Aunt Bai looked up and saw that it was none other than her distant cousin, Uncle Bai Hou, whom she had asked for help. His small eyes were very sharp, staring straight at Aunt Bai.
"Come in!" Aunt Bai glanced at Uncle Bai Hou, who was looking at Ji Wushang with lustful eyes, then walked in and closed the door.
"Watch your eyes!" Aunt Bai glared at him, signaling Ji Meiyuan to leave. Uncle Bai watched Ji Meiyuan walk away before turning back, bowing and saying, "Meizi, I've found out everything!" Aunt Bai's original name was Bai Aomei, and Meizi was her childhood name.
"Don't call me Plum!" Aunt Bai glared at him. "Say it now!"
"The people from the Marquis's residence have been bribed. They say that the Second Young Master Nan utterly despises Miss Wushang, but is quite fond of Miss Meiyuan!"
"Really? When will the Second Young Master Nan inherit the title of Marquis?" Aunt Bai asked anxiously.
"This... I haven't heard of it." Uncle White Monkey frowned and said, but his two lecherous eyes kept lingering on Aunt White, especially looking at her proud breasts.
"Get out of here!" Aunt Bai shoved away Uncle White Monkey's large hand that was about to assault her. "Behave yourself! Get out of here!"
"Tomorrow is the birthday banquet of the Princess of Zhenbei. I believe Miss Meiyuan should have received the invitation by now!" Uncle Bai exhaled at Aunt Bai. "Ji Dingbei isn't coming back tonight. What, are you still waiting for him?" After saying that, a large hand pinched Aunt Bai's private parts and rubbed them.
Aunt Bai suddenly felt an uncontrollable heat welling up from the bottom of her heart, but as she listened to him talk about the Princess of Zhenbei's birthday banquet...
"You have an idea?" Aunt Bai grabbed Uncle Bai's hand, staring at him with wide eyes. Her captivating gaze made Uncle Bai's hair stand on end.
"Of course." Uncle White Monkey said confidently, "Princess Zhenbei has also invited people from the Marquis's mansion! Just think, wouldn't Miss Meiyuan be able to meet Second Young Master Nan?" After saying that, he blinked his eyes, moved his head close to Aunt Bai's slender neck, and kissed her.
"I'm so hungry I'm dizzy! Get out of here!" Aunt Bai said, half-pushing and half-coercing, while also looking outside.
"Who doesn't know that Aunt Bai doesn't like to be disturbed at night? What's there to be afraid of?" Uncle Bai Hou said with a fawning smile, then picked up Aunt Bai. "As for whether you're hungry or not, hehe, I'll feed you later!"
Before long, they were already locked in a passionate embrace, and unexpectedly, a few soft moans and heavy panting could be heard.
——
"Zhu'er, are you asleep?" Ji Wushang tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Thinking about it, it was already late at night, so he decided to let Zhu'er secretly go to the clinic and get a few medical books to read, so that she could find out what the smell in Mother's courtyard was like as soon as possible!
Zhu'er walked in from outside, rubbing her eyes, and said, "Miss." Zhu'er's room was next door, arranged by Ji Wushang himself, so it would be more convenient and less likely for Zhu'er to be bullied.
"I'm so sorry to disturb your rest." Ji Wushang saw her rubbing her eyes and knew that she had just fallen asleep but had been woken up by him.
“Miss, look at what you’re saying. Zhu’er is your maid, and I’ll do whatever you call me.” Zhu’er perked up, and her two canine teeth showed as she spoke.
"Yes. I want you to secretly take a few medical books from the clinic for me. Remember, don't let anyone know," Ji Wushang said seriously.
"Okay, I'll go right now!"
"Remember, don't let anyone see this, and don't tell the maids or servants. I only read these books to pass the time when I have nothing else to do, and I don't want anyone to gossip about it," Ji Wushang said. She didn't want her half-sister or aunt to know! Otherwise, everyone would be on guard, and she wouldn't be able to find out anything!
"Yes, Miss." Pearl obediently ran out.
From Ji Wushang's Xinyuan to the clinic, one had to pass through many courtyards, including Aunt Bai's East Garden. Zhu'er walked very carefully, afraid of being seen, so she chose the shortcuts. Unexpectedly, when passing Aunt Bai's East Garden, she faintly heard a few heavy breaths and soft moans. The sounds were suppressed, but they couldn't be stopped from escaping!
Pearl was so frightened that her face turned pale. She thought something terrible had happened. Relying on her courage, she looked around and, seeing that no one was there, she leaned over to the window to look. The sound was even louder.
"More...more! Quickly!" Wasn't that Aunt Bai's voice? Why did she sound so strained? Pearl was full of questions. What was so heavy? Why was Aunt Bai working so hard?
"They're here..." A male voice startled Zhu'er. How come there was someone in Aunt Bai's room?
"Is it comfortable? Hmm?" The man was still very arrogant, and if you listened carefully, the bed could be heard making creaking sounds.
The eleven-year-old Pearl, who was still quite naive, foolishly poked at the paper window with her finger, just like others. At that moment, she saw the two people fighting on the bed!
Around the same time, Aunt Bai let out a satisfied cry, "Ah..." Startled, Zhu'er crouched on the ground, her face flushed. Her mind was a complete mess. The man on the bed was a stranger! No, wait, it seemed to be Aunt Bai's distant cousin, Uncle Bai Hou! Just a few days ago he was flirting with the maids in the front yard! Zhu'er quickly sorted out her thoughts and ran away from this dangerous place.
Inside the room, the two remained entangled in a drunken stupor.
Still shaken, Zhu'er carried the book back and placed it on the table, while Ji Wushang was still eating some snacks to pass the time. Looking up, Ji Wushang noticed that Zhu'er was acting differently.
If it were my past life, perhaps I wouldn't observe everyone so carefully! In this life, I have to live cautiously, holding onto and protecting those around me, and being wary of my enemies as well. Let alone trying to harm them, I'll retaliate if necessary! Besides, how did I die in my past life? How could I forget!
"What's wrong, Zhu'er? Did something happen to you?" Ji Wushang held her hand, his beautiful eyes looking at Zhu'er with expectation, wanting to give her his trust.
"I, I..." Zhu'er gasped for breath, still hesitant. Perhaps she was seeing things? This Aunt Bai was not someone to be trifled with...
Ji Wushang poured tea and pushed it in front of Zhu'er. "Have a sip of tea, and then tell me slowly. I can help you with anything."
Zhu'er was deeply moved. She had never imagined receiving such special treatment from her master. Yet, the young lady before her was helping her in every way. Ever since her high fever subsided and she woke up, she had been incredibly kind to her! She never lacked anything in terms of food or clothing. She used to be bullied by the maids and servants, but now she dared not. Wasn't it all thanks to the young lady's constant protection?
"That's how it is, Miss..."
"Get up first. You're already tired from running back, it's not good to keep kneeling." Ji Wushang smiled and helped the person up. "You can continue!"
Moved, Zhu'er recounted everything she had seen that evening to Ji Wushang, who frowned as he listened. Was this Aunt Bai really so reckless as to commit adultery? Ji Wushang couldn't help but find it amusing; in his past life, he had been falsely accused of adultery! He had been outsmarted! Ha, this Aunt Bai was quite bold today! Father was still in the manor, yet they were already so hungry?
"Don't tell anyone else. I know what I'm doing," Ji Wushang said. "Go to sleep now!"
"Yes." Zhu'er turned to leave, but then turned back. "Miss, do you like medical books? My mother left me a few ancient medical books before she passed away. They're not of any use to me, so why don't I give them to you, Miss?"
"Good!" Those ancient books are even more valuable now! Ji Wushang nodded.
Ji Wushang looked at the medical book in his hand, his thoughts drifting away.
Exposing Aunt Bai's affair like this? Now would be the perfect time, wouldn't it? But wouldn't that disturb Father and Mother's sleep? Father rarely comes home, and to encounter something like this, he'll surely be furious… And Mother, she's always thinking of Father; if he's angry, Mother will be unhappy too…
After much deliberation, Ji Wushang decided to let Bai Yiniang off the hook for now. If this wasn't exposed, Bai Yiniang would definitely do it again! No, this certainly wouldn't be the first time! Ji Wushang was furious again. Wasn't this putting a green hat on her father? This bitch must be punished properly! Tonight, you can have your fun!
——
A day passed, and on the second day, Ji Wushang and her sisters set off for the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion.
☆、014 Young Master Nan suffered a setback and had no way to defend himself!
A day passed, and the next day, Ji Wushang and her sisters set off for the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion. Madam Bei was out visiting the Elder Madam with Ji Dingbei, so she sent Steward Xue and Concubine Bai and Concubine Nangong to bring the four Ji Wushang sisters.
The Prince of Zhenbei's mansion was at the east end of the imperial city street, while General Ji's mansion was at the west end, so they weren't far apart. But they hadn't gone far when trouble struck.
"Wait! Please stop for a moment!" Several shouts came from ahead. Aunt Bai and Aunt Nangong were riding in the same carriage. Hearing the voices, they stopped the carriage. Aunt Bai elegantly lifted the curtain, her crimson lips parted slightly, and she asked, "What is it?" Her tone was quite displeased. It's likely that no one wanted to be blocked, especially on the way to the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion!
"Aunt Bai, it's Young Master Nan!" said Yan Laosan, the servant who was clearing the way.
Upon hearing this, Aunt Bai became quite excited. Her daughter, Ji Meiyuan, was very fond of the Second Young Master Nan, Nan Jinxue! But shouldn't the Second Young Master Nan be heading straight to the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion? Why was he blocking the Ji family's carriage?
"What is it?" Aunt Bai asked, suppressing a hint of excitement in her heart. After all, Ji Meiyuan was in the carriage behind, and it would be a great thing for Ji Meiyuan to meet this Second Young Master Nan.
Ji Meiyuan and her three sisters were all riding in a large carriage. When they learned what had happened ahead, they all lifted the curtain to see what was going on.
Ji Wushang listened to the Second Young Master of the South, but he couldn't recall exactly what he looked like. He only remembered the hatred he felt back then! It was the man who sent him to another man's bed! It was the man who conspired with Ji Meiyuan to murder him! All those wounds were etched into his heart! How could he forget them! Heh! Ji Wushang closed his eyes, and then a smile appeared on his lips.
Ji Meiyuan was sitting opposite him, craning her neck to look out the car window. It was kind of funny; had those two scoundrels finally gotten together? Could they really live such a wonderful life?
With a soft clatter of hooves, a young man in white robes approached the carriage. He had lips the color of jujubes, long, flowing black hair held upright by a jade crown, a silver-clad jade sword at his waist, and a family heirloom jade pendant tucked into his sachet. His figure was agile and lithe, his face like jade, radiating a gentle, spring-like charm, possessing a thousand elegances and ten thousand graces. His handsomeness defied description; a comforting feeling seemed to emanate from the depths of his heart. In a word, he was simply wonderful—a wonderfulness beyond description.
He nodded slightly, lowered his eyes, and clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, saying, "This junior nephew greets Aunt Bai and Aunt Nangong." As a junior, he had naturally been taught many such manners by his family.
Sitting in the carriage behind, Ji Meiyuan was overjoyed, yet dared not disembark to go to Aunt Bai's place. She could only gaze longingly, hoping that Nan Jinxue would arrive soon. She looked at the peerless man on horseback in front of her, then at her own clothes, wondering if they suited his taste.
"Is Second Young Master Nan also going to the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion?" Aunt Bai asked, a hint of joy appearing on her face.
"Nephew...nephew has come to see Miss. I offended you a few days ago, and I feel guilty, so I came to apologize." Nan Jinxue hesitated twice, but finally told the whole story. He did not mention that he had rejected Ji Wushang and made Ji Wushang get rained on and developed a high fever. His peach blossom eyes looked at the sisters in the carriage behind the carriage.
Aunt Bai's face turned cold as she listened, her heart filled with hatred. It was that girl again! Couldn't Nan Jinxue have asked Mei Yuan for help? How was Mei Yuan any worse than Ji Wushang? But at that moment, Aunt Nangong touched Aunt Bai with her hand, moved her lips, and a hint of disgust and contempt flashed across her face.
Aunt Bai immediately understood. This Second Young Master Nan really loathed Ji Wushang! What apology he just gave? He was probably just there to humiliate him. Let's see how he does it! The American aid worker is also in the carriage; it'll be good for her to see this Second Young Master Nan! Wouldn't it be satisfying to see Ji Wushang being ridiculed? She was almost driven crazy by Ji Wushang the other day!
"Please." Aunt Bai slightly raised her eyes.
Nan Jinxue reined in her horse and stopped it in front of the carriage of the four Ji Wushang sisters.
"Young Miss, I apologize for offending you the other day. I have prepared some small gifts for you today, and I hope you will accept them generously." Nan Jinxue said with a cupped hand, a slight smile on his lips, his handsome face full of sincerity.
Ji Wushang watched, a cold smile playing on his lips. This Second Young Master Nan must have grown up with actors, right? This acting is really something! If it were the old him, he would have accepted whatever they said, right? But now that he's lived again, can't he see the lack of sincerity beneath his skin? How else does he intend to deceive him?
Aside from Ji Yinxue, who was dozing off and ignoring everything, Ji Meiyuan and Ji Wuxia were completely mesmerized. This Second Young Master Nan was the number one young master in the capital city, and the brilliance in his eyes was unmatched.
Ji Meiyuan stared at the Second Young Master Nan, but out of politeness, he didn't even glance in their direction. This made Ji Meiyuan very dissatisfied. She acted like a shy, demure young lady, clenching her hands together and occasionally lowering her head slightly. However, she reluctantly raised her head again. She knew that the Second Young Master Nan disliked Ji Wushang very much, which made her feel better and wait to watch the show.
As Ji Wushang looked at Ji Meiyuan's appearance, a mocking smile appeared on her lips and quickly disappeared. She clenched her fist slightly and then relaxed it.
"Young Master Nan, are you joking? A few days ago, Wu Shang was just playing around and didn't pay attention to the weather. He caught a cold from the rain, which led to a high fever. It was also thanks to my mother that I went to the Buddhist temple to pray, so I've been recuperating at home ever since! It's quite strange that Young Master Nan would say such things in front of me today." Ji Wu Shang smiled.
Everyone was stunned by what she said. Was Ji Wushang lying through her teeth? Who didn't know that the eldest daughter of General Ji's mansion had been rejected in her love affair, gotten caught in the rain, and developed a high fever? She almost ended up reporting to the King of Hell, but now she was saying that nothing of the sort happened?
Nan Jinxue's lips twitched slightly. She had originally planned to head straight to the Zhenbei Prince's mansion to chat and catch up with the Prince's heir, but she had been reprimanded by the Marquis (Nan Jinxue's father) before reluctantly apologizing, saying it would be better to be more amicable. But now, this Miss Ji was saying it wasn't true? Was she joking?
Nan Jinxue finally took a good look at Ji Wushang. Had Ji Wushang's high fever subsided? How come she's such a different person now? Just a few days ago, she was crying and talking about love and all that. Is this really Ji Wushang saying these things now?
Ji Wushang's cold gaze was also fixed on him. Didn't he want confirmation? Let him confirm!
The woman before him was nothing like the timid woman he remembered! Her eyes were like a clear, deep pool, her cold gaze proclaiming her arrogance. The subtle mockery and amusement at the corner of her lips made Nan Jinxue feel utterly manipulated. The message emanating from her eyes told him that she despised him, Nan Jinxue!
Her words completely denied everything that had happened back then! She said she was just being playful? What a playful excuse! This had absolutely nothing to do with Nan Jinxue! What a lovesick fool, what a hopeless romantic—it had nothing to do with Miss Ji Wushang!
"Hehe, Sister Wushang seems to have forgotten that it was indeed my fault back then, I should have..."
"Young Master Nan is quite the comedic character." Ji Wushang chuckled, interrupting him. "To be able to utter such humorous remarks on the way to the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion has certainly added a lot of fun to our Ji family."
Ji Meiyuan looked on, feeling indignant and wanting to speak, but Ji Wuxia had already tactfully grabbed her hand. Didn't she see that Ji Wushang always held the upper hand?
“Sister Wushang, that’s not what I meant. The small gifts I prepared are to apologize to you. It was my fault that you got caught in the rain and developed a high fever.” Nan Jinxue stubbornly insisted on what she had said.
Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang thought to herself that Nan Jinxue was quite the smooth talker. Accepting his gift was tantamount to acknowledging what happened that day, wasn't it? Since she, Ji Wushang, had been reborn, why would she go along with Nan Jinxue's wishes? Ji Wushang looked aggrieved, her clear eyes almost brimming with tears, "It seems that today, Second Young Master Nan isn't here to deliver anything humorous, but rather..."
Ji Wushang covered her face, "I only got caught in the rain because I was playing and forgot about the weather, but you're making such a fuss about it? And you even made me apologize? If others hear this, how can I, a young woman who hasn't even left my maiden home, face anyone? I'd rather accompany my grandmother, shave my head and become a nun, and that would be fulfilling my filial duty!"
Upon hearing Ji Wushang's words, Nan Jinxue's face turned deathly pale. This was so serious, how could it be resolved?
☆、015 The Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion, where everyone gathers
"Sister Wushang, you're exaggerating. I..." Nan Jinxue was getting a little anxious. Why had Ji Wushang suddenly become so sharp-tongued? She had left Nan Jinxue speechless!
"Then please go back! Take your meager gifts with you, or you can give them to the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion." Ji Wushang smiled and glanced at the Ji Meiyuan and her sister beside him.
The two women didn't dare to speak. What could they do when Ji Wushang denied the high fever from being caught in the rain? Could they say it wasn't true? As daughters of concubines, what right did they have to speak? Besides, Ji Wushang's cold eyes had already extinguished their arrogance. Meanwhile, Aunt Bai, having failed to peek in to watch the drama, looked displeased. "Let's go! It's getting late!"
“Then, I should go along as well.” Since it was going to the Zhenbei Prince’s Mansion anyway, Nan Jinxue grinned.
Nan Jinxue had a great question in her heart. Ji Wushang seemed to have become a different person in just a few days. Why didn't she investigate why? Her eyes and her tone of voice were all too unexpected!
"Then please!" Ji Wushang said gracefully with a faint smile, lowering the curtain. Ji Meiyuan and Ji Wushang glared at her with resentment, especially Ji Meiyuan, who seemed ready to tear her apart. To put it bluntly, they hadn't even said a word to Nan Jinxue yet! To put it mildly, they hadn't had enough of looking at Nan Jinxue!
Ke Nan Jinxue stared at the departing car, momentarily stunned. Ji Wushang's faint smile had left this charming woman speechless. In her memory, Ji Wushang was beautiful, every gesture and expression a beauty. But how could she appear today not only beautiful, but also so radiant? The smile on her lips was captivating.
"Second Young Master, Second Young Master?" The servant beside him looked at Nan Jinxue and called out softly. They had just said they would go to the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion together, but today he was stunned.