The people around looked at each other, completely bewildered.
Ji Wushang understood perfectly well that the prince was using his status as the Third Prince to exert pressure. What he didn't understand was that he had already sent Hongfei to carry out the task, arresting everyone involved in his kidnapping, including, most importantly, the middle-aged man. He was worried about how to smoothly bring this witness out, and the Third Prince's appearance was perfectly logical.
Did Hongfei tell him about this? Is Hongfei one of the Third Prince's men? Or did Hongfei tell Nan Xuzong, and Nan Xuzong asked him to intervene? I will definitely find out! Ji Wushang looked at Hongfei standing to the side, but Hongfei's face did not show much expression.
Huangfu Xuan smiled at Ji Wushang, then turned to Marquis Jinnan and Nan Aoyu, "Gentlemen, how have you been? Bring that person here!"
Immediately, the guards outside brought in a middle-aged man. Nan Aoyu was stunned when she saw him. Wasn't he told to get lost? How did the Third Prince manage to arrest him?
Ji Wushang looked closely and saw that it was indeed this middle-aged man!
The guard immediately kicked the middle-aged man's leg, yelling, "Kneel down!"
The middle-aged man immediately knelt on the ground and was escorted by the guards.
"You can continue, I'll leave the person here." Huangfu Xuan smiled and then said to Old Madam Yun, "Old Madam, I hope that my standing by and watching won't interfere with your household's work?"
"This is truly a laughing stock for the Third Prince!" Old Madam Yun's lips moved slightly. "Please give the Third Prince a seat."
The maidservant was immediately ordered to do so.
Huangfu Xuan's lips curled into a slight smile, and after a simple bow, he sat down beside them and watched them.
Aunt Jin, Zhao Yirou, and the others were all dumbfounded. The Third Prince had just sat in the hall so naturally, and was watching this shameful affair in the Marquis's mansion!
The Marquis of Jinnan was helpless, but the most important thing was to clean this up! He was determined to take back all the power from Nan Aoyu! He had trusted him far too much!
"Do you know him?" Marquis Jinnan took a breath and then looked at the shopkeeper.
Nan Aoyu stared wide-eyed at the middle-aged man, her gaze fierce and full of warning. If he said anything that was not in his favor, she would make sure they all died!
"Yes, it's him! He brought the man in; I saw him!" the shopkeeper said, pointing at the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man already knew on his way here that his secret had been exposed and that it was impossible for him to get away unscathed. He could only hope to save his life, but looking at his current state, he didn't know whether to tell the truth or not.
"I don't know this person!" The middle-aged man gritted his teeth, knelt on the ground and shouted, "I don't know what I've done wrong to be arrested here! Sirs, have you arrested the wrong person?"
Huangfu Xuan picked up the teacup in front of him, then gently sipped it. "Not telling the truth will have serious consequences." As he spoke, he lightly pointed his right finger at the man. Instantly, the middle-aged man rolled to the ground in pain, clutching his left eye, crying out, "Ouch! Ouch!"
Huangfu Xuan remained calm and composed as he sat down.
“Continue,” he said softly.
Old Madam Yun's face showed slight displeasure. This Third Prince was truly arrogant and presumptuous! Oh well, he was only dealing with a sinner who didn't know his place! It seemed that things were indeed quite clear! These people were all quite formidable!
"Yes, it was the Second Master who ordered me to kidnap the Princess Consort, transport her to Yixiang Tower, and have her defiled, ruining her reputation and causing her to die in humiliation! This would allow him to hand over control of the inner court, so that the Second Master could remain the steward forever!"
With a loud "smash!", Old Madam Yun swept her sleeve and knocked the teacup and saucer in front of her to the ground. "This is utterly outrageous!"
☆、223 Exhausted essence leads to death, life returns to the underworld! (Premium, Subscribed!)
"Mother, please calm your anger!" Nan Aoyu immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly. "These people are framing me! Framing me! I, I didn't do such a thing at all! Please, Mother, investigate!" As she spoke, she looked around at the people, her small eyes seeming to search for some reason to explain herself. "They are all working together. I did not do anything to harm the Crown Princess! I have been the steward of the Marquis's mansion for so many years. My elder brother has treated me well. I am already very satisfied. How could I possibly do such a heinous thing?"
He immediately knelt down and moved forward, saying, "Mother, someone is definitely trying to cause trouble within our Marquis's mansion! Please don't believe such a one-sided story! Your son begs you!"
"One-sided story?" Old Madam Yun said, "Both of them are saying the same thing, is that still just one-sided? Yu'er, you need to produce evidence to prove that someone is framing you, instead of just saying it here with me." Old Madam Yun gave him a cold look. With the Third Prince present, did he still think about how to escape such a crime?
"I, I..." Nan Aoyu stood up and turned to look at the shopkeeper. "Tell me, who told you to frame me like this? The truth is not like that. I never asked you to harm the Crown Princess!"
"Oh, so you didn't have anyone plot against me? So, Second Uncle means that you won't plot against me, but instead create opportunities for others to plot against me. Is that right?" Ji Wushang sneered and stepped forward. "Second Uncle, I've only been managing this courtyard according to Father's wishes. I don't know where I've offended you."
"Ah, I, that's not what I meant!" Nan Aoyu realized she had let something slip!
"That's not what I meant!" Nan Aoyu immediately waved her hand. "Princess Consort, don't misunderstand me. I really didn't mean that. What I meant was that I'm innocent and didn't intend to harm anyone. Don't be so sensitive!"
"Second Uncle, so that's how it is!" Ji Wushang smiled and slowly walked over to him. "Perhaps one person's story is one side of the story, two people together are conspiring, but what about three or four people? Are they all conspiring to frame you, Second Uncle?" Ji Wushang turned around slowly as he spoke, emphasizing the last sentence.
"Me!" Nan Aoyu suddenly collapsed to the ground, her face turning completely pale.
"Snap, snap." Three crisp sounds rang out. Huangfu Xuan's lips twitched slightly. "Truly spectacular, hmm." Huangfu Xuan gave a wink to the guards on the side, and they immediately brought all those involved in the kidnapping into the main hall, much to the surprise of everyone present.
"This, how could this be... all, all..." Nan Aoyu couldn't say a word, her whole body went limp and powerless, this was probably her dead end!
After a long pause, Ji Wushang finally said, "Thank you, Third Prince! I am deeply grateful!" Ji Wushang bowed to him, "So there are so many people helping me to deal with me. I thought everyone was friendly! It seems I was the naive one!"
"What do you have to say?" Marquis Jinnan stepped forward. "I really misjudged you. You are my own brother, how could you do such a thing?" Marquis Jinnan was suppressing his anger. Damn it, he had actually dragged Nan Jinxue into this!
"There's something I don't understand," Ji Wushang said at this moment, "Did Second Uncle conspire with Second Brother against me? Or did you include Second Brother in your scheme as well?"
This episode immediately drew everyone's attention! Yes, was Nan Jinxue an accomplice or a victim?
Zhao Yirou sneered, "My husband must have been tricked by Second Uncle too! Second Uncle, my husband has no grudge against you!"
"No, no..." Nan Aoyu shook his head, looking at Marquis Jinnan, who glared at him and said, "Speak!"
“Yes, all of this was Jin Xue’s idea! I was just doing what he said!” Nan Aoyu immediately said upon hearing this. “Big brother, it’s not my fault, it’s not my fault! It was all Jin Xue’s idea, not mine. I, I was just doing what he said!”
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Everyone knows that there are bound to be struggles within grand mansions, but no one expected that the struggles in the Marquis's mansion would be more intense than others! Several people actually conspired to scheme against a woman who couldn't even kill a chicken! But unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, the Crown Princess escaped a calamity, while the Crown Princess herself was caught in the crossfire! In the end, she ended up killing her own wife, while the other fell into a coma!
What a laughable bunch of people from the Marquis's mansion!
"Second Uncle, don't make false accusations! When the truth comes out, you'll be punished, and then you'll drag your husband down with you? You're dreaming! You're taking advantage of the fact that your husband hasn't woken up yet so he can't confront you on the spot, right?" Zhao Yirou tried to maintain her elegance, but she couldn't help but want to yell at her second uncle.
She knew all too well that her position in the Marquis's mansion depended entirely on Nan Jinxue. Indeed, this plan was devised by Nan Jinxue and Nan Aoyu, and she herself had also participated. However, if someone had to take responsibility and sacrifice themselves, then of course it had to be Nan Aoyu who died, not herself and Nan Jinxue! She still needed to climb higher, and since Ji Wusi was so difficult to defeat, she had to proceed with extreme caution and get through this hurdle first!
"It really was him! He said he loves the Crown Princess! He thinks the Crown Prince is a good-for-nothing, impotent, while the Crown Princess is still a virgin! Otherwise, the Crown Princess, she's been pregnant for so long, but she isn't! So, it must be the Crown Prince's fault! So, this time, we're going to ruin the Crown Princess! After ruining her, the Crown Prince will definitely be ashamed to fight him, ashamed to compete for the title of Marquis, and the Crown Princess will definitely die of shame. The power in the harem will then fall back into the hands of another concubine. This is beneficial to everyone! As for me, I was only able to secure my position as steward because I was temporarily blinded by greed, which is why I agreed to do this with him!"
Since she was already out of luck, she figured she might as well drag a few others down with her! Nan Aoyu was furious; she was determined to drag a few people down with her! Her previous statement had two purposes: first, it implied Nan Jinxue was the mastermind, deserving of death; second, it insulted Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong, allowing her to vent her anger!
Ji Wushang was furious, his shoulders trembling with rage. "Fine, you're all so wicked! Humiliating me, you're all trying to get rid of me, to humiliate me, you want me dead, right? Insulting me is one thing, but you, you..." Ji Wushang was enraged and immediately knelt before Old Madam Yun. "Grandma, please do justice for Wushang! If this gets out, Wushang will be utterly disgraced and will have no face left in this world!"
At this moment, Marquis Jinnan stepped forward and slapped Nan Aoyu across the face, saying, "You beast! How could you say such a thing!"
Aunt Jin, Nan Xianxian, and the others watched in astonishment. Good heavens, these people must be crazy! But then again, it makes sense. Why hasn't the Crown Princess conceived yet? Could it be that Nan Xuzong is truly incapable of sexual relations? He's always being waited on, and he's always in a wheelchair. What can he possibly offer Ji Wushang?
Each had their own questions, but dared not utter a sound.
Huangfu Xuan listened with a slightly embarrassed expression. With so many people around, how could Nan Aoyu say such a thing? If Nan Xu Cong heard this, who knew how he would treat him? Death? Too lenient!
"The second young master has woken up!" Just then, a maid rushed in from outside and hurriedly said.
Upon hearing this, Nan Aoyu exclaimed, "Quickly, let him in! Tell everyone the truth! It was he who plotted against the Crown Princess, not me!"
The Marquis of Jinnan's face was as cold as ice, and he looked so angry that he was about to collapse. "Drag that beast over here!"
"Yes!" The maidservant hurriedly left, terrified. These people had looked like they wanted to eat people alive!
"My lord, please sit down and rest for a bit! Catch your breath!" Aunt Jin stepped forward, trying to curry favor, but Old Madam Yun shouted, "Get out! How dare you speak here? I didn't tell you to sit, so you have to stand!" She then looked coldly at Marquis Jinnan, "Look at the state this manor has become!"
"Your son knows his sins!" Marquis Jinnan knelt down before Old Madam Yun.
Grandma Yun looked at Ji Wushang and said, "Alright, Wushang, stand up first. If Cong'er knew that you were being bullied like this, how could he let it go? You don't understand his temper, but I do!"
Those around were startled. Ji Wushang slowly stood up from the ground, wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief. "When the young master returns, Wushang will definitely advise him to maintain harmony in the manor. However, Wushang never expected that managing this backyard would lead to such a trouble!" Hongfei bowed her head and stepped forward to help Ji Wushang to stand aside.
Old Madam Yun understood Ji Wushang's meaning and sighed inwardly.
Yu Xue Garden.
When Nan Jinxue woke up, her eyes were dark and swollen, her mouth was cracked, her gaze was dull and lifeless, her hair was messy, and she looked neither human nor ghost. She was tightly gripping the bed sheet with both hands and looking at everything around her.
"Where is this?" Nan Jinxue asked, searching for someone.
"Husband." At this moment, a person walked in from outside. Looking at Nan Jinxue, he couldn't help but sigh, but an idea also formed in his mind. Youlan stepped forward with the medicine. "Husband, we are in Yuxue Garden. What's wrong? Here, drink your medicine first!"
"What happened to me?" Nan Jinxue looked at Youlan. "How did I get here?" She thought, "I was clearly in Yixiang Tower, thinking about Ji Wushang... but then... then I lost all consciousness!" Stop!
"What kind of medicine is this?" Nan Jinxue suddenly opened her eyes and grabbed Youlan's clothes to ask.
"It's...it's medicine to restore your vitality!" Youlan said, then put the medicine aside and took his hand. "Husband, it's me, Youlan. Please don't hold me, okay? Let me help you drink the medicine. You'll recover faster this way."
"What do you mean? I'm not sick!" Nan Jinxue shouted. "Where are they? Did something happen?"
"Is everything alright?" Youlan said. "It's just that the Marquis has sent everyone to the main hall for questioning, so Youlan stayed here to serve you. Husband, don't you see how good I am to you?"
"Nothing's wrong?" Nan Jinxue looked at her, her eyes somewhat vacant, but still fixed on her intently. "Where are Ji Wushang and the others?"
"Princess Consort? She's in the main hall too. Youlan doesn't know what happened!" Youlan said, slightly annoyed. She had always taken care of him, so why did he always have to ask this and that? Why wouldn't he listen to her? Why didn't he love her? Youlan then stroked his Nan Jinxue face. "Husband, isn't Youlan very good to you?"
"Mmm," Nan Jinxue responded, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
A breeze blew by. Youlan gently fanned the fragrance off her clothes. To become his concubine rather than a mere maid, Youlan was going all out. This was his most vulnerable moment, but also the perfect opportunity! If she could conceive his child, she would most likely become his wife, not just a concubine!
Nan Jinxue pushed her away, then picked up the herbal soup next to her. Her hands trembled slightly, but she still drank it down.
Youlan smiled as she watched. The medicine contained some Xiaoyao San, which was very beneficial for his vital energy. A passionate encounter with him would cause absolutely no harm! Simply considering this, Youlan stepped forward and massaged his back. "Husband, what were you doing at Yixiang Tower?"
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask!" Nan Jinxue glared coldly at her, then got up. She was determined to go to the main hall to see what was going on! Had things succeeded? It seemed like they'd gone wrong? Nan Jinxue smacked her head; why couldn't she remember some things?
At that moment, Youlan slipped her delicate hand inside his shirt and asked, "Husband, do you feel anything?"
"What?" Nan Jinxue trembled. He had been tricked to death by these women! He would probably die at their hands sooner or later! "Get out!" Nan Jinxue tried to shake her off, but Youlan had already clung tightly to his waist. "Husband, you're feeling much better. Why are you leaving so soon? Aren't you going to rest? The doctor told you to rest well!" If he didn't seize this opportunity, when would he have another? That bitch Zhao Yirou was keeping a close eye on him every single day!
Nan Jinxue was still thinking of pushing away this persistent woman, but she found herself pulling the woman into her arms!
What's going on? I didn't want this to happen!
"You! How dare you drug me?"
"Husband, no, don't be so harsh with me! I really didn't!" Youlan was overjoyed. Hopefully, no one would bother them now! What the people in the main hall said or plotted was none of her business!
Nan Jinxue had gone mad. Ji Wushang had given him a very strong dose of medicine, and he had been knocked unconscious before he could finish venting his desires. So now all the poison had accumulated. He should have rested to suppress his desires and release them, but now he had been aroused by a tiny bit of Youlan Xiaoyao Powder!
Without any foreplay or gentleness, he ripped off Youlan's underpants in one swift motion and immediately attacked the person in front of him fiercely, shouting, "You bitch, you bitch! Today I'll kill you! See how you all schemed against me, how you all thought I was easy to bully!"
Youlan was in excruciating pain from his actions, gritting her teeth and enduring the agonizing pain, only finding relief when the blood nourished her. Gradually, she began to experience a different kind of sensation.
"Husband, um!" Youlan was provoking him, wanting him to be even more fierce. She had secretly read a book that said she had to be more fierce in order to get pregnant!
As if out of control, Nan Jinxue opened the box and wanted to keep going. He was already feeling extremely tired, but he kept moving and going crazy without any control. Gradually, he couldn't keep up with his strength. Youlan was not satisfied, so she twisted her body to cooperate, determined to drain him dry!
After an unknown amount of time, a feeling of overwhelming devastation finally overwhelmed her. Youlan gasped for breath, then looked at the person sprawled on top of her. Nan Jinxue lay there, completely still, pressed against her. Youlan rested for a long time, thinking of pushing him away, but he remained completely unmoved.
Youlan was startled. "Husband, don't sleep! It's only been once, why are you sleeping?" She pushed him away, and he fell backward onto the edge of the bed. His manhood was upright, a golden spear that remained erect, but his pupils were dilated and his eyes were wide open!
"Ah!" When Youlan saw this, her face turned completely pale. She covered her mouth and nose, and then stared at Nan Jinxue lying on the other side, motionless!
His hand trembled as he reached out to check, but Nan Jinxue had already stopped breathing!
"Ah!" Youlan screamed, trembling and shrinking into a ball in the corner!
A maid rushed in from outside, "Sister Youlan, the Marquis says he wants the Second Young Master to go to the main hall!" But before she could finish speaking, a scream rang out. The maid hurriedly ran in, only to find Nan Jinxue dead!