"What a brute! Your brother said to listen to me, so you have to listen to him!" Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Nan Xuzong had no choice but to drag Bei Gongminhao out to put pressure on him.
Bei Gong Jue Shi sneered and looked at Yi Yun Muchen, who stood there without saying a word.
"You should consider the feelings of the Second Princess!" Nan Xuzong said, then walked out. "I'll send someone to find Minhao and bring him back! I have what he wants. If you run into him, tell him not to fall for my tricks!"
Bei Gong Jue Shi was stunned for a moment.
Nan Xuzong had already walked out. Beigong Jueshi looked at Yiyun Muchen, and finally walked over, "Muchen."
"I...want to leave." After a long while, Yi Yunmu met his eyes and realized she was afraid, constantly afraid and worried.
"Was all your previous efforts in vain?" Bei Gong Jue Shi held her in his arms. "I'm not reconciled... Everything he did to you and me, everything he did to my elder brother."
“I sincerely apologize to you on behalf of my brother…” Yi Yunmu Chen met his eyes, “I’m sorry to you all.”
Beigong Minhao shook his head and said no more.
Who is right and who is wrong cannot escape the shackles in one's own heart.
...
The journey back home was silent.
Looking at the small bottle in her hand, Nan Xuzong couldn't help but ask, "Did he give it to you?"
"Yes." Ji Wushang did not hide anything.
"Let me see?" he asked, already extending his hand.
He's jealous.
Ji Wushang looked at him with a gentle gaze and handed him the medicine bottle in her hand.
Nan Xuzong took it and looked at it. The three neat characters "Warm Heart Pill" were Bei Gongminhao's handwriting. He frowned slightly, then opened the medicine stopper. A fragrant scent wafted out, which smelled so good that even he felt warm inside.
It's such a nice name, so heartwarming.
Nan Xuzong resealed the medicine bottle. "Good medicine."
Judging from his tone, Ji Wushang knew that he understood that this medicine was extremely beneficial to his body.
“Cong, I…”
"No need to say anything." Nan Xuzong pulled her into his arms. "Will you stay by my side?"
Ji Wushang nodded gently. Love is something that can never be severed. Gratitude is another matter, but it can never be confused with love.
Nan Xuzong finally felt relieved and then hugged her.
I am grateful to have such a good brother.
I will definitely find him! I will help him fulfill his wish! But he cannot break the promise between them!
——
When they returned to the side courtyard of Moxuan Garden, the two hadn't had time to rest for long when Gong Shu ran over to report, "Master, Moxuan Garden is repaired!"
Nan Xuzong felt a little clearer-headed upon hearing this, and then looked at Ji Wushang, "Shall we go take a look together?"
“Okay,” Ji Wushang said.
The interior furnishings are extremely exquisite, with pink curtains, several beaded drapes, and screens painted with paintings from Nan Xuzong's early years, yet they are remarkably lifelike. Some of the paintings also bear inscriptions.
The materials used for some of the tables and chairs were the same as those used for the tables and chairs in Ji Wushang's Xinyuan Garden in General Ji's mansion. Several places were exactly the same as the design of Xinyuan Garden, making Ji Wushang feel both familiar and warm.
Ji Wushang turned to look at him and asked, "Do you still like it?"
“I like it.” Ji Wushang nodded. Nan Xuzong looked at her, then instructed Gong Shu to move the things from the side courtyard back to Moxuan Garden, and set up many traps inside.
He explained everything to her one by one, just like always. Ji Wushang looked at him and said, "There are so many, I can't remember them all."
Nan Xuzong smiled, "It's alright, I'll repeat it a few more times and you'll remember."
As night fell, the two dined in silence. Just then, a servant came in from outside and said, "Your Highness, Your Highness's Consort, there is a letter."
Ji Wushang stepped forward to take it, then waved for him to leave and handed it to Nan Xuzong. After looking at it, Nan Xuzong said, "I have to go out for a while. I don't know how late I'll be back. You go to sleep first."
"Okay." Ji Wushang nodded and watched him leave.
Seeing that he was still sitting in that wheelchair, I felt that I should find an opportunity as soon as possible.
Just then, Zhu'er brought in two bowls of lotus seed soup from outside. "Miss, Master, the lotus seed soup is here."
Ji Wushang looked at her and said, "Cong has gone out. You can put the lotus seed soup down now."
"Yes." Pearl placed the drink on the table. "Miss, please drink it while it's hot!"
"Hmm." Ji Wushang nodded. "Has anything happened at the manor? How is my father, the Marquis, doing now? And what about those concubines?" He had been away from the manor for too long; he needed to take good care of things!
Otherwise, these people would definitely put pressure on him!
"I heard that since the end of the court session, the Marquis has been busy raising funds. The Emperor appointed the Marquis as the Ambassador of Relief, responsible for dealing with the locust plague and famine in western Luocheng and other places."
This… Ji Wushang frowned. Why would His Majesty suddenly make such a decision? The Marquis is just a merchant. He only holds the title of Marquis because of the generations of merit of the Jinnan Marquis's family. Now, asking him to be an official and do such things to help the people is something the Jinnan Marquis is simply not capable of. These things should be done by the Six Ministries!
"Is there anyone else in charge?" Ji Wushang asked. As the ambassador for comforting the people, his position concerned the lives of the common folk. If he made the slightest mistake, he would surely lose his head, and the consequences would likely affect the entire Marquis of Jinnan's household, not just him alone!
"And the Left Prime Minister Gao." It was truly remarkable that Zhu'er was able to find out such information.
"Okay." Ji Wushang nodded. "Have Tie Feng come over here."
"Yes." Pearl immediately ran off.
Before long, Tie Feng arrived with some of his guards. In recent days, Tie Feng had established a new guard team in the Marquis's mansion, which was now more capable of protecting the residence.
"Miss, what brings you here, Tie Feng?" Tie Feng asked respectfully.
"I'm asking you to select some elite guards to handle this matter carefully for me, and there can be no mistakes!" Ji Wushang said, looking at the night outside.
"yes."
——
Beigong Minhao felt as if his chest was about to burst, but while clutching his chest, he continued walking forward. In truth, Beigong Minhao had no idea where he was going. His current state would only cause trouble for everyone, which was why he chose to leave.
The pain would only be temporary. He believed that with time, his image would completely disappear from these people's memories, which might be a good thing.
Barely supporting himself, watching the night fall, Beigong Minhao saw a large tree in front of him, so he walked over and sat down.
Looking at the people coming and going on the street, whether alone or in groups, everyone seemed to be in a hurry. Beigong Minhao then turned his gaze to the distance, where he saw countless hanging lanterns.
He suddenly remembered the Lantern Festival.
He was alone, having come out for a stroll, when he unexpectedly saw Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang walking happily in the distance. Their faces were beaming with joy; she was beautiful and charming, and he was handsome, his eyes filled with doting affection for her. Bei Gongminhao believed that no one could separate them.
I silently followed them, watching them buy a lotus lantern together and release it into the river. Then they threw in the marriage tokens and made their vows together.
I've been watching them all along. It's a love so deep and unwavering that I can't love anyone else. All I can do is simply watch them be happy.
But now I have no resources left to hold on. I'm just a useless person now, a useless person who will drag everyone down with me.
Beigong Minhao suddenly felt like drinking.
I could absolutely get drunk to death that night. Thinking about it, finally being able to get drunk once in a while wouldn't be so bad!
Bei Gongminhao, supporting himself, groped his way to the nearest small inn and bought a jar of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor). The waiter selling the liquor looked at Bei Gongminhao, terrified and unsure whether to sell it to him. After all, seeing Bei Gongminhao's pale, thin lips had startled him; he wondered if Bei Gongminhao would die after drinking the liquor, and if he did, he would face legal trouble. "Sir, would you like... me to fetch a doctor to take a look at you?"
Beigong Minhao shook his head, paid the money, and left shakily with the Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).
Having this old tree as a companion is actually quite nice.
Beigong Minhao smiled, looked up, and thought the moon was quite round.
After opening the bottle, Bei Gongmin laughed heartily, tilted his head back, and chugged the liquor. It was refreshing, potent, and most importantly, the burning sensation in his chest was excruciating!
That's how you truly live. Yes, living is a kind of longing.
After drinking it, Bei Gongminhao suddenly started coughing. With each cough, he felt as if his ribs were being pulled apart, the sensation like a gaping wound being ripped open, as if a knife was being added. He panted and put the bottle aside, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. His thin lips were covered in blood.
He looked around to make sure no one was watching, then gently pulled open his robe and reached inside. When he felt the broken bones, he closed his eyes slightly. He pulled out his hand; there was no blood.
He forced a smile, then reached into his pocket and found the silk handkerchief. He immediately took it out and looked at the snowflake pattern on it. Bei Gongminhao grinned foolishly; it was a gift from her.
What a beautiful thing!
And her fragrance, her warmth.
Beigong Minhao put it under his nose and smelled it, then laughed so hard he looked completely dumbfounded.
At this moment, several drunkards walked in from outside. They were all quite drunk. When they saw Beigong Minhao sitting alone under the tree, looking dazed, dressed in luxurious clothes, with a high-quality jade pendant shining brightly at his waist, next to him was a jar of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor). What was most shocking was the blood that had not yet dried on his lips.
Blood had soaked his clothes, but he looked at the handkerchief in his hand and laughed, seemingly unconcerned about the pain.
"Big brother, look, that guy," the skinny man pointed at Beigong Minhao, "he definitely has a lot of silver on him!"
Hearing this, the fat man looked in the direction the thin man pointed and saw Bei Gongminhao looking utterly pathetic. "I wonder whose young master he is!"
"Brother, why don't we just kill him? He's not going to live much anyway! Sending him on his way won't hurt!" said the tall man on the other side. "Look how much blood he's vomited!"
"And there's a pot of good wine!" The skinny man's eyes lit up.
"Go!" The fat man glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then immediately gave the order. The three men immediately went forward.
Beigong Minhao only hurriedly put away the silk handkerchief when the three of them stood in front of him. Unexpectedly, before he could put it away properly, the tall man snatched it away. "Oh, a fragrant handkerchief! It smells so good! Is it your woman's? Haha!" The tall man said, putting the silk handkerchief in his arms.
"Give it back to me, give it back to me!" Bei Gongminhao immediately lunged forward, baring his teeth and claws, trying to get the tall man to return the handkerchief to him.
But the tall man punched Beigong Minhao in the face. Beigong Minhao was already in pain all over, his martial arts had been crippled, and he had drunk Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor). How could he possibly dodge this punch? He suddenly fell to the ground.
The fat man immediately stepped forward and punched him in the chest, causing Beigong Minhao to cough up a mouthful of blood. The three tall men then realized that this man had likely suffered severe internal injuries and was not far from death!
Beigong Minhao didn't care about his own life or death. Looking at the tall man, he said, "Give me back the handkerchief...give me back..." He lay on the ground, trying to crawl over to the tall man to get the handkerchief.
The skinny man snapped out of his daze, spotted the jade pendant at his waist and the silver coins on his body, and seeing him lying on the ground, decisively reached for the jade pendant at his waist. Bei Gongminhao didn't care, grabbing the tall man's leg, "Give it back to me, give it back to me..." Ignoring the blood streaming from his mouth, he looked up at him, determined to take back the handkerchief.
The tall guy got angry and kicked Beigong Minhao in the head.
Beigong Minhao suddenly fell backward to the ground, motionless, blood flowing continuously from his mouth. All the valuable silver coins, jade pendants, and even jade thumb rings on his body were taken away. The three snorted coldly, spat at Beigong Minhao, and left satisfied. Before leaving, the skinny man did not forget to take the Erguotou liquor with him.
Bei Gongminhao looked up at the night sky, his eyes unfocused, blood flowing from his mouth. Suddenly, Ji Wushang's face appeared before him, smiling at him.
He reached out his hand to touch that smile, but his hand fell to the ground halfway through the air.
"You silly child, why bother!" An old man with white hair and a youthful face stepped forward, looking at Bei Gongminhao, whose light was gradually fading. "Is it worth it for a handkerchief? Sigh!"
...