"Yes." Ji Wushang felt a little strange. Why did Doctor Cui seem to be testing him? Or was he hinting at something?
"Tian Shu, Qi Hai, Guan Yuan, Zhong Ji..." Doctor Cui said as he inserted the silver needles into the acupoints he was referring to. "These will help her Qi flow smoothly... Tian Fu, Zi Gong... Be careful, this is..." Ji Wushang listened intently and helped Doctor Cui complete the whole procedure.
Doctor Cui looked at Ji Wushang, then wiped the fine sweat from his forehead. "Alright, Aunt Qin is out of danger, but, just as the doctors just said, the child still cannot be saved, after all, he has been dead for a long time... Madam, please accept my condolences!" Doctor Cui looked at Madam Yuan and said with shame.
Looking at Aunt Qin, who lay on the bed like a hedgehog, Ji Wushang could hardly believe that he had just witnessed such exquisite acupuncture! But, there was something more important at the moment. Ji Wushang turned back, "Doctor Cui, I was wondering if you could also take a look at the head maid, Feng Yu. She's the only one who can see what's going on here." To find the culprit, they needed someone to speak up!
Dr. Cui nodded.
The matriarch nodded, "It's already a good outcome that Qin Fu was saved. I know we can't force it!"
Aunt Bai was still somewhat pleased as she listened. Whether the person was dead or not was secondary; the important thing was to kill the fetus! Otherwise, everything would definitely change after the baby was born!
Aunt Bai rolled her eyes and rushed over, "Sister Qin, are you feeling better? Alas, I failed to take good care of you! If I were in charge of things in the inner quarters, I would never let even a fly harm you!"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Xie's face darkened immediately. She stepped forward, her anger barely contained, and asked, "Sister Bai, what do you mean? Are you saying that I am incapable of managing this inner courtyard?"
"Oh!" Aunt Bai turned to look at Aunt Xie. "Did you say that? I, Bai Aomei, have never said it!"
Aunt Xie was even more furious, but she also cursed herself inwardly for falling into her trap!
"I will definitely find out what happened this time. If anyone is trying to harm me, I will not let her get away with it!" Aunt Xie said, almost spitting out the words.
Aunt Bai looked her up and down, giving Aunt Xie a disdainful look that seemed to say, "Who do you think you are!"
Aunt Xie felt a lump in her throat and refused to say anything more to her.
Watching them bicker, the matriarch felt like slapping them both to death, wishing they could never have a moment's peace!
Seeing this, Ji Wushang stepped forward and took the hand of the matriarch, "Madam, if you are tired, why don't you go back to Jingyuan to rest? If there is any news, Wushang will definitely inform the matriarch."
"Ah, Wu Shang is so thoughtful." The old lady said with a somewhat haggard face. Granny Guo also thanked Ji Wu Shang, "Miss is so kind."
“It’s what Wu Shang should do,” Ji Wu Shang said.
Just then, Ji Yinxue entered from outside. Seeing that the inner room was full of people, she bowed to them one by one, her frail frame displaying a surprising stubbornness. Ji Wushang glared at her, his eyes blazing with fury, but he held back! Such a person, given a chance, she wouldn't take it! Fine! He'd make her beg for mercy on her knees later!
Let alone ruining your and Beigong Jueshi's good time, it's not impossible for you to marry Zhongshan Wolf!
As if receiving a look from Ji Wushang, Ji Yinxue immediately looked at Ji Wushang and stepped forward, saying, "Big sister." Her tone was soft and gentle.
Ji Wushang said expressionlessly, "You've come to see Aunt Qin, haven't you? Why aren't you going?"
"Yes." Ji Yinxue was doing a thankless job, so she naturally went to Aunt Qin's side to check on her, but it was just for show. In this backyard, who lived and who died, what did it have to do with her? As long as it wasn't the most important person to her who was in trouble, of course she wouldn't feel any heartache!
Ji Wushang felt nauseous looking at that figure.
Fortunately, Ji Wushang saw that Aunt Qin's fingers twitched!
"Aunt Qin is awake!" Ji Wushang exclaimed.
Just as the matriarch was about to leave, she heard Ji Wushang's shout and immediately turned around, "Really?"
Upon hearing this, Granny Guo hurriedly called out, "Madam, please slow down."
Aunt Bai was taken aback and quickly turned to look at Aunt Qin, her heart filled with anxiety. She wondered if Aunt Qin would notice anything amiss! Aunt Xie was also watching Aunt Qin, hoping she could reveal something to deflate Aunt Bai's arrogance! If she hadn't done it herself, then it was almost certainly Aunt Bai who was behind it!
Aunt Qin slowly opened her eyes, looked around at the people, including Madam Yuan and Ji Wushang, and remained calm. But in the next moment, she exclaimed in surprise!
☆、102 The events caused by the cursed lone star!
"A cursed star!" Aunt Qin exclaimed, her eyes fixed on Aunt Bai. She gripped the bedsheet tightly, her terrified gaze fixed on Aunt Bai. "A cursed star! Help! Help!" Aunt Qin screamed as if she had seen something terrible.
Ji Wushang and the others were all astonished by what they heard and saw, while Aunt Bai's face turned deathly pale, and she was speechless! The Old Madam Yuan practically collapsed to one side, thankfully supported by Granny Guo! Ji Wushang regained his senses and immediately stepped forward to help Aunt Qin, "Aunt, what are you saying!"
"Wu Shang? Is my child alright? Is he alright? Tell me, how is my child?" As she spoke, Aunt Qin looked at her lower abdomen, then gazed at Ji Wu Shang with expectant eyes. Ji Wu Shang stared at her, momentarily stunned. Aunt Qin's change of heart was truly faster than anyone else's, but... she should be lucid? Thinking this, Ji Wu Shang saw no need to hide the truth, and gently shook her head, indicating that the child was gone.
Aunt Qin was stunned upon hearing this, and stood there motionless.
Aunt Bai felt a little more at ease at this moment, but a cold smile still lingered in her heart.
Unexpectedly, the next second:
"Ah, Wu Shang? Wu Shang!" Aunt Qin cried out as if she had seen a lifeline. Seeing Ji Wu Shang beside her, she hugged him tightly. "You, you must quickly drive away that cursed star! Aunt Bai is a cursed star! Drive her away! It was her, she killed my child! I know, I know my child is gone, gone, gone! Wu Shang, you must help me, help me, I can't die! My child is dead, I can't die!" With that,
Ji Wushang was stunned. For Aunt Qin to say such a thing, she was clearly not confused at all! She should know who did this! Using the cursed star to drag Bai down with her even if she were to die, was she thinking of using Aunt Bai as a scapegoat?
"Aunt, don't be so nervous. Tell me, what exactly happened?" Ji Wushang calmed down and glanced at Aunt Bai, whose face was now deathly pale. Aunt Bai turned to look at Madam Yuan, "Madam, what did she say? What did she say about being a jinxed lone star?"
"Madam!" Aunt Qin turned her gaze towards Madam Yuan, and seeing her, she immediately jumped out of bed and rushed to her. "Madam! Listen to me, it was her, it was Aunt Bai, she's the one who harmed me! She's the one who harmed me!"
Hearing this, Aunt Bai wanted nothing more than to tear Aunt Qin to pieces! Her eyes widened, "You vile woman, what did you say! What do you mean, 'harm you'! I came to see you while I was sick, and you've only just woken up. Have you gone mad? Madam, Qin Fu has gone mad!" Aunt Bai shouted, turning her head to scream at Old Madam Yuan!
Madam Yuan felt a ringing in her ears and a terrible headache. She gestured to Granny Guo, who immediately helped her sit down. Then, several maids pulled Aunt Bai aside.
Ji Wushang helped Aunt Qin up, "Aunt Qin, you must calm down. If someone had tried to harm you, I think Grandmother would never let such a murderer get away with it! You've only just woken up, so you should rest well!"
At this moment, Ji Yinxue also realized that this was a power struggle among the concubines, and she couldn't help but want to get involved. She gracefully stepped forward and took Qin's hand, "Aunt, eldest sister is right, you should rest well first. As for Bai's concubine..." Ji Yinxue glanced at Bai's concubine, "I don't think she's in good health either, so it's best not to get agitated."
Ji Wushang looked at her and snorted coldly in his heart. At this moment, Aunt Xie also stepped forward and took Aunt Bai's hand, "Sister Bai, Sister Qin must be a little tired. Don't take those words to heart. What do you mean by 'lone star'? Sigh, isn't that just making people laugh?"
Aunt Qin listened with displeasure. Looking at Madam Yuan, her previous fear had vanished. As Madam Yuan approached, she said, "Madam, you must stand up for me! I got up intending to wash my face, but when I put the silk handkerchief in the water, I found a pool of blood! Damn it, there's no other reason than that cursed star is coming to curse me!"
It seems they can't find the real culprit, so they're finding a worthy opponent to claim as the murderer? Ji Wushang sneered inwardly, but when he saw the expression on Aunt Bai's face, he guessed that Aunt Qin had finally found the right person. It seemed that Aunt Bai really was the murderer who harmed her. Was this just dogs biting each other?
Hearing Aunt Qin's words, Aunt Bai was furious. What she feared most was that Old Madam Yuan would believe in such things as a cursed lone star. As Old Madam Yuan listened, she turned her gaze to Aunt Bai and said in a cold tone, "Aunt Bai, you should go back first!"
"Yes." Aunt Bai couldn't wait to leave, so upon receiving this reply, she turned and went out. Tianxiang, who had been waiting anxiously outside, immediately helped Aunt Bai leave as soon as she saw her come out.
Aunt Qin watched helplessly, unable to say anything. Her heart was filled with sorrow and anger; for a moment, she didn't want to say a word. The thought of her child, seven or eight months pregnant, now gone just like that—wasn't that heartbreaking? What courage did she have left to live? Aunt Qin turned her face away, her face streaked with tears.
Seeing this, Ji Wushang stepped forward to comfort her, "Auntie, don't be sad. You've lost the child, but you can have another one later."
Aunt Qin paused, wondering if she had misjudged the person. Was the young lady really being so kind? She was just the daughter of a county magistrate, a concubine of modest status. Did she deserve such comfort from a young lady like her?
Aunt Xie stepped forward and said, "What the young lady says is true. It's a good thing you've woken up now. You can still have another child. It would be the worst thing if you lost your life!"
The matriarch looked at Aunt Qin and sighed, "All of you, take good care of her! As for the induced labor, let the doctor handle it properly! Take that thing to the back mountain and settle it properly." That thing, of course, refers to the stillborn fetus.
Aunt Qin sobbed softly and stopped making a scene.
The matriarch was also tired, so she was helped downstairs by Granny Guo. Before leaving, she said, "Aunt Xie, you must thoroughly investigate what happened today!"
"Yes," Aunt Xie bowed. Although it was a headache, at least she was in charge of the affairs of the inner courtyard. Fortunately, the old lady didn't blame her... presumably, she must know what was going on... those sharp words just now definitely meant that Sister Bai had a problem! Aunt Xie thought to herself as she watched the old lady being helped away by Granny Guo.
Only then did Ji Wushang look at Ji Yinxue, noticing that she was examining the silver needles still inserted in Aunt Qin's body—needles for calming the mind. Aunt Qin, exhausted, had already fallen asleep.
"What are you looking at?" Ji Wushang asked coldly.
Ji Yinxue was taken aback, and quickly said, "No." She turned her gaze back to Ji Wushang, her eyes filled with gentleness, "Big sister, tell me, what exactly happened?"
"I don't know," Ji Wushang replied, glancing at her. "I have something to ask you."
Aunt Xie had already left, leaving only the two sisters. Ji Yinxue listened and said, "Alright."
As they left the West Garden, it was getting closer to midday. Ji Wushang glanced at Ji Yinxue behind him out of the corner of his eye and smiled as he saw her following slowly behind.
Upon arriving at the pavilion, the two sat down, while their maids stood aside, leaving space for the two of them to sit together.
Ji Wushang looked at Ji Yinxue and smiled, "Fourth Sister, do you know why Grandmother summoned me this morning?"
"What is it?" Ji Yinxue asked immediately, her expression full of curiosity.
"Alas, somehow, someone with ulterior motives told Grandmother about the letter someone gave me yesterday! Grandmother was furious and asked me if I had fallen for some young master! Look, this is what happened!" Ji Wushang's expression changed, and his tone shifted as he spoke.
As Ji Yinxue listened, she secretly glanced at Ji Wushang, then looked at her with a surprised expression, "How could this be? What happened? What did Grandmother say?"
"I really want to know who spread this rumor so widely. It's my grandmother who sent people to refute it!"
"Oh, I thought so too. This rumor is just a rumor. With just a few words from my eldest sister, she can surely convince Grandmother that she is innocent!" Ji Yinxue said with a slightly indifferent tone.
Ji Wushang looked at her and shook his head inwardly. This girl really wouldn't admit to the "good deeds" she had done. Fine, he didn't expect her to admit it anyway, he was just seeing how she would react.
"Sigh, whatever. Since it's all in the past, why bring it up again? Look how bored I am!" Ji Wushang changed his expression and laughed.
Seeing her suddenly act like this, Ji Yinxue didn't know what she wanted to do, so she could only smile and agree.
"I'm tired, so I'll head back first." Ji Wushang had nothing more to say and naturally had to leave. Right now, he should be going to Jingyuan to see the Elder Madam!
Ji Yinxue nodded, realizing she should also go back and visit Aunt Nangong. "Okay."
Ji Wushang entered Jingyuan and saw the Old Madam sitting in the courtyard, seemingly lost in thought. Ji Wushang stepped forward and said, "Grandmother."
Granny Guo gestured to Ji Wushang and then quietly withdrew.
The matriarch nodded upon seeing Ji Wushang, "You've arrived, please have a seat!"
"Yes." Ji Wushang nodded, sat down beside her, and helped massage the shoulders of the matriarch.
"Wu Shang, what's wrong with this manor? Why is nothing going on peacefully?" After a long while, the old lady finally spoke.
“Grandmother, perhaps there really are some things in the manor that need to be investigated. I wonder how Father will react when he finds out that Consort Qin’s child is gone? Father was really hoping that Consort Qin would give birth to the child!” Ji Wushang whispered.
The matriarch was startled, then opened her eyes and looked at Ji Wushang. "What should we do?"
"Find the real culprit... Judging from this incident, it shouldn't be some kind of cursed star, right? But, it's hard to say." Ji Wushang deliberately paused, as the Old Madam was eager to hear more. Ji Wushang said earnestly, "There must be a reason for this. As Grandmother knows, Father went up the mountain a few days ago to find the abbot to resolve this cursed star issue, but unexpectedly, this happened today! Alas, it happened to Aunt Qin today, so I wonder who in the manor will suffer tomorrow or the day after!"
The matriarch's face darkened as she listened. "Wu Shang, what are you saying!"
"Grandmother, I, Wu Shang, would never believe such a thing! After all, Concubine Bai is carrying our family's bloodline, my younger brother or sister. How could I possibly despise her? However, seeing the series of misfortunes happening in this household, I, Wu Shang, am anxious. My elder brother's wedding is fast approaching. I mustn't wait until something unlucky happens before it's too late to regret it!"
"Madam, Fourth Miss has arrived." At this moment, Granny Guo whispered to Madam Yuan. Madam Yuan listened and nodded, "Let her sit down with us!"
Ji Wushang listened, thinking that it was just in time. "Fourth sister is here. Come quickly and chat with Grandmother. The weather is so depressing. Let's put aside our worries for now. Sigh."
"Yes." Granny Guo nodded and led Ji Yinxue over.
Ji Yinxue bowed to the matriarch, then to Ji Wushang, before sitting down. She spoke softly with her cherry lips, "I was originally planning to go back to the courtyard, but then I thought about how long it had been since I'd chatted with my grandmother, so I came instead. I didn't expect to find my eldest sister here as well."
"Yes, what a coincidence," Ji Wushang said, seemingly with a sigh.
The matriarch looked at them, considering they were sisters, and also thinking about what Ji Wushang had just said, so she continued to ask Ji Wushang, "Wushang, what did you just say? Continue."
"Okay." Ji Wushang listened and said, then looked at Ji Yinxue, who was slightly nervous. "What did eldest sister just say?"
"It's nothing," Ji Wushang said. "What I was saying earlier was that there might be something unclean in this mansion! Perhaps we should invite a few enlightened monks over..."
"Oh, really?" Ji Yinxue was startled when she heard this. "Big sister, don't talk nonsense."
"Would I be the kind of person to speak carelessly? Why don't you say it, Fourth Sister? Don't just talk about it; Grandmother might get tired of my voice." Ji Wushang turned her gaze to the Old Madam. The Old Madam gave Ji Yinxue a sharp look, then looked at Ji Wushang. She understood what Ji Wushang meant. The matter of the Lone Star had already spread throughout the capital. Ji Dingbei's suggestion to invite a priest to break the curse had failed, and some people must have already spread the word. Wushang's words implied that she wanted to invite a few people to perform a ritual to remove the curse. If that failed, it would at least shut those people up.