His hands clenched into fists, the force slowly gathering within them. His gaze turned cold, and he stepped forward.
Upon hearing footsteps, Ji Wushang immediately turned around. Seeing that it was him approaching, she hurriedly covered herself, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Cong, don't come any closer!"
Nan Xuzong panicked, instantly dissipating the power in his hand! What was wrong with him? Was he actually thinking of killing her? Nan Xuzong froze on the spot. This wasn't him, not him!
☆、229 Wu Shang and I will definitely be happy.
Seeing his strange behavior, Ji Wushang took a slight step back. "Cong, what's wrong?" Her tone was calm as she looked at him, noticing his surprised expression and absent-mindedness. Ji Wushang immediately stepped out of the water, quickly grabbed a gauze robe from the side and draped it over her shoulders, then walked over. "You're hiding something from me."
Nan Xuzong then slightly raised his eyes to look at her. She casually tucked her dark hair behind her head, water was still dripping down, but she didn't seem to notice. Instead, she looked at him with bright eyes, her gaze falling on his hand. "What happened to your hand?"
As Ji Wushang spoke, he took his hand and examined it carefully. "Is the gold thread hurting you? Should we take it off and treat your hand?"
"It's alright." Nan Xuzong placed his hands on her shoulders. "You looked so beautiful just now."
Ji Wushang looked into his eyes, "Cong, you don't love me anymore." Her tone was very calm.
“No, I love you.” Nan Xuzong paused for a moment, then immediately said, “I love you very much, so much.”
"Because you lied to me, you started lying to me with your lies, Cong, you promised me you wouldn't lie to me, why, why are you lying to me today?" Ji Wushang looked at him with tears in her eyes, and couldn't help but let the tears fall, but Ji Wushang didn't wipe them away, but just looked at him with teary eyes.
Nan Xuzong was immediately at a loss. "I, I didn't, Wushang, I, I didn't lie to you, really, don't cry, I, I was wrong, I, I'll tell the truth, I, Wushang, don't be like this, be good, I really love you, don't be like this, don't cry, don't cry." Nan Xuzong coaxed her incoherently, holding her in his arms and stroking her shoulders. "I love you, Wushang, don't cry, okay? I was wrong, I shouldn't have hidden it, I confess, don't cry, be good."
Ji Wushang looked at him, tears falling onto his chest. When Nan Xuzong felt the cold tears, he couldn't help but tremble slightly. He lowered his head and kissed her lips fiercely, his tongue swirling in her mouth, slowly swirling and dancing with hers. He only released her lips when she was almost suffocating, then moved to kiss away the tears from the corners of her eyes, cold, salty, and weeping.
“I didn’t lie to you, you really are beautiful, you were so beautiful just now.” Nan Xuzong looked at her, “My heart has always been beating for you, it will always be yours, how could I not love you? My hand, it’s okay, I just couldn’t control myself, I was thinking about wanting, wanting…”
"What do you want?" Ji Wushang asked, looking at him.
“Like this.” His breathing was a little heavy, and his large hand had moved down from her shoulder to her lower body.
She was startled and immediately reached out to grab his flailing hand. "But the feeling you gave me just now was that you were lying to me and hiding something from me. You know I can sense it." Ji Wushang looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes again.
Nan Xuzong looked at her and kissed her lips and eyes. "Don't worry, okay? Wushang, feel my heart." Nan Xuzong took her hand and placed it on his chest. His chest was so warm that she couldn't help but want to pull away, but his large hand held her small hand and placed them both on his heart. "Wushang, you have to believe me."
“I believe you.” Ji Wushang looked into his loving eyes and said, “But I hope that we can face everything together. Cong, I don’t want you to bear it alone. I want to walk side by side with you, instead of me being in your arms and you always sheltering me from the wind and rain.”
"Protecting you from the wind and rain is the most basic thing I can do." Nan Xuzong then picked her up and carried her directly into the inner room. "I am your man, it is only right that I do this, otherwise, how can I be your husband?"
"Hmm." Ji Wushang looked at him. "Cong, do you remember that you said during the day that you had something to tell me?"
"I'll tell you now." Nan Xuzong carried her into the inner room and placed her on the bed. He walked to the side, found the child's clothes that he had hidden earlier, and then took the scissors. He immediately sat down on the edge of the bed.
"What's this?" Ji Wushang looked at him. "Children's clothes?" How could there be children's clothes like this? Did he mean that he couldn't wait to have a child? But the chances of her being able to have a child for him were very small, probably not even now!
"These are the things my mother left me. This is the only evidence that can prove my identity." Nan Xuzong said, turning the clothes over several times before feeling for a slightly protruding spot. "There's something here."
"What your mother left you means you're going to the palace to prove your identity and become the real Fourth Prince?" Ji Wushang looked at him, his eyes filled with a complex expression.
Nan Xuzong nodded. "That's what I wanted to tell you tonight. If you object, I won't do it."
Ji Wushang listened and fell silent.
"Whose idea was it? Yours? Or the Third Prince's?" Ji Wushang finally asked after a long silence.
Nan Xuzong remained silent, only looking at the clothes that Consort Zhen had left for the child.
Ji Wushang lowered his eyes. He had also considered this possibility: if his legs could be healed, he would most likely be officially recognized as the Fourth Prince… He should be happy for him, because only after he became the Fourth Prince could he investigate the cause of his mother's death and do things for more people… This was the world of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, and it was also his world. What he cared about was the people of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty and everything in this dynasty.
“I support you, Cong. If you need any help, just ask. Do you need my father’s help? He may be leading troops to the frontier tomorrow, but he can also write a letter to the Emperor. That way, he might be able to lend you a hand.” Ji Wushang looked at him and smiled slightly.
“The Third Prince will help me.” Nan Xuzong looked at her. “When I become the Fourth Prince, you will be the Fourth Princess.”
"Hmm." Actually, she didn't care about the Four Imperial Concubines. She only wanted to be with him. Even if they became ordinary people, living a simple life, she would be willing.
But... Ji Wushang remembered what he had said when he knelt before Beigong Minhao, begging him to help find those things to heal Nan Xuzong's legs.
She had once said that she might not be able to bear him a son or daughter, while he would rise steadily through the ranks, becoming the esteemed Fourth Prince. Although she would live to become his Fourth Princess, the Emperor would never allow a woman without children to be his Fourth Princess. At the very least, he would force Nan Xu Cong to take a concubine. Then, many beautiful women would occupy his heart, and she would slowly fade from his sight… He was exceptionally capable; perhaps he was more suited to be Emperor than the Third Prince. With three thousand beauties in his harem, how could a woman without children possibly survive?
Ji Wushang shook off his thoughts, suddenly smiled, and looked at him, "Whatever you want to do, I will definitely support you. If you need anything, I will definitely arrange it for you."
Nan Xuzong was somewhat excited, but his heart was also in turmoil. She probably didn't know that only by becoming the fourth prince could he have enough trump cards to help her overcome all obstacles! He was willing to do things he had never wanted to do before in order to fulfill her wishes, protect her, and love her.
He never thought of becoming the fourth prince. He only wanted to find out the cause of his mother's death one day and kill those who killed his mother and made him suffer. That was all!
Now, if he becomes the fourth prince, he can cultivate his strength more openly and legitimately. Only then will he have a chance to contend with the army of Yiyun City. He cannot afford to be complacent!
And if, two months from now, she really does become the Demon Lord who will destroy this entire continent, he will use his own power to stand in front of her and shield her from forces coming from all directions!
But what if he, too, lost control when he looked at her blood lotus, just like he had just done? Nan Xuzong's eyes darkened. He had to find the old man Pan Yao and ask him clearly! What was he in his past life? Why did he feel an urge to go forward and destroy the blood lotus when he saw it blooming?
That's the person I love! I'd rather betray everyone than face her head-on!
Nan Xuzong held her in his arms, while Ji Wushang silently shed tears.
"But why are you crying, Wu Shang?" Nan Xuzong looked at her and then gently wiped away her tears with his hand.
“I’m happy, I’m happy for you. You can finally stand in front of everyone, you can finally take back everything that belongs to you, and you deserve it all,” Ji Wushang said, then looked at him, “If you’re willing, I will always be by your side.”
"Silly girl, of course I'm willing. I, Nan Xuzong, only need you by my side." Nan Xuzong smiled and hugged her. "But, could you help me undo this stitching? I... I don't really want to cut this dress. It's the only thing my mother left me, and I want to cherish it."
Ji Wushang nodded, "I'll help you." She picked up the scissors from the side, then tried to get up, but he pressed her down, "What's wrong?"
"Get the needle and thread." Ji Wushang looked at him. "I will try my best to pry open the seams, take out the contents, and then help sew them back together. That way, we won't ruin the clothes made by Consort Zhen."
"Okay." Nan Xuzong nodded, and gratefully kissed her lips. "I'll go get it for you. Where did you put it?"
“There, under the cabinet.” Ji Wushang pointed to a wardrobe in the corner.
"I'll go get it," Nan Xuzong said, and immediately walked towards the corner.
After a while, Ji Wushang carefully unfastened all the seams of the little clothes, while Nan Xuzong helped dry Ji Wushang's black hair with a censer.
He glanced back at Ji Wushang every now and then; her technique was very skillful. Finally, a few sheets of paper came out.
Nan Xuzong was very excited at this moment. He put the incense burner aside and took the three pieces of paper from her hand. Ji Wushang was also looking at him.
Nan Xuzong unfolded the paper with trembling hands.
Sure enough, this was Consort Zhen's last letter. She wrote that she knew someone would definitely target her, so she discussed it with the then-wife of the Marquis of Jinnan, the First Princess Huangfu Xiuer, beforehand. In the end, the two entrusted their child to Huangfu Xiuer to raise.
Huangfu Xiuer was Nan Xuzong's adoptive mother, but unfortunately, beauty is often short-lived, and she passed away quite early.
As for the birthmark, Nan Xuzong has seven stars on his feet.
This is the only evidence that can prove Prince Nanxu Cong's identity.
There were two other pieces of paper. One was written by Consort Zhen to Nan Xuzong, hoping that he would work hard for the people in the future. The other was written to the current Emperor Zhou, firstly to recall some good things between the two of them, and secondly to request that Emperor Zhou make amends to Nan Xuzong.
Nan Xuzong's face darkened. He then put the two pieces of paper into his pocket, while clutching the paper proving his identity in his hand, his eyes somewhat cold.
"What do you plan to do?" Ji Wushang asked. He didn't actually know whether he was stepping on the Seven Stars or not, and hadn't paid any attention to it.
"Three days later, we will go to the palace to consult the Empress Dowager. Five days later, a banquet will be held in the palace for the Second Prince and the Third Prince to choose their consorts. Seven days later, they will both marry their principal wives." Nan Xuzong looked at her and then stuffed the paper into his pocket. "That's roughly it. If there are no surprises, this matter won't drag on for too long."
“Okay.” Ji Wushang nodded, no longer looking at him, and then lowered her head to sew the stitches that had just been removed, stitch by stitch, and sewed them back on.
"Don't overwork yourself. If you're tired, rest first. I'm going to take a shower." Nan Xuzong kissed her cheek.
"Go!" Ji Wushang looked at him and watched him enter behind the screen.
Seeing the sound of water coming from inside, Ji Wushang put down her needlework and carefully examined the child's clothes. The fabric was so soft and smooth to the touch, and the stitches were dense, all reflecting a mother's love for her child.
No wonder Nan Xuzong once said that of the two women who loved him in this world, only he remained... I wonder what Consort Zhen looked like? If possible, I hope to see her face and kneel before her spirit tablet.
Ji Wushang picked up her needle and thread again and began to sew carefully. How beautiful these children's clothes were! If only she could bear a child for him, that would be wonderful.
As the sounds outside gradually subsided, Ji Wushang looked up and saw Nan Xuzong walking in. He was wearing a white robe and looked refreshed. He smiled at Ji Wushang and his gaze fell on the children's clothes in her hands.
She sighed inwardly, wishing these were clothes for herself and her child! Her technique was so similar to the one she had imagined her mother used. Nan Xuzong snapped out of his reverie and sat on the bed. "You must be tired. Take a rest. It's getting late; don't stay up too long."
Ji Wushang lowered her head and continued, "There's just a little bit left, it's alright, I'll finish it soon." As she spoke, Ji Wushang sped up and re-sewed the garment in front of her. Nan Xuzong accompanied her and watched her finish the garment.
After they finished making the clothes, they smiled at each other. But Ji Wushang quickly said, "Cong, don't you feel a little regretful because I haven't been able to conceive your child for so long?"
“I believe we will eventually get it,” Nan Xuzong replied. “It’s just that the time isn’t right yet. Besides, you’re still young, so don’t be afraid. We have a long road ahead of us, so don’t overthink it.” Nan Xuzong knew he couldn’t put pressure on her. She was very sensitive and thought about things from many angles. If he didn’t dispel her thoughts, she might keep thinking about it.
"Mm." Ji Wushang nodded in agreement.
Nan Xuzong took the little clothes, fiddled with them in front of him for a while, and then smiled, "What excellent craftsmanship, so beautiful."
Ji Wushang didn't know whether he was praising the dress that Consort Zhen had made earlier or the one he had sewn later, but he was already very satisfied. He felt that having him by his side was enough for him.
Nan Xuzong put away the little clothes, then held her close as they fell asleep. "Time to bed." He smiled slightly, raised his hand, and covered them both with the brocade quilt. He simply stared at her, holding her close, quietly pressing their hearts together.
"Cong, I want to know, are there really seven stars beneath your feet?" Ji Wushang asked after a long while. As he spoke, he raised his head and looked at him. Just as he had expected, he had not fallen asleep, but was looking up at the sky. Ji Wushang knew that he must have many thoughts in his heart.
“Indeed,” Nan Xuzong said, cupping her face in his hands. “I’ve been thinking about what we should do next. If one day, would you be willing to leave all of this behind with me, find a place where nobody knows us, and live a life that belongs to us?”
"I'd love to." Ji Wushang looked at him, her eyes warm. "Once we've finished these things, we'll leave, okay?"
"I promise you, when the time comes, our children will be running around us, and you and I will work from sunrise to sunset together." Nan Xuzong looked at her. "Tell me, is that alright?"
“Okay.” Ji Wushang looked at him. “We’ll leave when everything has settled down.”
"Everything is as you wished." Nan Xuzong looked at her and kissed her lips. "Sleep now!"
Ji Wushang remained silent, burying her head in his chest, listening to his heartbeat, and fell asleep peacefully.
He put his arm around her waist, following her thoughts, staring blankly at the candlelight on the table. How wonderful it would be if that day truly came, when he wouldn't have to bear so much, and she wouldn't have to worry about fighting for even the smallest bit of living space.
But her body was still so cold...
Originally, it was thought that her thousand-year-old icy body was because she had died once. Who would have thought that she had died once and that her resentment was too heavy because she died too tragically in her previous life, and thus became the reincarnation of the Demon Lord.
He knew that he and the Demon Lord must have been enemies in his past life, which is why he thought of killing her when he saw the blood lotus.
Nan Xuzong looked down and saw that she was now sleeping peacefully. Just to be on the safe side, he pressed her pressure point to put her to sleep before getting out of bed. He dressed and then went into the secret room.
Inside the red tent, two bodies, entwined in passion, moved ceaselessly. The woman's voice was hoarse; she tried to cry out, but each time she couldn't. She looked at the crazed demon before her, as he relentlessly thrust into her, each time so deep, each time sending shivers down her spine. She involuntarily clung to his body, but the man only grew more ferocious.
Five years' worth of pent-up desire erupted here. He turned around, not even glancing at the woman's slightly pained face, and immediately began a new round of arousal.
Finally, after hundreds of thrusts, the man led the woman to the paradise of climax.
He looked at her, panting heavily, his eyes cold, but filled with intense desire. The woman opened her mouth, breathing softly as well, her chest rising and falling with a unique allure.
Huangfu Xuan pulled her to his side. Yu Ruyi frantically protected herself, her panicked face reflected in his dark eyes.
"Does it hurt?" he asked softly, his eyes fixed on her face.
She nodded, protecting her body with her hands, hoping he would spare her.
Huangfu Xuan looked at her. "It hurts, it hurts, that's good." He looked at her and kissed her lips. "From now on, your surname is Ma, and your given name is Ruyi. You are Ma Ruyi, the third daughter of General Ma, who guards the imperial city."