuxia couldn't bring herself to say anything harsh. As the saying goes, you don't hit a smiling face.
"Sigh, I'm going to be the legitimate daughter!" Ji Wuxia said sourly to Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang laughed, "Isn't she the fourth sister?" She meant that she herself was the eldest legitimate daughter! Even if Ji Wuxia was adopted, she would still have to call her eldest sister, and there would be no difference between her and a concubine's daughter! Whether adopted or not, it was all the same!
Ji Wuxia stomped her foot in anger, "Hmph!"
"May you grow old together in happiness and have a son soon!" Ji Wushang said with a smile, then turned and left.
Ji Wuxia was so angry that her hair was practically steaming. "Give birth to a son early? She's only thirteen-something! How can she give birth? Her body isn't even fully developed yet!" Ji Wuxia stomped her feet and spun around in anger, but seeing that Ji Wushang had already walked away, she couldn't contain her anger and went to see Aunt Bai in the plum garden.
When she arrived at the plum garden, the maid said that Aunt Bai was not there, which made Ji Wuxia so angry that she stomped her feet and walked towards Aunt Bai's east garden.
But before they even reached the East Garden, they heard the sound of things being smashed inside. Ji Wuxia was frightened and hesitated whether to go in or not. Just then, Tianxiang, the head maid of Aunt Bai, ran out and said, "Fourth Miss, Aunt Bai is looking for you everywhere!"
"Oh." Ji Wuxia thought that Aunt Bai was unhappy because of her adoption to Madam Bei, but after all, she was still the legitimate daughter, and marrying Young Master Zhou would gradually bring benefits to Aunt Bai. Thinking of this, Ji Wuxia followed Tianxiang inside.
Tianxiang led Ji Wuxia in and then left. Aunt Bai, her face ashen, sat in the main seat, having smashed all the porcelain in the hall. Seeing Ji Wuxia enter, Aunt Bai's anger flared even more, and she launched into a tirade, "Look what you've done! You've really grown wings! You didn't even consult me before doing this! Secretly instructing me! Hmph, are you thinking of being adopted by Madam Bei to become her legitimate daughter? Have you gone mad?"
"I..." Ji Wuxia never expected her to say such a thing. Wasn't it because she couldn't find her that she made the decision herself? Why didn't she care about her at all? If she had cared about her instead of only caring about her second sister and helping her prevent her eldest sister from marrying the young master Zhou she admired, she wouldn't have done something that almost ruined her reputation!
Seeing Ji Wuxia's aggrieved expression, as if she wanted to speak but couldn't, Aunt Bai sneered, "I just got back, and I was just about to tell you something, but you rashly did such a thing! To tell you the truth..." Aunt Bai then recounted Zhou Muxuan's affair, and after finishing, she sneered, "Good daughter! I, your incompetent concubine, couldn't make you the legitimate daughter! So you took matters into your own hands and became the legitimate daughter! Humph!"
Ji Wuxia was stunned for a long time. How could this be? How could Young Master Zhou be such a person?
Why didn't they tell me sooner? Then I wouldn't have fought for it! I wouldn't have done such a shameful thing as secretly passing on knowledge... Ji Wuxia was about to cry, "Auntie, I don't want to be the legitimate daughter, I don't want to marry him!"
"What a joke!" Aunt Bai roared. "You think you can just refuse to marry like that? How many people know you're already engaged? Madam Zhou just came to discuss it with me. It's all settled. You've exchanged betrothal gifts, so just wait to get married! Master has already said that this marriage is set and cannot be changed! You've already been registered under Madam Bei's name in the family genealogy! You're no longer my daughter! Go be my legal wife!"
Ji Wuxia cried until her eyes were red, "No, Aunt, Mother..." Aunt Bai had already turned and gone back into the inner room.
Tianxiang watched Ji Wuxia cry for a long time before coming over to help her up, but Ji Wuxia shoved Tianxiang away, saying, "Get out! I am the legitimate daughter! I will be the legitimate wife when I marry into the family! No matter how powerful that woman is, she is just a concubine! A mistress! Humph! As long as Young Master Zhou is capable, what do I have to worry about!"
The concubine, Bai, inside the room was furious at her words. She was being called a concubine and a mistress—wasn't she just a concubine and a mistress herself? What woman didn't want to be a legitimate wife? For her own daughter to speak of her like that! It was truly outrageous!
Ji Wuxia got up and returned to her own courtyard.
The next day, a servant came to the Zhou residence to arrange a marriage for the newly promoted fourth young lady.
Ji Wushang was reading a book in her room when she heard the news. She just smiled, hoping that Ji Wuxia wouldn't regret it. She was just a legitimate daughter in name only; how high could she possibly climb?
Quite some time passed like this. Aunt Bai was indignant all the time, while Ji Meiyuan had almost recovered, though she was no pushover either. Ji Wuxia, now a girl of marriageable age, could only stay in her courtyard embroidering her wedding dress. Ji Yinxue would also occasionally come to Ji Wushang's courtyard to chat.
A few days later, news spread that the palace was to hold some kind of Autumn Chrysanthemum Festival, requiring all unmarried (excluding unengaged) officials of the sixth rank and above, both men and women, to attend. Ji Wushang and Ji Yinxue were talking in the courtyard when they heard this news, and both were quite surprised. The Eighth Prince had just passed away; why would they be holding an Autumn Chrysanthemum Festival? Wasn't that rather absurd?
However, people in the palace have never followed any rules in their actions. The emperor can do whatever he wants, so why should ordinary people like us have the right to question him?
Ji Dingbei immediately told Ji Wushang, Ji Meiyuan, and Ji Yinxue to prepare for the event in three days.
Ji Dingbei spent the whole day busy with Ji Tiankui and Ji Wuxia's wedding, guiding Ji Wusi's studies, and personally teaching him martial arts and archery.
At night, Ji Wushang sat before her dressing table, gazing at herself in the mirror for a long time before finally removing the hairpin from her hair and placing it in the cabinet. Inside, she noticed a locked box. Unlocking it, she found the jade pendant left behind by the man in black (Bei Gong Minhao) that day. She took it out and looked it over, only to inadvertently discover a single character engraved on the jade pendant. But what was that character?
Ji Wushang leaned closer to examine it, and saw that it looked like a "min," or perhaps a "gui," or maybe a "mao," all vaguely discernible. Ji Wushang sighed, then carefully put the jade pendant away and locked it. What kind of people would she encounter in the palace three days from now? In her past life, she had almost been sexually assaulted by the Crown Prince; would she meet him again this time? Thinking of the word "Crown Prince," Ji Wushang clenched her fists tightly. If it happened again, she would definitely plunge the scissors into his heart once more!
No… Mother Wu Zi, and Father… Ji Wu Shang’s heart felt as if it had been lashed out. In his past life, he was in despair, and his instinctive resistance was driven by a sense of having no way out… In this life, in this life, he hoped that such a thing would never happen again!
Ji Wushang took off his clothes and went to sleep, but then he remembered the man in black, so he got up, put his clothes back on, and went to sleep fully clothed.
——
In a luxurious mansion, late at night, only one courtyard was still lit by candlelight. The man sitting at his desk seemed to be thinking about something. He would think for a moment, then lower his head and draw a few more strokes, then think again and add a few more. Watching him chew on the tip of his wolf-hair brush, the slight furrows on his forehead were enough to make one want to laugh.
His handsome face, however, showed no sign of unease, completely absorbed in his own world.
At this moment, a servant knocked lightly on the door. Without even looking up, Bei Gongminhao said, "Come in."
The servant acknowledged and entered, carrying a bowl of lotus seed soup. "Your Highness, lotus seed soup."
"Put it down and leave." Beigong Minhao was still looking at the painting in his hand, and then felt that it lacked some charm, so he added a few more strokes.
The servant put it down and then left.
Not long after, Beigong Minhao sensed someone approaching from ahead and said unhappily, "Why won't you listen to me? Get out of here!"
"Brother, what are you focusing on?" Bei Gong Jue Shi asked at this moment.
When Beigong Minhao looked up, he saw the boy leaning forward to see what he had drawn. He immediately took the drawing away and said, "What are you looking at? You're just a kid, you don't understand!"
"A child?" Bei Gong Jue Shi frowned. "We were born on the same day."
"You still call me brother?" Bei Gongminhao frowned. "Go away, go away, go do what you're supposed to do!" As he spoke, he pinched the painting with one hand and hid it behind his back, while waving the other hand to shoo Bei Gongjueshi away.
Bei Gong Jue Shi's curiosity only grew stronger; he couldn't bear to watch, and it always made him itchy.
Driven away by him, Bei Gong Jue Shi walked out with dissatisfaction on his face.
Bei Gongminhao watched him walk away before closing the door. Then he went to his desk, unfolded the painting again, and began to examine it, muttering to himself, "Ji Wushang, oh Ji Wushang..."
Unexpectedly, at that moment, the painting was snatched away by someone! Bei Gong Minhao was immediately startled, jumping up and revealing his murderous aura. Just as he was about to make a move, he saw Bei Gong Jueshi admiring the painting, saying, "Tsk tsk tsk, indeed a great beauty, no wonder brother is so infatuated!"
"Give it back to me!" Bei Gongminhao shouted at Bei Gongjueshi as if someone had stolen his beloved possession.
"Is she Ji Wushang?" Beigong Jueshi asked with a smile.
"That's none of your business!"
"I've heard that the Autumn Chrysanthemum Banquet at the Imperial Palace is in three days, and all unmarried sixth-rank stewards, both men and women, will be attending." Bei Gong Jue Shi looked at Bei Gong Min Hao with a wicked smile.
"That's none of your business! Mind your own business!" Bei Gongminhao snatched the painting away. "You dirtied my painting! Humph!"
"Really? Let me see?" Bei Gong Jue Shi asked with a smile.
——
Before the Qiuju banquet even started, another problem arose.
Ji Wushang and his group were paying their respects to the matriarch of the Yuan family and making a ruckus when, not long after, they heard someone in the courtyard announce that someone had arrived and wanted to see Madam Bei.
Upon hearing this, Madam Bei looked at the matriarch of the Yuan family with a questioning gaze, and the matriarch of the Yuan family granted permission for the person to come.
☆、054 Danger! Who is hiring someone to commit murder?!
Ji Wushang looked and realized it was Zhang Mama from the Right Prime Minister's residence. What was she doing here? Had something happened at the residence?
Zhang Mama, looking travel-worn, walked in and greeted everyone. Upon seeing that Madam Yuan was present, she knelt at her feet and said, "Madam Yuan, this is a letter from my husband. Please take a look with Madam Bei."
The matriarch knew that she was Zhang Mama from the Right Prime Minister's residence. The Right Prime Minister's residence and the General's residence had a deep relationship, not to mention that Madam Bei was the youngest daughter of the Right Prime Minister's residence. Upon hearing this, the matriarch said, "Alright." As she spoke, Granny Guo, who was standing to the side, took the letter and handed it to the matriarch.
Ji Wushang and Madam Bei both watched Zhang Mama and Madam Yuan nervously. Madam Yuan took the letter, opened it, and frowned as she read it. After finishing, she handed it to Madam Bei, who read it and tears welled up in her eyes. She covered her mouth and sobbed softly, not daring to cry out loud.
"What's wrong? Are you sick? Seriously?" The old lady looked at Zhang Mama with a worried expression. Zhang Mama's face was full of sorrow, and she answered while sobbing softly, "It's like this, didn't the Eighth Prince pass away a few days ago? When the master heard the news, he was immediately saddened and aged a lot overnight. I didn't expect that he would fall ill and now he is seriously ill in bed. He keeps saying that he wants to see Madam Bei and Miss Biao, saying that he wants to see...see...one last time. Madam is so anxious that she sent this old servant to deliver a message, hoping that Madam Bei and Miss Biao can go. Poor master...I don't know, I don't know if it's possible, if it's possible..." Zhang Mama couldn't finish her sentence and kept sobbing.
Hearing this, the matriarch felt a pang of heartache, while Ji Wushang was shocked, as if his heart had been ripped out. "How could this be? Grandfather, the Right Chancellor, was perfectly fine when we checked on him back then. How could he suddenly fall ill? Is there... is there a mistake?" As he spoke, his eyes reddened. Seeing Madam Bei crying beside him, he felt even more heartbroken and said to the matriarch, "Grandmother..."
“Mother…” Madam Bei’s makeup was ruined from crying, and she looked at Madam Yuan with tears in her eyes.
The matriarch nodded and sighed, "Hurry up and go with Zhang Mama! You younger generation should go and fulfill your filial duties, and also give my regards to the Right Chancellor. Someone, prepare the carriage for the young lady and madam."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang and Madam Bei immediately thanked the matriarch, saying, "Thank you, Grandmother (or Mother)." The three of them then hurriedly headed towards the Right Prime Minister's residence.
The three of them rode together in a large carriage and quickly headed towards the Right Prime Minister's residence.
Before she could even sit down on the cushion, Zhang Mama looked around to make sure no one else was there, and then whispered, "Miss and Madam, don't worry, Master is fine."
Upon hearing this, both Madam Bei and Ji Wushang were stunned. What was going on? Madam Bei looked at him in disbelief, "Is this the truth? Zhang Mama, what's going on?"
"Zhang Mama? Why?" Ji Wushang was also puzzled, her tears still wet on her face! Yet she said her maternal grandfather, the Prime Minister, wasn't sick? Just moments ago, she was crying and snotting, acting as if he were critically ill, making so many people worry. And now she says he's not sick?
Madam Zhang shook her head, "Madam and Miss, please don't ask yet. You'll know everything once we get to the manor."
Upon hearing this, Madam Bei and Ji Wushang exchanged a glance, and Ji Wushang helped Madam Bei wipe away the tears on her face.
After quite some time, the group finally arrived at the Right Prime Minister's residence.
Upon alighting from the carriage, they saw Steward Li waiting at the gate. Steward Li and several servants immediately came to greet them. Without asking any questions, Steward Li led Madam Bei and Ji Wushang through the flower-lined corridor to the inner courtyard. Inside, Madam Yue and Madam Bei Junfeng were already pacing. Upon seeing Ji Wushang and Madam Bei, they immediately went to greet them.
"Quickly, come with us to see Father."
Ji Wushang and Madam Bei dared not ask any further questions and followed them into the room. After passing through several main halls, they finally entered the house, where they saw several maids cleaning. They all had tears on their eyes, as if they had just been crying.
Ji Wushang saw that the inner room was separated by curtains and light gauze. In the dim light, he seemed to see a man lying motionless on the bed inside the gauze curtains.
Upon seeing this, Madam Bei burst into tears, inwardly complaining, "Didn't you say you were alright? Why are you lying stiffly on the bed?" "What happened?" she asked, and then Madam Bei began to cry again.
Madam Yue immediately stepped forward and patted Madam Bei on the shoulder, saying, "It's alright, it's alright. Don't worry."
After reading it, Ji Wushang asked anxiously, "What happened to Grandpa? He... what happened to Uncle? What did the doctor say? And where is Grandma?"
"When Father heard that the eldest prince had passed away, he fell ill immediately. Alas." The eldest uncle also shook his head. "The doctors have examined him, but they haven't been able to come up with a diagnosis."