Huangfu Xuan's cold eyes darkened slightly. "No, the Crown Prince's words were appropriate and proper, there was nothing wrong with them!" He stood up, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "Alright, let the two of you take responsibility for today's matter! You two are my brothers, we'll all shoulder everything together!"
"Sure, sure!" Bei Gongminhao chuckled. He was saying this now, but who knew if he would still consider them brothers in the future! "I'm leaving, you guys can chat!" Bei Gongminhao snorted coldly, casually picking up one of the envelopes. This was their rule; any envelope contained their mission and plans.
Huangfu Xuan remained silent, while Nan Xuzong reached for another envelope, slowly opened it, glanced at it, and a hint of a smile appeared in his dark eyes. "Looks like I'll have to keep watch again tonight!"
Huangfu Xuan smiled slightly upon hearing Nan Xuzong's words, "After this matter is over, I will make sure you get the happiness you desire."
"That's good!" Nan Xuzong's expression had returned to its original blankness, and his tone was heavy. "But remember this, don't trip up Minhao, or I will definitely not let you off the hook!"
Huangfu Xuan's eyes were cold as he watched Nan Xuzong slowly stand up. "Don't worry!" How dare he threaten him like that? Hmph!
Bei Gong Minhao emerged from the secret room and walked through the September Pavilion, only to find a maidservant looking around. He immediately recognized her as Hong Fei. Hong Fei and Cui Wu had always been by Nan Xu Cong's side, and Bei Gong Minhao knew them to some extent. Now, seeing Hong Fei looking around, he hesitated for a moment, unsure whether he should approach her.
However, Hongfei also saw Beigong Minhao's white robe at this moment. Her face seemed to be filled with amazement, and she immediately stepped forward, "Young master, young master."
Beigong Minhao stopped in his tracks. Since he had already put on makeup, others would definitely not recognize him easily, so he decided to see what was going on.
Meanwhile, Ji Wushang was on the seventh floor, absentmindedly looking outside. He saw that many actors were pouring into the imperial city. Some actors casually found a place to start performing, hoping to win some dowry, while others went to other places as soon as they entered the imperial city, with a very clear purpose.
Ji Wushang immediately turned his head and said, "Cuiwu, quickly bring me a pen and ink!"
“Yes.” Cuiwu was puzzled, but immediately took out a brush and ink and presented them to her.
Ji Wushang dipped his brush in ink, laid the paper on the table, and recalled seeing several people enter the imperial city and then go where. Ji Wushang drew it from memory.
Downstairs, Bei Gongminhao stopped in his tracks, looking at Hong Fei in front of him. "Was the young lady calling me?"
"Young master, please stop." Hongfei stepped forward and bowed to him.
Bei Gongminhao stood there politely, a hint of anticipation rising in his heart. Yes, he was waiting to see what Hong Fei would say. He had a feeling that it wasn't Nan Xuzong who was looking for him, but... her.
Hongfei looked at Beigong Minhao, somewhat nervous, probably because she couldn't think of a good excuse. Finally, she blurted out the truth, "It's just that, it's just that, my lady would like to ask you, young master, what is your surname?"
Beigong Minhao was startled; it really was her.
Asking about the surname, hehe... Bei Gongminhao's lips curled up, and he was about to blurt out, "Bei..." but he immediately changed his words, "Bei, the Bei of baby."
"Oh, thank you, young master!" Hongfei bowed again, relieved to find out that Young Master Bei was quite kind. She had thought he would make things difficult for her!
Bei Gongmin smiled but remained silent. Hong Fei bowed and immediately turned and went upstairs.
He watched Hongfei go upstairs, his eyes crinkling with a smile. She was upstairs.
At this moment, Nan Xuzong had already come out. He saw Beigong Minhao looking upstairs, and after thinking for a moment, he went up to him and asked, "What are you looking at?"
"It's nothing." Beigong Minhao looked at him. "I'm leaving. I won't forget what you asked me to do."
"Thank you." Nan Xuzong smiled.
Beigong Minhao smiled and turned to leave Jiuyuelou.
Ji Wushang watched from upstairs as people poured into the imperial city, occasionally continuing to sketch. Just then, he saw the white-robed young man leave the September Pavilion. Ji Wushang craned his neck, but still couldn't make out his face.
At this moment, Hongfei came in and said, "Fourth Imperial Concubine, I asked, and the young master's surname is Bei, the Bei of 'precious'."
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "Okay, I understand." It really wasn't him. Oh well.
Little did he know that Nan Xuzong was standing outside the door at that moment. He was about to push the door open when he heard Hong Fei's words and a sigh from Ji Wushang.
What was this feeling? He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but the decision was already made… A flicker of pain crossed Nan Xuzong's eyes. Who was Bei Gong Minhao? How could he not know? He knew everything Bei Gong Minhao had done for her, which was why he had entrusted the most important matter to him!
If I'm gone, he'll definitely be able to take good care of her... Heh, if everything happens as I imagine, that would be something to put my mind at ease!
At least I have her, and that's enough.
Nan Xuzong gently pushed open the door, and Hongfei and Cuiwu immediately bowed to him, saying, "Master."
"Cong, come and see! I drew something nice for you." Ji Wushang looked at him, overjoyed, having already put the matter of just now out of his mind. In fact, he had come to terms with it; if it wasn't Beigong Minhao, then it wasn't Beigong Minhao. If he had the chance, he would definitely kneel down and kowtow three times at his grave.
Nan Xuzong's thin lips moved slightly. He waved for Hongfei and Cuiwu to leave and strode forward. "What is it? Let your husband take a look?"
“Look, I drew this based on the people who entered the imperial city, and the directions they each went in.” Ji Wushang said, pointing to another piece of paper. “Many people entered the eastern part of the imperial city, which means their main force is in the east. If we want to guard against them, we can send heavy troops here, while fewer people can be scattered in other places.”
Nan Xuzong was slightly taken aback. His men had been closely monitoring all places entering the imperial city. Anyone entering the city was tracked down and recorded. This was his order. He also had orders to register people at the places where they stayed or gathered. This meant that what Ji Wushang was doing was completely futile.
But she actually managed to come up with such a method, all by herself... Nan Xuzong felt a warmth in his heart. He smiled and sat down beside her, putting one arm around her waist. "You've worked hard. These drawings were really difficult to complete. They're very useful. Thank you." Nan Xuzong said, folding the drawings and putting them in his arms.
Ji Wushang looked at him and immediately reminded him, "Cong, you should quickly order someone to keep watch and follow them!"
"Okay, I'll go right away. Someone's already keeping an eye on things, so don't worry!" Nan Xuzong smiled, stood up, and went out, but returned shortly afterward.
“We should go back. We’ll be safer in the Prince Zong’s residence!” Nan Xuzong looked at her, and Ji Wushang stepped forward. “I’ll stay with you.”
Nan Xuzong smiled without saying a word and returned to the Prince Zong's residence with her.
The courtyard had already been cleaned. Nan Xuzong had Ji Wushang sit in the study to read, while he himself went out and went elsewhere.
Ji Wushang waited and waited, but Nan Xuzong did not appear, and he couldn't help but feel worried. Thinking about it, he realized that something was wrong with him.
Ji Wushang immediately put down the book in her hand and went outside. She saw Hongfei and Cuiwu guarding the door and asked anxiously, "Where is Cong?"
"Your Highness, the Prince is probably in his study."
Ji Wushang didn't speak and walked towards the study, but when he opened the door, he didn't see Nan Xuzong. A voice in his heart drove him even more crazy: he was doing something he didn't want him to know about, and he was very likely to take a risk!
Ji Wushang practically rushed out of the study to look for someone, but apart from a few maids, he didn't see many guards in this huge Prince Zong's mansion.
This was not how Nan Xuzong did things. Ji Wushang was anxious. He turned around, just thinking of calling for someone to search for Nan Xuzong, but then two maids passed by.
"What is Master planning to do? Why did you go to the kitchen?"
"Yes, I don't understand. The kitchen is filthy, and the master even kicked us all out. What are we studying?"
At that moment, the two maids looked up and saw the noble woman in front of them. Their faces turned pale instantly, and they knelt down abruptly, crying, "Greetings, Fourth Imperial Consort!"
"No need!" Ji Wushang didn't bother arguing with the two of them; all she needed to do was find out Nan Xuzong's whereabouts! She immediately lifted her skirt and hurried towards the kitchen.
The two maids finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"All of you, go kneel in the hall and don't go back until midnight!" Ji Wushang said coldly. Gossiping in the Prince's mansion when no one was around deserved some punishment, didn't it? The punishment was just a very light one—kneeling—which wouldn't hurt them.
Ji Wushang walked directly into the kitchen, but unexpectedly, looking through the door, he saw another person besides Nan Xuzong.
Ji Wushang stepped forward.
"Your Highness, everything has been taken care of!"
"Just keep watch. I'll be there promptly at three-quarters past midnight," came Nan Xuzong's deep, resonant voice.
"Yes." The figure immediately disappeared.
Ji Wushang hesitated, but Nan Xuzong had already opened the door. "Come in." His eyes held a slight smile, completely ignoring what Ji Wushang had just heard or how much he had heard.
Ji Wushang lowered his head and went inside, while he stepped forward and asked, "Why didn't you wait for me in your room?"
"I can't wait for you." Ji Wushang calmed himself down. He didn't even ask about what had just happened... Ji Wushang looked up, but she didn't expect to see him like this!
He seemed oblivious, and just as she was about to laugh, he turned and walked inside naturally. "I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting. Look what I've done for you. Do you remember what day it is today?"
"Haha... Me? Isn't today the fifteenth of June? It's the day actors enter the capital, or the Midsummer Festival." Ji Wushang covered his mouth, suppressing his laughter. He also wanted to know what the other was doing, so he quickly followed him into the inner room.
Nan Xuzong had his back to Ji Wushang and was focused on what he was holding, so he didn't see Ji Wushang's exaggerated smile. He knew she was smiling, but he just assumed she was in a good mood. "No, you forgot something important."
"Forgot? What could I possibly forget?" Ji Wushang thought to himself, could it be that he really had forgotten some important day? Meeting him? Marrying him? No, that doesn't make sense either!
"Happy birthday, Wu Shang." Just then, he turned and left. Unexpectedly, after he left, a table full of food was presented to Ji Wu Shang, half of which were dishes, half of which were desserts, and there was also Danlu Qiongjiang (a type of elixir).
The dim sum includes four kinds: tea snacks, almond Buddha's hand, crispy apples, and He Yi cakes. The dishes include phoenix tail shark fin, red plum pearl, auspicious dragon double flight, coriander-fried pigeon, and braised lion's head meatballs. The soup is Longjing bamboo fungus soup.
Ji Wushang was startled. "What is this? Did you make this for me?"
"Hmm, I spent two hours having the matrons in the manor teach me. It seems alright, right?" Nan Xuzong looked at the surprise on her face and a smile appeared on his lips. "Are you hungry? Yes, you've been waiting for too long. Come, sit down and have a taste."
As soon as he spoke, Nan Xuzong pulled her over. Ji Wushang looked up at his handsome face—no, his face covered in black lines. She had originally intended to be serious and was deeply moved, but when she saw the dark lines on his face, she couldn't help but laugh.
"Haha, me, Cong, I'm hungry, really hungry." Ji Wushang smiled as she looked at him. She truly appreciated his kindness, and besides, she had genuinely forgotten her own birthday. But how did he know it? Marriage was supposed to be about matching social status and compatibility of birth dates, but their marriage was ordained by heaven. Logically speaking, he certainly wouldn't have bothered to look at their birth dates...
"Then, what are you laughing at?" Nan Xuzong's tone was somewhat awkward, and he stammered a little. He was quite frustrated. He had worked so hard to cook this dish, hoping to make her happy and touched her. He had thought she would shed tears or something, but why did he see her so happy? This was not what he had imagined! Moreover, he had really cooked it all himself. He had chopped and washed all the vegetables by himself, without asking any servants for help.
He didn't mind spoiling her to the point of being lawless and even riding on her neck in this male-dominated world; he didn't mind being told that the Fourth Prince Huangfu Zong was afraid of his wife; and he wasn't afraid to put down his dignity in front of the servants to do things for her. His only fear was that her reaction would be abnormal or that she would not react at all.
Looking at his face and listening to his words, Ji Wushang saw the grievances and expectations, along with a hint of disappointment and sorrow, on his face, which had remained unchanged for thousands of years. She could no longer smile.
Yes, this man was pouring his heart out to her, but she was laughing at him.
As he watched her smile fade, a sense of unease crept into his heart. For a fleeting moment, he felt as if she were not herself, yet still herself. This feeling was unsettling and contradictory.
Because he remembered that she still cared about Beigong Minhao. This kind of care seemed to be more than just ordinary care; it was a deep, profound concern, as if she had made room in her heart for Beigong Minhao, even though she had already reserved all the space that originally belonged to her.
His face darkened. He wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve. He had been too hasty, focused on preparing a meal to surprise her, but knowing there wasn't enough time, he had tried to do everything himself. He had also been directing and making arrangements for the events in the palace late at night, and even his meeting with his subordinates had taken place here.
Ji Wushang looked at him, her cherry lips slightly moving, but she still didn't say anything. Instead, she took out a silk handkerchief from her body and stepped forward. The handkerchief was embroidered with plum blossoms, representing the most beautiful memories they shared.
She stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, placed one hand on his shoulder, and gently wiped his face with the silk handkerchief in the other. "Is it worth getting yourself dirty just to make me those delicious meals? If the servants see you like this, what will they think of you in the future? If word gets out, will your reputation as the Fourth Prince be ruined?" Her voice was calm and clear, but he could see the warmth in her eyes as she focused on her face and the movement in her hand, and he could feel love.
Yes, that's the feeling, that's the look in their eyes.
Nan Xuzong seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, a smile spreading across his lips. "It was worth it."
Ji Wushang sighed, "I don't think it's very worthwhile." Looking at her clean face, Ji Wushang smiled despite her sigh. The handkerchief was now dirty. Just as Ji Wushang was about to put it in her bosom, Nan Xuzong grabbed her hand holding the handkerchief. He took the handkerchief from her and placed it in his own bosom in one smooth motion, his eyes never leaving Ji Wushang's bright eyes. "It's worthwhile, very worthwhile."
Ji Wushang smiled, "How could you have known that today is my birthday? I had almost forgotten."
"I checked your birthday... I remember you threw me a birthday banquet back then, and I was so touched. But, this pig brain of mine just can't think of anything that could make you happy, or anything that would make the birthday gift I gave you even happier. I originally thought of announcing it to the world and throwing a birthday banquet, but I was afraid you wouldn't like it, and I was also afraid of the time, that there wouldn't be enough time... I was also thinking of giving you a surprise, but I, I really don't know what to do. Time, time is really running out, I, I can only do this, this simple thing... Wu Shang, please forgive me, okay?" Nan Xuzong spread his hands, hurriedly explaining, but towards the end, he started to stammer again.
Yes, think about how she threw a birthday banquet for herself, inviting guests from all directions, and openly expressed her love for him in front of Bei Gongminhao and Yi Yunshancheng, earning him the respect of everyone in the entire Marquis's mansion. But now, due to the current situation and the current time, he can only cook a few simple dishes for her...
“I originally planned to have a nice meal with you at the Jiuyue Tower, but, but I got busy and I forgot again. I’m sorry, Wushang, please, please say something… I…” Nan Xuzong looked at Ji Wushang without speaking and was anxious. He hurriedly explained. He looked at her with the face of a child, a child eager to explain, a child expecting a response.
Ji Wushang gritted her teeth, her eyes brimming with tears she refused to let fall. Instead, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you, I... I love you so much... Thank you for everything you've done for me... Don't apologize, I... I love you so much, really..." Only he remembered her birthday. She had lived two lives, but no one had ever celebrated her birthday. Only him, this man, this man who said he didn't know what to do and begged for her forgiveness, had already stolen her heart and soul.
Nan Xuzong's eyes widened in surprise. He lowered his hand and then hugged her tightly. "Wu Shang, I will definitely make up for your birthday banquet. I will prepare the most beautiful and precious gift in the world for you."
"I don't need anything, all I need is you..." Her voice trailed off as she spoke, but he heard it all!
A smile of happiness curved his face. He looked down at her and kissed her lips. "I mean what I say."
"I believe you." Sometimes, there's no need for many words between them, because their hearts are already in sync, and their feelings for each other have penetrated to the very marrow of their bones.
"And all I need is you." He smiled, then lowered his head to kiss her lips again. Her natural fragrance and subtle scent were so pleasant that he lingered there, reluctant to leave.
Ji Wushang smelled the orchid fragrance on his body, and the slight sweat on his skin made him even more masculine, making it easier for her to succumb to him.
With a gentle bite of her pearly teeth and a slight tug at her waist, Nan Xuzong's lips curled into a smile, deepening the wet kiss.