"I... I won't say." Ji Yinxue was at a loss for words. She was afraid that Ji Wushang would come to Jingyuan and tell the matriarch about her meeting with Beigong Jueshi yesterday. She was terrified that Ji Wushang would tell her. Fortunately, it wasn't about that.
Seeing that the old lady seemed to be deep in thought, Ji Wushang knew that she must have made up her mind, so he said no more. "Grandmother, it's almost noon, time for dinner." He then winked at Granny Guo, who immediately stepped forward and said, "Yes, Grandmother, it's time for dinner."
"Both of you should stay and have dinner together!" the matriarch nodded.
“Yes,” Ji Wushang and Ji Yinxue replied.
——
In the depths of the mansion, a man dressed in magnificent clothes had been kneeling in front of a study door for quite some time. The midday sun made the surrounding trees droop, but the man still showed no sign of wanting to leave.
Several maids and servants came to persuade her, but to no avail. Even after midday, Bei Gong Jue Shi was still kneeling in the courtyard in front of the study.
Bei Gongminhao pushed open the courtyard gate and saw that he was still kneeling there. Feeling helpless, he walked forward and asked, "Jueshi, what are you trying to do?"
Bei Gong Jue Shi turned to look at him, "Brother, why won't Father see me?"
“Some things don’t need to be said outright. Don’t you understand?” Bei Gongminhao looked at him with a helpless expression. “There are some things you should think about carefully, instead of just thinking about her all the time!”
"Aren't you the same?" Bei Gong Jue Shi's tone turned cold, and he stood up. "I know the importance of this matter; I don't need you to remind me."
"This is my brother!" Bei Gongminhao said, seeing his expression, then turned and walked out of the courtyard.
Unexpectedly, at that moment, the study door suddenly opened, and the powerful voice of the Prince of Zhenbei shouted, "Both of you, come in here!"
Beigong Minhao and Beigong Jueshi were taken aback and both turned to look at him.
"What are you standing there for? Come in!" The Prince of Zhenbei seemed a little angry at the two brothers for standing there dumbfounded, so he said.
The two immediately followed the Prince of Zhenbei inside.
☆、103 Brings misfortune to father and mother, and to ancestors and lineage! (Brilliant!)
The Prince of Zhenbei was sitting upright in the seat of honor. Beigong Minhao and the other man entered and bowed. The Prince of Zhenbei said, "Rise!"
"Father, I wanted to..."
"Hey." Before Beigong Jueshi could finish speaking, the Prince of Zhenbei raised his hand, signaling him to stop. "Come forward and take a look at this map."
Bei Gong Jue Shi and Bei Gong Min Hao exchanged a glance and obediently stepped forward to examine the map before the Prince of Zhenbei. It depicted the political landscape of several countries on the continent, with detailed descriptions of various terrains. However, some important passes were vaguely marked on the map, especially in the area where the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty and the Western Regions Kingdom met, as well as the Bohai Dynasty in the north, and even the Fusang Kingdom in the southeastern sea.
"Father, what do you mean?" Bei Gongminhao looked up at the Prince of Zhenbei, somewhat puzzled. Was war about to break out again? Was he planning to send both of them, brothers, to the frontier? This…
"Yes, the prince of the Western Regions has returned to the Western Regions to inherit the throne. The King of Bohai wants to marry his eldest princess to him in order to win over the Western Regions. If the marriage is successful, it will threaten our Great Xia Zhou Dynasty. The current situation should have been a three-way balance of power. If the marriage is successful, it will naturally isolate our Great Xia Zhou Dynasty." The King of Zhenbei said meaningfully.
"The Western Regions and the Bohai Dynasty have been linked by marriage since ancient times, so what's so strange about that?" Bei Gong Jue Shi asked, puzzled. "As far as I know, the current queen of the Western Regions is the Bohai princess."
"This time is different. The King of Bohai has been diligently governing for twenty years and advocates martial arts. Now the region is thriving and its military strength should not be underestimated. The Western Regions are inherently martial, with mysterious Gu doctors, excellent horses, and a united populace. They may harbor treacherous intentions. On the other hand, in our Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, all you see on the streets are weak and bookish scholars. If war breaks out, I fear the capital will be in grave danger!" the Prince of Zhenbei said worriedly.
“Father, customs and traditions are what we can change, but not His Majesty’s decisions. We can only advise His Majesty. But now, His Majesty is focused on the succession of his sons. What else can we say?” Bei Gong Jue Shi said bluntly without any reservations.
"Peerless." Bei Gongminhao knew that the Prince of Zhenbei was displeased. After all, the Prince of Zhenbei was absolutely loyal to the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, and hearing his son say this would surely make him unhappy. This loyalty, whether blind or not, was still a generation's belief, a belief in the country.
Bei Gong Jue Shi glanced at Bei Gong Min Hao and then fell silent.
After a long pause, the Prince of Zhenbei said, "What Jueshi said makes sense." Then, looking at him, he said, "You are not young anymore, it's time to settle down and start a family."
"Huh?" Upon hearing this, the two immediately looked up at the Prince of Zhenbei.
“Princess Yiyun Muchen of the Western Regions is fourteen years old. His Majesty is willing to marry her to you.” The Prince of Zhenbei pointed at Beigong Jueshi, looking at him without any expression.
"What?" Bei Gong Jue Shi exclaimed in surprise, taking a step back. "No, don't!"
Bei Gongminhao was also surprised. How could this be? "Father, how could His Majesty have such intentions? Jueshi, Jueshi, you know him, Father, he likes Miss Ji the Fourth..." Bei Gongminhao's voice grew softer and softer.
A sharp glint flashed in the Prince of Zhenbei's eyes. "What's so great about Miss Ji the Fourth?"
Upon hearing this, Bei Gong Jue Shi immediately looked up, "Father!"
Judging from the atmosphere, the Prince of Zhenbei and his son were glaring at each other, neither willing to back down!
"This is His Majesty's will, don't you understand?" The Prince of Zhenbei saw that Beigong Jueshi was cold and aloof, as if he was about to draw his sword or spear. The Prince of Zhenbei knew that he did not understand his son well enough or care about him enough. However, could a subject refuse His Majesty's will?
Bei Gong Jue Shi shook his head.
"Father, His Majesty only expressed that intention but hasn't issued an imperial decree. Perhaps that princess from the Western Regions doesn't want to come to our Great Xia Zhou Dynasty!" Bei Gong Minhao tugged at Bei Gong Jueshi's sleeve. If he were to marry the princess from the Western Regions, then he himself might be marrying some young lady or princess from some country tomorrow! Political marriages have existed since ancient times, but how many have been happy? Is this the tragedy of a subject?
These words gave Bei Gong Jue Shi a glimmer of hope, but when he looked into the eyes of the Prince of Zhenbei, Bei Gong Jue Shi knew that the matter was already settled.
“I can agree to marry her, but I have one condition,” Bei Gong Jue Shi suddenly said coldly.
"Hmm?" The Prince of Zhenbei looked at him. "You have no right to negotiate with His Majesty! The lives of hundreds of people in this mansion may be in your hands! If you disobey the imperial decree, you know the consequences! Can't you think about the bigger picture?" The Prince of Zhenbei's tone became more and more serious as he spoke.
Bei Gong Jue Shi was stunned. This was something he had never wanted to think about! "Who sent me to Wudang before I was even a year old? Who wanted to kill me just because I have heterochromia? If it weren't for Master, would you have already strangled me?" Bei Gong Jue Shi was also furious. He looked at the Prince of Zhenbei and questioned him coldly.
"You, you've really gone too far!" Upon hearing this, the Prince of Zhenbei was immediately enraged. "I was only doing this for the good of the family!"
"Home?" Bei Gong Jue Shi sneered. "Do you give me the feeling of home? I can't even get your permission to marry a woman. Have you ever fulfilled your responsibilities as a father?"
The Prince of Zhenbei shook his head, utterly astonished by his words, and felt a surge of anger that made it hard to breathe. "I really should have killed you eighteen years ago!"
"Father!" Seeing that they were getting angrier and angrier, Bei Gongminhao supported Zhenbei Wang with one hand. "Father, please wait a moment and listen to what Jueshi's request is. Father, Jueshi certainly does not intend to offend you, but he also wants a perfect happiness."
The Prince of Zhenbei was stunned. "Perfect happiness"—those five words were so beautiful. But once, he had promised a woman perfect happiness, yet in the end, he could give her nothing at all…
"Speak!" The Prince of Zhenbei said calmly, his anger subsiding somewhat.
Bei Gong Jue Shi was stunned for a few seconds before saying, "I want to marry Miss Ji as my concubine. Father, you shouldn't object, right?"
The Prince of Zhenbei listened and pondered, "Why are you so persistent?"
Bei Gong Jue Shi sighed, cupped his hands in greeting, and walked out.
Bei Gongminhao looked at him, then at the Prince of Zhenbei. The Prince of Zhenbei, however, was not angry. He remained calmly seated at his table. "Let him go!" he said, waving his hand. "You may also leave."
Bei Gong Minhao nodded, and just as he turned around, he heard the Prince of Zhenbei say, "Minhao, I am indeed not a good father, am I? How could I not want you to marry the girls you love? It's just that, as a king of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, I have no choice!"
Bei Gongminhao was completely stunned. He turned around and looked at him, only then realizing how old he looked. What he said was true; as a subject, he did indeed have his own unavoidable difficulties… “Father, please don’t think too much about it.” Bei Gongminhao was not as playful or mischievous as he used to be.
At this moment, Princess Zhenbei walked in from outside, carrying some pastries in her hands. She looked at the father and son and stepped forward, saying, "Your Highness, Minhao."
"Your Highness, why did you personally bring these snacks? These things can be done by the servants." As soon as the Prince of Zhenbei saw the Princess of Zhenbei, he immediately stepped forward to take the plate of snacks and helped her to sit down.
"Mother." Bei Gongminhao bowed immediately upon seeing her and said, "You and Father should talk. I'll go down first."
"Go!" the Prince of Zhenbei dismissed him.
Princess Zhenbei watched Beigong Minhao's retreating figure and sighed, "Your Highness, you probably haven't told him about his affairs, have you?"
"Hmm. I'll give him some time to think about his matter. Alas!" sighed the Prince of Zhenbei.
——
Ji Wushang had been running to the West Garden almost every day for the past few days. Doctor Cui was quite skilled; he successfully expelled the stillborn child from Aunt Qin's womb. Aunt Bai was worried, but in the end, she had to stay in bed for several days. Ji Yinxue was anxious, preoccupied with marrying Beigong Jueshi. In the Orchid Garden, she did needlework while sending people to inquire, but to no avail.
Aunt Xie couldn't find anything out, and as she frowned in bewilderment, she heard from Madam Yuan that this matter should be put aside for the time being. Tomorrow, she would invite some enlightened monks to perform a ritual in the hope of removing the evil spirits from the mansion.
As for the fact that Aunt Qin had lost her child, someone leaked the information to Ji Dingbei, who was far away in the southeast. Ji Dingbei was heartbroken and helpless, but he had no choice but to write a letter and send it to the mansion.
The sun was setting in the west, and the surrounding area was tinged with a rosy hue by the evening glow.
When Ji Wushang returned from the West Garden, he heard from the maid that some eminent monks would be coming to the mansion to perform rituals the next day. The old lady had already made arrangements, and Aunt Xie was also busy preparing.
Ji Wushang lay in the courtyard when Zhu'er brought over some snacks. "Miss, the snacks are here."
"Leave it, I don't have much of an appetite," Ji Wushang replied casually.
"Yes." Seeing that she was in a bad mood, Zhu'er left.
Before long, they heard someone walk in from outside the garden. "Big sister, are you there?" Judging from the voice, it was Ji Tiankui.
Ji Wushang stood up. "Brother, please come in. Zhu'er, serve tea." "Yes," Zhu'er replied from a distance.
Ji Tiankui looked at her and said, "No rush, I just came back from outside. How come so many things happened at the manor? Tell your elder brother about it."
So it was just a question. I thought it was something serious! Well then. Ji Wushang gave a brief account of the matter, and Ji Tiankui nodded in agreement. "My wedding is approaching, elder sister. I'll need you to take good care of things at home!"
“Brother, how could I not want peace and tranquility in this manor? But there are always some people who want to do things, and there’s nothing I can do about it.” Ji Wushang said veiledly, “Oh, why do you want to hear these things, brother? Your big day is coming soon. I’ve prepared some small gifts to give to the Seventh Princess when she enters the manor. I hope they will be to her liking.”
Ji Tiankui was a little embarrassed by her changing the subject and hearing about the Seventh Princess who was not yet betrothed. He scratched his head and said, "I... I don't know either. I've heard that she's easy to get along with..." The implication was that the Seventh Princess would be a good wife!
Ji Wushang laughed and said, "I'm so envious of my elder brother!"
"Don't mention it. I heard from Grandmother that Second Young Master Nan has already come to propose marriage. Congratulations!" Ji Tiankui laughed heartily.
"What? Second Young Master Nan came to propose marriage? When did this happen?" Ji Wushang was extremely surprised upon hearing this. "This, this is impossible!"
"What happened?" Ji Tiankui looked Ji Wushang up and down a few times. "A few days ago, I went to the Marquis's residence and chatted with the Second Young Master Nan. That's exactly what he said. Hehe, little sister, don't be shy. There's no need to hide anything in front of your older brother. The Second Young Master Nan is actually quite nice..."
“Brother,” Ji Wushang frowned, interrupting Ji Tiankui, “What else did he say? When is he planning to come? Brother, I… I don’t want to marry Young Master Nan!” How could this man never give up! She had already made it very clear that she would absolutely not marry him!
"I'd rather be a nun than marry him." Before Ji Tiankui could react, Ji Wushang added.
Ji Tiankui was greatly surprised to see her so determined. "He... he told me yesterday that you secretly instructed him!"
"What?!" Ji Wushang was startled and hurriedly looked around. He saw that the only person present was Zhu'er, who was standing on the side. Zhu'er also widened her eyes in surprise, unable to believe it!
"Brother, I swear to heaven! In this life and the next, if I marry Second Young Master Nan, may I die a horrible death!" Ji Wushang made a solemn vow. This Second Young Master Nan—who would have thought he'd utter such disgusting words! At least he was saying it to his elder brother, Ji Tiankui; otherwise, if he'd said it to anyone else, he'd surely be dead several times over!
Ji Tiankui stopped her immediately, "Sister, don't make such an oath! If it's your parents' decision, what choice do you have?"
Ji Wushang was taken aback. Was there really no choice?
"But I think Father and Grandmother will also consider your feelings. Don't worry, seeing your state of mind today, I will help you. If Grandmother intends to betroth you to him, I will stop her." Ji Tiankui was afraid that Ji Wushang really wanted to become a nun rather than marry Nan Jinxue, so he naturally had to say these words to reassure Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang nodded, "Thank you, elder brother."
“However, on another note, you still have six months until graduation, and Grandmother will consider a good husband for you.” Ji Tiankui glanced at the sky, then secretly leaned forward and whispered, “If you have someone you like, you might as well tell your elder brother, and he will make the decision for you.”
“Big brother.” Ji Wushang frowned. This big brother must have heard about the letter that was delivered a few days ago, right?
“Your mother is not here, and your father is far away in the southeast. If your elder brother doesn’t care for you, who else will?” Ji Tiankui said seriously.
"Thank you, Big Brother." Ji Wushang smiled. Few people would say such things, but who truly lived up to that? Big Brother, haha, Big Brother. In his past life, he was a brother who barely spoke a few words, yet in this life, he promised to be good to him, to cherish him!
"Alright, you should rest now!" Ji Tiankui stood up. "There's a lot to do tomorrow!"
"Yes." Ji Wushang escorted him to the outside of the garden.
Ji Wushang returned and saw that Zhu'er was standing there in a daze, without reacting for a long time.
"What are you thinking about?" Ji Wushang stepped forward and asked softly.
"Ah! Miss." Zhu'er was startled and immediately lowered her head. "No..." But as if remembering something, she immediately raised her head. "Miss, is it really true that you can't tell the old lady or the eldest young master about your matter?"