Gong Shu said, "No, no, Your Highness, please don't be so harsh on me. Hehe, I'll go right away." He went inside and then pushed Nan Xuzong along. Nan Xuzong had been listening to their conversation the whole time and didn't interrupt.
Ji Wushang followed behind. When the two were almost at the main hall, Nan Xuzong raised one hand, signaling Gong Shu to stop.
“Master,” Gong Shu asked.
"Let me do it." Ji Wushang stepped forward, knowing Nan Xuzong's meaning; serving tea was a matter for the couple.
Nan Xuzong nodded.
"Yes." Gong Shu stood aside and watched Ji Wushang push the wheelchair in with Nan Xuzong.
"Are your legs still sore? Don't rush, take it slow." Nan Xuzong was a little worried as he saw her pushing him.
"I feel much better after taking the medicine, and I'm fine now." Ji Wushang only dared to answer when no one was around. "It's better not to talk about these things here." There was a hint of shyness on her face.
Nan Xuzong nodded, "I'll listen to you."
When they arrived at the main hall, the threshold was a bit high, so Ji Wushang couldn't push his way in. Nan Xuzong said, "Step back a bit, I'll do it myself."
"Yes." Ji Wushang took a few steps back and watched as Nan Xuzong slapped his hands on the chair. Instantly, the wheelchair carried him up and directly into the main hall!
The people who were drinking tea in the main hall were stunned when they saw something suddenly fly in. They were even more surprised when they saw that it was Nan Xuzong.
How deep is his kung fu skill?
But why is there only one person? Did he lose his bride or make her bedridden?
Ji Wushang watched as the person went in and immediately followed. When he stepped inside, he attracted everyone's attention again.
Ji Wushang met his gaze, smiled, but his smile was extremely eerie.
I, Ji Wushang, am back! I will take my revenge on everyone in this house except my beloved husband!
However, Ji Wushang's face showed a hint of surprise. Nan Xuzong looked at him expressionlessly and said, "Wushang, come over here."
"Yes." Ji Wushang replied timidly and immediately stepped forward to follow Nan Xuzong.
Nan Xuzong took her hand and said, "Don't be afraid." His words flowed into her heart like a gentle stream.
Ji Wushang was of course not afraid. Having been reborn, why would he be afraid of them?
Ji Wushang then surveyed the hall. This main hall was slightly larger than the General's Mansion, bright and spacious. Two people were seated at the head of the table: one was Marquis Nan Aogan of Jinnan, who was squinting as he savored a freshly brewed cup of premium Longjing tea. A jade thumb ring adorned his right thumb, which he lightly tapped on the table. His profile revealed a broad, auspicious face. His physique was slightly plump due to middle-aged weight gain.
Sitting on the other side was a woman in her early thirties, wearing a horse-face skirt trimmed with orchid leaves and gold thread, over which was a light red cloud-patterned jacket. Her hair was styled in a peony bun, adorned with several gold hairpins and beads. She wore a smile, but it was all on the surface. She appeared elegant and noble, but who knew what she was really planning? Ji Wushang would never forget that this was Aunt Zhao.
Over there, sitting at the table chatting, were several pretty girls, including Nan Jinxue and Ji Yinxue.
Ji Wushang recognized, in turn, the still charming Third Concubine Jin Ruirui, the somewhat aloof and noble Fourth Concubine Leng Ruolan, the Third Miss Nan Xianxian, the Fourth Miss Nan Zhaoxue, and the Fifth Miss Nan Zaiqing; as well as the Second Marquis Nan Aoyu of the Second Branch, his dignified and elegant wife Madam Qi, the Second Concubine Liu Yanyan who was a bit flirtatious at heart, the dutiful Third Concubine Dou Taohong, and Nan Qinghao, the son born to Concubine Liu, and Nan Xueyan, the son born to Madam Qi. There were also some younger young masters and ladies who were not here, probably taken away by their wet nurses to play.
The matriarch of the manor, Lady Yun, was not present at this time.
Ji Wushang just smiled. Well, sometimes it's good for people to pretend to be ignorant.
Although Nan Xuzong's face showed no expression, he wasn't particularly happy either. He simply led her to Nan Aogan and Aunt Zhao, saying, "Father, Aunt, have some tea." A maidservant had already brought two cups of tea. Nan Xuzong took one, and Ji Wushang took the other.
Just as Ji Wushang was about to kneel down, Nan Xuzong pulled him back, saying, "Father, have some tea."
Ji Wushang was taken aback. If he didn't kneel, would Aunt Zhao throw hot tea in his face today? But in his past life, he had knelt anyway, and Aunt Zhao still made things difficult for him. Let's see how it goes this time!
Nan Ao glanced at Ji Wushang, then looked at Nan Xuzong, smiled, and said, "Okay." He then took the tea from Nan Xuzong, drank it, put it aside, took out a purse from his sleeve, and placed it in Nan Xuzong's hand.
Nan Xuzong accepted it expressionlessly, without offering any direct response.
Ji Wushang brought the tea and offered it to Aunt Zhao. Aunt Zhao could have been promoted to the position of principal wife, but unfortunately, the position belonged to Princess Huangfu Xiuer, while Aunt Zhao was merely the illegitimate daughter of a Grand Secretary. To climb to the position of principal wife, she needed to gain the trust of many and, most importantly, the approval of Nan Xuzong. Unfortunately, Nan Xuzong's attitude was very sharp, thus preventing her from becoming the principal wife. However, someone had to take on the role of the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, and that was Aunt Zhao.
Aunt Zhao glanced at Ji Wushang and felt uncomfortable looking at her pretty face. She looked up and saw Ji Yinxue watching her with extreme jealousy in the distance, while Nan Jinxue, who was calmly drinking tea, was actually staring intently at Ji Wushang.
Aunt Zhao snorted coldly, "You all got up really early."
"Since we're going to serve tea to Father and Aunt, we should do it earlier." Ji Wushang smiled. Since she said so, he would just go along with it!
Aunt Zhao was slightly taken aback. Sure enough, this young lady was truly different! Even before she married into this Marquis's mansion, she had heard of her prowess in the General's mansion! Hmph, but this is the Marquis of Jinnan's mansion, not the General's mansion!
Ji Wushang noticed the changes in her expression but didn't care. He stepped forward to serve tea and said, "Auntie, are you well?"
Aunt Zhao nodded, took the tea, took a small sip as if savoring it, but swallowed it anyway. Then she gracefully put it aside, took out a purse from her sleeve, and placed it in Ji Wushang's hand, saying, "Be good from now on."
"Yes." Ji Wushang sneered inwardly.
Aunt Zhao then kindly introduced everyone present, and Ji Wushang smiled and nodded, saying he would remember them.
Nan Xuzong kept his eyes fixed on the two of them. If he guessed correctly, if Ji Wushang had been hesitant and indecisive in his answers earlier, Aunt Zhao would definitely have made things difficult for him when serving tea. Aunt Zhao just didn't expect Ji Wushang to be so quick-witted. She didn't know what Ji Wushang was really like inside, so she didn't act rashly.
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong went to the other side and served tea to Aunt Jin and Aunt Leng. The two women smiled, said some nice words, and then gave Ji Wushang a red envelope.
Then they served tea to the second son of the second wife, the Marquis, and his concubines, Lady Qi, Concubine Liu, and Concubine Dou, and things were relatively harmonious.
After the tea ceremony, Ji Wushang and Ji Yinxue received blessings and gifts from Nan Jinxue and Ji Yinxue, as well as from the young ladies and gentlemen of the manor.
Seeing that everyone had acknowledged the identities, Aunt Zhao smiled and said, "Now that everyone has acknowledged them, let's all go our separate ways and do what we need to do."
The men, including Nan Aogan, all left, as did some of the young ladies and gentlemen who didn't like sitting and chatting. Ji Yinxue and Nan Jinxue, however, stayed behind.
The only people left in the hall were Aunt Zhao, Aunt Jin, Nan Jinxue, Ji Yinxue, and Aunt Liu.
"Wu Shang, you will stay at the Marquis's residence tonight. If you feel uncomfortable, just tell your aunt." Aunt Zhao looked like a kind and loving mother.
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "Yes."
"Big sister, tell me, should I call you big sister or sister-in-law?" Ji Yinxue's voice came over at this moment, her voice carrying a hint of sarcasm and disdain.
Ji Wushang looked over and saw that she was wearing a light red short jacket with gold flowers, over which was a horse-face skirt with gladiolus patterns. Her hair was styled in a gold and jade cloud bun, secured with brocade tassels and pearl and silver hairpins. However, there was a faint scar on her forehead, which she had painted with red and green lotus flowers.
Ji Wushang looked her over, scrutinizing her from head to toe. He hadn't expected that Ji Yinxue could survive smallpox. Could the scar on her forehead be from being scratched? Was she using lotus flower makeup to cover up such ugliness?
“Of course it’s sister-in-law. How could you not know how to address your sister-in-law? Although Aunt Nangong is bedridden and practically immortal, Father made us learn the precepts and teachings for women from a young age, and our teachers also taught us proper etiquette. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten, sister-in-law?” Ji Wushang retorted sharply.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yinxue's face darkened with displeasure. She had originally intended to mock her for marrying into the Marquis's mansion just like herself, yet the two sisters had married into the Marquis's mansion, two brothers!
Unexpectedly, Ji Wushang brought up Aunt Nangong, saying that Aunt Nangong was practically dead, and that the term "sister-in-law" had already made their relationship clear. Before, she could call her Fourth Sister, but now she was Sister-in-law. Wasn't that obvious enough?
In fact, Ji Wushang had another meaning, which was to let Nan Jinxue realize clearly that his fourth sister was the good wife he wanted!
Hearing this, Aunt Zhao tried to smooth things over, "Yinxue still hasn't changed! She's probably still thinking about the days before she got married!"
“Yes, Auntie is right,” Ji Yinxue immediately echoed.
Ji Wushang smiled but remained silent. No rush, we can deal with this later.
Looking at them, Nan Jinxue said to Ji Wushang, "Congratulations on your marriage, sister-in-law and brother."
"Thank you, Second Brother," Ji Wushang replied politely.
Nan Xuzong then took Ji Wushang's hand in his own. "It's getting late. I see Wushang is a bit tired. We'll head back now. Second brother and sister-in-law, you can have a good chat with your aunt. Goodbye for now."
With that, he went out with Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang smiled, bowed, and left.
Aunt Zhao's smile froze as she looked at Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong. Aunt Jin and Aunt Liu exchanged glances and stepped forward, saying, "Madam, we'll go down first. We still have some things to take care of in the courtyard."
"Go!" Aunt Zhao only then realized that the two of them were still there, so she told them to leave.
Aunt Zhao's eyes were full of disdain. She turned to look at Ji Yinxue and said coldly, "You and your sister-in-law are really a level apart!"
Nan Jinxue pulled Ji Yinxue over in a pretentious manner, with a forced smile, "Auntie, don't look at little Yinxue. Given time, Yinxue will definitely show her true colors."
Ji Yinxue glanced at him coldly. This scumbag, he clearly only has eyes for Ji Wushang, yet he tries to show off his kindness to her in front of Aunt Zhao. What a load of rubbish! But her face was full of virtuousness and joy as she put her arm around his waist. "Husband is right. Yinxue will definitely be obedient from now on. This Marquis's mansion is very large, and we have a long life ahead of us. What can't we see in the future?"
"Very well, you may all leave now!" Aunt Zhao looked at them, hoping that her son would not forget her instructions.
Nan Jinxue smiled and hugged Ji Yinxue as they went downstairs.
As soon as they stepped out of the main hall, Ji Yinxue shoved Nan Jinxue away, saying, "Stop pretending! Who are you trying to fool!"
"You are my wife, what, you won't allow me to say that?" Nan Jinxue's face was also filled with hostility. "If it weren't for you, I might have been able to marry Wushang!"
"Pah, if you're so capable, go ahead and rob me! You ruined me, let me tell you, Nan Jinxue, it's all your fault that I'm like this!" Ji Yinxue coldly threw down these words, then turned around.
Nan Jinxue was furious and grabbed her shoulder. "Woman, say that again if you dare!"
Ji Yinxue tried to back away, but he grabbed her shoulder, so she could only glare at him angrily, "Isn't that right!"
"What a reckless woman!" If Nan Jinxue hadn't seen some maids and servants cleaning or tidying the courtyard around him, he would have slapped her a few times on the spot! If it weren't for maintaining his image as a gentleman, Nan Jinxue was certain he would have given her a good beating!
"You wait!" Nan Jinxue sneered, then pushed her away and strode away.
Ji Yinxue watched his departing figure, gritting her teeth in hatred. Her hatred for Ji Wushang only intensified; he was the mastermind! The culprit was Nan Jinxue! These people were the ones who had ruined her life!
——
After Ji Wushang followed Nan Xuzong out, he was a little tired, but it was still a bit early to go back to his room.
Nan Xuzong seemed to read her mind and said, "There's still time. I'll take you somewhere."
“Okay.” Ji Wushang nodded, and then pushed her along the corridor of the Marquis’s mansion as he led the way.
Yes, to be honest, I hardly ever explored these corridors in my previous life. Apart from my own Xinwu Courtyard, I basically never left the house. It wasn't that I didn't want to go out, but Aunt Zhao made things difficult for me at every turn, and the servants and maids were always mindful of Aunt Zhao's mood, so naturally they didn't take Ji Wushang seriously.
Nan Xuzong turned around and saw her lost in thought. He asked, "What are you thinking about?" As he spoke, he placed his large hand over her small hand and gently touched it.
Ji Wushang felt a warmth spread through his heart. "There are some things I don't understand."
“Those who don’t understand can learn about it slowly.” Nan Xuzong looked at her. “Wu Shang, if I said that I have a feeling for you that I look back on from a past life, would you believe me?”
"A glimpse into a past life?" Ji Wushang was stunned, looking at him in disbelief. Could it be that he, like him, had been reborn? No, it shouldn't be. If he were like him, what reason could he have? As far as he knew, when he died tragically in his past life, he had heard from the servants that he was still alive. Wait, it seemed that he could walk on his own with a cane.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked, a growing anxiety rising within him as he looked at her absorbed expression.
Ji Wushang smiled. This meant that his leg could still be healed. However, it would take seven years before he could walk on crutches again... It seemed so far away. Seven years. One year had passed, and there were still six years left. Six years was such a long time!
"Wu Shang?"
"Hmm." Ji Wushang came back to his senses. "I was thinking, what does it feel like to look back in a past life?"
"What kind of feeling could it be? It's like a sense of déjà vu, indescribable. The first time I saw it, I wanted to cry, but upon seeing it again, it brought a different kind of feeling." Nan Xuzong sighed at this moment.
Ji Wushang nodded. "Perhaps!"
The past life is already gone like smoke, how can we investigate it?
"We're here, let's go in." Nan Xuzong looked at a tall building in front of him with the words "Picking Stars and Playing with the Moon" written on it.
☆、154 They poured out their hearts to each other, without speaking of parting sorrows.