Nan Zaiqing's crying was useless; disfigurement was a foregone conclusion.
Upon hearing of this incident, the Marquis of Jinnan immediately went to Zhuangshu Garden to check on Consort Zhao, only to find her fast asleep. He then asked the head maid, Yan Shou, who was standing nearby, and simply said that Doctor Cui should still be at the mansion.
The Marquis of Jinnan immediately asked his servants and learned that Ji Wushang had taken Doctor Cui to Qingrou Garden in Nanzaiqing.
When the Marquis of Jinnan arrived at Qingrou Garden, he saw Ji Wushang, Aunt Leng, and Doctor Cui sitting at the stone table in the garden.
As the Marquis of Jinnan entered, the men immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Father (Master)."
"Greetings, this old man!"
The Marquis of Jinnan immediately said, "No need for formalities, no need for formalities." He stepped forward and approached Doctor Cui, asking, "Doctor, how are they?"
"It will be difficult to recover, but I will do my best," Doctor Cui said, bowing.
The Marquis of Jinnan nodded. He had just seen Aunt Zhao and knew that things were not very clear. Well, if they could be saved, they would! "What about Qing'er...?" He had heard that she had scratched her face? The Marquis frowned slightly.
"The Fifth Miss's condition is rather bad. Alas, please forgive my incompetence!" Doctor Cui was somewhat annoyed. He had to explain this matter to this person and that person again. He should have left earlier! Such a waste of breath, the high-class family is indeed different!
But why doesn't the master come out?
Just as they were thinking this, they heard the soft sound of a wheelchair being pushed outside. When everyone looked over, they saw Gong Shu pushing Nan Xuzong in.
"Father, Aunt, Wushang. And this..." Nan Xuzong greeted them briefly.
"It's Doctor Cui," Ji Wushang stepped forward to introduce him, then said, "Why aren't you handling things at Moxuan Garden?"
"Seeing that you haven't been back for a long time, and the food has gotten cold, I came to check on you." Nan Xuzong looked at her.
The Marquis looked at Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong and said, "Since things are as they are now, Wushang, you and Cong'er may go downstairs first!"
"Yes." Ji Wushang nodded.
Before leaving, he secretly gave Doctor Cui a wink, while Nan Xuzong made a hand gesture.
Doctor Cui answered the Marquis's question with a smile and great politeness.
The two walked ahead, while Gong Shu followed at a distance behind.
"Your technique is getting more and more skillful." Nan Xuzong squinted, looking pleased. Ji Wushang placed his hand on his shoulder and gently massaged it. "Skilled, that's good."
"Did you have that maid Hongfei remind me to invite Doctor Cui to the manor to treat Aunt Zhao?" Ji Wushang asked.
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong nodded. "You're really smart; you can read Hong Fei's lips."
"Just guessing," Ji Wushang said, then looked around to make sure no one was there before continuing, "Would you feel bad if I attacked them?"
"It doesn't hurt," Nan Xuzong smiled. "I'll be very happy. They have nothing to do with me. Whatever you like, I'll like. If you need anything, I'll help you."
Ji Wushang tightened his grip a little more. "It's good that you don't blame me."
"We'll talk about it when we get back." Nan Xuzong placed his hand on hers and squeezed it.
The two returned to Moxuan Garden and entered the study. He sat down at his desk and said, "I don't have much affection for the Marquis's mansion. Do whatever you like; don't worry about my feelings for it."
Ji Wushang thought about it and agreed. All the concubines and their younger siblings regarded Nan Xuzong as a thorn in their side, despising, hating, and mocking him. What feelings could they possibly have for such a Marquis's mansion?
There's no need for me to be soft-hearted. Since they treat their husbands this way, I must get my revenge! I'll turn this Marquis's mansion into a living hell!
Ji Wushang walked behind him, "I just taught Nan Zaiqing a lesson..."
“I know.” Nan Xuzong took her hand and placed it in his own. “There’s no need to be merciful to those people; otherwise, you won’t stand a chance against them.”
"I'll listen to you," Ji Wushang agreed.
Night slowly deepened. After finishing their meal, Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong were thinking of resting when they heard someone calling outside, "Princess Consort, Princess Consort!"
Nan Xuzong held her, preventing her from moving, his thick eyebrows slightly furrowed. "Why are you bothering us again!" They were just about to do something intimate! You really don't let me feel at ease!
Ji Wushang nudged him, "I'll go see what happened. With something like this happening in the manor, the Marquis won't let me sleep peacefully." She lightly kissed his lips, then got out of bed, lifted the bed curtains, and went out. Nan Xuzong watched her movements, a smile playing on his lips. He touched his own lips; her warmth and fragrance still lingered there.
Ji Wushang put on his clothes and then his cloak before going out. "What's wrong?"
"Your Highness, Consort Zhao has vomited again!" the maidservant immediately reported.
Ji Wushang frowned. Did they really need to call him for such a trivial matter? "Has a doctor been called? Let the imperial physician take a look! It's getting late; there won't be enough time to find Doctor Cui."
"Yes," the maidservant replied immediately.
"Where is the Marquis? Has he gone to check on things in the courtyard?" Ji Wushang asked.
"The Marquis is at Consort Jin's Jinbi Garden. This servant dares not disturb him," the maid whispered.
Ji Wushang rolled her eyes at her. How dare she bother him! But she really is something else, indulging in pleasure every night! If one concubine isn't enough, there's always another to fill the void. She certainly lives a life of debauchery!
Ji Wushang glanced back at the direction of the inner room, telling him to get some rest first. If he didn't go to check on Aunt Zhao, people would probably say bad things about him. These are extraordinary times, so it's best to be patient!
"Pearl, Pearl," Ji Wushang called out.
"Zhu'er is here." Zhu'er ran over from the courtyard.
"Tell the young master outside the room that I'm going to Zhuangshu Garden, and if he's sleepy, he can go to sleep first," Ji Wushang instructed.
"Yes." Pearl immediately went to do it.
"Lead the way," Ji Wushang said.
They soon arrived at Zhuangshu Garden, where several physicians were indeed treating her. Ji Wushang examined her and asked, "Is Aunt Zhao alright?" "She's barely alive, is it really that difficult? Let her suffer slowly!"
"Your Highness, the concubine's illness has improved somewhat. She has vomited some unclean things, which is normal," the doctor said.
Ji Wushang nodded, "Alright, someone come and give each of you fifty taels of silver. It's not easy for you to come and take care of Aunt Zhao so late at night."
"Thank you, Princess Consort!" Ji Wushang smiled. He hadn't expected to receive any money. These would all be deducted from Aunt Zhao's monthly allowance, so he wouldn't feel bad about it.
Seeing Yan Shou standing to the side, Ji Wushang said, "Why are you standing there? Hurry up and serve Aunt Zhao! Do I have to teach you?"
"Yes, this servant deserves to die!" Yan Shou said.
Ji Wushang shook his head, "Tell me what's going on! Now, tell the Marquis what happened. Why didn't you tell him about something so important? If anything happens to Aunt Zhao, you'll all lose your lives!" Ji Wushang's eyes flashed coldly, and the maids and nannies who heard this hurriedly went to serve him or immediately went to report to the Marquis.
How much would Aunt Jin hate Aunt Zhao for interrupting someone else's wedding night? She only sent the servant to call the Marquis out of good intentions and concern. In the end, it was because she was filial, not because she deliberately interrupted someone's good time!
Ultimately, it was because of Aunt Zhao's illness that the blame should be placed on her!
Seeing that things were almost done, Ji Wushang stood up and straightened his clothes. "I'm tired. Tell me if you need anything. Take good care of them. The maids on night watch shouldn't slack off, or you'll all die if something happens!"
"Yes." The maid and the old woman immediately agreed.
Ji Wushang looked at the night sky and the bright red lanterns, then took Xian'er and walked back to Moxuan Garden.
Just then, a breeze blew by, and Ji Wushang pulled her cloak tighter around herself. Xian'er quickly came up to her, "Miss, please put this on too!"
"Hmm? When did you get the jacket?" Ji Wushang asked.
"It was the young master who asked me to bring it. He instructed me to keep adding clothes for the young lady."
"Okay." Ji Wushang's heart warmed. His love for her might not be dramatic, but it was so meticulous that it warmed her heart and made her feel warm. This kind of love would penetrate to the very core of her being.
When Ji Wushang returned to Moxuan Garden, he saw Nan Xuzong reading under his desk, not yet asleep. Ji Wushang closed the door and went in. "Why didn't you go to sleep first?"
"I'll wait for you." Nan Xuzong put the book aside and smiled at her.
Ji Wushang took off his cloak, then his outer robe. "Cong, thank you."
"What are you thanking me for? You're being too polite." Nan Xuzong looked at her, thinking that he would walk down to her, help her take off her clothes, and then hug her from behind.
Ji Wushang said, "You are very thoughtful, thank you." Ji Wushang turned around, then walked to his side and sat on the edge of the bed.
He placed her hand in his palm, gently warming it. "Tomorrow is the wedding day of Jue Shi and Princess Muchen. Let's go together!"
“Yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking.” Ji Wushang nodded. “I’ve prepared some fine coral jade. I wonder if they’ll like it.”
"I'll definitely like it." Nan Xuzong pulled her into his arms. "If I don't like what you gave me, I'll smash all the other people's wedding gifts."
"You're going to smash it?" Ji Wushang laughed.
"Definitely," Nan Xuzong said earnestly.
Ji Wushang laughed again, "Where do you think you are, acting so recklessly?"
"You don't like it?" Nan Xuzong touched her hair with his large hand.
Ji Wushang recalled the poisoning incident involving Aunt Zhao, "That's right, Cong, Aunt Zhao was poisoned because she put poisonous sesame oil on her hair. I think it was Aunt Jin who did it."
"Then let them fight like dogs," Nan Xuzong laughed.
“That’s what I think too,” Ji Wushang said. “I wanted to ask you about Nan Zhaoxue.”
"Zhaoxue?" Nan Xuzong paused for a moment before remembering the somewhat familiar name. Oh, it was the Fourth Miss, his own younger sister!
"What kind of person is she? I think she has a calm and indifferent personality, but there's something strange about her," Ji Wushang said.
“Yes, you’re right. She is indeed very cold and indifferent to many things.” Nan Xuzong thought for a moment. “I don’t have much contact with the people in the manor, and I don’t know much about this fourth sister. I’ll send someone to investigate her.”
"Okay." Ji Wushang nodded. Once the investigation was complete, he would find time to test whether she was faking it or not!
Nan Xuzong gently embraced her, then carefully undressed her. Ji Wushang grabbed his hand, "I told you not tonight."
"Yes." Nan Xuzong looked at her, took her hand in his, and kissed it.
"I have to attend a banquet tomorrow, so I can't sleep in," Ji Wushang said.
"Just once." Nan Xuzong looked at her, his eyes filled with desire. "Once isn't too many."
Helpless, Ji Wushang had no choice but to nod.
As night deepened, the moonlight secretly entered the room, illuminating the intertwined bodies on the bed, carrying a warm and ambiguous glow, and slowly sank in the west.
Over there, the maid finally arrived at Consort Jin's Jinbi Garden, hesitating about how to tell the Marquis about Consort Zhao's situation... Would it disturb the Marquis and Consort Jin? However, Consort Zhao's situation was not optimistic. If something really happened and there was no time to report it to the Marquis, wouldn't the responsibility fall on her?
Back then, I wouldn't have enough lives to pay for it!
We should tell the Marquis that this is the Princess Consort's wish, and that she can take responsibility for anything that happens!
The maidservant, with these thoughts in mind, immediately went inside.
"My lord, my lord, Consort Jin! Consort Zhao is in trouble!" The maid shouted as she saw that she was about to be dragged away by the guards of the garden.
The Marquis of Jinnan was still in the midst of passionate lovemaking when he was startled by such a loud shout. The concubine Jin was immediately enraged. She had finally managed to make love with the Marquis a few times, but this girl had dared to barge into the courtyard and disturb her good time with the Marquis!
“My lord.” How could Aunt Jin let him off the hook? She stretched out her arm and put it around his neck. “Isn’t it already good enough that others handle those trivial matters?” As she spoke, she twisted her body.
The Marquis felt a wave of pleasure and hummed in response as he continued.
The maidservant panicked, "Let me go! Aunt Zhao vomited, and the Princess Consort sent me to invite the Marquis to take a look!"
When something happens, it's Aunt Zhao again, and it's Ji Wushang again! Aunt Jin harbors resentment, but she doesn't want the man in front of her to leave.