"Aunt Jin, Aunt Leng." Ji Wushang smiled.
"Princess Consort, what a coincidence!" Aunt Leng glanced at Aunt Jin, who gave a cold smile. "Yes, it seems like I see the Princess Consort everywhere I go."
"Of course, because we're always busy with this and that, going to many places to handle things. Yes, Aunt, are you thinking of going to see Second Brother and Sister-in-law?"
"Hmm." Aunt Jin nodded. "I wonder how they are. Aunt Zhao has been staying in Zhuangshu Garden the whole time. Well, let's go check on them!" To see if they're dead!
“I see. But I guess they’re alright. You two go and see them. Cong and I have some things to do. By the way, Aunt Jin, the fabric you picked out for me before was very beautiful. I wonder if I could ask you for another roll?” Ji Wushang said.
"Of course. If the Princess Consort likes those fabrics, she can just go to my courtyard to get them. I'll have the maids prepare them!" Aunt Jin didn't understand why Ji Wushang would suddenly mention fabrics, but since she was in charge of the fabric shop, if Ji Wushang wanted fabrics, she would naturally give them to her.
"That's good. Thank you in advance, Aunt Jin!" Ji Wushang smiled.
Nan Xuzong waited for Ji Wushang in the corridor in the distance, watching her talk with the two women. With his profound martial arts skills, he could naturally hear what Ji Wushang and the two women were saying, but he didn't understand why Ji Wushang would mention any material. Was she thinking of making another robe for him?
No, I might not have time to get dressed, and I don't want to waste my and her time on these things. I must ask her later.
"No need for thanks!" Aunt Leng looked at Ji Wushang, then glanced at Aunt Jin. It was just a piece of fabric, wasn't it? Why were they so happy about it?
Aunt Jin received the cold glint in Aunt Leng's eyes and snorted, "It's almost time. I'll go check on the Second Young Master!" The Marquis will be back tomorrow, so she'll definitely have to put on a show and try to keep his heart firmly in her grasp while he still dotes on her, so she can eventually become the Marquis's wife!
This Marquis's mansion hasn't had a Marquis's wife for many years! This has been my goal all along! Now that Aunt Zhao is out of the picture, I'm determined to make the most of this drama of my life!
Seeing her anxious look, Aunt Leng knew that she must be eager to compete for the position of the Marquis's wife... She would definitely not let her have her way!
Ji Wushang looked at the two women and said, "Then I won't disturb you two concubines any longer." Ji Wushang smiled and walked to Nan Xuzong's side, "Zong, let's go out!"
“Okay.” Nan Xuzong nodded, then walked outside with Ji Wushang.
While in the carriage, Nan Xuzong gently put his arm around her slender waist and asked, "What did you say to those two just now?"
"It's nothing, I just asked Aunt Jin for some fabric, it's really nothing," Ji Wushang said with a smile.
"Fabric? What are you going to do with it? Make me a robe again?" Nan Xuzong looked at her, gently turned her shoulders, and then made her look into his eyes.
“No,” Ji Wushang said. “But if you like it, I will definitely keep making it for you.” Ji Wushang gently smoothed his hair.
"So what are you planning to do?" Hearing her answer that she wasn't making the robe for herself, then who was she making it for?
“It will be useful, you’ll see later.” Ji Wushang smiled and snuggled up to him. “That robe only needs a few more steps to complete. Once it’s finished, try it on and see if it fits. If it doesn’t, I’ll fix it up.”
"Alright." Nan Xuzong nodded, using his hand as a comb to gently smooth her dark hair. "Hair like satin, beauty like jade, graceful as a startled swan. Wu Shang."
"Hmm?" Ji Wushang was really enjoying his caresses, and felt like he could fall asleep in the carriage. Hearing his call, Ji Wushang mumbled a response.
"It's nothing, I just wanted to call you." Nan Xuzong gently hugged her tighter. "Are you tired? Just take a nap, I'll call you when we get there."
"Mmm," Ji Wushang replied, then settled into a comfortable position and continued sleeping.
Being by his side, she never had to worry about anything. He doted on her and took everything into consideration. Ji Wushang was extremely dependent on this man.
Looking at her serene face, Nan Xuzong felt he could never get enough of her. His warm fingertips slowly glided across her jade-like cheek, each touch stirring a tremor in his heart. She was beautiful, captivating, and irresistible.
"I don't care about the next life, I only ask to be with you in this life." Nan Xuzong lowered his beautiful head and whispered softly in her ear.
Her delicate brows furrowed slightly.
"Wu Shang, can you hear what I'm saying?" Nan Xu Cong raised his head and looked at the scene outside. People were coming and going on the street, but he didn't know where his destination was or where his final resting place was.
The best ending I could imagine was being with her.
He suddenly remembered the Lantern Festival that day.
All the lanterns floated downstream in the same direction, but hers and her lotus lantern floated upstream, drifting to an unknown destination. Was it divine jealousy? Was the River God telling her that her marriage was different from others, but how was it different? Was it because it violated heavenly rules and was therefore unblessed? Or was it a divine marriage?
Nan Xuzong looked down at her. If he could still be with her after this, he would take her to release lanterns every year and see all the beauty.
"Cong, hehe, I'm hungry." When Nan Xuzong was lost in thought, he heard Ji Wushang call out. Nan Xuzong was startled, "Hungry?" Is it because it's almost noon now that you're hungry?
Ji Wushang did not answer, but continued to sleep, as if he was eating something, or savoring it.
Nan Xuzong was taken aback. This young woman was really something, talking in her sleep. Hungry? Nan Xuzong smiled.
Love makes women a hundred times more foolish and a hundred times more naive than before; love also makes men a hundred times more mature and a hundred times more profound than before.
This is a love based on mutual understanding and mutual dependence.
Nan Xuzong is the kind of man who is a hundred times more profound, while Ji Wushang is the kind of woman who is a hundred times more naive and a hundred times more foolish.
But he really liked this feeling; he found an unprecedented sense of satisfaction in her.
With her, the world is beautiful; without her, his world is dark.
“You brought me out of the darkness, and I don’t want to go back into it. Ji Wushang, do you know that?” Nan Xuzong looked at her and gently kissed her lips.
After a long while, the carriage finally arrived at the September Pavilion.
Nan Xuzong whispered softly in her ear, "We've arrived at Jiuyue Tower."
"Mmm." Ji Wushang nodded. In his dream, he seemed to have eaten honey, and it tasted so delicious.
Nan Xuzong smiled and wiped the honey from her lips. This little vixen was born to make him fall for her.
"Wu Shang, wake up, we've arrived at Jiu Yue Tower," Nan Xu Cong called out again.
Nan Xuzong adored her sleeping face and kissed her cherry lips fiercely, his large hands on her slender waist slowly tightening.
Ji Wushang was finally awakened by the stirring of his tongue. Opening her eyes, she saw Nan Xuzong's dark eyes, which were slightly tinged with flames. Her heart skipped a beat, "...Uh, you..."
He reluctantly let go, "You're awake?" There was still a hint of desire in his eyes.
Ji Wushang gently pushed his head away a little. "You're awake." How could he not wake up after such a fierce kiss?
Nan Xuzong smiled. "We should go down now."
"Okay." Ji Wushang moved his large hand away; he had been groping her all over again.
Nan Xuzong's eyes flickered, then he put her down, considerately straightened her clothes, and then straightened himself.
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong went directly to the side room on the third floor.
As soon as they arrived on the third floor, the waiter hurried over and said, "Please come this way, gentlemen." He bowed respectfully and pointed towards the top-class private room.
Nan Xuzong nodded and went inside with Ji Wushang.
Bei Gongminhao was sitting at a round table with three wine glasses in front of him. Two glasses were opposite him, placed beforehand for Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong, while he himself had a glass in front of him, which he was sipping slowly, though he had already drunk a few ounces of light wine. None of the side dishes had been touched.
When he heard the knocking at the door, Beigong Minhao's eyes darkened. He stopped playing with the wine glass and placed it on the table.
Ji Wushang pushed Nan Xuzong's wheelchair in.
Nan Xuzong looked at Beigong Minhao and smiled, "Minhao."
"Greetings, Your Highness," Ji Wushang said with a simple bow.
"No need for formalities." Bei Gongminhao nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang raised his head slightly and then smiled at Nan Xuzong.
Beigong Minhao shifted his gaze to Nan Xuzong's eyes, but his heart was filled with a deep sense of helplessness.
"Sit down and have a drink," Beigong Minhao said, then poured drinks for both of them.
Nan Xuzong raised his glass. "It's been a long time. Cheers!"
Ji Wushang looked at them, sitting to the side and watching, "Am I interrupting your conversation? Should I leave for a moment?"
Nan Xuzong was a little confused. Wasn't this the suggestion she was going to make? Why was she suddenly bringing up avoiding it?
“I think you must have something important to do, so I’d better not disturb you.” Ji Wushang tapped his finger.
Bei Gongminhao looked at her, then at Nan Xuzong, "Actually, there's nothing private about it. It's nice for the three of us to chat together."
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong nodded. With Ji Wushang present, he certainly wouldn't discuss the current situation with Beigong Minhao. Anyway, his purpose today was to find out where the two brothers had been these past few days and what their purpose was.
Ji Wushang smiled, but she didn't dare to look up and look directly at Beigong Minhao.
There are two people she feels most sorry for in her life: Nan Xuzong and him. She can make it up to Nan Xuzong later, but she has no chance to make it up to Beigong Minhao. She will always owe him for his kindness and loyalty.
I was too selfish to share even a little bit of my love with him. I really wanted to care for him like a friend, but sometimes I just couldn't find the opportunity.
Beigong Minhao poured himself another glass of wine and drank it all.
As he was about to fall again, Nan Xuzong stopped him with his hand, saying, "Don't drink so much."
"I'm happy today." Bei Gongminhao smiled. He was full of energy, which meant that his efforts in the early morning had not been in vain. He was capable enough to protect her and love her, so he had nothing to worry about. And in the future, when he stood up again, he would be even more confident in loving and cherishing her.
At that time, there will be no place for me.
So why not take this opportunity to look at her and have a few drinks? It's a rare chance to dine and drink together, so don't miss such a precious opportunity.
"Tell me what happened these past few days? How could they suddenly disappear without a word?" Nan Xuzong asked, his eyes sharp, not wanting to miss a single expression or movement from the two of them—he was determined to verify the truth!
I was just worrying too much, worrying way too much!
Beigong Minhao picked up his chopsticks and pointed to the side dishes on the table. "Let's eat and talk. This is pretty good. You guys should try it." He then picked up a piece of cilantro and put it in his mouth.
Nan Xuzong waited for him to continue, while Ji Wushang smiled and glanced at Nan Xuzong, "I'm hungry, I'll eat some vegetables."
Nan Xuzong looked at her, gracefully picked up a side dish from in front of him, placed it in his bowl, and ate it in small bites. "Yes, Your Highness, has something really happened these past few days?" Yes, he really wanted to know what had happened and whether all the medicinal herbs had been found. Although the one-month deadline hadn't passed yet.
“Jue Shi and I went out temporarily to find medicine for Mu Chen and his wife. After I returned from the training ground, my father summoned me and said that Jue Shi had gone out to look for medicine for Mu Chen, but he hadn’t returned after many days, so I decided to go find him. You all know he has some health problems, so I was worried.” Bei Gong Minhao leisurely took a bite of the rapeseed. “This rapeseed is good. You can try it if you’re hungry.” He casually pointed to the rapeseed in front of him.
Nan Xuzong looked at him with a strange expression. When they dined together, he never talked about which dishes were delicious or not.
Ji Wushang looked at Beigong Minhao. He really had kept it a secret for him. Yes, he had always done so. He was his best friend.
"What are you looking at!" Bei Gongminhao chuckled. "Then I rushed off to find Jueshi because I was afraid he'd cause some trouble, so I didn't have time to tell you." He elegantly picked up a piece of meat. "You wouldn't believe it, but during those ten days I was away, I rarely had time to eat my fill. I was thinking, I've never really appreciated these dishes before; if something wasn't to my taste, I definitely wouldn't eat it. But during those ten days, I couldn't even get a proper meal! Hehe!"
He smiled slightly, then poured himself a glass of wine. "You don't know, I didn't touch a drop of alcohol during those ten days. Do you know why? Because the liquor was too strong. Every sip I took felt like a fire burning from my heart to my brain."
Nan Xuzong was stunned, and Ji Wushang was even more astonished. These past ten days had been incredibly difficult for him! No one can change their eating habits in such a short time unless under extreme circumstances. Ji Wushang didn't know what had happened to him and desperately wanted to ask.
Beigong Minhao tilted his head back and drank a glass of wine, then, as if savoring the taste, he placed the glass back on the table after a few seconds. Seeing their somewhat dazed expressions, he smiled and asked, "What's wrong? Aren't you hungry? Or have you both already had lunch?"
"No," Nan Xuzong said. "I'm not hungry yet, you guys eat!"
Ji Wushang forced a smile. "Then I'll eat it."
"Where did you go?" Nan Xuzong asked, picking up his chopsticks and eating some salad.
Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang was slightly taken aback, but quickly continued chewing his food.
Nan Xuzong looked at Beigong Minhao.
“Let me think… there are great rivers and mountains. I’ve been to the desert, to the East China Sea, to many places. Who told Jue Shi to always be traveling to those places? It really makes me angry sometimes. I just want to grab this brat and give him a good beating, to see how far he’s gone! It’s just some medicine, really!” Bei Gongminhao’s tone was quite relaxed, but in Ji Wushang’s view, it wasn’t like that.
"What medicine are you looking for?" Nan Xuzong asked again, his gaze already darting back and forth between him and Ji Wushang. The desert...that's the Western Regions, the East Sea...these places...