"Reporting to Miss Zhao, the doctor said that Aunt Zhao has a very good chance of recovering; it's just a matter of time. Doctor Cui has examined her many times and said she'll get better soon. I also believe she'll wake up soon. Please don't worry, Miss Zhao." After feeding her the medicine, Yan Shou helped Aunt Zhao lie back down on the bed, then stood respectfully to the side with her bowl in hand.
Well, I don't expect her to wake up now, but tonight is the perfect opportunity. Otherwise, after tonight, there will be no more chances! Zhao Yirou thought of how Ji Wushang was very unhappy after Aunt Zhao was burned and "invited" her back to the mansion. He was determined to take revenge!
Just then, there were a couple of footsteps outside the door, and Zhao Yirou and Yan Shou looked over at the same time.
Ji Yinxue moved gracefully, dressed entirely in snow-white robes, unparalleled in the world. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, her expression filled with sorrow. Looking at Zhao Yirou and Yan Shou, she said, "I've come to see my aunt. You're here too."
"Yes." Zhao Yirou made way for her to pass, and Ji Yinxue walked over with a smile. She glanced at her aunt a few times, then turned and asked, "Yan Shou, is Auntie alright?"
"Reporting to Second Young Madam, Auntie is much better," Yan Shou replied immediately.
"That's good." Ji Yinxue nodded, her gaze falling on Zhao Yirou. "Miss Zhao, I'm sorry to trouble you to take care of my aunt."
"Hehe, it's not really taking care of you, just expressing my feelings," Zhao Yirou said with a smile.
Ji Yinxue's eyes flickered. "Yan Shou, go and make a pot of tea for Miss Biao. How come you can't even do this simple thing?"
Yan Shou looked at the tea on the table. Wasn't that just brewed? Oh well, the second young mistress is still the master no matter what, and besides, she's the concubine's daughter-in-law. There shouldn't be any problems. She'll listen to her.
"Yes, this servant will go right away." Yan Shou immediately went downstairs.
Zhao Yirou stepped forward and said, "Second Young Madam, why don't you go to the front hall and sit down? Don't disturb your aunt's rest here."
“Very good.” Ji Yinxue’s eyes flashed with a sharp light; she understood what she meant.
The two sat down in the front hall, and seeing that no one was around, they began to speak freely.
"Tonight is the perfect opportunity. Don't you like Prince Nan? I can help you!" Ji Yinxue stopped pretending. Since they were going to form an alliance, they would stand together through thick and thin! Ji Wushang, this time, you should accept this gift properly!
“Okay, I knew you would come. What’s your plan?” Zhao Yirou didn’t mince words and asked directly.
——
Nan Xuzong did not return directly to the inner room, but went to the study instead.
I must assist Huangfu Xuan in a completely aboveboard manner, otherwise all my actions will be inconvenient. In that case, I will definitely have to enter the court as an official. Huangfu Xuan will surely recommend me to the emperor tomorrow, and then I can settle many affairs in the future... It would be better to finish dealing with the matter of Jiuyue Tower first.
This "September Pavilion" is not the restaurant in question, but rather the collective name that Nan Xuzong used for the forces he cultivated, and he was the pavilion's master.
The September Pavilion is a gathering place for elites and talents from all walks of life, all of whom revere Nan Xu Cong.
Nan Xuzong organized the documents in front of him, then opened many letters and began to review them one by one.
As the moon began to set in the west, Nan Xuzong began to feel a bit tired. Seeing that it was getting late, he put down his pen. Just then, he heard several knocks on the door.
Nan Xuzong frowned slightly. Who could it be? Could it be Wu Shang, who hadn't gone to sleep yet and was calling him? That would truly be his fault. He hadn't expected it to be so late. Few people dared to come to his study.
"Come in." Nan Xuzong put down the wolf-hair brush in his hand and looked outside with some anticipation.
But it was Zhao Yirou who pushed open the door. Nan Xuzong frowned immediately. "Cousin Yirou? Why are you here so late at night?" If it weren't for her grandfather's sycophantic nature as a high-ranking official and marquis, Nan Xuzong would have already sent her flying with a single slap!
"Yi Rou just came from her aunt's Zhuangshu Garden, but saw that the light in your study was still on, so I took the liberty of bringing you some ginseng tea. I hope you will drink it and get some rest soon." Zhao Yi Rou smiled gently and spoke elegantly.
A hint of impatience flashed across Nan Xuzong's face. When did it become her turn to serve him? Or was she plotting something? Humph!
"Just leave it there. I'll drink it later. It's late at night. You should go back and rest. You've already done a lot of work by taking care of Aunt Zhao so late!" Nan Xuzong's tone was cold, and he directly gave her the order to leave.
“Your Highness, you should have some first!” Zhao Yirou stepped forward and placed the ginseng tea she was carrying on Nan Xuzong’s desk.
Nan Xuzong's eyes were cold as he looked up at her. "Get down!" The fragrance emanating from her made him want to vomit! He only wanted to smell Ji Wushang's sweet jasmine scent!
Zhao Yirou was taken aback. This young master was truly cold, but his angry expression was incredibly handsome! Although he had a problem with his legs, it didn't affect her happiness. Marrying a man like him wouldn't be bad at all! With a little manipulation, wouldn't her position as Ji Wushang's legal wife be hers?!
"Just take a sip first!" Zhao Yirou said sweetly and coquettishly.
Nan Xuzong was about to reach out and smash the ginseng tea on the ground when he felt a surge of restlessness within him, which extended from his lower abdomen upwards and rushed into his brain!
Zhao Yirou smiled gently, "Young Master, Young Master, what's wrong?" She then stepped forward and took his hand.
I bet you're still not immune! Just because you don't drink ginseng tea doesn't mean you'll be safe! Hmph! No matter how skilled you are or what kind of prince you are, in my hands, Zhao Yirou, you're all the same!
Nan Xuzong's eyes were cold. "Get out!" He originally intended to push her away, but unexpectedly, he was powerless to resist, and Zhao Yirou simply lay down in Nan Xuzong's arms!
The inner room.
Ji Wushang tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Without him by her side, she truly couldn't eat or sleep properly. Perhaps she had grown accustomed to him, so without him, her heart felt adrift.
Ji Wushang got out of bed, looked at the dim candlelight and the wall, and wondered, why hasn't he come back yet? Has something happened?
After thinking it over and over, Ji Wushang finally got out of bed. But as he put one foot down, he suddenly felt a tightness in his chest and found it hard to breathe. He tried to catch his breath, but the more he tried, the harder it became!
Something happened to Cong!
Ji Wushang felt as if his heart was being gripped tightly, and he immediately fell off the bed. He struggled to get up and groped towards the wall, trying to push it open, but he couldn't!
Suddenly remembering that there was a secret passage that could be opened in the study not far away, Ji Wushang quickly walked towards the study.
Zhao Yirou's slender fingers traced the outline of Nan Xuzong in front of her. He was very handsome, with a kind of steely and resolute aura. It was precisely because of this that people couldn't take their eyes off him. If it weren't for his legs, the title of the most handsome man in the capital should belong to him, not Nan Jinxue!
"Who are you?" Nan Xuzong was displeased at being touched and grabbed her wrist. Why was this woman nestled in his arms?
Looking at his angry face, Zhao Yirou felt that he was even more handsome and manly, and smiled sweetly.
As Nan Xuzong looked at her smile, the image of Ji Wushang flashed before his eyes; she was smiling at him!
“Wu Shang? Wu Shang…” Nan Xuzong murmured, his tone becoming gentle, and even the hand holding hers became warm and soft.
“Yes, I am your Wu Shang, Cong.” Zhao Yirou was startled. Damn it, why was he still thinking of Ji Wu Shang? But at this critical moment, she had to hold back!
She pulled her hand out of Nan Xuzong's large hand, rubbed against his body for a moment, and then reached out her delicate hand to touch his body, unbuttoning Nan Xuzong's robe.
As the wind blew by, the fragrance emanating from Zhao Yirou drifted into Nan Xuzong's nostrils. A cold glint flashed in Nan Xuzong's eyes, and he sent Zhao Yirou flying with a single palm strike!
Just then, Ji Wushang pushed open the door, and Zhao Yirou had already fallen to the ground, unconscious! The alluring fragrance emanating from her body had almost dissipated.
Ji Wushang looked at Nan Xuzong in front of the desk and immediately went over. Seeing the inexplicable blush on his face, he knew that he had been drugged and that the culprit had been knocked unconscious by Nan Xuzong!
On the desk was ginseng tea. Ji Wushang lifted the lid, and inside was ginseng tea laced with aphrodisiac! Setting it down, Ji Wushang immediately turned to Nan Xuzong.
“Cong!” Ji Wushang shook him. “Cong.”
"Wu Shang!" Nan Xuzong suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the person in front of him. Her unique plum blossom fragrance surrounded him, and the feeling of peace he felt came from her.
Ji Wushang said no more and quickly checked his pulse. The poisoning wasn't severe; a medicinal bath could help detoxify him! Ji Wushang went outside to the window, picked up a small pebble from a flowerpot on the shelf, and threw it out.
The flowerpots on the shelf were filled with small stones, ready for Ji Wushang to throw at any time. After he threw them, Nan Xuzong's men would come to his aid!
Within seconds, Gong Shu and two black-clad bodyguards appeared. The three of them knew something was terribly wrong when they saw Nan Xuzong's flushed face. "Master!" they all exclaimed involuntarily.
"Where is Miss Yi Rou? Have you seen her?!" Just then, someone outside shouted. Ji Wushang was surprised. Was someone here to catch them in the act of adultery? The voice belonged to Youlan, Ji Yinxue's head maid!
Well done, Ji Yinxue! I'll accept this generous gift for you!
Ji Wushang walked over quickly and closed the study door. Only then did Gong Shu and the other two notice a woman on the ground, who looked like she had already fainted.
"You, take this woman to the Second Young Master's room! Also, bring this ginseng tea to him. Make sure the Second Young Master drinks it, no matter what! The Second Young Master has just recovered, and his martial arts are not as good as yours. I believe you can do it quickly!" Ji Wushang quickly gave the orders.
Gong Shu and the other two immediately nodded. How dare they scheme against me? Die!
"Also, prepare a medicinal bath for me using Cong! Set it up behind the screen in the inner room!" Ji Wushang wanted to hurry.
"Yes!" The three nodded.
"Gong Shu, and..."
One of the guards immediately helped Zhao Yirou up, while another walked towards the window and gave a signal. Instantly, three more guards appeared. Gong Shu immediately ordered others to prepare Nan Xuzong's medicinal bath and then brought him back to the inner room through a secret passage…
When everything was ready, Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong had already returned to the inner room.
The courtyard outside was starting to get noisy.
"Where is Miss Zhao? Have you seen Miss Zhao?"
"This servant saw that she seemed to be carrying ginseng tea into the Moxuan Garden."
"Really? Let's go in and see!" Ji Yinxue said. "Why haven't you come back for so long? We were so worried!"
A short while later, there was a knock on the door.
Ji Wushang's languid voice came from inside, "Who is it?"
"Your Highness, Miss Zhao is missing. A servant said she's in our Moxuan Garden. The Second Young Mistress is here with people looking for her!" The speaker was the head maid, Cuiwu, who was on night watch.
With a creak, Ji Wushang opened the door, then looked outside with sleepy eyes. "Everyone must be asleep, why is it so lively?"
Ji Yinxue saw Ji Wushang in the inner room, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes. Nan Xuzong wasn't in the inner room, otherwise why would Ji Wushang have gotten up so quickly? He must have been sleeping alone! The study, they're in the study!
"Sister-in-law, have you seen Miss Yirou?" Ji Yinxue asked. "I went to Zhuangshu Garden just now, and Yan Shou's maid said that Miss Yirou had just left. I saw that it was so late when I went back, so she must be tired. Therefore, I made lotus seed soup for her. Our Marquis's mansion treats people well, and it is only right that we should serve lotus seed soup so late, especially since she has been taking care of Aunt Zhao so late. But when I got to the side room, I found that Miss Yirou was missing. The maid said that she went to Moxuan Garden?" As she spoke, her eyes drifted towards Ji Wushang's inner room and the study next door.
Ji Wushang looked at the people behind her, and they all seemed to be there to catch someone cheating! They weren't there to deliver lotus seed soup at all! However, since they were there to catch someone cheating, he couldn't very well refuse them!
“Miss Biao didn’t come to Moxuan Garden,” Ji Wushang said. “Is there some mistake? Who said she was at Moxuan Garden?”
Upon hearing this, Ji Yinxue immediately pointed at one of the maids and demanded, "Why aren't you stepping forward?"
"Yes, it was this servant... This servant saw Miss Biao carrying a bowl of something into Moxuan Garden..." the little maid said timidly, bowing her head and speaking softly.
Ji Wushang asked, "When did this happen?" His eyes sharpened as he looked at the maid. He thought, "I should skin this maid alive!"
"After midnight," the little maid said timidly, head bowed.
Ji Wushang sneered inwardly, "Fine!"
"Sister-in-law, there must be something going on, that's why the maid said that. Hmm, why is the light still on in the study? Is my brother still reading in there?" Tsk tsk, if that's true, doesn't it mean that Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang's married life isn't good? One sleeps in the inner room, while the other stays up all night reading in the study... No wonder they can't have a child! Nan Xuzong is probably already tired of Ji Wushang!
“It’s his habit to keep the light on in Cong’s study,” Ji Wushang said calmly. “Cong is asleep in the inner room.”
"Is that so?" Ji Yinxue's tone rose, filled with utter skepticism.
Just then, a maid rushed in from outside, "Princess Consort, Second Young Mistress! Miss Cousin has been found!"
"Oh, you found him?" Ji Wushang stepped forward and asked with concern, "Where is he?"
Ji Yinxue was surprised. Shouldn't Zhao Yirou be in Nan Xuzong's study doing *that* with him?
"Reporting to the Crown Princess! Miss is in the Second Young Master's room..." The maid's voice grew softer and softer, but everyone in the courtyard could still hear it!
"Nonsense!" At that moment, an angry roar came from behind them.
Ji Wushang smiled inwardly; Gong Shu's ability to handle things was not bad!
Everyone was startled and looked back, only to see the Marquis and Concubine Jin standing outside the garden. The Marquis was furious, while Concubine Jin had a hint of smugness on her face. This second young master really has quite a few romantic entanglements!
Ji Yinxue's face turned green. What on earth was going on?! Shouldn't she be with Nan Xuzong? How, how did she end up in Nan Jinxue's bed?!
"Lord Marquis!" The crowd immediately bowed.