When Nan Jinxue saw him arrive, she stepped forward and said, "Big Brother."
Nan Xuzong waved his hand at him, signaling him to step aside. Nan Jinxue looked surprised, but still stepped aside.
The two brothers, Bei Gong Minhao and Bei Gong Jueshi, were chatting and eating snacks at the table next to them when they turned around and saw Nan Xuzong also going to look at the painting, which surprised them.
Nan Xuzong seemed oblivious to the gazes of the crowd. He simply followed Gong Shu as he pushed his wheelchair to the table, glanced at the ink chrysanthemum painting of Nanshan spread out on the table, and then looked at the poem accompanying it.
In the high autumn sky, I steal a whiff of spring's intoxication, with the rustling bamboo rustling behind my back.
With whom can I share my solitary pride on Nanshan Mountain? A cup of turbid wine and a thatched door.
How lonely the ink chrysanthemums stand before the courtyard! No longing can compare to the wild geese flying south.
Let's not talk about perch sashimi while we sit idly; instead, we'll use our spare time to mint coins and laugh at the servants who are rushing us to do so.
Nan Xuzong was taken aback. This poem spoke of a world beyond the reach of the heavens! This world is a place of mundane existence; how could one possess such a state of mind? It was rare that Ji Wushang actually yearned for such a life. After thinking this for a moment, Nan Xuzong regained his expressionless demeanor. "Gong Shu."
Upon hearing this, Gong Shu pushed Nan Xuzong away again.
The men were utterly bewildered. He had merely glanced at the painting and the poem, offering no praise or even a smile, before ordering Gong Shu to take him away. This Prince of the South was truly strange.
Bei Gongminhao frowned slightly. Others might not know much about Nan Xuzong, but he did know that Nan Xuzong was extremely skilled in martial arts, had an exceptional memory, and could remember everything he saw—a genius who could memorize anything after just one glance. His face rarely showed emotion, but that didn't mean he was unmoved!
Bei Gong Jue Shi looked at Nan Xu Cong, then at Bei Gong Min Hao, "Brother, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Bei Gongminhao shook his head, thought for a moment, and said, "I'll go see what kind of painting and poem it is." With that, he got up from the table to look and saw that it was Ji Wushang's poem. He was even more excited. When he thought of meeting her just now, he couldn't help but smile again.
Leaving the Ink Fragrance Garden, Bei Gongminhao walked towards the secluded path.
Seeing this, Bei Gong Jue Shi immediately chased after him, "Brother, what's wrong?" Why did her brother seem different as soon as they returned to the manor? Something must have happened. Could it be the owner of that painting or the owner of that poem? Bei Gong Jue Shi caught up with him, "Brother, could it be that you've taken a liking to those two sisters?"
"Don't talk nonsense." Bei Gong Minhao paused, then realized something was amiss. Ji Wushang was the legitimate daughter, and he was the crown prince; marrying her would be a perfect match, and his parents should agree. Thinking this, Bei Gong Minhao felt happy again, "She's mine."
Bei Gong Jue Shi was only confused by his changing expressions. Bei Gong Min Hao and he were half-brothers, born only an hour apart. Faced with his brother's sudden change of heart, Bei Gong Jue Shi could only sigh and say, "Brother, given your status, you shouldn't even think about marrying a concubine's daughter."
“Not the Fourth Miss,” Beigong Minhao laughed.
"So that's the eldest young lady?" Upon hearing this, Bei Gong Jue Shi immediately became curious. What was so special about this eldest young lady that made her brother so attentive? This was truly interesting. However, since she was the legitimate daughter, there was nothing more to say. Just be careful not to rush things and ruin the young lady's reputation.
"Where do you want to go now?" Bei Gong Jue Shi asked.
Bei Gongminhao stopped in his tracks upon hearing this. Right, where was he thinking of going? Wasn't he just thinking of seeing that young woman? He was so excited… “Ahem, I should go back to the courtyard,” Bei Gongminhao said, pouting.
Bei Gong Jue Shi shook his head. "No, you wouldn't be thinking of spying on the girls in the Ji family."
"Don't be so loud!" Bei Gongminhao jumped forward and covered Bei Gongjueshi's mouth. "You're so talkative. Don't you dare ruin Miss's reputation!"
"What? You're already feeling sorry for her?" Bei Gong Jue Shi laughed loudly. "Aren't you going back to Mo Xiang Yuan?"
Beigong Minhao turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Bei Gong Jue Shi looked at him, shook his head, and pulled Bei Gong Min Hao along to walk towards Mo Xiang Yuan.
The Chrysanthemum Pavilion was still bustling with activity. The female guests had been admiring the autumn chrysanthemums for quite some time, and had also been drinking the chrysanthemum wine brewed exclusively by the Prince's Mansion. They were all laughing and chatting, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Aunt Bai and Aunt Nangong went to another courtyard in the Prince's mansion to talk with the concubines and ladies. Also present were noblewomen such as the Princess of Zhenbei.
When they arrived at Juxiang Pavilion, Aunt Bai heard that Ji Meiyuan had an accident. This made her very unhappy, but she couldn't show it in front of the princess. So she went to the private room to see Ji Meiyuan.
Seeing that Ji Yinxue and Ji Wushang were standing very close, Aunt Nangong coughed a few times to divert Ji Yinxue's attention. Ji Wushang frowned, feeling sorry for Ji Yinxue. How could she have such a mother! He knew the malice in Aunt Nangong's heart, and he was afraid that Ji Yinxue would be scolded by her again.
Ji Yinxue bowed to Aunt Nangong, "Aunt."
"Hmph, have you forgotten everything I taught you? You don't listen to your aunt anymore?" Aunt Nangong said angrily in a low voice when she saw that there were many people present.
Ji Yinxue nodded, "I dare not disobey what my aunt says."
"Hmph!" Aunt Nangong saw Princess Qinlian approaching and hurriedly said, "You'd better kneel properly when you get back to the manor!" After saying that, she swayed her hips and went to Princess Qinlian, "Princess."
“Aunt Nangong,” Princess Qinlian began to speak with her.
After watching Aunt Nangong and Princess Qinlian walk away, Ji Wushang took Ji Yinxue's hand and asked, "What happened? What did Aunt Nangong say to you?"
"It's nothing." Ji Yinxue looked at Ji Wushang and smiled. "We shouldn't miss this beautiful scenery. Let's continue our stroll."
"Alright."
Another half hour passed, and the banquet gradually came to an end. The guests all left to return to their residences, and the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion gradually quieted down.
After returning to the manor, Ji Wushang went to sit with Madam Bei for a while before going back home.
Ji Meiyuan's poisoning was not severe to begin with, and Ji Wushang had already given her mung bean soup to drink, so she was able to walk on her own when she returned to the mansion.
Ji Wushang sat under the lamplight. In just one more day, it would be his grandmother's birthday. He was just waiting for her to come home. He wondered how she was doing.
Zhu'er brought in a bowl of bird's nest. "Miss, the bird's nest is here."
"Put it down!" Ji Wushang was just about to pull the hairpin out of her hair when she remembered that she had lost the white jade hairpin today. She couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. The white jade hairpin had been with her for quite some time, but it was gone just like that today.
Ji Wushang ate bird's nest and wrote for a while before going to sleep.
After a peaceful day, the birthday of Ji Wushang's grandmother finally arrived. The day was very lively. Ji Dingbei had returned from the frontier long ago. He went to the Yuanyue Nunnery in the suburbs to pick up the old lady and Xie Tiantian, the fifth concubine who had always served the old lady.
When Xie Tiantian saw Ji Dingbei in military uniform approaching, her eyes were already brimming with tears as she watched him from afar, even before he dismounted from his horse.
The elder lady was helped out by a nanny in her fifties or sixties.
Looking at the vast army behind Ji Dingbei, Madam Yuan nodded in satisfaction, while Xie Tiantian stood there, staring straight at her husband.
Ji Dingbei dismounted and walked over to Xie Tiantian, giving her a gentle hug. "Thank you for your hard work."
Xie Tiantian quickly wiped away her tears, "Husband, I'm not suffering. Serving the old lady is my blessing."
Ji Dingbei nodded, then knelt down in front of the matriarch, "Mother."
Although the old lady's hair was gradually turning gray, she was in good spirits. Because of her devotion to Buddhism, her mind was much more at peace. If it weren't for her maid, Granny Guo, saying that she couldn't stay in the Yuanyue Nunnery forever, others would think that she was being unfilial as a descendant, and that it would be unfair to Aunt Xie.
The matriarch was also thinking about the many children and grandchildren in the mansion, and she also wanted to hold a great-grandchild as soon as possible. In addition, she heard that the fourth concubine, Qin Fu, was already five or six months pregnant at her parents' home. It was time to bring Qin Fu back so that she could take care of her pregnancy. Otherwise, people would think that General Ji's mansion was being unfair, making a concubine go back to her parents' home to take care of her pregnancy. Although Qin Fu was only the daughter of the county magistrate, her status was indeed a bit low.
Ji Dingbei bowed to Abbess Jingni, who was standing to the side, to thank her for taking care of Madam Yuan and Xie Tiantian all this time. Abbess Jingni just smiled and didn't say anything. But when she left with the medicine, she glanced back at Madam Yuan, whose eyes flickered and she nodded.
Then Abbess Jingni returned to the nunnery.
The group then returned to General Ji's mansion in a grand procession. The mansion was decorated in festive red, partly to welcome Ji Dingbei and Madam Yuan back, and partly because it was Madam Yuan's birthday.
The matriarch, dressed in a loose, brand-new dress, smiled broadly. She had just entered the mansion when she saw a row of ladies, concubines, and young masters standing there, while the servants and maids stood on the other side. The matriarch nodded in satisfaction.
"Congratulations to the old lady on your long life and boundless happiness. Congratulations on your return to the manor." Madam Bei and her concubines spoke first, and then each presented their own gifts, or stepped forward to say that they had prepared some kind of birthday gift, which had already been placed in the Jingyuan courtyard where the old lady used to live.
The old lady nodded.
Meanwhile, Ji Wushang, along with her siblings, also offered their congratulations to their grandmother. Ji Wushang personally presented a copy of Buddhist scriptures, which greatly surprised the matriarch. Looking up at Ji Wushang, she realized she had heard rumors before that her eldest granddaughter had shamelessly confessed her feelings to some young master Nan, only to be rejected and develop a high fever. After the fever subsided, she had completely changed. Now, just by glancing at the expression on Ji Wushang's face, she knew her eldest granddaughter had utterly transformed.
Ji Wushang bowed gracefully and offered his blessings before saying, "This is a piece of glass jade that I personally selected. I've heard that if you place it by your bedside, it will emit light at night and is extremely good for your health." As he spoke, Ji Wushang had Zhu'er present another wooden box with gold trim. Zhu'er opened the box, and everyone immediately saw the glass jade. They noticed a jade band running across the entire piece, which truly delighted them.
The matriarch nodded in agreement.
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "And there's more, Grandmother. This was hand-embroidered by Wushang himself." As she spoke, the Old Madam looked at Ji Wushang expectantly. Ji Wushang had Yue'er open the large box she was carrying. Instantly, a garment inside shimmered. After the light faded, it became clear that it was a gold-threaded cloak, which looked as thin as a cicada's wing. The Old Madam walked over in surprise and touched it, immediately feeling as if she were touching strands of gold thread. The touch was soft and smooth.
Seeing everyone's eyes widen in amazement, Ji Wushang smiled inwardly and said with a joyful expression, "Grandmother Hongyuan has returned victorious, and I am very happy for her. So I copied some Buddhist scriptures, hoping that they will be appreciated by Grandmother and offered before the Buddha. I pray that the Buddha will bless my Ji family." Ji Wushang knew that if Grandmother did not return to Yuanyue Nunnery, she would definitely set up a Buddhist hall in the mansion.
The matriarch turned to look at the red lacquered black wooden box in her hands. Listening to her words, she was delighted. Compared to those vulgar items, this Buddhist scripture was a superior birthday gift. The matriarch opened the box and touched the neatly arranged Xuan paper. She flipped through it and saw that the densely packed small characters were arranged in neat rows.
"Good, good, good!" The old lady was already very pleased. "Wu Shang is really thoughtful. You young people usually only know about official matters and can't stand Buddhist scriptures. It's rare that Wu Shang likes these Buddhist scriptures. Good, good!" The old lady praised again.
Ji Wushang bowed again with a shy expression, "Wushang is just fulfilling her filial duty." Madam Bei watched from the side, delighted that Ji Wushang had made the Elder Madam laugh repeatedly, and smiled happily as well.
Aunt Bai and Aunt Nangong were both disdainful, thinking that their own birthday gifts were the best, so how could this girl receive praise from the Old Madam Yuan! Ji Meiyuan had just recovered, and seeing Ji Wushang pleasing her grandmother, she also wanted to win the Old Madam Yuan's favor.
Ji Meiyuan stepped forward and had Bao Qi open the completed "Magnificent Landscape" painting, which was praised by the matriarch of the family, and only then was she satisfied.
Ji Yinxue also sent a birthday gift.
Ji Sisi was temporarily brought back from Mount Emei by Ji Dingbei's men for a few days' stay. Ji Sisi was only eight years old. With her big, dark eyes, she looked at the Old Madam Yuan and sweetly cupped her hands to congratulate her. Her playful and adorable face was full of smiles. She even performed a set of sword techniques in front of everyone to add to the festive atmosphere of the Old Madam Yuan's birthday celebration. The Old Madam Yuan couldn't help but smile with delight.
Ji Wusi immediately recited the poem, which pleased Ji Dingbei and Madam Bei. Madam Yuan nodded and asked, "Wuzi, who taught you this poem?"
"It's my elder sister!" Ji Wusi pointed at Ji Wushang. The matriarch of the Yuan family paused, surprised. It was that girl again. Not bad, not bad. But she still asked, "Why wasn't it the schoolteacher who taught you?"
“My sister says this poem is good,” Ji Wusi said with a smile, revealing his two tiger teeth.
The matriarch nodded, "Everyone who participated today will receive a reward."
Everyone was delighted.
Seeing that Madam Yuan was happy, Granny Guo said, "Today, Madam Yuan has become a money-giving immortal!"
"Isn't it all because the younger generation is pleased? I'm happy today too." The old lady smiled and was helped inside by Granny Guo.
Both the host and the guest were seated.
Ji Dingbei was so happy that he hosted a banquet for many guests.
The matriarch served tea to everyone. Ji Wushang and Ji Meiyuan sat at one table, while Ji Wuxia and Ji Yinxue sat at another. Ji Sisi and Ji Wusi were taken away by their wet nurse to enjoy themselves.
Ji Meiyuan looked at Ji Wushang sitting in front of her and smiled sarcastically, "Big sister really sent a lot of birthday gifts!"
"Not much. Just enough." Ji Wushang pursed her lips and smiled. This made Ji Meiyuan's anger surge. A few days ago, she suspected it was Ji Wushang who had been behind it all, drugging her, but she hadn't expected her to be so caring. She couldn't get anything out of Yue'er, so she had to put her mind at ease. Why was she sending so many birthday gifts today, stealing the spotlight! Anyone with eyes could see she was dissatisfied, so how could she say "Not much, just enough"!
"Hmph." Ji Meiyuan snorted lightly, and Ji Wushang ignored her. He had only done what the legitimate daughter should do; what right did she have to speak? Don't think that just because the Old Madam is back, she can grow up to be arrogant. If she offends him, he'll make her regret it!
Ji Wushang slowly took a sip of tea, and Ji Meiyuan looked down at him. The tea that the Elder's wife had offered hadn't arrived yet... Ji Meiyuan thought for a moment, then got up and left.
Ji Wushang sensed something was wrong. Where was she going? But when she tried to see Ji Meiyuan, she had already disappeared.
Fine. If she tries to cause any trouble, I'll make her pay!
At this time, Ji Dingbei had already changed out of his military uniform and came out. Everyone congratulated him, saying that Ji Dingbei and the Prince of Zhenbei had won a battle on the frontier and successfully signed a treaty with the Western Regions. Now, the border with the Western Regions was peaceful, and economic exchanges were booming. About half a month later, it would be...
Ji Wushang felt a surge of joy in his heart, finally his family was together again.
A short while later, Ji Meiyuan returned, but when she looked at Ji Wushang, she had a hint of smugness, which made Ji Wushang feel inexplicably confused.
Everyone started eating.
Before long, the tea bestowed by the matriarch of the Yuan family was served. Ji Wushang noticed that the maid hesitated for a while before placing the tea in front of Ji Wushang and Ji Meiyuan. He wondered, why is there a distinction between the tea bestowed by the matriarch? Should he make a distinction?
Ji Meiyuan smiled and asked, "Big sister, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Ji Wushang picked up a bite of food with his chopsticks and ate it, but he wouldn't drink the tea.
Seeing that she wasn't drinking tea, Ji Meiyuan felt a little anxious. Had she figured something out? She ate a few bites of food, lost in thought, and seeing that Ji Wushang still showed no sign of drinking tea, she asked, "Elder sister, why aren't you drinking tea?"
"Aren't you thirsty yet? Eat some vegetables first," Ji Wushang replied. Hmph, with her urging him like this, there must be something wrong with the tea!
Ji Meiyuan looked at it, slightly displeased, and then ate the food.
"Look, who's here!" Ji Wushang suddenly exclaimed. Hearing this, Ji Meiyuan immediately looked up in the direction Ji Wushang was pointing. Ji Wushang seized the opportunity, immediately turning the teacup in front of him around—"Let's see you drink!"