Moore and Hao Yueyi were shocked, but Moore still swung the diamond knife in his hand!
The fiery red golden threads were like two golden dragons. Whenever they struck a person, that person would be burned to a crisp, fall to the ground, and die in agony!
Moore was shocked. "Who exactly are you?!"
Nan Xuzong remained silent, his face taut. "Gong Shu, start the horse!"
Upon hearing this, Gong Shu immediately spurred his horse, shouting, "Giddy up!"
Seeing this, Murs immediately pulled a dagger from his pocket and hurled it at the horse!
Nan Xuzong, with his sharp eyes, ripped off the golden thread, rolled the dagger back, and sent it flying rapidly toward Mulls's face!
Moores retreated, but had no choice but to tumble off his horse. The dagger grazed his ear! Moores was shocked; he was so close to losing his ear!
Just then, shouts of battle erupted from the jungle: "Kill!"
"Save the prince!"
Nan Xuzong steadied himself and looked at the people rushing towards him. The leader was none other than Tie Feng!
Nan Xuzong was immediately surprised.
Those around them watched with a hint of fear. These men were all clad in armor, no less formidable than the Mu family's army! Hao Yueyi, just as he was contemplating a desperate fight, heard Muers shout, "Retreat!"
The Iron Guards surged into the crowd like a tidal wave, killing any other soldiers they encountered! This elite Iron Guard, trained by Tie Feng, was secretly ordered by Ji Wushang to do this. Unlike the Iron Guards in the General's Mansion, these men were all highly skilled martial artists who were willing to risk their lives for their country, and they were absolutely loyal!
Riding on this momentum, Bei Gong Jue Shi and his men killed several more Western Region soldiers. Murs and Hao Yue Yi led their remaining troops and quickly retreated.
Just as Tie Feng was about to lead his men to give chase, he heard Nan Xuzong say, "Don't chase them!"
"Why?" Bei Gong Jue Shi stepped forward. Due to the fighting, his eyes had turned red, making it impossible to tell that he had heterochromia.
"Their retreat was well-organized and extremely fast, which shows how capable their commander is! If we catch up now, we might be pursued! We should retreat quickly and return to the capital!" Nan Xuzong's voice came from inside the carriage.
Every day, Tie Feng and the others looked back to see the traces of the Western Region troops' retreat, just as Nan Xu Cong had said.
"Let's go!" Bei Gong Jue Shi lifted the curtain, looked inside and saw Yi Yun Muchen sleeping, and his lips twitched. "Thank you, Prince Nan!"
"You're welcome." Nan Xuzong retracted the gold thread, but frowned slightly, as the gold thread was stained with blood... He took out a silk handkerchief and carefully wiped the gold thread.
With Tie Feng and his men protecting him, Gong Shu quickly drove away.
"Did Wushang send you to greet us?" Nan Xuzong finished rolling up the gold thread, lifted the carriage curtain beside him, and asked Tie Feng.
"Yes, the Crown Princess was worried about the Crown Prince, so she had me send people to follow you. However, we couldn't go into the Western Regions, so the Crown Princess ordered me to wait at the border! Unfortunately, we are still a step too late. Please forgive me, Crown Prince and the Second Prince!" Tie Feng said, bowing, without seeing Yi Yun Muchen inside.
"Very good." Nan Xuzong's eyes flickered, and he lowered the curtain. At this moment, Beigong Jueshi was holding Yiyun Muchen, looking at him with a smile on his lips.
——
In the evening, Ji Wushang returned to Moxuan Garden, carrying several medical books in his hands.
As he turned the corner of the corridor, he saw Ji Yinxue walking towards him. Ji Wushang smiled and continued on his way. Ji Yinxue, seeing Ji Wushang from a distance, quickly went up to him, "Sister-in-law!"
"Hmm? It's your sister-in-law." Ji Wushang was slightly surprised. "Is there something you need?"
"Yes, please come and sit here with me, sister-in-law." Ji Yinxue looked very serious, her eyes sparkling as if she was about to say something important.
Ji Wushang sneered inwardly, just waiting to see what tricks she was going to play!
So he went with her.
Ji Yinxue's gaze drifted to the book in Ji Wushang's hand, and she smiled, "So it turns out that my sister-in-law is quite knowledgeable; she actually knows medicine!"
"Oh? I've become a doctor through long illness. You know I'm frail and sickly, and my mother is often ill too, so I've read some medical books. I can't say I understand anything!" Ji Wushang's lips twitched. She already knew that she would be able to guess that she knew medicine. She must have known that when she turned the tables on her and Nan Jinxue that time.
Ji Wushang looked at her face, which was rather pale. Given the power of the Xuan Ying Needle, she should have very little blood and energy. Could it be that she found a way to remove the Xuan Ying Needle?
While Ji Wushang was still wondering, the two were already sitting in the pavilion.
"Sister-in-law, I don't know if you've heard, Miss Zhao is here! She's in Aunt Zhao's courtyard!" Ji Yinxue said mysteriously, as if she was about to tell someone something good.
Ji Wushang snorted coldly. What kind of "cousin" was she? Was she thinking that since she didn't have enough power, she was finding someone to help suppress her? "Where is she? Why didn't you tell me? I'm at least helping to manage this Marquis's mansion!"
“I feel like…” Ji Yinxue thought of leaning closer to whisper in Ji Wushang’s ear, but Ji Wushang left her seat and stood some distance away. “What do you feel like? There aren’t many people passing by here, so you can say whatever you want!” Hmph, if she said something like that and someone saw it, wouldn’t they say that she and Ji Wushang had something going on? If Ji Wushang turned around and accused her, she would be in trouble!
"Um, sister-in-law, I have a feeling that Aunt Zhao might be thinking of letting that Miss Zhao stay. I've heard that Miss Zhao isn't married yet, so you should be careful!"
"Don't speculate before this matter is settled!" Ji Wushang glanced at her. Since Aunt Zhao hadn't come to call him yet, he would leave it for now and see what she planned to do! The most urgent task was to find out the cause of Nan Xuzong's mother's death back then!
Nan Xuzong said that the outsiders' claim that Huangfu Xiuer died in childbirth was just an excuse! The real reason needs to be investigated quickly! Also, he himself needs to find a way to cure Huangfu Xiuer's leg ailment!
As for other matters, if they behave themselves, I can put them aside for the time being!
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now," Ji Wushang said directly.
Ji Yinxue looked at her and could only suppress her resentment. Damn it, she didn't listen to her!
"Alright, sister-in-law, take care!" Ji Yinxue smiled, and Ji Wushang nodded and turned to leave.
As Ji Yinxue watched Ji Wushang walk away, her eyes slowly turned icy cold. "Hmph, do you still think that Miss Zhao is easy to mess with? I'll watch how you die!"
Ji Wushang returned to Moxuan Garden and immediately started reading. However, when he picked up a book at random, he touched the cover and felt something was different.
I picked it up and weighed it carefully, and the cover felt a bit heavy... Could there be a hidden compartment?
Ji Wushang immediately took the dagger and slowly cut open the cover of the book. Sure enough, after slowly tearing it open, he saw that there was indeed a folded piece of Xuan paper inside.
It's thin, so it's not easy for people to notice.
Ji Wushang carefully opened it. The paper turned out to be a map, or more precisely, a defense map. Ji Wushang didn't understand. Wasn't a defense map usually located in a military area? Moreover, as far as he knew, the Marquis's mansion had always consisted of civil officials, and no one had ever joined the army. Where did this military defense map come from? But it must be an important item, otherwise it wouldn't be placed in such a hidden place.
Ji Wushang carefully put the defense map away again.
Reaching out, she touched some books about Nan Xuzong that she had found in the room. A small joy welled up inside her. He had never told her anything about himself, so she would let herself learn about him slowly!
Putting down the book, looking at the books he had once written, the vigorous and powerful characters, Ji Wushang couldn't help but smile. Touching the dried ink, Ji Wushang seemed to see him sitting at the desk, writing his favorite words.
The book was meticulously written, and the back was filled with some insights and poems. Ji Wushang read it all carefully, completely immersed in it, feeling every stroke of Nan Xuzong's pen.
But when he saw the last page, a piece of paper fell out. Ji Wushang picked it up, opened it, and found that it contained Nan Xuzong's birthday. This... Ji Wushang looked at it carefully and was surprised to find that tomorrow was actually his birthday!
Ji Wushang's hand trembled suddenly, almost losing his senses! Luckily, he was looking through his book! But why, since it was the Crown Prince's birthday, there should at least be some celebration, but why was there no sign of it?
Ji Wushang tidied up and then called Hongfei, the head maid who served Nan Xuzong. Nan Xuzong was not often at the Marquis's residence, so the head maid who served him was actually only responsible for the daily cleaning of Moxuan Garden, and only occasionally, when the young master returned, she was responsible for more meals.
"Princess Consort." Hongfei was summoned and knelt down to pay her respects.
Ji Wushang nodded, "Get up!" Looking at the maid in front of him, who was only twelve years old and dressed in pink, Ji Wushang stepped forward and smiled, "I have some things I would like to ask you."
"Please ask me anything, Your Highness. I will answer all your questions without reservation," Hongfei said earnestly.
"Have you been living in this household since you were a child? And when did you begin serving the Crown Prince?"
“I entered the manor at the age of seven, and began serving the young master at the age of nine.”
"Hmm, then let me ask you, has your household ever held a birthday celebration for the young master?"
"Birthday?" Hongfei was surprised. "The Marquis never mentions the young master's birthday." Hongfei thought for a moment, then told the truth.
"Has the Second Young Master Nan ever held a birthday celebration?" Ji Wushang lowered his eyes. In the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, it was common for wealthy and powerful families to hold birthday celebrations for their heirs or favored young masters, regardless of the scale of the event, it was always just a token gesture. Unexpectedly, the enormous Marquis of Jinnan's mansion hadn't even held a birthday banquet for Nan Xuzong! Where did this leave Nan Xuzong?!
“They’ve done it before… The Second Young Master holds one almost every year, some big, some small, and his coming-of-age ceremony is always the most lavish.” Hongfei said in a low voice, afraid that Ji Wushang would get angry.
Ji Wushang suppressed his anger, "Summon everyone in the courtyard! I want to personally host a grand birthday banquet for the young master!"
Hongfei was startled. "This, Princess Consort, should we discuss this with Aunt Zhao first?"
"What are we discussing? Can't I, the Crown Prince's consort, take charge? Yes, I'm learning how to manage this Marquis's residence, but they're not interested in the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, so why should I bother them!" Ji Wushang's beautiful eyes swept coldly. "Quickly summon everyone in the courtyard!"
"yes!"
At this moment, Zhu'er and Xian'er both came in from outside. Zhu'er was carrying bird's nest soup, while Xian'er was carrying toiletries. The two maids watched Hongfei leave, wondering what was going on. Based on their understanding of Ji Wushang, these maids almost never entered the inner chambers of Moxuan Garden.
Ji Wushang looked at him and said, "Come in!"
"Miss." Pearl and String greeted her.
"I'm going to hold a grand birthday banquet at the September Pavilion, and you'll need to cooperate with me," Ji Wushang said, immediately dispelling all their doubts.
Pearl and Thread asked in surprise, "Miss, what preparations are needed?"
"Hmm." A glint of light flashed in Ji Wushang's eyes. "Time is running out, let's start preparing now!"
Just then, Hongfei had summoned all the servants, maids, and nannies in the courtyard. Ji Wushang looked at them one by one, nodded, and gave them instructions. After giving the instructions, he immediately sent them away.
Ji Wushang returned to Moxuan Garden and began preparations. He only had one day, and he hoped it would be enough time.
The night wind was blowing a bit hard. Aunt Zhao smiled as she massaged the Marquis of Jinnan to help him relax, and whispered, "My lord, I took Xian'er to the accounting office this morning and saw the Crown Princess looking at the account books there."
"Mm." Marquis Jinnan nodded comfortably.
“But Wu Shang actually said I was wrong. Sigh, my lord, you don’t know, she’s thinking of changing the rules I painstakingly established!” Aunt Zhao said sourly, while looking at the lord’s expression.
The Marquis of Jinnan was taken aback for a moment, but then calmly said, "Didn't I hand over the affairs of the inner courtyard to you? You don't need to ask me about these matters. Just handle them well."
This means that Aunt Zhao should handle the matter herself; if she says no, Ji Wushang won't be able to touch a hair on her head!
Aunt Zhao was overjoyed. Since the Marquis had agreed, she had nothing to worry about! Ji Wushang was still too inexperienced to think he could shake her foundation!
"Thank you, Lord Marquis," Aunt Zhao said in a coquettish voice, her hand reaching for the Marquis's chest, her eyes filled with seductive allure as she breathed softly.
The Marquis of Jinnan was moved. Without saying anything more, he picked her up and turned to go into the inner room.
Aunt Zhao scoffed inwardly. The Marquis of Jinnan was completely infatuated with her, rarely allowing any of his other concubines a shred of favor. But why hadn't she conceived? If she could give birth to a son, it would be even more advantageous for Nan Jinxue! Then, her chances of becoming the official wife would be even greater!
Speaking of being promoted to the position of principal wife, Aunt Zhao couldn't help but feel angry. Why did she have to be afraid of Nan Xuzong's relationship with the Empress Dowager? It made her feel like she was the lady of the house, but she had to bear the title of concubine!
I must work hard! Actually, if the Marquis of Jinnan were to speak up, I could become his wife!
Narrowing her eyes and deftly dodging the Marquis's advances, Consort Zhao spoke slowly, "My lord, I've been worried these past few days. I've been quite unsettled ever since!"
"Hmm." The Marquis's body trembled. "You speak, I listen." His movements did not slow down at all.
"I... I've been thinking, fifteen years have already passed. Alas, if something were to happen to me and I could no longer serve you, who would serve you then!" The matter of being promoted to the rank of principal wife still couldn't be uttered, otherwise, the Marquis would surely think I was power-hungry! I should postpone it and find an opportunity!
Aunt Zhao's eyes were glazed over, and her slender arms were wrapped around his neck.
The Marquis stopped what he was doing, looked at the woman in front of him, and said, "No, don't overthink it!" After saying that, he resumed his actions.
Aunt Zhao smiled. This man in front of her could never leave her! Even if she fell from grace in the future, he would definitely come to her aid! Besides, she held benefits in his hands!
After the passion subsided, the two lay together. Aunt Zhao was still thinking about how to deal a heavy blow to Ji Wushang!
Ji Wushang stayed up for a long time under the lamp before finally finishing what he was doing. He gently placed the painting aside, hoping the night breeze would dry it, and then went into the room behind the screen to bathe.
After a long while, he came out, but as soon as he came out, he suddenly felt dizzy. Ji Wushang grabbed the table next to him and breathed heavily.