“Father, I chose Miss Ma first! Third brother, you should know the principle of first come, first served, right?” Huangfu Ting sneered, looking at him with a slightly provocative gaze.
Huangfu Xuan snorted, "Father, this is not fair! I fell in love with Ma Ruyi at first sight, and I am willing to grant her the position of principal wife! But my second brother is only willing to grant her the position of concubine! If possible, I ask General Ma and Father to make a decision!"
Emperor Zhou listened and glanced at Ma Rong, who lowered his head slightly, not daring to look at the emperor's face.
It's not easy to offend either side, but this was initially agreed upon with Huangfu Xuan. If things are changed at the last minute, he might hold a grudge! Besides, Huangfu Xuan commands a large army, has good relations with the Prince of Zhenbei and Ji Dingbei, and is also supported by the Fourth Prince Nan Xuzong…
Ma Rong then said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I never expected that my daughter would be favored by two princes at the same time. Now, I would like to ask which prince I prefer. If Your Majesty would allow, my daughter may choose one herself. Is that alright?"
Emperor Zhou nodded. It was indeed a good idea; letting Ma Ruyi choose for herself was excellent. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Huangfu Ting say, "Father, since ancient times, our Great Xia Zhou Dynasty has followed ancestral teachings and governed the country according to rules and laws. Now, how can it be that according to the rules, if I choose Ma Ruyi as my concubine, then my third brother should choose someone else!"
Huangfu Xuan's eyes burned with rage. He looked at Huangfu Ting, then at Zhou Di, as if he wanted to torture them both with his gaze. Then he turned his gaze to Ma Rong and Ma Ruyi, father and daughter. His eyes darkened, and he left his seat and walked towards Ma Ruyi.
The young ladies around them, all vying for the title of imperial concubine, were utterly ashen-faced. They hadn't even had a chance to showcase their talents before Ma Ruyi had stolen all the limelight! How could they not feel resentment and be consumed by jealousy?
Ma Ruyi stepped back slightly, unaware of Huangfu Xuan's intentions, as were the others. Emperor Zhou and Huangfu Ting watched, and Emperor Zhou called out, "Xuan'er, don't be rash." What was he planning?
Huangfu Xuan stepped forward. He was extremely fast and pulled Ma Ruyi over in one go. Then he grabbed her waist and suddenly covered her lips with his!
Everyone was stunned to see Huangfu Xuan disregard his image and forcibly kiss Ma Ruyi right there in the Xiaoyun Palace!
Ma Ruyi was extremely surprised. By the time she came to her senses, Huangfu Xuan had already released her and was standing beside her. "This is my woman, Huangfu Xuan's woman!"
Ma Ruyi blushed with embarrassment upon hearing this, and immediately knelt on the ground, not daring to say a word!
Huangfu Ting was furious. He pointed at Huangfu Xuan and yelled, "Huangfu Xuan, how dare you forcibly kiss a minister's daughter in the main hall! Do you even have any respect for your father? How can you not respect others? Where has your royal dignity gone?!"
Huangfu Xuan sneered, "I like her, but do you think I should force her to marry you as a concubine because of some rule? Wishful thinking! In my eyes, there is no Father Emperor, but in my heart, there is Father Emperor! That is enough! By bringing up this sentence, are you trying to create a rift between Father Emperor and me, Second Brother?"
Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in another uproar. These words made Huangfu Ting's face turn red and white in turns. "Don't spout nonsense!"
"Whoever is talking nonsense knows the truth in their heart!" Huangfu Xuan snorted coldly, then knelt down before Emperor Zhou, "Father, please grant my wish to marry Ma Ruyi!"
Emperor Zhou was taken aback by Huangfu Xuan's actions, feeling that the dignity of the royal family had been damaged. He was also displeased to hear the conversation between Huangfu Ting and Huangfu Xuan. However, he also knew that since Huangfu Xuan had kissed Ma Ruyi in public, she would probably never be able to marry anyone else. If he did not betroth her to Huangfu Xuan, it might cause dissatisfaction from General Ma's mansion.
Emperor Zhou immediately turned his gaze to Ma Rong. Ma Rong's face flushed red and then turned pale. It took him a long time to calm himself down. Perhaps sensing Emperor Zhou's gaze, he turned his head to meet the emperor's eyes and nodded slightly in agreement.
"By order of the General Ma family, the third young lady, Ma Ruyi, shall be married to the third prince, Huangfu Xuan, on a chosen date, and shall be his principal wife! Ting'er, you shall choose another woman as your consort!"
"Yes!" Huangfu Ting said through gritted teeth, his eyes glaring fiercely at Huangfu Xuan.
Huangfu Xuan snorted coldly, his eyes turning to Ma Ruyi.
At this moment, Ma Rong and Ma Ruyi kowtowed to Emperor Zhou, saying, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"
Huangfu Xuan felt relieved; the selection of concubines was finally over. Now, his only worry was about Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong! However, while the selection was complete, marriage was still a necessity!
"Your Majesty, I wish to marry Miss Ma the Third as my principal wife in three days!" Huangfu Xuan knelt down again and said immediately.
Upon hearing this, everyone thought to themselves, "This Third Prince is really too impatient! He took a liking to her at first sight, immediately kissed her to steal her away, and now he's asking to get married in three days!"
Emperor Zhou was stunned for a moment, "Xuan'er, you..."
"Please grant my request, Father!" Huangfu Xuan said immediately before the other could finish speaking.
Huangfu Ting clenched his fists under his sleeves, wishing he could rush forward and beat him to death! What a bastard, he actually stole Ma Ruyi! Now, the only powerful and influential people he could choose from were Yao Jinhan and the young lady from the Minister's mansion! Just looking at them made him want to vomit!
"Things should not be rushed. How can Xuan'er not understand this principle?" Empress Yao, sitting on the phoenix throne, said this. She was saying that things should not be rushed, but in reality, she was scolding Huangfu Xuan for not understanding the principles and for being unworthy of being a prince!
Huangfu Xuan's eyes darkened, and he said directly, "I'm afraid there might be changes. Besides, three days is more than enough!"
Listening to his words, everyone knew he meant that Huangfu Ting might cause some trouble. This would further damage Huangfu Ting's image.
Huangfu Ting sneered, "Father, I want to marry Yuan Meian, the daughter of a college student, and Yao Jinhan, the daughter of General Yao, as my concubines!"
Emperor Zhou nodded in agreement. Huangfu Ting knew how to be modest. Good, good! Moreover, marrying two women as concubines at the same time would allow them to check and balance each other. Furthermore, both women he was marrying had powerful backers. So, let's give it a try and see if he can stand out among so many princes and whether he can be trained to be a suitable candidate for crown prince!
Huangfu Ting's words actually refuted Huangfu Xuan's inference that Huangfu Ting had caused trouble. In addition, since he married Yao Jinhan and Yuan Meian, Empress Yao was very satisfied.
"I will grant your wishes!" Emperor Zhou looked at Huangfu Ting and Huangfu Xuan. "You are both my beloved sons. After you have started your own families, you need to cultivate your character and strive for excellence!"
"Yes!" Huangfu Xuan didn't care what woman Huangfu Ting married!
Losing all interest in the matter, after the banquet, Huangfu Xuan ordered people to quickly arrange the marriage of Ma Ruyi, and then made an excuse to leave the palace and head straight for the snow mountain.
Ji Wushang felt incredibly sleepy and was about to lean back in the chair to sleep when he heard a little commotion over there. Ji Wushang immediately stood up and hid himself.
"Master, how is that person?" Several young apprentices immediately surrounded him.
"It's alright, he'll be fine after resting. Sigh, these young people, they don't cherish their own lives!" The old man from the snow mountain shook his head as he spoke. At this moment, Gong Shu, Hong Fei, and Cui Wu immediately stepped forward. "Thank you for treating my grandfather, senior."
"Hmm." The old man from the snowy mountain nodded, looking at the three servants and maids, and asked, "Where is your wife?" That woman, I never imagined she would be entangled with the King of the Western Regions, and what are the identities of these two people? Hmm... it seems I should really live in seclusion. Oh well, these things should be left to the young people to handle!
"Madam is inside, asleep," Hongfei said. "Senior, is Madam's leg alright?"
"It's nothing. A little treatment will do the trick." The old man from the snow-capped mountain smiled and walked down. "You may all go now!"
“We’ll stay by your side, Master,” Hongfei and Cuiwu immediately replied.
The old man of the snow mountain nodded, letting them go as they pleased. He then led the six young apprentices toward the Potala Palace. He had something he needed to verify!
Gong Shu watched the person walk away, then looked inside through the paper window, thinking, "I wonder if Master is alright yet. I really hope Master wakes up soon."
“Yes, this servant saw that Madam was always watching over Master, and she did so many things for him that made us all cry, sigh!” Hongfei said immediately, wanting to go forward to see as well, but she couldn’t see anything.
“Madam is so pitiful. I wonder if her leg is better now. If the master finds out that she had to kneel to climb the mountain, I don’t know how he will punish us.” Cuiwu was worried but mostly sighed. “The master and madam have really gone through so much. I hope they can be together forever.”
"What are you talking about?" Ji Wushang couldn't listen anymore. If he listened any longer, he would probably cry again. He had made up his mind that he couldn't cry anymore, and he couldn't cry in front of Nan Xuzong. Otherwise, Nan Xuzong would definitely ask. Nan Xuzong was so insightful that he would know what he had done. He didn't know what Nan Xuzong would do then.
“Madam…we didn’t talk about anything.” Hongfei immediately stepped aside, while Gong Shu didn’t dare to look at her and stepped aside as well. Then she looked at Ji Wushang and said, “Madam, your leg…you need to rest, otherwise, when the master wakes up, he will definitely ask what happened. Even if I don’t tell him, he will know.”
Ji Wushang calmed himself down. He knew it, but he just wanted to see him. He thought it would be good to stay by his side and rest.
"I'll go in and rest. I need to see him... You can all go down now, you don't need to stay here." Ji Wushang said, gently pushing open the door and slowly walking in. It was indeed very difficult for him to move his legs, but Ji Wushang still went in and closed the door.
Gong Shu looked at Hong Fei, Cui Wu, and the other two, and finally decided that all three of them would stay here.
Ji Wushang felt his heart pounding. He was so close, and he had heard that things would get better and that he wouldn't leave him!
Ji Wushang stepped forward and lifted the beaded curtain. Sure enough, she saw Nan Xuzong sleeping on the bed inside. At this moment, he had a slight smile on his face, his vermilion was bright, his complexion was rosy, and his breathing was even.
Ji Wushang looked at him and tears streamed down her face silently again. She went inside, wiped her tears with a silk handkerchief, then moved to sit by his bedside, and took her hand from under the quilt to feel his pulse.
Very stable, very healthy! And I can feel his strong heartbeat again...
A faint smile finally appeared on Ji Wushang's lips. She was exhausted, and seeing that he was alright, she quickly lay down and fell asleep at his feet.
In her dream, she saw a tree covered in bright red flowers, and he was holding her, standing under the tree, facing the wind.
...
Yiyun Shangcheng returned to the Western Regions royal palace in a sorry state, whereupon all the officials flocked to him, demanding to see him. Yiyun Shangcheng refused to see any of them, remaining in his bedchamber to peruse books. When Muers, Hao Yueyi, and others entered the palace to meet him, he declined, citing illness.
She was bent over her desk, carefully examining a painting—her original work.
The strange rain in the Imperial Garden gave him an opportunity to take the painting away amidst the chaos.
However, the beauty's heart is not here, so even if I stay, it will be in vain.
Yiyun Shangcheng rolled up the painting and placed it in a secret room.
He immediately summoned the five elders to discuss matters.
He was about to begin preparing everything here!
...
Ji Wushang didn't know how he woke up. When he woke up, he found himself back in his original room. Seeing this, Ji Wushang immediately wanted to get up to see Nan Xuzong, but was stopped by the person who came.
"Madam is not feeling well, she should rest for a while!" The old man from the snowy mountain narrowed his eyes and looked at her.
Hongfei and Cuiwu stood to one side, one carrying snacks and the other carrying medicine.
"Thank you so much for your great kindness, senior! I am deeply grateful!" Ji Wushang wanted to bow, but her legs were too weak to do so.
A glint of light flashed in the old man's eyes. He touched her wrist and helped Ji Wushang up. This woman is truly an extraordinary person! However, her body is too cold... making her unsuitable for childbirth.
This is perhaps the saddest thing.
The old man from the snowy mountain stroked his beard. “Madam, there’s no need for such a grand ceremony. You already performed all the formalities when you came up the mountain.”
Ji Wushang was startled, then decided against it.
"Madam, please take your medicine first!" Cuiwu stepped forward and said.
"Senior, Wu Shang would like to ask when my husband will be able to wake up?" Ji Wu Shang asked the old man of the snow mountain.
☆、241 When I woke up, I said to you, I'm sorry (I love you).
"You should ask your husband about that," the old man from the snowy mountain said. "Whether he wakes up or not depends on you two."
Ji Wushang considered his words for a moment and said, "In that case, thank you, senior!"
She didn't resent him for making her kneel so much; as long as she could wake Nan Xuzong, it was all worth it! Ji Wushang bowed to him. The Snow Mountain Elder nodded in agreement. Thinking about it carefully, this woman was deeply in love, and extremely well-mannered. Her eyes were clear and cold, revealing a stubbornness, and her appearance was stunning. No wonder she could capture the hearts of those men!
Well then, beautiful women have always had tragic fates. This woman's body is cold, a body frozen for a thousand years. Who knows when she will perish?
Ji Wushang didn't know what he was thinking. At this moment, Cuiwu stepped forward and brought the medicine over. Ji Wushang looked at it, and the old man from the snow mountain smiled and said, "If you finish drinking the medicine and can walk out of this room on your own, you can go back to your husband's side and stay with him."
"...Thank you, senior!" It has to be said that he understood his feelings very well! Ji Wushang immediately drank the medicine, put the medicine bowl on the table, and then looked at the people in front of him. "Thank you!" he said, and then got out of bed.
Hongfei and Cuiwu were about to step forward to help Ji Wushang when Ji Wushang immediately said, "Don't break the rules."
Two maids immediately stood to one side.
Ji Wushang rubbed his legs, saw that the medicine had been applied, put his legs back on the ground, and slowly started walking.
"I'll go check on him," Ji Wushang said, and immediately walked outside.
The old man of the snow-capped mountain watched her retreating figure and nodded inwardly. He had never seen such a woman before; she was truly unique! It reminded him of his youth, but oh well, the past is best left unsaid!
Ji Wushang was overjoyed. Hongfei and Cuiwu naturally followed behind, ready to support him if he couldn't hold on any longer. But Ji Wushang resolutely walked into Nan Xuzong's room.
He told Cuiwu and Hongfei to go down and rest, then went inside and locked the door.
Ji Wushang had a smile on his face. As long as he wanted to wake up, he could wake up. What a wonderful thing that was! He believed that Nan Xuzong must be extremely eager to wake up!
I can feel everything about him!
Ji Wushang lifted the beaded curtain and went inside. He was still asleep, but seemed to be dreaming of something, looking very happy with a faint smile on his face. Ji Wushang went forward, gently moved a stool, and sat down next to him.
Gently taking his hand, she said, "Cong, wake up and look at me. I've been waiting for you to wake up." Ji Wushang placed his hand on her face, feeling his warmth on her skin. Ji Wushang's heart warmed; she liked this warmth.
"I'm so sad when you don't wake up. Can you feel my sadness?" Ji Wushang looked at him, her hand trembling slightly as she held his, tears streaming down her face and landing on his hand.