"Damn it!" Nan Jinxue cursed inwardly before looking around for the beautiful figure again.
Ji Wushang walked aimlessly, but the direction the rain was falling was strange, as if it was guiding him. Ji Wushang wanted to investigate, so he quickened his pace.
Unexpectedly, just as they turned a corner and leaned against a wall, they heard someone inside whispering, "Everyone in this Inner River Garden, except for Yiyun Shangcheng, the Crown Prince, and the Eldest Princess, must be slaughtered!"
"Yes!" Several dozen men dressed in black responded in hushed tones.
Ji Wushang was immediately shocked. What was going on?! Someone was actually coming to kill them?!
"It's raining now. We'll take action as soon as the rain stops! Follow my signal!" the low voice continued.
"Yes!" came the unanimous reply.
Ji Wushang was startled. Who were these people? How could they be here! He climbed up the corner of the wall and secretly poked at the window paper with his finger, peering through his eyes. Unfortunately, he could only see that the dozens of people were all dressed in black, with only their eyes showing.
Ji Wushang immediately lay down, then found a way out and fled; he absolutely could not stay here. As he escaped, he observed the surrounding terrain and directions.
There were only walls all around, making it difficult to come up with a solution. Should they start with the leader? But who exactly was the leader?
At this moment, Ji Wushang had already seen those men in black hiding in all directions.
Ji Wushang watched as he hid.
The leader of the men in black had already put on a straw hat and disappeared in a few leaps.
Just as Ji Wushang was about to walk out, a voice suddenly came from behind him!
"Miss Ji?" The voice was deep and warm, but it was enough to startle Ji Wushang. She slowly turned around and saw Nan Shizi, Nan Xuzong, sitting in a wheelchair not far behind her. He looked at her expressionlessly, as if asking why she was here.
Ji Wushang's eyes darted around, wondering if he had seen him eavesdropping on those people's conversation. Moreover, he didn't know if he was an accomplice or something else, because why was he suddenly here when he hadn't been seen at the banquet at all!
Nan Xuzong was also quite surprised to see her. His eyes were dark and unfathomable. He looked at Ji Wushang and asked, "What brings you here, Miss?"
Ji Wushang was taken aback. Shouldn't he be the one asking him this? How did he beat him to it?
"The Princess gave the order that I could wander around freely, and I was drawn here by the wind and rain. But why was the Prince of the South not seen at the banquet earlier, but suddenly appeared here?" Ji Wushang smiled warmly as she looked at him.
Nan Xuzong gently tapped the inside of his wheelchair with his hand. After thinking for a moment, he chuckled and thought, "This Miss Ji really knows how to talk. I clearly saw her sneaking around just now, but she used this excuse." He then said, "The banquet earlier was boring, so I came here to stroll around. The Crown Prince took pity on my legs and didn't blame me."
"Life is inherently boring, so why care whether a banquet is interesting or not?" Ji Wushang looked around, feeling slightly anxious. The rain was probably about to stop! Watching the dripping rain, he desperately wished for a sudden downpour to stop those who had attempted the assassination! He doubted that many people in the manor knew martial arts; most were female guests, and even among the men, few were skilled in martial arts.
Nan Xuzong remained expressionless, listened to her words and pondered for a while before saying, "Miss Ji is right."
However, Ji Wushang was not prepared to reason with him. Besides, the fact that a man and a woman were alone together would inevitably make them a laughing stock. He needed to come up with a solution himself.
Nan Xuzong fiddled with the ends of her hair. "Miss, aren't you going to take a walk somewhere else?"
"Yes. Farewell." Ji Wushang couldn't have been happier to hear him say that, so he immediately bowed slightly to him. After that, he walked away behind him.
Nan Xuzong remained seated in his wheelchair, his left hand resting on the seat, tapping gently, while his right hand continued to twirl his hair. Just as Ji Wushang had gone some distance, Nan Xuzong suddenly turned his wheelchair, taking one last look at her graceful figure from behind.
Ji Wushang was really anxious and didn't know what to do. If he wanted to escape this disaster, the simplest thing was to immediately pull Ji Yinxue and Ji Meiyuan out. If Ji Meiyuan didn't want to leave, then he could just leave her to suffer. Ji Yinxue would definitely come with him.
But are we just going to stand by and watch this disaster happen? Father is getting old and can't withstand this kind of ordeal. If such a murderous tragedy were to occur at the Autumn Chrysanthemum Feast, Father would definitely be implicated. The investigation would be one thing, but even the wedding of my eldest brother Ji Tiankui and my third sister Ji Wuxia would probably have to be put on hold.
Nan Xuzong's eyes seemed to be an unfathomable abyss. If he hadn't seen Ji Wushang just now, he really wouldn't have thought that Ji Wushang was also in the mansion. In that case, when he gave the order, his name should have been added to the list of those exempt from killing... Nan Xuzong clenched his fist slightly.
Miss Ji, I'm sure you heard those things just now. What will you choose? Will you leave immediately before the appointed time arrives? Or will you stay and die with them?
"Gong Shu." Nan Xuzong sighed softly and called out towards the inner room.
Gong Shu immediately came out from inside. He was wearing a black coat and a straw hat, and he was the leader that Ji Wushang had just seen!
"Don't make any plans yet. Take a look and see where Miss Ji went," Nan Xuzong said, looking at Feng Yu.
"Yes," Gong Shu replied, and immediately walked in the direction Ji Wushang had gone.
Ji Wushang took a detour and walked to the front yard, where everyone was playing around. The wind and rain added to the charm.
Ji Wushang looked left and right before finally spotting Ji Yinxue sitting with Beigong Jueshi. He dared not disturb them; how could he bear to disturb such a talented couple? Besides, even if these people had committed wrongdoings and deserved to die, they shouldn't die at this time.
Yes, the Eldest Princess. Ji Wushang remembered her and immediately headed towards the room where the Eldest Princess and the Crown Prince were resting.
As soon as Ji Wushang arrived, he immediately bowed inside and said, "Please have the eunuch inform the Princess that Ji Wushang wishes to see her."
The young eunuch, after watching Ji Wushang's dance and painting, couldn't help but sigh in admiration. He immediately responded with joy and went inside to report.
However, after a short while, the young eunuch came out, looking dejected, and said, "Granny Yuan said that the Princess is taking a nap and we shouldn't wake her."
"I have something very important to ask to see the Princess." Ji Wushang's forehead was sweating, and he was slightly anxious.
The young eunuch sighed, "Granny Yuan said we can't wake her up. There's nothing we lowly servants can do. Miss Ji, please go ahead!"
Ji Wushang felt a chill in his heart and had no choice but to turn back.
As Bei Gongminhao saw Ji Wushang approaching, he immediately stepped forward with delight, "Miss Ji."
Ji Wushang felt like his head was about to explode. Couldn't he act like a grown man, use his brain, instead of acting like a child all the time! It felt like Wu Zi was calling him, "Sister, sister!"
Ji Wushang paused, thinking of Wu Zi. He was missing him and wondered if Wu Zi had done his homework on time. He would have to check on him when he got back.
"Your Highness," Ji Wushang said with a slight smile to Beigong Minhao, "Good afternoon."
"I'd like to treat you to lotus seed cake," Beigong Minhao said with a smile, and then brought out a plate of lotus seed cake from behind.
"Thank you," Ji Wushang said, then picked up a piece.
"Why don't we sit over there? It's too noisy here, and I'm afraid it might disturb Miss's refined taste." Bei Gongminhao was not about to give up the opportunity to be with the beauty.
Ji Wushang looked around, thinking that the prince must have some power. It would be good to let him know that someone wanted to assassinate him, so that he could make preparations or come up with some ideas to avoid this disaster.
"Okay," Ji Wushang said with a slight smile.
Gong Shu had already returned to Nan Xuzong's side. With his head bowed, he reported to Nan Xuzong, "My lord, Miss Ji went back and ran to the Princess's room, but was refused, so she turned back. On the way, she was stopped by the Prince of the Prince. The Prince of the Prince of the Prince insisted on inviting Miss Ji to a talk. Miss Ji had no choice but to agree because of his power."
Upon hearing this, Nan Xuzong stopped tapping his fingers on his wheelchair. After a long while, watching the wind and rain, and seeing that the wind and rain were about to stop, he said, "Today's mission is canceled. Everyone, get out of here. Don't leave me with a single trace, otherwise..."
"Master?" Gong Shu could hardly believe it. "Master, this was all meticulously planned by you! Isn't this the day you've been waiting for?"
Nan Xuzong waved his hand, "Execute."
"Yes." Gong Shu shook his head, sighed, and went downstairs.
"This isn't the day I've been waiting for, no." Nan Xuzong murmured, looking at the wind and rain. "She's there, she's there! How could I let her get caught up in this storm?"
cannot.
Ji Wushang sat down, and immediately a maid came to pour tea, the fragrant aroma of Longjing tea filling the air. Beigong Minhao was very excited, looking at Ji Wushang with a naked, undisguised gaze.
Ji Wushang turned his face away. "Your Highness, I have something I want to tell you." The storm is about to stop, it's about to stop!
"Oh? Go ahead." Bei Gongminhao said, his eyes never leaving her for a second, then he took a ring from the plate on the table. "Please have some tea."
"Tea?" Ji Wushang looked at the thing in front of him.
Unexpectedly, what he received was a pastry. Beigong Minhao was slightly embarrassed. "Tell me what it is, and I will do anything for you."
"Crown Prince".
Suddenly, just as Ji Wushang was about to speak, he heard a man's voice, a voice as mellow as a glass of aged wine.
Ji Wushang was stunned. He hadn't expected that he would appear here! Turning his head, he saw Nan Xuzong sitting in his wheelchair, gently twirling his unique golden thread in his hands. His hands seemed to be wrapping around his golden thread, but the thread was already neatly arranged.
He had no expression at all, as if he hadn't just spoken, and as if he hadn't seen the gazes directed at him from those around him, completely absorbed in his own world.
Beigong Minhao was also slightly taken aback for a moment. He had just asked Nan Jinxue if he had come, but now, he really had.
“Prince Nan.” Bei Gongminhao stood up, a smile playing on his lips. “It has been many days since we last met, but it feels like we just met again.”
"Time flies." Nan Xuzong looked up, his eyes looking at Ji Wushang, then at Beigong Minhao. "I didn't expect to find Miss Ji here. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ji Wushang was taken aback. What did he not expect? He probably already knew that he was thinking of asking Beigong Minhao to discuss things, or that he had many spies here who were watching his every move!
"Greetings, Your Highness." Ji Wushang stood up and bowed slightly to Nan Xuzong. "Since Your Highness and Your Highness are old acquaintances, then I will not disturb you any longer." He nodded again to express his apology.
Bei Gongminhao frowned slightly. "Didn't Miss Wushang just say something to me?" he said, looking at Nan Xuzong. But Nan Xuzong's expression told him that he, Nan Xuzong, didn't want to leave! "If you don't mind, you can tell him in front of Prince Nan," Bei Gongminhao added.
"No need." Ji Wushang glanced at Nan Xuzong. With him here, surely no one would try to assassinate him? If they weren't his men, then having one more person would be enough to hold off those assassins. He had no idea how deep Nan Xuzong's skills were!
"Oh, it seems I've disturbed you both." Nan Xuzong expressed his deep regret, but despite saying that, he showed no intention of leaving.
"Big sister! Come and see these flowers!" At this moment, Ji Yinxue suddenly called out in this direction, which made Ji Wushang feel much better. "Fourth sister is calling me. Please, gentlemen, take your leave."
Before they could react, Ji Wushang had already run off, leaving only the two of them behind.
People gathered around the chrysanthemums that had weathered the wind and rain; the chrysanthemums, full of pride, still stood tall against the wind.
Ji Wushang reached out and caught the raindrops in the sky; the rain had stopped. However, there was still no trace of murderous intent, nor anything unusual. Relieved, he looked towards Nan Xuzong's direction.
Nan Xuzong was picking up the Longjing tea in front of him, seemingly enjoying something, slowly savoring the tea.
But as he drank tea, he noticed Ji Wushang's bright eyes were looking at him, and his heart skipped a beat. Before he knew it, Ji Wushang had disappeared from his sight, disappearing into the crowd to admire the autumn chrysanthemums.
Beigong Minhao looked around and followed Nan Xuzong's gaze to look behind him, but he couldn't see anything except a large group of people gathered there.
"Why do you have so much free time here? When did the Prince of the South become like me, a commoner, appreciating the simple pleasures of life?" Bei Gongminhao smiled and tilted his head back, finishing the Longjing tea in his cup.
“Savoring tea is like savoring life; it should be done slowly and carefully. Your Highness, what you’re doing isn’t savoring tea, it’s just drinking tea. Drinking tea means drinking it all in one gulp for a quick and satisfying experience.” Nan Xuzong raised his teacup. “To you.” With that, he also drank it all in one gulp.
"I really can't argue with you," Bei Gongmin sighed. "How come I heard you were sick and not at home the other day?"
"Old ailment, nothing to worry about." Nan Xuzong's eyes were unfocused. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." After saying that, he poured himself another cup of tea. "This, you should savor it properly."
"Big brother! Prince!" Nan Jinxue suddenly appeared from around the corner and came to the two of them.
"Sit." Nan Xuzong only said one word, then turned his wheelchair to make room for someone. Immediately, a maid brought a stool from outside and placed it down.
Beigong Minhao nodded, and the three of them sat down together.
For a moment, no one spoke, as if the three of them were sitting together simply to avoid having anything to talk about.
Seeing Ji Wushang approach, Ji Yinxue immediately stepped forward and took Ji Wushang's hand. "Big sister, look, this 'Green Cloud' tree has green branches, medium to large leaves with deep lobes, it's so beautiful!"
Ji Wushang nodded. "Isn't that right? The flower is a deep green, with medium-sized tubular petals, belonging to the 'Dancing Ring' type. The outer petals extend straight out, drooping slightly after opening, with hooked and curled tips. They resemble colorful clouds, the color fading to a pale green tinged with white. The inner petals are tightly closed, a deep, glistening green, concealing the flower's center. The entire flower is full and large, dancing gracefully and beautifully. It easily evokes the image of a green fairy floating in space."
"Sister, why don't you write a poem? The rain has stopped and the flowers are still blooming. It's truly moving."
“Indeed, after the rain comes sunshine and the sun shines again.” Ji Wushang smiled at Ji Yinxue, but Ji Yinxue looked at her with some curiosity. Why did she add the phrase “sunshine again”? Indeed, just now the sky was heavy, as if it was about to press down.
"It's just a flower, is there any need for such exclamations?" Ji Meiyuan swayed her hips as she walked over, her voluptuous figure exuding charm and allure.
"It's better than others not even uttering a sigh." Ji Wushang smiled, looking at Ji Meiyuan, "Second Sister, aren't you right?"
"Yes!" Ji Meiyuan rolled her eyes at her. "Sigh, I was just thinking of seeing the paintings my eldest sister made, but I didn't expect to not even see a trace of them! What a pity!"
Ji Wushang pondered. Indeed, it was a pity that he hadn't had a close look at the overall effect of the finished product.
"Why don't we paint another one now?" Ji Meiyuan thought to herself and said, her voice so loud that everyone around her turned to look.