This woman's beauty has faded; she's too ugly, too ugly! She's disgusting! After weighing his options, the Marquis decided to discard her. This woman had always been above him; he would let her spend the rest of her life peacefully in Zhuangshu Garden. This would be his way of giving her some closure.
Aunt Zhao, lying on the ground, struggled to her feet. Looking at the Marquis, she read contempt and disdain in his eyes. She finally understood: she had never won this man's heart! Her beauty had faded, so his attitude towards her had changed! Back then, she had always been thinking about how to serve him, but in the end, not to mention Ji Wushang and Aunt Jin who had ruined her, she truly understood! It wasn't just about beauty being everything!
Hahaha! Aunt Zhao really wanted to laugh out loud, but she didn't. Instead, she sat there somewhat blankly.
Yan Shou looked at Aunt Zhao and went forward to help her up. "Aunt, please get up!"
Aunt Zhao didn't say anything, letting Yan Shou help her to the bed.
A slight smile appeared on Aunt Jin's lips. She had finally won! She had never imagined that one day she could trample Aunt Zhao underfoot! She had only ever dreamed of being on equal footing with her!
Aunt Jin stepped forward, "My lord, I, I, I'm sorry..." In this situation, there's no need for tears or complaints. Taking a step back is a sign of taking a big step forward! This is about knowing when to be flexible!
Aunt Zhao was stunned for a moment, then looked up at the Marquis's reaction.
The Marquis put his large hand around Consort Jin's slender waist and said, "It's alright. You two just had a little disagreement. If there's nothing else, then don't come. Let's just leave it at that! Everyone, go home!" With that, he turned and walked out with Consort Jin without looking back.
Aunt Zhao was surprised; her face showed nothing but astonishment.
"My lord, my lord!" Aunt Zhao cried out, but the lord could no longer hear her!
Ji Wushang sneered. Aunt Zhao certainly never imagined that she would have such a day! To watch someone else lying in the Marquis's arms, while the Marquis treated her like she was invisible!
Ji Wushang stepped forward and said, "Auntie, you should rest well. I'll have the family physician come and take a look at you."
"You, Ji Wushang! Ji Wushang! It's all your fault, all your fault!" Only then did Aunt Zhao notice Ji Wushang. She struggled to get up and grab him, but Ji Wushang walked towards the door. "Aunt, you should rest well!"
The tone was very soft.
Aunt Zhao trembled with rage, "You, you! I will not let this happen! Everything I have lost, I will get back!"
Ji Wushang's eyes flashed with disdain. Take it all back? That depends on whether you have the ability!
It's time to deal with someone else. Aunt Jin, this time, it's your turn!
☆、199 Shall we make a promise? (Please subscribe for more exciting content!)
Ji Yinxue could no longer tolerate it. After venting her anger in Yuxue Garden for a while, she immediately began to prepare what she had in mind. She would absolutely not allow anyone to climb over her! Youlan and Shuipei, just wait to die! No matter whose fault it was, all three of them had to pay the price! Nan Jinxue, since you have treated me so cruelly, don't blame me for being ruthless as well!
Nan Jinxue was completely drained, and collapsed to the side after it was over. Youlan and Shuipei were still breathing, and hurriedly and fearfully put on their clothes that he had torn.
The two leaned against each other, and Youlan asked, "Shuipei, are you alright?"
Shui Pei trembled, "I...I'm so scared!" So many people had just witnessed the three of them doing such a filthy and disgusting thing. With just a word from Nan Jinxue or their masters, the two of them would surely be beaten to death! But now, no one had come in or disturbed them. It was as if a funny play was unfolding in the Marquis's mansion; the onlookers laughed, continued watching, and remained silent, letting them continue their performance.
Youlan understood the seriousness of the situation and felt a surge of hatred in her heart. Not only did Nan Jinxue have Ji Yinxue, but she also messed with Zhao Yirou, and now she had ruined Youlan and Shui Pei. If they had been lucky enough, upon reaching adulthood, they could have been married off by the head mistress or their master, even to a servant, which would have been better than being treated like this! Now, however, they didn't know what the situation would be… Ji Yinxue would definitely not let them off the hook. Therefore, they could only wait and see!
"Don't worry, if the second young master makes us his concubines, we still have a chance. Although we won't be as good as the principal wife or secondary wife, if we can give birth to a son or daughter for the second young master, we will still have a chance to become concubines! It's not too late to realize this now! Accept it!"
A cold glint flashed in Youlan's eyes as she looked at Nan Jinxue resting there. She wanted nothing more than to rush forward and stab him to death with scissors! But she couldn't; if he died, she wouldn't live either! But she had to live! She had to fight for it! How many times had she risked her life for Ji Yinxue, only to be beaten, punished, forced to kneel and starve! Now was her chance! A concubine was different from a maid! She refused to believe that a concubine couldn't climb the social ladder!
Shui Pei listened to her words and looked at her in surprise. You Lan turned to Shui Pei and smiled, "The backyard of a high-ranking family is a place where people are devoured. If you don't climb up, you are destined to be used, trampled underfoot, and eaten by others! Shui Pei, you'd better watch yourself!" If the two of them are destined to meet with swords in the future, she will definitely plunge the dagger into her chest without hesitation!
Only by living can you get everything you want!
As night fell, Ji Yinxue wished she could wipe them all out tonight! The coldness in her eyes kept the maids and nannies around her at bay.
Tonight, let's just wait and see!
Ji Wushang returned to Moxuan Garden. It was just as dusk was falling. Ji Wushang had the lanterns lit and the food prepared, and then waited for Nan Xuzong to return.
Seeing that there was still plenty of time left, Ji Wushang took out the white robe he had sewn and began to sew it carefully, stitch by stitch.
Nan Xuzong had been kept in Huangfu Xuan's palace, and he was anxious, knowing that Ji Wushang would definitely be waiting for him to have his meal, so he was a little impatient.
Huangfu Xuan looked up at him, then put the letter down. "Are you very anxious?"
"Yes." Nan Xuzong nodded. "She's waiting for me."
Huangfu Xuan's lips curled into a sneer. "Then you should go back first! Your second brother won't be having a peaceful time these days, so be careful. He might try something on you!"
"Trying to harm me? You really think highly of me!" Nan Xuzong snorted and turned his wheelchair to leave. "I will send someone to deliver the information and letters you need to you within three days."
"Very good." Huangfu Xuan smiled, then remembered the Qingxue Warm Heart Medicine he had given him. "Did you give the Princess Consort of Nan the Qingxue Warm Heart Medicine?"
"No." Before he had thoroughly investigated the matter, he would absolutely not let Ji Wushang take such a risk.
"You still don't trust me enough!" Huangfu Xuan said, pursing his lips.
Nan Xuzong didn't say anything and walked out on his own.
Huangfu Xuan watched his retreating figure, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
When Nan Xuzong returned to Moxuan Garden, he saw Ji Wushang sewing her white robe under the lamplight. At a glance, he knew that the white silk was exactly what he liked. She held the robe in her hands, stitching each thread with such seriousness and devotion. Her face looked so peaceful under the lamplight.
Nan Xuzong couldn't take his eyes off her; he stood there at the doorway, staring blankly, every movement of hers falling into his dark eyes.
Ji Wushang was so engrossed in his thoughts that he forgot whether anyone might come in.
However, usually no one would come in. Those who did come in would report it first. The only person who came in without reporting it first was probably Nan Xuzong. Therefore, Ji Wushang was not particularly wary.
Moreover, the Moxuan Garden has already been equipped with security mechanisms, so its safety is quite good.
Ji Wushang looked at the orchid he had just finished embroidering and smiled with satisfaction. He could always smell the faint fragrance of orchids on him, a scent that made him feel at ease and happy.
Thinking about this, Ji Wushang continued threading the needle. Just as she was about to trim a small orchid, she accidentally pricked her hand with the needle. "Ah!" Ji Wushang exclaimed softly, immediately putting down the needle and thread. Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked at her left middle finger, where a drop of blood had spilled out.
Seeing the panic, Nan Xuzong immediately stepped forward, "Wu Shang, what's wrong? Let me see!"
"Cong?" Ji Wushang looked up, unaware that he was also there. Nan Xucong was already in front of her, holding her hand in front of him. He saw that her middle finger had been pricked, with a drop of blood oozing out. Actually, it wasn't a big deal, so there was no need to worry too much.
"How could you be so careless?" Nan Xuzong said with concern, gently sucking on her middle finger before releasing it. His dark eyes were full of tenderness as he looked at her. "How are you feeling? Are you feeling better?"
Ji Wushang nodded, "Mm." Seeing how concerned he was about her, the pain in her hand had long since disappeared.
However, Ji Wushang lowered his eyes and looked at the orchid on the white robe in front of him... Ji Wushang frowned.
Seeing that she didn't seem very happy, Nan Xuzong followed her gaze and saw that there was a drop of blood on the orchid, which probably couldn't be wiped off and might not be cleaned even if washed.
"I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean for this to happen." Before he could speak, Ji Wushang looked up at him and said directly, "I was so careless."
“No, don’t blame yourself.” Nan Xuzong pulled her to his side. “It’s already good enough. With that little red dot, it’s so unique… I will wear this white robe that you sewed for me from now on.”
"But...but there's a little blood on it." Ji Wushang looked at him, fearing that the ancient people would say it was unlucky. A wife sewing a garment for her husband was perfectly normal. Yet he was so moved...
"This is the first time someone has specially sewn such a dress for me, and it was sewn by the woman I love. This is a gift from you, and I am already very satisfied. I like it very much."
Nan Xuzong held her hand and examined it closely. He noticed that the small needle marks had stopped bleeding, but about three or four of her ten fingers had similar small needle marks. An ordinary person wouldn't be able to see them, but Nan Xuzong had excellent eyesight. Seeing this, he felt sorry for her and placed her hand on his chest, covering it with both hands. "How could you be so careless? You've cut your fingers."
"It's alright, I won first place in the Wenge Embroidery Competition, so don't worry!" Ji Wushang blinked, as if to say, don't you trust my skills?
"Then why are your fingers all pricked with needles? Look, this one, this one, and this one." Nan Xuzong pointed them out one by one. It wasn't that he didn't trust her skills; had he ever doubted them himself? It's just that this wasn't a matter of skill!
"This robe doesn't deserve you being pricked like this with needles." The pain is excruciating, the pain is piercing to the core!
Ji Wushang withdrew his hand, looking rather embarrassed, and said, "It was my carelessness. It's alright, it's alright. The needle mark should be closer together. I wasn't careful enough. I'll be more careful next time."
"Oh!" Before Ji Wushang could even exclaim in surprise, Nan Xuzong had already frowned slightly, picked up the white robe, and examined it closely. He then discovered that the stitches were actually thirty-two stitches, densely packed. If it were made, it would definitely be incredibly warm!
These thirty-two stitches were painstakingly crafted, stitch by stitch, requiring immense effort and straining the eyes. It's worth noting that most clothes on the market have sixteen stitches, and for nobles, twenty-four stitches are considered luxurious and high-class. Yet Ji Wushang was sewing thirty-two stitches, making the task incredibly difficult, especially for a robe like this…
“Wu Shang.” Nan Xu Cong’s eyes flashed with emotion, and he didn’t know what to say.
Ji Wushang pursed his lips, lowered his head, and whispered, "I want you to dress warmly. It's spring now, and by the time it's finished sewing, it will be summer, and then it will be warmer. Wearing a white robe like this will be just right."
The Xia and Zhou dynasties had a distinct Jiangnan water town feel to them, so spring and summer were relatively warm.
Nan Xuzong sighed and pulled her into his arms. "But I don't want you to suffer from the pain of being pricked by needles... No need for stitches, okay? Be good." Nan Xuzong put the white robe aside, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.
Honestly, I really love this white robe, especially since she made it by hand. Although it's only half-finished now, I already adore it. It's just that I can't bear to see her put so much care and effort into sewing it, and then risk getting pricked by the needle.
Ji Wushang's eyes flickered slightly. She knew he must have said those words out of concern for her, and her resolve to make the robe for him only strengthened. However, knowing he would worry, she said, "I'll be very careful, don't worry, don't worry." Ji Wushang hesitated for a moment, then took the white robe, held it to her chest, and looked at him expectantly, yet unwilling to let him refuse.
Nan Xuzong's eyes flickered, and he pulled her into his arms again. "Don't hurt yourself."
"I won't," Ji Wushang said softly.
Nan Xuzong lowered his head and kissed her full forehead, then hugged her in his arms. "When I passed by the courtyard, I felt something was different. What did you do today?"
"Me? What could I possibly do?" A sly glint flashed in Ji Wushang's eyes as he smiled at Nan Xuzong. "On the contrary, what did you do today? Explain yourself first."
Just as Ji Wushang finished speaking, a rumbling sound came from her stomach, and her face instantly turned red. "Hungry alone..."
"Haha, let's eat first!" Nan Xuzong said with a smile. Seeing her occasional awkwardness made him feel very good! Seeing what she did for him also made him feel wonderful and touched!
Ji Wushang nodded, hurriedly got up from her seat, and then tidied up her needlework and white robe, putting them all into the inner room. Nan Xuzong did not enter the inner room, but watched Ji Wushang busy with this and that. He went to the hall on the side, where several maids quickly brought up the food.
After tidying up, Ji Wushang immediately came out of the inner room and looked at Nan Xuzong, who was already waiting for her.
Dining together like this is very cozy, but it would be even more perfect with a baby. However, Nan Xuzong is worried that if they have a baby, and Ji Wushang is always busy taking care of the baby, wouldn't he be left out?
This requires careful consideration. However, I don't have much time left, so I need to hurry. I'll just let things take their course. But I do need to study that Qingxue Warm Heart Medicine carefully. If it really works, I can help Ji Wushang recover, and I won't have to worry about it so much.
Ji Wushang picked up a piece of braised pigeon for him, but seeing that he seemed to be thinking about something, he asked, "What are you thinking about?"
“I was thinking, we’ll keep growing old together!” Nan Xuzong said, smiling as he ate the pigeon meat she had given him. “This is good, you should try some too.”
"Hmm." Ji Wushang knew he was changing the subject. "By the way, I just asked you, what did you do at the Third Prince's place today?"
"It was just some trivial matter. His Highness the Third Prince wanted some letters, so I immediately had someone take care of it." Nan Xuzong smiled at Ji Wushang. "But what about you? What have you done?"
Ji Wushang felt relieved after hearing his words, then looked around and said mysteriously, "Won't someone hear us talking to you?"
"No," Nan Xuzong said, his eyes sharply scanning the surroundings. Immediately, all the hidden guards who were in the shadows dispersed, and those who were on guard quickly returned to their posts.
"Hmm." Ji Wushang nodded before recounting what had happened that day, prompting Nan Xuzong to suppress a smile. "You, how did you come up with this method to deal with them?"
"They've always harbored resentment towards me! If I don't fight back, they'll definitely attack me."
"You're right." Nan Xuzong gently stroked her nose with his finger, saying affectionately, "If you act like this, they'll be jealous. Besides, Ji Yinxue probably won't let it go so easily. You have to be careful. As for Nan Jinxue..." Nan Xuzong sighed. He hadn't expected to be completely manipulated by those women. He'd probably be so angry when he woke up that his lungs would be crooked!
"What's wrong with him?" Ji Wushang asked. "Is he helping the Second Prince to do something against you?"
"I don't really know about that. Anyway, just be careful." Seeing her nervous look, Nan Xuzong smiled. "Don't worry, your husband is perfectly fine!"
“That’s true.” Ji Wushang said confidently, nodded, and then took a bite of rice.
"Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. I told you I'd take you to see it. I'll go with you tomorrow." Nan Xuzong looked at her and then placed the food in her bowl. "Have another piece of your favorite roast duck."
"Thank you!" Ji Wushang smiled and nodded. Actually, he liked roast duck simply because of its taste. When his appetite wasn't very good, eating a bite of roast duck always helped him regain a little bit of his appetite.
This flavor lingers in your mouth, giving you a sense of enjoyment.
Nan Xuzong put a piece of roast duck into his own mouth and chewed it carefully. "It's really good."