After listening to her explanation, the old lady felt that there was some truth to it. Seeing that she was in pain, she said, "Alright, get up now!" Then she looked at Granny Guo and said, "Granny Guo, call all the people that the young lady mentioned over here."
"Yes." Granny Guo, who was standing to the side, immediately went to do it.
Ji Wushang looked at Aunt Xie, who seemed indifferent to the situation. When she saw Ji Wushang looking at her, she lowered her head and smiled.
"Alas, it's so enviable. Please, Grandmother, don't let Wushang help Auntie with the affairs of the backyard. Anyway, Wushang is just a leisurely visitor. It's better for him to be carefree and happy in the Xinyuan Garden," Ji Wushang said aggrievedly.
Upon hearing this, the matriarch felt a little wronged for Ji Wushang. "Wushang, if someone falsely accuses you of such a thing, this old woman will certainly not let that vile person who stirred up such a storm get away with it!"
"Yes, or perhaps some people are framing the young lady! Young lady, please take it easy. If you don't help your aunt, then your aunt will be in a bit of a predicament in the backyard." Aunt Xie knew very well that the matter yesterday was settled, especially with Steward Xue. It must be because Ji Wushang had some ability or had some leverage over Steward Xue that Steward Xue was so obedient to Ji Wushang!
Now, of course, we can't let her get away so easily. In this backyard, I do intend to become the mistress of the house, but my foundation is not yet stable. I need to stabilize Ji Wushang first!
Ji Wushang knew what she was planning, but she still sobbed, "Alas, if it angers both heaven and man, it's not right for Wushang to continue helping Aunt, is it? Didn't Aunt manage things perfectly yesterday?"
"Hmm?" The matriarch sensed that Ji Wushang's words had a hidden meaning. "What's going on?"
"It's nothing, Madam, don't worry. I just had Steward Xue and the others report on some matters concerning the manor, including the finances, etc. I've reviewed and checked them all." Aunt Xie glared coldly at Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang said earnestly, "Aunt Xie has done her best."
"That's excellent." The matriarch nodded in agreement.
"That's what I should do," Aunt Xie said, naturally not daring to take credit.
At this moment, Granny Guo was already waiting outside with a room full of people. Madam Yuan didn't want to move a moment longer, so she said, "Call them all in!"
Ji Wushang watched, wondering if this was a face-to-face confrontation. He wasn't afraid!
Before long, the room was filled with people, and everyone knelt before the matriarch of the Yuan family.
"Hmm, tell me about yesterday's events, you'll do it!" The old lady was quite shrewd; she knew that if she called out Tie Feng's name, she wouldn't get anything out of him, so she randomly picked a third-class maid. Ji Wushang couldn't even remember the name of this third-class maid!
Ji Wushang looked at her and saw that she was a stranger. She must be a new maid. Well, let's see what she says. If she says something like that about some nobody, then he'll be in charge!
The young maid looked at Ji Wushang and said, "Reporting to the old lady, we followed the eldest young lady and the fourth young lady the whole time. Nothing happened on the way. We just went to that place to buy medicine first, and then had lunch at that building before returning. We didn't dare to overstep our bounds or ask any questions on our own."
This answer surprised Ji Wushang a bit. He was originally thinking about how to refute it! He would ask Steward Xue for the little maid later.
Upon hearing this, the matriarch had no choice but to nod. "In that case, how could rumors have spread that the eldest young lady was exchanging private messages with someone else?!"
"This servant did not know, please punish me, Madam." The little maid immediately kowtowed heavily to the ground.
The maids, servants, and guards who had been kneeling all kowtowed, pleading, "Please punish me, Madam!"
"Get up, all of you! Since it's not true, we need to deal with those gossipy people properly! Granny Guo, this matter is in your hands!"
“This old servant obeys!” Granny Guo replied immediately.
"You may all leave! The old lady needs to rest." When Granny Guo saw the old lady beckoning, she immediately addressed the kneeling servants.
In a short while, all those people had left.
Aunt Xie looked at Ji Wushang, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes, "I didn't expect that someone would actually try to ruin the young lady's reputation!"
"Yes!" The matriarch gently stroked Ji Wushang's hand. "It's really unfair to Wushang."
Ji Wushang smiled at the matriarch, "As long as Grandmother believes that Wushang is innocent, what does it matter if Wushang suffers a little grievance?"
The elder lady smiled in response.
Just then, a scream came from Aunt Qin's West Garden! Everyone was taken aback.
The matriarch immediately asked, "What happened?"
Ji Wushang watched, "What a piercing scream."
"Madam, I will go and see what has happened immediately," Aunt Xie said, glancing at Ji Wushang.
"Very well," said the matriarch. "You may all go."
Ji Wushang immediately headed towards the West Garden with Aunt Xie. Along the path, some maids rushed out to look for Aunt Xie and Ji Wushang, and they hurriedly escorted them towards the West Garden.
As soon as he entered the West Garden, he saw a group of servants kneeling there. Upon entering, he was immediately struck by a strong, pungent smell of blood, causing Ji Wushang's heart to clench. Aunt Xie's face also looked grim. "What happened?"
Upon entering, he saw Aunt Qin lying unconscious on the bed, with several doctors treating her. Beside her lay a pool of blood! There was also an overturned washbasin and a silk handkerchief stained with blood! Ji Wushang was shocked. How could this be? This was too strange!
Aunt Xie felt a chill run down her spine. Could this be the child's blood? Aunt Xie looked at Aunt Qin's lower abdomen, but it looked perfectly fine, with nothing amiss.
"What's wrong?" Aunt Xie asked immediately when she saw that the doctor had already stopped the acupuncture.
"Aunt Qin was frightened. The blood on the ground was truly terrifying!" Even the doctor dared not look at the pool of blood on the ground.
As soon as Ji Wushang stepped outside, he ordered the maids, "Why haven't you cleaned up all that mess on the ground yet! What are you all good for?!"
The maids were terrified; how could they dare to move? But they dared not disobey Ji Wushang's orders, so they could only push and shove as they went to deal with it.
Ji Wushang returned to the room and overheard the doctor saying, "I'm afraid the baby in Aunt Qin's womb is in danger. She was originally seven or eight months pregnant and was about to give birth, but she was suddenly frightened. This time, I'm afraid there's nothing that can be done! It's questionable whether Aunt Qin will even wake up!" After saying this, he sighed again.
Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang immediately went inside.
"What exactly happened to Aunt Qin? How could such a thing suddenly happen?" Ji Wushang looked at the doctor and said, "Explain yourself clearly."
"Yes." The doctor explained the condition again, saying that Aunt Qin had been so frightened that she had fainted. Whether she could wake up was a question, and her life might be in danger. The reason was that the fetus in her womb might have been frightened to death and would need to be delivered in time. If it was not done in time, it might endanger Aunt Qin!
Ji Wushang broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this, and Aunt Xie was in no better shape. Such a thing had actually happened in the backyard! If Madam Yuan found out, Aunt Xie would probably be punished!
Remembering something, Ji Wushang immediately asked the maid who was cleaning up the blood on the ground, "Where is the head maid, Feng Yu? Where did she go?"
"Miss Huihui, Sister Fengyu is already scared half to death and is in her room!" The little maid was also terrified.
"Are there any others who were present at the time?" Ji Wushang asked, his sharp eyes fixed on the maid.
☆、101 Gathered at West Garden, Who's Plotting Murder! (Updated on the evening of the 9th)
The little girl shook her head desperately. Seeing her fear, Ji Wushang didn't press the matter further. She glanced at the surroundings, which were all neatly arranged, showing no signs of a struggle. However, something felt off to Ji Wushang. Why was there suddenly some blood? There was only one explanation: someone was trying to intimidate Aunt Qin, inflicting injury so she couldn't give birth!
The child born would definitely threaten that person's status and power, and would boost Aunt Qin's position. Therefore, there is only one explanation, which is very simple: it must have been done by someone in the courtyard! However, this courtyard is at least heavily guarded, and the Iron Guards patrol every courtyard. This person must have a lot of power behind them!
Aunt Xie was filled with sorrow, and her face was full of grief. Seeing this, Ji Wushang stepped forward to comfort her, "Aunt Xie, don't be sad. Alas, no one wanted this to happen. The most important thing is to find a good doctor to wake Aunt Qin up. And as for Feng Yu, we must wake her up and ask her what happened."
"I'm afraid the old lady will blame me. How could such a thing happen?" Aunt Xie's eyes even had some tears. Ji Wushang looked at her, not knowing whether she was really crying or not. If she said that Aunt Qin had lost her child or even died, then there would be one less threat. Aunt Xie would probably be overjoyed. Or, it would be that she was acting too well!
"Sigh, let's have someone investigate!" Ji Wushang sighed. "Doctor Cui from Panyaoju is quite a skilled physician, let's quickly send someone to invite him! He's just over east of the capital, not too far."
"Yes, hurry!" Upon hearing this, Aunt Xie immediately called for someone to fetch Doctor Cui.
As Ji Wushang watched the maid's departing figure, he sighed inwardly, "I wonder if I can even manage to get her here!"
At this moment, someone must have told the old lady what had happened. The old lady was being helped in by Granny Guo and rushed in, wailing, "Who harmed my grandson! Who harmed my grandson!" As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, making everyone who saw her feel heartbroken.
"Madam, please slow down and be careful." Granny Guo was also secretly wiping away tears, seeing how anxious and sad she was for Madam Yuan.
Ji Wushang stepped forward and cried, "Grandmother, you must take care of your health!"
"You damned bastards! One of you said he was a jinx, and now the other has suffered misfortune! My old bones are already past their prime, how can you treat my grandson like this! It's a sin, a sin!" The old lady cried out, her body and mind broken.
It seems that the matriarch already knows the situation.
Hearing this, Aunt Xie also cried, "Madam, it's my fault for not keeping a close watch on things. How could this happen! Someone, bring the Iron Guard Commander here!"
Immediately, Tie Yi and Tie Feng both knelt in front of the door. As soon as Aunt Xie stepped forward, she slapped them twice, saying, "How are you two guarding the yard? Huh?"
The fact that the two remained silent required no explanation; someone was plotting against them, someone with superior martial arts skills. Therefore, no matter how much they tried to defend themselves, it would be futile! The only solution was to find the person behind it all.
Ji Wushang stepped forward and said, "Aunt, what's the use of hitting them? We should make them investigate this matter thoroughly as soon as possible, and not let the person behind it get away with it!"
"What do you mean? Are you thinking of protecting them?" Aunt Xie's words carried a hidden meaning, and Ji Wushang was immediately enraged. "What do you mean? Aunt should punish those who plotted against Aunt Qin behind the scenes! Not hold these Iron Guards accountable! It's true that they were negligent and failed to discover the person who plotted against Aunt Qin in time, but what if you kill them now? Will the truth come out? Will the person who plotted against Aunt Qin come forward?"
Aunt Xie was rendered speechless by her words. Looking into Ji Wushang's eyes, she saw that Ji Wushang's aura was in no way inferior to hers! That gaze made Aunt Xie feel afraid. Seeing them arguing, Old Madam Yuan shouted, "All you people do is argue! Haven't you argued enough? If not, get out and argue to your heart's content!"
"I know I was wrong." Ji Wushang immediately knelt down, and Aunt Xie followed suit.
"Hmph!" The old lady looked at them sharply, then turned to the kneeling doctors. "No matter what it takes, I will make sure you wake Aunt Qin up! I want to know who murdered her! What a joke! Did the General's Mansion suddenly become filled with blood? If this isn't a family matter, I will immediately report it to the court and let you have your say!"
"Please punish us, Madam!" Everyone in the room knelt down.
"Punish him! Punish him!" The matriarch wiped away her tears. "All you ever say is that! Why aren't you getting to work?!"
"Yes." Everyone went about their business, becoming more efficient.
Just then, a maidservant at the door announced that Aunt Bai had been helped over by Granny Yun.
Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang's eyes lit up. Could this be a case of a weasel paying respects to a chicken? Or was it to find out whether Aunt Qin was really dead or not, and whether the child could be born?
Aunt Bai was dressed in white, her face pale. She was helped into the room by Granny Yun. Then, seeing Madam Yuan and the room full of people, she turned her gaze to Aunt Qin. Seeing that she was on her last breath, a smile flashed across Aunt Bai's lips, but in an instant, it turned into a bitter expression.
"Greetings, Madam. Cough, cough." Aunt Bai naturally bowed to Madam Yuan. Seeing that she was unwell and coughing heavily, Madam Yuan said, "If you're not feeling well, you shouldn't be out here!" Although Madam Yuan valued etiquette highly, she was more concerned about the child in Aunt Bai's womb. She had just heard that Aunt Qin's baby was stillborn, so the most important hope was Aunt Bai's child!
Aunt Xie looked at Aunt Bai and bowed slightly. "Sister Bai, if you are not feeling well, then you should stay in the East Garden."
“Aunt Bai,” Ji Wushang said, looking at her expressionlessly.
Upon hearing Ji Wushang's voice, Aunt Bai immediately turned to look at her, scrutinizing her from head to toe. She thought to herself, "Didn't they say she was having an affair with some young master, and that the Old Madam Yuan had taken her in for questioning? How come she's not being punished at all? Looks like I underestimated this little brat! I'll give you something good to eat another day!"
"I'm just worried about Sister Qin," Aunt Bai said, her face full of concern. Seeing the old lady's sorrow, she immediately stepped forward and said, "Old lady, please don't be sad."
The matriarch sat leaning against the side and waved her hand. Aunt Bai naturally went forward to check on Aunt Qin.
Looking at Aunt Qin, her face was contorted in pain, she looked like a living dead! Her breathing, though still visible, was intermittent… and her swollen belly…
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Aunt Bai's eyes, but it quickly disappeared. She turned her head and looked worriedly at the kneeling doctors, asking, "How is she? How is Sister Qin?"
Looking into her eyes, Ji Wushang felt that this person was putting on a very deep act!
"Reporting to Aunt Bai, Aunt Qin, she... I'm afraid she won't wake up... The child should probably be induced, otherwise, the necrotic fetus will endanger the mother's life." The doctor was trembling with fear, and Madam Yuan was watching and listening! How could she not be afraid!
Just then, a voice announced that Doctor Cui had arrived, and Madam Yuan's eyes immediately lit up with hope. "Quickly, please invite him in!"
Did she also know that the doctors in this household were all useless old men?!
Doctor Cui glanced at Ji Wushang standing to the side, and seeing that she didn't show much reaction, he sighed inwardly, bowed to Madam Yuan, and then helped Aunt Qin by the bedside.
Seeing this, the matriarch gestured to Granny Guo, who then dismissed all the irrelevant people in the room.
Aunt Xie and Aunt Bai watched anxiously as Doctor Cui performed acupuncture, and Ji Wushang also watched.
Suddenly, Doctor Cui said, "I wonder if Miss could help me? I need your help to administer acupuncture to Aunt Qin."
Ji Wushang listened, glancing at the Old Madam, while Aunt Xie and Aunt Bai stared at Ji Wushang with unusual expressions. The Old Madam nodded, "Go then!"
"Yes." Although he didn't know Doctor Cui's intentions, Ji Wushang still stepped forward to help.
Dr. Cui said, "Watch my technique, and remember what I'm saying!"