Unwilling to give up, Ji Yinxue immediately examined the items carefully again.
After a moment, to everyone's surprise, Ji Yinxue actually found a protruding spot!
She was so excited she almost jumped for joy. If she could open it, her name would surely spread throughout the entire capital city tomorrow!
☆, Chapter 172 The Imperial Marriage Scandal (Exciting! Please add to your favorites and subscribe!)
This was absolutely the best opportunity! Ji Yinxue's heart was pounding. She pretended to be hesitant, "I don't know if I can open it. If I can't, please don't laugh at me!"
"Why would I laugh at you?" Shangguan Feiyan stepped forward. "Yinxue just said that it doesn't matter if you can't open it, the most important thing is to stand up and try."
"Yes, that's right." Ji Yinxue smiled slightly, looking at Ji Wushang with a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Sister-in-law, I wonder if you'd like to try opening this black box?"
"This, sister-in-law, you can open it. I don't really recognize such a national treasure and I'm afraid I'll damage it." Ji Wushang said with a smile in his eyes. Hearing Ji Wushang's words, Ji Yinxue thought to herself that if Ji Wushang couldn't open it, then she would do it herself!
Finally, one day, I was able to stand in front of her and outshine her!
Huangfu Lan was getting impatient. If Ji Yinxue was here to open this black box, she should just open it already and stop with all this whining! Wasn't she just trying to show off? Let her have her moment! But showing off might not always be a good thing!
If a pig-headed person like her could open this black box, it wouldn't be a national treasure!
Huangfu Lan looked at Yiyun Muchen, who showed no sign of impatience whatsoever, but rather looked at her quite attentively. "Then please welcome Second Young Madam Nan!"
Ji Wushang then remembered that Ji Yinxue had once had a relationship with Beigong Jueshi, whether real or fake. And now, Beigong Jueshi and Yiyun Muchen were together. Neither of the two women knew about this relationship. If they did find out... Ji Yinxue would probably vomit blood.
I just didn't know how to bring Yi Yun Muchen to Bei Gong Jue Shi... I've got it!
Ji Wushang's eyes lit up.
After Ji Yinxue had sunbathed enough, she naturally wanted to open the black box. She gently pressed down on the raised dot, hoping to see what would happen inside. However, to her surprise, she saw no results for a long time!
The people around were also waiting, but unfortunately, they couldn't see any results!
Ji Yinxue was getting anxious, while the ladies and young women around her had already begun to whisper among themselves.
People shouldn't be too boastful! No, not boastful, but rather, they shouldn't be too smug! Ji Yinxue didn't even consider her own capabilities, yet she thought she was invincible! The result was predictable!
Ji Yinxue was unwilling to give up, and pressed her hand hard against the protruding point, determined to get results! The people around were already starting to stir, and Huangfu Lan smiled, "Second Young Madam Nan, can you open it?"
"Yes, definitely!" How could this be? I clearly felt something moving inside; it must be some mechanism gradually opening! If I hand this black box over to someone else, they'll open it right away. Even though I opened it, it will become someone else opening it! I'm not willing to accept that! I have to wait a while; otherwise, I'd rather die than hand it over!
"Wait a moment, just a little while!" Ji Yinxue emphasized again.
Those around her watched with mixed feelings. Some thought Ji Yinxue was overestimating herself and couldn't help but look down on her, while others felt a glimmer of hope. They wished they could open it and see what was inside! If it wasn't a priceless treasure, it would certainly be an astronomical item! Even just seeing one of the three great national treasures of the Western Regions would be quite nice!
Ji Wushang picked up the tea in front of him and took a small sip, moistening his lips.
Ji Yinxue worked for a long time but still couldn't open the black box. She had no choice but to put it down with a displeased expression and push it back in front of Yi Yun Muchen. "Yinxue is incompetent. I still can't open it. Hehe!"
"It's alright, this thing is not easy to open anyway, it's fine!" Yi Yun Muchen smiled and looked around, "I wonder if anyone can open it?"
Huangfu Lan glanced at Ji Yinxue and said, "I thought the Second Young Mistress of Nan would be able to open the black box! Just now, she seemed so confident!"
Ji Yinxue looked embarrassed. That damned Seventh Princess!
"Your Highness, I was unaware that this black box was so profound. I've heard that you've studied some rather strange things since childhood. Have you perhaps researched the national treasure of the Western Regions? You are indeed intelligent; why not try and see if you can open this black box?" Ji Yinxue smiled, but inwardly she sneered. Daring to argue with her? Doesn't she know who she is? Don't think that just because she's a princess she can ridicule others!
Huangfu Lan knew that Ji Yinxue was trying to turn the tables and prevent her from opening the black box, so that they would appear as ordinary people and wouldn't be laughed at! Huangfu Lan smiled, "Second Young Madam Nan's idea is quite good, but I feel that the Princess Consort Nan should be able to open this black box. Princess Consort Nan, what do you think?" As she spoke, she looked at Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang sneered inwardly. They were quite good at shifting the blame onto him. However, he would seize this opportunity, regardless of whether he could open it or not.
Ji Wushang laughed and said, "Seventh Princess is really teasing me. If I can't open it, wouldn't everyone laugh at me?" Ji Wushang laughed and said, "If everyone has not even tried it, yet they are certain that I can open it, I'm afraid I, Ji Wushang, will lose all face."
"Princess Consort Nan is quite the smooth talker. Actually, everyone is looking forward to seeing you try. Don't you all agree?" Huangfu Lan said with a smile, her gaze falling on the faces of some young ladies from prominent families. There was a hint of mockery in her eyes, but also a strange emotion in them. If these young ladies didn't join in, the Seventh Princess probably wouldn't let it go!
The young ladies from prominent families exchanged glances and immediately said, "Yes, why don't you give it a try, Princess Consort of the Southern Prince?"
"Princess Consort of the Southern Prince, would you like to give it a try?" Yi Yun Muchen asked with a smile, her gaze towards Ji Wushang softening slightly.
Ji Wushang nodded, but then his lips curled up slightly. "I am not capable enough to open this black box. If I can, I have a request. I wonder if Princess Muchen would be able to grant it?"
"Speak freely." As soon as Yi Yun Muchen saw Ji Wushang, she felt a sense of closeness rising in her heart, and therefore she was somewhat looking forward to Ji Wushang's request.
Ji Wushang said, "Let me try first. I don't know if I can open it... If I can't open it, please don't laugh at me, Princess Muchen, the Seventh Princess, and all the noble ladies."
"How could that be?" Huangfu Lan laughed. "I believe that the Princess Consort of the Southern Heir will not let us down." If she can't open this black box, then probably no one else can, right? Second Brother's words are never wrong... Ji Wushang definitely has some unknown secrets... Let's see how she does!
Ji Wushang smiled, "The Seventh Princess truly has high expectations for Wushang, which makes Wushang feel flattered!" Who knows what she's really thinking? Let's wait and see!
Ji Yinxue's eyes were full of laughter. If she couldn't open it herself, how could she? She would wait until Ji Yinxue had a long face and then ridicule her, so that Ji Yinxue could also experience what it felt like to be ridiculed!
Mo Qiqi watched Ji Wushang step forward, thinking of trying to persuade him to stay, but then stopped, thinking to herself, "Forget it, I'd better not get involved in these things!"
Ji Wushang glanced at the people around him before walking up to Yi Yun Muchen and bowing respectfully, "Princess Muchen."
"Princess Consort Nan, please," Yi Yun Muchen said with a smile. Ji Wushang looked at her smile, thinking that he had also been controlled by Yi Yun Shangcheng in the same way before. However, this feeling was different. He hated Nan Xuzong back then, but she didn't seem to hate anyone like this... This meant that Yi Yun Shangcheng hadn't controlled her at all, but there was another possibility, which was... that he had extracted her memories!
Ji Wushang's bright eyes flashed, and he stepped forward, saying, "Yes."
Huangfu Lan kept an eye on Ji Wushang, paying attention to her every word and action.
Over here, Nan Xuzong was pushed into the front yard by the two brothers, Bei Gong Minhao and Bei Gong Jueshi. The people in the front yard were all from wealthy families. When they saw Nan Xuzong and the Crown Prince and the Second Prince of the Wang family coming, they couldn't help but turn their eyes to him.
"Yesterday was the Prince Nan's birthday banquet. I saw that the Princess Consort prepared quite a few gifts, which made the Prince Nan very happy!"
"Indeed! Princess Consort Nan never expected that she would treat Prince Nan so well. She's beautiful, intelligent, and skilled in poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, and chess! Tsk tsk, Prince Nan has struck gold!"
"No, I feel that Prince Nan is actually quite cunning. You see, how could an ordinary person be with Prince Zhenbei's son and the second son of Prince Wang?"
"You're somewhat right!"
"Of course! Didn't you see? It's the Crown Prince helping to push the wheelchair. Oh, the order of status has been reversed. It seems the Crown Prince is acting like a servant!"
"Ha ha!"
...
Bei Gong Jue Shi clenched his fists slightly as he listened. "These people really have nothing better to do than spout so much nonsense! They're acting like women!"
"Jue Shi, there's no need to pay them any mind." Bei Gong Min Hao knew better than Bei Gong Jue Shi how to handle certain matters, after all, he had been in the court longer than Bei Gong Jue Shi.
Nan Xuzong's lips twitched. "Minho, it seems you'd better let me push it myself. To be honest, asking you to help would lower your status."
"Why take the words of an ordinary person so seriously!" Bei Gongminhao sneered. "Let's go over there." With that, he pushed Nan Xuzong's wheelchair to the other side.
Bei Gong Jue Shi nodded and followed.
However, his heterochromatic eyes would occasionally scan his surroundings, trying to find out where Yi Yun Muchen and Yi Yun Shangcheng were.
Nan Xuzong looked at him and said, "You won't see Princess Muchen here. As for the King of the Western Regions, he's probably still in the palace and won't be here so soon."
Bei Gong Jue Shi nodded, his eyes flashing, and then sat down opposite Nan Xu Cong, while Bei Gong Min Hao sat down to the side.
The three drank some wine but didn't talk much. At this moment, Ji Tiankui looked at the three of them and stepped forward, saying, "Prince Wang, Second Prince Wang, Brother-in-law."
“Big brother.” Nan Xuzong’s dark eyes flickered.
"Young General Ji!" The two Bei brothers nodded almost simultaneously.
All three knew that Ji Tiankui was an upright man with immense strength, a definite candidate for future general, and that he took great care of Ji Wushang. They felt it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask him for help with certain matters. Besides, this concerned the safety of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, and he certainly wouldn't refuse!
Nan Xuzong smiled and said, "Please sit down, elder brother."
"Hmm," Ji Tiankui said, "Why don't you three go sit over there? Hehe, I thought you three were talking about something important here!"
“It is indeed somewhat important…” Bei Gongminhao took a sip of wine, his eyes drifting towards Nan Xuzong, indicating whether he wanted to let him know something.
Nan Xuzong smiled slightly, showing no intention of stopping him, but instead picked up his wine glass and took a small sip.
"There are too many people here, so let's not talk about it yet. If General Ji has time, please come to the Prince's residence for a gathering." Bei Gong Minhao looked around and saw that many nobles and officials were watching them. Fearing that the walls might be overheard, he decided to hold off on speaking for now.
Ji Tiankui nodded, which meant that there was something important that he hadn't been told. He would definitely go to the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion right now!
"I will definitely pay you a visit another day." Ji Tiankui raised his wine glass in front of him, indicating a toast of respect.
All four of them toasted.
Just then, they heard a commotion inside, quite noisy. Nan Xuzong and the other two looked over and saw that it was the Second Prince Huangfu Ting and the Sixth Prince Huangfu Yu, who had come up to the city with the Western Region King Yiyun. The three of them were chatting happily.
At this moment, Yiyun Shangcheng was dressed in Western Region attire. The noble and well-fitting Tibetan robes wrapped his perfect figure. He wore a jade-adorned vermilion crown, had thick, sword-like eyebrows, and exuded a noble and awe-inspiring aura. Although he had a smile on his lips, no one dared to approach him.
Huangfu Ting was dressed in a magnificent prince's robe, with a jade belt binding his well-fitting bright yellow robe. He wore a jade crown and exuded an aura of dominance. His sword-like eyebrows and inner eyes held a cold light. Huangfu Yu, on the other hand, had a slightly spoiled appearance, but it did not diminish his noble air in the slightest.
Those around immediately stepped forward to greet him or engage in conversation. However, because Huangfu Ting was present and his expression suggested otherwise, no one approached.
Looking at Yiyun City, Beigong Jueshi felt a surge of anger and was about to step forward when Nan Xuzong immediately signaled to Beigong Minhao. Beigong Minhao immediately stopped Beigong Jueshi, saying, "Jueshi, calm down! Let's see what the situation is!"
“I want to ask him where Mu Chen is.” Bei Gong Jue Shi looked at him, and then at Yi Yun Shang Cheng who was talking over there.
“If you rush up and ask now, it will be presumptuous and you will be blamed. Besides, if you ask him where Princess Mu Chen is in front of so many people, wouldn’t that be telling everyone that you have an ambiguous relationship with Princess Mu Chen?” Nan Xuzong said in a low voice.
Listening to their conversation, Ji Tiankui roughly understood what was going on. He narrowed his eyes and said, "King of the Western Regions, I have fought with him before, but that was before the Lunar New Year last year. I can invite him over for a chat."
"Really?" Bei Gong Jue Shi looked at Ji Tian Kui. If he could bring Yi Yun Shang Cheng here and see what his attitude was, or find out something, he would still have a chance! However, Yi Yun Shang Cheng was not the same as before. Even if Ji Tian Kui had some relationship or grudges with him, it was all in the past, not now!
Ji Tiankui nodded, "The Second Prince and the Sixth Prince will be staying with His Majesty, so they won't stay long. Don't worry, it will only be for a short while."
As he spoke, Ji Tiankui stepped forward.
Nan Xuzong looked at Ji Tiankui, Bei Gongjueshi looked at him, and Bei Gongminhao personally poured a glass of wine for the three of them, and also filled two empty wine glasses and placed them aside.
Sure enough, after a short while, Huangfu Ting and Huangfu Yu walked out, and Ji Tiankui really did bring Yiyun Shangcheng here! The two of them chatted happily, without the awkwardness that had been expected.
Nan Xuzong kept his eyes fixed on Yi Yun Shangcheng's face, but Yi Yun Shangcheng did not seem to find anything amiss and nodded in a friendly manner.
"King of the Western Regions." The three bowed in unison.
"Hello," Yi Yun said with a smile. "General Ji has already introduced you. It's an honor to meet you!"
These words immediately unsettled the three men, leaving them wondering what this King of the Western Regions was up to!
Is this just acting?
"King of the Western Regions, please sit." Nan Xuzong, having regained his senses, immediately invited him to sit opposite him.
Yiyun Shangcheng's purple eyes narrowed slightly. "Thank you!"
Nan Xuzong's lips curled up. This man, ah, he's actually playing mind games like those women?
"What are you talking about?" The King of the Western Regions glanced at them with his handsome eyes.
"Guess the purpose of the Western Regions King's trip." Bei Gong Jue Shi's lips twitched.
"Oh? How about it? This second son of the king, can you guess my purpose?" Yiyun Shangcheng spoke almost in a nasal tone, his tone questioning but containing more contempt.