Upon arriving at the Sunrise Pavilion, I bowed to each of them before sitting down.
Ji Dingbei said, "Wu Shang, there's something you absolutely need to know."
Ji Wushang's heart skipped a beat. "Father, what is it?"
"Your maternal grandmother, Madam Xue, passed away a few days ago. Please accept my condolences." Ji Dingbei said at this moment.
Ji Wushang was immediately astonished. When did this happen? Why is he only being told now?
"When? Father, I need to go see them." Ji Wushang's tears welled up instantly. Were all the people who loved him going to leave one by one?
"Miss, please accept my condolences and don't cry. This happened a few days ago, and we only found out about it ourselves. Perhaps they didn't want us to be too busy, so they didn't let us know!" Aunt Qin said at this moment.
Ji Wushang wiped away his tears and said, "Father, I want to go see him."
"Yes, I know. You can go with Aunt Qin!" Ji Dingbei knew that she and Aunt Qin were on good terms. Now Aunt Qin was a well-known and respected concubine in General Ji's mansion, so it wouldn't be a loss of face for her.
Ji Wushang bowed and thanked him.
Aunt Bai watched from the side without saying a word, and felt quite pleased to see Ji Wushang crying.
Ji Tiankui comforted her, "Sister, if you're unhappy, you should say it."
"Thank you, brother." Ji Wushang nodded, but looking at Ji Tiankui, he thought of Wu Zi. He had previously mentioned that he wanted to entrust Wu Zi to Ji Tiankui for care and to teach him martial arts.
Ji Wushang turned around and looked at Ji Dingbei, saying, "Father, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Go on," Ji Dingbei nodded.
"Father, I think Wu Zi has grown up now and should be given some training. Look, my eldest brother went to the frontier with you when he was seven, and now Wu Zi is over eight. So, please entrust Wu Zi to my eldest brother's care and let him train Wu Zi in the training ground so that Wu Zi can grow up quickly," Ji Wushang said earnestly.
Ji Dingbei nodded in agreement; that made sense.
"Tian Kui, what do you think?" Ji Dingbei looked at Ji Tian Kui.
"Father, if Wu Zi is entrusted to me, I will certainly take good care of him and ensure he receives proper training." Ji Tiankui looked at Ji Wushang, "I saw Wu Zi demonstrate a set of martial arts moves a few days ago; he shows great talent. Please rest assured, Father."
"Alright, in that case, let's do it this way!" Ji Dingbei nodded.
"I think this is unacceptable," said Aunt Bai. "Wu Zi is the only son left behind by Madam Bei. If something were to happen to him in the army camp, how would we explain it to Madam Bei?"
"Pah! You dare say such things!" Ji Wushang glanced at Aunt Bai with disgust. "Wushang had already asked Wuzi for his opinion. Wuzi enjoys training with his elder brother, and as for staying in the manor to read sacred books, Wushang felt it wouldn't be beneficial for his development. Besides, Wuzi can continue studying the classics by his elder brother's side just as well."
"Well, no need to say more. Just let Wu Zi stay by Tian Kui's side. Tian Kui, you must keep a close eye on Wu Zi," Ji Dingbei said sternly.
"Yes." Ji Tiankui nodded.
Ji Wushang rolled his eyes at Aunt Bai, then looked at her protruding belly, a hint of disdain flashing across his lips. "You'd better give birth to this baby, otherwise, how will you ever know what it means to be utterly devastated by losing everything!"
Ji Wushang glanced at Aunt Qin, who immediately understood, stood up, and said, "Then, sir, Miss and I will go downstairs first to visit the Right Prime Minister's residence."
"Go ahead! Take some gifts with you. Sigh!" Ji Dingbei sighed. If he weren't so busy, he should have gone to visit them, after all, he was the son-in-law.
Ji Wushang turned around, glanced at those people, and then went down.
Aunt Qin looked at Ji Wushang and said, "Miss, there's no need to be so sad. Everyone gets old eventually."
"Yes, I was just thinking of my mother. Never mind, I'll stop here. I'll just visit her when I get to the Right Prime Minister's residence." Ji Wushang suppressed his grief.
Back in Xinyuan, she gave some instructions to Granny Shi, then changed into plain clothes and soon went to the Right Prime Minister's residence in a sedan chair with Aunt Qin.
The sedan chair swayed, but Ji Wushang felt nothing. One thing after another kept piling up, leaving him feeling utterly exhausted.
Aunt Qin sat beside her. Seeing that Ji Wushang was in a bad mood, she did not disturb her and simply looked at the scenery outside.
An hour or so later, they arrived at the Right Prime Minister's residence. As soon as Ji Wushang and Aunt Qin got out of the carriage, they saw that the place was covered with white ribbons and white paper flowers, and even the lanterns had all been changed to white.
Ji Wushang felt weary just looking at him.
The guards at the gate recognized Ji Wushang and Aunt Qin, and immediately shouted, "Miss Wushang from General Ji's mansion has arrived!"
Ji Wushang nodded, and she and Aunt Qin stood in front of the door for a moment before they saw Steward Li and Granny Zhang come out together. Seeing that it was Ji Wushang, they bowed and said, "Miss."
"No need for formalities, Aunt Zhang." Ji Wushang stepped forward and told them not to stand on ceremony. "Aunt Zhang, I am... I've come to visit my maternal grandmother."
"I know, please come with me, Miss." Zhang Mama, who also looked like she had been crying, pulled Ji Wushang's arm. But then she noticed Aunt Qin standing beside her, glanced at her, and seeing that Aunt Qin was a rather elegant and refined lady, asked, "Is this one of the concubines in the household?"
"Oh, Aunt Zhang, this is my Aunt Qin, she came with me." Ji Wushang nodded.
At this moment, Aunt Qin stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Mother Zhang; Greetings, Mr. Li."
"Oh, you're too kind, Madam. Please come in, please come in," said Madam Zhang, nodding earnestly. Butler Li also stepped forward, "Please come in and sit down."
"Auntie, let's go," Ji Wushang said.
The four of them walked into the mansion. Upon reaching the main hall, they saw a large character for "offering sacrifices," below which was Xue Furong's memorial tablet. Ji Wushang felt a pang of sorrow and stepped forward, kneeling before the tablet.
"Your unfilial granddaughter, Wushang, kneels and weeps, wishing your grandmother's spirit to rest in peace." Ji Wushang said, kowtowing several times.
Aunt Qin also knelt down with Ji Wushang, said a few words, and bowed.
Ji Wushang and Aunt Qin stood up and heard someone coming in. They turned around and saw that their three uncles had arrived, along with their three aunts and several cousins.
Ji Wushang watched as everyone stepped forward to pay their respects, while Aunt Qin stood aside, her status somewhat different.
Upon hearing that it was Concubine Qin from the General's Mansion, everyone immediately invited her to sit down.
Aunt Qin knew they definitely had something to say, so she willingly sat aside and listened to them.
"Uncle, why did you tell Wushang this so late? It makes Wushang so sad." Ji Wushang wiped away her tears. She couldn't even see her grandmother one last time!
"You were busy with your wedding at the time. Sigh, we all heard that you were going to marry that Prince Nan. Sigh, a man with a disability in both legs. We were all worried about you. Grandmother also heard about it and was concerned about you. She was thinking of telling you, but it was too late!" said Uncle Bei Junfeng.
Ji Wushang's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. So, "Grandma left because she was worried about me?"
"Sigh, Wushang, don't worry too much. That's just how it is when people get old." Second Uncle Beizhenyun nodded. "Seeing you look so well this time, I'm much relieved. I'm sure Grandmother can see you're alright from heaven; that's good enough."
Ji Wushang nodded through his tears.
Aunt Yue looked at Ji Wushang and said, "Wushang, there's no need to be so sad. It's all in the past now."
Ji Wushang remained silent, but at that moment, Su Meier walked in from outside. She was dressed in a dazzling gold outfit, which stood out from the plain-colored clothes of everyone else in the room.
The crowd watched, displeased, but still greeted her.
Su Meier looked at Ji Wushang, "Isn't Miss Biao busy with the wedding? How come you have time to sit here?"
Ji Wushang said coldly, "That's none of Grandmother Su's concern."
Su Meier smiled at Ji Wushang, "Okay."
Ji Wushang's face darkened, and he glanced at her. The people around him remained silent, watching Ji Wushang and Su Meier.
Su Meier stepped forward and glanced at Xue Furong's memorial tablet, then let out a cold laugh. Ji Wushang was displeased at this; how could this person do such a disrespectful thing to her maternal grandmother!
Ji Wushang suppressed his anger.
"Wu Shang, it's so late, why don't you stay for dinner and spend the night here, then go back tomorrow?" The eldest uncle said, looking at the sky.
Bei Jing'er, however, was dissatisfied. "It's still early, why are we staying?"
"Jing'er!" Bei Luojun, standing to the side, immediately scolded Bei Jing'er.
The eldest uncle also glared angrily at Bei Jing'er.
Normally, Ji Wushang would definitely refuse to stay, but today, he was determined to stay. Tonight, he was going to deal with these two!
I beat up Bei Jing'er before, but I didn't expect her to be so incorrigible. Well then, tonight I'll make sure she can never stand up again!
As for Su Meier, well, how dare she be so disrespectful to her maternal grandmother! Tonight, I'll make her taste what bitterness is all about!
Now that Madam Xue has passed away, wouldn't this sixth concubine be able to climb to the position of Madam?
I don't believe this woman is that virtuous!
"Thank you, Uncle. Wu Shang will stay here for the night. I'm sorry to bother everyone," Ji Wu Shang said, bowing slightly.
Su Meier snorted and then walked out.
Aunt Qin listened with some difficulty, but Ji Wushang said, "Aunt, I will send someone to tell Father, don't worry."
"Alright, but this will be a trouble for your household," said Aunt Qin.
——
After dinner, everyone went home. Ji Wushang went to the courtyard to pay his respects to his maternal grandfather, the Right Chancellor, who had just returned from court. Seeing his aged appearance, he felt a pang of sympathy. They chatted for a while, and Ji Wushang inadvertently brought up the topic of the last time he saw Old Madam Xue, when she spoke with Su Meier in the Qingxiu Hall…
Ji Wushang became suspicious.
I must thoroughly investigate this Su Meier.
Tonight, I'll test her out.
☆、124 Gentle design, taking care of everything! (Exquisite)
Ji Wushang summoned Tie Feng, the gatekeeper, and instructed him to be careful in the middle of the night. Then he sent him off to do his errands. At this moment, Aunt Qin came out from the inner room, looked at Ji Wushang, and asked, "Wushang, why aren't you in bed yet?"
"I'm having trouble falling asleep, Auntie, why don't you go to sleep first?" Ji Wushang said to her.
Aunt Qin hummed in agreement and went inside.
Ji Wushang thought to himself that Bei Jing'er wouldn't let him off easily today, and might even cause trouble tonight. It wouldn't hurt to be prepared.
Sure enough, around midnight, upon hearing footsteps outside, Ji Wushang immediately got off his bed and, seeing that Aunt Qin was sleeping soundly on the opposite bed, went over and covered her mouth. Aunt Qin woke up and tried to struggle, but Ji Wushang immediately signaled her not to speak.
Aunt Qin was shocked. What was going on?
Ji Wushang whispered, "Someone's coming, be careful!"
"Hmm." Aunt Qin nodded. She never expected to encounter such things in the Right Prime Minister's residence. It was truly unbelievable!
Ji Wushang pulled Aunt Qin to hide in a corner, instructing her not to make a sound, to be careful to conceal herself, and to always cover her mouth and nose with a silk handkerchief to prevent being knocked unconscious.
After giving the instructions, Ji Wushang quickly arranged the two beds to look as if someone was fast asleep, and then hid.
Ji Wushang took out several medicine bottles from his pocket and, using the faint moonlight, quietly sprinkled the powder on the floor. After finishing the arrangement, he could already hear someone approaching.
Ji Wushang held his breath, waiting for that person to arrive.
Sure enough, a bamboo stick was poked in from outside, followed by a wisp of smoke. Ji Wushang had already covered his mouth and nose and looked towards Aunt Qin. Although Aunt Qin was nervous, she was quick-witted and had taken precautions.
The man locked the bamboo back up, and a moment later, he reached in with a knife to pry open the door.
The man in black opened the door and walked over quietly. Sure enough, he saw two people lying on the bed. The faces behind the veils were very happy. They rubbed their hands together, their whole bodies were excited, and their eyes were shining. They looked at "Ji Wushang" and immediately lifted the quilt. But when they saw the quilt, they were stunned.