Although Aunt Bai was born to Japanese pirates, she was, after all, a woman and did not know martial arts. At this moment, she was so frightened that she shook her head vigorously and retreated.
Enraged, Ji Dingbei stepped forward and slapped Aunt Bai across the face. The loud "smack" startled everyone. Aunt Bai was knocked to the ground, blood gushing from her mouth. "Master!" she cried, tears streaming down her face, looking at Ji Dingbei. Ji Dingbei was about to stomp on her to death, but Ji Meiyuan pulled her back. "Father, Father! Please spare Aunt Bai! Please spare Aunt Bai!" She gripped Ji Dingbei's foot tightly, preventing him from moving.
"Move Aunt Bai to Qingya Garden! Confin her for three months!" Ji Dingbei glared coldly at Aunt Bai, turned around and shoved Ji Meiyuan to the ground, then immediately went to Madam Yuan's side.
Ji Wushang glanced at them coldly and quickly followed. This was just a small punishment! Women like that deserved to be beaten!
Everyone in the hall was stunned by what had happened in an instant. After a long while, Consort Nangong spoke up, "Someone, tell the servants in each courtyard to stop crying and wailing! The Madam and the Eldest Miss have both returned safely! No one is allowed to tell anyone about this! Otherwise, they will all be beaten! Disperse!" Consort Bai was ordered to move to Qingya Garden and be confined there, which meant that she had fallen out of favor. Moreover, Qingya Garden was a cold and neglected place, and there were usually not many maids cleaning there.
With Aunt Bai temporarily out of power and Madam Bei falling ill, it was naturally Aunt Nangong's turn to take over.
Everyone accepted the order and left.
Aunt Xie's gaze turned slightly cold as she looked at everyone before bowing and leaving, heading towards the Old Madam's Quiet Garden. Aunt Qin smiled slightly, silently walking out with her large pregnant belly. Ji Wuxia glanced at Aunt Nangong, noticing a hint of joy on her face; she guessed it was because Aunt Bai had fallen out of favor and she was now in power. Ji Yinxue watched, then made an excuse and left as well.
Ji Wuxia and Ji Meiyuan helped Aunt Bai up from the ground. Aunt Bai was already sobbing uncontrollably, crying, "Get out of here! You unfilial daughters! Waaah!"
“Auntie, if it weren’t for me, you would probably have been beaten again!” Ji Meiyuan said to her with dissatisfaction.
"You're such a chatterbox!" Aunt Bai glared at Ji Meiyuan. "If you don't stop your father, you can let him beat me to death!"
"Stop talking, everyone who was watching has left!" Ji Wuxia said coldly. "Let's hurry up and leave! Otherwise, Father won't be happy when he sees us!"
"Pah!" Aunt Bai spat at Ji Wuxia. "You don't even know who gave birth to you! How dare you treat me like this! Be careful, or I'll kill you!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wuxia stared at Aunt Bai in astonishment, "Aunt, you said... you said you wanted my life?"
Aunt Bai realized she had said the wrong thing, and tears streamed down her face again. "I was confused. As the saying goes, even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. How could I possibly kill you! Alas!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wuxia fell silent and, along with Ji Meiyuan, helped Aunt Bai up and led her to her East Garden. Some time later, Aunt Bai had moved to the Qingya Garden to recuperate. However, as the saying goes, discretion is the better part of valor. Seeing that Aunt Bai was out of favor, and that she was usually very harsh and frequently beat and scolded servants, the servants refused to come to the Qingya Garden with her to suffer. In the end, it was her head maid, Tianxiang, who accompanied her. But let's leave that aside for now.
Ji Dingbei strode towards Jingyuan. Jingyuan was quiet and peaceful. All the maids and servants in the group were kneeling on the ground. When they saw Ji Dingbei, Ji Tiankui, Ji Wushang and others coming, they immediately made way for them and knelt down.
Ji Dingbei and Ji Wushang entered the inner room together and saw that the old lady was resting on the bed, her face slightly pale. Ji Wushang immediately pulled Guo Mama, who was serving her, and asked, "Granny, how is the old lady? Has the doctor seen her?"
"I knew the young lady and madam were alright!" Granny Guo looked at Ji Wushang and immediately made the sign of the cross. Ji Wushang immediately replied, "It's thanks to Grandmother's good deeds in worshipping Buddha. How is Grandmother, Granny?"
"The doctor just examined her and said that the old lady cannot be frightened. She just woke up and said she wanted to see the master and you, Miss, but she fell asleep again after a while." Granny Guo's face showed a slight joy. "Miss, don't worry, Granny will definitely take good care of the old lady."
“Okay.” Ji Wushang nodded, turned to look at Ji Dingbei, who was sitting by the bedside of the old lady. He took her hand, looked at the old lady, and sighed.
"It's good that there's nothing seriously wrong!" Ji Wushang took Guo Mama's hand. "You need to take good care of my grandmother. She's not in good health and just came back from Yuanyue Nunnery, so she's feeling unwell. I hope you can take good care of her."
"Of course, it's my duty," sighed Granny Guo. "Young Miss is truly a filial daughter!"
“This is what a junior should do!” Ji Wushang said, walking to Ji Dingbei’s side and whispering, “Father, Grandmother is fine.”
Ji Dingbei nodded. "Let's talk outside."
After leaving, Ji Dingbei dismissed everyone to do their work, and then chatted with Ji Wushang.
After discussing the illness of the matriarch, Ji Wushang then brought up the injury of the Northern Madam. He said with a hint of sadness, "The doctor said that Mother will not be able to wake up for a while."
"Was it the prince from the Western Regions who saved you?" Ji Dingbei changed the subject, looking intently at Ji Wushang. "Wushang, I hope you are telling the truth."
“Yes. It’s Yiyun Upper City.” Ji Wushang nodded. “Father, thanks to him.”
“I know him.” Ji Dingbei nodded. “He’s a formidable young man! The prince of the Western Regions is no ordinary person. You should avoid him.”
"Yes, Father."
Upon hearing this, Ji Dingbei took out the Crescent Moon Sect token from his pocket. "This is the Crescent Moon Sect token. It's not that your father can't find out who assassinated you, but the Crescent Moon Sect's power is too great, and I, as the Great General, am stationed in the north, not the southeast coast. Alas!" Ji Dingbei sighed.
Ji Wushang finally understood and realized the seriousness of the matter. "Then Father, why would the Crescent Moon Sect want to assassinate us?"
“I don’t know either. In any case, I will report this matter to His Majesty. Aunt Bai has been punished today, are you satisfied?” Ji Dingbei turned to look at Ji Wushang, who frowned slightly. “Father is fair. According to the rules of the manor, this is indeed the proper way.”
"How is your maternal grandfather? Is he in good health?" Ji Dingbei put away the token and examined Ji Wushang's face.
Ji Wushang thought for a moment, then said, "Grandfather is fine, he was just tired and fell ill after hearing the news of the Crown Prince's death. He was thinking of me and Mother, so he called us over. He has seen a doctor and will be well in a few days."
"Hmm." Ji Dingbei nodded. Sure enough, this Right Chancellor was an old fox! He was faking illness! He was probably just trying to avoid the struggle within the royal family! Alas, one can hide for a while, but not forever! Although there are undercurrents now, it hasn't reached the point of explosion yet. We should proceed cautiously, step by step.
Ji Dingbei nodded, "Go to Beiyuan to see your mother."
The two had just stepped out of Jingyuan when they saw Ji Yinxue waiting outside the gate. Upon seeing them, Ji Yinxue immediately went to greet them, "Father, Eldest Sister."
Ji Dingbei nodded. Seeing that they seemed to have something to say, he didn't ask any more questions about the girls' affairs and said, "I'll go see your mother first."
"Respectfully seeing off Father." The two bowed in farewell.
Ji Wushang and Ji Yinxue strolled leisurely down the path and sat down in the small pavilion. Ji Yinxue looked at Ji Wushang with a frightened expression, "Big sister, you scared me to death! I was so worried about you and Mother!"
“Good sister, we will be fine.” Ji Wushang looked at Ji Yinxue and sighed, “I’m afraid others will not let it go and will definitely cause some trouble to put our minds at ease.”
"Big sister." Ji Yinxue took Ji Wushang's hand. "It'll be alright. How is Mother? I'll make some nourishing food later and have someone bring it over."
Ji Wushang shook his head, "Let's wait until Mother wakes up before we talk about it! There's still one day until the Autumn Chrysanthemum Feast. I'll go and invite the Ghost Doctor from Miaoshou Hall tomorrow. His medical skills should be much better than those useless fellows in the manor!"
"So, you want your sister to come along?" Ji Yinxue was afraid that something serious had happened to her again.
Ji Wushang shook his head, "No need. I think those people will still disappear by now. They won't expose themselves easily." The Crescent Moon Sect is probably going to be in turmoil again.
The troubles in this grand mansion aren't over yet, and now another wave of problems is starting to emerge.
"That's wonderful." Ji Yinxue looked at Ji Wushang with a hint of excitement.
When Ji Wushang returned to Xinyuan from Beiyuan, she saw Zhu'er, Xian'er, and Yue'er busy cleaning. As soon as they saw Ji Wushang, they rushed forward and exclaimed, "Miss!" Instantly, the three of them looked at Ji Wushang with teary eyes.
"Why do you all look like you've been crying? You were perfectly fine before." Ji Wushang glanced at the maids and servants around him; everyone looked like they had been crying.
Zhu'er stepped forward and said earnestly, "From now on, I will accompany Miss on all outings. Wherever Miss goes, Zhu'er will go!"
“Okay.” Ji Wushang nodded, and Xian’er and Yue’er also came forward, all laughing and crying with joy.
It was a long time before I finally fell asleep.
The moonlight was as beautiful as a jewel, its silvery rays spilling across the earth as if draped in a light veil.
Ji Wushang was sleeping peacefully in his dream, unaware that there was someone standing in front of his bed. The tall man looked at Ji Wushang, his eyes dark purple, and looked around the room, sometimes touching the clothes hanging nearby.
Then, she went to Ji Wushang's bedside, knelt down beside her, and listened to Ji Wushang's even breathing. Sure enough, she wasn't having nightmares anymore. Yi Yun Shangcheng smiled slightly. The medicine she had given her during the day wasn't for her knees, but to help her calm her mind and have better dreams. It seemed the medicine was indeed effective. Yi Yun Shangcheng watched with satisfaction for a while before leaving.
Time flies by. Ji Wushang woke up, washed up, and ate his meal. While eating, he heard Zhu'er say that Aunt Bai had moved to Qingya Garden. He smiled but said nothing and continued eating.
Then they went to Jingyuan to visit the Old Madam Yuan. The Old Madam Yuan was leaning against the headboard, looking at Ji Wushang with a beaming smile, and even her illness seemed to have subsided considerably. When she had just woken up, Granny Guo had already given a general account of what had happened, including the fact that Aunt Bai had been sent to Qingya Garden. The Old Madam Yuan nodded without objection.
"Wu Shang, come here and let your grandmother take a look." The old lady looked at Ji Wu Shang and beckoned him over. "Are you injured?"
Ji Wushang stepped forward and sat down beside the matriarch's bed. "Thanks to Grandmother's blessing, I was not injured, but Mother is still lying in bed." As he spoke, a faint sadness appeared on his face.
The matriarch patted her on the shoulder, "It's good that you're alright. It's so nice when the whole family is peaceful and harmonious!"
"Yes." Ji Wushang nodded. He also wanted his family to live in harmony, but unfortunately, others were unwilling and were determined to get rid of him as soon as possible. He would never let them do whatever they wanted!
The matriarch of the family talked for a while longer, and then bestowed many gifts upon him. Ji Wushang thanked her one by one, but only asked for a pair of gold bracelets. This pair of gold bracelets was very similar to the pair of earrings from Yiyun City. If they met again, he would give the pair of gold bracelets to her as a way of repaying her life-saving grace.
After bidding farewell to Madam Yuan, Ji Wushang arrived at Madam Bei's North Garden. He gave instructions to his two maids, Doukou and Nianhua, before taking Zhu'er by carriage to Miaoshou Hall.
After yesterday's events, General Ji's mansion finally settled down somewhat, and Ji Tiankui began to slowly prepare for his wedding. Ji Wuxia returned to her courtyard to embroider her wedding dress. The Zhou family had already presented the betrothal gifts, and the date was set for the fifteenth of next month. Ji Tiankui's wedding was also scheduled for that day, making it a double celebration.
After leaving the mansion, Ji Wushang headed towards Miaoshou Hall.
Li Yuan lifted the curtain to check on Miaoshoutang, only to find it closed! This made Ji Wushang very anxious. If he couldn't find the Ghost Doctor, where could he find someone to treat his mother?
As Ji Wushang frowned, unsure of what to do, he saw a young boy enter Miaoshou Hall through a side door. Immediately, Ji Wushang stopped the carriage and, with Zhu'er in tow, went through the side door of Miaoshou Hall.
When the shopkeeper saw Ji Wushang and Zhu'er, his eyes and mouth widened, and he was speechless.
"Excuse me, is the Ghost Doctor here?" Ji Wushang asked with a smile.
The shopkeeper only then realized what was happening and immediately said, "We're not open for business today, Miss, why are you here?"
"I saw someone come in, so I came in. May I ask if the Ghost Doctor is in the hall? I have something to ask of you," Ji Wushang asked anxiously.
The shopkeeper was in a bit of a dilemma. The quack doctor was in the main hall, and he had said that he would not see any guests or treat any patients today. But this young lady had barged in. What should he say? So he leaned close to a servant's ear and whispered a few words.
Inside the room, two people were talking when suddenly someone knocked on the door. With permission, a servant poked his head in and said, "Master, Ghost Doctor, a young lady needs your treatment."
"Isn't the market closed?" the Ghost Doctor wondered, as he was talking to the Master!
"I entered through the side door, and then the young lady also entered through the side door." The servant looked a little guilty, scratching his head, embarrassed.
"Who is it?" the Ghost Doctor asked, frowning. Whose young lady dared to be so bold?
"It's the eldest daughter of the Ji family. She said she wants you to come to the mansion to treat Madam Bei."
“Go ahead!” Nan Xuzong said at this moment, “I’ll come back the day after tomorrow.”
"Master?" The Ghost Doctor looked at him.
"I'm going to Panyaoju to see my master." Nan Xuzong turned his wheelchair. "You should go see the doctor first and make sure to cure Madam Bei's illness."
"Yes," the Ghost Doctor replied, then followed the servant out.
"Miss is looking for this old man?" At this moment, a strong voice rang out. Ji Wushang immediately looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was the Ghost Doctor standing in front of the curtain with a bright and energetic expression.
The shopkeeper was somewhat surprised. Didn't he say he wouldn't be treating patients today? Now he'd even had to close the shop!
Ji Wushang immediately bowed to the Ghost Doctor, pleading, "Please save my mother, sir."
"Please lead the way, Miss." The Ghost Doctor nodded and gestured for him to proceed.
Ji Wushang immediately left with Zhu'er, and the Ghost Doctor called over the young boy, and they went together.
Nan Xuzong pushed out the wheelchair, watched their carriage drive away, and beckoned with his finger, "Go and find out what's happening at the General's Mansion."
"yes."
Ji Dingbei was very satisfied with the ghost doctor he had hired for Ji Wushang. Upon hearing that the ghost doctor had previously come to the mansion to treat Madam Bei, he immediately treated him warmly. The ghost doctor thanked him and they went together to the North Garden to examine Madam Bei.
After examining the patient, I prescribed several medicines.
Seeing that Madam Bei's complexion had improved and that the Ghost Doctor had written the prescription, Ji Wushang pulled her aside to speak, "Sir, how is my mother's condition?"
"She's gradually getting better," the Ghost Doctor sighed. "It's all thanks to the person who administered the medicine earlier! They stabilized the lady's three souls, preventing her recovery from being difficult."
Ji Wushang nodded, "Thank you, sir."
"Actually, there's no need to thank me. It's what I should do. Besides, I only did the cleanup work and didn't play a significant role. It seems there are always people more capable than you!" the Ghost Doctor thought to himself.
"Sir, you are too modest," Ji Wushang said with a smile, stuffing the silver into the Ghost Doctor's hand. "Thank you for the medicine, sir."
The ghost doctor declined three times before finally accepting it.
The day passed peacefully, and the next day was the Autumn Chrysanthemum Feast. Aunt Nangong now held most of the power in the inner courtyard, and she seemed to smile more often. Ji Wushang didn't care; as long as Aunt Nangong didn't provoke him, he wouldn't. But if Aunt Nangong wanted to challenge him, he would certainly oblige.
Ji Wusi, watched over by Ji Wushang, also often practiced martial arts alongside Ji Dingbei. His physique improved considerably, and his studies also progressed significantly.