"That's it?" The matriarch seemed unconvinced. "Are people outside saying that the eldest young lady has been taking care of the prince in the carriage the whole time? Wu Shang, is that true?"
Ji Wushang frowned. What did she mean by that? Did she mean that she was trying to climb the social ladder by marrying him? Probably not. She was, after all, the legitimate daughter of a general's family. She was still good enough for that prince. So, she thought that he was interested in her and wanted to test the waters to find out.
“Grandmother, the Crown Prince had already fainted at the time, and Wu Shang had no choice but to take care of him in the carriage. He was severely poisoned, and Wu Shang had to take care of him in the carriage for his safety, as well as to repay his life-saving grace.” Ji Wu Shang tried his best to speak objectively without adding any emotion, so that the old lady would feel that she only felt gratitude towards him, and not any other feelings.
The matriarch listened, nodded, and said, "Alright, go to the Crown Prince's residence!"
"Yes." Ji Wushang didn't expect it to end so quickly, but he had no idea what the old grandmother was thinking.
The matriarch watched Ji Wushang's departing figure, her eyes growing deeper.
Ji Wushang was lost in thought in the carriage. According to the agreement, as long as the banquet at the Crown Prince's residence passed uneventfully, Nan Xuzong should send someone to propose marriage. He was now impatient for him to come quickly because he had a feeling that something was going to happen, a feeling that filled him with inexplicable fear.
"Miss, we've arrived." Tie Feng immediately said as the carriage stopped.
Ji Wushang snapped out of his reverie and replied, "Hmm."
Zhu'er, who was sitting in the carriage with Ji Wushang, looked at him and asked in a low voice, "Miss, are you worried about something?"
"No." Ji Wushang shook his head, hoping he was just overthinking it; it was better to be careful.
After getting off the carriage, I saw the main gate of the Crown Prince's residence, which was indeed magnificent. To be precise, the Crown Prince should have lived in the Eastern Palace, but he had designated a piece of land in the imperial city and built this Crown Prince's residence, which was meant to be his temporary palace.
Ji Wushang couldn't help but find it amusing; the royal family really did have so many extravagant things to do.
"Oh, isn't that the eldest daughter of General Ji's mansion?" An old nanny noticed Ji Wushang looking around and immediately came forward. "What is Miss Ji doing standing outside the door? Please come in."
Ji Wushang looked at the old woman who came forward. Her face was covered with a lot of powder and rouge, and she was wearing a dark blue dress. However, the rouge smelled pungent. Ji Wushang couldn't help but think that she looked like a madam from a brothel. Oh well.
"Greetings, old nanny." Ji Wushang greeted her.
"Why such a grand gesture, Miss? If the Crown Prince finds out, he will punish this old servant." The old nanny said politely, "Many young ladies have already gone in. Please, Miss Ji, go in!"
"Thank you, Granny." Ji Wushang nodded, then glanced at Tie Feng and Zhu'er, who immediately followed her.
Tie Feng was sent to protect her, and Zhu'er was there to serve her. Seeing this, the old nanny did not stop the two servants.
Ji Wushang nodded and entered the Crown Prince's residence. Immediately, another maid came. She looked pretty and was dressed in elegant and clean clothes, unlike the lower-ranking maids he had seen in the courtyard earlier. Ji Wushang guessed that she must be the head maid of the residence.
"Please come with me to the back garden, Miss." The maid stepped forward and bowed politely. Ji Wushang nodded and turned around. She also saw some young ladies being led in one after another, but there was nothing special about them.
After passing through several corridors, Ji Wushang arrived at the back garden. Looking at the back garden, he saw that there were many people inside. As expected, the Crown Prince had invited many children of officials.
Autumn has passed, Ji Wushang thought, there shouldn't be anything to see. Since ancient times, people have admired chrysanthemums in late autumn, done embroidery in the literary pavilion in November, and gathered around the stove to collect antiques in December. It's already November, and in previous years, there would have been several snowfalls, but he didn't know why the snow was so late this year.
It should be Wenge Embroidery now. The dress I made for my sister-in-law isn't finished yet!
"Look, isn't that the eldest daughter of the Ji family?" A woman in the pavilion pointed at Ji Wushang and smiled, "She's so stunned, she must be flattered by the Crown Prince's invitation!"
"Isn't that right? She must have never seen anything like this before! I think that young lady is a coward!" Another woman who was drinking tea turned around and sneered when she heard that it was Ji Wushang.
"I heard that a series of major events happened in the Ji family before! Madam Bei died, and then several concubines fell ill. Even the young ladies of the family had accidents one after another. Only the eldest young lady is fine. I think it must be because of her!" A woman spoke wildly, winking and making faces as if she were telling the truth.
Ji Wushang noticed someone watching him, so he followed their gaze and saw three daughters of officials discussing something in the pavilion. Ji Wushang looked at them coldly, a slight smile on his lips, and stepped forward.
"Look, she's coming over. Watch how I ridicule her!" the young lady who had just made those outrageous remarks sneered.
"Miss Gao is indeed impressive!" The two women beside her exchanged glances, eagerly anticipating the show.
Ji Wushang entered the pavilion and said, "So it's you sisters!"
Gao Fengfen stepped forward at this moment, "Yes, why do I only see you here? Where are the other young ladies in your household? Could it be that something has happened to them all?" After saying that, she turned around and looked at the two young ladies who were sitting.
Ji Wushang laughed and said, "What could possibly happen? If something does happen, it'll be a good thing. Unlike other people who have nothing better to do than sit on the sidelines and gossip about others, adding fuel to the fire, spouting nonsense, saying what they shouldn't say and saying what they shouldn't say indirectly. I wonder if Sister Gao thinks so?"
Gao Fengfen listened with displeasure. This was a veiled attack on her, implying that she was gossiping about others, and in a roundabout way at that.
The smiles on the two women's faces froze instantly upon hearing this.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now." Ji Wushang smiled slightly, turned around, and walked out of the pavilion.
"You, you come back here!" Gao Fengfen shouted at Ji Wushang's back, her heart filled with indignation. Ji Wushang turned around, his face already icy cold, his eyes sharp and dangerous. "Miss Gao, is there anything else?"
"No, it's nothing." Gao Fengfen was frightened by her gaze, and her demeanor immediately changed. She no longer dared to keep her.
Ji Wushang sneered before continuing on his way.
"Weren't you so smug just now? How come you were scared by her words?" A young woman asked Gao Fengfen.
"You have no idea how terrifying her eyes were! I, I really have never seen eyes like that before..."
"Making excuses! Sister Gao is the legitimate daughter of the Left Prime Minister's mansion! Why would she be afraid of a young lady from a general's mansion?" another young lady laughed.
Gao Fengfen nodded, but stopped arguing. "Fine, we'll get it back another day! By the way, what do you think is the purpose of the Crown Prince inviting so many people here?"
"It's nothing more than some poetry gatherings."
"No, it must be the Emperor urging him to get married. The Crown Prince is worried about finding a good woman to be his Crown Princess!"
"Really?" the young woman exclaimed in surprise.
"Shouldn't this be the Empress's business? The Empress will select candidates for the Crown Prince." Gao Fengfen seemed to know a lot at this moment.
"If the Empress were to select candidates for the Crown Prince, she would definitely choose those who would serve her. Don't you understand? The Crown Prince isn't even the Empress's biological son!"
“Yes!” The three nodded.
"Then I have a very high chance!" Gao Fengfen said smugly. "I must seize this opportunity!" With that, she walked out triumphantly.
"Look at how smug she is, as if she's already the Crown Princess!"
"Exactly!" the two of them exclaimed in unison.
The back garden was dotted with flowers and trees, adding color and preventing the late autumn from becoming monotonous. There were yellow osmanthus, red, yellow and white roses, some white hibiscus, and many gaillardia plants were in full bloom. Oleander, hibiscus mutabilis, and white salvia splendens were also blooming. Perhaps it was because the servants in the garden took good care of it, but there were no fallen leaves. Instead, the flowers were in full bloom, which made people feel happy.
The young ladies around were chatting in small groups, while the young gentlemen were discussing poetry and literature, and they seemed to be having a good time.
Ji Wushang chose an inconspicuous spot and sat down. Tie Feng and Zhu'er stood beside him. Ji Wushang looked at them and said, "If you're thirsty, have some water!"
“Miss, Tie Feng is not thirsty.” Tie Feng stood ramrod straight.
"Miss, Pearl isn't thirsty either," Pearl replied with a smile.
Tie Feng was taken aback. So this little maid was mimicking his speech? He couldn't help but glance at Zhu'er, who, sensing his gaze, returned his look quite generously.
Tie Feng hummed softly and continued standing.
Ji Wushang had seen everything, but after thinking for a moment, he said, "Tiefeng, sneak out and send someone to Panyaoju to see if the Prince Wang has woken up, and whether he has returned to the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion."
"Yes." Tie Feng accepted the order.
Not long after Tie Feng left, a commotion was heard. Ji Wushang looked over and saw that the Crown Prince had arrived.
Crown Prince Huangfu Yun was radiant at this moment, wearing a bright yellow embroidered tiger robe, black dragon boots, and a bright crown. His handsome face made him look majestic and awe-inspiring.
Upon seeing this, the people around immediately stepped forward to greet and welcome him.
Upon seeing this, Ji Wushang felt a surge of disgust, but he still stepped forward and stood at the back, joining in the greeting.
The Crown Prince seemed very pleased and looked at everyone, saying, "I invited you all here today mainly because late autumn is about to pass, and I wanted to gather with you all at this time of year."
The people around nodded, while others whispered amongst themselves, talking about other things.
"I think the Crown Prince is intentionally choosing a consort."
"Indeed, it's time."
...
The Crown Prince looked at everyone with a smile, not annoyed at all. "Today, please feel free to make yourselves at home. Consider this a regular tea party or poetry gathering. Afterwards, you may all make yourselves at your own pace."
"Great!" Some of the young masters were naturally delighted.
"However, given this auspicious occasion and beautiful scenery, I naturally hope that some talented people will come forward to perform. I, the Crown Prince, will reward them all!" the Crown Prince said with a smile.
Everyone applauded upon hearing this. Didn't they understand? This was the real purpose; it was just that the Crown Prince hadn't made it very clear.
The people around him laughed, but Ji Wushang only wished he could hide. This kind of banquet was meaningless. In the past, he had only participated unintentionally, being dragged along by others; now, he just felt bored.
Seeing that everyone had dispersed, Ji Wushang stepped aside.
Unexpectedly, just as he sat down in an inconspicuous spot, he saw a pair of black boots in front of him. Ji Wushang was stunned for a moment, then looked up and saw Nan Jinxue!
"Greetings, Second Young Master Nan," Ji Wushang said indifferently.
He didn't look well, but Ji Wushang had no interest in his affairs; she just didn't want him to bother her.
"Why are you sitting here all alone? Aren't you going to invite me to sit down?" Nan Jinxue said with a smile.
"Should I call him brother-in-law?" Ji Wushang suddenly laughed.
Upon hearing this, Nan Jinxue was taken aback. "I haven't even married your fourth sister yet!"
“The engagement is done, and we can’t back out now,” Ji Wushang said calmly. “I wonder what business my brother-in-law has with me?”
"It's nothing!" Nan Jinxue said, slightly annoyed. "No, I have something to tell you."
"Go ahead and say it!" Ji Wushang took a sip of tea.
"Wu Shang, I truly care about you. Why don't you and your fourth sister marry me together?" Nan Jinxue plopped down opposite Ji Wu Shang, staring intently at her. "You will definitely be the principal wife."
Ji Wushang found it amusing. Oh, no, in his previous life, he had gone from being a wife to a concubine!
"I understand my brother-in-law's feelings, but it's impossible. However, you know how my second sister feels about you." The implication was that both her second and fourth sisters might marry Nan Jinxue!
Nan Jinxue's neck turned green. "She's already in the Yuanyue Nunnery, so let's not mention her anymore!"
Judging from his attitude, was Ji Wushang implying that he didn't have a good impression of Ji Meiyuan? But he believed that as long as there were benefits, he would definitely marry her.
"My second sister may be back soon," Ji Wushang said with a smile.
Nan Jinxue was captivated by her smile and for a moment forgot to speak!
After a few seconds, Ji Wushang noticed something was amiss and immediately put on a cold expression. "There's no point in saying more. I've already told you before, I'd rather be a nun than the second young master's wife!"
Nan Jinxue stood up, snorted, and walked away.
Zhu'er, who had been watching from the side, stepped forward and said, "Miss, why is he being so unreasonable? Fourth Miss is already going to marry him, why is he still bothering you like this?"
"Human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Perhaps that's the truth!" Ji Wushang said.
Meanwhile, someone was already performing in the large pavilion, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Ji Wushang looked at the sky, feeling somewhat sleepy. The gloomy weather made him feel listless.
"Isn't that Miss Ji sitting over there? Why is she looking at the weather all by herself?" A beautifully dressed young lady was about to eat a pastry when she glanced in Ji Wushang's direction.
As everyone listened, they turned their gaze in that direction.