"That's fine then, you can take her and run away together."
“I’d like to think about it and ask for her opinion.” Bei Gong Jue Shi suddenly smiled. “Sometimes I wonder if I should go back to the capital, take her with me, and give her a grand wedding. Also, there are many things I’ve been running away from, but shouldn’t I stop running away?”
Why would you think that way?
“Because, I have her.” Bei Gong Jue Shi turned around and looked at Yi Yun Muchen who was walking over. Yi Yun Muchen looked at the man in the wheelchair with surprise, and then looked at her man, the tall Bei Gong Jue Shi who was reaching out to her.
Yi Yun Muchen extended her hand, and Bei Gong Jueshi pulled her into his arms. "Tell me, what did you choose?"
"I don't really understand. Also, who is he?" Yi Yun Muchen looked at Nan Xuzong, her eyes filled with excitement. It was clear from his expression that he had finally escaped from General Murs's mansion! How wonderful!
Nan Xuzong smiled but remained silent, while Beigong Jueshi said, "The person who saved us. Nan Xuzong, the heir of the Jin Nan Marquis's Mansion in the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty."
"Yes. Thank you for saving me, Your Highness." Yi Yun Muchen smiled and was about to bow when Nan Xuzong spoke first, "Princess, there's no need for thanks. Jueshi is my friend, no need for such formalities. Besides, Your Highness is of noble birth, how could you possibly bow to someone as insignificant as me?"
"Young Master is joking. He's just being modest!" Yi Yun Muchen said in a melodious voice. "Since that's the case, I won't bow! I hate bowing!"
"The princess is truly straightforward." Nan Xuzong rolled up the gold thread in his hand. "What did you choose?"
"What choice?" Upon hearing Nan Xuzong's words, Yi Yun Muchen asked, "Peerless, what choice is it? You didn't answer me just now."
"Would you choose to run away with me and ignore all of this, or stay here?" Bei Gong Jue Shi looked at her with his eyes wide open.
Upon hearing his words, Yi Yun Muchen fell into deep thought.
Yes, she longed to be with him, to live a life just for the two of them. But she couldn't let go of Yiyun Shangcheng, her brother who shared her blood. She didn't know why he had become like this, so unrecognizable! He had become as terrifying as a demon!
But what would happen to him if he left? Would he only have Moors to follow? Although Moors had many subordinates, Moors had always known him since childhood—a solitary figure, never truly entering his inner world. He had always endured, always protected Moors…
He needed his help. Now that he was the King of the Western Regions, he was in more danger than ever before… Yi Yun Muchen looked at Bei Gong Jueshi for a long time before finally saying, “Jueshi… I…”
"Mm." Bei Gong Jue Shi nodded and gently kissed her forehead. "Then stay! I know what you're thinking, Mu Chen. Let's face this together."
"Thank you, Jue Shi." Yi Yun Muchen looked at him, but then she thought of how Yi Yun Shangcheng wanted to use him, and couldn't help but worry. "My brother will use you, I'm scared... Why don't you go with Prince Nan? I'll see what's wrong with my brother so I can find a way to deal with him. Anyway, my brother definitely won't kill me, I'm his sister after all, aren't I?"
"No way!" Bei Gong Jue Shi refused outright. "He was planning to kill you! He won't allow you to be alone with him! Who knows what that person might do!"
“I… okay.” Yi Yunmu Chen pursed his lips.
Bei Gong Jue Shi looked at her and gently pinched her nose. Remembering that Nan Xu Cong was still here, she felt embarrassed. But when she looked around, Nan Xu Cong was nowhere to be seen.
Well, he's quick.
"Where is he?" Yi Yun Muchen also noticed that he was not there, and asked Bei Gong Jue Shi.
“It’s alright, he should be gone.” Bei Gong Jue Shi looked at her and then said, “I have a lot to tell you.”
"Okay, I'll listen carefully. I promise I won't doze off again!" Yi Yunmu Chen smiled.
Bei Gong Jue Shi grinned, picked her up in his arms, and finally didn't carry her on his back. Yi Yun Muchen looked at him and didn't refuse.
"Don't do anything strenuous, her body can't take it!" Suddenly, a deep voice rang out.
The smile on Bei Gong Jue Shi's face froze instantly, while Yi Yun Muchen's face flushed red, and she buried her face in his chest in embarrassment.
Bei Gong Jue Shi suddenly burst into laughter and carried her back to the room. He thought to himself, "The Southern Prince, I never expected him to be such a straightforward person! So cheerful! It's wonderful to have such a friend!"
They were both lying on the bed. He looked at her, and she looked back at him shyly.
That night, he told Yi Yun Muchen many things, including Ji Yinxue's story. As Yi Yun Muchen listened, she clutched the hem of her skirt, twisting her hand incessantly.
Seeing her reaction, Bei Gong Jue Shi was a little frightened and immediately said, "I really didn't do anything to her! My feelings for you are the only ones I truly love!"
“What hurts me is why I was afraid and ran away from the wedding? Otherwise, I should have met you first, and you wouldn’t be so heartbroken and left, right?” Yi Yun Muchen looked at him. “She made you so sad…”
"It's alright. I didn't want to dwell on the past, but what's the deal with what I've been telling her about using my heterochromatic eyes to refine medicine? Hehe!" Seeing that she didn't seem to blame him at all, Bei Gong Jue Shi opened up and took her hand, pulling her into his arms.
“If things don’t look right, let’s just leave, okay? Who cares what they’re thinking, right?” Yi Yun Muchen looked at him. “You don’t want to fight, and neither do I. I just want everyone to be alright, that’s all. I don’t think about anything else. You’re the same. So, if things don’t look right, let’s leave.” Yi Yun Muchen was happy to think of this and smiled, revealing his two tiger teeth.
His eyes curved into a smile. "You've got a good idea." But once you get involved, it won't be so easy to extricate yourself... However, it's time for me to shoulder this responsibility... There are many things that I can't let Bei Gong Minhao bear alone. Also, is my father still the same as before? To his second son... Bei Gong Jue Shi sighed inwardly.
Yi Yunmu Chen looked at him absentmindedly, "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking, I shouldn't run away anymore."
"Um."
"Go to sleep! We need to go back early tomorrow. Crossing the border is up to you." Bei Gong Jue Shi looked at her.
“Yes, I know.” Yi Yunmu Chen nodded.
Nan Xuzong remained in the room, taking out a scroll from his robes and turning the pages.
"Is it really unavoidable? Is this really the only way to undo all this? What can we do to prevent this from happening? I don't want this to happen... But what can we do to stop it from happening? Yiyun Shangcheng, you are already the king of the Western Regions, what are you still thinking about!" Nan Xuzong murmured, moving his wheelchair to the window, looking at the night outside, where some snowflakes were falling to the ground, the night was quiet.
Wu Shang, how are you?
Nan Xuzong threw the book into the stove in the distance, and it caught fire.
The firelight reflected on Nan Xuzong's face, making it appear translucent.
"Demons, demons arise from the heart, hehe..." Nan Xuzong shook his head. But then he seemed to find something in his bosom, took it out, and saw that it was a piece of Xuan paper. Opening the Xuan paper, the corners of Nan Xuzong's mouth immediately curled up, and his mood became very good.
This piece of Xuan paper was painted by Ji Wushang. She painted herself so ridiculously, but he just liked it... Nan Xuzong stared at it intently, thinking about her appearance, and didn't even realize when he fell asleep from exhaustion.
The warm winter sun shone on the horizon and streamed through the window. Ji Wushang rubbed his eyes, woke up, and although he felt a little dizzy, he was alright.
Zhu'er also came in from outside carrying the toiletries. "Miss," she said, surprised to see Ji Wushang asleep in front of the dressing table. "Miss, why didn't you go to bed?"
"It's nothing, I was just researching some medicine. It's fine. Don't I look like I'm in good spirits?" Ji Wushang said somewhat coldly, and then tidied up everything in front of the dressing table.
The results of the research are already available.
Ji Wushang's eyes were cold as he locked all the broken medicine pieces into a small box and placed it under the bed.
Because Old Madam Yun was in meditation in the Buddhist hall, and Nan Xuzong had already argued with her in the hall, there was no need to follow the rules. Therefore, Ji Wushang was spared the trouble of paying his respects to Old Madam Yun or any of the concubines.
After having breakfast, Ji Wushang inquired and learned that the Marquis of Jinnan had left the manor and returned very late last night. However, he did not ask his daughter-in-law about what happened yesterday, and Ji Wushang did not know what to say.
Not even a simple greeting. How cold and indifferent people can be!
Enough. I don't expect any concern from this Marquis of Jinnan. I just feel sorry for Nan Xuzong! What he has lost, I will definitely help him get back! Whoever owed me in the past, whoever owed him in the past, I will get it all back!
Ji Wushang's bright eyes turned cold. He looked at himself in the mirror for a long time, and only when he felt that the knife mark was no longer obvious did he put down the cosmetics.
After much deliberation, Ji Wushang instructed Xian'er to do his work, and then took Zhu'er to the accounting room. He needed to carefully review these account books over the next few days.
A month isn't a long time; I need to make the most of it. Otherwise, finding a concubine will definitely cause more trouble for me! And then there are the young ladies in the manor, all eyeing me covetously…
Ji Wushang had Zhu'er serve him tea while he went inside to look at the account books.
Before I even saw half of it, I could already hear people coming from outside.
Ji Wushang looked up and saw Aunt Zhao and Nan Xianxian. Ji Wushang stepped forward and said, "Aunt Zhao."
"No need for such formalities, Wu Shang." Aunt Zhao smiled slightly, while Nan Xianxian, looking at Ji Wu Shang, was naturally unhappy, but still bowed and said, "Greetings, sister-in-law."
"I've come to see how much you've learned and how well you're doing," Aunt Zhao said with a kind expression.
Ji Wushang nodded, "Yes."
"Have you looked through all these account books?" Aunt Zhao asked, looking at the account books on the table next to her.
"Yes. I've finished reading it."
"Is there anything wrong?" Aunt Zhao glanced at Ji Wushang disdainfully.
"The accounts are detailed and logical, with nothing amiss. Aunt Zhao's previous management of the household was truly admirable; these account books are all meticulously prepared. I've learned a lot," Ji Wu Shang said with a smile. Why would Aunt Zhao tamper with these account books? If there were any unclear or ambiguous entries, wouldn't that imply that Aunt Zhao hadn't managed the household properly? She must have known she was going to investigate, so she prepared everything beforehand, and even bad debts would have been cleared away!
Aunt Zhao smiled and said, "Very good."
“Sister-in-law, you’ve spent so much time here just looking at these ledgers. If I may be so bold as to ask, do you manage things like this in the General’s Mansion? However, this is not the General’s Mansion, but the Marquis of Jinnan’s Mansion…” Nan Xianxian looked at Ji Wushang with a mocking smile and a look of disdain.
Ji Wushang stepped forward and walked up to Nan Xianxian. "I have spent some time here. That's because I've observed that although the accounts are very detailed, some of the Marquis's estates are currently operating at a loss. This is likely related to previous decisions. Some estates shouldn't be monitored too closely! A little relaxation, a less rigid adherence to the rules, and adapting to the circumstances might yield better results!"
Hearing Ji Wushang's words, Aunt Zhao's face showed displeasure. Wasn't she implying that she was rigid? Aunt Zhao was in charge, so naturally those rules were established by her. To say that the estate was not making ends meet was already a responsibility, and then to say that it was because of rigid rules was a slap in the face to Aunt Zhao!
"Hmph, these rules were set by the Marquis and me. Is there something wrong with Wu Shang?" Aunt Zhao sneered.
"That's right, sister-in-law, you've only been married into the Marquis's mansion for a few days, how do you know so much about these estates! You'd better watch out for what you say!" Nan Xianxian thought to herself, displeased. "Or is sister-in-law questioning Father and Aunt's abilities?"
"Wu Shang is just telling the truth. Based on my observations over the past few days and my previous inquiries with the steward, nannies, and other servants in the manor, Aunt Zhao is in charge of the affairs of this manor. These estates are all managed by Aunt Zhao. As for those rules, my father, the Marquis, has never established them!" Ji Wu Shang snorted coldly.
Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao's face paled instantly. Ji Wushang was indeed right. It seemed that the Marquis of Jinnan was only concerned with his official position and associating with those high-ranking officials and nobles. He turned a blind eye to the affairs of the manor. All the estates and shops were managed by Aunt Zhao and several other concubines. As the highest leader, Aunt Zhao, given her personality, would naturally have to establish new rules herself!
Upon seeing this, Nan Xianxian didn't know what to say.
Ji Wushang said, "Now that I'm in charge, I should be responsible for these estates. As for some old rules or rigid procedures, I hope you'll let me handle them! That way, the Marquis's manor can prosper even more!"
Aunt Zhao's lips twitched. "You're right, but while the old rules need to be changed, we still need to ask the Marquis!" Want to change his own rules? He doesn't even know his own limitations! Asking the Marquis is the same as asking me, isn't it? The Marquis listens to him anyway!
Ji Wushang smiled, "Yes!" Afraid that changing the rules would harm her interests? Hmph, she dared not change them because the Marquis doted on her? Reborn, how could she let Aunt Zhao trample her underfoot again!
“Aunt, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now. There’s a lot to do in this household, and Wu Shang will learn gradually!” Ji Wu Shang put the account book back.
"Fine!" Aunt Zhao was displeased and didn't want to look at her, so she told Ji Wushang to leave.
As soon as Nan Xianxian saw Ji Wushang walk away, she immediately stepped forward and said, "Auntie, look how arrogant she is! It's like the entire Marquis's mansion already belongs to her!"
"Hmph, let her be so smug for a while! She won't live much longer!" Aunt Zhao sneered. "The young master is out, now is the perfect time to strike! Tonight, just watch the show!" With that, she glanced at the account books, flicked her sleeves, and left.
Ji Wushang walked towards the "Picking Stars and Playing with the Moon" building. This place was considered remote. Although it was within the Marquis's residence, this courtyard was originally the residence of Nan Xuzong's princess mother. Under Nan Xuzong's orders, it was guarded by secret guards and guards personally trained by Nan Xuzong. Except for Ji Wushang, no one else was allowed to enter.
The guards saw Ji Wushang approaching and stepped aside to let her in.
Ji Wushang went in, closed the door, and began looking for books. These books ranged from ancient times to the present, mostly medical books, as well as some illustrated books.
There are even some kung fu diagrams.
Ji Wushang treasured the book like a precious gem, flipping through it endlessly. She wouldn't miss a single book about leg ailments, nor would she overlook any about cold constitutions. She knew that with her current condition, having a baby would require many conditions, and to avoid upsetting Nan Xuzong, she would definitely find a way.
He refused to believe that his leg ailment was beyond repair!
——
The border of the Western Regions.
Yi Yun Muchen sat inside the carriage, while Bei Gong Jue Shi and Nan Xu Cong condescended to sit below Yi Yun Muchen's seat. To avoid suspicion, Nan Xu Cong abandoned his wheelchair and placed it in someone's home, sending his guards to smuggle it away.
Gong Shu and one of Nan Xuzong's bodyguards were dressed as ordinary people and hurriedly drove the carriage.
Yi Yunmu Chen's palms were sweating. They were almost at the city gate. Once they passed through the gate and a forest, they would be within the territory of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, and then they would be safe.
But they hadn't gone far when they saw many soldiers checking people ahead, including several generals.
Yi Yunmu Chen's heart started beating even faster.
"Don't be afraid, relax, Mu Chen, we all believe in you!" Knowing that she was afraid, Bei Gong Jue Shi leaned forward slightly, held her hand, and gave her a warm feeling of strength.