Tie Feng, who was eavesdropping on the rooftop, was startled. They were actually trying to give the young lady a potion that would prevent her from having children! Fortunately, the young lady didn't take it, otherwise, how could she ever become a mother? These young ladies treated the young lady like this; whatever retribution they might receive later, it's their own doing! Tie Feng suppressed his anger and immediately disappeared into the night sky.
Flying over several courtyards, it quietly slipped into Ji Wushang's Xinyuan Garden. Seeing that no one was around, it gently knocked on Ji Wushang's door, "Young Miss, I have something to report!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang immediately changed his clothes before opening the door and letting him in. Tie Feng knelt on the ground and recounted everything he had just heard. Ji Wushang listened, suppressing his anger.
So, it's a drug that kills all children. Fine, she really is ruthless. Should I return the favor with a grand gift? Didn't you want Ji Yinxue to die? I won't let her die! I don't care if she's childless, but I'll make her a thorn in your heart, deeply embedded, forever unable to escape it!
Ji Wushang thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow, you will continue to keep an eye on them. If they are really following their plan, then you should report to me when the time is right, and I will invite everyone over!"
"Yes." Tie Feng cupped his hands in greeting.
"When necessary, we should still help them." Ji Wushang smiled slightly.
Tie Feng listened, not understanding why they should help them!
"This time, I'll go along with what they want, because what they're doing is beneficial to me, and I won't give up on this matter of the infertility drug."
"Yes." Tie Feng understood and left immediately.
Ji Wushang then closed the door and returned to his inner room. However, when he lifted the beaded curtain, he saw that there was someone on the bed!
Ji Wushang was terrified. "Guards!"
The man moved with incredible speed, stepping forward and immediately covering Ji Wushang's cherry lips. Only then did Ji Wushang see him; it was none other than Beigong Minhao! Ji Wushang was completely stunned. He was dressed in black, exuding a sinister charm, and his imposing aura surrounded her.
"Miss, what's the matter?" Zhu'er and Xian'er called from outside the door.
Beigong Minhao gently released his hand and said, "Let them go."
His expression was stern, so Ji Wushang could only nod and then said to them, "It's nothing. Just remember to clean up after me if you see a cockroach. Now, you can go downstairs!"
Pearl and Thread nodded in agreement.
Hearing no sound outside, Ji Wushang immediately released his restraints and retreated abruptly. "Your Highness, how did you get here? This is not a place for you. Please leave!"
“I just overheard what you and your bodyguard were saying.” Kitagong Minhao smiled.
"How did you hear that? Your Highness, you won't hold a grudge against my daughter, will you?" Ji Wushang looked at him. "It's late, Your Highness, please leave as soon as possible. Otherwise, if you are discovered, Wushang will be ruined."
“I know,” Beigong Minhao said, listening to her words. “I came to see you.”
"Now I see." Ji Wushang's tone was slightly cold. What's wrong with these people? Do they all like climbing through his windows? How can he avoid their window-climbing behavior? Should he move to another garden? What if Ji Meiyuan lived in this garden and people kept climbing through her windows and she got caught? Ji Wushang thought, his thoughts drifting a bit far away.
"I don't want to leave." Bei Gongminhao approached Ji Wushang at this moment. "I was a bit harsh with you during the day. I'm really sorry."
Ji Wushang was stunned for a moment. He had indeed been a little agitated about what happened during the day, but all he wanted was for him to leave this place as soon as possible, without saying anything more.
"Um, I've already forgotten about that. If Your Highness has come because of what happened during the day, then please leave! I really didn't mean to blame Your Highness." Ji Wushang nodded earnestly.
"Thank you." Bei Gongminhao looked at her. "But, Wu Shang, can't you give me a chance?"
"Your Highness, my father has the final say on Wu Shang's marriage. Please don't force me," Ji Wu Shang said helplessly.
"I was reckless." Bei Gongminhao looked at her, then bowed slightly before disappearing through the window. Ji Wushang watched his movements and gestures, and something felt so familiar. It was like the butterfly-masked man who had climbed through the window the previous times! Heavens, it really seemed to be him!
If it was him, then was it he who kidnapped me before? Was it him who committed the bloodbath in the capital?
Ji Wushang felt a chill run down his spine. He dared not think any further, closed the window, and went to sleep with a somewhat confused mind.
The next day, as dawn broke, the wedding preparations at the manor had already begun. Ji Wushang had no choice but to get up early, force himself to be energetic, and then help entertain some guests. Fortunately, he helped look after some guests in the inner hall.
Meanwhile, Madam Yuan and Consort Xie greeted the guests outside the door with Steward Lin and others. Madam Yuan only checked around and, seeing that there was nothing unusual, returned to the inner hall.
At this moment, Nan Jinxue and Nan Xuzong had both stopped their carriages outside the door. Gong Shu then helped push Nan Xuzong's wheelchair in front, while Nan Jinxue followed behind them. After all, Nan Xuzong was the heir apparent, so he naturally had to be in front and be more distinguished.
Upon seeing the guests arrive, Butler Lin immediately stepped forward to greet them, saying, "Young Master Nan, Second Young Master Nan, please come in." He bowed and then gestured for them to enter.
Nan Xuzong nodded and cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you, Butler Lin."
"Thank you." Nan Jinxue smiled and nodded as she went inside.
Butler Lin immediately ordered someone to count the gifts brought by Nan Xuzong and Nan Jinxue and take them inside.
Nan Jinxue naturally didn't want Nan Xuzong constantly hovering in front of her, so she made an excuse to go look around. Nan Xuzong said, "Go by yourself! You don't need to tell me."
Nan Jinxue nodded, "Yes."
Ji Wushang was chatting and laughing with several young ladies who had arrived in the inner hall, while Ji Meiyuan and Ji Wuxia were also greeting them on the other side. The local customs and traditions were different from those elsewhere, and these young ladies were able to chat, laugh and play with everyone.
Nan Xuzong was being pushed forward by Gong Shu when he turned the corner and saw Ji Wushang. He immediately told Gong Shu to stop and then looked at her.
He longed to step forward and tell her right now that his grandmother had granted his request and would personally officiate at his wedding! She, Ji Wushang, was about to become his wife, his most beloved wife!
At this moment, Nan Xuzong was very excited. His grandmother had said she would definitely help him, and he would definitely wait for her to help him!
Ji Wushang probably sensed that someone was watching him, so he looked around and finally saw him at the corner. Their eyes met and their lips moved slightly.
But she didn't know what he was saying. Yet, he was smiling at her. Smiling? Was he full of confidence? Ji Wushang's heart also stirred with excitement. Did he have some solution?
"Young Miss, what are you looking at?" At this moment, a young lady noticed that Ji Wushang was lost in thought and called out, immediately turning her gaze to where Ji Wushang was looking.
Nan Xuzong nimbly dodged, realizing the young lady couldn't see anyone at all. Ji Wushang also snapped back to reality, "It's nothing, just checking if everyone's arrived yet. The auspicious time is almost here." The implication was clear.
The young lady nodded, and Ji Wushang then started chatting with them.
Ji Meiyuan was desperately trying to find Nan Jinxue, but she couldn't locate him. Ji Wuxia stepped forward, "Second sister, don't be so anxious, you'll definitely see him!"
"Hmm," Ji Meiyuan replied, but her eyes were still searching.
At this moment, Ji Wushang turned his gaze toward Ji Meiyuan and Ji Wuxia, watching what they were talking about, and ignored them.
Nan Jinxue clearly hid in the pavilion in the backyard to rest, and only after seeing that no one was around did she comfortably stretch. Now, the Second Prince had given her a task: to collect information about the past affairs of General Ji's family. Nan Jinxue was quite puzzled; why would the Second Prince care about other people's family matters? But, having already risked her life for the Second Prince, she could only do as he said.
We should find Ji Dingbei's study, where there should be records of the Ji family's affairs. I've heard that the Ji family has a long history, and General Ji is said to be a founding father, holding the position of hereditary general.
They can be considered loyal and virtuous people of all generations.
"Alright, I'll rest here for a while before going back!" Nan Jinxue thought to herself, then enjoyed the breeze in the pavilion.
Ji Meiyuan couldn't find Nan Jinxue anywhere and grew anxious. Just then, she saw Baoqi approaching, as if to report something. Ji Meiyuan immediately went up to him.
"Second Miss, I saw that Second Young Master Nan is resting in the pavilion. Would you like to go and take a look?" Baoqi said in a low voice.
We were talking about this in the pavilion, wondering why we couldn't see him!
"You keep a close eye on him! If he makes a fool of himself, you'll be held responsible!" Ji Meiyuan coldly ordered. The auspicious time for the wedding ceremony was approaching, and she couldn't leave. He would definitely come into this inner hall too! Hmph, after the ceremony, there would be a banquet. Let's see if he still falls for her tricks!
Baoqi listened and went downstairs.
Ji Meiyuan immediately went off to entertain the guests.
At this moment, Ji Tiankui, dressed in a beautiful bright red wedding robe, entered from one side of the inner hall. Meanwhile, the matchmaker carried the Seventh Princess, who was covered with a red veil, into the room. The people around them either sat down or stood and came forward to surround them.
“The auspicious time has arrived!” It was the old gentleman standing next to the matriarch of the family. He was the officiant invited by General Ji’s mansion to preside over the wedding of Ji Tiankui and the Seventh Princess.
Seated on one side were the matriarch of the elder family, Aunt Xie, some adults, and a respected local gentry. Next to the matriarch of the elder family, there was an empty seat, naturally reserved for Ji Dingbei.
Everyone was anxious as they watched Ji Shi go missing and Ji Dingbei had not yet returned.
The Seventh Princess had already been released by the matchmaker, and someone immediately presented her with a large red flower, which Ji Tiankui and the Seventh Princess held together. Ji Tiankui's face showed a hint of joy and a hint of nervousness. He had never met this Seventh Princess before, and now they were getting married.
Everyone stood still, waiting for the words of marriage to be spoken.
Just then, someone outside shouted, "The master is back!"
Everyone was overjoyed; this was an auspicious time, a good thing! A good omen!
Ji Tiankui's face was full of joy as he looked at the Seventh Princess standing beside him, and then at Ji Dingbei who was walking briskly towards him from outside.
At this moment, Ji Dingbei was still wearing his armor, which clattered as he walked, giving him an imposing presence!
Ji Dingbei nodded to everyone with his bright eyes, then cupped his hands and immediately stepped forward to bow to Madam Yuan, saying, "Mother, your son has returned!"
"Quickly, sit down, the auspicious time has arrived. We must hurry and complete the wedding ceremony," said the matriarch.
Ji Dingbei nodded and immediately took a seat.
The old gentleman immediately shouted, "The auspicious time has arrived, let's begin the wedding ceremony!"
The Seventh Princess and Ji Tiankui both knelt on the large red cushion.
Looking at the two of them, Ji Wushang silently wished that his elder brother and sister-in-law would live a happy life together. His elder brother had been quite good to him.
"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"
The two knelt down and bowed to heaven and earth.
"Second bow to the venerable Madam!"
The two turned around and knelt down to pay their respects to Madam Yuan, Aunt Xie, and Ji Dingbei. All three nodded to each other, indicating that they were a perfect match and were now married.
"Husband and wife bow to each other!"
Ji Tiankui was slightly excited, but he still knelt before the Seventh Princess, and the Seventh Princess did the same, and the two bowed to each other.
"The ceremony is complete; escort them to the bridal chamber!"
The two were helped up, and just as they were about to go inside, they heard someone shout loudly outside the door, "The imperial edict has arrived!"
Immediately, everyone was in an uproar. What was going on? How could an imperial edict have arrived?
Ji Wushang was stunned and immediately turned his gaze to Nan Xuzong in the distance. Nan Xuzong was also quite shocked. Could it be that the Empress Dowager had sent the Emperor to bestow a marriage upon them? Was that really the case?
Nan Jinxue was also surprised. How could there be an imperial edict? Bei Gongminhao, who was in the shadows, had not been there long when he heard that the imperial edict had arrived, and he was also startled.
At this moment, the eunuch arrived, holding the imperial edict in his hand, and strode forward, heading straight into the inner hall.
Upon seeing this, Ji Dingbei immediately ordered everyone to kneel and pay their respects, shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Everyone knelt on the ground, except for Nan Xuzong.
Seeing that the man was kneeling and that Nan Xuzong was sitting in a wheelchair, the eunuch knew that he was the heir apparent of the Nan family. He nodded, then looked at everyone solemnly, cleared his throat, and read: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Ji Wushang, the eldest daughter of General Ji's mansion, is virtuous and talented, capable and gentle, beautiful and generous. Now, at the age of fourteen, she is hereby granted a heavenly marriage. After coming of age, she shall be married to Nan Xuzong, the heir apparent of the Marquis of Jinnan's mansion, on a chosen day. This is the imperial decree!"
☆、117 The Second Miss plotted against the Second Young Master Nan!
Upon hearing this imperial decree, everyone was astonished. Was this truly a marriage between Ji Wushang and the Southern Prince, who was crippled and unable to stand for the rest of his life? The people around sighed, wondering if the Southern Prince was so eager to marry Miss Ji to him that he had petitioned the emperor for the decree, or if the emperor had other plans in mind, intending to marry Miss Ji to the lame and unfavored Southern Prince in order to control the power of the entire dynasty!
Everyone may speculate, but the most important thing is to obey the imperial edict. How can ordinary people and ministers understand the thoughts of the emperor?
Ji Wushang was stunned for a few seconds, but upon hearing that the marriage was bestowed upon Nan Xuzong, she was overjoyed. Her feelings hadn't been in vain, and she no longer needed to worry about who she would marry. She had originally planned that if she married someone else instead of Nan Xuzong, she would give herself to him before the wedding and then commit suicide to atone for her sins… Thankfully, she didn't have to do that; the Emperor had actually granted her a marriage by divine decree…
Nan Jinxue looked fiercely at Nan Xuzong, noticing a slight smile on his face. She then looked at Ji Wushang, whose head was already turned away, her expression unreadable. She was filled with resentment. Why had she gotten such a good deal for him? Why was she really going to marry a good-for-nothing like Nan Xuzong?
I felt wronged, but there was nothing I could do!