"No, thank you for your concern, Granny." Ji Wushang smiled obediently at her. Granny Wang nodded. This child was quite sensible, but she was often bullied. Fortunately, it was all in the past.
Ji Wushang nodded, then bid farewell to Granny Wang together with Shangguan Feiyan before walking away.
Yuan Meian and Yao Jinhan watched Ji Wushang leave, snorted, and followed him. But at that moment, Yuan Meian and Yao Jinhan burst into laughter almost simultaneously, and their laughter was extremely exaggerated!
"Hahaha, hahaha, you guys, hahaha, so funny!" Yuan Meian laughed wildly, clutching her lower abdomen, laughing heartily. Where was her previous innocent and beautiful demeanor?
"Yeah, haha, haha, I, I can't stop, haha, ha!" Yao Jinhan wasn't much better off; she was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her face, but she kept laughing as if she were about to die if she didn't.
People around them turned around and looked at the two of them in surprise. All the guards around them rushed out and surrounded the two of them. The young ladies who had been trying to curry favor with the two of them all retreated and dared not stick to them anymore!
Granny Wang walked ahead in surprise, tentatively calling out, "Miss Yao, Miss Yuan, what's going on with you?"
"I, haha, I, haha, no, haha, I don't know. Haha..." Yao Jinhan spoke and laughed loudly, as if she had gone mad, and her hair became messy from the extremely exaggerated laughter.
Yuan Meian was too busy laughing to pay any attention to what Granny Wang was asking her.
“This…” Granny Wang hesitated at this moment.
The people around them watched the two of them laughing exaggeratedly like clowns and couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle.
Granny Wang said, "Quickly, fetch the imperial physician to take a look at what's wrong!"
Before long, the imperial physician arrived. He was startled to see the two young ladies laughing so hard they were almost out of breath. He picked up his medicine box and stepped forward, saying, "Granny."
"Physician Li, please take a look at this. Why are these two young ladies suddenly laughing, and they've been laughing for almost half an hour now? Why don't they seem to be getting better?"
Physician Li observed, "This is due to the laughing drug. It's estimated that you'll be laughing for two or three hours! You won't stop laughing like that until the drug wears off. There's nothing I can do to stop it; there's no cure."
"Then, will you get hurt after laughing?" This was what Granny Wang was worried about.
"At the very least, the lips will swell up, becoming larger than a finger. Moreover, it's estimated that the person won't be able to speak or eat rice for three days, only be able to drink some rice porridge."
Upon hearing this, Granny Wang was momentarily stunned.
Everyone around was stunned. Who brought this laughing drug? It's so potent! From now on, these two young ladies will probably only be able to lie in bed, drinking rice porridge with those sausage lips!
Upon hearing this, the two immediately shook their heads, "Haha, haha!"
Everyone could only cover their ears.
Ji Wushang was the same, without showing any flaws whatsoever.
Hearing this, Granny Wang could only wave her hand and ask, "Then, Physician Li, in your opinion, can the two young ladies continue to participate in the Wen Pavilion embroidery?"
At this moment, Yao Jinhan and Yuan Meian both heard it and were thinking of nodding in agreement.
The other ladies around were all nervous. If neither of them could participate, that would be a huge relief! They had thought that because of their powerful connections, they would definitely be given two spots in the top three, but now it seemed there was room for maneuver. How wonderful!
"I'm afraid that's not possible," said Physician Li. "For the sake of the two young ladies' health, I suggest that they be sent back to their residence for treatment as soon as possible."
Granny Wang nodded. Her gaze swept over them. "Someone, take the two young ladies back to their residence! Take good care of them."
The whole way there was laughter, but it was a hardship for the ears of the entourage!
After watching the crowd disperse, Ji Wushang also left with Shangguan Feiyan.
But when they reached the end of the corridor leading to the bamboo pavilion, they suddenly heard someone call out from behind, "Miss Ji, please wait."
Ji Wushang was startled and looked at Shangguan Feiyan beside him. Shangguan Feiyan was also surprised. Who was this? The two turned around to look.
A tall man stood before them, holding a golden fan. He smiled and, before the two could speak, his thin lips curled slightly. "Please, Miss Shangguan, return first."
☆、140 Break through all obstacles and seize first place!
Ji Wushang and Shangguan Feiyan were surprised, but Ji Wushang still bowed first and said, "Greetings, Second Prince."
Shangguan Feiyan snapped out of her daze and hurriedly curtsied, "Greetings, Second Prince."
"No need for formalities." Huangfu Ting smiled, a truly refined and gentle young nobleman. "I have some questions for Miss Ji, so please, Miss Shangguan, go back first." With that, he politely gestured for her to leave.
Shangguan Feiyan looked at Ji Wushang. Why was the Second Prince talking to Ji Wushang? Could it be that the Second Prince had taken a liking to her? That was probably impossible. In the past, she might have believed it, but now that Ji Wushang was already engaged, and it was a marriage bestowed by heaven, a prince would certainly know what was important. He wouldn't fall for Ji Wushang. As for other matters, she would just avoid them!
"Then, Feiyan will take her leave first." Shangguan Feiyan gave Ji Wushang a wink. "Sister Wushang, come back soon. Granny will tell you later that she has something important to tell you."
"Yes." Ji Wushang was grateful. Although Shangguan Feiyan was not particularly outstanding in appearance, at most she looked pretty, and her needlework or other talents were not necessarily better than others, she was quite meticulous, and very clever and quick-witted.
Huangfu Ting smiled. Shangguan Feiyan's words were just a reminder to him not to easily make any moves against Ji Wushang or do anything to hurt her.
Would he be that kind of person? Huangfu Ting shook his head inwardly. At least not now. As for the future, that would depend on what happened later.
Watching the person leave, Ji Wushang asked, "I wonder what Your Highness wished to discuss with me?" There were few people around; he had certainly chosen the right place. For the time being, no one else knew, preventing anyone from using it as leverage to accuse Ji Wushang of having some illicit relationship with him. After all, he was a prince, while she was a betrothed young woman.
"Oh, I just wanted to ask why I didn't see your fourth sister in the main hall today?" Huangfu Ting put away his golden fan and said. When he saw the slight surprise on Ji Wushang's face, he immediately added, "I have always heard that the fourth young lady is very good at needlework. It is a pity that I did not get to see how good her skills are. So, I came to ask."
Ji Wushang seemed to suddenly realize something, and then his face turned worried. "So that's how it is. But, alas, my fourth sister somehow contracted smallpox this morning, so we had Granny Wang send her back to the Marquis's residence."
This second prince, is he actually trying to lie to me? If he's worried about Ji Yinxue, he should just say so. What do you mean by being good at needlework? All these young ladies are good at needlework. Quite a few people have temporarily disappeared from the palace, and he hasn't even bothered to ask about them!
Huangfu Ting looked at her, his eyes crinkling, "That's a real shame."
"I'm sorry, I, as the eldest sister, failed to take good care of her. Alas, I am truly useless." Ji Wushang said, covering her face with her sleeve and wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief.
Huangfu Ting felt that this woman was truly formidable. There was definitely something fishy about what happened this morning! She would definitely be a rival in the future. If she weren't useful to him, he would have sent her to her death right now! Either he would use her for his own purposes, or he would destroy her!
Ji Wushang looked at him with concern on his face and said, "If Your Highness has nothing else to say, then I will take my leave." With that, Ji Wushang immediately bowed and withdrew.
Huangfu Ting wanted to say something, but seeing that she had already walked away, he had no choice but to stop. However, looking at her graceful figure, a smile appeared on his lips. Interesting, intriguing!
After turning down the corridor, Ji Wushang hurriedly ran towards Jinyuan Garden. Seeing some palace maids working around him, he gradually calmed down and composed himself before entering Jinyuan Garden.
Several young ladies were playing and frolicking in the garden, which was large enough to accommodate their antics. Ji Wushang watched, smiled at them, and then went inside.
Inside the room, Shangguan Feiyan was indeed waiting for her. As soon as she saw Ji Wushang enter, she immediately came forward and asked, "Sister Wushang, how is it?"
"What do you mean, 'what do you mean'?" Ji Wushang looked at her amusedly. "What could possibly happen?"
"Pfft." Shangguan Feiyan was amused by her words. "I meant, you and the Second Prince..."
"Shh." Ji Wushang immediately covered her lips. "Don't be so loud, I'm afraid someone will hear." Ji Wushang looked outside the door, and seeing that no one was there, he closed the door again. Then he pulled Shangguan Feiyan into his room, closed the door, and said, "You know, I'm already engaged, so naturally I wouldn't think about climbing up to any prince or any high branch. But, if the Second Prince asks me questions, I can't refuse. If people find out that I, Ji Wushang, have some kind of relationship with the Second Prince, I'm afraid it will change the subject."
"Yes, you're right." Shangguan Feiyan nodded. It wouldn't be good if word got out that Ji Wushang was being talked about. After all, they hadn't met in public many times, so they couldn't be considered friends or anything like that.
Ji Wushang looked at her and nodded, "Feiyan, you must keep this a secret for me."
"Of course, who am I, Shangguan Feiyan?" Shangguan Feiyan said confidently, even patting her chest.
Ji Wushang laughed and said, "If you keep taking pictures, you'll get flattened."
"You, Sister Wushang, you're so indecent!" Shangguan Feiyan scolded, and then started playfully fighting with Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang looked at her and grabbed her arm, but she was strong enough and tried to grab Ji Wushang in return. Ji Wushang laughed and fought back.
Some young ladies passing by outside, hearing the sounds of fighting coming from Ji Wushang's room, looked on with disdain, saying, "What a piece of trash, so lacking in self-respect!"
"Let's go!"
...
Ji Wushang continued to tease Shangguan Feiyan, but soon they were exhausted and collapsed on the bed, panting. Only then did Shangguan Feiyan remember and ask, "By the way, what did the Second Prince ask you? It wasn't something private, was it?"
"You think so much, don't you?" Ji Wushang chuckled and tickled her, making her giggle and cry out, "Have mercy!" Ji Wushang stopped after a while. "He asked about Fourth Sister, he didn't say anything else!"
Shangguan Feiyan nodded, "I see. By the way, I really don't know how Fourth Miss is doing. I wonder if she has returned to the manor yet, and whether the fever has subsided?"
"I don't know either." Ji Wushang's tone was slightly cold, but he immediately got out of bed. "Aren't we hungry? It's time to eat."
"Look at what you're saying, I'm hungry too." Shangguan Feiyan smiled and immediately pulled Ji Wushang out.
When the two arrived at the main hall, they didn't see any maids bringing out the food. They looked at each other and shrugged helplessly. After making a fuss for a while, they finally got everything sorted out before eating. Everyone was quite well-behaved all night, perhaps because they had seen two or three young ladies being sent away, so they had all become more restrained.
Ji Wushang looked around at the people around him, finished eating with Shangguan Feiyan, and then went back to his room.
——
The night was still and quiet when a man in a cloak entered an inn. "Waiter, bring wine, and two more catties of beef."
"Okay...okay!" The waiter was surprised. He had originally intended to go up and make friends with the man, but when he saw the red eye under the man's cloak, he immediately rolled down, quite frightened!
Bei Gong Jue Shi ignored him, placed the cup in front of him in front of himself, and then filled it with tea.
After a month or two, he finally arrived in this remote place. He originally thought of going to the frontier, but he was afraid of seeing his father, the Prince of Zhenbei's, old subordinates. Therefore, he changed his mind and came to this small town. He didn't know the name of this small town, but it was a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains. He thought he could stay here and live a leisurely life.
At this moment, Xiao Er nervously brought out the wine and the sliced beef, placed them on the table, and then immediately ran away, as if he had seen a ghost.
Bei Gong Jue Shi shook his head. Indeed, his heterochromatic eyes made him appear to others as a ghost or a demon.
laugh.
Bei Gong Jue Shi picked up the wine jug and poured it into his mouth, but the taste was bitter. Bei Gong Jue Shi shook his head, "Waiter, why is this wine bitter?"
"Um, sir, this wine, yes, it's sweet." The waiter broke out in a cold sweat from the sudden question. Looking at Bei Gong Jue Shi, he dared not offend him. "Then, I, I'll change the wine, change it?"
"Enough." Bei Gong Jue Shi waved his hand. He didn't want to hurt anyone. They were clearly afraid of him, but why did they have to pretend to be so reluctant? It made him want to kill them!
Bei Gong Jue Shi squeezed the wine pot; if he hadn't controlled his strength, he would have definitely crushed it!
These past few days, whenever Bei Gong Jue Shi closed his eyes, he seemed to see Ji Yin Xue pleasuring herself beneath that man, and then he heard her saying that she was using him, using his feelings… Using him? What value did he have? Heh! Bei Gong Jue Shi opened his eyes, picked up a piece of meat, and put it in his mouth.
Even the meat tastes bitter. Can't we at least leave ourselves a way to survive?
Bei Gong Jueshi tilted his head back and continued drinking his wine. Beneath his long eyelashes, his eyes were unfocused, and his crimson eyes were hidden by his eyelids. A strand of his hair fell to one side as he tilted his head back.
But suddenly, a man burst in. The waiter immediately went up to him, "Go away! Beggar, get out of here! Don't dirty this place!" The little beggar looked to be no more than eleven or twelve years old, a half-grown boy, and he was dirty.
“Someone invited me in! Why are you kicking me out! Look, he invited me!” a clear voice shouted, pointing to the table closest to the door where Bei Gong Jue Shi was drinking his wine.
The boy was somewhat surprised to see him drinking, but he reacted quickly, ducking past the waiter's hand and standing in front of Bei Gong Jue Shi. "I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting, brother!" he said, bowing slightly. Before Bei Gong Jue Shi could reply, he immediately sat down in the chair. "Waiter, bring the chicken!"
Upon recognizing the man with the heterochromatic eyes, the waiter immediately fell silent and hurried away, shouting, "Alright!"
Why would I possibly investigate anything? I'd definitely just do as instructed!
Hearing the sound, Bei Gong Jue Shi finished his drink halfway through, then put it down, his eyes narrowing, exuding murderous intent. "Who are you?"
"You treated me, have you forgotten?" The boy casually picked up a pair of chopsticks and started eating the beef, without even looking up at Bei Gong Jue Shi's dark expression.
Bei Gong Jue Shi watched him continue eating with an expressionless face, and it was astonishing how quickly he scanned all the food!
"The chicken is here." The waiter carefully placed a plate of chicken on their table. Watching them eat harmoniously, the waiter had to admit that the little brat really knew this customer.
"I didn't invite anyone, including you." After watching the last piece of beef being eaten, Bei Gong Jue Shi uttered softly, "This will be your last meal. Enjoy it."
The boy, upon hearing this, looked up in surprise. When his clear eyes met those deliberately wide-open heterochromatic eyes, he was genuinely startled.