Ji Wushang came out to look and saw a servant dressed in dark blue coarse cloth clothes. He nodded and said, "Let me change my clothes first."
"Yes." The servant bowed his head.
Ji Wushang sized up the servant before going back into the house.
"Red flies, green dances!" Ji Wushang immediately shouted.
At this moment, Nan Xuzong went to his study to handle some matters.
Hongfei and Cuiwu quickly entered, "Fourth Imperial Consort."
"When Cong and I went out, did anyone come to Moxuan Garden on purpose?" Ji Wushang looked at the two of them.
"Reporting to the Fourth Imperial Consort, no one has been here," Hongfei said.
"Has something happened at the Prince's mansion?" Ji Wushang asked again.
"I heard that the Third Miss has been confined to her quarters by the Prince, for reasons unknown," Hongfei added.
"Hmm." Ji Wushang nodded. Nan Xianxian...confined...his eyes lit up. "Alright, the prince summons me. You all come with me!"
“Yes.” Hongfei and Cuiwu both nodded.
Ji Wushang glanced at the corner, from which he could see Nan Xuzong flipping through books and opening letters.
A man who is serious is the most handsome.
Ji Wushang smiled, thought for a moment, and said, "Wait for me."
"Yes." Hongfei and Cuiwu smiled, and seeing how much the two loved each other, even the servants were happy for them!
As soon as Ji Wushang entered, Nan Xuzong looked up and asked, "Aren't you busy?"
"His Highness summoned me. I came to tell you," Ji Wushang said with a smile.
"Well, if there's anything difficult, just decline it." Nan Xuzong smiled, put down what he was holding, came forward, took a cloak from a shelf, and draped it over her shoulders. "It's getting late, wear more clothes."
"Okay." Ji Wushang watched as he carefully helped her put on her trench coat and then tidied her hair, feeling an indescribable sweetness in her heart. He was so good to her.
He gently kissed her forehead. "Go on! I'll wait for you."
"Mmm." Ji Wushang nodded, tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek, then immediately turned around, blushing slightly, and quickly walked out.
Nan Xuzong watched her leave, a smile playing on his lips.
Ji Wushang led Hongfei and Cuiwu to the study of the Prince of Jinnan. The Prince of Jinnan was waiting in the study. When he saw Ji Wushang arrive, he immediately stepped forward and said, "Wushang, come and sit down."
"Yes." Ji Wushang nodded. "If Father has anything to say, please don't hesitate to speak!"
“Alright,” said the Prince of Jinnan. “It’s like this, I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done for the Prince’s Mansion, but Wushang, could you do your father one last favor?”
"What kind of help?" Ji Wushang asked curiously.
"I went to General Ma's mansion today, intending to marry Xian'er to the Second Young General Ma as his principal wife. As you know, in the past few days, many matchmakers have come to propose marriages for the Third and Fifth Misses, but Father wants Xian'er to marry into General Ma's mansion... However, General Ma is not at home, and Madam Ma said that Xian'er is not suitable for the Second Young General Ma... This, alas!"
“If that’s the case, then we’ll have to choose another suitable spouse,” Ji Wushang said. “The Third Miss can still choose other young masters in the capital; it doesn’t have to be General Ma Er.” Ji Wushang knew there wasn’t much time for Ma Rui to marry Tie Huafei, whose status was somewhat lower, so he temporarily chose another method: he had someone spread a rumor that Nan Xianxian was rather lazy, harsh and arbitrarily difficult towards her servants, didn’t go to the Buddhist hall, didn’t read scriptures, didn’t study the precepts for women, and didn’t respect gods and Buddhas. Noble families in the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty all had Buddhist halls and worshipped Buddhas to some extent, but Nan Xianxian’s way was naturally unpopular, and her lazy and harsh behavior towards her servants was certainly not befitting of a lady.
As for making her a concubine, the Prince of Jinnan naturally couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Well, what I really mean is this: I've heard outside that you and Miss Ma, who is also the Third Princess Consort, are getting very close. If you could help put in a good word and get the Third Princess Consort to speak on your behalf, then Xian'er's chances of marrying into General Ma's mansion would be much greater! Xian'er is already fourteen! We need to prepare for her wedding. I only have two girls, Xian'er and Qing'er, to worry about." As he spoke, Prince Jinnan touched the corner of his eye, as if wiping away tears.
Ji Wushang's lips twitched. If they hadn't provoked her, hadn't bothered her, and hadn't hurt her back then, she might have been able to help them. But now, asking her to help was really difficult!
But we still have to put on a show!
"Father, don't worry. When I have time, I'll go to the palace and talk to the Third Princess Consort to see if things can be done," Ji Wushang comforted him.
“Good, good.” The Prince of Jinnan nodded.
Ji Wushang smiled slightly, and seeing that it was almost time, he thought of getting up to bow and take his leave, but at this moment a voice drifted in from outside, "Father, Fourth Imperial Consort!"
"It's Qing'er! Come in, come in!" The Prince of Jinnan's face immediately lit up with a smile, and he quickly stood up. "Someone, bring some refreshments. Oh, since you two are here, spend some time with your father!" The Prince of Jinnan smiled.
Ji Wushang felt somewhat helpless, but still nodded.
Nan Zaiqing looked at Ji Wushang and said, "The Fourth Imperial Consort is as beautiful as ever. I really envy her."
Ji Wushang smiled, "The Fifth Miss is as beautiful as the moon and as lovely as a flower; she is a beauty rarely seen in the world."
The Prince of Jinnan watched them chat with a smile, then chimed in with a few words. Before long, they were exchanging pleasantries, and Ji Wushang was unable to say goodbye.
While handling matters, Nan Xuzong dispatched some guards to carry out his plans, and at the same time, he tried to deal with the Crown Prince's situation.
Just then, the door was opened, and Nan Xuzong, who was extremely busy, thought that Ji Wushang had returned. He said, "Wushang, wait a moment, I'll take care of these things."
“Okay, fine.” Ji Wushang said gently, then stepped forward and moved gracefully. “I had the servants make lotus seed soup. You can eat it first!” As she spoke, the woman placed the lotus seed soup on Nan Xuzong’s desk.
Nan Xuzong nodded and looked up at her. She was smiling sweetly at him.
"Alright." Nan Xuzong put down the wolf-hair brush in his hand, then picked up the lotus seed soup, scooped up a spoonful, and was about to put it in his mouth when he stopped. "By the way, what did Father call you to the study to talk about?"
"Him? It's nothing, he was just talking about things in the yard, worried that I might not handle them well!" Ji Wushang smiled. "Hurry up and eat! While it's hot."
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong nodded, ate the lotus seed soup, and was just about to put down the bowl when he seemed to remember something and immediately stood up. "I forgot something, wait for me."
"No!" the woman said reproachfully, then immediately clung to him.
Nan Xuzong frowned slightly, "Wu Shang..."
She was holding his lean waist, whispering, "Cong, I love you." But to Nan Xu Cong's unseen torrent, the woman wore a triumphant expression.
"Wu Shang..." But unexpectedly, the next second he felt a surge of heat rising up from below!
Nan Xuzong shoved the woman in front of him away abruptly. "You're not Wushang!" he said, and immediately tried to muster his inner strength, but he couldn't muster any power at all!
"Those medicines were specifically designed to target you. Don't even think about using your martial arts! The deeper your internal energy, the faster the poison will take effect! The moment you exert any force, the poison will spread throughout your entire body! Nan Xuzong, no, President Huangfu, don't you feel like a thousand ants are gnawing at your bones right now? Let me tell you, only a virgin can cure this poison! Even if Ji Wushang returns, you'll still have to push her away!" The woman smiled smugly. This time, wouldn't it work? After he wakes up, he'll only remember that he forced himself on her, not that she poisoned him!
The woman stepped forward, and Nan Xuzong shook his head, sweeping everything on the desk to the floor with one large hand. But the woman, oblivious to the danger, stepped forward, calling out, "Zong..."
Nan Xuzong opened his eyes and looked at the face of the person in front of him. Yes, it was Ji Wushang's face.
"Wu Shang..." Nan Xuzong called out, immediately holding her tightly, but just as he was about to kiss her, he paused. Something's wrong, this scent is wrong!
His reddened eyes were fixed on the person in front of him. The woman looked at him and said, "It's me, Cong, it's Wushang." She took the initiative to hook her arms around his neck and was about to cover her lips with his. "Cong, don't hold back."
Nan Xuzong squinted, trying hard to distinguish the truth from the falsehood. The woman was not giving up and immediately rubbed her soft breasts against his strong chest, causing Nan Xuzong to freeze.
The woman went even further, extending her legs forward, intending to rub against Nan Xuzong's lower body.
A breeze blew in through the high window, carrying the woman's fragrance. Even though she had deliberately used the rose scent that Ji Wushang often used, Nan Xuzong still smelled a scent that didn't belong to Ji Wushang. He abruptly pushed her away, and as if on the verge of collapse, lunged towards the switch in the secret room.
The woman was unaware that he still possessed such strength despite being poisoned. She suddenly collapsed to the ground and watched as he groped along the wall with red eyes. She didn't know what he was doing, but she knew that he was in great pain and suffering.
The woman stood up and immediately went forward. "Cong, it's me, Wushang. What's wrong?"
Nan Xuzong suddenly remembered Ji Wushang's face, bent down, pulled a dagger from his boot, and slashed his arm. Blood dripped to the ground, and he bit the dagger with his teeth, his hands immediately reaching for the switch.
Beep beep beep, the door to the secret room opened.
Nan Xuzong didn't dare look back and slipped into the secret chamber. The woman was surprised and immediately rushed forward, but she was too late and was blocked outside!
"Huangfu Zong, you'll die if you keep doing this!" The woman thought of her last chance and wanted him to open the mechanism, but then she realized her tone was wrong and immediately changed her mind. "Cong, let me in, open the door!"
Nan Xuzong felt as if a thousand ants were gnawing at his bones. He ignored the shouts outside and stumbled about recklessly, blood dripping onto the ground. Yet, he maintained his last shred of consciousness and walked toward the inner room.
The woman outside was furious, but hearing no sound from inside, she could only stomp her feet and curse, "Damn it! He still managed to escape! There's only one fate for someone who escapes: death! Humph!" The woman said this as she quickly went outside, knowing she needed to think of another way.
But this time, finally someone can be placed between Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong! At least, this is a good start!
A slight smile appeared on the woman's lips.
Ji Wushang was still in the study of the Prince of Jinnan, talking to the two of them in a disjointed manner.
Ji Wushang tried his best to keep smiling and listen to them talk. Then he picked up the teacup in front of him, thinking of taking a sip of tea. But when the teacup was brought to his lips, a heart-wrenching pain choked him in his chest!
The feeling was like having my heart ripped out! I couldn't even breathe!
Cong!
Ji Wushang swallowed hard, trying to suppress the pain in his heart, but it seemed to be getting even worse!
"Father, I'm not feeling well, I'll go back first, you two continue your conversation!" With that, Ji Wushang immediately put down his teacup. "Hongfei, Cuiwu!"
"Yes." Hongfei and Cuiwu, who were waiting outside, immediately came in.
"Fourth Princess Consort, don't go! Let's talk some more!" Nan Zaiqing stood up and grabbed Ji Wushang's sleeve, trying to stop her from leaving. She even acted a little childish, "Father, let the Fourth Princess Consort stay and talk some more!"
"No!" Ji Wushang flicked his sleeve and gave Nan Zaiqing a cold look. His gaze seemed to burn a hole in Nan Zaiqing. Nan Zaiqing was startled by Ji Wushang's murderous look and stepped back, not daring to say anything more.
The Prince of Jinnan looked at her and composed himself. "Someone, escort the Fourth Imperial Consort out!"
"No need!" Ji Wushang said coldly, and immediately turned around and was helped out by Hongfei and Cuiwu.
As Ji Wushang walked down the corridor, she felt a pang of sorrow, and cold sweat even broke out on her forehead. Hongfei and Cuiwu, supporting her and watching over her, were both startled. "Fourth Imperial Consort, what's wrong?"
“Hongfei, hurry, hurry and go to the study in Moxuan Garden to see Cong, he, see him…” Ji Wushang pushed Hongfei away.
Hongfei was shocked. "Yes, yes!" He immediately ran off to see.
Cuiwu helped Ji Wushang and they quickly walked into the Moxuan Garden.
Are they still plotting against me? Are they in cahoots? Are they just having too good a time?
Hongfei knocked on the door, calling out twice, "Master, Master," but she didn't hear anything from inside.
Gong Shu rushed in from outside, "Hongfei, why are you disturbing Master and the Fourth Princess!"
"What?" Hongfei looked at Gong Shu in surprise. "You said... you said that Master and the Fourth Princess Consort are inside?"
"Yes, the Fourth Princess Consort just brought in some lotus seed soup, saying that we don't need to keep watch anymore..." Before he could finish speaking, he heard footsteps behind him. Gong Shu turned around and when he saw Ji Wushang being supported by Cui Wu, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "The Fourth Princess Consort?"
Ji Wushang was stunned for a moment. Someone was impersonating him... and then carrying in lotus seed soup... They, they... Ji Wushang's tears immediately fell.
Hongfei, Cuiwu, and Gongshu panicked and immediately stepped forward, "Fourth Imperial Concubine..."
"Get out of here!" Ji Wushang said coldly through gritted teeth. Tears streamed down her face as she stepped forward, thinking of knocking on the door, but she was afraid of seeing such a scene, so she held her hand in mid-air, not daring to put it down.
But thinking about it, someone must have poisoned Nan Xuzong! The first step was to have someone distract him, and the second step was to impersonate him and then send away all the guards so he could enter the house and plot against Nan Xuzong!
Ji Wushang ruthlessly pushed the door open.
What I saw was a ground covered with books, letters, and folded documents, but I didn't see anyone.
Ji Wushang's heart clenched even tighter. If he couldn't see anyone, it meant that Nan Xuzong was most likely in danger! After all, the people who came had two plans: one, a honey trap; two, to poison Nan Xuzong directly!
Ji Wushang rushed forward in a panic, looking at the scrolls that had fallen to the ground. On the desk were empty bowls left over from the lotus seed soup. As he approached, he smelled a faint odor of blood! Ji Wushang went closer and saw several bloodstains on the ground.
Ji Wushang squatted down and touched it with his hand; the blood was somewhat viscous at this moment.