"Take it down!" Ji Wushang said coldly. "Cut off the flowers for me, I want them."
"Yes." Xian'er had questions in her mind, but dared not say more.
This flower might be useful; I'll ask my master to take a look at it sometime.
Ji Wushang returned to his courtyard, eating snacks while thinking about the day's events. After estimating the time, he went to visit Ji Yinxue and found Doctor Cui there. Ji Wushang stepped forward, greeted Aunt Xie and the others, and then went to pay his respects to Doctor Cui, "Master."
"Hmm." Doctor Cui nodded, glanced at her, and blinked. Ji Wushang immediately understood and stood aside.
Doctor Cui walked up to Ji Dingbei, who immediately asked, "How is my daughter?"
"The Fourth Miss is alright; it's probably just the weather. She'll be fine in a few days. I'll prescribe a few medicines for her to take later."
"Thank you for your trouble, sir." Ji Dingbei nodded, looked at Ji Wushang, and said, "Wushang, why don't you keep your master company?"
"yes."
"I have some things to attend to, so I'll take my leave now," Ji Dingbei said.
Ji Wushang smiled and nodded, "Take care, Father."
Aunt Xie got up and saw Ji Dingbei off.
Ji Wushang looked at Doctor Cui questioningly. Doctor Cui gestured for her to go to the other side and said, "Fourth Miss is fine, just a little weak. She'll be alright in the future."
"Hmm." Ji Wushang thought for a moment and said, "Okay."
Doctor Cui spoke with Ji Wushang for a while before leaving. Ji Wushang looked at Ji Yinxue on the bed. At this moment, Aunt Qin came in from outside, "Miss."
"Hmm?" Ji Wushang looked at Aunt Qin and said, "Aunt, if there's nothing else, I'll go down first. Let Fourth Sister get some rest!"
"Young Miss, I have something to tell you." Aunt Qin glanced at Ji Yinxue. "Please come with me."
"yes."
After leaving the Orchid Garden, they sat in the pavilion. Aunt Qin looked around and, seeing no one, tried to take Ji Wushang's hand. Ji Wushang gently dodged her, saying casually, "Aunt, please tell me what's on your mind."
"Young Miss, my eyelids have been twitching these past few days. I'm very worried that something might happen. I'm very worried about you, Young Miss." Aunt Qin looked at Ji Wushang nervously. "I'm very scared."
Ji Wushang looked at her anxious eyes, which were bloodshot, probably because she was too anxious to sleep.
Ji Wushang patted her palm, and after a long while, he said, "Aunt, there are some things I don't know whether I should say or not."
"Tell me," Aunt Qin said, grabbing Ji Wushang's hand as if she had seen a lifeline.
“Ever since what happened at the West Garden, Auntie has been living in fear. I originally thought that Auntie would eventually get over it; after all, a child is gone, and you can just get pregnant again. But, Auntie, I feel that if you really can't bear it anymore, you should go back!” Ji Wushang said frankly. “This inner courtyard of the mansion is a place that devours people without spitting out their bones. If Auntie can't bear it, you should get out as soon as possible without hesitation. Although life here is luxurious, how long can it last?”
"you mean?"
“What I mean is, Aunt, if you’re really worried, you should ask Father for permission to resign!” Ji Wushang stood up, looking at the gradually darkening moonlight. “I originally thought that Aunt could get through this, after all, those who harmed you haven’t been punished yet, and you should retaliate. But you’re afraid. Heh, if it were me, I would definitely wait until the moment I could retaliate, and I would never let them go!”
Ji Wushang turned around and looked at Aunt Qin, "I don't want you to become like me. If you can let go of everything, then let go!"
"I desperately want to fight back! I desperately want to fight that bitch Bai!" Aunt Qin stood up at this moment. "I hate her! I hate her every moment! She almost killed me, and now she's still enjoying herself in her East Garden! My heart aches just thinking about it!"
"Then you'd better use your methods." Ji Wushang looked at Aunt Qin with clear eyes. "Isn't it all about who gets to be the official wife? My father's attitude is very clear: it's either Aunt Xie or Aunt Bai. Aunt Qin, you'd better watch yourself. Although I can help you, I can't help you completely. Do you understand?"
"I understand Miss's thoughts, Qin Fu will definitely do her best!" Aunt Qin looked at Ji Wushang as if she had regained her fighting spirit, "Miss, I, Qin Fu, will never forget your kindness."
Ji Wushang smiled. What if she turned against him and bit him in return? Some people, no matter how good you are to them, how much you teach them, might end up hurting you badly...
Ji Wushang narrowed his eyes, "Auntie, you must remember your promise." Otherwise...
"Definitely." Aunt Qin nodded, then said, "Oh, by the way, Master just told me that His Majesty is holding a grand banquet tomorrow, and everyone in our household who can go must go."
"His Majesty is holding a grand banquet? What is this? Should we go to the palace?" Ji Wushang asked.
"Instead of going to the palace, His Majesty is holding a grand banquet at the White Horse Temple, where he will have a vegetarian feast with all the civil and military officials," said Aunt Qin. "Actually, Master said that His Majesty and the civil and military officials will be in the front hall, while the back hall will be for us ladies and gentlemen together."
Baima Temple was the largest temple in the Xia Dynasty and was a royal temple. Important events were held at Baima Temple.
"yes."
"You should dress up nicely. I've heard... many noble families and their spouses will be there. The Prince of Nan will be there too." Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Aunt Qin said this, and immediately looked at Ji Wushang's expression afterward.
Ji Wushang nodded in agreement.
Aunt Qin didn't notice much change in Ji Wushang's expression, so she said a few words and left.
Ji Wushang watched her departing figure, unable to believe that she had changed so quickly. Just a moment ago she was crying and nervous, but now she was scrutinizing her own expression.
I hope I haven't misjudged this person!
Ji Wushang returned to the courtyard, ate dinner, and then went to bed. Before going to sleep, he had someone call Yue'er back and whispered some instructions to her for a while. Yue'er nodded and immediately went to do so.
Ji Wushang watched Yue'er leave before lying down on the bed fully clothed.
——
Aunt Bai had been cooped up in the West Garden for quite some time before she slowly recovered. After listening to the maid's report on everything concerning Ji Wushang, as well as Aunt Xie and Aunt Qin, Aunt Bai ordered, "Keep an eye on things!"
"yes."
"These little hussies, they're all so restless! Aunt Xie, Aunt Qin? Humph, I'll teach you to dream of becoming official wives! You'll be sorry tonight!" Aunt Bai struggled to get out of bed, just then a little maid ran in from outside.
"Greetings, Madam. Master just sent me to deliver a message."
"What is it?" Aunt Bai asked with a dark face.
"Tomorrow is a grand banquet held by His Majesty at the White Horse Temple. Master said that if Consort is able to walk, she should go along as a sign of respect from our General's Mansion. But if Consort is truly unable to..."
"I'll go," said Aunt Bai. "I guess Miss, Aunt Xie, and Aunt Qin will all be going too, right?"
"Yes, Auntie."
"Very well, I will inform the master that I will go with him," Aunt Bai said coldly. "You may leave."
"yes."
Aunt Bai smiled and said, "Good, White Horse Temple, good! We can't let them rest tonight either!"
"Tianxiang!" Aunt Bai called out to the outside.
Tianxiang immediately ran in from outside, carrying a bowl of medicine. "Auntie, I just brewed the medicine. Please drink it while it's hot."
"Leave it for now, I have something to tell you," Aunt Bai said, then beckoned with her finger, "Go..."
"Yes!" Tianxiang was about to hesitate, but seeing Aunt Bai's murderous gaze, she immediately nodded. "Yes, this servant will do it right away!"
"Hmm." Aunt Bai glanced at the bowl of medicine. Had sugar been added?
Upon hearing this, Tianxiang's face immediately changed drastically, and she knelt down, pleading, "This servant will go and put out the sugar right away! Please forgive me, Auntie! Please forgive me, Auntie!"
"You can't even do the tasks I assigned you right! Do you not want to stay by my side anymore?" Aunt Bai roared, "Get out!"
"Yes!" Tianxiang immediately took the medicine away, then added sugar before bringing it back.
Aunt Bai waited on the bed for quite some time, and sure enough, she saw Tianxiang bring a man in. Aunt Bai was lying on the bed at the time, and looking at the standing man, she noticed he had a pointed chin, but was strong and tall, somewhat fat, but looked alright. She asked, "Who are you?"
"This is Tianxiang's cousin, Li Qiang." Li Qiang was looking at the beauty on the bed, his heart was filled with desire, but he had to restrain himself. Tianxiang had just said that Aunt Bai was not someone to be trifled with!
"Do you know some martial arts?" Aunt Bai continued to ask.
"I know a little bit of martial arts." Li Qiang blinked.
Aunt Bai looked at him, "I heard from Tianxiang that you have an elderly mother who is bedridden?"
"Yes, Auntie."
"I'll give you three hundred taels as a deposit. As long as you do this for me, I'll guarantee you a life of comfort and security." Aunt Bai glanced at Granny Yun, who had been with her for many years. Granny Yun immediately stepped forward, took out a large bag, opened it, placed it on the table, and then withdrew.
The silver dazzled Li Qiang. Three hundred taels could definitely pay for his mother's medical treatment, and also buy one or two maids to serve his mother.
"If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask!" Li Qiang immediately knelt down and cupped his hands in greeting.
"I won't ask you to do anything special, I'm just asking you to put on an act for me. It's harmless." Aunt Bai smiled, looking at Tianxiang, who nodded and immediately stepped forward to whisper in Li Qiang's ear.
After speaking, he stood aside and waited for orders.
Li Qiang listened, his eyes widening, and asked, "Auntie, how would I know that's Aunt Xie?"
"Hmm." Aunt Bai gestured to Granny Yun, who immediately took out a painting from the cabinet behind her, opened it, and displayed it in front of Li Qiang.
When Li Qiang saw the beautiful woman in the painting, he immediately felt his mouth watering. He quickly wiped the drool away with his sleeve.
Aunt Bai was very satisfied with his reaction. Tianxiang had already said that Li Qiang was a filial son who didn't want his mother to die, but he was also a lecherous man who liked to steal and do petty theft. However, he was too poor to indulge in such activities. Finding him to act in this play was the best choice for him.
Li Qiang said, "I will definitely handle this matter well! Please rest assured, Aunt!"
"I will cooperate with you. Even if things go wrong, as long as you stick to your story, I will definitely get you out! After it's done, I'll give you a thousand taels." Aunt Bai breathed softly and smiled.
"I will do my best!" Li Qiang nodded. People will die for money, birds will die for food, so this time he's going all out!
Aunt Bai watched with satisfaction as Li Qiang was led away by Tianxiang.
Aunt Xie was diligently doing her accounts in her room. Her head maid, Biyu, seeing that she hadn't gone to sleep, brought her some bird's nest soup. "Auntie, drink this bird's nest soup before you start doing your accounts."
"Put it down!" Aunt Xie said without looking up. "You just go out and keep watch. I don't know when I'll be going to bed tonight."
"yes."
As the footsteps faded into the distance, Aunt Xie continued with her work. They were going to the White Horse Temple tomorrow, and there wasn't enough time. The master needed to keep an eye on the accounts, so she had to figure out the details for him.
After a while, Aunt Xie stretched and continued to look through the account book. She saw some symbols that Ji Wushang had circled in the cloth shop. She felt a little dissatisfied. This young lady hadn't provoked her, so why did she have to go against her?
Annoyed, she put the ledger aside and continued to look at another one. It was another one that Ji Wushang had circled. If it was circled, she would have to redo it. The cloth shop manager had only written some before, and she would have to make several more!
Confused and angry, Aunt Xie recalled the questions Steward Lin had asked earlier about the arrangement of the flowers purchased from the Western Regions and which courtyards they should be delivered to. One of the flowers she noticed was a potted plant called *Gypsophila paniculata*. While others might not recognize it, she remembered seeing it when serving the matriarch at the Yuanyue Nunnery. She knew its intense fragrance could easily cause breathing difficulties and infections, and was extremely harmful to a woman's health. Still fuming, Aunt Xie casually pointed to the *Gypsophila paniculata* and ordered Steward Lin to deliver it to the eldest young lady at Xinyuan Garden…
"I wonder if Miss recognizes these flowers?" Aunt Xie stopped writing with her brush, then put it aside and suddenly remembered.
Just then, Aunt Xie heard footsteps and frowned. "Didn't I tell you to go out and keep watch?" She looked up and saw a masked man in black!
Before she could finish the sentence, "Come...", Aunt Xie was covered in a sweat bag with a smother's mouth and nose by the person who came forward. After a short while, Aunt Xie collapsed and fainted.
——
Ji Wushang waited for a reply in the courtyard. After a while, Yue'er returned, panting, and said, "Miss."
"Take your time," Ji Wushang said, pulling her inside and making her sit down in a chair.
"Miss, just as the eldest young lady predicted, that potted plant is called 'Full Sky Red,' and its smell is unbearable; it's poisonous! It's bad for a woman's health and can cause infertility. Miss, you should discard that flower as soon as possible."
"Did Aunt Xie have Steward Lin bring these flowers over?" Ji Wushang asked.
"Yes." Yue'er nodded. "Just now, I finally managed to ask the young man who works with Steward Lin, and he said that it was Aunt Xie who pointed out that pot of flowers to the eldest young lady."
"Hmph, how vicious!" Ji Wushang said coldly, "What else?"