Ji Wushang sat for a while longer before taking his leave of the matriarch. He turned to look at Ji Meiyuan and Aunt Bai, both of whom were looking at him with disdain. Ji Wushang ignored them, came out of the house, and walked into the courtyard, where he saw Ji Wusi and Xier playing happily.
"Wu Zi, have you finished your homework?" Ji Wushang walked to the desk and flipped through the pages of the book.
Ji Wusi stopped and saw Ji Wushang flipping through his homework, so he ran back. "Sister! Wuzi has finished his homework! Grandmother specially allowed Wuzi to play in this yard!"
"Good boy." Ji Wushang smiled and kissed Ji Wusi's little cheek. "You play with Xier first, I'm going to the North Garden to see Mother."
"I want to go too!" Ji Wusi said immediately when she heard that it was to the North Garden. "I want to go, but the maids in the courtyard are stopping me from going in!" As she spoke, she looked at Ji Wushang with a wronged expression.
They probably don't want him to go in because they're afraid he'll cry if he sees the unconscious Madam Bei, right? Ji Wushang smiled and sighed, "How about your older sister takes you with her tomorrow? Your older sister is a bit busy today, and Mother is tired too. We can't let anyone disturb us!"
"Alright!" Ji Wusi looked a little disappointed, then looked at Ji Wushang and said, "Sister promised to take me to see Mother tomorrow!"
"Definitely." Ji Wushang affectionately pinched Ji Wusi's little nose, then instructed the slightly older Xier. Xier was very grateful to Ji Wushang for saving him after he had been beaten, and he listened to her very much.
Hearing the instructions, he nodded repeatedly.
Ji Wushang brought Yue'er and Xian'er to the North Garden. They had just arrived when someone rushed out.
Ji Wushang immediately stopped him, "Why the rush?"
Upon seeing Ji Wushang, the maid immediately knelt down and said joyfully, "Reporting to Miss, Madam, Madam has woken up! This servant is going to inform everyone in the courtyards!"
"Really?" Ji Wushang was overjoyed. "Go and report it right away!" With that, she jogged into the courtyard. Upon entering the house, Granny Shi saw Ji Wushang and immediately stepped forward, saying, "Young Miss! As expected, Madam has woken up!"
Ji Wushang nodded, "I'll go take a look." He entered the inner room, lifted the beaded curtain, and saw that Madam Bei had already woken up and was leaning against the bedside. When she saw Ji Wushang enter, her face lit up with joy, "Wushang!"
"Mother!" Ji Wushang exclaimed joyfully, then threw himself into Madam Bei's arms and began to weep softly.
Madam Bei was also in tears. She never thought she would wake up one day. She had spent every day in darkness, in a state of chaos, unable to break through that barrier! Until last night, it was as if a ray of light exploded in the sky, and she finally walked out of the gates of hell.
"Mother has finally woken up!" Ji Wushang looked at Madam Bei, then took her wrist. He could feel her pulse beating steadily, her complexion was good, and her lips and mouth were not dry.
At this moment, Aunt Bai arrived with one or two doctors. Before the doctors even arrived, her voice preceded them, "Hearing that Madam Bei has woken up, Ao Mei specially brought two doctors to come and see how Madam is recovering." As she spoke, she was about to rush in.
Ji Wushang immediately got up and quickly blocked the doorway. "So it's Aunt Bai. Mother said she's much better and doesn't want to see a doctor today. Both of you doctors, you can leave!" Bringing two doctors with her? This is like a weasel paying respects to a chicken—it's all up to no good!
Upon hearing this, the two doctors' faces immediately turned ugly, and they both looked at Aunt Bai, who also looked displeased.
"Wu Shang, Madam Bei has just woken up, so naturally she needs to be examined. Aren't you sure you trust the doctor that your aunt invited?" It seemed that Aunt Bai really wanted to go into the room, and her gaze drifted towards the inner room.
"Can Mother's words be changed?" Ji Wushang looked at them, his voice turning cold. "Doctors, please!"
Aunt Bai was taken aback. Was this an order to leave?
“Aunt, Mother just said she needs to rest, so please don’t disturb her.” Ji Wushang looked at Aunt Bai.
Aunt Bai rolled her eyes at Ji Wushang. "Alright then. I'll come to visit Madam Bei another day." With that, she left the courtyard with the two doctors without looking back.
One after another, Consort Nangong, Consort Xie, Ji Meiyuan, Ji Wuxia, Ji Tiankui, and others arrived. Even Consort Qin, who was lying in bed, sent her maid to check on them, but Ji Wushang dismissed them all. The Northern Madam's condition hadn't fully improved; she needed to rest and recuperate quietly, and shouldn't cause too much noise.
The matriarch, supported by Granny Guo, also came over to take a look, and Ji Wushang accompanied her and they talked.
After noon, Ji Wushang returned to his own garden for a midday rest.
Ji Wushang, who had just fallen asleep, heard Yue'er come in from outside. He opened his eyes and asked, "What is it?" He also saw that Yue'er had her younger brother, Xier, with her, and became even more puzzled. "Has something happened?"
"Young Miss, the Second Young Miss has taken Young Master Wu Zi away! This servant couldn't stop her, so I had to ask my sister to come and tell you." Xi Er said immediately upon seeing that it was Ji Wu Shang.
"What? Second Sister took Wu Zi away? Where did she take him? What did she do with him?" Ji Wushang was wide awake. This Ji Meiyuan!
"I don't know, I just went towards the central lake."
Ji Wushang immediately picked up a gauze robe from the clothes rack next to him and put it on. "Come on, take me to see."
Along the way, Ji Wushang asked about the matter thoroughly. It turned out that Ji Meiyuan said she would take Ji Wusi to play in the central lake, but she disliked the pageboy Xier and ordered Xier to play by himself in the study.
Remembering Ji Wushang's instructions, Xier immediately went to Yue'er and told her about it.
Ji Wushang led the group immediately toward the central lake. He hoped nothing bad would happen! Ji Wushang was anxious, wishing he could reach the central lake as soon as possible.
We finally arrived there, but standing in the pavilion, we didn't see anyone!
"Split up and search for Wu Zi or the Second Miss," Ji Wushang ordered.
The maids immediately split up to search.
Ji Wushang followed the path, hoping to hear some sounds of play. Just then, Xian'er called out to Ji Wushang, "Miss, they're over there!"
Ji Wushang's heart was pounding in his chest. He quickly ran to Xian'er, who was pointing to a small boat playing on the central lake in the distance.
No wonder I couldn't see them! They were so far away! Ji Wushang immediately called out in that direction, "Wu Zi! Hurry back to your sister, your sister will take you to see Mother, Mother misses you!"
Immediately, all the maids she brought with her started shouting.
Hearing this, all the maids and servants working in the surrounding area came out and gathered around to watch.
While on the boat, Ji Meiyuan was thinking about how Bao Qi could push Ji Wusi into the central lake at the right time so that no one would notice and they would disappear without a trace. If anyone asked, they could say that Ji Wusi had gone missing and that they hadn't been with Ji Wusi for a long time. That way, there wouldn't be too much responsibility!
However, before we even took any action, so many people were already watching and knew that it was me who brought Ji Wusi to play in the central lake!
Bao Qi looked at Ji Meiyuan with a stern expression and said, "Miss, we still need more." As she spoke, she made a pushing gesture.
Ji Wusi was playing with his maids Yingsheng and Yanyu at the other end of the boat when he heard someone shouting from the shore. He looked and listened.
"What are you going to do! Hurry up and go back! With so many people watching, do you want me to die with you?" Ji Meiyuan was filled with resentment. One plan failed, so she had to come up with another!
Ji Wusi then turned to Ying Shengyan and asked, "Is that my elder sister calling me?"
"Young Master, it's Miss calling you," Ying Sheng said.
"What are you shouting for?"
“They want you to go back! They said they'll take you to see Madam Bei,” Yingsheng replied again.
Immediately, Ji Wusi became overjoyed. "Quick, quick, tell my second sister to make the boat move to the side! I'm not playing anymore, I want to go see Mother!"
After hearing this, Ying Sheng and Yan Yu exchanged glances. Ying Sheng went to report, while Yan Yu stayed by Ji Wusi's side.
When they returned to shore, Ji Wushang's eyes were practically spitting fire. If Xier hadn't told him earlier, he might have seen Ji Wusi's corpse again, instead of this living little boy in front of him! Ji Wushang looked at Ji Meiyuan and walked over, "Second sister, who told you to bring Wuzi to play on this central lake?"
“I’ll bring him if I want. Wu Zi doesn’t belong to you, he belongs to all of us. I’m his second sister!” Ji Meiyuan said reasonably.
"Hmph, is that so? I'm afraid someone has ulterior motives! They want to harm Wu Zi, don't they!" Ji Wushang couldn't bear it any longer. She probably didn't even know how dark Ji Meiyuan's heart was!
Yes, she definitely didn't know! Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so malicious!
"What did you say? Is it wrong for me, the second sister, to take Wu Zi out for a trip?" Ji Meiyuan retorted defiantly.
"Bringing Wu Zi to such a dangerous place to play, what are you up to!" Ji Wushang looked at her coldly, his murderous aura making Ji Meiyuan feel a chill in her heart. "I like you. Remember today, you must remember!" After saying that, Ji Wushang pulled the bewildered Ji Wusi away.
The maids and servants, watching the two sisters bicker, had long since dispersed, too afraid to continue. They dared not utter another word about their masters' affairs.
Ji Meiyuan stood there, watching Ji Wushang and Ji Wusi's retreating figures, and spat fiercely, "Pah! I'll see how you try! Remember this day, of course I'll remember this day! Humph!"
A few days passed, and things were relatively peaceful. Madam Bei's illness was slowly improving, and Ji Wushang was taking care of her every day with great care.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner.
That noon, Ji Wushang was so tired that he leaned against the chaise lounge for a short rest.
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Yue'er ran in from the outer courtyard. She had initially hesitated, wondering if she should wait a little longer since Ji Wushang was napping, but Ji Wushang was already awake. She hadn't slept very soundly, just feeling a bit sleepy. Yue'er looked at Ji Wushang and respectfully said, "Miss, something big has happened! It's the Second Young Master of the Marquis of Jin'nan's mansion and Aunt Zhao! They're talking with the Old Madam in Jingyuan right now!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Wushang was instantly wide awake. Wasn't this Aunt Zhao Nan Jinxue's birth mother? How could the two of them be at the manor like this! Ji Wushang felt as if his heart was about to leap out of his chest. He hated Aunt Zhao to death! In his past life, he had been bullied in the Jin Nan Marquis's manor, and Aunt Zhao had trampled on him every time she saw him! Even the maids in the manor acted according to Aunt Zhao's wishes, not treating him like one of the people in the manor!
Hmph, no matter what she's here for, I'm not happy about it! Second Young Master Nan? Others may not know his character, but I know it perfectly well!
"Let them come, it's no big deal." Ji Wushang quickly regained her composure and lazily continued to lie on the chaise longue. But Yue'er said, "It seems to be about your marriage, Miss."
"What?" Ji Wushang jumped up immediately. "No!"
Yue'er was stunned by Ji Wushang's sudden and strong reaction. There was nothing wrong with the second young master; although he was the second son, he was the most likely to become a marquis! Moreover, Aunt Zhao was very favored and would likely be promoted to the position of first wife, just waiting for the marquis's word. Why was the eldest young lady reacting like this?
Looking at Yue'er's expression, Ji Wushang had no intention of saying anything to her; his own mind was already in turmoil.
I will never marry him! I would rather die than marry the Second Young Master Nan!
I don't want to repeat the same mistakes; I've had enough of it in my past life!
"Young Miss, Young Miss, the Old Madam wants you to come to Jingyuan!" At this moment, a maid ran in from elsewhere, and after being checked by the guards, she ran in and called out.
Ji Wushang was taken aback. He hadn't expected that he would still be called. Did what he said to Nan Jinxue that day not work?
"Miss?" Yue'er noticed that Ji Wushang seemed to be thinking about something, but not wanting to arrive at Jingyuan too late, she called out softly.
Ji Wushang snapped out of his reverie and said to the maid, "I'll be there shortly. Please allow me to change my clothes."
"Yes!" the little maid replied cleverly, and then ran back to report.
Plum Garden.
Ji Meiyuan was lying on the bed, enjoying the massage of her legs by several maids, while another maid peeled some grapes and fed them to her. She was very content.
At this moment, the head maid Baoqi brought in a fruit platter from outside. Seeing that Ji Meiyuan looked drowsy, she whispered, "Miss, the fruit you ordered has arrived."
"Hmm..." Ji Meiyuan stammered out a sound.
Just then, a maid rushed in from outside, hurriedly relaying a message to the maid guarding the gate. The maid immediately ran inside and relayed the message to Baoqi. Baoqi's eyes lit up instantly. She dismissed the maid and immediately leaned close to Ji Meiyuan's ear, whispering, "Second Miss, Second Young Master Nan and Aunt Zhao are visiting our residence! They're in Jingyuan now, and the Old Madam has already summoned Eldest Miss over."
While half-asleep, Ji Meiyuan heard this voice as if it were heavenly music, and her small eyes immediately snapped open. "What did you say?"
When Baoqi saw that Ji Meiyuan had woken up, he immediately went up to her again and said, "Second Young Master Nan and Aunt Zhao have arrived at Jingyuan. The old lady has already called the eldest young lady over, probably for the eldest young lady's marriage."
"What?" Ji Meiyuan was immediately startled. She dismissed the other maids and said, "You mean, it's possible that Aunt Zhao came to the mansion because of the marriage between Second Young Master Nan and Eldest Sister?"
Baoqi nodded solemnly, her eyes sparkling with intelligence. "Second Miss, why don't you hurry and go take a look?"
"Hurry up and help me change! I need a bright red embroidered horse-face skirt with gold trim, a Cantonese embroidered brocade robe, and a pink and snow-white jacket. Hurry up!" Ji Meiyuan jumped up in one breath and hurriedly ordered Baoqi to help, "Gold and jade hairpins! Quickly!"
Ji Meiyuan's heart had already drifted to Jingyuan. That Second Young Master Nan was so elegant and charming, the number one young master in the capital! She would never give him up! The person she loved was him, why should she give him to Ji Wushang! Thinking this, Ji Meiyuan dressed up and headed to Jingyuan without waiting for the old lady to call her.
When Ji Meiyuan appeared in Jingyuan dressed in a bright and beautiful red outfit, everyone around was surprised. Bai Yiniang, who was temporarily in charge of the affairs of the backyard, was also present. When she saw Ji Meiyuan like this, she frowned slightly.
However, judging from her demeanor, Aunt Bai guessed that her ally was fond of this Second Young Master Nan! Indeed, the Second Young Master Nan was quite remarkable. From their earlier interaction, she knew he was a man of exceptional refinement. Anyone from the General's Mansion who married him would undoubtedly be either the principal wife or a secondary wife! Although he was the second son, he was far superior to the Heir Apparent Nan! The title of Marquis would surely fall to the Second Young Master Nan! Moreover, judging from Aunt Zhao, she was a formidable woman; she would undoubtedly do everything in her power to help her son, Nan Jinxue, obtain the Marquis title!
Ji Meiyuan looked around. At this moment, Nan Jinxue was wearing a light purple embroidered ruyi-patterned narrow-sleeved straight jacket, with a dark purple jade belt tied around her waist. Her black hair was like a waterfall, her eyebrows and eyes were clear, and her expression was calm.
Aunt Zhao looked Ji Meiyuan up and down. Seeing her wearing such bright red clothes, she initially thought she was Ji Wushang. However, Granny Guo called out, "Second Miss, come and sit here."
The matriarch nodded, and Ji Meiyuan immediately bowed to her before shyly sitting down in the seat indicated by Granny Guo.
The matriarch was surprised that Ji Meiyuan would come, but since she was there, she sat down with her and introduced them, "This is Aunt Zhao from the Marquis of Jinnan's mansion, and this is the Second Young Master Nan from the Marquis of Jinnan's mansion."
"Meiyuan greets Aunt Zhao and Second Young Master Nan." Ji Meiyuan bowed shyly to the two. Aunt Zhao returned the bow, "I say, Madam, Aunt Bai, the Second Young Master is truly well-mannered."
"It's all thanks to my aunt's excellent teaching," Ji Meiyuan said with a smile.
Aunt Bai was somewhat satisfied and nodded, "This girl has been smart since she was little. She learns things very quickly." Since Ji Meiyuan wanted to marry this Second Young Master Nan, and she was satisfied with that, she should at least help her.