Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang wondered if the tea had taken effect. What kind of medicine had she used? Could she have gone mad?
Ji Tiankui also arrived and went to push the door open, only to find it locked. He hardened his heart and kicked the door open.
Suddenly, everyone heard a woman screaming shrilly from inside. Everyone who heard it was horrified.
At this time, Ji Dingbei had already brought Madam Bei and others, with Nan Xuzong naturally following behind, though Ji Wushang and the others were unaware of this.
Ji Dingbei looked at it and shouted, "What's going on?"
Everyone shook their heads, and Ji Wushang quickly said, "I don't know what happened, but I heard someone screaming inside, and the sound was very miserable." Ji Wushang spoke in a lower voice.
Looking around at the young ladies, Aunt Bai noticed that Ji Meiyuan was nowhere to be seen. She immediately felt a sense of foreboding and cried out, "My Meiyuan! Meiyuan!" Aunt Bai almost screamed.
Ji Dingbei and the others were taken aback.
Just then, Ji Tiankui came out, carrying a woman in his arms. The woman had already fainted; her hair was disheveled and her clothes were in disarray. But no one else was seen coming out from inside.
"What's going on?" Ji Dingbei stared wide-eyed.
Ji Tiankui said, "Quickly, fetch a doctor! My second sister is acting strangely; she was smashing things in the room all by herself. I went in and used acupressure to put her to sleep. But she's gone mad, tearing her clothes and making a mess of herself. She must have eaten something wrong and become a little delirious. Poor second sister." As he spoke, he frowned. There shouldn't be any physical contact between siblings, but today they broke that rule. Fortunately, it was all to save someone, and nothing serious happened.
Upon hearing this, Aunt Bai immediately rushed over, crying, "Meiyuan! How are you? Open your eyes and look at your aunt!" As she spoke, she immediately took off her cloak and covered Ji Meiyuan with it.
"What are you still looking at? Hurry up and find a doctor!" Ji Dingbei shouted angrily.
Several fast-running servants immediately ran to the infirmary to call for help. Ji Wushang looked at Ji Meiyuan, who was dressed in a disheveled and inhuman state. If word got out, people wouldn't know whether she had been assaulted or had gone mad and ended up in this state!
Only now did Ji Wushang recall that in her past life, she seemed to have been successfully schemed against by Ji Dingbei, nearly committing suicide. Ji Dingbei then locked her in her room, gently persuading her and having Zhu'er take care of her. It was Madam Bei who slowly enlightened her. In the end, it was Ji Dingbei who hardened his heart and went to the Emperor to request permission to marry Nan Jinxue in order to bring good luck. Originally, her mood gradually improved after the marriage, but she never expected that Nan Jinxue was a fickle person! He actually conspired with Ji Meiyuan to scheme against her! He didn't hesitate to send her to the Crown Prince's bed for official positions and titles!
Ji Wushang's eyes turned cold as he watched Ji Meiyuan bring trouble upon herself, and he gave a soft, cold snort.
Aunt Bai looked towards Ji Wushang, her heart filled with hatred for her. Just moments ago, Ji Meiyuan had warned her that Ji Wushang was going to be embarrassed, but it turned out that it was that bitch Ji Wushang who had schemed against Meiyuan! From now on, I will make you wish you were dead!
I, Aunt Bai, will definitely take the position of Madam! Whoever owes me, will have to pay back!
Ji Wushang felt Bai Yiniang's vicious gaze, turned around, and met Bai Yiniang's eyes. Bai Yiniang trembled when she was looked at, as if she had seen through her thoughts. She dared not look at Ji Wushang again and could only bury her face in Ji Meiyuan's body and cry.
Ji Dingbei ordered that no one was allowed to speak of what happened that night, or else they would be expelled from the manor! Moreover, the matriarch of the elders was not to be disturbed.
However, Ji Dingbei was still troubled. He thought, "The Prince of the South is still in the mansion. He must know something about this. How can I make him shut up?"
Turning around, Ji Dingbei didn't see Nan Xuzong. Then, looking towards the Wind and Rain Pavilion, he saw Nan Xuzong slowly sipping tea. This put Ji Dingbei slightly at ease, because he believed that Nan Xuzong probably hadn't heard him, and even if he had, he probably wouldn't say anything! A man wouldn't talk about things that happened in a wealthy family.
"Everyone, disperse!" Ji Dingbei said, seeing that everyone was still shaken.
After the maids and servants dispersed, Ji Wushang said goodnight to Ji Dingbei, Madam Bei, and several concubines before returning to his own courtyard.
Zhu'er was still wondering, "Miss, why did the Second Miss suddenly become like this out of nowhere?"
"I don't know either." Ji Wushang shook her head. She had to take responsibility for her own mistakes and drink the medicine she had given herself! "Just whisper to me here. Don't go around telling everyone. Otherwise, if you get punished by some concubine, I won't be able to help you." Her meaning was clear: she wanted Zhu'er and Xian'er to stay quiet and not talk about it.
"Yes," Zhu'er and Xian'er replied.
After everyone had dispersed, Ji Dingbei told his wife and concubines to go back first, and then he went alone to the Wind and Rain Pavilion.
Standing before the steps of the pavilion, Ji Dingbei saw Nan Xuzong drinking alone, exuding the carefree air of a hermit. He changed to a cheerful expression and said loudly, "I've kept Prince Nan waiting."
"It is I who have disturbed you, Uncle," Nan Xuzong said with a smile when he saw Ji Dingbei arrive. Then he raised the wine glass in front of him.
Ji Dingbei walked over, sat down in front of Nan Xuzong, poured himself a glass of wine, and the two drank it together heartily.
——
Several days passed quickly. Ji Meiyuan, having failed in her attempt to steal a chicken, ended up with several bloody scratches on her body. Fortunately, she hadn't broken her face; otherwise, she probably would have committed suicide. The doctor had prescribed some medicine for her to take, and Ji Meiyuan had been recuperating in her plum garden. Aunt Bai also came over from time to time to help look after her. Knowing the real reason for Ji Meiyuan's injuries, she regarded Ji Wushang and her daughter as thorns in her side even more.
Ji Dingbei also came over to ask questions, and Ji Meiyuan naturally made up an excuse that she had eaten something bad, and Aunt Bai also helped to cover up the lie.
Ji Wushang naturally also symbolically visited her in the plum garden to check on her illness.
Upon hearing that her granddaughter Ji Meiyuan was injured, the matriarch ordered all the kitchen utensils to be cleaned. She also set a rule for the purchasing agents: they would not buy anything that was not fresh. This kept Steward Xue extremely busy.
With nothing to do, Ji Wushang spent her time embroidering or writing in Xinyuan Garden. Sometimes she would visit Madam Bei in Beiyuan Garden or pay her respects to the matriarch of the Yuan family in Jingyuan Garden. Meanwhile, Ji Dingbei brought his fourth concubine, Qin Fu, who was pregnant for some time, back from the countryside so that she could return to her original residence in Xiyuan Garden to rest and recuperate.
Qin Fu was originally the daughter of a county magistrate, a low-ranking official. However, one day while offering incense at a temple, she was nearly assaulted, but Ji Dingbei happened to be there and saved her. Qin Fu then contemplated suicide, and the county magistrate, shamelessly, visited Ji Dingbei. Out of kindness, Ji Dingbei married Qin Fu and made her his fourth concubine.
The county magistrate had originally intended to marry his daughter off, but the near-indecent incident at court left him with unspeakable bitterness, fearing his daughter would never be able to marry again. Unexpectedly, the dignified First-Rank General Ji Dingbei was willing to take her as a concubine, so he agreed. Qin Fu was also quite satisfied with Ji Dingbei, knowing her background was inferior to the other ladies and concubines in the household, so she carefully managed her life within the family.
Unexpectedly, she only found out she was pregnant when she returned to her hometown to attend her grandmother's funeral. According to the customs of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, "pregnant women should not attend funerals; if they are pregnant while attending a funeral, they must wear mourning clothes for five months before returning home to rest and prepare for childbirth," she stayed in the countryside. Now, five years have passed in the blink of an eye, and she was brought back.
Unexpectedly, after only a few days of peaceful life, trouble struck.
Ji Dingbei returned from court looking unhappy. He summoned Ji Tiankui into his study and said, "The Eighth Prince fell into the water and drowned!"
"What?" Ji Tiankui was taken aback. "What's going on?"
“I don’t know either. The Crown Prince and the Second Prince have already formed a pincer movement, so the court is bound to be in turmoil!” Ji Dingbei sighed. “I never expected that just when the border war was over and we were thinking about enjoying a few days of peace, such a thing would happen in the court!”
"Father, what do you want to do?" Ji Tiankui looked at Ji Dingbei, his eyes seeming to burn. He was already tall, and now he looked at Ji Dingbei as if he was waiting for Ji Dingbei to say something, and he would not hesitate to go through fire and water for him.
Ji Tiankui had already become a General of the Cavalry. He returned from the frontier with Ji Dingbei for the occasion of the Elder Madam's birthday. Now that the Elder Madam's birthday has passed, it is unknown whether Ji Dingbei intends to send Ji Tiankui back to the frontier.
Ji Dingbei thought for a moment, then looked at his tall son in front of him and said, "Tian Kui, it's time for you to get married."
Ji Tiankui was taken aback, not expecting his father to say such a thing. However, thinking about it, he realized he wasn't young anymore and it was time to find a good wife and settle down. The sages believed in cultivating oneself, establishing a family, and bringing peace to the world! Thinking this, a blush crept onto his face. He had never even held a girl's hand before! Now that his father had brought it up, he felt a little embarrassed.
"Father, why did you think of this?" Ji Tiankui asked shyly.
Ji Dingbei sighed, "If I don't have to go through the trouble of preparing for the wedding, I think my time as a general is coming to an end!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Tiankui understood. Now that the Eighth Prince was gone, the struggle for the throne would undoubtedly be fierce. The Second Prince had the Empress's support, while the Crown Prince, being the legitimate son, should have inherited the throne. However, the Third Prince, who had just come of age, was favored by the Emperor, who rarely left his side! With such a three-way power struggle, if General Ji's mansion were to align itself with any side and make even the slightest mistake, it would be utterly jeopardized in the capital! Five hundred years of foundation, gone in an instant!
At present, Ji Dingbei and Madam Bei are in Beiyuan discussing which family's daughter has reached marriageable age but is not yet married.
Not long after, news spread that the Prince Zhong's residence had replied. Mo Qiqi, the eldest daughter of the Prince Zhong, known as the Seventh Princess, was willing to marry Ji Tiankui. Moreover, the Prince Zhong's residence had already sent servants to exchange betrothal gifts and choose an auspicious day for the wedding. Mo Qiqi was the eldest daughter, but she had six older brothers, making her family quite powerful. They were directly under the Emperor's jurisdiction, along with the Prince of Zhenbei's residence.
At that moment, Ji Wushang and her sisters were having a meal and paying their respects to the matriarch when they unexpectedly heard this good news.
The matriarch listened with a beaming smile, "It's rare that the Seventh Princess is willing to marry Tian Kui! I've heard that the Seventh Princess is obedient, filial, and proficient in all the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She's a truly good girl! Tian Kui's personality is somewhat fiery, but he's also straightforward and steady. What a wonderful thing! A perfect match!"
The matriarch was genuinely delighted. If Ji Tiankui married Mo Qiqi, his future would be bright, whether in literature or martial arts! With a peaceful and harmonious life, he would surely achieve great things!
Everyone was delighted. Upon hearing about this marriage, Ji Wushang knew that her father had already begun arranging marriages for his children. She couldn't help but worry about herself, wondering which family she would marry into, what their appearance would be like, and what their character would be like. She knew she had to listen to her parents and elders about all of this.
Ji Wushang left with a smile on his face and returned to his courtyard, where he stayed for the entire day, feeling bored.
The matriarch was overjoyed and planned to go to the Yuanyue Nunnery the next day to fulfill her vow, praying for harmony in the household, for her daughters to marry well, and also to visit Abbess Jingni.
On this trip, he brought along several unmarried granddaughters.
Ji Sisi has been taken back to Mount Emei to continue her martial arts training. Before leaving, Ji Wushang talked with her for a while. When she left, Ji Sisi gave him a sword manual and a book for practicing fist and foot techniques. Ji Wushang returned the favor with several gifts and a handmade sachet.
Ji Meiyuan is still lying in bed in pain, paying the price for the evil she did.
It was October, the golden autumn. Flowers were falling, leaves were turning yellow, and gradually, it seemed to form a colorful red and green carpet, stretching all the way to the Round Moon Temple halfway up the mountain. Since they were going to the Round Moon Temple to offer incense, they had informed the temple early in the morning. The whole family was a large group, with maids, servants, and young men following along. There were quite a few people. Ji Dingbei was worried about the current chaos, so he assigned some of the Ji family soldiers to accompany the matriarch and protect the whole family.
Before even reaching the Round Moon Temple, Ji Wushang had already admired the scenery for quite some time. The entire mountain was ablaze with red maple leaves, which, when blown by the wind, seemed to transform into swallowtail butterflies, creating a dreamlike scene that almost intoxicated Ji Wushang. The light and dark colors shimmered before Ji Wushang's eyes.
Upon reaching the mountainside and getting a closer look at the Yuanyue Nunnery, Ji Wushang lifted the carriage curtain and saw the rather ancient-looking nunnery gate. He hadn't expected that his grandmother would be practicing meditation in this place.
The temple gate slowly opened, and Abbess Jingni, dressed in a blue cloth robe and leaning on a golden staff, looked at everyone with a slight smile. When she saw that Madam Yuan was being helped out of the carriage by Granny Guo, she stepped forward to greet her.
Ji Wushang also got off the carriage, and the view became even more open. Looking at the red, green and yellow colors around him, he couldn't help but exclaim, "This place is really beautiful."
The fresh air and the teeming life on the mountain brought Ji Wushang a sense of joy and well-being.
Ji Yinxue stepped forward and said with a smile, "Big sister, you might be even more beautiful inside."
Ji Wushang nodded, "Follow Grandmother."
Seeing this, Ji Wuxia had no choice but to step forward and speak to Ji Wushang, "Big sister."
"Let's all come together!" Ji Wushang glanced at her, then followed behind the matriarch into the Yuanyue Nunnery.
Because of the arrival of female guests from General Ji's residence, there are now few worshippers left in the nunnery, with only a few young nuns cleaning. It's likely the other nuns have gone elsewhere to do their prayers.
The matriarch was satisfied and in a good mood. After looking at Abbess Jingni, she pulled her aside to talk.
Master Jingni smiled and said, "It is rare for the Elder Madam to be so sincere, stepping into the mountain gate again to pray. With the Buddha's mercy, the Ji family will surely be blessed."
"I must thank the nun for her guidance on calming the mind," the old lady said with a smile.
After everyone entered the temple, offered incense, and donated money, they were led by several young nuns to a secluded meditation room for a short rest.
The meditation room at Yuanyue Nunnery was remarkably clean, with a faint, wisp of smoke rising from it, and the air filled with the pleasant aroma of incense. On the octagonal table were freshly picked fruits and vegetarian snacks, and water was boiling on the stove. Inside, statues of Bodhisattvas, Guanyin, and Buddha were enshrined.
Looking into the inner room, there were some neatly folded quilts and beds, which were fairly clean and provided for pilgrims to rest.
The matriarch wanted to say a few words to Abbess Jingni, so she sent her granddaughters away.
Ji Wushang and the other two also wanted to explore the surrounding area. After all, it was a rare opportunity to come out, and they couldn't miss such beautiful scenery.
They immediately said goodbye to their grandmother and the three of them went for a stroll around.
The Yuanyue Temple is quite large, covering a wide area. The surrounding scenery is beautiful and elegant, with layers of green mountains and red maple leaves, making it a truly lovely sight.
A young nun led them out of the meditation room and to a quiet open space, surrounded by ancient trees and serene tranquility. The nun made a cross-shaped gesture and said, “Amitabha, which side would you gentlemen like to visit? To the west is the release pond, and to the east is the viewing platform. You can release animals at the pond, and from the viewing platform you can enjoy a panoramic view of the area. To the north is the dining hall, where you can fast. To the south are some monasteries.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Yinxue pursed her lips, her expression clearly showing that she wanted to go out and have fun. Ji Wuxia, on the other hand, showed no interest whatsoever. Besides, she didn't really like this place; there were hardly any people around, it wasn't lively, and just looking at the scenery wouldn't be interesting.
Ji Wushang said, "Why don't we go to the release pond? Releasing animals is a good deed that brings blessings, and it can also wish our grandmother a long and healthy life, and protect our Ji family."
After the eldest sister said that, Ji Wuxia had nothing to say, while Ji Yinxue was happy, as she had never tried releasing animals before!
In a few moments, they followed the little nun to the release pond to release several koi carp and also threw a lot of copper coins into the turtle in the pond. The three sisters played around for a while before taking their maids and going off to play in twos and threes.
Ji Wuxia, of course, had no intention of leaving, so she found a shady spot and sat down to rest.
Ji Yinxue was incredibly energetic, pulling Ji Wushang along for quite a while and looking around several times. Finally, Ji Wushang couldn't take it anymore and let Ji Yinxue take the maid to look around on her own. Ji Wushang rested for a while before taking Zhu'er for a walk. Following a winding path, Ji Wushang arrived at a tall building.
The large characters read: Buddhist Scripture Pavilion. As the name suggests, it housed Buddhist scriptures, and Ji Wushang couldn't help but want to take a look at them. To be honest, having been reborn, he had developed an interest in Buddhist scriptures.
This Buddhist scripture speaks of this life and the next, about accumulating good deeds and the law of cause and effect. Although I believe in the power of human effort and that I will not offend others unless they offend me, I have not forgotten the vows I made in my past life. Perhaps it was because Buddha saw the deep resentment in my heart that he allowed me to be reborn, yet also made me like this scripture, cleansing my mind while simultaneously guiding me through tribulations.
Perhaps, this was destined.
"Zhu'er, are you going in?" Ji Wushang asked, seeing Zhu'er's hesitant look. Zhu'er wanted to shake her head, but looking at Ji Wushang, she had no choice but to nod.
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "Don't force yourself. As the Buddha said, all beings are equal. You stay here and rest. I'll go in and look at the Buddhist scriptures. This is a sacred Buddhist site; surely no evil people are hiding here." Seeing the worry on her face, Ji Wushang said.
"Thank you, Miss!" Pearl said happily, and then went to rest.
Ji Wushang looked around and walked closer. There were no nuns guarding the door, so Ji Wushang easily pushed the door open and went inside.
As soon as he entered, he saw a huge golden Buddha statue in the main hall. Ji Wushang stepped forward and kowtowed three times.
Ji Wushang walked around and found that everyone here was visiting the golden statue of Buddha, as well as the Eighteen Arhats and so on. Ji Wushang noticed that the Buddha statues were covered in dust, so he figured the Buddhist scripture building must be cleaned every few days. He saw a feather duster on a table not far away, so he picked it up and swept all the dust off the Buddha statues.
If you're not tall enough, you can't reach it, so you have to give up.