"I don't know my third brother well, but I've guessed based on his style of doing things and his personality." Ji Wushang walked outside the pavilion, looking at the scenery outside. He saw many unique views of the imperial city, which made him happy.
“I’m very curious about your story with him, and I’m also looking forward to it,” Ji Wushang said. “I’ve said before that I know you’re from Japan. Although I haven’t investigated you, I know you’re definitely an extraordinary person.”
“That’s right, I am Princess Fusangyu,” Ma Ruyi said. “My father sent me here for a reason, but as you said, I wanted to let go of everything and spend my life with him. But I have no choice in the matter, you know?”
“I know.” Ji Wushang turned to look at her. “On the day of the wedding between the second son of the Prince of Zhenbei and Princess Muchen of the Western Regions, a group of people appeared, intending to kidnap Princess Muchen and disrupt the wedding. However, they didn’t expect me to be there, so they thought they could kill me as well. I think you were the ones who did this, weren’t you?!” Ji Wushang’s eyes turned coldly to the woman in front of her. “I think Prince Lin is the mastermind behind it all!”
“Ji Wushang, don’t be too clever! The more you know, the less good it will do you!” Ma Ruyi stood up and looked at her. “That’s right, it was indeed my brother who planned it that time. Unfortunately, he miscalculated. He didn’t expect the Fourth Prince, the Heir Apparent, and the Second Prince to have such superb skills! He is no match for you two, which is why my father had to bring me back!”
"So, you've been living in our Great Xia Zhou Dynasty all along?"
"They abandoned me back then, then remembered me, thought I was useful, so they brought me back and used me as a pawn!" Ma Ruyi sneered twice. "Xuan and I have known each other for a long time, and we've been husband and wife for a long time. It's just that because my father and brother were looking for me, I've been hiding, but I couldn't hide forever... I had no choice but to work for them, to complete one so-called sacred mission after another! I've had enough!" Ma Ruyi became more and more agitated as she spoke, and Ji Wushang immediately put his hand on her shoulder, "Is there some condition threatening you?"
"The blood I shed is always the blood of Fusang... Ji Wushang, do you understand?" Ma Ruyi looked at Ji Wushang. "What happened today is known only to you and me. If even a little bit is revealed, I will make sure you suffer a terrible death!"
"Heh!" Ji Wushang sneered twice. "What do you plan to do? Follow her original plan?"
“I want to live a good life with him, but I know I can’t, I can’t.” When asked this question, Ma Ruyi immediately felt the weight on her shoulders. She wanted to unload the burden, but the things she cared about most were in their hands. Did she have any choice?
“If you have any difficulties, feel free to tell me. I believe there is a solution,” Ji Wushang said. “If you love your third brother, you should be honest with him and face things together, instead of bearing them alone and doing things you don’t want to do. In that case, both you and he will get hurt.”
After hearing this, Ma Ruyi fell silent for a moment. Could she really do that? Add to Huangfu Xuan's troubles? All he wanted was the world. To her, he was just a tool. Would he even care about being a tool?
Seeing her lost in thought, Ji Wushang knew she needed time to think, and said, "Think it over carefully! You can tell me if there's anything you need to say!" Ji Wushang smiled amicably, "Cong and I will both assist our third brother, so don't worry." Her meaning was clear: she wanted Ma Ruyi to know that Nan Xu Cong and Huangfu Xuan were at least on the same side now, and if anything happened, they would definitely help each other. If Ma Ruyi insisted on doing something detrimental to the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, she would probably be the one who suffered in the end!
Just as Ji Wushang turned around, she saw people walking by below, and they had already seen Ji Wushang and the other woman.
"It's Empress Yao, let's go down and pay our respects," Ji Wushang whispered. Ma Ruyi was the new bride, and if she didn't go down to pay her respects to Empress Yao, she would probably be ostracized and despised by everyone in the future.
Ma Ruyi nodded. Although she hadn't grown up in the palace, she had heard about the fierce power struggles within the harem. She decided to heed Ji Wushang's advice and be extremely careful.
Empress Yao looked at the two people in the pavilion above with her phoenix eyes, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips. "Standing so high, even higher than me, you are truly admirable!"
The eunuchs, maids, and servants behind her dared not utter a sound, keeping their heads bowed. Eunuch Yuan, who was supporting her hand, said with his head bowed, "Someone, hurry and invite the two young imperial concubines down!"
Ji Wushang, however, said from a distance, "I stand high because I want to see further and worry about our Great Xia Zhou Dynasty. It's not to compete with Mother Empress in terms of height." As he spoke, Ji Wushang immediately pulled Ma Ruyi behind him to kneel down and pay their respects, "Greetings, Mother Empress!" Ma Ruyi also shouted the same greeting.
"What a clever tongue you have!" Empress Yao's smile was tinged with a hidden depth. "In that case, Fourth Imperial Consort, could you explain to me how you are concerned about the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty?"
Ji Wushang's heart sank. The most taboo thing for women in the harem was to participate in court politics, and her use of the word "worry" was the most objectionable. If she said one wrong word, Empress Yao would likely pursue her relentlessly!
Ji Wushang rolled his eyes. "Wushang has read some classics. Some of them say that the so-called concern is that as a man, one should be loyal to the monarch, considerate to subordinates, and thoughtful towards the people. As a woman, one should follow the precepts for women, the rules for women, the classics of filial piety, learn the three obediences and four virtues, learn the three cardinal guides and five constant virtues, concern for one's husband, share the burden with one's father, and maintain harmony in the family."
Empress Yao sneered, "You may all rise!"
"Thank you, Mother!" Ji Wushang and Ma Ruyi both said before standing up.
"The Fourth Imperial Consort is truly well-versed in the classics! Even I find it enlightening!" Empress Yao glanced back at the eunuchs, maids, and servants, who quickly echoed, "Yes, yes..."
Ji Wushang's eyes turned slightly cold. "Thank you for your praise, Mother. I am unworthy and dare not presume to show off my limited skills in front of you."
"Oh, quite modest indeed." Empress Yao smiled. "You should accept my praise!" Her gaze fell on Ji Wushang, then shifted to Ma Ruyi, a slight smile appearing on her lips. "Guards, bestow upon the Fourth Imperial Consort a pair of exquisite earrings and put them on her!" she said, waving her hand.
What Ji Wushang and Ma Ruyi saw was that Eunuch Yuan, who was beside Empress Yao, took out a box from his bosom, opened it with a smile, and saw a pair of earrings inlaid with pearls from the East Sea Mermaids' Tears, which were priceless. However, when Eunuch Yuan presented them to Aunt Liang, she saw that they had barbed hooks.
If worn on the earlobe, it could easily pierce the skin and ruin the entire ear!
☆、247 Who's tougher? Who do you think you are!
Ji Wushang's eyes turned cold. What a vicious woman! Was she always ready to cause him trouble? How could she be so ruthless? Wasn't she afraid that if he got hurt, Nan Xuzong would kill her? No, it seemed she was planning to eliminate everyone around him first!
But I am not a persimmon to be squeezed at will! Ji Wushang's eyes shone brightly, "What exquisite earrings! Such a precious gift, I am unworthy of it, please ask Mother to take it back!" He immediately knelt down and said.
Ma Ruyi remained silent, but she knew that Ji Wushang had drawn Yao Hou's attention and taken all the blame, which was why she was still standing there instead of having to speak and kneel!
Empress Yao chuckled lightly, "Since it's been bestowed upon you, there's no question of taking it back. Get up! Aunt Liang, please put it on the Fourth Imperial Concubine!"
"Yes!" Aunt Liang's eyes lit up as she looked at Ji Wushang's beautiful neckline, and finally her gaze fell on her earlobe, where a delicate earring was placed, making her look beautiful and noble. Aunt Liang looked at the mermaid earring that Eunuch Yuan was carefully holding, smiled and took it steadily, and stepped forward, "Fourth Imperial Consort, please allow me to put it on you."
Ji Wushang narrowed his eyes, stood up, and looked at Aunt Liang walking towards him. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Fine, since they're trying to scheme against me like this, then I'll just go along with their wishes!
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Aunt." Ji Wushang smiled, then carefully removed the earring from her left ear. "Please be careful, Aunt, I'm afraid you'll get hurt."
"Don't worry, Fourth Princess Consort, I'm very skilled at helping many masters put on earrings!" Aunt Liang sneered inwardly. This little vixen, she'd teach her a lesson and see if she dared to be so cheeky!
A flicker of tension crossed Ma Ruyi's mind. Could it be that Ji Wushang had asked Aunt Liang to put hooked earrings on her? If so, she was likely in for trouble! She needed to think of a solution! If Ji Wushang was with her but was harmed by Empress Yao, Nan Xuzong would definitely seek revenge on Empress Yao, but he would also surely hate her deeply! At that point, he and Huangfu Xuan might become enemies.
But isn't this exactly what I wanted to achieve?
Ma Ruyi felt a surge of unease.
Ji Wushang stood there like a pure, untouched snow lotus, waiting for Aunt Liang to put the earrings on her. Empress Yao stood to the side, a mocking smile playing on her lips. Compared to her, Ji Wushang was still too inexperienced! This time, she'd teach her a simple lesson! She'd make sure Ji Wushang remembered well that whenever she saw her, she'd bow and scrape, kneeling and licking her feet!
Ji Wushang lowered her eyes, looking like one of those utterly foolish, cowardly juniors who would be slaughtered at the mercy of others! Aunt Liang looked at her resigned appearance and sneered inwardly, thinking, "Isn't it too late to resign yourself now?"
The woman swaggered forward, holding the mermaid earring in her hand. She approached Ji Wushang, about to use the hooked end to slash at Ji Wushang's face. Once she'd scratched her face, she'd see how Ji Wushang could act so arrogantly afterward!
At this moment, Ji Wushang shouted loudly, "Ah!" and suddenly covered his ears, "How dare you! You actually tried to murder me?!" Before they could react, he kicked Aunt Liang in the chest! Instantly, Aunt Liang was kicked to the ground!
Empress Yao was taken aback. "What happened?" It seems she succeeded? That bitch is covering her ear! Good thing she succeeded!
Aunt Liang was stunned for a moment before scrambling to her feet. She was about to argue that she hadn't done anything wrong when Ma Ruyi stepped forward and grabbed her collar. "You aunt, how could you lay a hand on the Fourth Princess?"
Ma Ruyi slapped Aunt Liang hard across the face with a palm strike imbued with internal force. Instantly, Aunt Liang cried out "Ah!" and her entire face turned into a pig's head!
Empress Yao looked on in surprise, "Stop!"
Ma Ruyi immediately released Aunt Liang and ran weakly to Ji Wushang's side. Looking at Ji Wushang, she asked with great concern, "Fourth Imperial Consort, how is it? That aunt did something cruel to you! That damned thing!" As she spoke, she immediately glared at Aunt Liang.
Ji Wushang looked at her, tears already welling up in her eyes. "Aunt Liang actually wanted to kill me!" Ji Wushang cried as she spoke, "I will never let her go!"
Empress Yao was shocked. If the plot to murder the prince and the princess was proven, then even ten of Aunt Liang's lives wouldn't be enough to pay for it!
Aunt Liang immediately knelt before Empress Yao, pleading, "Your Majesty, spare me! This servant had no intention of murdering the Fourth Imperial Consort!"
Ji Wushang looked at her, "You insolent servant, you want to kill me!" As he spoke, he covered his face as if in great pain. At this moment, footsteps came from outside, extremely fast!
Empress Yao and the others turned to look and saw Nan Xuzong and Huangfu Xuan approaching. One had a dark and gloomy face like a demon from hell, while the other had eyes as sinister as a death knell! The two men moved with great speed, looking at the group of women before focusing on Empress Yao. They bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress!"
Then they both looked at Ji Wushang and Ma Ruyi.
Nan Xuzong looked at Ji Wushang's face and was startled. His expression changed. "Wushang!"
Before Empress Yao could say "no need for formalities," Nan Xuzong had already walked up to Ji Wushang. "Wushang, what's wrong?"
"I...she wanted to kill me!" Ji Wushang looked at Nan Xuzong with teary eyes, then pointed at Aunt Liang kneeling on the ground. Aunt Liang immediately shouted, "This servant did not intend to kill the Fourth Imperial Consort!"
Nan Xuzong's eyes were icy cold. He looked at Aunt Liang, then at Empress Yao, "Your Majesty, what's going on?" She's tired of living! How dare she lay a hand on Ji Wushang! These two are so vicious; I will make sure they suffer a terrible death!
"Fourth Prince, are you questioning me?" Empress Yao immediately raised her voice upon hearing his tone.
"If Her Majesty the Empress insists on this view, Huangfu Zong has no choice but to agree!" Nan Xuzong said coldly. His meaning was clear: if she forced the blame onto Nan Xuzong, he would have nothing to say!
Those around were terrified. Nan Xuzong doted on Ji Wushang to the extreme, and now he had actually caught Aunt Liang trying to kill Ji Wushang. Even with Empress Yao protecting him, he probably wouldn't escape punishment!
"You, Huangfu Zong, do you still remember you're from the Huangfu family?" Empress Yao sneered.
"Fourth Imperial Consort, please tell me what exactly happened!" Nan Xuzong turned away, ignoring Empress Yao's words, and immediately looked at Ma Ruyi. Ma Ruyi felt a chill run down her spine under Nan Xuzong's murderous gaze. Huangfu Xuan gently patted Ma Ruyi's shoulder, "Tell me the truth, what exactly happened?"
He spoke to her so gently, a rare occurrence, which startled Ma Ruyi. However, it was because of someone else and something else, which made her heart ache again.
Nan Xuzong pulled Ji Wushang into his arms and gently patted her back. "Don't be afraid, it's alright, it's alright, be good, okay?" His doting voice rang out, and everyone around them sighed at the man's tenderness. Unfortunately, that tenderness belonged only to one woman.
Ma Ruyi looked at Empress Yao, whose face was cold. Ma Ruyi simply recounted what had just happened without embellishing anything, so those around her heard it without any doubt.
Empress Yao looked at Ji Wushang, then at them, her phoenix eyes gleaming upwards. "Fourth Imperial Consort, if you're saying Aunt Liang tried to kill you, then let everyone see what's wrong with your face!" Empress Yao sneered inwardly. She was so close to succeeding, but then she heard Ji Wushang shout. If she succeeded, fine, at most she'd lose Aunt Liang; she had plenty of men! If she failed, then she could punish Ji Wushang, that was fine too!
Huangfu Xuan looked at Ma Ruyi. He was surprised that she would go up and slap Aunt Liang. Aunt Liang's face was still swollen!
"Does your hand hurt?" Huangfu Xuan grabbed Ma Ruyi's hand and blew on it. The warmth from the breath seeped into Ma Ruyi's hand, and she froze. Was this him? Was she not dreaming?
Ma Ruyi murmured, "It doesn't hurt." She was flattered and tried to pull her hand back, but Huangfu Xuan held her tightly and pulled her directly into his arms.
Upon hearing what Yao Hou said, Ji Wushang said, "Then let me show you. Although it won't break my bones, Aunt Liang didn't want to kill me, but she was thinking of slashing my face! That's the truth, and I won't let her get away with it!" As he spoke, he slowly removed his hand.
Everyone was shocked to see Ji Wushang's face! There was a thin bloodstain on Ji Wushang's face! It looked deep, yet also shallow! Ji Wushang looked at Nan Xuzong, who was completely stunned, his hands trembling as he cupped her face, "Does it hurt? Wushang..."
Ji Wushang looked into Nan Xuzong's eyes, then gently pushed him away, looking at Empress Yao, "Now you see? Would I scratch my own face, Your Majesty!"
Empress Yao was so overwhelmed by her powerful aura that she had to back away. However, when she saw the small, thin line wound, she was still very happy. This woman actually had a cut on her face!
At that moment, Nan Xuzong tightly embraced Ji Wushang, saying, "I'll take you to see the imperial physician!" He immediately tried to look at her face, but Ji Wushang turned away, "Zong..." Tears welled up in her eyes again. This sight brought a pang of sorrow to everyone watching; they hadn't expected such a well-deserved reward to turn into a tragedy!
Nan Xuzong turned to look at Aunt Liang kneeling on the ground, "How dare she hurt my Wushang! Guards, chop her up and feed her to the dogs! Her family members will be implicated and sent to the army to be slaves for eternity!"
Aunt Liang's face turned deathly pale upon hearing this, and she immediately kowtowed to the ground, crying, "Spare me! Spare me! Fourth Prince, I really didn't..."
"Shut up!" Nan Xuzong was burning with rage. His fiery eyes glared at Empress Yao. "Your Majesty, this man is by your side, yet he has committed such a heinous crime. Tell me, how should he be dealt with!"
"As you said, guards, drag her away!" Empress Yao didn't even glance at Aunt Liang. It was just one person dying! As long as Ji Wushang was safe, any small price was acceptable!
Upon hearing this, Aunt Liang immediately cried out, "Your Majesty, spare me! Spare me!" She cried and begged for mercy, but she was already being dragged away by the guards who came forward.
"This servant merely placed the earrings on the Fourth Princess's earlobes as you instructed, and did nothing else! Please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly!" Aunt Liang struggled fiercely, refusing to step down. The guards, unaware that this shrew had managed to break free of them, knelt before Empress Yao once more. "Your Majesty! Please, for the sake of my more than ten years of service to you, spare my life!" they cried, kowtowing repeatedly until their heads bled profusely, yet they dared not stop.
Nan Xuzong stared at Aunt Liang with his sinister eyes, stepped forward, and without saying a word, kicked her right in the chest in front of everyone. Instantly, Aunt Liang flew out like a kite with a broken string, and when she hit the ground, she was already spitting out a mouthful of blood!
Empress Yao and the others were shocked. They never expected that Nan Xuzong would punish Aunt Liang in such a way in front of everyone!
"What are you all standing there for? Drag him away!" Nan Xuzong glared angrily at the guards standing to the side, then looked at Empress Yao, snorted coldly, and immediately turned around to pick up Ji Wushang and head towards the Imperial Medical Hall. "Don't worry, the wound can definitely be treated. Wushang, are you in pain? Tell me if you are!" Nan Xuzong's steps were swift, and he looked at Ji Wushang in his arms without saying a word, his anxiety growing even stronger!
Empress Yao stood there stunned, looking into the distance. Aunt Liang was truly beyond saving. Oh well, so be it! There were plenty of people in the palace! As for the guilt by association, let them be! Thankfully, Ji Wushang's face was probably ruined! That's wonderful! Empress Yao was overjoyed.
Huangfu Xuan and Ma Ruyi, along with Kan Zenan and Xu Cong carrying Ji Wushang, left without intending to stay. Huangfu Xuan, embracing Ma Ruyi, bowed to Empress Yao, saying, "Your subject takes his leave!" "Ruyi takes her leave!"
Empress Yao watched their departing figures with a cold sneer. She would deal with them all sooner or later! Having dealt with Ji Wushang today, their next target was them! Nan Xuzong, no, Huangfu Zong, you just wait to die! Twenty-three years ago I didn't burn you alive, but twenty-three years later, I will send you to hell so you can meet your mother, Consort Zhenrong!
"Prepare the carriage and return to the palace!" Empress Yao said coldly, looking at the pool of blood on the ground where someone had kowtowed. "Eunuch Yuan, clean it up!"
"Yes." Eunuch Yuan watched as Empress Yao slowly left, and looking at the pool of blood on the ground, he couldn't help but sigh. Just moments ago she was speaking to him, and now she was dead! And she had even dragged his family down with her! This harem, it really is a place that devours people!
Ji Wushang nestled against Nan Xuzong's chest. Only when no one was around did she peek out. "Zong, I'm fine. I was just lying to them!" she said, looking at him. "Let's go to the Imperial Medical Academy and have a reliable imperial physician examine me. Everything will make sense."
Nan Xuzong narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Ji Wushang, then suddenly said sadly, "Wushang, you don't need to comfort me. I won't despise you. I'll take you to see her. Damn it, I will never let Empress Yao off the hook!"
"I'm really fine." Ji Wushang was moved by his words. Even if she were disfigured, he would still take such good care of her and cherish her. What more could she ask for? As she spoke, Ji Wushang freed one hand and, in front of him, tore off the thin mark on her face. It turned out to be a small prop!
Nan Xuzong looked surprised and immediately glanced around. Seeing no one, he quickly led Ji Wushang into a palace. After bringing her inside, he closed the door and put her down, saying, "Let me see!"
Ji Wushang looked at him with bright eyes, holding in her hand the small, slightly transparent human skin prop with a thin scratch on it.
Nan Xuzong was surprised, and immediately touched Ji Wushang's face again. After examining it carefully, he was relieved. "I didn't expect it to be like this!" He looked at Ji Wushang with his obsidian-like eyes. "You scared me to death!"
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you would show up like this. I thought I was the only one dealing with them, so I had no choice but to resort to this tactic,” Ji Wushang said. “I didn’t mean to lie to you.”