Huangfu Xuan was taken aback for a moment, then said, "I also want to know, which is why I want to keep her by my side."
Nan Xuzong understood in his heart that this man was indeed very meticulous. He raised a slight smile and said, "Huangfu Xuan, let me ask you, if you had to choose between the country and the beauty, what would you choose?"
"The land." Huangfu Xuan's lips twitched, then he looked at him, as if to say, "And you?"
"I'm choosing a beauty." Nan Xuzong turned and left. "When you have time, bring her to the September Pavilion and wait. Just let me know in advance!"
Huangfu Xuan nodded and watched him leave. It's fine if you choose a beauty, but if she were to compete with me for the throne, I would certainly disregard our brotherhood!
Xiao Jiao led Ji Wushang to a seat in the Imperial Garden. Ji Wushang looked around the area again, his gaze finally settling on the platform where he had once performed, and where Nan Xuzong had once inscribed a message for him. Thinking of this, a gentle smile appeared on Ji Wushang's lips. A breeze blew by, causing the hem of his robes to flutter.
At this moment, Empress Yao was passing by with a group of palace maids when she saw Ji Wushang sitting in the pavilion in the Imperial Garden. Below the pavilion were many tulips, which were precious commodities brought as tribute from all directions.
Empress Yao immediately stepped forward.
Ji Wushang's gaze was also drawn to the tulips beside her, and the sight of them lifted her spirits. However, she knew that these things shouldn't be touched lightly, so she turned her head away, only to see Empress Yao walking in.
Ji Wushang quickly stood up and respectfully bowed, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress! Long live the Empress!"
"You are the Fourth Imperial Consort. Rise." Empress Yao looked at Ji Wushang, then scrutinized her closely. "How long have you been married to the Fourth Prince?"
“Four months and five days,” Ji Wushang replied.
"Oh!" Empress Yao nodded upon hearing this. "Then what are you doing here? Where is the Fourth Prince?"
"He's discussing something with the Third Prince, so Wu Shang will wait here for a moment." Why is she asking so many questions? Ji Wu Shang was trying to figure out what she meant. He knew she wouldn't let him off easily and was probably here to cause trouble for him!
"Then sit down and talk with me." With that, Empress Yao sat down on the stone bench and pointed her jade finger at the stone bench opposite her.
"I dare not sit with Her Majesty the Empress," Ji Wushang said, bowing his head.
"After His Majesty announces this to the world tomorrow, the Fourth Prince will officially be the Fourth Prince, and you will be the Fourth Princess Consort, my daughter-in-law. What, is it not allowed for you to sit with me?"
“That’s not what I meant, Your Majesty. I beg you to understand. What I meant was that Your Majesty is so noble and virtuous, how could I possibly be on equal footing with you?” Ji Wushang’s words quickened as she spoke, “As long as His Majesty has not made this known to the world, I am the legitimate wife of the Southern Heir of the Marquis of Jinnan, not some Fourth Imperial Consort. I am well aware of the proper etiquette and know what is important. I beg Your Majesty’s understanding.” With that, Ji Wushang bowed to her.
"Fine! Then stand!" Empress Yao said coldly. She refused to sit, instead launching into a long lecture about etiquette. Was she trying to tell everyone that she was ignorant of manners? Or was she deliberately making things complicated to trap her, so she could scheme against her?! You ungrateful wretch, if I'm going to scheme against you, you'll have to accept it!
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ji Wushang lowered her head. Better safe than sorry; whether the Empress was sincere or not, she didn't care if she genuinely wanted her to sit down and talk to her!
"Someone, bring up the snacks, let...Wu Shang have a taste!" What a despicable woman! It feels awkward even to address her as the Fourth Imperial Consort, which elevates her status! I'll definitely make her pay in the future!
"Yes." Several palace maids immediately placed the snacks they were carrying on the table, and Ji Wushang smiled.
"Come and have a taste with me," Empress Yao said. "If you don't want to sit, then stand and have a taste."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Standing is nothing! Ji Wushang stepped forward, just about to reach for chopsticks, but saw only Empress Yao's chopsticks! At this moment, Empress Yao was holding the chopsticks and happily picking at her food.
"Wu Shang thanks Your Majesty for your kindness. Wu Shang prefers to eat with chopsticks, but..."
"That's easy. Someone, bring out the chopsticks. The palace maids all think Wu Shang likes to eat with his hands!" Empress Yao sneered.
Ji Wushang remained calm and composed. She was simply implying that Ji Wushang lacked manners and ate with her hands! Some of the surrounding palace maids couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle. Ji Wushang's lips curled into a smile. "As servants, we should prepare everything and let our masters see if they need anything. Even if I wanted to eat the pastries with my hands, I should have asked, shouldn't I? Heh, you little palace maids are so presumptuous in front of Her Majesty the Empress! Who taught you to be like this?" Although Ji Wushang's tone was calm, every word was sharp and incisive. The palace maids nearby immediately knelt on the ground in fear, crying, "Your Majesty, please spare us! We were careless! Please spare us!"
"Look at you all! You're so incompetent! Guards, take them away and give each of you fifty lashes!" Empress Yao said coldly. "Let the head maid take sixty lashes herself and be docked half a year's salary!" Ji Wushang's meaning was clear: the palace maids behind her were incompetent! They had embarrassed Empress Yao in front of so many people! Originally, she had intended to ridicule Ji Wushang, but unexpectedly, Ji Wushang's words had completely changed the tone! This woman was truly skilled with words!
As for those palace maids, they were given fifty strokes of the cane. Even if they survived, they certainly wouldn't be able to continue serving these noble masters. As for the head maid, she probably wouldn't even have her life!
Ji Wushang remained standing. At this moment, a young palace maid cautiously stepped forward and respectfully handed chopsticks to Ji Wushang, saying, "Please... Princess Consort Nan, use your chopsticks."
Ji Wushang sneered, took the chopsticks, and said, "Thank you."
Looking at Ji Wushang's face, Empress Yao felt angry but unable to vent her anger. She waved her hand to make the palace maid stand aside, "Wushang, try this snow cake pastry."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." Ji Wushang bowed politely before cautiously stepping forward. He was about to use his chopsticks to pick up the pastry when he saw that Empress Yao had placed the snow cake on the other side. If he were to pick it up, he would have to go around Empress Yao's chopsticks, which was extremely disrespectful. And now he was facing Empress Yao; if he disrespected her, he might even be punished to death!
At this moment, Ji Wushang suddenly put down his chopsticks, clutched his lower abdomen, and immediately said, "Oh no, Your Majesty, I'm so sorry, my stomach hurts a little... I'm afraid I can't accept your favor. I'm truly unworthy..." As he spoke, he clutched his lower abdomen and leaned against a pillar, his face turning pale.
Empress Yao immediately stepped forward, and several palace maids also went forward to help Ji Wushang.
"What's wrong?" Empress Yao asked, looking at her. "You didn't get a single bite of the snacks, how could you be like this? Are you feeling unwell? Someone, take her to the Imperial Physician's Office!"
Ji Wushang shook her head, "It's just my old ailment acting up again. I'll be fine in a bit, but I'm afraid I won't be able to stay with Her Majesty the Empress..." Large beads of sweat streamed down Ji Wushang's forehead, and the surrounding palace maids were terrified. Although they were deep within the palace, they had heard many rumors about how much the Prince of Nan doted on her, treating her like his precious darling. And now, she had suddenly fallen ill here. If word got out, everyone would say it was Empress Yao and these palace maids who were responsible. If Nan Xuzong heard about it, wouldn't he be in for a world of trouble? Nan Xuzong was about to become the Fourth Prince! He was even more dangerous to offend!
"How can this be?" Empress Yao stepped forward coldly, looking at Ji Wushang. "If you don't go, others might think I've done something to you that you're suffering like this!" Before she could finish speaking, a voice came from afar, "What's going on?"
Ji Wushang, Empress Yao, and the others were shocked. That voice belonged to the Empress Dowager!
Ji Wushang looked over and saw the Empress Dowager and Nan Xuzong walking towards them. A sense of relief washed over him. His original plan was to feign illness and use the opportunity to leave, avoiding Empress Yao's schemes and escaping for a while. He could settle accounts with her later. Who would have thought that Nan Xuzong and the Empress Dowager would arrive together! Now, the drama had taken a whole new turn!
Ji Wushang was drenched in sweat, his lips pale, and he was being helped to sit on the stone bench by several palace maids. Empress Yao immediately reprimanded the maids, "What are you looking at? Go and fetch the imperial physician right now!"
The young palace maid immediately ran towards the Imperial Physician's Office.
At this moment, Nan Xuzong saw Ji Wushang being surrounded by people from a distance, but her expression was clearly not right. He immediately said to the Empress Dowager, "Grandmother, Cong'er wants to go see her quickly. Wushang seems to have had an accident." Nan Xuzong still preferred to address her by her own name, Nan Xuzong, at least he claimed to like the character "Cong." Because every time Ji Wushang called out to him, it warmed his heart.
"Go quickly!" The Empress Dowager knew he was worried about Ji Wushang, so she didn't blame him and let him go. Then, with the help of the nanny, she continued walking towards the pavilion.
Nan Xuzong strode forward and quickly slipped into the pavilion. "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress!" After a brief bow, he immediately walked towards Ji Wushang. "Wushang."
Ji Wushang looked at Nan Xuzong and smiled slightly, "I'm fine."
Nan Xuzong looked on in surprise. Her face was covered in cold sweat. She said she was fine? He immediately pushed aside the palace maids and, in front of everyone, held Ji Wushang in his arms and sat her on the stone bench. "Wushang, what's wrong?"
Turning his head, his anger was already blazing, he looked at Empress Yao and said, "Your Majesty, shouldn't you give Cong'er an explanation?" His tone was extremely cold!
Empress Yao suppressed her anger. What did this man take her for? Did he even acknowledge her as Empress? Did being the Fourth Prince make him so great? Did having the Empress Dowager's backing give him the right to be arrogant? She would definitely find an opportunity to tell the Emperor! Thinking this, Empress Yao coldly replied, "Wu Shang's illness was sudden; you should ask yourself that!"
A sudden attack of illness? Nan Xuzong immediately looked at Ji Wushang, cupping her face in his hands. "Wushang?" He grasped her wrist and checked her pulse. At that moment, Ji Wushang subtly adjusted her position in his arms, avoiding everyone's gaze, and winked at him unintentionally. Nan Xuzong was slightly taken aback, then immediately understood why he hadn't been able to detect any discomfort in her body.
It must have been Empress Yao who forced Wu Shang to turn against her like this. Nan Xuzong quickly realized this, and he had already gone through the events that had just occurred here in his mind. Of course, he would play along with her act.
"Wu Shang, what's wrong? Look at me, wake up!" Nan Xuzong looked at her anxiously, his face full of tension. He turned to Empress Yao and said coldly, "May I ask, Your Majesty, did Wu Shang eat those snacks just now?"
"She didn't eat any snacks!" Empress Yao said irritably.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager was helped in by her nanny and overheard their conversation. She couldn't help but frown, "Cong'er, what's wrong with Wu Shang?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress said that Wu Shang has suddenly fallen ill!" Nan Xu Cong glared fiercely at Empress Yao.
"Why did the illness recur?" The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes, her gaze falling on the stone table, where several pieces of pastry had been eaten. "Did you eat pastries?" These pastries must have been brought by Empress Yao!
"Wu Shang didn't eat any snacks, and all the palace maids and nannies present can testify to that!" Empress Yao argued forcefully.
The Empress Dowager coldly glanced at the people around her. It wasn't hard to tell that these were all Yao's people, and naturally they were on her side. Asking them would be pointless! In this way, the Empress Dowager was convinced that Yao had poisoned the pastries and forced Ji Wushang to eat them.
The Empress Dowager looked at Ji Wushang and saw that her face was pale and her forehead was covered in cold sweat. She became even more certain that Empress Yao had poisoned her.
"The most poisonous heart is that of a woman! They haven't even truly become the fourth prince and fourth princess yet! Empress Yao has already begun to plot against them! This empress must be deposed!" A cold glint flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes.
At this moment, Nan Xuzong looked up and heard him say:
☆、231 Everyone conspires to scheme against Ji Wushang!
"Your Majesty the Empress knows the truth!" Nan Xuzong picked up Ji Wushang and then turned around. "Grandmother, Your Majesty the Empress, I will take my leave now! I need to take Wushang back to the manor immediately!" The rest is self-explanatory! Nan Xuzong's eyes were dark and his whole body was cold, making everyone quickly make way.
The Empress Dowager said, "Someone, lead the way for the Fourth Prince! Have the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy go to the Marquis of Jinnan's residence to examine the Fourth Princess!"
"Yes," the eunuch on the other end immediately replied.
The Empress Dowager watched Nan Xuzong carry Ji Wushang away before turning her gaze to Empress Yao. Empress Yao was speechless with anger at Nan Xuzong's words and his abrupt departure! Her accusation of framing Ji Wushang was now confirmed! Although no one dared to say it, at least in the Empress Dowager's mind, the matter was settled.
"You'd better watch yourself! If this happens again, don't blame me for being impolite!" The Empress Dowager said, turning around and leaving with the help of her nanny.
Empress Yao was so enraged that she gripped her fingernails so tightly they dug into her palms without feeling any pain! Damn bitch, damn old hag! One day, I'll send you all to hell! You old hag, just you wait! Let's see who lives the longest! Let's see who has the better methods!
The palace maid stood there, not daring to look at Empress Yao's ferocious face. Empress Yao dumped all the pastries onto the ground, snorted coldly, and immediately walked out of the pavilion. She then looked at the tulips beside her, rushed forward, and beat them mercilessly before returning to Ningfeng Palace after venting her anger.
None of the palace maids dared to raise their heads or utter a single word. Aunt Liang, who was serving Empress Yao, immediately ordered the maids to pack quickly, and they followed Empress Yao back to Ningfeng Palace.
Nan Xuzong's face was filled with anxiety as he carried Ji Wushang out of the palace, attracting the attention of countless palace maids and eunuchs. Meanwhile, the ministers who remained in the palace to discuss matters with the emperor and princes also witnessed the scene, naturally spreading the news to everyone. While praising Nan Xuzong's devotion and pampering, the crowd secretly gossiped about Empress Yao.
At the same time, they were extremely surprised that the Prince of Nan and his wife had entered the palace. They wondered what their purpose was.
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong sat together in the carriage. Nan Xuzong urged the coachman to hurry back to the manor. After lowering the curtain and traveling quite a distance, Ji Wushang finally climbed out of his arms. "I was almost tricked by Empress Yao!"
Nan Xuzong held her in his arms affectionately, "Was my cooperation just now okay?"
"Hmm." Ji Wushang smiled and kissed him on the lips to show that he had done a good job before saying, "She actually insulted me behind my back by saying I had no manners. I can't swallow this. In three days, something bad will happen to her!"
"Insulting you for being rude? How despicable!" Nan Xuzong's expression changed instantly. "I should teach her a lesson she won't forget!"
“It’s alright…” Ji Wushang recounted what had just happened, and then said, “It’s even now! She’ll be in pain for a few days after three days, and no one will be able to tell. During those days, we can do a lot of things, and she won’t be able to interfere with what you and the Third Prince are doing.”
“Okay,” Nan Xuzong said. “What was wrong with your complexion just now? Is there some illness you’re hiding from me?” Nan Xuzong looked at her lips immediately, then at her face.
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "I took medicine in secret, which is why I suddenly experienced these symptoms. Once the effects of the medicine wear off, I'll be fine." As she spoke, Ji Wushang placed his hand on her forehead. "See, it's alright now. It's not too cold or too hot, just right."
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong nodded upon hearing this, his emotions calming down slightly. He withdrew his hand from her waist, but a question remained: "Why did Empress Yao suddenly appear in the Imperial Garden?"
"It was just a coincidence that I happened to be passing by! I'm not really sure either." Ji Wushang looked at him. "This time, Grandmother will definitely hate her. Grandmother dotes on you a lot!"
"Hehe." Nan Xuzong chuckled twice. "They probably feel indebted to us! However, my grandmother has indeed spoiled me since I was a child, otherwise, I wouldn't be alive today."
Ji Wushang's eyes curved into a smile. "Everything is fine now. Tomorrow, you will be the Fourth Prince... my Fourth Prince!"
Nan Xuzong paused for a moment, then pulled her into his arms. "I will always be your Nan Xuzong, no matter what our identities are, my heart will never change!"
Ji Wushang nodded at his chest, "Understood."
After the two returned to their residence, an imperial physician immediately came to examine Ji Wushang. Nan Xuzong dismissed the physician, saying that Ji Wushang had already taken his medicine and fallen asleep. He instructed the physician to tell the Empress Dowager or Empress Yao that Wushang was fine if they inquired. The physician had no choice but to return to the palace.
As Ji Wushang watched Nan Xuzong walk back into the house, he immediately went up to him and asked, "Should we tell the people in the manor about what happened today?"
“No need.” Nan Xuzong narrowed his eyes. “The manor won’t be peaceful lately. There’s a chance someone might come to assassinate us.” Nan Xuzong placed her on his lap and pressed her down to sit. “Don’t leave the manor, especially tonight. If any of the concubines or young ladies in the manor have any problems, deal with them quickly. I’ll have Hongfei and Cuiwu accompany you.”
"Is your residence safe?"
“I will have more people hidden in every part of the mansion to protect your safety!” Nan Xuzong raised an eyebrow as he looked at her.
"Hmm. You should take good care of yourself. You're about to become the fourth prince. Perhaps Empress Yao and the others will send someone to kill you, not me." Ji Wushang looked at him and put his arms on his shoulders. "Don't make me worry."
She was petite, he was tall, and the two of them gazed at each other with deep affection.
Nan Xuzong smiled, "I'll listen to you." He then pulled her into his arms and gently kissed her, "Don't tempt me."
"...I didn't!" Ji Wushang immediately jumped off him. He was the one who put her on his lap, okay? She didn't sit on it willingly!
Just then, Gong Shu ran in from outside and bumped into the two of them. They kept their distance, but the scene seemed a bit strange and ambiguous. He stopped there and stood to one side.
Nan Xuzong immediately said, "Gong Shu, come in and talk."
"Yes, sir, this is the letter that just arrived!" Gong Shu stepped forward, presented the letter in his hand, and then withdrew.