Ji Wushang listened, and in the blink of an eye, he wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes. "So, it was Wushang's fault... Second sister-in-law and aunt must have listened to what Wushang just said to be lecturing like that... What Wushang just said was to tell Grandma not to be too sad, otherwise Second Brother wouldn't be at ease, but Second sister-in-law and aunt took it out of context. Wushang has nothing to say... Well then, the dead are the greatest... Wushang apologizes to you."
"Apologize for what?" Old Madam Yun sneered. "Are you two both trying to bully Wu Shang? Seeing her frail body and her soft voice, you seize on her words to make a fuss! What are you up to!" Old Madam Yun glanced at Zhao Yirou. "You little hussy, lecturing like this! Don't you know your own limitations? Even I, an old woman, heard everything Wu Shang said clearly. And you only heard the last part, didn't you? Are you hoping to upset me? Are you deliberately trying to anger this old woman?"
"Ah, Grandma, that's not what Yi Rou meant. Please forgive me!" Zhao Yi Rou immediately knelt down and kowtowed.
"Don't call me 'Grandma'! I haven't even acknowledged you as my granddaughter-in-law yet!" Old Madam Yun sneered, then looked at Aunt Zhao, "Zhao Rui, Zhao Rui, you've lived most of your life, yet you haven't learned a single principle of how to be a decent person. Zhao Yirou is talking nonsense, and you're even singing along, aren't you? You don't know how to stop being shameless, but you only understand the ways of the world when you're about to die!"
"Please forgive me, Madam!" Aunt Zhao immediately prostrated herself on the ground, kneeling and not daring to rise again. In her heart, she had already cursed Madam Yun a thousand times over. Why doesn't that old hag die?!
"Don't kneel before me! Don't think I don't know you've cursed this old woman a thousand times in your heart!" Old Madam Yun sneered, ignoring Aunt Zhao.
Aunt Zhao was startled. This old woman had sharp eyes! She was really not easy to deal with!
Ji Wushang said, "Grandma, please don't be angry... It's Wushang's fault, please punish him. Don't be angry with your sister-in-law and aunt."
Grandma Yun sighed helplessly, "Grandma, don't be angry."
Zhao Yirou's fingernails were digging into her own flesh. This old woman wouldn't let her call her grandma or acknowledge her as her granddaughter-in-law. But she was so nice; she nodded and agreed to every word Ji Wushang said!
Time, give yourself some time! Although Nan Jinxue is dead, I absolutely must continue to establish myself in this manor! I absolutely cannot be bullied by Ji Wushang and the others! Without Nan Jinxue, I will still live well! As long as I can survive and establish myself in this manor, what means wouldn't I use?!
Just then, a shout came from outside the door, "Young Master, return to the manor!"
Ji Wushang was thrilled. "Young Master, the Young Master is back... Grandma, Cong is back!"
Seeing Ji Wushang's excited expression, Old Madam Yun was overjoyed, wondering if his legs would truly be healed. Filled with anticipation, she said, "Quickly, please invite him in!"
Some of the people around were expectant, while others were filled with resentment!
Aunt Zhao looked at Zhao Yirou and thought, "Damn it, is he really going to stand up? What status do I have left in this Marquis's mansion?"
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Nan Xuzong and the Ghost Doctor strode into the courtyard.
However, naturally, upon seeing the numerous white lanterns hanging in the mansion, Nan Xuzong already knew what was going on. Nevertheless, he also wanted to show those people his surprise and brotherly affection!
"What happened?" Nan Xuzong entered and surveyed the surroundings of the mansion. "Who, who's in trouble?"
At this moment, Marquis Jinnan, who was walking briskly from a side courtyard, looked at the tall man standing there and was overjoyed. Was he really cured? His Marquis Jinnan's mansion had hope! "Cong'er!" Marquis Jinnan immediately called out to Nan Xu Cong.
Nan Xuzong looked at his father, the Marquis, whose face was beaming with joy, and a smile crept onto his lips. He still remembered how, after the doctor diagnosed him with a permanent disability, the Marquis abandoned him in the Moxuan Garden, ignoring him completely, while only showing kindness to Nan Jinxue. But when the Marquis gradually learned that he possessed martial arts skills, was protected by the Empress Dowager, valued by the Third Prince, and that his abilities were immeasurable, that he had received a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, and that he had the support of the General's Mansion behind Ji Wushang, his attitude changed! Hmph, such a father, it's all just an act. He only cares about this Marquis's Mansion and his own path!
Nan Xuzong said calmly, "Father."
"Cong'er, you're all better! You're really all better!" The Marquis of Jinnan looked him over, especially at his legs. "He's better! My son, the heir of Nan Aogan, is all better!"
Nan Xuzong sneered inwardly. If he had always been good to him before, he might have been moved by seeing him like this now. But now, it would be hard for him to be moved!
Ji Wushang, along with Old Madam Yun and Aunt Chen, came out.
"Greetings, Grandmother! May you be blessed with good health!" Nan Xuzong stepped forward and bowed to Grandmother Yun.
Grandma Yun nodded. "Get up quickly. Are you really all better?"
"Yes." Nan Xuzong nodded and looked at the person standing to the side, but the Ghost Doctor had already left.
Grandma Yun stared blankly for a moment, "The doctor left?"
"That's enough," said the Marquis of Jinnan. "That doctor is quite strange. Fine, let him go!"
Everyone nodded.
Ji Wushang looked at Grandma Yun and whispered, "Grandma, Wushang, I..."
"Go!" Old Madam Yun saw the joy in her eyes. How could she not be happy that her husband was completely healed?
Ji Wushang grunted in agreement and immediately ran towards Nan Xucong, calling out, "Cong!"
"Mmm." Nan Xuzong hugged her and kissed her cheek in front of everyone. "I said I would come back today."
"I believe you." Ji Wushang looked at him with a smile in her eyes. Their hearts were tightly connected.
“But what’s going on?” Nan Xuzong asked, releasing her. Ji Wushang stood obediently beside him.
"Second brother, he suddenly fell ill and passed away..." Ji Wushang whispered.
Everyone fell silent.
Nan Xuzong was stunned for a long time. "Truly, heaven is jealous of talent! Alas!" He sighed, then said to Marquis Jinnan and Old Madam Yun, "Grandma, Father, let's go in!" There were no guests coming to pay their respects yet, so they were unaware of what had just happened.
In no time, the news had spread throughout the entire capital... The Prince of Nan, who had been diagnosed by doctors as someone destined to be confined to a wheelchair forever, had miraculously recovered within two days under the care of a master healer! A miracle had occurred! The Prince of Nan was blessed by the gods; the Marquis of Jinnan's mansion had hope again!
As for Nan Jinxue's death, most people believed that she died from exhaustion rather than from a sudden illness!
Upon arriving at the mourning hall, Nan Xuzong respectfully offered three sticks of incense, saying, "Second brother, may you rest in peace! In the next life, let us be brothers again!" Bah! If we were brothers again, I wouldn't have let you die so easily! This time, at least you died a decent death! Since Ji Wushang was the one who made the move, as long as it satisfied her anger, I'll let it go!
After Nan Xuzong finished offering incense, he looked at Ji Wushang, who was standing to the side with his gaze fixed on him. The two smiled at each other.
Zhao Yirou burned the paper money, then looked at Nan Xuzong. Good heavens, he was so tall and handsome! So dashing! She couldn't take her eyes off him! Damn it, how could she have married Nan Jinxue! She should have married Nan Xuzong!
Zhao Yirou's heart pounded. This was truly a great and upright man! What a bastard! When she was plotting to get into Nan Xuzong's bed, they turned the tables on her, forcing her to marry Nan Jinxue. She was furious! Now, unexpectedly, Nan Xuzong's legs had recovered! To gain a foothold in this Marquis's mansion, she needed more than just her own abilities; she needed one or two powerful backers like him! If only she could remarry Nan Xuzong, or even become one of his concubines… a man like that would surely cherish her!
However, that woman Ji Wushang… If I'm to stay by Nan Xuzong's side, I absolutely must get rid of that bitch! Otherwise, my position in this Marquis's mansion will be in grave danger!
Nan Xuzong stood beside Ji Wushang and took her hand without any hesitation.
Now, the two stood side by side, she barely reaching his shoulder, appearing so petite, while he was so tall and yet so warm, melting Ji Wushang's heart.
At this moment, Marquis Jinnan looked at Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang, calculating in his mind, "Cong'er, Wushang, come to your father's study. Your father has something to say to you."
"Yes." Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong nodded in agreement.
Grandma Yun looked at the two of them and nodded, "Hurry up and get this done!"
At this moment, neither Aunt Zhao nor Zhao Yirou intended to continue crying, but the Marquis of Jinnan immediately turned to look at them, "Zhao Rui, Yirou, what's wrong? Have you forgotten what I just said?"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao's eyes flashed with a bloodthirsty and cold light. This man, she wanted to kill him! Damn it! She thought he would treat her well, how could he have expected it to turn out like this! Perhaps this time, he sent Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang to his study because he was thinking of passing the title of Marquis to Nan Xuzong?
They all deserve to die!
However, Aunt Zhao knew she had to be patient, so she covered her face and began to cry.
Just then, a maidservant stumbled over as if running wildly, "My lord, Madam, something terrible has happened! Second Master has committed suicide by drinking poison in the woodshed! Concubine Dou was stabbed to death by Concubine Liu with a tree branch in the woodshed! Concubine Liu was blinded in her left eye by Concubine Dou with a stone, her right eye is swollen, she also had an ear bitten off, one of her legs is crippled, and she is bleeding profusely from her stomach!"
Those around were shocked. These two concubines were truly ruthless! They actually managed to fight so fiercely in the woodshed! And Nan Aoyu actually died just like that!
"Fine, those who are dead, carry them all to the back mountain and bury them. As for Concubine Liu, kick her out of the Marquis's mansion and let her live or die as she pleases!" Marquis Jinnan said coldly. So what if they're dead? He could still take over their house in the countryside!
"As for Hao'er and Yan'er..." Marquis Jinnan thought for a moment... Ji Wushang then said, "Father, why don't I entrust Hao'er and Yan'er to a good family to raise? They are too young to understand now and won't know about this matter. If I entrust them to a good family, it will be a good home for them."
"Well, that's settled then!" Originally, I was thinking of sending those two things away with Aunt Liu, but since Ji Wushang has spoken, I'll let her do it!
Nan Xuzong looked at Ji Wushang, whose lips twitched, indicating that he would handle the matter.
Nanqing is just a child of a few years old, and I really like him. I like Yan'er too, so I'll find them a good family.
If Aunt Liu knew this, she would surely be living a life worse than death! Driven out of the manor, her only way to survive was to beg and find someone to entrust her life to. But what future could a blind, one-eared, crippled woman in her thirties possibly have? Indeed, she might be able to use her looks to become the lowest-class prostitute in a brothel! But more importantly, she would have to endure the pain of being separated from her child!
That's fine, that's good enough. Ji Wushang didn't directly take her life!
Only Nan Aoyu actually committed suicide by poisoning himself, that's alright! But, that two hundred thousand taels of gold... no, in that sense, Nan Aoyu didn't die! As long as the two hundred thousand taels of gold weren't returned to the Marquis's account, he wouldn't die! He actually played such a trick on me! Ji Wushang immediately looked at Nan Xucong, "Cong".
Nan Xuzong looked at her and nodded slightly, "I'll talk about it later."
At this moment, after the Marquis of Jinnan finished giving his instructions and had someone handle the matter, he said to the two of them, "You two come with your father to the study."
"Yes," the two replied and followed behind him.
Seeing that Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong had left, and that Aunt Zhao and Zhao Yirou were crying like ghosts in the mourning hall, Old Madam Yun was annoyed and asked Aunt Chen to help her back to Yunxiang Pavilion.
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong entered the study. Marquis Jinnan immediately closed the door and said, "Sit down, make yourselves at home, don't be too formal."
"Yes." Nan Xuzong nodded in response, then took Ji Wushang's hand and sat down at the table with her.
At this moment, the Marquis of Jinnan said, "You are all my good sons and good daughters-in-law. Today, I have some things to tell you."
"Please speak freely," Ji Wushang said, while Nan Xuzong's lips curled into a mocking smile. This cunning old fox, he finally had to rely on himself!
"To be honest, the reason I returned so quickly to the Marquis's residence is because the imperial relief funds were robbed," said Marquis Jinnan. "Don't worry, the relief funds are still on their way."
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong nodded, but Ji Wushang didn't react much.
"Wu Shang, I was just thinking of asking you, how did you know that I would be robbed of the imperial relief funds? If it weren't for you sending Tie Feng and his men to arrive in time, I probably wouldn't be alive!"
“Father, actually I don’t know either, it’s just my guess, and I’m being cautious. Because I’ve heard that Prime Minister Gao Zuo has done some things that are bad for His Majesty and the court, but the evidence isn’t sufficient. I’m also afraid that there might be some bandits on the road, so I had Tie Feng take some men to follow you and see if there’s anything we can help with.” Ji Wu Shang looked at Nan Xu Cong, who nodded. “Wu Shang, you did a great job this time. If the disaster relief funds had been robbed, I’m afraid even hundreds of lives in our Marquis’s mansion wouldn’t have been enough for His Majesty to take.”
"Yes, Father was terrified! Who would have thought that Gao Qihang, that bastard, was actually a traitorous dog who betrayed the Emperor!"
Ji Wushang's lips twitched. "Father, please don't be angry. Now that things have been resolved, let's let it go! But, I wonder where Prime Minister Gao Zuo is now?"
"I've already had him locked up in a secluded place, and General Ma has sent men to guard him. Once the disaster relief funds arrive in the disaster area, we can take that bastard to the palace and wipe out his entire family!" Marquis Jinnan said with a cold snort.
Ji Wushang nodded, and Nan Xuzong didn't say anything. He was willing to stay behind Ji Wushang and always be her supporter. Whenever she was in trouble, he would be the first to step forward. However, for other matters, he would think deeply and remain silent, letting Ji Wushang speak for him.
"But, Father, if you linger at the manor like this, someone might already have told the Emperor about it. It would be better if you went to the palace as soon as possible and explained the whole story. Also, you must report the Prime Minister Gao's residence as early as possible, otherwise, things might change."
“This, Wu Shang, you’re right.” Marquis Jin Nan nodded, but then, thinking of Ma Rui’s matter, he immediately said, “On the way here, while I was escorting the disaster relief silver, I felt that General Ma the Second was quite nice. He wanted to marry Xianxian to him. What do you, as the eldest brother and sister-in-law, think about it?”
Ji Wushang narrowed his eyes and glanced at Nan Xuzong. Nan Xianxian was actually going to marry such an outstanding young general as Ma Rui? Wasn't that too easy on her? No, if she was going to marry, she could only marry a scoundrel! She shouldn't cause any chaos at General Ma's mansion!
"I'm afraid that's not appropriate. Miss San hasn't even reached marriageable age yet. Isn't it a bit too hasty to think like this? Besides, General Ma Er is probably guarding the capital day and night and rarely goes home. If Miss San marries into that family and gets bullied, that wouldn't be good."
Hearing Ji Wushang say this, Nan Xuzong knew her opinion and said, "I agree with Wushang."
“In that case, let’s put it aside for now. Anyway, because of Jin Xue’s matter, we can’t bring this up any further.” Marquis Jin Nan shook his head. “Father called you here today because there’s something he wants to tell you.”
“Father, please speak,” Ji Wushang said, and Nan Xuzong’s eyes darkened.
"Cong'er, Wushang, the future of this Marquis's mansion rests on your shoulders. You must manage it well! I intend to pass the title of Marquis to you, Cong'er, you must not disappoint me!" Marquis Jinnan said to Nanxu Cong.
"Yes." Nan Xuzong's lips twitched. "I will definitely not disappoint Father!"
“Alright!” Marquis of Jinnan nodded. “Father is old, but still wants to live a few more years. In three years, I will officially pass the throne to you.”
Nan Xuzong smiled slightly, "Thank you, Father! Father is in good health and doesn't need to worry about too many things. Our Marquis's mansion still needs Father to lead! I am still young and need to work hard and train more, otherwise I won't be able to shoulder this responsibility! Father, please rest assured!" Didn't Nan Xuzong understand what the Marquis of Jinnan meant? He was telling Nan Xuzong that the title of Marquis was his, meaning that he and Ji Wushang were working for the Marquis's mansion, and that they should be of one mind. Furthermore, he said that if he wanted to live a few more years, he would pass the title of Marquis to Nan Xuzong in three years. This clearly told him that he, Nan Aogan, was still the Marquis, and that they should respect him and make him the center of everything!
Ji Wushang smiled slightly, "Father, don't worry, neither Cong nor Wushang will let you down."
"That's good!" It makes a difference to say it out loud! My mood has improved a lot! Marquis Jinnan smiled, "You may all leave. Father is tired and wants to rest."
"Yes." The two nodded and walked out together.
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong walked through the corridor, and after seeing that no one was around, Nan Xuzong took her hand and asked, "What did you mean by signaling to me just now?"
“Second Uncle didn’t die, he must have faked it!” Ji Wushang met his eyes. “Think about it, how could he just die for no reason? And suicide, that’s absolutely impossible! I think he must be thinking of getting rid of this place, faking his death to escape, go back to the money exchange in Madam Qi’s hometown, take out the 200,000 taels of gold, and then live the life he wants. He can still be happy in the future!”
"Don't worry, he can't get that 200,000 taels of gold. I've already had it retrieved." Nan Xuzong looked at her. "Since he's already dead, there's no need for him to appear in this world anymore!"
"Hmm." Ji Wushang understood what he meant. Nan Aoyu had committed suicide, hadn't he? Let him disappear on his own!