"Father, Baoqi must have made up this story. Since Eldest Sister isn't saying anything, it's definitely not true..."
“I did see Pingting sneak in. I originally thought she was just going to check on you, Fourth Sister, as you were preparing your medicine, so I didn’t ask. I never expected that she was going to poison Second Sister. I really misjudged her. Sigh!” Ji Wushang interrupted Ji Yinxue before she could finish speaking.
Ji Yinxue was shocked. "Big sister, what, what are you talking about?"
"Isn't it clear enough? I told you, Pingting really did go in, but as for what she did there, I don't know." Ji Wushang looked at Ji Yinxue innocently. "Fourth Sister, why are you being so fierce?"
"You!" Ji Yinxue looked at Ji Wushang and couldn't help but point her finger at him. Ji Wushang looked at her and said, "I... I did see that!"
"How dare you!" Ji Dingbei roared at Ji Yinxue, "How could you treat your elder sister like this!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Yinxue immediately knelt on the ground, "Father, please forgive me, please forgive me, elder sister!"
"Look, the eldest young lady said that Pingting went in, so she must have poisoned the American aid medicine! Now she has committed suicide out of guilt! As Pingting's mistress, what do you say, Fourth Young Lady?" Aunt Bai looked coldly at Ji Yinxue, "Could it be that Fourth Young Lady says that she doesn't know anything about this at all?"
Ji Yinxue hated Ji Wushang and Aunt Bai to death at this moment, but unexpectedly, it was Ji Wushang who told the story!
“Aunt Bai, Yin Xue truly didn’t know things would turn out this way. I usually just have the maids do ordinary tasks, and I don’t know much about their lives; after all, this is their private matter.” Ji Yin Xue frowned, looking at Ji Ding Bei. “Father, you must investigate. We are family. Although Aunt Bai may not like Yin Xue very much, Yin Xue has always lived in the courtyard and hasn’t caused much trouble. Now that Second Sister is better, Yin Xue is overjoyed! Marrying together with Second Young Master Nan and serving him together—what a wonderful thing that would be! How could Yin Xue be so heartless as to do something so harmful?”
Hearing Ji Yinxue's words, Ji Wushang felt that if she really wanted to vomit, she could have thrown up everything she ate last night! Ji Yinxue was incredibly shameless. Ji Wushang knew in her heart that this was clearly Ji Yinxue's order. How could a maid dare to touch a young lady or mistress? Her words made her sound heartless and ungrateful. Hah, she was slapping herself in the face, thinking that others would pity her!
Ji Dingbei listened with a solemn expression, remaining silent.
Upon seeing this, Aunt Bai immediately knelt down. "Master! The Second Miss finally woke up and almost lost her life at someone else's hands. How could this beautiful maidservant have poisoned the Second Miss's medicine for no reason? If it weren't for the Fourth Miss's order, this maidservant probably wouldn't have risked her life to poison the Second Miss, would she?"
Ji Dingbei nodded in agreement; what he said made sense.
With deep eyes, he looked at Ji Yinxue and asked, "Yinxue, is there something on your mind that's causing you to..."
"Ah...ah!" Just then, before Ji Dingbei could finish speaking, Ji Yinxue screamed twice and collapsed to the ground, convulsing violently!
Ji Dingbei was shocked. "What happened!" he exclaimed. He immediately went to check on Ji Yinxue, but Ji Wushang stepped forward to support her. "Fourth Sister, Fourth Sister, what's wrong?"
"Get a doctor here immediately!" Ji Dingbei roared. At this critical juncture, nothing could go wrong!
Fortunately, the doctors in the manor had been reorganized, and the doctor arrived quickly to help take the pulse.
Ji Yinxue was lying on the bed with her eyes closed and her breathing uneven. Ji Wushang, Ji Dingbei, Aunt Bai and others stood by watching. As for Pingting's body, Ji Dingbei had already ordered people to carry it to the back mountain for burial.
"Reporting to Master, the Fourth Miss is not seriously ill, but she is very weak and should not get angry. If she does, the underlying illness in her body will immediately flare up and worsen her pain," the doctor said to Ji Dingbei immediately after examining her.
Ji Wushang chuckled inwardly. These doctors probably didn't even know about the Xuan Ying Needle! What kind of ailment was this? She only had six months to live! If she got angry, became agitated, or practiced martial arts, she would die even faster! She would suffer even greater pain!
"Doctor, is she feeling better now? Will she recover quickly?" Ji Wushang stepped forward and asked worriedly.
The doctor glanced at Ji Wushang and nodded. This must be the eldest young lady! This was his first time coming to the manor to treat the young lady, and he hadn't expected to meet the legendary eldest young lady. Beautiful, elegant in speech, and caring for her half-sister—in this general's manor, perhaps only the eldest young lady was so considerate.
"Reporting to Miss, Fourth Miss is fine now, she just needs to rest. I will prescribe some medicine for her, and she will be well after taking it," the doctor said respectfully.
"Thank you, doctor." Ji Wushang smiled.
The doctor was completely mesmerized; the woman's smile was breathtaking! Even this old man was delighted!
"Then I'll prescribe the medicine." The doctor nodded and smiled.
Ji Dingbei stepped forward and glanced at Ji Yinxue. Aunt Bai had been standing at a distance, watching this scene. "Hmph, it would be better if they were dead! Why don't they just die right now! Let them all die one by one, so I don't have to do it myself!"
Ji Wushang stepped forward, "Father, I think we should let this matter go. Fourth Sister is already in this state; it's not good to get angry or worry about her anymore. Whatever the truth is, please forgive us this time! Fourth Sister and Second Sister have finally woken up; if something really goes wrong again, wouldn't that break everyone's hearts? Pingting is dead, and Second Sister is alright; please take good care of her from now on!" Ji Wushang's meaning was clear: he wanted Ji Dingbei to persuade Aunt Bai and let the matter rest.
Ji Dingbei listened and thought for a moment, "What you said makes sense." He looked at Ji Wushang with an appreciative gaze, and Ji Wushang immediately said, "Wushang is just stating the facts. Father, the most important thing in the manor is harmony."
“You’re right.” Ji Dingbei nodded. “Luo’er can rest in peace now. You’ve really grown up!” Ji Dingbei nodded repeatedly before walking toward Aunt Bai.
Aunt Bai watched Ji Dingbei and Ji Wushang talking, feeling indignant, but she didn't know what they were saying. She thought about going over to listen, but was too proud to do so. Now that Ji Dingbei was coming over, Aunt Bai immediately put on a show of politeness, coldly snorting, "Master, are you going to ask the US to make the decisions?"
“Aomei, come here.” Ji Dingbei said, pulling Aunt Bai out. “I know you’ve been investigating this because you’re worried about Meiyuan, but Pingting is already dead, and Yinxue is in such a state that we can’t scold or punish her. Otherwise, how will she get married? The fifteenth is almost here, and you know how serious this matter is for our General’s Mansion. Please be understanding! Meiyuan is alright, isn’t she? I know what you’re worried about. As the saying goes, there’s a proper order of seniority. Don’t worry, I’ve already spoken to Second Young Master Nan, and he’s stated that Meiyuan is the principal wife, and Yinxue is the secondary wife. It’s a win-win situation…”
"What do you mean 'everyone's happy'? That girl Yin Xue should have been a concubine!" Aunt Bai said. "Master, you don't know! This girl Yin Xue is full of tricks! You don't know, she schemed against the Second Young Master Nan to get into his bed!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Dingbei's face immediately darkened with displeasure. Was this an accusation that he hadn't properly raised his daughter, Ji Yinxue, into a shameless woman who resorted to underhanded tactics to get into other men's beds? Every young lady in the General's Mansion was elegant and poised, her beauty among the best in the capital. Was this really necessary? Yue Shisi had already told him the various versions of events he'd heard, giving him a general idea of what had happened. He'd turned a blind eye, thinking it was just between the sisters. Now, to say it to his face was to imply that he, Ji Dingbei, was utterly incapable of raising his children.
"Alright, alright, sir, since things have come to this point, I won't pursue it any further. Meiyuan is the legal wife, so it's settled!" Seeing Ji Dingbei's face change drastically, Aunt Bai dared not say anything more to anger him. "Sir, it's settled then. Let's just wait for the fifteenth and see our two daughters get married!"
Ji Dingbei nodded after hearing her words, his eyes fixed on her as if he wanted to devour her. After a long while, he finally withdrew his terrifying gaze. "Okay, let's go! Back to the room."
Turning back, seeing Ji Wushang still carefully taking care of Ji Yinxue, Ji Dingbei left with peace of mind, while Aunt Bai spat into the room before leaving.
Ji Wushang looked at Ji Yinxue on the bed, wiped some dirt off her face, glanced at Youlan and Shuipei standing in the room, and said to Ji Yinxue, regardless of whether she heard him or not, "Fourth sister, you should take good care of yourself. I spoke with Father earlier, and we'll leave it at that for now. From now on, you should focus on your recovery and not think about anything else. As for Pingting's matter, let it go!"
She stood up and looked at Youlan and Shuipei, who were standing to the side with their heads down. "Take good care of the Fourth Miss! Now that Pingting and Fengyun are dead, you should be promoted to head maids. When the Fourth Miss wakes up, see what she thinks."
"Thank you, Miss!" The two maids immediately knelt down. If they became head maids, wouldn't they be promoted from third-class kitchen maids to head maids all at once? That would be an extremely happy event!
Ji Wushang smiled and thought, "This might just be another version of Feng Yun and Ping Ting. Oh well!" As he walked out, Zhu'er and Xian'er immediately came to greet him.
Walking along the corridor, there were hardly any people around.
Ji Wushang looked at the sickle moon and said, "Tomorrow is the seventh day after Zhang Xiuniang's death. You all need to be careful and make sure to call all the people who need to be called."
"Yes." Zhu'er and Xian'er exchanged a glance and nodded.
Upon entering Xinyuan, Ji Wushang immediately had Zhuer summon Tiefeng, "Was it you who knocked over Aunt Bai's medicine bowl?"
“It was indeed me. Moreover, the small stone hit her wrist squarely, and I believe it's quite swollen and red,” Tie Feng said.
"That's good." Ji Wushang nodded. "Tomorrow, I want you to put on a play for me on Zhang Xiuniang's seventh day memorial. You must continue to put on a play for me at night as well. Find a few trustworthy people to help, understand?"
"Yes, I will do it immediately!" Tie Feng nodded.
"Go down! Let Granny Yun come in." Ji Wushang waved his hand.
"Yes." Tie Feng went out, and then Granny Yun came in.
“Tomorrow, you will…” Ji Wushang leaned closer, “…did you hear me? This matter can only succeed, it cannot fail!”
"Yes!" Granny Yun replied confidently, "This old servant will certainly handle whatever Miss has entrusted to me!"
"Alright." Ji Wushang rewarded her with a purse and told Granny Yun to go and make arrangements.
The matter of tomorrow being the seventh day after their death won't be something they'll face so soon! Heh! Ji Wushang chuckled silently, took out the finished dragon and phoenix embroidery, looked at it, and then put it back.
Ji Wushang thought of Madam Bei.
They went into the hall, where a memorial tablet was being enshrined. Originally, Ji Dingbei did not allow Ji Wushang to set up a memorial tablet for Madam Bei in her room, saying it was unlucky. The old lady had initially agreed, but Ji Wushang insisted on setting up a memorial tablet for Madam Bei in her room. Seeing her persistence, Ji Dingbei agreed.
At this moment, Ji Wushang knelt before Madam Bei's memorial tablet, holding the lit incense stick in his hand, and said, "Mother, in heaven, you must bless Wushang so that he can avenge his great grudge! Aunt Bai has committed many sins in her life! She will surely go to hell! As for Ji Meiyuan and Ji Yinxue, they did wrong things but did not repent, and did not know how to cherish and love. They will be punished by heaven! Now that I have promised others not to marry Ji Yinxue, then I will send them to marry the Second Young Master Nan in a good way!"
As Ji Wushang spoke, he kowtowed several times before standing up and placing the incense sticks in the burner.
Ji Wushang glanced at the memorial tablet a few more times before returning to his inner room. He then lay down on the bed, fully clothed. He was truly exhausted. It was late, and Ji Wushang closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.
The Marquis of Jinnan's residence.
In a courtyard, a man dressed in fine clothes sat in a wheelchair, looking at the painting in front of him, slowly appreciating Ji Wushang's work. He touched the painting, as if he could feel her dancing on the canvas and creating the artwork.
"Master, it's late, may we go to bed?" Gong Shu approached cautiously and whispered.
Nan Xuzong raised his head slightly, "You can go down now, don't worry about me."
"Yes." Gong Shu glanced at the painting and knew that Nan Xuzong was thinking about Miss Ji.
"Oh, right, bring me paper and a pen, I want to draw," Nan Xuzong said.
"Yes." Gong Shu nodded and immediately found paper and pen outside, which he laid out in front of the desk. Nan Xuzong had already pushed his wheelchair forward, then picked up the pen, his eyes gleaming slightly, and said, "Get me a pigeon."
"Yes, sir." Gong Shu immediately withdrew respectfully to carry out the order.
Nan Xuzong's brushstrokes were as if guided by a divine hand. His eyes flickered, sometimes bright, sometimes dark, and with those eyes, he moved the wolf-hair brush lightly and heavily, and soon a portrait of a beauty appeared on the paper.
Just then, Gong Shu ran in from outside, having finally managed to get a pigeon from the pigeon house!
"Sir, pigeons."
"Okay, leave it there. You can leave now!" Nan Xuzong said without looking up.
"Yes." Gong Shu placed the pigeon on the desk and then withdrew.
Nan Xuzong applied the colors, refined them, and finally stroked the painting to finish it. He put down the wolf-hair brush, then raised it again to examine it closely.
The beauty was clearly Ji Wushang, smiling radiantly. A dot of vermilion was placed between her brows, and she wore a phoenix jade hairpin in her hair—the same phoenix jade hairpin that Nan Xuzong had given her before. She was wearing a bright red wedding robe, her lips were painted with even more vermilion, her delicate eyebrows were raised, and her bright eyes were full of affection, as if she were smiling at herself.
Nan Xuzong looked at it with great affection, and on the side was a miniature drawing of herself, only she was wearing the light white clothes she usually wore. She was outstanding, with an elegant temperament, and wore a phoenix jade hairpin. Her lips were cherry red, her eyes were bright and her teeth were white, and her face was as red as a peach blossom.
Nan Xuzong rolled up the paper, put it in a small tube, and tied it to the leg of the pigeon standing on the desk.
Holding the pigeon in one hand, he slowly pushed the wheelchair to the window with the other. Outside, there were few stars, and the crescent moon was already setting in the west. Nan Xuzong glanced at the pigeon and said, "Deliver the message to her, and she will reward you handsomely when she returns."
As if it understood, the pigeon pecked at his hand, signaling him to let it fly.
Nan Xuzong tossed one of the pigeons towards the window. The pigeons fluttered a couple of times and then disappeared into the night.
Nan Xuzong looked at it, then leaned back in the wheelchair and closed his eyes.
Ji Wushang felt as if she were in a deep sleep, but at some point, she heard a series of chirping sounds. Not being dreaming, she was naturally alert to the sound, and upon closer listening, she heard something seeming to fly in and fluttering around on her desk.
Ji Wushang immediately opened his eyes and looked at the table. It turned out to be a pigeon!
Ji Wushang was curious. How could there be pigeons here? She got up, put on a robe, and sat down at the table. The pigeons on the table looked at Ji Wushang as if they wanted to tell her something.
Ji Wushang smiled, "Are you here to deliver a message?" As he spoke, he grabbed it, examined it, and sure enough, saw something tied to its foot. He took it off, opened it, and Ji Wushang was immediately surprised—it was himself! So lifelike!
The essence of the painting is in the painting itself, as if the beauty in the painting is smiling at you! Ji Wushang smiled. This must be his painting, right? But there was nothing written on the painting. Ji Wushang thought for a moment that he must have written something, so he looked around, but still couldn't find it.
Just as she was thinking of rolling up the painting, she noticed the phoenix jade hairpin on the woman's head.
Ji Wushang understood; it was indeed him. Only he had given her this phoenix jade hairpin. On her wedding day, she would definitely wear this phoenix jade hairpin into the bridal sedan chair. Ji Wushang smiled, rolled up the painting, and carefully placed it in a brocade box under the bed. Then, she selected some Xuan paper from her desk, picked up a wolf-hair brush, and began to paint.
About half an hour later, Ji Wushang put down his brush. Looking at the painting on the paper, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
Looking up, I saw that the pigeon was now watching me. I never expected that the pigeon would keep me company while I was painting!
Ji Wushang was delighted and rolled up the painting, tying it to the pigeon's leg. "If you successfully deliver the message, you can ask your master for a reward. I can't reward you now." Ji Wushang smiled and then affectionately stroked its feathers.
The pigeon pecked at Ji Wushang's hand, so Ji Wushang picked it up, walked to the window, opened it, and released the pigeon. Watching the pigeon fly away, Ji Wushang closed the window, took off his robe, and returned to his bed to sleep.
Nan Xuzong didn't know how much time had passed when he heard a splashing sound at the window. He immediately woke up. He had profound internal strength and would know the slightest movement.
He opened his hand forward, and the pigeon immediately flew down from the window and landed in Nan Xuzong's hand.
Nan Xuzong flipped the pigeon over, took the note from its foot, opened it, and couldn't help but laugh.
This girl actually drew herself! She's depicting herself wearing a jade crown, sitting at her desk, gazing ahead as if looking at something serenely. But her face is painted bright red! Like she's applied rouge! A grown man, transformed like this! And it clearly doesn't match the original drawing; she must have added it after finishing the original. Nan Xuzong smiled. This girl, actually making such a joke about her husband? She'll need to discipline her a bit.
Although that was what he thought, Nan Xuzong carefully rolled up the paper and put it in his pocket.
Looking at the pigeon in front of him, Nan Xuzong said, "After we get married, I'll give you good food. Now you can go to bed." With that, he pushed his wheelchair into the inner room himself.
General Ji's Mansion.