Huangfu Xuan's eyes were cold as he glanced at the palace maids and eunuchs around him, watching them bow, but he paid them no heed. He then approached the palace and entered.
The young eunuch has already left.
Huangfu Xuan's sinister eyes were fixed on everything inside. The palace maid had already announced, "Third Prince, please come in."
Huangfu Xuan stepped inside.
Upon entering, however, the figure engrossed in reading was nowhere to be seen. It was a vivid memory that Consort Yuan loved reading most of all; whenever I entered the palace, I would always see her reading under the lamp. But today, she was nowhere to be found.
Huangfu Xuan quickened his pace, lifted the beaded curtain, and stepped into the inner room.
But then he saw Consort Yuan struggling to get out of bed.
Huangfu Xuan was startled and immediately went up to her, "Mother!"
"Xuan'er." Consort Yuan looked up at him, seeing his more mature face and more handsome features, and his tall figure, exuding an aura of domineering power and arrogance.
"Xuan'er is here!" Huangfu Xuan stepped forward and helped Yuanfei up. The palace maids serving Yuanfei immediately stepped aside. "Third Prince."
"You may all leave!" Consort Yuan waved her hand, and the palace maids immediately bowed their heads and left.
Huangfu Xuan gently placed her back on the bed and helped her lean against the headboard. "Mother, what happened? What's wrong?"
"It's alright. Getting old, sick, and dying are all normal occurrences. Xuan'er, don't worry." Consort Yuan looked at him with a pale face and forced a smile.
"You've always been in good health, how could you suddenly fall ill?" Huangfu Xuan clearly couldn't believe that Consort Yuan was so seriously ill!
Consort Yuan said, "You've been gone for so many years, and many things have changed. But I'm really happy to see my Xuan'er grow up like this."
"Mother, what did the imperial physician say?" Huangfu Xuan's eyes softened slightly.
Consort Yuan shook her head and remained silent.
Huangfu Xuan's whole body turned cold instantly. "I'm going to kill those quack doctors! Mother, you wait here, I'll go tell Father. Please wait a moment!"
"No, thank you." Consort Yuan shook her head. She had already let go of the past. Now that Huangfu Xuan had returned, she had no regrets.
"Hasn't Father Emperor seen you?!" Huangfu Xuan looked at her and immediately stood up from the bedside. "How could he treat you like this!"
"It's not what you think. He sent a very good imperial physician to treat me, but I'm not good enough. I don't want to waste his time. He's very busy, so don't blame him."
"Mother Consort." Huangfu Xuan's words carried a hint of helplessness. Even though being an emperor meant being very busy, couldn't he spare a little time each day to visit her? Even just a short visit and a few words would have been enough!
"Mother, you don't need to say anything more. I'll go first. I'll have someone find some old doctors in the countryside. They should be able to take a look at your illness." Huangfu Xuan gently held her hand, only to find that her hand was very cold!
"Mother, Mother!" Huangfu Xuan exclaimed in surprise, looking at Consort Yuan, only to see that her head had already turned to the other side!
"Mother!" Huangfu Xuan shouted loudly, and the whole palace could hear him!
"Someone come here!" Huangfu Xuan had never felt so nervous. He never imagined this would be the last time he saw her! And her last words were for the man who had never truly loved her... Don't blame him, shouldn't he blame him too?!
The palace maids and eunuchs from the Zhou Qi period immediately rushed in from outside, only to see that Huangfu Xuan was already tightly holding the gradually cooling corpse.
Everyone immediately knelt down.
Huangfu Xuan's face was cold and expressionless. Perhaps Yuan Fei was holding on just to see Huangfu Xuan one last time... Huangfu Xuan put Yuan Fei back on the bed, covered her with the quilt, and slowly walked out, ignoring everyone.
From then on, Consort Yuan and the Third Prince Huangfu Xuan became even more violent, their ambitions swelled rapidly, and they became even more unscrupulous.
The morning breeze blew into the room.
Ji Wushang had just finished breakfast with Nan Xuzong when he heard a maid running into the courtyard from outside. Zhu'er immediately bowed outside and said, "Your Highness and Your Highness's Consort, there is good news!"
"What good news?" Ji Wushang looked at her and beckoned her in.
"The Second Young Mistress is pregnant!" Zhu'er exclaimed. "Everyone in the Marquis's mansion is overjoyed!"
"What?" Ji Wushang narrowed her eyes at her. How could this be? Others might not know, but she knew that Ji Wuxia had put an infertility drug in her food. According to her calculations, she should not be able to get pregnant. Could it be that Nan Jinxue had someone cure her? Or did she cure herself?
Seeing her deep in thought, Nan Xuzong said, "No rush, we'll go take a look later."
"Mm." Ji Wushang nodded. "You may leave now. I will go check on you after I finish my meal. Make sure the maids and nannies take good care of the Second Young Mistress, do you understand?"
"Yes." Pearl nodded and ran out.
If I don't give her the best care, Ji Yinxue might do something out of line in front of the Marquis! Now that Ji Yinxue is pregnant, her status in the Marquis's mansion will rise, and if her child is the first newborn in the mansion, then... my position as the mistress of the house is a bit dangerous.
As Ji Wushang pondered this, her hand involuntarily stopped. Nan Xuzong placed the pastry in her bowl. "What are you thinking about?"
After making sure no one was around, Ji Wushang said, "It's impossible for Ji Yinxue to be pregnant."
"What?" Nan Xuzong frowned immediately. "You mean, she's lying to everyone?"
“I need to be sure, because she took infertility drugs before, so there shouldn’t be any chance of her getting pregnant. I think they must have started their plan.”
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong nodded. "Let's eat first. If she's lying, it won't be hard for us to expose her true colors." "I need to confirm." Ji Wushang said, immediately putting the snack into his mouth, quickly finishing it, and then stood up. "I'm full. You go ahead and do your work. I need to go see her."
"I'll stay with you." Since Ji Yinxue was able to come up with such a method to say she was pregnant, then their target must be either her or Ji Wushang. She absolutely cannot allow such an accident to happen!
Ji Wushang walked behind him and they went out together.
Upon arriving at Yuxue Garden, they were surrounded by maids and nannies bustling about. They greeted Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong with bows.
Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang immediately went inside.
Inside the room, several maids and matrons were already attending to the guests. The Marquis was present with Consort Jin and Consort Leng. Ji Wushang greeted Nan Xuzong. Nan Xuzong stayed to speak with them, while Ji Wushang approached the bedside.
Ji Yinxue was being served by her head maids Youlan and Shuipei. Youlan and Shuipei had come from the General's Mansion as part of her dowry and had seen Ji Wushang before. When they saw Ji Wushang coming forward, they immediately bowed and said, "Princess Consort."
"Well, I'll just check on how your wife is. It's wonderful to have her pregnant! It's a pity my second brother is bedridden, otherwise he would be very happy!" Ji Wushang said politely as he stepped forward to look at Ji Yinxue a few times.
Ji Yinxue had her eyes closed at the moment. Ji Wushang knew she was pretending to be asleep, but he still sat down by her bedside and asked, "How many months pregnant is the Second Young Madam?"
"Your Highness, it has been two months," Youlan said.
Ji Wushang nodded. Two months means it happened after she married into this family! If she had conceived after marriage, then she definitely wouldn't have gotten pregnant if she had taken the infertility drug!
Ji Wushang turned his head and looked at her face. Her complexion was rosy, which made Ji Wushang feel that she was sweet. Unfortunately, he knew that this woman was not sweet at all!
Seeing that no one was around, Ji Wushang pulled the blanket down a bit, but then got up the next second, at which point the blanket was pulled down again.
Ji Wushang was surprised and immediately turned around to help tuck Ji Yinxue's blanket in, saying, "You maids must take good care of her. If anything happens to the baby, I will not let you off easily!" While tucking in the blanket, he left Ji Yinxue's hand exposed.
Ji Wushang, with his sharp eyes, noticed this and immediately took her wrist, then naturally placed it under the quilt. "Sister-in-law is pregnant, so you need to be careful to keep warm. Also, remember to tell the kitchen to prepare some better food for her to nourish her body."
I can't believe it! I'm really pregnant! How is this possible?!
Ji Wushang's heart skipped a beat.
After tucking the blanket in, Ji Wushang turned around and looked at Youlan and Shuipei, "Did you hear that?"
"Yes." Youlan and Shuipei nodded. The Crown Princess is so kind, taking such good care of Miss. She used to seem rather fierce, but now she really does take good care of her!
Ji Wushang left, leaving Youlan and Shui Pei to take care of Ji Yinxue.
As he went outside, he saw them still chatting. Ji Wushang smiled and went up to them, "Father, Aunt Jin, Aunt Leng, Cong."
Nan Xuzong looked at Ji Wushang and nodded.
"Hmm." The Marquis hummed softly, "Wu Shang, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but Yin Xue is already pregnant. You two should hurry up!"
Um... Ji Wushang didn't expect him to say that. Could it be that they were just talking about this? Ji Wushang's gaze drifted to Nan Xuzong, who was scratching his head innocently and looking outside.
"Yes, Father," Ji Wushang replied helplessly.
It's not that I don't want to! But these things can't be rushed...
“Father, these things can’t be rushed. It’s good that my sister-in-law and second brother are pregnant so quickly.” Nan Xuzong looked at the expression on Ji Wushang’s face and immediately said, “Father, don’t you have other things to do?”
"Yes, yes, yes!" The Marquis nodded. "You all take good care of Yin Xue and keep an eye on her. Also, Jin Xue is almost fully recovered, so you all take good care of her!"
“Yes.” Aunt Jin and Aunt Leng nodded and exchanged a glance.
Ji Wushang smiled, "Father, don't worry, I will definitely have the servants take good care of them."
"Hmm." The Marquis nodded and immediately went out.
After watching the person walk away, Ji Wushang said to Aunt Jin and Aunt Leng, "Aunt Jin and Aunt Leng, Aunt Zhao has recovered a lot. I'm going to see her. Would you like to come with me?"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Jin and Aunt Leng's faces immediately fell.
That bitch Zhao Rui actually survived?! How hateful! Aunt Jin smiled, "I'll go see her later. You and Cong'er go see Aunt Zhao first!"
"Me too, I'm feeling a bit unwell, but I think I'll be fine after a rest. I'll head back now," Aunt Leng said, rubbing her forehead.
Ji Wushang nodded, "Then Aunt Leng, please take care of yourself. I'll have the family physician come and take a look!"
"No need. Thank you for your kindness, Princess Consort!" Aunt Leng said with considerable displeasure, then turned and walked out.
Aunt Jin smiled and left.
Ji Wushang smiled faintly as he watched them leave, then turned to Nan Xuzong and asked, "Shall we go?"
"Fine." Nan Xuzong watched the two concubines disappear, his heart filled with displeasure. "Their rudeness towards you is truly despicable!"
Ji Wushang laughed and said, "Let's go back first!" He looked around and gestured to Nan Xuzong that this was Yuxue Garden, not his place.
Nan Xuzong nodded.
After the two left Yu Xue Garden, Ji Wushang said, "Don't blame them, because their future path won't be easy!" Ji Wushang pushed his wheelchair out, "Leave these things to me. There will be a good show to watch in the next few days."
"They're just lowly concubines, yet they act so arrogantly. I'll teach them a lesson they won't forget!" Nan Xuzong sneered.
Ji Wushang laughed, "You don't need to intervene. It'll be more interesting if they fight amongst themselves!"
Nan Xuzong nodded.
Ji Wushang looked at the pavilion ahead and said, "Let's go sit there for a while."
"I'll listen to you."
Once in the pavilion, Ji Wushang sat down facing him. After making sure no one was around, he said, "Ji Yinxue is really pregnant. I don't understand why this is happening."
"So she's really pregnant?" Nan Xuzong looked at her. He had never doubted what she said. If he weren't the older brother and had to consider his gender, he would definitely have gone to see for himself whether the woman was really pregnant or not!
However, I am aware of Ji Wushang's medical skills, so her diagnosis should be accurate.
"So that means it really was cured?" Nan Xuzong asked.
"Yes, and the Xuan Ying Needle is gone!" Ji Wushang frowned. "It seems that the Second Prince really likes Ji Yinxue. Apart from the Second Prince, there is absolutely no one who can help Ji Yinxue!"
"You must be careful. If the Xuan Ying Needle is removed, it is very likely to be implanted in someone else's body. It's possible that it could be you or me." Nan Xuzong looked at her. "In a few days, it will be the wedding of Jueshi and Princess Muchen. Many people will be invited. You must be careful."
"Mm." Ji Wushang nodded.
Just then, a servant rushed in from outside, "Your Highness, Your Highness's Consort!"
"What is it?" Nan Xuzong's eyes narrowed slightly.