Ji Wushang gracefully curtsied, "Thank you for your praise, Sixth Prince! I am merely a married woman and not particularly beautiful. Please, Sixth Prince, come in for the banquet."
Huangfu Yu was about to say something more when Huangfu Ting pulled him inside, saying, "Don't say anything more!"
Ji Wushang stood at the door, still waiting for someone. However, it was already midday, and Cong hadn't returned yet. The banquet was about to begin…
As for Yiyun Shangcheng, he didn't come either. If he didn't come, how could he give him a good show?
However, Ji Wushang was confident that he would definitely come! Since he had ruined the banquet he had prepared, he would naturally come to see how the banquet ended up!
Ji Wushang looked at the sky; it was already midday.
Pearl stepped forward, "Miss."
"Wait, wait a little longer, he'll definitely come back," Ji Wushang muttered, looking at Zhu'er with a flicker of anxiety in his eyes.
Ji Wushang sent Zhu'er down to order someone to delay the process.
Standing at the doorway, Ji Wushang craned his neck to look around with a hint of worry.
Tie Feng sent pigeons last night, saying he would return by midday if nothing unexpected happened. Why is he here at 3:45 PM?
"Clatter, clatter..." A slightly weary sound of hooves approached. Ji Wushang opened his eyes and looked around. A carriage slowly approached from the corner. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Nan Xuzong's carriage!
Ji Wushang's heart was pounding in her chest. She gently lifted the hem of her skirt and ran forward. The servants guarding the door rushed to greet her as she went.
"Cong!" Ji Wushang exclaimed in surprise.
The man inside the carriage suddenly opened his dark eyes, his gaze sharp, filled with long-lost tenderness and endless longing. He pulled out his golden hair and yanked open the carriage curtain.
Gong Shu quickly drove the carriage to a stop, and Ji Wushang pounced on him, shouting, "Cong!"
"Wu Shang!" Nan Xuzong was so excited that he wanted to rush forward and hug Ji Wu Shang, but Ji Wu Shang stopped in his tracks.
There were two other people in the carriage.
Apart from Gong Shu, who stood respectfully to one side after coming down.
Bei Gong Jue Shi sized up the young woman standing before him; she was even more beautiful than before. He immediately dismounted from the carriage and said, "Princess Consort of the Southern Heir!"
"Greetings, Second Prince!" Ji Wushang bowed, realizing that the woman in the carriage must be the princess of the Western Regions. Bei Gong Jueshi had already helped Yi Yun Muchen down. "Muchen, this is the Princess Consort of the Southern Prince!"
Yi Yun Muchen was startled when he saw the woman standing in front of him. "Princess Consort Nan..." His gaze drifted to Nan Xuzong, who was still in the carriage. Nan Xuzong's eyes were fixed on Ji Wushang, who was also looking at him.
Bei Gong Jue Shi pulled Yi Yun Muchen aside.
Gong Shu had already gotten Nan Xuzong out of the wheelchair in the carriage.
After leaving the Western Regions, Nan Xuzong's men had already returned his wheelchair. The carriage was large enough that the wheelchair was placed inside for his convenience.
Nan Xuzong looked at the woman before him, noticing the slight tears welling in her eyes. A surge of warmth welled up in his heart, and his hand trembled as he reached out. As if a thousand days had passed, he finally uttered, "Wu Shang..."
Ji Wushang nodded gently and placed his hand in his palm, which he gripped tightly.
Nan Xuzong looked at her, and she leaned down. His large hand trembled slightly as he touched her face. She smiled; she should be smiling today—it was his birthday celebration! He didn't know that yet!
"I've prepared some things for you." Ji Wushang followed his movements without feeling ashamed. Those around them, watching the two of them so affectionately, felt a sense of satisfaction.
Nan Xuzong looked into her eyes and followed her gaze toward the Marquis's residence.
Looking into the Marquis's residence from his vantage point, he saw a joyous atmosphere. Nan Xuzong asked in surprise, "What's going on?" She prepared something for him? Prepared what?
☆、168 Birthday banquet, a surprise for the Crown Prince! (Excellent!)
Ji Wushang knew that he was definitely thinking in other directions, perhaps even believing that another woman was standing between them. How could that be? He had once said that he would only be good to her, and he wouldn't marry anyone else. Therefore, Ji Wushang herself would even less allow anyone else to stand between them!
"Have you really forgotten what day it is today?" Ji Wushang's cherry lips parted slightly, her brows furrowed as she looked at him with a smile. A gentle breeze ruffled her hair, and Nan Xuzong, seemingly oblivious to their presence, lightly smoothed it aside, his surprise still evident. "What is it?"
Has he really forgotten his own birthday? Ji Wushang looked at him anxiously and said, "Today is your birthday, have you forgotten?"
Nan Xuzong felt as if the sound had exploded in his mind.
Today is your birthday...your birthday...I've never had a birthday party before, it's all become a habit, a distant memory! But today, she said, today is his birthday...
“You…” His face flashed with doubt, surprise, affection, and then worry.
Ji Wushang looked at his expression and said, "Yes, I held a birthday banquet for you today. I hope my husband will be happy."
"I..." He was speechless with surprise. He looked over and saw the servants and nanny coming towards him. "Young Master, Young Master's Consort, please come in!"
Ji Wushang nodded, "Cong".
Nan Xuzong was like a child who was surprised and at a loss for words after suddenly receiving candy, letting Ji Wushang lead him by the hand and slowly walk into the mansion together.
His obsidian-like eyes became even more profound as they swept over the distinguished guests in the mansion.
As I walked in, passing through the front yard, a collective sigh escaped my lips.
"It's true, Prince Nan has really returned!"
Upon hearing this, Nan Jinxue turned around abruptly and saw Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang together, holding hands. She slowly pushed the wheelchair as they walked together on the road.
"I didn't expect that Prince Nan would actually return after only three days!"
"Impossible!" Nan Jinxue roared, but seeing the astonishment of the noble young men around her, her expression changed immediately, and she walked out.
How could he possibly get back in time!
Bei Gongminhao saw Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang walking towards them from a distance, so he went up to them with a slight smile on his face, "Xuzong, Princess Consort of the Southern Heir."
Nan Xuzong paused, a slight smile appearing on his lips. "Your Highness."
Bei Gongminhao looked at him, then glanced at Ji Wushang, "I have done what you asked me to do."
“Jueshi and the princess should be in the separate courtyard of the mansion.” Nan Xuzong looked at the back of the figure on that side.
Bei Gong Minhao immediately turned around and saw Bei Gong Jueshi and Yi Yun Muchen walking towards the other courtyard. The people of the capital were unaware of their return, so it wasn't unreasonable to avoid them. Besides, given their relationship and identities, a suitable opportunity was needed to avoid being too abrupt.
Beigong Minhao pursed his lips, "Thank you!"
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong smiled, his gaze drifting to Ji Wushang. "If there's nothing else, Wushang, let's go first."
“Yes,” Ji Wushang replied.
Beigong Minhao opened and closed his eyes, making way for him. "Please."
Ji Wushang smiled and entered the main hall with Nan Xuzong.
The news spread throughout the entire Marquis's residence that Nan Xuzong had actually returned today! Ji Wushang felt a surge of joy and looked down at Nan Xuzong, whose hands tightened. "Did you make a deal with them? Otherwise, why would they agree to hold...my birthday banquet?" He finally voiced his concerns.
“No.” Ji Wushang’s eyes were filled with affection. “I just wanted to give you a surprise, so I asked Father to grant my request.”
“How could he agree so readily! It’s not worth it for you to wrong yourself for my sake!” Nan Xuzong was worried, and since no one was around, he spoke his mind freely.
Ji Wushang looked around and, seeing that no one was around, gently kissed his forehead. "No one can wrong me."
"Wu Shang!" He was thrilled and pulled her into his arms, her body nestled against his. "How...how did you know my birthday?"
"I found it in the book, I'll tell you tonight." Ji Wushang lowered his head shyly.
He gently covered her delicate lips with his, slowly sucking on them. Ji Wushang was slightly out of breath from his gentle advances. Nan Xuzong released her after a while, her face slightly flushed. "We should hurry to the main hall. I just had the servants call them to wait in the main hall."
"Okay." Nan Xuzong put her on the ground, and the two walked into the main hall together.
Nan Xuzong was overjoyed. She had never dared to dream of having a birthday banquet, but she never expected that Ji Wushang would do something so unexpected for her. She just hoped that no one would make things difficult for her. If anyone did, she would never let them get away with it!
Ji Wushang turned to look at him, her eyes and brows full of smiles. If he was happy, then she had succeeded!
At this moment, the two entered the hall and saw it was full of distinguished guests. The Marquis and several high-ranking officials and nobles were drinking, while Aunt Zhao and the others were busy chatting with those noble ladies, gossiping about all sorts of things. Everyone around them was talking to themselves.
Upon seeing Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong arrive, the servant immediately called out, "The Prince and Princess Nan have arrived!"
One after another, everyone stood up to congratulate Nan Xuzong and offer their blessings and birthday gifts. Nan Xuzong nodded, and a smile finally appeared on his face, which had remained unchanged for thousands of years. Ji Wushang nodded and thanked them one by one.
Ji Wushang scanned the area but hadn't yet spotted Yiyun Shangcheng. However, he guessed that Yiyun Shangcheng would definitely appear! Nan Xuzong had already returned; how could he possibly let such a good show pass by?
Ji Wushang began, "Today happens to be the Crown Prince's birthday, so we have held a simple banquet. If there is anything lacking, please forgive us." Ji Wushang then bowed respectfully.
Everyone nodded.
Just then, a voice rang out, "The King of the Western Regions has arrived!"
Those around were taken aback. They hadn't expected that the King of the Western Regions would be invited to the birthday banquet. The King of the Western Regions was merely visiting Emperor Zhou. They wondered whether it was Emperor Zhou's order or someone from the Marquis's residence who had invited him.
However, these artistic conceptions are not important.
When Nan Xuzong heard the name, his face darkened. What did his birthday banquet have to do with him? Why was he invited? His gaze drifted to Ji Wushang, who smiled but didn't answer. This made Nan Xuzong even more resentful. He had traveled all the way to the Western Regions to save Beigong Jueshi because of this so-called King of the Western Regions! Wushang, what were your reasons for doing this?
Ji Wushang stepped forward and said, "Greetings, King of the Western Regions." Everyone gave a simple bow.
"Hehe!" Yi Yun Shangcheng's purple eyes were deep. "Princess Consort Nan, there's no need for such formality! Everyone should be at ease! I was overjoyed to receive this invitation today! I've prepared a small gift, and I hope Prince Nan and Princess Consort Nan will accept it with pleasure!"
"Thank you, King of the Western Regions!" Ji Wushang's lips twitched, but a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.
Yi Yun Shangcheng's eyes swept across everyone, but she didn't see Bei Gong Jue Shi and Yi Yun Muchen. She thought to herself, "Could they have hidden them?" But hiding them wouldn't help. If they wanted to be open and aboveboard, they had to appear in front of everyone!
Ji Wushang gestured for him to sit down, "Please, King of the Western Regions, take a seat!"
Yi Yun Shangcheng nodded slightly and walked to a table to sit down. However, he gave Nan Xu Cong a cold look, and Nan Xu Cong's cold black eyes were also looking at him.
Yiyun Shangcheng's lips twitched, but she didn't speak.
Nan Xuzong clenched his fist slightly in his sleeve, but Ji Wushang stepped forward, gently patted his shoulder, leaned in, and whispered in his ear, "It's your birthday today, don't look so grumpy! Hmm?" Ji Wushang gently blew a breath into his ear.
Nan Xuzong froze, then abruptly turned his head. "You..." His heart was pounding. When did she learn such methods to treat a man?! Heavens! Who taught her that?!
Yi Yun Shangcheng's eyes were deep. "Ji Wushang, are you putting on an act in front of me?"
"Don't you like me like this?" Ji Wushang touched his shoulder, and Nan Xuzong breathed a slight sigh of relief. "Wushang, don't make things difficult for yourself." He squeezed Ji Wushang's wrist. He knew that Yiyun Shangcheng was watching, he knew that everyone was watching, and he wanted to declare his ownership in front of so many people, in front of all those who admired her and those who wanted to make a move on her!
Ji Wushang looked at him with bright eyes, "I won't make things difficult for myself. I really miss you and love you very much." She said softly, disregarding a woman's reserve.
His eyes were moved as he looked at her, speechless for a long time.
Those around couldn't help but sigh. Who would have thought that this marriage was truly a blessing from heaven! Who would have thought that the Prince of the South, who had a leg ailment, would be able to obtain such a marriage, and that the Princess Consort of the South would actually care so much for a man like him!
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess are such a loving couple! It's truly enviable!
Ji Wushang smiled and ordered those around him, "Let's begin!"
No one knew what it meant, but what they saw was that, following Ji Wushang's command, a group of people jumped into the main hall from all directions. Ji Wushang had chosen a place that was indeed large enough so that the guests could enjoy their meals and drinks while also admiring the gift that Ji Wushang had given to Nan Xuzong.
Nan Xuzong's eyes barely concealed his inner joy, "This..."
"This is the first birthday gift I've given you." Ji Wushang gently touched his lips with her cherry lips. The people around them immediately applauded.