In heaven, we wish to be birds flying wing to wing; on earth, we wish to be trees with intertwined branches.
Ji Wushang smiled, and Nan Xuzong magically produced a plaque and placed it in front of Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang took the plaque in surprise and examined it closely. On the front was Nan Xuzong's name, and on the back was Ji Wushang's name. The calligraphy was bold and elegant, yet beautiful.
He wrote this!
“Throw it up, and we’ll be together forever,” Nan Xuzong said with a smile.
"Hey, you can only throw it once! If I can't get it up there, I won't stay with you anymore!" Not far away, a couple was throwing the "couple's plaque" onto the "couple's tree." This was the woman's coquettish complaint.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely throw it up there, just watch!" It was the man's confident voice.
"Hey, be careful! I should have let you write it, and then I would have thrown it away..." The woman's nagging voice came again.
Ji Wushang felt the couple's marriage plaque was a bit heavy, and was about to speak when Nan Xuzong said, "Don't worry, I trust you. Just toss it into the sky, and it'll be fine." She was looking forward to it, and he was also looking forward to seeing her happy. This marriage plaque is written by one of the couple, and the other throws it; it's said that only in this way can the couple's wishes be fulfilled.
"Yes!" Ji Wushang finally nodded. He knew he could do it!
Ji Wushang touched the Lianli plaque with his hand. If happiness were in his hands, he would definitely hold on to it tightly.
Ji Wushang glanced at the banyan tree, then raised his hand and tossed the "Love and Harmony" plaque into the air. At the same time, Nan Xuzong's palm strike unleashed a powerful internal force, lifting the plaque and sending it landing steadily on the highest branch of the banyan tree!
Ji Wushang was overjoyed, "Cong, did you see that? It's done, it's done!"
"Yes, I saw it!" Nan Xuzong's eyes shone brightly as he looked at the excited little woman in front of him and smiled radiantly.
Just then, a dazzling, multicolored flower bloomed in the sky, its brilliant light illuminating the entire earth, followed by a deafening sound.
Then, another firework burst into bloom. Beautiful and dazzling!
Ji Wushang and he were overjoyed, so they found a place to sit down. He sat in his wheelchair, and she sat on the stool next to him, snuggling together. He held her tightly as they watched the fireworks together.
Ji Wushang breathed in the fragrance of orchids as they watched the fireworks. The two were so sweet that it was enviable, and they even forgot about dinner...
Nan Xuzong held her close, then looked around warily. Sensing no danger, he gently kissed her lips. "How about we come see the fireworks every year from now on?"
"Okay." Ji Wushang readily agreed. "Come on, let's pinky swear!" Ji Wushang stretched out his hand. He had many, many things he wanted to do to keep him by his side and never let him leave him for a moment!
Nan Xuzong didn't know where he learned it from, maybe when he was a child, but he was still happy to obediently extend his hand. Ji Wushang made a pinky promise with him and said, "Pinky promise, no change for a hundred years, a thousand years, ten thousand years!" Ji Wushang smiled and looked up at his smiling, crescent-shaped eyes.
He was overjoyed, happier than ever before. Spending such a day with her was wonderful and joyful.
Ji Wushang looked at him, smiled, then took his hand and gently kissed him on the lips.
He dodged in the next second.
He was overjoyed and pulled her into his arms, kissing her.
Ji Wushang flinched for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist him, and they shared a passionate kiss. After a long while, Nan Xuzong reluctantly released her, gently caressing her slightly swollen lips with his hand. He smiled and said, "You're so beautiful."
Ji Wushang, her face flushed with embarrassment, nestled in his arms, listening to his slightly excited heartbeat—the lingering afterglow of their passionate kiss, the thrill of love.
Nan Xuzong held her quietly.
The fireworks had ended. Ji Wushang looked up, from his chin all the way up, and saw that chiseled, handsome face. Ji Wushang reached out and touched his face, feeling his warmth, but he didn't say anything.
Nan Xuzong smiled with his eyes slightly closed.
I had that urge... I really wanted to take her right here, but I decided against it. There are so many people here; I didn't want to scare her.
After a long while, Ji Wushang was already drowsy. Being in his arms brought her peace and warmth. Nan Xuzong gently shook her, "Are you hungry? Do you want to eat? It's getting late."
"Hmm." Ji Wushang nodded, struggling to sit up from his embrace. "Did I actually fall asleep?"
Nan Xuzong nodded slightly.
"I'm awake now," Ji Wushang said. "Let's go! Shall we have some food first?"
"I'll listen to you." Nan Xuzong straightened her skirt, and then they walked together to a nearby restaurant.
Looking up, Nan Xuzong saw that it read "Xiangmanlou" (香满楼). The name wasn't bad.
As soon as they entered, the waiter came up to them and asked, "Are you two guests here for a meal or to stay the night?"
"Let's have a meal," Nan Xuzong said calmly, his expression unchanged.
Ji Wushang nodded with a smile.
Just then, Ji Wushang noticed Ji Tiankui and Mo Qiqi sitting in a corner having a meal. The two were enjoying their meal together, seemingly very affectionate, and didn't seem to notice Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong.
Ji Wushang leaned down slightly and whispered, "My elder brother and sister-in-law are here too."
"Yes, I saw it too." Nan Xuzong smiled. "Let's not disturb them."
"Yes." Ji Wushang didn't want to be disturbed with Nan Xuzong. He just didn't expect that Ji Tiankui would be so romantic as to bring Mo Qiqi out to stroll around the lantern festival.
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong found a seat and then ordered the food to be served.
However, Ji Tiankui and Mo Qiqi also saw Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong at this moment. Ji Tiankui's eyes darkened. He thought of what happened in the mansion a few days ago and hesitated whether to tell Ji Wushang.
Mo Qiqi looked at him and said, "Just tell her. Otherwise, if she finds out later, she'll definitely say you didn't tell her."
“Actually, I was just worried that Sister Wushang would be concerned.” Ji Tiankui looked at her and Nan Xuzong and said, “She and Prince Nan are actually quite a good match.”
"It's a pity that Prince Nan can't stand up, isn't it?" Mo Qiqi felt a pang of pity for Ji Wushang.
"Don't be so loud. If they hear, they'll probably be upset." Ji Tiankui glanced at Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong in the distance. "Let's talk to them later when they're almost done."
“Yes.” Mo Qiqi nodded. “Also, Wu Zi has already achieved some success at the training ground. What do you think of Wu Shang’s suggestion? Let him go to the frontier and see how it goes. My second brother is there. I can write a letter and let Wu Zi go and explore. It would be good for my second brother to train Wu Zi.”
“That’s true.” Ji Tiankui nodded. “If I can’t remember later, you’ll have to give me a hint.”
“Mm.” Mo Qiqi smiled.
Ji Tiankui smiled and picked up a piece of meat from his plate for her, saying, "Eat more."
"Okay." Mo Qiqi smiled again.
He was actually quite good to me. Although he was a general and a roughneck, he was sometimes very thoughtful and took good care of me. He was a very honest and kind person. Marrying him would be a good choice.
Ji Wushang slowly finished his dinner, while Nan Xuzong ate very little. Ji Wushang asked, "This food doesn't suit your taste?"
"No, I'm just a little full today. It's fine, you can eat as much as you want." Nan Xuzong's eyes drifted towards Ji Tiankui and the others.
Ji Wushang nodded, ate some more side dishes, and then put down his chopsticks. "I'm full."
Nan Xuzong smiled and said, "Okay. Let's wait a little longer."
"What are you waiting for?" Ji Wushang turned his head and saw Ji Tiankui and Mo Qiqi walking towards them. So it was them; they knew he and Nan Xuzong were here.
"Sister Wushang, Your Highness," Ji Tiankui said with a smile, pulling Mo Qiqi along with his hand. Mo Qiqi also smiled and said, "Sister, Your Highness."
Ji Wushang stood up. "Big brother, sister-in-law! Sit down." Ji Wushang gestured for them to sit opposite him, while Nan Xuzong sat down next to them. Nan Xuzong nodded and gave a brief greeting.
"Have you eaten, elder brother and sister-in-law?" Ji Wushang asked.
“I just used it,” Ji Tiankui said, his gaze falling on Nan Xuzong, then turning to Ji Wushang. “I have something I want to tell you. It’s just that I haven’t been able to visit you yet, which has delayed me for quite a while.”
"What is it?" Ji Wushang asked quickly. In the General's Mansion, the people he was most worried about were Wu Zi, as well as the Old Madam and his father Ji Dingbei. He had already eliminated all the concubines in the mansion, so there shouldn't be anything serious happening!
Nan Xuzong nodded slightly, then waved to the waiter to remove the food and replace it with snacks and some wine.
“Grandmother caught a cold and kept it from you, afraid you would worry, so she didn’t want to tell you at the Marquis’s residence. But after seeing you all today, I’ve thought it over and decided it’s best to tell you,” Ji Tiankui said.
Ji Wushang frowned, realizing he had overlooked something. "I'll go back to the General's Mansion tomorrow." He looked at Nan Xuzong with a questioning look in his eyes, but his mind was already made up.
Nan Xuzong said, "Yes, I'll have someone escort you back to the General's Mansion." He has things to do tomorrow and can't stay with her all the time.
"And another thing," Mo Qiqi said, "Wu Zi's matter..."
“That’s right,” Ji Tiankui said. “Big sister, Wu Zi is making great progress now, but I think it would be good to send him to the frontier to gain some experience. There’s Qi’er’s second brother there, and we can entrust Wu Zi to him for help in taking care of him.”
"I need to ask Wu Zi if he agrees." Ji Wushang frowned. He hadn't seen Ji Wusi for a long time and wondered if he had grown taller and stronger.
“I asked him, and he said it’s up to you. But he also misses you a lot and talks about you all the time. Why doesn’t Sister go to see him? Haha, Wu Zi is such a child, still so young.” Ji Tiankui laughed heartily.
Ji Wushang was somewhat pleased. Since Ji Wusi was talking about him, he felt much more at ease. "I'll go to the training ground to see him another day and make sure he practices his martial arts well. He said he would protect his elder sister when he grows up, so I can't let him slack off."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything." Ji Tiankui smiled.
Seeing that the siblings got along quite well, Mo Qiqi felt relieved.
Nan Xuzong remained silent, simply smiling as he watched Ji Wushang. Mo Qiqi glanced at Nan Xuzong, a slight smile playing on her lips. He truly doted on Ji Wushang; it was indeed enviable. However, she too had a good husband. Mo Qiqi's gaze shifted to Ji Tiankui's face. Upon meeting her gaze, Ji Tiankui smiled back at Mo Qiqi.
Ji Wushang said, "Thank you very much, elder brother."
"You're welcome. If you have time, you can come back to the manor with the young master for a visit. Father is feeling rather lonely."
"Isn't Madam Qin with Father?" Ji Wushang asked. After a long pause, he tried to call out "Mother" again, but couldn't. He only had one mother!
“She is keeping me company, but there are many things going on in the courtyard! Oh well, also, Aunt Nangong seems to be showing signs of waking up. I wonder if she will wake up in the next few months,” Ji Tiankui added.
Ji Wushang was taken aback upon hearing this.
"Qi'er and I are going back first. You should go back early too!" Ji Tiankui didn't notice Ji Wushang's change, but instead put his arm around Mo Qiqi and walked out.
Mo Qiqi said a brief goodbye to them and then left.
Aunt Nangong is indeed not dead yet, but if she wakes up, things will be different! I need to find some time to go back and give Madam Qin a heads-up!
Madam Qin needs to use some tricks, otherwise, given Aunt Nangong's methods, she might soon take away Madam Qin's position!
This time, let's go for something devastating.
Seeing Ji Wushang lost in thought, Nan Xuzong pondered for a moment and knew what she was worried about. He said, "Go back to the General's Mansion tomorrow. If you encounter any troublesome matters, just tell me."
"No, we need to wait and see before making a decision. It would be better if I went back tomorrow." Ji Wushang nodded.
The two returned home together.
Inside the Marquis's mansion, the opera troupe had already left, and the entire mansion was quiet as everyone had gone to rest.
Nan Xuzong looked at the sky; it was already 10 PM (Beijing time), quite late.
“Let’s go back to Moxuan Garden!” Nan Xuzong said.
"Don't you feel it's too quiet?" Ji Wushang said, his heart not at peace.
Quiet, yes.
Nan Xuzong closed her eyes slightly and listened to the wind, but there was nothing wrong with the wind. Was she too nervous? Or had her ability to sense things diminished?
"It's alright, don't worry." Nan Xuzong held her hand, letting the warmth of his palm wash over her. "Just have Gong Shu come and report to us later."
"Hmm." Ji Wushang followed him into the house and into the study. While he read the letters, Ji Wushang ground ink for him.
"Gong Shu," Nan Xuzong called out slightly towards the outside.
Gong Shu walked in from outside and said respectfully, "Your Highness, Princess Consort!"