NOVEL WEB Chapter 129 - : Beasts and Demons
Chapter 129: Beasts and Demons
Kneeling on the ground, shivering from head to toe, Zhao Liu’er dared not raise her head, nor did she detect the change in the Second Mistress’s tone. “I beg you! Please help my brother,” she kowtowed. “If you agree to help, I will spend the rest of my life serving you. I’ll do anything you ask, Madam. I’ll never utter a word about the Stone Flower Powder to anyone!”
The Second Mistress’s face was ghastly pale. The mere fact that Zhao Liu’er was Zhao Wenshuan’s sister had already incensed her. Upon hearing the girl’s last few words, she abruptly raised a hand and slapped Zhao Liu’er hard across the face. “How dare you mention the Stone Flower Powder to me!” she hollered with seething anger.
The slap stunned Zhao Liu’er, who huddled aground, petrified. “No no! I don’t dare!”
“Zhao Wenshuan committed murder and ought to pay with his life. Not only do I want to see him dead, but I’ll also be more than thrilled to witness him die of a thousand cuts!” The Second Mistress shrieked hoarsely. “Get out! Get out of my sight. I don’t want to see your face ever again!”
Puzzled by the Second Mistress’s fury, Zhao Liu’er hurriedly bowed and clambered down from the horse carriage. One misstep and she tumbled onto the ground, then hopped up and sprinted, too fearful to look back.
Sitting in the carriage, the Second Mistress heaved and panted for a while longer, before regaining her composure.
Never in a million years would she have expected that Zhao Liu’er was, in fact, Zhao Wenshuan’s sister!
Either Shengjing City was way too small, or the Zhao family was her predestined nemesis.
How dare that stupid girl talk about the Stone Flower Powder to blackmail her!
That night, Su Jiu told Ji Yuxian about Zhu Zhi’s death. They both lamented its suddenness.
Zhu Hecheng had deserved to die for his evil-doings, Su Jiu had always thought. Yet the man was still alive, but his son had died in his stead.
To Ji Yuxian, Zhu Zhi’s death had also come as a surprise, and dying in the hands of a street thug? What a waste!
Nevertheless, with a father like Zhu Hecheng, Zhu Zhi hadn’t exactly been an angel. Though not as greedy and selfish as his father, he had been by all means a notorious bully in Shengjing City.
“Zhu Hecheng deserves such retribution for all the bad deeds he has done.” Su Jiu let out a cold grunt. “It’s time for him to reflect and repent.”
An ambiguous grin curled Ji Yuxian’s lips as he replied, “Far from it. A man like him would never repent. He would only put all the blame on others. Maybe he is plotting an act of revenge against me as we speak.”
“His son was killed by the young fellow he had conned.” frowned Su Jiu. “What does this have to do with you?”
“Any normal folk would think so, but for a calculating man like Zhu Hecheng, he must blame me for his imprisonment, which prevented him from rescuing his son. And because of that, his son was conned by the street thug and ended up dead. In his eyes, I’m the one responsible for the misgivings.”
Su Jiu froze briefly. “That’s some farfetched logic,” she chuckled aloud.
“Not farfetched at all to Zhu Hecheng,” Ji Yuxian replied with a sardonic smile, his brows arching.
“Are you saying Zhu Hecheng knows the whole thing was a setup devised by us?” Su Jiu leaned closer to him, her eyelashes fluttering.
Ji Yuxian nodded. “I think he knows.”
“What will he do to avenge for his son?”
“I’m not sure at this juncture.”
With a lazy smile on his lips, Ji Yuxian wrapped an arm around Su Jiu’s waist and pulled her close. “He may send out assassins to kill me,” he added, his gaze piercing. “Now you have to stay by my side at all times. To safeguard your poor husband!”
“Jin Feng is way more skilled in martial arts than me.” Su Jiu raised an eyebrow.
“But Jin Feng cannot keep your husband company at night,” Ji Yuxian’s grin widened, and his hands proceeded to roam all over Su Jiu.
Su Jiu moved aside, playfully avoiding him. “If you ask Jin Feng to safeguard you throughout the night, he won’t decline for sure.”
“But I need to hug my wife to fall asleep.” Ji Yuxian pulled Su Jiu even closer, his fingers caressing her supple, smooth skin. “When will we reenact the painting again, my wife? I can endure no more.”
Struggling to stay calm, Su Jiu gently turned down the man’s passionate courting. “Wait just a little longer,” she whimpered.
“How much longer? Don’t you long for the ecstasy portrayed in the painting? Your hubby will surely satisfy your needs. What do you say?” Ji Yuxian lightly bit Su Jiu’s ear again and again. His eyes squinted, his face burning with desire.
Su Jiu was also overwhelmed by a pounding urge in her heart, yet she clamped her lips and declined the seduction.
“You’re mine, Su Jiu.” the man refused to give up. “Give it to me!”
His kisses soon muddled Su Jiu’s mind. Her thoughts turned hazy, and her body burned like hot charcoal. Just as she was about to give in, a loud clatter suddenly rose on the other side of the door. It sounded like a teacup shattering, followed by a woman’s shrill yelp.
Su Jiu’s hazy eyes immediately regained focus. “What was that?” she asked.
Irritation flashed across in Ji Yuxian’s eyes. “Just ignore it! Let’s carry on!” he pressed his forehead against that of Su Jiu’s.
Yet the sound of a woman sobbing grew louder from outside the door. The nanny’s voice could also be heard approaching. Arching a brow, Su Jiu moved away from Ji Yuxian and strode toward the door.
Ji Yuxian took a deep breath to suppress his frustration. Lifting the edge of his robe with one hand, he followed suit.
Upon opening the study’s door, they found Jin Mi sprawling on the floor, with shards of a broken teacup scattered beside her. Blood could be seen staining the girl’s light-blue robe.
The girl had bumped into the nanny and lost her balance. The nanny hurried to help her up, apologizing in a hushed tone.
“Are you hurt, Lady Jin? Let me take a look. I didn’t mean to knock you down!”
“What happened?” asked Su Jiu.
“I was walking this way and didn’t see Lady Jin in the darkness,” Nanny quickly explained, “I knocked her down unintentionally!”
Seeing Su Jiu and Ji Yuxian out of their room, Jin Mi promptly held onto her leg and grimaced in pain. “It wasn’t Nanny’s fault. I was busy balancing the teacup, and didn’t pay attention to where I was going.”
Su Jiu glanced down at Jin Mi’s bleeding leg, which had been slashed by the porcelain shards. “Help Jin Mi into the room, Nanny,” she said hurriedly. “I’ll send someone for the doctor!”
“That won’t be necessary,” said Jin Mi humbly. “Thank you for your consideration, Young Mistress. I’ll just go back and bandage the wound myself. No need to disturb the good doctor.”
With the nanny’s help, Jin Mi struggled onto her feet. She glanced over at Ji Yuxian with regret. “Please forgive me, sir. Looks like I won’t be able to serve you for a couple of days.”
Ji Yuxian nodded briefly. “Rest well.”
“I will.” Jin Mi lowered her head, then lifted the edge of her skirt and walked toward her room.
Ji Yuxian watched on as the young girl limped her way down the long, dim corridor, momentarily lost in thought.
The next morning, Chang Huan received a letter sent by Qiao An from Xuzhou. Too eager to wait for Su Jiu to go see him, he hurried to the Ji Manor bright and early.
As soon as he got off the carriage, Chang Huan spotted a woman huddling in a corner outside the manor, peeking furtively at the entrance.
The guards of the Ji Manor also noticed the woman. Yet before they could go over to interrogate her, the woman scampered away in a rush.
Chang Huan was about to head into the mansion, when he thought of something, promptly stopped and turned back.
Seeing Chang Huan coming her way, the woman in the corner nervously turned away to avoid his gaze.
Yet Chang Huan walked over and halted his steps behind her. “Are you here looking for someone in the Ji Manor, lady?” he asked with a smile.
Surprised by his earnest inquiry, the young woman, who was none other than Zhao Liu’er, blushed and lowered her head. “No, nothing. I’m looking for no one!”
She was here to wait for the Second Mistress. Before this day, Mrs. Zhao had wept the entire night and urged Liu’er to go to the Ji Manor in the morning. According to Mrs. Zhao’s logic, Liu’er had been exiled from the Ji Manor, only because she had assisted the Second Mistress. If the Second Mistress played dumb and refused to help the girl back, Liu’er would need to remind her, and possibly even threaten her with exposing their shared secret.
Defeated by Mrs. Zhao’s endless wailing and nagging, Zhao Liu’er came to the manor first thing this morning, waiting for the odd chance of bumping into the Second Mistress.
The girl had never met Chang Huan. With so many servants working in the mansion, she couldn’t recognize everyone.
“The Ji Manor is closely guarded. You’re arousing suspicion by merely standing here.” Chang Huan beamed a patient smile. “Let me know if you need any help. Don’t be shy!”
His endearing smile eased Zhao Liu’er’s anxiety. “I’m… I’m here to see the Second Mistress,” she provided a faint reply.
Chang Huan’s eyes squinted momentarily. “What for?” his smile was quickly restored.
“I need to ask for her help,” said Zhao Liu’er.
“The Second Mistress only cares about praying to Buddha these days.” Chang Huan frowned, contemplating. “She pays no attention to worldly matters and rarely spends time handling manor chores. Why are you so sure she will help you?”
“I helped the Second Mistress in the past,” said Zhao Liu’er, a bit flustered. “I hope she’ll return the favor.”
“In that case, go ahead and wait here. Maybe she’ll come out sooner or later,” Chang Huan puckered his lips and forced a grin. Aloofness descending in his eyes, like a gush of the chilly autumn wind, he turned and walked away.
Zhao Liu’er froze for a moment, not comprehending the sudden change in the man’s demeanor. Daring not to follow him, she remained still in the corner.
Chang Huan entered the Ji Manor. Not wanting to go to the main courtyard, he headed into the Perched Phoenix Pavilion as usual.
Su Jiu had long moved out of the Perched Phoenix Pavilion, which was now kept in order by several servant girls. Among them, Dongxue had fallen into the lake and lost her life, while the other three maids remained. Since no one was residing in the pavilion, Old Housekeeper Yu had stopped sending servants over.
Chang Huan walked down the veranda. Just as he was about to call someone to announce his presence to Su Jiu, he heard whispers coming from the shrubs beyond the corridor.
Upon catching the mention of “Young Mistress”, Chang Huan swiftly moved aside and hid behind a pillar.
“Poor Jin Mi. She used to be the Eldest Young Master’s most trusted maid. She used to be somebody. Now she gets pushed around by a nanny, who was brought into the manor by a mistress. What a world!” The voice sounded a lot like that of Qiukui.
“As the saying goes, when one becomes immortal, even his chickens and dogs get to go to heaven. The Young Mistress is now powerful in the family. Naturally, her nanny gets to bully us all.”
“Yes indeed. She knocked Jin Mi onto the ground. Even made her bleed. We surely underestimated this nanny.”
“Ever since she moved into the main courtyard, she’s not the same person anymore.”
“Jin Mi used to be on top of the world. Now she doesn’t even dare to make a peep when she’s beaten badly. What a world!”
“Why are you all upset? I thought you’d never liked Jin Mi.”
“The teeth get cold when you lose your lips. I’m worried about us three!”
…
The three servant girls gossiped up a storm in the shrubs, incessantly sighing and pontificating as if they were debating the philosophy of life.
Chang Huan frowned, his face darkening. He raised an arm, about to give the girls a good scolding, but abruptly stopped himself. Rolling his eyes, he turned to walk out of the Perched Phoenix Pavilion.
Upon exiting, he bumped into Old Housekeeper Yu walking his way.
“Is it Master Chang Huan? Are you here to see Young Mistress?” the old man asked courteously.
Chang Huan nodded. “If it’s not too much trouble, Old Yu, please show me into the main courtyard.”
“No problem, no problem at all. Please follow me, Master Chang Huan.”
Old Housekeeper Yu took Chang Huan into the main courtyard and asked him to wait in the reception pavilion, before heading for the study to announce the guest.
Su Jiu was reading in the study. Hearing Chang Huan was here for a visit, she stood up and proceeded to step out.
However, Ji Yuxian suddenly grabbed her arm to stop her. “What’s the rush? Let him wait,” he said, pursing his lips and knitting a frown.
Inexplicably, he couldn’t help but feel slight animosity toward Chang Huan.
“Chang Huan came to the Ji Manor to see me,” explained Su Jiu. “It must be something important.”
“Go ahead then, but return soon.” Ji Yuxian still didn’t look pleased. “Zhu Hecheng’s assassins could be hiding in the vicinity. They may sneak in when you are out.”
Su Jiu’s lips curled upward. “You must’ve made a lot of enemies in the past, Eldest Young Master Ji.” she looked at him with a playful grin. “It’s a miracle you’ve managed to live unscathed this long.”
Ji Yuxian wrapped an arm around the young girl’s waist, hugged her, and kissed her cheek. “Before I married you, it was okay to be scared. But now, surely you wouldn’t allow any harm to come to your hubby, would you?”
“All this smooth tongue and sweet talk!” Su Jiu glanced over at him.
Unwilling to let go of her warm body, Ji Yuxian pinched the girl’s chin and kissed her again, his gesture a declaration of ownership. “Smooth or not, sweet or otherwise, you’ve been savoring my tongue many times a day. You’d know better than anyone!”
His insinuation made Su Jiu blush. “You’re getting more impudent by the day!” she shot him a look.
Her grumbling was soft and reticent, tinged with a touch of indescribable coquettishness, which Ji Yuxian found irresistible. He reached a hand into her robe and hugged her tightly, as his passionate kisses showered down on her neck.
Huddling in his embrace, Su Jiu struggled to lean back. “Stop it, Ji Yuxian. Chang Huan is waiting for me.”
“Let him wait!” Ji Yuxian groaned hoarsely, as he removed Su Jiu’s robe to reveal her soft shoulders and fair, seductive backside.
His breathing turned heavy, and the man kissed eagerly.
Biting her lip, Su Jiu found it impossible to endure any longer. “It’s still daytime and you’re already this lustful, Ji Yuxian,” she whispered pleadingly. “Don’t come looking for me when you get even hornier later!”
“Only you can satisfy my needs!” Ji Yuxian whispered, as he flipped Su Jiu over and buried his face in her lap.
Su Jiu leaned back further. She tried to pry the man away, but his hands had clasped onto her waist tightly.
Lowering her gaze, she was hopelessly turned on by what she saw. All her strength promptly escaped from her body. The man’s hands were now supporting her limp torso, preventing her from collapsing.
Su Jiu lifted her head and gawked at the colorful cloud patterns engraved in the wooden ceiling beams. She felt like she was floating on clouds, her body swaying, her heart pounding. Her vision gradually blurred, and a moan escaped from between her lips.
After a long while, the man reached the apex of ecstasy. He held the girl and heaved against her shoulder. “Such a sweet aroma. Such fine texture. Utterly delicious!”
Su Jiu was also panting out of breath. Her eyes moist and her lips pinkish red, she couldn’t manage to speak a single word.
The man’s passion had been escalating day by day, and more and more she had been taking it all in. Maybe, just maybe, one day she would truly become the Young Mistress of the Ji family.
Once she became Young Mistress, would she still be able to retain the identity of Master Su Jiu?
She wasn’t sure. It was the only thing hindering her from taking the final plunge.
Once the final plunge was taken, there would be no turning back.
The man’s breathing slowed, as he helped Su Jiu put her underwear and robe back on, one piece at a time. Her enticing contours were soon concealed. After another round of careful checking, he planted a kiss between her eyebrows. “All right, go on now and return soon, my wife.”
Su Jiu shot him another look, feigning annoyance, which only turned the man on further.
Flustered, Su Jiu hurriedly reeled back. She gazed down at the lower half of his body with sarcasm. Sometimes she doubted whether the man had ever touched a woman before her.
So much passion every day. How had he managed to endure before their encounter?
“Seems like you can’t bear to leave your hubby.” Ji Yuxian’s eyes glistened. “Why don’t you stay and serve me a bit longer?”
With a hasty shrug, Su Jiu turned around and escaped out of the room. Reaching the door, she could still hear the man’s lurid chortling behind her.
Once she was out of the room, Su Jiu reflexively wiped her lips, not wanting to be seen in such a state, as if she had just savored some forbidden fruit.
Glancing around and spotting no one, she fixed her clothes and headed for the reception pavilion, as if nothing had happened.
“Boss!” Chang Huan hopped onto his feet with a smile upon seeing Su Jiu. “Another letter from Master An!”
“Show it to me. Quickly!” Su Jiu swiped the letter from him and read it intently, eyes glimmering and face glowing.
Chang Huan’s gaze locked onto the hickeys on her neck. The bite marks were fresh and pink, like blooming peach flowers in spring. His gaze moved further down and took in the lingering aura of debauchery from moments ago.
Looking back up at Su Jiu’s glimmering eyes, Chang Huan understood everything in an instance. He lowered his head, an ambiguous light flashing across in his eyes. The joy of having received Master An’s letter vanished, like summer heat being swept away by an autumn breeze, leaving behind only melancholic coldness tumbling in his heart.
Su Jiu soon finished reading the letter. “Master An said he and Dapao would set out on their journey and return here!” she said excitedly.
The letter must have taken five or six days to reach Shengjin from Xuzhou. Had Master An embarked on the journey the day after having sent out the letter, he would reach Shengjing in another ten days or so.
“Indeed.” Chang Huan forced a faint grin. “We’ll see them soon enough.”
“I’m sure Ah Shu still doesn’t know. We ought to go see him and tell him the good news,” said Su Jiu, still elated with the news of Qiao An and Hu Dapao returning.
Chang Huan suppressed the heaviness in his chest and tried to share her joy. Recalling the encounter with Zhao Liu’er earlier, he smiled briefly and closed the door of the reception pavilion.
“I bumped into Zhao Liu’er on the way to the Ji Manor today, Boss,” he said in a stern voice.
Zhao Liu’er?
For a moment Su Jiu didn’t recognize the name. Pondering briefly, she recalled that the girl had been Xie Ying’s servant back in the Lotus Pavilion. The one who had been caned and tossed out of the Ji Manor, for having laced her chicken soup with the Stone Flower Powder.
Back then the nanny had told her not to make any rash moves. As a result, Su Jiu had only sent out someone to keep an eye on the girl.
After a while, with Zhao Liu’er having shown no suspicious behavior, Su Jiu had told Chang Huan to recall the surveillance and ended the spying.
The last thing she had expected was to hear that name again at this very moment.
“What was she doing here at the Ji Manor?” asked Su Jiu, her tone intentionally nonchalant.
Xie Ying was already dead. Su Jiu knew that the girl wasn’t here to see Xie Ying.
“She dared not step into the manor, and was only hiding behind the wall.” Chang Huan’s face turned stern. “I went over and asked her who she was looking for, and she said she was seeking the Second Mistress’s assistance.”
“The Second Mistress?” Su Jiu’s heart skipped a beat. Had it been the Second Mistress who had plotted the poisoning? Why would the Second Mistress want to harm her?
“Yes, she was looking for a Second Mistress,” Chang Huan confirmed. “Zhao Liu’er said she had helped the Second Mistress once, so she expected the Second Mistress to return the favor.”
Increasingly baffled, Su Jiu turned around and sat down in a chair. If the Second Mistress had been the one behind the scheme, the whole matter would have to be a lot more complicated. More so than when Xie Jing had been considered the only culprit.
An inkling abruptly reared up in Su Jiu’s mind: the Stone Flower Powder was not fatal; it would only cause infertility. It seemed like the Second Mistress had intended to prevent her from giving birth.
The Second Mistress had targeted Ji Yuxian, and wanted him to be without an heir! Su Jiu’s eyes squinted with such a realization.
She then thought of Ji Ze, the son of the Second Mistress, and the fact that she was Zhu Hecheng’s sister. Fear swelled up inside of her, and Su Jiu couldn’t help but shudder.
The Second Mistress was a member of the Ji Manor, but apparently, she had planned to ruin the family. Or at least tried to take control over it.
This recluse of a woman, who spent most of her time chanting Buddhist sutras and eating vegetarian food. It turned out she had been carefully concealing her ill intentions.
Did Ji Yuxian know about it?
Su Jiu came to the sudden realization that everyone circling Ji Yuxian were all vicious beasts who aimed to take his life.
“How should we handle this Zhao Liu’er?” asked Chang Huan.
Su Jiu bit her finger and pondered. “For now, let her be,” she answered blankly. “Just find out what she wants from the Second Mistress.”
After all, Zhao Liu’er was nothing but a scapegoat. It wasn’t necessary to kill someone who could no longer harm Su Jiu.
“Sure, I’ll send someone to investigate right away,” Chang Huan replied, “One more thing, Boss. Earlier when I passed through the Perched Phoenix Pavilion, I overheard the servants gossiping about how Nanny had bullied Jin Mi.”
Was it true that Nanny bullied Jin Mi?
It seemed the occurrence last night had leaked out among the servants, who had, in turn, exaggerated the details.
Su Jiu dismissed and said, “A minor matter. No need to pay any attention.”
Chang Huan intended to again talk Su Jiu into leaving the Ji Manor, where everyone was dangerously conniving. However, having seen the hickeys on her neck, he changed his mind and swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he only nodded in agreement.
After all, even if he spoke those words, Su Jiu still wouldn’t leave this place. The Ji Manor had wholly sucked her in!
Su Jiu then asked Chang Huan to take the letter to Ah Shu. Everything was supposed to be done according to the plan.
When Su Jiu returned to the study, Ji Yuxian looked up and smiled. “What was the matter?”
Su Jiu studied Ji Yuxian’s face, a faint ache abruptly rising in her heart. The man had been in charge of the Ji Manor from an early age. So many people around him had wanted him dead. So much treachery and betrayal with which he had faced. All the scheming, all the vicious plots; these had been the things that had shaped him into the present Eldest Young Master Ji sitting before her.
Perhaps in the eyes of outsiders, Ji Yuxian, being the legitimate heir and master of the manor, appeared a lot more respectable than Ji Ze. Yet Ji Ze had two wives to keep him company and he didn’t have to worry about any worldly matters. Having focused on nothing other than his academics, Ji Ze was the one who had been leading a carefree life.
Ji Yuxian provided Ji Ze and his mother with wealth and stability, but the two treated him as an enemy in return.
Those two had never seen Ji Yuxian as a family member. Consequently, just like Su Jiu, he was all alone, isolated in the Ji Manor.
Then again, she at least had Chang Huan and Qiao An. Meanwhile, Ji Yuxian had no one.
Seeing Su Jiu’s glum face, Ji Yuxian got up and walked over. “What’s wrong? Has anything bad happened?” he asked softly, caressing her eyebrows.
Su Jiu shook her head. She reached out both arms to embrace the man’s slender waist and rested her head on his chest.
Ji Yuxian has never seen Su Jiu behaving as such. A bit flustered, he softened his voice to console her. “What happened exactly? Tell me. Your hubby is here for you!”
Hearing his gentle words, Su Jiu felt her throat tightening, as if having caught a cold. Tears about to well up beyond her control, she remained silent, not wanting him to sense her sorrow.
“Su Jiu…” Ji Yuxian called out her name lovingly.
Hugging him, Su Jiu again shook her head and took a deep breath. “Nothing. I just want to hold you like this.”
Ji Yuxian froze for a moment. His chest felt warm as if it was flooded with honey melted by the sun. Even his blood seemed to be turning thick and sweet. So very sweet.
He lowered his head to kiss the girl’s hair, his eyes glistening like the warm afternoon sun, his voice lolling with soothing tenderness. “Do you enjoy being with me, Su Jiu?”
Su Jiu hesitated for a brief moment, then gave a faint nod.
“Then stay here in the Ji Manor,” Ji Yuxian gazed at her longingly. “Stay right next to me, will you?”
Su Jiu lifted her head and cast him a glance. “All right, I’ll stay with you.”
He had no family. She was his only family. She would stay with him and protect him. She would vanquish all the beasts and demons surrounding him!
The man’s eyes lit up with the girl’s promise. He lowered his head, and kissed between her brows, tightly embracing her.
The study was filled with pin-drop silence, along with the sweet aroma of black ink. Neither of them wanted to speak anymore. They just hugged each other, and that was all they needed.
After a while, Su Jiu remembered Chang Huan and the letter he had delivered. “Qiao An and Dapao are on their way back!” she said excitedly.
Ji Yuxian pondered with a faint nod. “Qian An achieved a remarkable deed of merit. The Emperor did not keep him in Xuzhou and decided to send him back to the capital city. It means Qiao An will be endowed with a respectable title.”
“Is that right?” Ji Yuxian’s words brought joy to Su Jiu’s heart.
“But don’t take it for granted. We don’t yet know which of the princes will succeed the throne. The Emperor may assign Qian An the impossible task of testing all the potential heirs.”
Su Jiu had no understanding of courtly matters. “What do you mean?” she asked curiously.
Wrapping an arm around Su Jiu, Ji Yuxian sat down in bed. “If you were a prince and wanted to be chosen to succeed the throne, wouldn’t you try to get close to someone trusted by the Emperor?”
“Of course.” Su Jiu nodded.
“Naturally, all three princes in the palace must have the same thought. But if you were born into the royal family, you wouldn’t openly do that and arouse the Emperor’s suspicion.”
“Sooner or later, the Emperor will have to pass the throne to an heir.” Su Jiu was even more baffled. “Why would he suspect any of his sons?”
“Because the Emperor is more than just a father. He is also the ruler of the kingdom. Anyone in his position would never trust others wholeheartedly. If not confined by his lifespan, no Emperor would willingly pass the throne to someone else. Not even his flesh and blood. Throughout history, too many fathers and sons and brothers have become mortal enemies fighting over the throne. Too much blood has been shed. And history must be flashing across the Emperor’s mind day in and day out. For an Emperor, not only has he to be vigilant about some outsider trying to seize his power, but he would also be alarmed if his sons garnered too much power that may potentially overshadow him.”
Su Jiu finally understood. “What should Master An do then?” she pondered, concern filling her eyes. “Does he have to reject all the compliments from all the princes?”
Ji Yuxian lifted Su Jiu’s chin. “All the princes? Didn’t you already pick the right one for Qiao An to serve?” He said with a knowing smile.
He seemed to have read Su Jiu’s mind. The girl hurriedly let out a chuckle, trying hard to conceal her embarrassment. “So what if Xiao Lie turns out to be an excellent heir?”
“Are you willing to bet on him?” Ji Yuxian squinted, a somewhat menacing light glimmering in his eyes.
“I bet he will become a good Emperor,” nodded Su Jiu.
Ji Yuxian studied her tranquil face, heaviness gradually clogging up in his chest. A weight that refused to subside no matter how hard he tried. It felt like punching a pile of cotton with all of his might. He resorted to a sigh and forcibly swallowed all the bitterness.
“To avoid trouble, Qiao An should only show loyalty to His Majesty, shouldn’t he?” Su Jiu grabbed onto Ji Yuxian’s collars.
Ji Yuxian nodded, then shook his head again. “For the time being, yes. But not for long.”
“Why is that?” Su Jiu’s eyes bulged wide.
Wasn’t the Emperor always displeased when his courtiers and princes formed too close a bond?
“For the time being, he needs to put on a show for His Majesty. But in the long run, he needs to seek out the right lord to serve. One ought to lay low when the battle for the throne is taking place. But one also has to avoid being discarded once the new lord takes the throne. No one trusts someone who sways whichever way by the wind of intrigue.”
Seemingly comprehending his words, Su Jiu nodded briefly. She came to a sudden realization that Qiao An’s career wasn’t exactly that great a position.
“Don’t worry,” Ji Yuxian said with a casual grin. “Qiao An is smart. He’ll know what to do.”
“Yes, Qiao An has always been a reticent fellow.”
Meanwhile, Xiao Lie was no dummy. Nor was Qiao An overly aggressive. Both men wouldn’t warrant anyone’s concern.
Nevertheless, Su Jiu still found Ji Yuxian’s words troubling. What if Prince Yu and Prince Zhao both failed to bring Qiao An to their side? Would they get agitated enough to do Qiao An harm?
She voiced her concern, which Ji Yuxian dismissed with a shake of his head. “It won’t happen,” he placated her.
The two sat on the low bed in the study, silhouetted by the sun. They spent the whole morning discussing politics of the day, speculating Qiao An and Hu Dapao’s potential careers, and analyzing future potentials of the Dragon Conqueror Gang. Joyous chuckles and faint whispers failed to demarcate the flow of time. When they turned back for a look, the setting sun was already piercing through the flower branches, casting a thousand speckles onto their bodies.
Chang Huan had told Su Jiu the servants’ gossip about how the nanny had bullied Jin Mi. At first, Su Jiu didn’t pay much heed. Yet one day later, it turned out the gossip had spread out of control.
Some were saying that the nanny, backed by her close ties with the Young Mistress, had retaliated against Jin Mi for the girl’s prior disrespect and knocked her down on purpose. Others were saying the nanny had slapped Jin Mi and hurled a broken teacup at her leg to cause much bleeding.
The descriptions got more and more vivid as if it was witnessed by everyone with their own eyes.
Having overheard the wild story a couple of times, Su Jiu was enraged by the servants’ utter disregard for the truth. The nanny consoled her, telling her there was no need to be bothered by the lies.
The gossip then reached Ji Yuxian’s ears. He threw a fit and ordered Old Housekeeper Yu to reign in the servants.
Yet the more he tried to shut up the servants, the more the gossip gained its validity. Everyone began to criticize Ji Yuxian for harboring the Young Mistress and betraying Jin Mi’s loyalty.
Of course, the nasty criticism was only uttered secretly in the master’s absence.
Perhaps the Ji Manor had been too peaceful after Xie Ying and Ren Zhi’er’s deaths. The boredom had become unbearable, and the servants couldn’t wait to make a mountain out of a molehill. Excitement and turbulence had become their welcomed pastime.
Curiously, after a day’s rest, Jin Mi’s leg wound failed to heal. Instead, it festered and rendered her bedridden.
Since the leg is a private area of a girl’s body, Jin Mi didn’t wish for Doctor Gu’s examination. She only stayed in bed and wrapped herself under a blanket. A teary-eyed Jin Mi promised herself that no man was to see her body even if she was to lose her life. Since Ji Yuxian no longer paid her any attention, she felt like dying anyway.
The girl’s stubbornness was interpreted by the servants as yet another clue. A clue that served as new evidence of the nanny’s bullying.
The only person who sincerely cared was Jin Feng. He even contemplated taking Jin Mi back home.
Yet Jin Mi refused, still traumatized by the experience of having been sent home. She wept and stayed in bed, refusing to see even Jin Feng. Facing away from the man, she asked if she would lose her leg and become forever handicapped.
Su Jiu was baffled by the situation. Jin Mi had only suffered minor wounds from the shattered porcelain cup. There had been a little bleeding, but the condition hadn’t been serious by any definition. Why was it turning into something akin to a terminal illness?
Ill at ease, the nanny helped serve Jin Mi water and medication. She had also begun to suffer from depression.
Seeing the nanny’s deteriorating state, Su Jiu had no choice but to fetch Doctor Gu.
When she reached the doctor’s abode, it was just past noon, and the old man was busy grinding medicinal herbs with a pestle. Upon hearing the reason for Su Jiu’s visit, he arched his brow and stroked his beard pensively. “I had a case like this before. The patient suffered a minor wound, yet the flesh festered and turned rotten. In the end, I had to perform an amputation.”
“What should be done then?” Su Jiu was alarmed.
Jin Mi had been a tad arrogant, but she had always known her boundaries. After all, she was only a young girl. The last thing Su Jiu wanted, was for her to lose her leg and become a cripple.
Her dislike for Jin Mi didn’t warrant such a tragic outcome.
“Don’t worry and listen to me.” Doctor Gu shot her a look, then glanced over at a teacup on the table. “Bring me that cup of tea. My mouth is dry.”
Su Jiu had no energy to take offense. She took the cup and handed it over.
Doctor Gu had a nonchalant sip and took his time in enjoying the tea. Just as Su Jiu was about to lose her patience, the old man grinned, squinting his eyes. “Only someone seriously ill would show such symptoms. Jin Mi is a young girl. It’s not possible!”
Su Jiu heaved a sigh of relief. “What’s happening to her then?” she asked.
“She won’t let me examine her. How do I know?” Doctor Gu announced in a righteous tone. “Even the best doctor in the world would need to examine a patient. I didn’t even get to see the wounds. No way can I diagnose from the wrong side of the bedcover.”
“What should we do then?” Su Jiu was worried. “Maybe I can knock her unconscious so that you can examine her.”
Doctor Gu gaped at her wide-eyed. “You’re a pretty girl, but why do you always resort to violence? How imprudent! Besides, I’m a doctor, not a thief. When did I ever need to sneak around as such? And what if she woke up halfway? What if she claimed I violated her and demanded to marry me? What would I do then? Don’t forget I had sworn to celibacy for life!”
His rambling irked Su Jiu, who felt the urge to punch him hard.
Having noticed Su Jiu’s irritation, Doctor Gu cleared his throat and headed into the inner chamber, from which he brought back a small porcelain vial and handed it to the girl. “Take it. Apply it to the wounds three times a day. Even a broken arm will heal in no time.”
Ecstatic, Su Jiu asked, “Does it work that well?” she studied the small vial in her hand.
“You bet!” Doctor Gu was pleased with himself. “My medicine works miracles!”
“Thank you!” Su Jiu shoved the vial in her pocket and turned to head out.
“Girl!” Doctor Gu abruptly called after her.
Su Jiu stopped and spun around, sunlight glinting in her eyes. “What’s the matter?”
“Jin Mi has got a devious mind,” Doctor Gu said nonchalantly, as he resumed pestling the herbs. “You, on the other hand, only look tough. Your heart is too pure, and it warrants caution!”
After all, the old man cared about Su Jiu. Cared enough to warn her about Jin Mi’s treachery.
“I know.” Su Jiu smiled, arching an eyebrow. “Thanks.”