"Go quickly!" Ji Wushang smiled. That's true. Unmarried women are subject to many rules. Before meals, they must wait in the hall for their elders to arrive, and they must not speak while eating, etc.
Ji Sisi put the handkerchief aside and then walked out.
Ji Wushang watched her retreating figure. Every movement she made was proper and conformed to expectations, befitting a well-bred young lady. However, Ji Wushang's doubts deepened. On Mount Emei, her master had taught her martial arts, not how a well-bred lady should behave. Was this impeccable manner taught by a schoolteacher? Yet, to have mastered such manners and walked with such precision and regularity in just over a month was truly remarkable.
Ji Wushang narrowed his eyes slightly, picked up the silk handkerchief on the table, and put it in his arms.
Zhu'er and Hongfei had no idea what Ji Wushang was thinking, but as a guest, Ji Wushang couldn't keep people waiting too long for their meal... Zhu'er stepped forward and said, "Miss, shall we go and have our meal?"
"Okay." Ji Wushang responded and quickly walked out.
The dining room was located in a side room on the east side of Jingyuan Garden. Ji Wushang walked in and saw Ji Dingbei and Madam Qin there as well. The two of them were talking with Ji Sisi. Ji Sisi explained their questions very carefully, handling every detail perfectly, which made Ji Dingbei very satisfied, and he was all smiles.
Ji Wushang stepped forward, "Father, Mother, Fifth Sister."
"Wu Shang, sit down quickly," Madam Qin said hastily, then pointed to a seat for Ji Wu Shang, who nodded and sat down.
"Sisi is very clever. She answered the master's questions perfectly. She is truly delightful," Madam Qin said with a smile.
"Yes, Sisi is making rapid progress," Ji Dingbei agreed, growing even more fond of Ji Sisi. Aunt Xie's death had truly left a deep mark on him. She had actually committed suicide by running into a wall to prove her innocence—alas, he felt he had wronged her! All he could do was take good care of Ji Sisi!
Ji Wushang glanced at Ji Sisi, whose face was slightly flushed with shyness. "Thank you for the compliment, Father and Mother!"
Ji Dingbei and Madam Qin both nodded. Just then, a maid called out from outside, "The old lady is here!"
Ji Wushang and the other three stood up to greet them.
When the matriarch saw that they were all gathered together, a smile spread across her face. It had been a long time since she had dined with so many people together. Today was quite nice!
After the matriarch was seated, she beckoned, "Don't stand, sit down!"
Ji Dingbei nodded and waved for them to sit down, then instructed the maid to quickly bring out the food.
Ji Wushang looked at the table full of food, a wide variety of dishes, but he didn't know which ones to choose.
"Grandmother, you like lettuce, eat a piece to nourish your body," Ji Sisi picked up a piece of lettuce and put it in the old lady's bowl. The old lady smiled from ear to ear, "Good, good, thank you for your kindness!"
"Father, you like braised pork, please have some." Ji Sisi smiled and then placed some meat on Ji Dingbei's plate. Ji Dingbei stroked his long beard, "Alright!"
"Mom, the steamed fish smells delicious, please try some." Ji Sisi earnestly and innocently placed the fish into Madam Qin's bowl. Madam Qin smiled, "I have some too, Sisi is so good."
"Big sister has some too. I remember you like roast duck, here you go!" Ji Sisi placed a piece of good meat into Ji Wushang's bowl.
"Fifth Sister is so considerate and filial. Here, have this duck leg. It's delicious." Ji Wushang knew how to reciprocate. Moreover, in front of Madam Yuan and Ji Dingbei, if she didn't reciprocate, Ji Sisi would definitely outdo her, saying that she, the eldest young lady, had become less filial to her elders after getting married!
However, Ji Sisi is truly shrewd. Her filial piety and ability to win over both the matriarch and Ji Dingbei are perfectly befitting of a well-bred young lady. Yet, if one were to connect all the dots, it would inevitably raise suspicions.
Ji Sisi smiled, revealing her two canine teeth, "Thank you, big sister!"
Ji Wushang served them dishes one by one, saying, "Grandmother, eat your meal, Father, Mother, and Fifth Sister."
"Alright, everyone, hurry up and eat!" the matriarch said kindly.
"Xinyuan is always cleaned. Wushang, if you are tired after your meal, you can go back to Xinyuan to rest," Madam Qin reminded her.
Ji Wushang understood her meaning; they could talk to her in her West Garden or in his own Xin Garden.
"Yes," Ji Wushang replied.
Lunch passed quickly. Ji Wushang chatted with the matriarch of the Yuan family in Jingyuan for a while before going to his own Xinyuan to rest.
"Zhu'er, go and invite Mother here! Don't say anything more, she will understand." Ji Wushang said, lying on the chaise longue.
"yes."
Ji Wushang lay on the chaise longue, reflecting on the day's events and everything about Ji Sisi. He felt something was amiss, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. "Oh well," he thought, "I'll observe carefully. If there's anything fishy going on, it'll definitely be discovered. It's not too late to make a decision then."
Madam Qin arrived quickly and knocked on the door. Ji Wushang got up from the chaise longue and said, "Please come in." He then went to greet her.
Madam Qin entered with a smile, and the two sat in the hall. She had a maid bring up some refreshments, put them down, and then left.
Ji Wushang ate a piece of pastry, and then, to get straight to the point, asked, "Mother, have you paid any attention to Nanyuan?"
"Nan Yuan? Aunt Nangong? I've been busy in my courtyard and haven't paid much attention to her. Isn't she practically a living dead person? Keeping her alive is just torture, but I can't very well kill her, can I? I didn't have any contact with her when I returned to the manor. I can't bring myself to kill her." Knowing there was no one else around, Madam Qin spoke frankly. She had never considered having any conflict with Aunt Nangong before, but now it seemed things weren't as rosy as she had imagined!
Ji Wushang smiled. He had said so much, but it only made things worse! When Madam Qin was determined to be ruthless, she was probably no less ruthless than any of the concubines. If he gave her a hint, she would definitely take action, and he wouldn't have to lift a finger!
"How could Wu Shang mean that? I was just reminding Mother that Aunt Nangong might wake up soon. You should be careful, because once she wakes up, Father's attention might be diverted!"
Madam Qin was surprised upon hearing this. Thinking about it, she realized Madam Qin was right. If Consort Nangong woke up, she would definitely be targeted by Consort Nangong! Previously, Consort Nangong had been dealt with by Ji Wushang, preventing her from being targeted... Ji Wushang's intention was to warn her to take precautions!
However, for my own benefit, I do need to do this! My family is not like the Nangong family. If I can't nip this in the bud, I will definitely suffer a terrible fate in the future!
Madam Qin nodded and smiled, "Alright, thank you for reminding me, Miss!"
Ji Wushang smiled and said, "Mother, these snacks are quite good, you can try them."
"Thank you." Madam Qin's lips twitched, then she ate a piece of pastry. Her mind was already on other things. She shouldn't delay; she should hurry and check on Aunt Nangong's recovery!
Having been a lady for so long, I haven't even stepped into Nanyuan once. I've really overlooked such a person!
Ji Wushang stood up from his seat. "Mother, it's getting late. I should go back."
"Alright, I'll have someone see you off." Madam Qin said as she escorted Ji Wushang out.
"Thank you, Mother." Ji Wushang went to Jingyuan to say goodbye to the old lady, and then went to Ji Dingbei's study to say goodbye to him. But at this moment, he saw Ji Sisi walking around in Ji Dingbei's study, looking at this and touching that.
Ji Wushang frowned. His father never allowed anyone to walk around in the study like that, as it would get in the way of his work. So why was his father letting Ji Sisi walk around like that? Moreover, his father's study contained a lot of military documents about the frontier or investigations into important matters of the court. Ji Sisi was touching all of them. Did she like them, or did she have some other purpose?
She's only ten years old. Does she really like these kinds of books and illustrations? Am I just overthinking it?
Ji Wushang stepped forward and said, "Father."
Ji Dingbei, who was reading at his desk, immediately looked up upon hearing Ji Wushang's words. "Wushang, come, sit down."
"Big sister, you're here too! Father asked me to look at his books, there are so many!" Ji Sisi put the scrolls back on the shelf and skipped over to Ji Dingbei and Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang looked at her and smiled, "Fifth Sister, are you well-versed in 'Instructions for Women' and 'Classic of Filial Piety'?"
"I've read it thoroughly!" Ji Sisi said confidently.
Ji Dingbei interjected, "I tested her before. Sisi has a photographic memory, even better than you!" He looked at Ji Sisi with affection.
Ji Wushang laughed, "Of course you're better than me, Fifth Sister is the best!" As she spoke, she squatted down, "Then how many books in Father's study have you read?"
Ji Sisi said, "I only looked at the books over there." She pointed to a shelf of books.
Ji Wushang looked around and saw that the books were records of various countries, covering everything from military affairs to governance and the lives of ordinary people. How could a ten-year-old girl like her read such books? That was truly remarkable!
"How much do you remember?" Ji Wushang smiled and flicked some dust off Ji Sisi's shoulder, his face full of affection.
"I remember it all!" Ji Sisi said with a smug look. "Father said I have a photographic memory, so of course I remember it all!"
"That's really impressive!" Ji Wushang exclaimed, then smiled at her. "Big sister, I'm going back now. You must listen to Father and Grandmother, and also listen to Mother, while you're at the manor."
"Yes!" Ji Sisi nodded.
Ji Wushang turned around with satisfaction, then looked at Ji Dingbei, "Father, I'm going back now. Take good care of yourself."
"Go ahead! Come back as often as the Marquis's residence allows, but if there are things to take care of at the residence, come back less often. It's not your fault."
"Yes, thank you, Father!" Ji Wushang knelt down and bowed. Ji Dingbei immediately put down his book and stepped forward to help Ji Wushang up. "There's no need for such a grand ceremony. You are now the Princess Consort of the Southern Prince, and your status is too precious."
“She is still my father’s daughter,” Ji Wushang said. “Father, I’m leaving now.”
"Go!" Ji Dingbei waved his hand.
As I left the study, I could still hear Ji Sisi and Ji Dingbei talking. Ji Dingbei certainly knew how to spend his time at home, but unfortunately, his mother was no longer there...
Ji Wushang sat in the carriage with Hongfei and Zhuer, and nothing happened along the way.
When Ji Wushang returned to the Marquis's residence, he had just sat down to rest in the Moxuan Garden when he heard a maid come in to report something.
Zhu'er relayed the message, "Miss, Aunt Leng, Aunt Jin, and the Second Young Mistress invite you to sit in the pavilion. They say they are all family and haven't had a chance to see and chat together in a long time. Knowing you've returned to the manor, they'd like to invite you over."
Ji Wushang frowned as he listened. Were Aunt Leng, Aunt Jin, and Ji Yinxue going to join forces against him? If he really went out like this, something might happen!
When extending, retracting, advancing, and retreating, you must know how to grasp the appropriate dimensions!
"I'm not feeling well. I just got back from the General's Mansion and haven't recovered yet! Let them chat and have fun. I won't go. Please tell them." Ji Wushang instructed.
"Yes." Zhu'er nodded, thinking to herself, "That's right, Miss has just returned to the manor, why is she being asked to chat with them so soon!"
Ignoring them, Ji Wushang took out the white robe he had sewn for Nan Xuzong from the inner room and began sewing it stitch by stitch.
The dense stitches gave the impression that the second daughter was meticulous and thoughtful.
After a short while, just as he was about to grab the scissors to cut it, he couldn't find them anywhere. Ji Wushang looked up and saw a pair of black dragon boots in front of him!
Ji Wushang was surprised and quickly stepped back.
☆, Chapter 203: His Secret, His Pampering! (Brilliant!)
Ji Wushang had already retreated to the table and stood up abruptly. "What are you doing here? This is not a place for you. Please leave."
Why are the mechanisms in Moxuan Garden completely ineffective against him? Ji Wushang quickly walked to the opening of the mechanism.
At this moment, Yiyun Shangcheng looked at her with her purple eyes, without saying anything. Her gaze was fixed on Ji Wushang, and then she shifted her gaze to the white robe that Ji Wushang had just cut, with the cutting scissors still in his hand.
Ji Wushang was startled and rushed forward, grabbing the white robe and clutching it tightly to her chest. She didn't want him to tear her things up again! She must have been heartbroken for a long time when he tore up the love poem Nan Xuzong had given her. If he did the same again and destroyed what she had given to Nan Xuzong, she would fight him to the death!
Ji Wushang protected the white-robed figure, then quickly retreated, shouting, "Stop!"
Yiyun stopped in her tracks. "You make him a robe." It was a statement of fact, though it carried a hint of doubt. He was certain, but he just wanted to hear confirmation from her.
"Yes." Ji Wushang nodded. "How did you get in? Where are my guards and maids?"
"Do you think those people can stop me?" Yi Yun Shangcheng said coldly, a hint of icy glint in her eyes. "You actually made a robe for him."
“This is what a wife should do, it’s normal, isn’t it?” Ji Wushang said. She didn’t want to have anything to do with this man anymore, so why did he keep bothering her?
"Hehehe!" Yi Yun Shangcheng shook his head with a cold laugh. He walked over and sat in the chair where Ji Wushang had just sat, looking at the materials she had just used—the needles and thread, the fabric still uncut. He held them in his hands and gently rubbed them. "The material is truly top-quality. If I could wear a robe like this, it would be very warm, wouldn't it?" Yi Yun Shangcheng smiled bitterly, then picked up some of the sewn-up hem that had been cut off earlier. He glanced at them and sighed, "Thirty-two stitches. You really have patience!"
"Have you said enough? You can go back now," Ji Wushang said. "The Western Regions need you, their King, to return. Your people are waiting for you."
"They're waiting for me, Your Majesty?" Yi Yun Shangcheng put the fabric he had just received into his pocket, along with the discarded, stitched fabric. "Only if you wait for me will I feel anything. As for others? Hmph, even hundreds of thousands or millions wouldn't make me feel anything!"
Ji Wushang remained silent, refusing to answer his question and pretending not to know or hear it!
As Yiyun Shangcheng stood up, Ji Wushang immediately became wary again, retreating to the corner of the wall with his hand still gripping the switch. If he pulled or pressed it, arrows or sleeping pills would definitely be fired, or at least there would be some way to stop him from coming forward.
However, this is on the premise of harming him.
"Stop! Don't come any closer! Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!" Ji Wushang shouted sternly.