books44 Chapter 200: Farewell and Welcome
Chapter 200: Farewell and Welcome
Chapter 200: Farewell and Welcome
After seeing off the doctor and the girl with a look of resentment, Ji Meiqing turned back and handed the prescription to Granny Mei.
"Go get the medicine from upstairs, I'm going back to rest now." She rubbed her forehead and slowly returned to her room.
Lu Yu had returned to his original appearance and changed into clean clothes. Ji Meiqing took the initiative to help him tie his crown, and then stared at him blankly.
"What's wrong with you?" He looked up at the person behind him.
Ji Meiqing was momentarily lost in thought, but quickly recovered. Their eyes met, and she immediately looked away, also changing the subject.
"I'm fine, you should rest first. I want to be alone for a while."
She turned and left the room, going into the study. It was like an icy cave; as soon as the door opened, a blast of cold air rushed in, instantly sobering her up.
Lu Yu also remembered the promise he made to the prince, so he took out the list and went out to prepare. However, when he got to the table, he saw that the mutton soup had gone cold.
He looked at it for a while, then drank it all in one gulp, and then took it out and put it in the kitchen.
Ji Tianci was also holding a bowl and was ladling out soup when he saw him coming, and immediately stopped moving.
"My sister made this soup especially for you. Let me taste it and see if the flavor has changed." He chuckled awkwardly, trying to cover up his true intentions.
Lu Yu walked over, took the bowl from him, and filled it with water.
"It tastes pretty good." He smiled, in a great mood. Ji Tianci held the mutton soup in his hands, momentarily at a loss for what to do.
He said it was delicious, so Ji Tianci took a sip. Then, in one gulp, he drank it all down, ignoring how hot the soup was.
After drinking it, I felt warm all over, as if there was a big furnace inside my body.
I was just about to say a few words to him when I turned around and he had vanished without a trace. I looked around the kitchen, but couldn't find him anywhere.
Ji Tianci shook his head and then turned his gaze back to the stove.
When news of Lu Yu's release reached the Ji family, Ji Yangshan remained expressionless, but Ji Tianzhuo's face changed.
"Now that Lu Yu is out, Ji Meiqing will definitely have no more worries. Father, what should we do about the rest?"
He seemed somewhat flustered. Ji Meiqing had lost her weakness; who knew what she might do?
"He's just a lazy prince. Once these few days are over and he's gone, this city will still be ours." Ji Yangshan said confidently, clearly not taking Ji Meiqing seriously. Of course, Ji Meiqing didn't care about this matter anymore.
All she knew was that it was the Empress Dowager's birthday in the capital, and if she could win the Empress Dowager's favor, their family's wine business could resume.
Everything is weighing on this, and it seems rather heavy.
Ji Tianzhuo suddenly walked over and said respectfully, "The Empress Dowager's birthday is just around the corner, followed by the annual party. Father, would you like to go with me again this year?"
A sly glint flashed in his narrow eyes as he awaited Ji Yangshan's answer.
After looking him up and down a few times, Ji Yangshan slowly nodded, which was considered an agreement. Ji Tianzhuo was overjoyed, but then he heard, "You're not young anymore, it's time for you to have a proper wife. There are many officials and merchants in the capital, so you probably won't be able to get a legitimate daughter. You must make sure to win over this illegitimate daughter."
Ji Tianzhuo was shocked; he couldn't believe that his father would suddenly bring up this aspect of his marriage.
"If we can have a legitimate daughter, then you will definitely be the future head of the Ji family." He smiled, stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and looked like he was entrusting him with an important responsibility.
Ji Tianzhuo could only lower his head, unable to say a word. What could he say? He couldn't say anything at all.
He was already involved in this matter and couldn't extricate himself from it.
"I know, son. I will definitely not let my father down." In the end, he could only give in; he had no room for negotiation on this matter.
Ji Yangshan was also pleased with his son's sensibility. To gain a foothold in the capital, he needed someone from the capital to help him. But that didn't matter, since he still had a son.
"Go on, go prepare for the annual meeting. Next year's annual meeting must be held by our Ji family." His expression softened, as if he were ordering a dog to fetch a bone.
Ji Tianzhuo had no choice but to obediently help him retrieve the bones. He had no other option at the moment and could only agree.
After he left, Ji Yangshan put away his smile and called the steward over. Looking straight ahead, he said in a calm tone, "Go and buy the picture albums of the daughters of officials and merchants in the capital. Tianzhuo is not young anymore. It's time for him to get married."
The butler was startled and dared not object, so he did as he was told.
Ji Yangshan stood there for a while before turning around and going back to his room. He didn't care what was happening outside.
Ji Tianzhuo returned to his courtyard, and Xiao Cui came over, holding the premature baby Jinbao in her arms. She had hoped that the child could win his favor, but seeing his gloomy face, she was so frightened that she stood still.
Ji Tianzhuo also saw her and said impatiently, "What are you doing here?"
"This servant will show you, young master, my little Jinbao," she said timidly. Ji Tianzhuo turned to look at the baby, and an idea began to form in his mind. His expression softened, and he took the child into his arms.
Little Jinbao was still awake, and when he saw Ji Tianzhuo, he smiled foolishly. Ji Tianzhuo patiently teased him, and Xiao Cui felt a surge of warmth in her heart as she watched this scene.
"My father made me marry a legal wife." His face was filled with sorrow, and an aura of despair emanated from him. Xiao Cui was taken aback. "You..."
"I didn't want this either." He lowered his head, somewhat desperate. "If I marry a wife from the capital, we'll only be like birds and beasts in a cage... And this little Jinbao, I'm afraid he won't have a good life in the future either."
Xiao Cui looked at the person in front of her with a solemn expression, as if she was also carrying a heavy heart like him.
What about him after marrying the principal wife? She was a concubine, but no matter what, she was still just a concubine.
Ji Tianzhuo continued, "If you have a legal wife, you might..."
"I know, I know." She covered her face, her heart equally flustered. If she lost her status as a concubine, how would she be any different from the other concubines?
The more I thought about it, the more panicked I became. I didn't even dare to think about what would happen next.
"It'll be Jinbao's daytime soon, won't it?" He raised his voice again, changing the subject.
Xiao Cui nodded, looking lovingly at the child in his arms, "It'll be here soon."