“Wu Shang makes it sound so easy, but I see that girl is worried,” said the eldest aunt. “Never mind, come in, change your clothes, it’s time for dinner soon.”
"Yes. Thank you, Aunt." Ji Wushang bowed politely.
The eldest uncle, Bei Junfeng, waited until everyone left before coming forward. "You little brat, do you think you'll only learn to get along with Wushang if you lose all face?"
"Father, I really didn't mean to." Bei Jing'er looked at him with a wronged expression.
"Forget it, elder brother." Second Uncle Bei Zhenyun stepped forward. "Wu Shang has no intention of pursuing this matter, so let it go! Jing'er, you must be more careful in the future!"
"Thank you for your kind words, Second Uncle," Bei Jing'er said gracefully.
"Hmph!" Uncle Bei Junfeng flicked his sleeves before sitting back down in his original seat. "Go prepare lunch! Everyone's hungry."
"yes."
Ji Wushang looked at the clothes he had changed into: a light yellow silk skirt. Because it was late autumn and the weather was getting chilly, his aunt had also brought him a printed jacket to wear. It was acceptable, so he put on his clothes and followed his aunt, Yue Shi, back to the main hall. Sure enough, everyone was waiting for him and his aunt; lunch was served.
The food was delicious and visually appealing, with a variety of colors and aromas. Everyone around was delighted, and their earlier displeasure had faded. Ji Wushang looked at it and smiled, "Thank you, thank you."
"Come on, come on, let's sit together." Seeing this, the eldest aunt immediately pulled Ji Wushang forward and sat him down on the side seat next to her.
"Where is the Prime Minister's maternal grandfather? And his maternal grandmother..." Ji Wushang asked.
"You don't know, do you? Father has already gone out and won't be back for a few days. I've already written a letter saying that Wushang has come, and he's very happy!" said the second uncle.
"Thank you, Second Uncle."
"The old lady is currently in quiet contemplation in the backyard and doesn't want us younger generation to disturb her. We'll take you to the courtyard later to say a few words to her," said Madam Qian, the second maternal aunt.
"Yes, Second Sister-in-law is right. I'll take you with me later." Aunt nodded.
"Hurry up and eat. The food's getting cold," the eldest uncle said with a smile.
Everyone then picked up their chopsticks and began to eat.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, the eldest uncle asked, "Wu Shang, how is things at your residence? I heard something happened this morning?"
The news was bound to spread, and Ji Wushang had already made preparations. Bei Luojun, Bei Juefeng, and An Yi'er were all looking at Ji Wushang. They all knew what had happened, but it was a family matter of the Ji family, so they couldn't interfere.
Ji Wushang said, "My fourth sister had a little trouble, but it's nothing serious..." He then briefly mentioned that she and Nan Jinxue had developed feelings for each other, and their families had already arranged a marriage...
After Ji Wushang finished speaking, he wondered what would happen when Ji Yinxue returned to the manor. Oh, he almost forgot, he must tell Beigong Jueshi and Ji Meiyuan. How could he not let them know about such an important matter!
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Oh, so that's how Miss Ji is!" Bei Jing'er exclaimed deliberately. Ji Wushang smiled and said, "Third cousin, I can't interfere with my fourth sister's affairs. It's our parents' decision. I suppose you'll listen to your uncle and aunt from now on."
“Of course, I will listen to Father and Mother!” Bei Jing’er said proudly.
"Jing'er, shut up!" Uncle said, looking up. "When you're eating, you should be eating. You shouldn't be talking so much!
"Yes." Bei Jing'er nodded, pouting.
Ji Wushang glanced at her, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Bei Luojun lowered her head to pick up some food, secretly glancing at Ji Wushang. Given the situation, her third and fourth sisters were already engaged, so why wasn't she, as the older sister, in a hurry? If it weren't for her aunt's matter, she would definitely have spoken to her father and asked him to marry her cousin Wushang. She would definitely cherish her.
Upon receiving that gaze, Ji Wushang looked over, and Bei Luojun immediately looked away in fright. Ji Wushang lowered his head. Yes, he needed to finish things quickly so he could marry Nan Xuzong! However, he knew it wouldn't be that simple. A prince with a leg ailment was not expected to be a hero, but rather looked down upon. He wondered what his father and grandmother thought. What if they disagreed? Besides, Ji Yinxue had just said that he and Ji Wushang had an affair, which made him afraid to let his father propose marriage!
For a moment, Ji Wushang was chewing his food while thinking about something.
Nan Xuzong was sitting by the window, listening to the wind outside, which rustled the leaves of the trees.
At this moment, he recalled the events of yesterday, those scenes unforgettable for Nan Xuzong. Yes, if he were to propose marriage himself, he would surely be met with disdain. But if he didn't propose, someone else might steal his chance! Several young ladies in her household were already engaged; it was her turn. If he didn't act quickly, how could he possibly have another opportunity?
"Master, it's getting windy, do you want to put on some clothes?" At this moment, Gong Shu had been watching Nan Xuzong from outside for a long time and couldn't bear to disturb him. However, seeing that the wind was blowing in and the autumn rain was almost soaking his clothes without him noticing, he still spoke up.
Nan Xuzong snapped out of his daze, looked at his clothes, and realized that the wind and rain had indeed hit him. "Close the window!"
"yes."
Nan Xuzong moved over from the window and asked, "Where's Jin Xue?"
"Reporting to Master, after the Second Young Master and Aunt Zhao returned to the manor, she pulled them aside for a lecture."
Are you willing to give it up? A hint of disgust flashed in Nan Xuzong's eyes. "Gong Shu, what do you suggest I do?"
"Sir, please give your orders!"
Nan Xuzong shook his head, "You go first, I'll think of a solution."
Gong Shu was a little confused, but it seemed to be related to Miss Ji. What to do? It left him to think about it alone. Sigh, Gong Shu shook his head and left.
——
It took a long time for Ji Wushang to finish his meal before everyone in the room cleaned up.
Ji Wushang wanted to visit his maternal grandmother in Qingxiu Garden, so he went there with his maternal aunt, several other uncles, Bei Luojun, and Bei Jing'er.
Just then, a light rain began to fall, pattering softly like spring rain. As I passed through the corridor, I saw the lotus pond below the pavilion. The raindrops pattered on the lotus leaves, making them sparkle and create a uniquely beautiful scene.
"So beautiful," Ji Wushang couldn't help but exclaim.
“If Cousin Wushang likes it, she should rest and enjoy the rain in that pavilion,” Bei Luojun said at this moment.
“I just noticed that this rain is different from the rain in my manor; it feels green,” Ji Wushang said with a smile.
"It's just lotus flowers, I'm tired of seeing them!" Bei Jing'er muttered.
"If you're tired of looking at it, then don't look anymore," Bei Luojun said, afraid that Bei Jing'er's words would spoil Ji Wushang's interest.
"Hehe, I just like to look at it." Ji Wushang said to Bei Jing'er, "If you appreciate it from a different perspective, then no matter how many times you look at it, Third Cousin, you will never get tired of it."
Upon hearing this, Bei Jing'er's face turned green. Wasn't this implying that she lacked appreciation? Did she really need to put her down like that?
"What do you mean?" Bei Jing'er asked coldly.
"That's exactly what it means. Do I really need to explain?" Ji Wushang laughed. The implication was clear: Why ask what it means when it's so simple? How stupid!
Bei Jing'er's eye twitched. "You, Wu Shang's cousin, you better not be implying something!"
"Really?" Ji Wushang looked at her with a wronged expression. "Third cousin, it would be better if you didn't make any unfounded guesses. I can't bear the responsibility."
"you!"
"Jing'er!" Auntie shouted, "Shut up! What did Wushang say? You just keep insisting on getting to the bottom of it. What are you thinking?!"
"Mother!" Bei Jing'er looked at her and immediately whispered, thinking that she wanted her aunt to help her.
The eldest aunt looked at him and said, "Shut up and walk properly! I'll find you a husband someday, and once you're married, you won't have to see anyone, and you'll have peace and quiet!"
"Mother!" Bei Jing'er stamped her feet upon hearing this. "I...I didn't say anything!"
"Alright, alright." Bei Luojun gave her a cold look. "Jing'er, you're not a child anymore, why are you still acting like a spoiled child! Don't you want people to laugh at you!"
Bei Jing'er listened, pouting, full of complaints, but dared not say a word.
Ji Wushang smiled at her before following her.
Upon arriving at Qingxiu Garden, Madam Xue had already finished her meditation after being informed by a maid. As soon as Ji Wushang entered, he saw Madam Xue waiting in the room. Ji Wushang stepped forward, knelt down, and bowed, saying, "Greetings to my maternal grandmother. May my maternal grandmother be blessed with happiness and good health."
"Get up, get up quickly!" Old Madam Xue immediately helped him up. "Let your grandmother see. Oh, Wushang has lost weight! What happened? Was someone bullying you? Tell your grandmother, and your grandmother will stand up for you!"
Seeing the slight seriousness on her face but her kind eyes, Ji Wushang said, "Who would dare to bully Wushang? I just miss you and my grandfather, and that's why I've lost weight." Ji Wushang said somewhat embarrassedly.
"Wu Shang is so well-behaved." Madam Xue looked at him and said, "Come, bring some snacks." When she turned around to give the order, she saw that everyone was standing after bowing, so she immediately said, "Don't stand there, come, sit down."
"Yes." Everyone nodded and sat down together.
"It's a rare treat for Wushang to come all this way; she should stay for a while," said Madam Xue with a smile.
"I'm just afraid of bothering you."
"What a nuisance!" Old Madam Xue scolded. "If any of those little brats try to kick you out, I won't be polite to them!" As she spoke, her gaze drifted towards Bei Jing'er. Ji Wushang followed her gaze and saw Bei Jing'er lower her head, feeling pressured by her gaze. Was this because her grandmother had heard about what happened last time?
"Thank you, Grandmother." Ji Wushang bowed again. "There are some gifts in the carriage that I brought, for you to help with your health. The steward has already put them away."
"Where do you need to bring anything?" Old Madam Xue's expression changed slightly, but her tone remained affectionate. "From now on, don't bring anything..."
The afternoon was spent here. Ji Wushang chatted with Old Madam Xue, while the others who came with him seemed to be just there to accompany him and didn't say anything.
At this moment, Ji Wushang was led by a maid to a side room to rest. Just as he was about to close the door, another maid ran up to say that Zhu'er and Xian'er had both come to the Right Prime Minister's residence. Fearing that Ji Wushang wouldn't be comfortable with the service of other maids, they had come along. Originally, the two of them had been waiting downstairs with Tie Feng and the other guards, but they hadn't seen him and had returned to the Ji residence. Now that they heard Ji Wushang had arrived at the Right Prime Minister's residence, they naturally asked for permission and came along.
Ji Wushang immediately called for the two women to come in. He had been worried about not having anyone to help him with his tasks! Now that two of them had arrived, wasn't that perfect?
Zhu'er and Xian'er immediately went to Ji Wushang's room.
As soon as Zhu'er and Xian'er saw Ji Wushang, they immediately knelt down and bowed, "Miss!" They kept crying.
"Why are you crying? I'm perfectly fine," Ji Wushang said with a smile. "Get up and talk to me."
"Yes." The beads and thread just started to move.
"Hurry up and tell me what happened at the manor. I want to know what happened after Fourth Sister returned home!" Ji Wushang asked.
“Miss…” Pearl glanced at Xian’er and began to speak.
It turned out that after Ji Yinxue returned, she was immediately confined by the matriarch of the Yuan family, without even having a chance to utter a word of complaint. Aunt Nangong was practically a living dead, so naturally she felt no sorrow.
The only one who was pleased with herself was Aunt Xie, but she was also worried that she might be taken down at any time, so she restrained herself.
Upon hearing the news, Ji Wuxia was overjoyed, but then she thought of Ji Yinxue and Nan Jinxue's marriage and became worried about her second sister, Ji Meiyuan. She ordered everyone not to let the news reach Ji Meiyuan.
Ji Tiankui vaguely suspected that Nan Jinxue might have defiled Ji Yinxue before wanting to marry her, and he thought about killing someone, but was stopped by the old lady, who told him to prepare for the wedding on the eighth day of the tenth month, etc. However, the wedding between Ji Yinxue and Nan Jinxue was actually set for the thirtieth day of the tenth month, for fear that Ji Yinxue might be pregnant...
After listening, Ji Wushang smiled slightly and said, "Zhu'er, you're the best at running errands, so I'll have you do some errands."
"Yes!" Pearl blinked her big eyes. "Please give your orders, Miss!"
Ji Wushang whispered a few words in her ear, finally saying, "Remember, don't let anyone see you. Conceal yourself well, and come back immediately after you've finished your business."
"Yes!" Pearl immediately went to do it.
Xian'er looked at Ji Wushang with longing eyes, hoping that her young mistress would entrust the task to her!
"Xian'er, you also have things to do, come..." Ji Wushang whispered something in her ear.
"Is that all? I'll get on it right away!" Xian'er was delighted, but also a little scared about what she was about to do. She hesitated, "Miss, will the second son of the king kill someone?"
"Just don't provoke him. You're just sending someone to deliver a message. Don't worry, do this and that." Ji Wushang rolled his eyes and explained the method. Xian'er listened and nodded repeatedly.
Ji Wushang closed the door with satisfaction after they all left, but then he heard that Butler Li and Zhang Mama had arrived.
Upon seeing them, Ji Wushang immediately invited them into the house.
Sure enough, Zhang Mama and Butler Li brought a lot of delicious food, and Ji Wushang ate some of it before Zhang Mama and Butler Li left satisfied.
After seeing the two of them off, Ji Wushang stretched his limbs, utterly exhausted. He poured himself a cup of tea, but just as he was about to drink it, he saw a shadow pass by outside the door!