"Hmm." Although Aunt Qin had a question in her heart, she knew that if the young lady didn't want to talk about it, she wouldn't get any answers no matter how she asked. So she decided not to ask and avoid any awkwardness between them.
Seeing the large crowd, Ji Wushang stepped aside and went inside with Aunt Qin. They found an empty spot and knelt before the hall. The hall enshrined the Buddha. Ji Wushang looked at it, then made a cross with his hands, gesturing it to his chest. Seeing that Aunt Qin was kneeling beside him, he then felt relieved and made the cross.
Seeing her so devout, Aunt Qin stopped disturbing her. She had the young monk light three sticks of incense, held them in her hand, squinted her glasses, and silently prayed to the Buddha.
Ji Wushang closed his eyes, thinking to himself, "May Mother's spirit rest in peace. I will take good care of Wuzi and ensure he suffers no harm. Mother, please rest assured. I pray that Heaven will protect the Ji General's Mansion and ensure its enduring prosperity. I pray that Heaven will allow me and my beloved to grow old together..."
As Ji Wushang was being devout, he did not notice that a man dressed in fine clothes and wearing a jade crown was standing next to him. He had a gold hairpin inserted horizontally, long black hair, a delicate face, and a tall and imposing seven feet.
After silently reciting the mantra, Ji Wushang stood up, but unexpectedly, someone bumped into him! Before he could dodge, Ji Wushang fell backward, and the elegant man beside him easily pulled him into his arms!
Ji Wushang's alarm bells rang loudly, and he immediately pushed the man away and retreated.
Ji Wushang steadied himself, glaring angrily at the person who had just knocked him down, but the person was already gone.
Suspicious, Ji Wushang wanted to go and see, but the man blocked her way. "What? I saved you, Miss, and you're leaving without saying a word?"
Ji Wushang looked up at him upon hearing the voice. He saw that the man was handsome and dashing. Ji Wushang looked him up and down and saw that he was fanning himself with a fan in his hand, feeling quite pleased with himself.
"Thank you, farewell." Ji Wushang said expressionlessly, then walked out. Aunt Qin, who was watching from the side, was stunned for a moment, then immediately went forward to follow Ji Wushang.
The man was a little angry. After all, he had saved her, so why was she so arrogant?
"Hey, how can you be so rude?" the man stepped forward to press.
Ji Wushang did not turn around. "I have already thanked you, that is polite. But now you are chasing after me to question me, that is impolite, isn't it?" This person seems a bit strange. Why is he standing next to me for no reason?
"You, you have such a mouth!" The man stopped abruptly when he was accused, pointing his fan at Ji Wushang. "What's your name? I will definitely find you!"
"Boring," Ji Wushang said coldly. Without turning his head, he sat back in the sedan chair.
Seeing this, Aunt Qin also got into the sedan chair.
Ji Wushang sat in the sedan chair, which was immediately lifted. Ji Wushang lifted the curtain, looked at Tie Feng beside him, and immediately waved to Tie Feng, who understood the command.
Tie Feng ordered the sedan chair to be carried away, but after taking a detour, it returned to the original place. At this moment, Ji Wushang pulled the curtains open a little and saw a magnificent young man walking out of the Enze Temple. It was the same man who had just saved him. He was talking to a man who was also dressed in such luxurious clothes.
"Second brother, tell me, why did that young lady leave after only saying a few words? It's so frustrating!" The first to speak was the young master who had just saved Ji Wushang. He looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old.
"This is all I can do for you, second brother. I've already created opportunities for you, hmph." This man was quite handsome, with a somewhat similar appearance to the fifteen or sixteen-year-old young master. "It's just that she ignores you, and there's nothing I can do about it."
"Second brother, why didn't you have someone stop her?"
“This is illegal. Ah Yu, you need to be more careful about your words and actions in the future. It’s getting late, you should go back.” The second brother said at this moment.
Ji Wushang sized up the two people's clothing, sensing their extraordinary nobility... When she heard the name "Ayu," a name suddenly came to mind: Huangfu Yu. Although she herself had grown up in a secluded mansion, she had heard of the nobility of the Xia Zhou Dynasty. This Huangfu Yu was the sixth prince, known as the Sixth Prince. He was mischievous by nature, but greatly favored by the Emperor. However, due to his unruly nature, he was not considered a heir to the throne. This Sixth Prince, preoccupied with playing, naturally didn't care about the throne.
Therefore, this second brother should be the Second Prince, Huangfu Ting. Huangfu Ting is a calm and composed person who acts decisively and has the style of an emperor or general. However, he has a rather volatile temper and lacks experience.
This is what troubles the Emperor the most, because the current Crown Prince is already insane. By all accounts, he should be deposed and the Second Prince should be made Crown Prince. However, the Emperor has been slow to bring up this matter.
Ji Wushang lowered the curtain and stopped looking. "Tiefeng, let's go back to the manor."
"Yes." Tie Feng immediately ordered his men to carry the sedan chair away.
Ji Wushang only wanted to avoid getting involved in the duel between those princes. All he wanted was a peaceful life, to live a good life with his beloved, and to raise Ji Wusi to adulthood.
Aunt Qin looked at Ji Wushang, wondering why she was doing this, but she didn't ask any questions and simply went back to the mansion with her.
"Do you know who that young lady was just now?" Huangfu Ting asked with amusement.
"Who is it?" Huangfu Yu frowned slightly.
"The eldest daughter of General Ji's mansion, hehe, she was betrothed by the Emperor to the Prince of Nan," Huangfu Ting said with a smile.
"What? How could Father Emperor marry the Grand General's eldest daughter to the Prince of Nan? Isn't this putting Miss Ji to shame?"
Huangfu Ting shook his head. There was no way anyone could understand what that old fox was doing.
"Father has his reasons, but you won't have a chance."
"Who said I like her? She's just the daughter of a great general. I see her as arrogant and indifferent to me. Humph, I don't care, I don't care!" Huangfuyu shook his head.
"That's good. Let's go back. If we don't go, we'll both get scolded." Huangfu Ting smiled and then left with Huangfu Yu.
"I just came to look at this temple and have some fun, Father won't be angry..."
The sound grew fainter and fainter.
Ji Wushang was feeling increasingly sleepy inside the sedan chair, but just as she was about to drift off, she heard Tie Feng's voice telling people to get out of the sedan chair, "Young Miss, we've arrived."
"Mm." Ji Wushang nodded.
Upon entering the mansion, Ji Wushang saw incense burning and offerings laid out in the main hall, which comforted him, as at least they remembered Madam Bei's hundredth day memorial.
Ji Wushang knelt and kowtowed several times before walking out of the main hall. Aunt Qin had already gone back, and Ji Wushang didn't insist, returning to his own Xinyuan Garden.
Just then, he heard a commotion outside. Ji Wushang frowned. What was going on?
"Zhu'er, go see what's wrong." Ji Wushang sat in her room, embroidering. It had been a long time since she'd managed to embroider anything decent. She'd embroidered part of the brocade robe she'd given to the Seventh Princess, and then asked Zhang Xiuniang to finish it. She felt ashamed; she hadn't properly thanked Zhang Xiuniang yet!
"Yes." Pearl ran out and returned shortly after.
"Miss, His Majesty has sent an envoy to inform every household that the Wenge embroidery competition is about to begin."
"Didn't this only start in November? Why are you in such a hurry when it's only mid-October?" Ji Wushang frowned.
"I don't know about this pearl. The imperial envoy just sent an invitation to your residence. Miss, you can go and ask him!"
"No rush." Ji Wushang rubbed his temples. He was really sleepy. He had only been sitting for a short while and his back and waist were already aching.
It's time to take a break.
“Speaking of embroidery, among the young ladies of this manor, I am no match for Fourth Sister. Hehe, this time, I won’t join in the fun.” Ji Wushang smiled, “to avoid embarrassing myself.”
"Miss, I just heard from some of the maids that Master wants you and Fourth Miss to participate," Zhu'er said.
Ji Wushang thought about it and realized it made sense. Only he and Ji Yinxue remained from the manor to participate. Well, he would do his best. In that case, Ji Yinxue was really lucky to be out so quickly, huh!
"You can go now! I'm sleepy, I'll rest for a bit." Ji Wushang nodded.
"yes."
When it came time for dinner, Ji Dingbei actually had someone bring Ji Yinxue out of the Orchid Garden so that everyone could dine together.
Ji Wushang looked at Ji Yinxue sitting opposite him, and Bai Yinniang, Xie Yinniang, and Madam Yuan, who were rarely seen together, sitting in the main seat, while Ji Dingbei and Qin Yinniang sat to the side.
They've all gathered together.
Ji Wushang was a little excited; the damned people hadn't died and were all sitting together.
"Alright, let's eat." Ji Dingbei didn't say much, as the head of the family, he naturally maintained the proper dignity.
The matriarch was delighted and said, "It's rare to have so many people here. Come on, let's eat!"
"Yes." Everyone nodded.
This family used to have so many people, but now, there are fewer and fewer of them.
Whose fault is it? Isn't it the result of one's own actions, the consequences of one's own deeds?
Ji Wushang gently picked up his chopsticks.
After the meal, Ji Dingbei talked about the Wenge embroidery competition and told Ji Wushang and Ji Yinxue to prepare well. Although he knew about what happened between Ji Yinxue and Ji Wushang, he felt that so much time had passed that the matter should have been resolved, and those who needed to repent should have done so. Life should go on as usual.
Ji Wushang nodded, then glanced at Ji Yinxue with a slight smile.
"Big sister, how have you been lately?" Ji Yinxue asked with a smile, her face full of kindness.
Ji Wushang could only sneer inwardly. This person was incorrigible. Fine, if she gave him trouble again, then this time, he would make sure she would never have a chance to turn things around!
"Very good. Is Fourth Sister living peacefully in the Orchid Garden?" Ji Wushang smiled as well.
"Good food, good clothes, good drinks, and a carefree life," Ji Yinxue said as she walked forward, with Ji Wushang joining her for a stroll.
"So, Fourth Sister is living quite a good life."
"But I always feel that some things are not yet settled."
"Oh? What is it?" Ji Wushang turned his head to look at her, wondering if she had failed to kill him.
"Elder sister, I deeply regret what I did before. Please forgive me," Ji Yinxue said, and immediately knelt down at Ji Wushang's feet.
Ji Yinxue, Ji Yinxue, how many times have you knelt here and there? You're never satisfied! Fine, I'll play along.
"Fourth Sister, what are you doing? Get up quickly." Ji Wushang stepped forward and took her hands, trying to pull her up.
Ji Wushang knew that everyone around was watching. This place wasn't far from the main hall, and both of their maids were following behind. This scene would definitely be seen by everyone, and if he didn't appreciate it, he would be branded as stingy.
"Elder sister, are you going to forgive me? If you don't forgive me, I will kneel here forever." Ji Yinxue's eyes were gleaming.
Ji Wushang helped her up. "I forgave you a long time ago. After all, you must have been a little confused back then. I know that wasn't your intention. Some things blinded you. Now, let's be good to each other and still be sisters."
"Thank you, big sister. You've been so good to me. Thank you so much," Ji Yinxue cried.
"Why are you crying? Everyone's watching. Stop crying. I'm your older sister, so I should be more accommodating. Sigh, I've been a bit wrong as the older sister. Sigh, let's not talk about it anymore." Ji Wushang said, wiping away her tears.
So you think you can cry?
“Yes, let’s not talk about it anymore. Sigh, let bygones be bygones!” Ji Yinxue nodded, then looked at Ji Wushang, “Alright, eldest sister, it’s all in the past.”
"Hmm." Ji Wushang wiped away his tears and said, "But your wedding is coming soon, so you need to start preparing. You need to start embroidering your wedding dress. If you have any difficulties, just come to me."
"Yes, thank you, elder sister." Ji Yinxue nodded.
"Then I'll head back first," Ji Wushang said with a smile, as they were already close to Xinyuan Garden.
"Okay." Ji Yinxue didn't forget to bow and see Ji Wushang off, and Ji Wushang nodded.
Ji Wushang closed his door.
Ji Yinxue returned to her orchid garden, where her head maid, Feng Yun, came forward to help her undress, and Ji Yinxue then went to sleep.
But then, remembering something, he immediately called over Feng Yun, who was on night watch, "Feng Yun."
"This servant is here."
"Do you have any bayberries at your residence?" Ji Yinxue asked.
Feng Yun was taken aback. Was the Fourth Miss experiencing morning sickness? And craving sour things? But how could there possibly be bayberries at this time of year?
“Miss, in my opinion, there are no bayberries in the manor. But if you would like some, I will ask someone to see if we can buy some elsewhere.”
“Yes, I want it,” Ji Yinxue said. “Give me a little bit, not too much, and don’t tell anyone else.”
Feng Yun nodded, "Yes." She also thought that the Fourth Miss didn't want anyone to know that she was pregnant, so she should keep it a secret. Otherwise, if people found out, it would be extremely bad for the Miss.
Ji Yinxue watched her leave before slowly returning to the inner room. She didn't notice anyone waiting in bed and went to bed in a daze. But when she covered herself with the blanket, she realized something was different. She was about to scream, but before she could make a sound, the man had already covered her mouth. "It's me." His voice was magnetic and very pleasant.