Nan Xuzong played with his golden thread, and with a flick of the thread, he had the scroll in his hand. He casually opened a few pages, smiled, and put the scroll into his pocket.
Gong Shu entered from outside the door, watched the departing figure of the silent monk, and stepped forward to ask, "Master, are you alright? Why did Master Bu Yan leave?"
"It's alright, he can leave if he wants, no one can stop him. Let's go back!" Nan Xuzong seemed completely unconcerned. Gong Shu nodded and immediately pushed Nan Xuzong's wheelchair back towards the Marquis's residence.
Ji Wushang had been looking at the ledgers in the accounting room the whole time. There were many ledgers, and they were very thick. Ji Wushang flipped through them one by one, which made him a little tired.
After finishing one book, I put it aside and continued reading.
At this moment, a person stepped in. Ji Wushang didn't even look up before immediately saying, "This is a sensitive place for accounting. Why didn't you knock before entering? Get out!"
"Hehe, it seems that it's quite good for the young lady to marry into the Marquis's mansion!" Unexpectedly, a pleasant male voice rang out, and with that voice, the door to the accounting room slammed shut!
Ji Wushang was immediately surprised and looked up. He saw that the person was wearing black and gold dragon boots, a silver robe, and a silver mask. Ji Wushang was stunned. This person!
"Second Prince, why be so secretive? Now that you're at the Marquis's residence, why not sit openly in the main hall? What's your purpose in coming to the accounting office?" Ji Wushang quickly calmed down. Rather than playing riddles with him, it was better to be straightforward!
"You're really clever, Wu Shang!" Huangfu Ting said with a slight smile. "I'm here to tell you that Nan Xu Cong isn't anyone, he's... a devil. Do you believe me?"
"There is no joke in the world more ridiculous than this. The door is right there, please return to the palace, Your Highness." Ji Wushang said expressionlessly, continuing to look through the account books.
"You don't believe me?" Seeing her so calm, Huangfu Ting felt a little flustered. No, he would never lose to anyone!
"Demons arise from the heart. Tell me, who is the demon?" Ji Wushang raised his head, looking at him with a cold smile.
Huangfu Ting was taken aback; he hadn't expected her to say that!
"Fine, if you don't believe me, then forget it!" Huangfu Ting gave her a disdainful look. "You'll find out what happens later! There's so much you don't know. Later, you'll know the whole story, and then I'll watch you cry, cry and cry!"
"Your Highness has made enough jokes." Ji Wushang lowered his head. "You can leave now, or I can call someone to send Your Highness back."
“Let me tell you,” Huangfu Ting sneered, “he’s been using you all along, using you to get revenge!”
"You can leave now." Ji Wushang felt a pang of pain in her heart. This was the second time someone had said this to her. Was he using her? How ridiculous! No!
Huangfu Ting looked at her, finally satisfied to see even a slight reaction from her, and then smiled and said, "Take care of yourself."
"Your Highness, there's no need to remind me." Ji Wushang suddenly opened the door himself, like a rabbit escaping, and walked out. He wouldn't leave; he'd leave on his own!
Ji Wushang walked out and immediately ran towards Moxuan Garden. What Huangfu Ting said couldn't be true! He wouldn't use her! Huangfu Ting was definitely here to ruin her happiness! Such a person is despicable!
Ji Wushang ran into Moxuan Garden in one breath. As soon as he entered, he saw Nan Xuzong smiling and looking at him.
Ji Wushang's heart skipped a beat.
☆、156 His fate, his worries
Huangfu Ting must have been lying to me! I wouldn't believe them! What use or not, no one can know how good Nan Xuzong is to me! No one can replace him in my heart! Once you fall in love, you should trust each other! Would he use me? Absolutely not!
Nan Xuzong noticed that her expression was not quite right, so he stepped forward and asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just ran into someone." Ji Wushang also came forward and sat on the couch in the garden. "He said a lot of things to me for no reason."
"Who?" Nan Xuzong immediately became quite nervous.
Ji Wushang looked at him, "I was just looking at the ledgers in the accounting room when he suddenly barged in. I have no idea what happened!"
"Is he a prince from the Western Regions?" Nan Xuzong looked at her, his palms slightly sweaty.
“It’s the Second Prince.” Ji Wushang held Nan Xuzong’s hand. “I don’t know why he suddenly came in!”
"Did he do anything else to you?" Nan Xuzong's eyes blazed with fury. This damned thing, he hadn't provoked him, yet he dared to provoke him? He actually set his sights on Wu Shang?
"No." Knowing he was nervous, Ji Wushang tugged at his hand. "I'll be fine. It's just that what he told me felt very strange."
"What did he say?" Nan Xuzong asked, his eyes deep as he looked at Ji Wushang. "Don't get close to him, he will hurt you."
“I’ve always listened to you and haven’t gone near him.” Ji Wushang looked at him with a reassuring gaze before saying, “He said you are a demon.”
Nan Xuzong was taken aback. "That word is good."
"I don't believe it." Ji Wushang leaned closer and rubbed his hand against her face. "You are my husband, my Nan Xuzong, nothing else."
"With a wife like this, what more could I ask for?" Nan Xuzong sighed, pulling her into his arms. "Wu Shang, believe me, I will never let you get hurt... They are stirring, and I have to be on guard. You must take good care of yourself, okay?"
"Yes." Ji Wushang nodded. "You also need to take good care of yourself. I believe in you, I've always believed in you, you know that?"
"Wu Shang." Nan Xuzong held her tightly in his arms, wishing he could meld her into his very being. "Wu Shang, I love you so much, I can't express it in words. But if one day you want to take my life, I will not hesitate... I've always thought of myself as a cold-blooded person, but after meeting you, I feel my heart beating, my blood is warm. Wu Shang, can you feel it?"
"Yes." Ji Wushang looked at him, placed his hand on his heart, and felt his strong heartbeat. "So, there are some things you shouldn't bear alone, okay?"
"Okay." After a long silence, he finally uttered a single word, and even his tone changed as he spoke.
Ji Wushang closed her eyes and gently nestled beside him.
Nan Xuzong stroked her long hair, letting the wind tousle its ends. His hand gently touched her face, as if touching a beautiful piece of porcelain, unwilling to let it be defiled.
Nan Xuzong led her back to the room and had a maid take Ji Wushang to bed. It was only evening, but Nan Xuzong had clearly used drugs…
Nan Xuzong returned to his study, and when no one was around, he took out the book from his pocket again and carefully read through it.
There's hope! We've finally found a way! But we can't use it, we absolutely can't! I'd rather never be able to stand up again than use this method to change this situation!
Nan Xuzong's expression kept changing. In the end, he wrapped the scroll up, put it in a box, and placed it in the dark room.
Finding the best of both worlds is a real headache.
Forget it, we can figure these things out later.
Nan Xuzong returned to his room and had the maid bring up the food before waking Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang, still half-asleep, was somewhat surprised. "How did I suddenly fall asleep?"
"You're too tired. Get some rest today. You'll be returning to your parents' home tomorrow, so you'll need to get up early." Nan Xuzong placed a piece of meat in Ji Wushang's bowl.
"Mm." Ji Wushang nodded and slowly ate the meat, without the slightest doubt about his words.
Nan Xuzong gazed at Ji Wushang with longing, his eyes fixed on her every move. Ji Wushang looked at him and smiled, "Why do you keep staring at me?"
"Because it's worth it."
“It’s worth it.” Ji Wushang savored the meaning of those two words, feeling a sense of desolation rising in his heart. It was worth it, there were very few things worth doing anymore… Ji Wushang composed himself, “Eat quickly, stop looking at it.”
"Mm." Nan Xuzong nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on her, unable to look away.
They slept in silence, he held her close. She looked up at him, seeing his eyes open but showing no signs of sleepiness. "What are you thinking about? Why do you look so troubled?"
"Hmm, there are some things I don't understand. But it's alright, things will definitely get better in the future." Nan Xuzong lowered his head and kissed her dark hair. "Tomorrow is our homecoming, and after that, let's go to the White Horse Temple to offer incense. Do you like that?"
Ji Wushang was taken aback. "Why go to the White Horse Temple?"
"I have come to see Abbot Huiyuan." Nan Xuzong looked out the window at the night scene.
"I'll listen to you."
The next morning, as dawn broke, Ji Wushang woke up. However, Nan Xuzong was not by her bedside. A sense of loneliness flashed through Ji Wushang's heart, but then she heard Nan Xuzong enter and say with a gentle smile, "Awake? Get ready, and let's have dinner!"
"Okay." Looking at his clear eyes, wearing a light blue robe, a white jade brocade belt, and a jade crown, with a smile on his face that warmed people's hearts, Ji Wushang felt a sense of peace when he realized that he had not abandoned him.
She got out of bed wearing only a gauze dress. Apart from a slight blush on her face, she was perfectly fine. Nan Xuzong watched her get out of bed and dress, his gaze unabashed and he didn't even try to look away. Ji Wushang felt increasingly uneasy under his gaze.
She changed her clothes before coming downstairs. Nan Xuzong reached out his hand, and Ji Wushang smiled and placed his hand on hers.
Ji Wushang was pulled by him to the main hall outside, where they ate in silence.
Finally, as he put down his chopsticks, Ji Wushang couldn't help but ask, "You have something on your mind, and you're hiding it from me, aren't you?"
"No." He remained as gentle as ever, pulling her close to sit on his lap. "Would I, Nan Xuzong, dare to lie to you, my wife? Am I courting death?"
"Then why do you keep staring at me like you're looking at something? It makes me uncomfortable." Ji Wushang looked at him and poked his chest. "You weren't like this before." She pouted as she spoke.
"The past is the past, and the present is the present. Wu Shang, holding you like this is enough for me." Nan Xu Cong smiled slightly. "Don't be suspicious. I'm not afraid to tell you, I've thought about many things tonight. Before you married me, there were wolves and tigers clinging to you. What if someone else had taken you away if I hadn't kept a close eye on you? The Western Region prince, Min Hao, the second prince, even Nan Jin Xue—there were countless people like them. Don't underestimate me; I've found out everything." He kissed Ji Wu Shang's cherry lips with a hint of jealousy.
Ji Wushang nudged him, "What are you worried about? I'm still here, aren't I?" Hearing him say that, she felt a little comforted.
I was just overthinking it.
Nan Xuzong held her while they ate, and he also ate quite a bit of tofu. After breakfast, the two greeted each other at the mansion and then took a carriage back to the General's Mansion together.
As soon as they arrived at the door, they saw Ji Dingbei and Madam Qin waiting there with their maids, servants and other servants. Ji Wushang was delighted to see them, and Nan Xuzong was also all smiles. One of them stood and the other sat down as they came together.
"This humble daughter (son-in-law) greets Father (father-in-law) and Mother (mother-in-law)," Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong said together.
Ji Dingbei and Madam Qin stepped forward, saying, "Rise, there's no need for such formalities."
"I have prepared some small gifts, and I hope my father-in-law and mother-in-law will accept them generously." Nan Xuzong waved his hand, and Gong Shu then instructed the servants behind him to carry up eight loads of gifts.
"This is too kind of you, Steward Lin. Please take good care of him." Ji Dingbei couldn't stop smiling. Nan Xuzong was so generous! He casually gave away several loads of gifts.
Everyone says that the Marquis of Jinnan's family can spend money like water, and it seems that the reputation is indeed well-deserved! The Marquis of Jinnan's family has always been known for its wealth and status; official rank is not important, but wealth is the most important thing!
Nan Xuzong smiled slightly, took Ji Wushang's hand, and went inside together.
The whole family gathered around to eat. Ji Tiankui, having heard that Ji Wushang had returned, also dragged Mo Qiqi back with him. And Ji Wusi, having heard that Ji Wushang had returned home after three days, insisted on coming along as well.
Ji Wushang looked on with joy, feeling completely happy.
Ji Wusi was also very obedient. Looking at Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong, he showed no disgust whatsoever. Instead, he placed a piece of meat in front of Nan Xuzong and said, "Brother-in-law Wu Zijing!"
Nan Xuzong stared at Ji Wusi for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter, "Hahaha, excellent, excellent!"
Ji Wushang looked at him and nudged him, "Don't scare Wu Zi."
Ji Wusi got down and walked up to Nan Xuzong. "Brother-in-law, you'd better take good care of my sister, or I won't let you off the hook!" Her face was serious, without a hint of joking.
Those around were taken aback, while Ji Dingbei looked on and said, "Wu Zi, don't be so presumptuous! How dare you speak to the young master like that!"
“No, Father-in-law, Wu Zi is really good.” Nan Xuzong smiled and leaned down. “Wu Zi, don’t worry, your older sister is my darling.”
Hearing this, everyone felt a pang of envy. The sweetness of the words made the women present extremely envious, and the maids, upon hearing Nan Xuzong's words, all felt a surge of affection.
"God, if a man could say such things, I would be willing to die!"
"Look at you, but Miss is so lucky!"
...
Ji Wushang's face was flushed. Ji Dingbei and Madam Qin were slightly taken aback, but then they smiled at each other. Madam Qin said, "With such a word from the young master, we really feel at ease entrusting Wushang to you!"
"Yes." Nan Xuzong nodded.
Ji Tiankui smiled and personally poured Nan Xuzong a glass of wine. "I'm much relieved that Xuzong can say such things."
"Brother, there's no need to be so polite." Nan Xuzong instructed the maid to lead Ji Wusi to the original table for his meal, then raised his wine cup and said, "Cheers."