"Aunt?" Bai Yulan looked at Aunt Bai and almost rushed into her arms. "Aunt, just now Yulan accidentally slipped and spilled the porridge on Miss. I have already apologized, but I didn't expect Miss to scold Yulan. Waaah! Waaah!" Bai Yulan's voice grew louder and louder, and finally, she started crying.
At this moment, many people gradually gathered around, pointing and whispering at Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang sneered, "What a Bai Yulan! What a Bai Aunt! The aunt and niece have teamed up, haven't they? Bullying me alone? Humph!" Ji Wushang's eyes swept over Bai Yulan from head to toe, finally settling on her shoes.
"You slipped?" Ji Wushang chuckled, disregarding the stains on his clothes, and stepped forward to look at Bai Yulan. "You're wearing Lianyun embroidered shoes, aren't you? As far as I know, Lianyun embroidered shoes are imported from the Western Regions and are famous for being extremely slip-resistant. Western Region masters have even conducted experiments to test their slip resistance, just to convince everyone of their quality! And now, you're wearing just such shoes, and you say you slipped? Isn't that lying to Buddha? Aren't you afraid of retribution!"
Upon hearing this, Bai Yulan's face immediately turned red. The people around her pointed and whispered, clearly believing that Miss Bai Yulan had schemed against Miss Ji, deliberately splashing the porridge on her and falsely accusing her of being rude!
Ji Wushang stepped forward with a cold laugh, "Miss Bai, what else do you have to say? Aunt, was my analysis just now correct? Tell me, what is the punishment for a young lady from a third-rank minister's mansion who offends the daughter of a first-rank general and then deliberately framees and talks nonsense?" Ji Wushang's breath was as fragrant as orchids, and his words were both soft and heavy. Instantly, Bai Yulan knelt down.
Hearing this, Aunt Bai's face turned deathly pale, and she immediately scolded Bai Yulan, "You little hussy, how could you do such a thing? You have brought shame upon your father and the Minister's mansion!"
"There's no need for you to remind me, Aunt Bai," Ji Wushang said calmly. Aunt Bai, upon hearing this, wanted nothing more than to scratch Ji Wushang's face, while Bai Yulan glared at him with intense hatred. Some of the surrounding people were secretly laughing; Aunt Bai felt as if she had been slapped hard across the face!
At this moment, Aunt Qin saw the crowd gathered and immediately stepped forward. When she saw the scene, she was stunned when she saw that Ji Wushang's light green silk dress was dirty. When she saw Bai Yulan kneeling on the ground and Aunt Bai with a pale face, she understood.
"What happened? Humph!" Aunt Qin stepped forward and looked at the stains on Ji Wushang's body. "Miss, don't be anxious. I'll have someone buy you some clothes later."
"Thank you, Aunt Bai. The important thing now is to figure out how to handle this matter." Ji Wushang's gaze drifted to Aunt Bai. "Aunt Bai, you won't be soft-hearted, will you?"
Aunt Bai's face turned ashen; she hadn't expected that the other woman would turn the tables on her!
Aunt Qin listened and stood aside, understanding what was going on.
Just then, someone in the crowd shouted, "The Sixth Prince is here!"
Everyone was startled and quickly made way for him. Ji Wushang wanted to leave, but there was nowhere to go, so he had no choice but to remain standing. Bai Yulan, who was kneeling, was very anxious. Now was the time to call her father and mother to come to her rescue!
"What happened? Tell me!" Huangfu Yu looked at Bai Yulan kneeling in front of him, the broken bowl, and Ji Wushang covered in dirt. Seeing this, Huangfu Yu felt a nameless anger rising in his heart.
The minor official who was singled out had no choice but to tell the truth, and because of Huangfuyu's status, he dared not conceal the facts.
Ji Wushang stood there coldly, like a unique blue lotus.
Unexpectedly, another person came from a distance. This person was dressed in a playful and gorgeous palace dress. She walked with a bouncy gait, which was very endearing. Her small face was very delicate, and her cherry lips were slightly pursed. When she saw that there were people in this direction, she immediately came forward.
"Seventh Princess." Immediately, everyone around bowed.
Princess Huangfu Lan looked at everyone and said, "No need for formalities. Oh, Sixth Brother? What's going on?" She asked, looking at the people on the ground.
Huangfuyu didn't want to explain to her, but the servants still told her.
Huangfu Lan looked at Ji Wushang for a while and said, "So you are Miss Ji. I have heard of you for a long time. Seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary!"
"Thank you for your kind words, Seventh Princess," Ji Wushang said with a forced smile.
"Sixth Brother, why don't you hurry up and give Miss Ji justice?" Huangfu Lan said with a smile.
"Guards! Take Miss Bai away and send her back to the Minister's residence. Tell the Minister about this matter and let him handle it! I, Your Highness, will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly. If the Minister is unwilling to punish Miss Bai and give Miss Ji justice, then don't blame me for being ruthless!" Huangfu Yu nodded and said, then snapped his fan shut. "Take her away and give her thirty strokes of the cane!"
"Yes!" Suddenly, a group of guards appeared out of nowhere, pushed aside Aunt Bai, and took Bai Yulan away!
Aunt Bai could only watch helplessly as Bai Yulan was led away by the guards. If she were to utter a sound, she would surely be accused of favoritism, which would be extremely detrimental to her reputation! Moreover, if her reputation were to suffer, how could she possibly compete for the position of Lady of General Ji's household in the future? Ji Dingbei probably wouldn't even consider it!
Ji Wushang glanced at Huangfu Yu, "Thank you, Sixth Prince, for upholding justice. Thank you, Seventh Princess!"
"Are you alright? Do you want to change your clothes? If you trust me, please come with me," Huangfuyu said directly, regardless of the people around them.
Aunt Bai looked at the two of them with resentment in her heart, and immediately turned and left.
Ji Wushang bowed slightly, "Thank you for your kindness, Sixth Prince. As Aunt Qin just said, there are robes in the carriage, so there's no need for you to trouble yourself." Ji Wushang bowed to him as she spoke, then walked over to Aunt Qin. Aunt Qin looked at her, then turned back to Huangfu Yu, "Replying to Sixth Prince, what the young lady said is true. Thank you for your righteous help, Sixth Prince."
Having said that, the two helped each other out. The crowd automatically parted to make way. Huangfu Yu watched Ji Wushang's departing figure and opened her fan. She felt that after so many years, she had finally found someone worthy of her attention and lingering interest.
Huangfu Lan watched Ji Wushang leave, then looked at Huangfu Yu and smiled, "Sixth Brother, do you have a target now?"
As soon as Ji Wushang came out, Xian'er and Zhu'er saw her disheveled appearance and immediately came forward, "Miss, what happened?"
"I'm not going to talk about it anymore. It's just some trivial stuff. Get me some clothes, I need to change."
"Yes," Xian'er said, and immediately took a set of clothes from the carriage.
Just then, a young maid ran over from a distance, saying, "Please, young lady, go to the side room to change your clothes." She pointed to a row of side rooms that were a little further away.
Ji Wushang nodded, "Thank you for leading the way, Miss."
When she changed her clothes, it was already time for fasting. Aunt Bai was standing to the side, not daring to provoke Ji Wushang for the time being, because she knew that the Sixth Prince was watching Ji Wushang. However, she was also happy in her heart. This slut was being coveted by so many men. If she were ruined in one fell swoop, everyone would probably despise her!
Ji Wushang knelt solemnly, joining the others in observing the fast. After the fast was over, everyone took their seats.
After the vegetarian feast, as expected, the Emperor announced that everyone should stay at the White Horse Temple to receive their final baptism, and then return to their residence the next day.
Huangfu Yu, naturally, went to the front hall and could not remain in the back hall. Everyone around dispersed and returned to their assigned courtyards and rooms to rest.
Ji Wushang was a little sleepy, so he returned to the courtyard. The women's quarters of General Ji's mansion were in the east wing. Ji Wushang lived in one room, while Aunt Qin and Aunt Bai lived opposite him.
Ji Wushang closed the door, looked at Zhu'er and Xian'er, and said, "Fetch me some water to wash up, I need to rest."
"Yes." Xian'er and Zhu'er each took turns, one fetching water and the other making the bed.
Before long, Ji Wushang had finished washing up and was lying in bed. He looked out the window and saw that the light in Aunt Qin's room was off; she was probably tired and asleep. There was still a faint light in Aunt Bai's room, but Ji Wushang found it uninteresting and quickly fell asleep. He had no dreams, and the room was quiet.
At some point, Ji Wushang seemed to hear a soft rustling sound. Thinking it was Zhu'er or Xian'er checking on him to see if he was asleep, he turned over and said, "Go down, you don't need to keep watch anymore."
Ji Wushang went back to sleep before anyone could react.
The eyes in the darkness held a fierce glint, but after gazing at the beauty on the bed a few times, that fierce glint vanished, replaced by a blazing inferno. He stepped forward, intending to lift Ji Wushang's brocade quilt, but Ji Wushang shifted and pulled the quilt back down.
Seeing Ji Wushang's alluring appearance, the man in black became even more aroused. He stepped forward and grabbed Ji Wushang's arm. Ji Wushang felt pain and noticed the strength. He then realized that this was neither a thread nor a bead, but a villain who wanted to harm him!
"Who are you? What do you want!" Ji Wushang shouted angrily, struggling and retreating. In his panic, he tried to find something to defend himself, but he grabbed nothing.
"What am I going to do? You'll find out soon enough," the man in black sneered.
Ji Wushang didn't recognize the voice and concluded that it was someone he didn't know, so he probably couldn't reason with him.
"Beads and thread!" Ji Wushang shouted.
The man in black immediately stepped forward, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "What are you shouting for? I've knocked both of your maids unconscious. They're lying on the ground. Do you want me to take you to see them? The maid in the courtyard is even more useless. I knocked them out a long time ago!"
"This is a sacred Buddhist sanctuary. You'd better turn back before it's too late!" Ji Wushang said coldly. At this moment, he reached under his quilt and remembered that he had placed the scissors under the quilt before going to sleep.
"Hmph, turn back before it's too late? Have you ever heard of a wicked person turning back?" The man in black sneered twice. "You're only doing what you're asked to do, so just comply and you'll suffer!" As he spoke, the man in black lunged forward. Ji Wushang saw this, pulled out the scissors, and stabbed them into the man's back!
"Ah!" Instantly, the man in black felt an excruciating pain in his back! Enraged, he pulled the scissors from his back and threw them on the ground. Then, he struck Ji Wushang with a palm strike. Ji Wushang hurriedly let go of the scissors and retreated. Fortunately, she had secretly practiced some martial arts and was able to dodge his attack.
Ji Wushang jumped off the bed, thinking of running away, but how could the man in black let her go? The man had a pain in his back, gritted his teeth, and stepped forward to grab Ji Wushang's long hair fiercely!
Ji Wushang winced in pain as he was pulled onto the bed with a thud. Ji Wushang felt as if his body was about to fall apart! Before he could even react to the pain, the man pinned him down!
Ji Wushang panicked and cried out, "Help! Help!"
"Hmph, I already told you, no one will save you even if you scream your lungs out!" the man in black sneered, enduring the pain in his back, and suddenly ripped open Ji Wushang's clothes. Ji Wushang usually didn't wear thick clothes when going to bed, but now, with her fragrant shoulders half exposed, the man in black looked at her alluring skin and immediately drooled.
Aunt Bai had never mentioned that this young lady was so beautiful! She had really gotten a great deal today!
The man in black lowered his head and smelled a fragrance, carrying a faint orchid scent. He shuddered; it was the scent of a virgin! Indeed, he had gotten a great deal today!
In the opposite room, Aunt Bai guessed the time and slowly opened the door. Sure enough, she saw figures fighting each other, but they were eventually subdued! Aunt Bai was greatly encouraged!
He immediately returned to his own courtyard; it was time to time the arrest perfectly!
Ji Wushang punched and kicked, finally delivering a kick to the man's groin. The man, in pain, immediately clutched his groin and jumped off the bed, crying out, "Ouch, ouch!"
Ji Wushang seized the opportunity and was about to open the window and jump out. The man in black was shocked and immediately pulled Ji Wushang down from the window!
"Ah!" Just as Ji Wushang was being pressed down on the bed again, he heard a scream of pain, and Ji Wushang felt as if the weight on his body had disappeared! Instantly, Ji Wushang came to his senses and opened his eyes, only to see Nan Xuzong standing beside his bed!
Ji Wushang was stunned. Nan Xuzong's eyes were filled with rage. The golden thread in his hand immediately rolled out and struck the man. Seeing that he was no match for Nan Xuzong, the man created an opening and charged at Ji Wushang.
A flicker of tension crossed Nan Xuzong's eyes. Golden threads shot out, but the man in black instantly burst through the window. Nan Xuzong watched him disappear into the distance, unable to give chase.
Ji Wushang clutched her clothes, still looking shaken, her small face tense as she stared at him.
Nan Xuzong's Adam's apple bobbed. "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Ji Wushang nodded with tears in his eyes.
Nan Xuzong pushed the wheelchair forward, then gently reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'm always here."
"Mmm." Ji Wushang nodded, sobbing softly in his ear. He gently smoothed her hair, kissed her, and then pulled her clothes back up.
He stared at her, "Who did this? Do you know?"
As Ji Wushang listened, fragments of the day flashed through his mind. Apart from Aunt Bai, there couldn't be anyone else!
But just then, a commotion broke out outside the courtyard. Ji Wushang was startled and immediately got off Nan Xuzong. He walked to the window, looked out, turned back to Nan Xuzong, and said, "Aunt Bai has arrived with people!"
This is catching them in the act of adultery! Although the two are engaged, they are still unmarried and yet they are having an affair like this. If word gets out, Ji Wushang might as well die!
Ji Wushang looked at him and said, "You should leave now."
Nan Xuzong shook his head. "There's no way out here. They've surrounded the courtyard. I think it's better if I face it with you!"
"No, let me think, there must be a way!" Ji Wushang paced around for a while, but couldn't come up with a good solution.
Just when I was at a loss for what to do, I heard a voice say, "I have a good idea!"
Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong were both shocked.
☆、128 Angering Auntie! Sowing the Seeds of Trouble!
Ji Wushang turned his head, looking at the newcomer in surprise, "How is it you? Greetings..."
The newcomer helped Ji Wushang up and said playfully, "Miss, there's no need for such formalities. I know about your situation, but I won't tell anyone. I'll help you out today!"
Nan Xuzong's eyes were deep, and he held a gold thread wrapped around his hand, remaining silent.
Ji Wushang glanced at Nan Xuzong and nodded.
After watching him disappear into the shadows, Ji Wushang walked into the hall and found that Zhu'er and Xian'er were indeed unconscious on the ground. Ji Wushang immediately took out his bottle and used the inhaled smoke to wake them up. The two maids slowly came to their senses...
Outside, Aunt Bai was as if she had been injected with chicken blood, shouting loudly, "Young Miss, Young Miss, what's wrong! Did something happen inside? Oh, I hope nothing bad happens!" Her loud voice almost attracted everyone's attention.
Just then, Zhu'er came out from outside, rubbed her eyes, and saw Aunt Bai leading so many people in. She asked in confusion, "Aunt, why are there so many people here? Don't they need to go to bed?"
Aunt Bai looked at Zhu'er, who seemed to have just been woken up from a nap, and couldn't help but wonder if the lecherous thief she had hired had failed to knock out Zhu'er and Xian'er, the two maids. But she clearly saw a struggle and heard a scream or two—she was absolutely certain! And she had already ordered the courtyard to be surrounded; they had no chance of escape! She was determined to destroy Ji Wushang today!
"I just heard Miss exclaim! Something must have happened inside. Zhu'er, step aside quickly so I can take people in and see what's going on!" Aunt Bai said with great concern.
Zhu'er came to her senses and said, "This servant didn't hear any noise. Did something happen, Miss?"
As Aunt Bai listened, her eyes darted around. Could it be that the storm had already passed? There must still be someone inside!
"I did hear someone screaming and shouting when I passed by the courtyard just now, so I brought people here. Alas, I'm afraid the young lady has been... has been..." Aunt Bai was too sad to continue, and pretended to wipe non-existent tears from her face with a silk handkerchief.