As the legitimate daughter, Ji Wushang had no reason not to go; her only fear was that others would have already paid their respects first.
It's all that man's fault yesterday! Ji Wushang frowned. Zhu'er brought in water for washing up from outside. "Miss, you're awake? Madam Bei just sent word that you worked hard yesterday, so you don't need to go to pay your respects. That's why I didn't disturb you!"
"Okay." No wonder Zhu'er didn't call him. Ji Wushang nodded. Mother is still the best to him!
Just as Ji Wushang was about to lift the covers, something on the bed pricked him, making him feel quite uncomfortable. Ji Wushang got up to look and discovered that it was a jade pendant, quite exquisite and translucent, a piece of fine gold-flecked jade. It felt smooth to the touch, and the jade was pure white, translucent, and lustrous.
Ji Wushang smiled. He hadn't expected that he would leave behind a piece of jade. He must have been put to sleep by him yesterday, otherwise he wouldn't have fallen asleep without knowing why.
"Miss?" Zhu'er asked, seeing what she was doing. Ji Wushang said, "Put down the washing utensils, I'll do it myself."
"Yes." Zhu'er glanced at him, and after confirming that Ji Wushang was alright, she went out to tidy up the room.
Ji Wushang put the jade pendant away and then washed up. At this moment, the nimble Xian'er came in and saw Ji Wushang sitting in front of the dressing table. She said, "Miss, let me help you with your makeup."
"Okay." Ji Wushang nodded, watching Xian'er fix his hair.
Xian'er probably overheard something from the other courtyard, and said, "Miss, I heard that Madam Zhou came today, bringing with her son, Zhou Biao."
"Hmm," Ji Wushang responded, but after thinking for a moment, he asked, "What is it?"
"It seems they're arranging a marriage for Miss!" Xian'er said, chatting away when Ji Wushang asked. "I heard the Zhou family is quite good, and their young master is a legitimate son, a perfect match for Miss!"
"Stop talking." Ji Wushang frowned. She didn't want to get married so soon. Her mother's heart palpitations hadn't healed yet, and Wu Zi was still young. She was worried about him. "Let's go to the North Garden later."
"Yes." Xian'er was startled by her sharp words just now, but seeing that Ji Wushang's complexion had improved slightly, she continued to help with his makeup. But in her heart, she was still thinking that the young master of the Zhou family had already passed the imperial examination and was only one step away from passing the provincial examination next spring. Wasn't his future bright? What was she thinking about?
Ji Wushang had her hair styled into a flowing cloud bun by Xian'er, adorned with a jade and silver hairpin, and decorated with a few begonia blossoms. She also chose a pair of delicate earrings. Today, Ji Wushang wore her usual purplish-red embroidered horse-face skirt, layered with a light pink jacket. Satisfied, Ji Wushang sat down at the table in the outer room to eat.
What I saw was a bowl of snow-white dumplings, a plate of crystal buns, and a bowl of clear porridge.
Ji Wushang frowned. "Where's the usual soy milk? And why is it just a bowl of congee?" He was still growing, where did the steward put him? Did the kitchen not even give him a bowl of soy milk? This was outrageous!
"Miss," Xian'er immediately knelt down and said, "I went to the kitchen to get soy milk this morning, but Granny Li said that all the soy milk this morning had been taken by the concubines. I was late, so there wasn't any left. She also said that Miss got up so late, what would she want to drink!"
Pearl listened, her face showing displeasure. What did she mean by "if you get up late, you won't get any drinks"? What did she think she was, a young lady?
"What a joke!" Ji Wushang stood up. "If I get up late, there's no more soy milk? Does this enormous general's mansion not have enough soy milk? Is soy milk that expensive? Is the accountant unwilling to give me my monthly allowance to buy it? My mother entrusted the accountant to Consort Nangong, and even though she managed the accountant, she hasn't been able to drink a bowl of soy milk. Is this a laughing stock? Or does Consort Nangong have a prejudice against me, her legitimate daughter? Are all the people in the kitchen Consort Nangong's people? Just because I got up late, they won't give me any?"
Upon hearing this, several maids knelt on the ground. Ji Wushang looked at them and suddenly sneered, "I'll go see what this Granny Li has to say!" She drugged them last night and refused to give them soy milk today—well done! I'll go to the kitchen and see what's going on!
After a quick breakfast, Ji Wushang, accompanied by several maids, went to the kitchen, where lunch preparations were already underway. Ji Wushang then had Xian'er summon several head matrons.
Granny Li was still gloating over how to curry favor with Consort Nangong when a maid suddenly came to report that Ji Wushang had arrived. Her face immediately changed color, but then she thought that she had plenty of excuses. She was over fifty years old, so why would she be afraid of a young lady who hadn't even come of age yet!
"Miss." Granny Li and the others were standing in the open space outside the kitchen. Another row of them were other servants cooking and preparing meals. Ji Wushang didn't call out to them.
Ji Wushang walked up to Granny Li and looked at her. She was a little hunched over, her face was covered with cheap white foundation, she had a carved wooden hairpin with a missing bead, her face was covered with lard and fine sweat, and her eyes were different sizes, making her really ugly.
As Li Mama watched her being scrutinized, she wanted to avoid that amused gaze, but dared not, and could only grit her teeth and endure it.
However, Granny Li was also puzzled. If they were just here to take a look, why bring so many people out? "Miss, if there's nothing else, please let all of you go back! You're all busy with work!"
"So impatient already?" Ji Wushang's sharp gaze swept over Li Mama, who trembled. But she quickly changed the subject and said, "That's not what I meant, Miss. As you know, the kitchen is indeed very busy."
"You're so busy I can't even take a quick look? All I'm asking you to do is stand here for a bit, is that not allowed?" Ji Wushang's eyes swept over Li Mama, who quickly replied, "Of course, of course."
"Miss just asked Xian'er why the soy milk wasn't served this morning. It turns out it was you, old woman, who refused to give it to her!" Zhu'er, having received instructions from Ji Wushang, stepped forward and asked.
Upon hearing this, Granny Li's eyes lit up. So that really was what it was about! Simple! "Miss, it's not that I don't want to give it to you, it's just that the kitchen just made so much. Look, the concubines all took their soy milk this morning, and I figured since Miss hasn't had anyone come to get it so late, she probably doesn't need it, so I gave it to the concubines first."
Xian'er frowned as she listened. Why wasn't that how Xian'er was telling the story? Seeing that Ji Wushang didn't speak, Li Mama assumed that she was a pushover, easily manipulated, and had no real strength. She stood up straight and said, "Nangong Madam ordered the kitchen to prepare a certain amount of food. This old servant dared not disobey and prepared a certain amount of food."
Ji Wushang looked at her coldly. Did she think she could suppress him by bringing up Aunt Nangong? She ordered a certain amount of food, and if he got up late, there would be no food. Was this rule made up out of thin air?
☆、047 Aunt Nangong, a disgraceful defeat!
"Should I ask Aunt Nangong if she has set any rules, such as how many bushels to cook, or if someone gets up late and there's no food?" Ji Wushang said with a hint of sarcasm, putting his hand on Li Mama's shoulder and tapping his fingers.
Granny Li never expected that Ji Wushang would approach her like this, patting her shoulder. Granny Li's face was completely drained of color, and after a long while, she finally managed to say with a fawning smile, "Miss..." Her words were filled with pleading, but how could Ji Wushang let her go?
"What is it?" Just then, a sweet, delicate voice rang out. Ji Wushang knew from the voice that it was Aunt Nangong. It must have been some gossipy errand boy who had gone to report it. But that was exactly what he wanted! He had been worried that Aunt Nangong wouldn't come!
Ji Wushang looked at the newcomer. Nangong Yiniang was dressed in a bright red robe with gold trim, her hair styled in a high bun adorned with several precious jade hairpins. She looked noble and elegant. Nangong Yiniang coughed lightly, appearing sickly and delicate, and then came supported by her two head maids, Qianjiao and Baimei, followed by several other maids and servants.
Ji Wushang couldn't help but find it amusing. This Aunt Nangong claimed to be chronically ill, yet she was still firmly in charge of the accounts. She claimed to be relieving her father's worries, but it was obvious that she had other schemes in mind!
“It’s Wu Shang!” Aunt Nangong glanced at the row of old women, maids and servants standing there, and finally fixed her gaze on Ji Wu Shang. “Why are there so many people standing here?”
"Auntie, it was this unruly old woman who didn't leave me breakfast! Shouldn't you teach these maids and servants a lesson?" Ji Wushang said to Auntie Nangong with a look of grievance in her eyes.
A hint of malice flashed in Aunt Nangong's eyes as she turned to Granny Li and asked, "Why wasn't there any breakfast for the eldest young lady?"
"Auntie!" Granny Li immediately knelt down. "The kitchen just happened to have this much food. There was nothing we could do! It's so late, Miss! The sun is already high in the sky!"
Ji Wushang snorted, walked up to Granny Li, and slapped her hard across the face. "You little rascal!"
Those around were utterly astonished that Ji Wushang would slap someone in front of Aunt Nangong! They had all thought that with Aunt Nangong's arrival, Ji Wushang would be even less likely to act recklessly, but instead, she was hitting someone in front of her aunt? "Wushang," Aunt Nangong said in a deep, displeased voice.
"Is it some kind of old nanny to interfere in the affairs of the masters? Is the General's Mansion going to defy the heavens?" Ji Wushang glared fiercely at Aunt Nangong. "Aunt, tell me, shouldn't that old nanny Li be punished for questioning my position as the eldest young lady?"
Granny Li looked at Consort Nangong, hoping she would say something. Consort Nangong wanted to say something too. She managed the kitchen, and now her servants were being disciplined; how could she save face? However, Consort Nangong knew what was important, and she forced a smile, "Indeed, she deserved it."
These words sent chills down the spines of all the servants in the row, who knew that Ji Wushang might be the next one to slap them in the face!
Granny Li was even more furious but dared not speak out. What could she do when even her master was no longer fighting for her?
"Why aren't you getting up and getting to work? What are you all standing there for?" Aunt Nangong said angrily.
"Wait." Ji Wushang raised an eyebrow at Aunt Nangong. "This isn't over yet! I need to ask you first, Aunt, is there a rule about how many dou of soy milk to make? I don't think I've ever heard Father mention anything about how many dou. Mother isn't well, so she entrusted the accounting and kitchen to you. I didn't expect to hear about the 'how many dou' rule. Did he mention this to Mother?"
Nangong's face paled. Ji Wushang had said that Madam Bei's poor health had led to the entrustment of the accounting and kitchen to her. This implied that Madam Bei could reclaim her power at any time, though it would require Ji Dingbei's approval. However, she herself wasn't confident she could contend with the mother and daughter for control of the inner court! After all, she was merely a concubine…
Unexpectedly, Ji Wushang would say such a thing. Thinking about the Zhou family coming to discuss marriage today, Aunt Nangong wished Ji Wushang would get married as soon as possible.
"What do you mean by 'a certain number of dou'? I never said I'd set a certain number of dou!" Aunt Nangong changed her tone and angrily shouted at Granny Li. Granny Li was already lying on the ground, her mind only on how to escape this calamity.
“That’s right, I never expected a mere nanny to come up with such a word!” Ji Wushang smiled, but it sent a chill down Nanny Li’s spine. “Miss, this old servant was wrong. This old servant was confused and spoke carelessly for a moment…”
"No! Granny Li is quite capable!" Ji Wushang's gaze was cold. "Everyone heard what Granny Li said just now! I didn't expect her to use Consort Nangong as a shield. Sigh! It seems you're the younger sister of that nanny who serves Mother," Ji Wushang sighed. "Old Granny Li is kind and honest, but you're so bold! Come on, take her away and give her twenty strokes of the cane! Let everyone in this courtyard watch the punishment! After that, send her home to retire!"
Granny Li was immediately terrified. She had initially thought that because he said he was "the younger sister of the nanny who served Mother," she could rely on his connections to get him to forgive her. But she never expected he would give her twenty strokes of the cane and send her home! She was already over fifty; twenty strokes would either kill or cripple her! Retire her? Who would want an old woman like that in their home? Wasn't it because of the poor harvest in the countryside that she had gone through so many twists and turns to finally work at General Ji's mansion?
Granny Li couldn't care less about anything else. She rushed forward and knelt at Ji Wushang's feet, crying, "Miss! Granny did nothing wrong! Please, Miss, take back your punishment..." Tears and snot streamed down her face. Aunt Nangong glared at her fiercely, her face turning red and white like a chameleon. She harbored resentment but dared not utter a word, and could only watch as Ji Wushang issued orders.
Ji Wushang gave Zhu'er a look, and immediately Zhu'er called over two rough-looking old women who dragged Li Mama out.
Before long, Granny Li was already tied to the bench. Nangong, still angry, had no interest in watching the execution and made an excuse to return to her own courtyard. As she left, she was subjected to a lot of whispering and pointing at by the servants and old women; Nangong wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.
Ji Wushang glanced coldly at the servants around him, and they all immediately turned pale and stood there trembling.
The two rough-looking old women hesitated to lay a hand on the woman, who was over fifty years old. They could only look at Ji Wushang, who coldly glanced at them and said, "What? Do you want me to do it myself?" Her sharp words made the two old women dare not think any further, and they swung the paddles and struck her hard.
Granny Li cried out, but Ji Wushang's maidservant stuffed a piece of cloth into her mouth, and she could only sob incoherently.
The maids and servants who had just been summoned were looking forward to a good show, but instead, they saw Granny Li being flogged. They were all so frightened that their legs went weak. They never expected that the young lady would beat someone the very next day after returning to the mansion, and it was a nanny no less! But when they heard the reason for the beating through whispers, they didn't feel sorry for Granny Li anymore. Everyone knew that Granny Li always acted arrogantly because of Consort Nangong. Now that she had been beaten, so be it!
Old Granny Li, who rushed over, could only watch helplessly as her younger sister was beaten by the eldest young lady, not daring to say anything. She had been there when the eldest young lady punished Aunt Bai's maid in Madam Bei's North Garden! All she could do was blame herself for not knowing what to do!
Ji Wushang caught sight of Old Granny Li and looked at her, "Old Granny Li."
"This old servant is here." Old Granny Li immediately knelt on the ground, her face slightly pale. She wondered if she, as the older sister, would also be implicated since her younger sister had lost her job!
"Send your sister home to recover! As for you, I've always been fair in my rewards and punishments. As long as you do your job well, you can stay in this household! But if you're disloyal and disrespectful to your master, and don't take me seriously, that's what will happen to you, like Li Mama! Don't let my mother's kindness and gentleness fool you into listening to others and disrupting the rules of the household! Did you all hear that?"
Everyone listened, their hearts pounding with fear, and they all hesitantly replied, "We heard you." After the beating, Granny Li was barely breathing, and she quickly found several people to help her down. Seeing Ji Wushang's expression, Zhu'er dismissed everyone.
Ji Wushang sighed from the bottom of his heart. If he didn't do this, he wouldn't have a place in the manor anymore! He would make an example of someone! His mother's illness was still not understood, and now there was this marriage proposal. Last night, the men in black broke in. It was one thing after another. Ji Wushang resolved to sort things out slowly.
The thought of having to arrange a marriage made Ji Wushang feel a bit apprehensive. She didn't want to get married without a clear understanding of the situation in this life. Even though it was an agreement between her parents and a matchmaker, what if it was like in her previous life? Wouldn't that be the death of her? No, Ji Wushang shook her head.
"Zhu'er, come with me to the North Garden. I want to see my mother."
"yes."
☆、048 A Wedding Without Sorrow, Who Stirred Up Trouble! (Deluxe Edition)
Upon arriving at the North Garden, Ji Wushang heard bursts of laughter, which reassured him slightly. However, before he had taken more than a few steps, he saw Ji Meiyuan, Ji Wuxia, and Ji Yinxue also arriving at the North Garden. Ji Meiyuan and Ji Wuxia glanced at Ji Wushang, exchanged a perfunctory greeting, and then entered the North Garden.
Ji Yinxue was dressed in white, her face slightly pale. She looked at Ji Wushang and walked up gracefully to her, smiling as she said, "Big sister."
"Hmm, why is it so lively today? Everyone's come to Beiyuan?" Ji Wushang looked at Ji Meiyuan and the other woman.
“It was Madam Bei who called us, saying we should meet the guests,” Ji Yinxue said, lowering her head shyly. Ji Wushang frowned, “Why didn’t any of the servants call me?”
"It was because my maternal grandmother heard that my eldest sister hadn't woken up yet that she didn't go to disturb her," Ji Yinxue said. "But since my eldest sister has woken up, she went to see her as well. I heard that they're arranging a marriage for you!" She then smiled again.
What marriage proposal? I'm not really interested in that kind of thing yet!
“My eldest sister is almost of school age, it’s time,” Ji Yinxue said, thinking she was embarrassed.
"Oh, I think it's Third Sister's heart fluttering with spring fever. Which young master is she thinking of?" Ji Wushang couldn't help but tease her when she heard her say that about him.
"Sister, don't say things like that. It wouldn't be good if someone heard it," Ji Yinxue said, covering her mouth with a laugh. "Let's go inside quickly!"
“Okay!” Ji Wushang took her hand and they entered the North Garden together.
Madam Bei had set up a table under the blooming mulberry tree in the courtyard, ordering tea and wine to be served, and was greeting her guests. Hearing from Doukou that the four Ji sisters, including Wushang, had arrived, she smiled at the guests sitting opposite her, "Look, all the young ladies have come! It seems today is an auspicious day!" She had originally planned to let Wushang rest, but she hadn't expected her to come anyway, which was perfect. After all, this was a major event in her life, and she needed to see it for herself.
Doukou led the four Ji sisters over, and they all took their seats.
Ji Wushang looked at Madam Bei, who was sitting in the rosewood chair at the head of the table. Opposite her were two people. One was her great-grandmother's cousin's wife, whom Ji Wushang had known since childhood. Her husband was Zhou Gongmin, a general under the Ministry of Justice in the Imperial City Guard. The other person sitting next to her was a man of about seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in an elegant white robe, with a sachet and jade pendant at his waist. He had a refined demeanor and bright eyes, and he seemed to be a scholar.
"Come, this is your cousin Zhou, the legitimate son of the family!" Madam Bei's eyes were full of smiles, and she was even more delighted to see Ji Wushang and the others. Ji Wushang and her sisters all bowed to the two of them before sitting down.
"Look at these young ladies, all so beautiful and lovely, they're a joy to behold!" Madam Zhou smiled as she looked at Ji Wushang and the other beautiful girls. "This is your eldest cousin. Although he's only a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination) now, he'll be taking the imperial examination next year!" Although Zhou Muxuan wasn't her biological son, Madam Zhou treated him as her own and loved him dearly.
Ji Wushang was slightly taken aback. The Zhou family, like his own Ji family, were both military families. This Madam Zhou's husband, his maternal uncle Zhou Gongmin, was at least a general. How could a family of military officers produce a scholar? He even passed the imperial examination, which meant he had a bright future. And this cousin of his really did exude an air of refinement!
Zhou Muxuan, her face slightly flushed, returned the greetings to each of her sisters. Looking at the beautiful one, the slender and tall one, the smiling one with pink makeup, and the silent one with lowered eyes, Zhou Muxuan felt a little awkward. But she quickly calmed down and sat gracefully to one side.
Madam Bei laughed and said, "I also find it strange. I never expected that a military general would emerge from a family of generals! But it is a good thing that brings glory to our family!"
Zhou Muxuan smiled and said, "Auntie, you flatter me. It's because I, as the eldest son, am not good enough that I switched to literature. My younger brothers are all more promising than me."
"Look at what you're saying! Does passing the imperial examination require effort? You have to study the works of various philosophers and schools of thought. You have to be proficient in all of them to pass the examination. I've heard that the autumn examination will cover a lot of material. You must prepare carefully so that you can serve the emperor in the court when you are granted an official position and title!" Seeing his humility, Madam Bei was even more pleased.
“Auntie is right. Mu Xuan will remember that.” Zhou Mu Xuan nodded.