Chapter 87 I don't like you calling other people "brother".

She didn't understand, "Who did I call brother?"

What did he mean by those words? And his tone, his slightly narrowed eyes—it was as if she had done something to wrong him.

Her first thought was that Wen Qiyan was tasting Ji Lingyue's flavor.

But thinking about what he had just said and what he had done for her and the Ji family, she reluctantly decided to explain to him.

She said that although Ji Lingyue was a traitor, he was indeed her brother. Moreover, even if he wasn't her biological brother, she had called him brother for more than ten years, and she couldn't change that feeling overnight.

Even if she changes it, what should she call Ji Lingyue? Should she call him by his given name? Thinking about it carefully, it's not entirely impossible.

Wen Qiyan stroked her chin, looking at her eyes and said, "No."

"Not what?"

That's not what I'm concerned about.

Well... Ji Lingyue could be considered one, but Wen Qiyan knew that Ji Wanyuan had no feelings for Ji Lingyue that went beyond sibling affection, and even disliked him, especially after learning about Ji Lingyue's true nature.

Ji Lingyue is indeed someone to be wary of, but compared to Wen Yunqin, he comes down to the back.

His younger brother is shameless and has always had designs on her, and she doesn't reject him either, which is what worries him the most.

As for the present situation...

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Wen Qiyan's eyes, but Ji Wanyuan was still thinking about her "brother" and didn't notice.

By the time she looked at him, Wen Qiyan had completely concealed his unusual behavior.

"Still haven't figured it out?" he asked her.

Ji Wanyuan said that he always spoke in a cryptic and ambiguous way, or in a sarcastic and unsettling manner.

"I don't understand what you're thinking," she said irritably.

Wen Qiyan pinched her cheek with a little force, giving her a hint, "Inside the carriage."

"What did you call me inside the carriage?"

When he said that, Ji Wanyuan remembered.

At that time, she brewed "soft" wine and "good" wine, and called Wen Qiyan "brother servant," hoping that he would release her.

"You remember now?" Seeing her sudden realization, Wen Qiyan knew she had come to her senses.

Ji Wanyuan pursed her lips, "I only did it out of necessity, it wasn't what I really wanted to address you as..."

She wanted to address him as "Servant Brother," but if Wen Qiyan clung to her choice of words, it would be quite troublesome, so she decided to stop abruptly.

I only called once.

"Judging from your tone, you seem quite disappointed. Would you like to address me a few more times?"

Ji Wanyuan, “…”

"Why do you always like to settle scores with people later?"

"My lady is mistaken."

He lowered his head and kissed the tip of her nose. Ji Wanyuan sensed his closeness and subconsciously tried to avoid him, but Wen Qiyan's kiss was too fast for her to dodge in time.

"I call this 'a gentleman takes revenge even after ten years'."

What a fine saying, "A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years," yet he still has the nerve to say it.

"That's clearly just sophistry and deceit!" she scoffed.

"I don't like you calling other people 'brother,' and you're not allowed to do it again."

He's so domineering.

"Why should you say no and that's it? Are you ordering me around and demanding that I do this?" Ji Wanyuan snorted.

Wen Qiyan released her cheek. "It's neither an order nor a request."

"What is that?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "I hate being ordered around."

Even if... even if...

She actually wanted to say that even if she was somewhat interested in him now and could allow him to take a little bit more, like kissing her without asking for her consent, she wouldn't allow him to take it any further!

“It’s a plea, a sincere plea.” He made her look into his eyes.

The woman's gaze met the man's eyes, and that tension returned, constantly spreading and lingering in her heart.

"Did you feel it?" he asked.

Ji Wanyuan stumbled along, just about to ask, "What did you feel?"

Before he could even ask, he had already spoken, "Can you feel my sincere prayer, young lady?"

Ji Wanyuan's heart was pounding even harder.

As the distance between them drew closer, just as the man's kiss landed on her lips, she quickly turned her face away, shifted her body, and placed her hands against his chest.

"After a long day of travel, I'm really tired and want to rest."

She struggled to get off Wen Qiyan's legs.

But the man simply placed her on the bed, wrapped his arms around her from behind, held her, and gently kissed and rubbed the back of her neck, saying, "Rest now."

Ji Wanyuan said she was hot and didn't want him to hug her, but Wen Qiyan became difficult to talk to again. He lightly threatened, "If you don't want to sleep, we can do something else."

"What...what do you want to do?" She reminded him not to forget that she was heavily pregnant and couldn't do *that*!

"I haven't said anything yet, but judging from your tone, you seem to be looking forward to it."

Ji Wanyuan spat at him and told him to get lost.

But his spitting made him chuckle inwardly.

The man's broad chest vibrated with his laughter, pressing against her back, making her feel a warm sensation.

Ji Wanyuan's lips trembled, but she couldn't break free, so she could only let him have his way.

After washing up, she felt refreshed and at peace after learning about these things. She closed her eyes and fell asleep shortly afterward.

After she had fallen into a deep sleep, Wen Qiyan kissed her cheek, then got up and asked someone to fetch a doctor to take her pulse through the curtain.

"How is it?" Wen Qiyan asked the doctor after he put away the pulse pillow.

"Rest assured, sir, the young mistress is perfectly fine. She just needs to rest well in preparation for the delivery."

"Is there any possibility that she will give birth prematurely?" Wen Qiyan asked in more detail, "A month earlier?"

The doctor shook his head. "Unless something unexpected happens, given the young mistress's current health, it's highly unlikely she'll have a premature birth."

After listening, Wen Qiyan nodded and instructed Qinghe to escort the doctor out.

After everyone left, he went back to bed and rested with Ji Wanyuan in his arms.

An hour later, Wen Qiyan opened his eyes, while Ji Wanyuan was still fast asleep.

She's quite far along in her pregnancy now, so she shouldn't overexert herself. After a whole night of tossing and turning, she really needs to rest.

Wen Qiyan ordered someone to prepare lunch and then went to his study.

Qinghe was already waiting inside. When she saw Wen Qiyan come over, she quickly and methodically told him about the things that had happened in the past few days.

"Ji Lingyue's confidant has been rescued. He said... if you do not return the young mistress and the Ji family's troops within three days, he will kill her."

Kill the hostage?

Wen Qiyan asked with great interest, "Whose vote was torn up?"

“Tear up…your brother’s, the second young master’s ticket.”

"Oh." Wen Qiyan's interest waned considerably. He propped his head up with his hand, flipping through the letters and maps of troop deployments on the table, his tone nonchalant. "Tell him that three days is too late. It's best to tear them up today to avoid any unforeseen complications."

Qinghe, "..."

I really want to say, sir! That's your own brother!

Are they really just going to ignore it?

Having been by Wen Qiyan's side for many years, Qinghe knew very well that if Wen Qiyan said he wouldn't save her, then he really wouldn't.

Can……

If it weren't for the Second Young Master's "pushing the flames," the relationship between the Eldest Young Master and Miss Ji would never have progressed so smoothly. For example, regarding her whereabouts, the Second Young Master, as the Inspector General of the Imperial Court, has never let a word of it slip by.

Qinghe remained silent for a long time. Wen Qiyan, not waiting for him to continue his report, slightly raised his eyes to look over.

Noticing her master's gaze, Qinghe quickly straightened up, "Besides that, there's also He—"

Before he could finish speaking, Wen Qiyan interrupted him, half-raising his eyelids, "You also want to save Qin-di?"

also?

Who else wants to save the Second Young Master? Could it be... the Young Madam?

Whether it was true or not, Qinghe dared not mention it.

The fratricidal conflict between the master and the second young master was all caused by her.

But since the master had asked, he couldn't pretend not to hear. After thinking for a moment, Qinghe said, "I'm just curious, didn't the old master and madam say they would protect the second young master before you left the capital?"

"Curious or a warning?" Wen Qiyan asked again.

Cold sweat was already dripping down Qinghe's forehead. "Your subordinate..."

“If Brother Qin doesn’t even have the ability to protect himself, then he has wasted the past few years of training in the military camp and on the battlefield.”

"If that's really the case, then he's utterly hopeless. Since he's already hopeless, what's the point of saving him?"

Wen Qiyan's tone was so calm that it didn't sound like he was talking about his own younger brother; it sounded more like he was talking about an enemy.

Qinghe sighed inwardly, thinking that the second young master should pray for his own good fortune.

He then told Wen Qiyan about the recent events in the capital.

"The Lin family members' illnesses shouldn't heal too quickly," Wen Qiyan said calmly.

Qinghe knew he was going to use the same trick again.

With the young mistress's cousin in his grasp, controlling Lord Lin would be a piece of cake.

However, this can be considered a case of Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai, one willing to hit and the other willing to be hit.

"The Lin family patriarch and his wife have left without making any moves, but the Lin family's young lady has been getting very close to the third young lady recently."

"Father still hasn't sent my sister out of the capital?"

"I heard it's because the Third Miss is sick."

"Ill?" Wen Qiyan paused slightly, then looked at Qinghe. "Send someone to Linxia and have the Ji family handle this matter."

No matter how serious the illness, it couldn't stop Ji Wanyuan from having a child.

Regardless of whether the dream was his and Ji Wanyuan's past life, he has already found out the cause of Ji Wanyuan's premature birth in the dream. It was someone close to Ji Wanyuan. However, it is very likely that the person close to her was unaware that they had murdered Ji Wanyuan. As for the mastermind behind this, it is also easy to guess.

If it wasn't the two elders of the Lin family, then it was Lin Nianxi.

Lin's daughter and Ji Wanyuan have never gotten along.

If she wanted to enter the Wen family, she could only do so through one person: his foolish and ignorant younger sister.

Even one's own siblings should not be killed, but precautions should be taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the first place.

"Rest assured, sir, I will resolve this matter quickly."

"Yes." Wen Qiyan was naturally at ease with Qinghe's abilities.

"Send more people to protect my mother-in-law, and make sure nothing happens to her."

"Isn't the master afraid of exposing himself?" Qinghe sighed inwardly and accepted the task, "Your subordinate understands."

Of course, one should also love one's parents, whom one cherishes dearly, and extend that love to everything related to them.

"As for Ji Lingyue, there's no need to stop him from doing his thing."

Qinghe was puzzled, "But if Young Master Ji does something that affects your plans, wouldn't that also harm the Ji family?"

Ji Lingyue was not expelled from the Ji family; he still bore the surname Ji.

"What does the Ji family need most right now?" Wen Qiyan asked him casually, flipping through the map.

Qinghe, "...It will take time."

It's not that the Ji family needs it most, but rather that the young mistress is about to give birth.

At this juncture, the calmer the better.

But His Majesty is pressing us urgently, and I'm afraid we can't wait another month or so.

Does the master mean to force Ji Lingyue out as a scapegoat and divert attention?

Qinghe understood and grasped the concept.

Thinking back on all the effort he had put in these past few days, it turned out that it was all to make Young Master Ji angry, to make him lose everything, and ultimately to force him to take action.

At this juncture, it's naturally impossible to stop them.

"I understand," Qinghe nodded.

"Hmm." Ji Wanyuan took it back, and Wen Qiyan's mood visibly improved; he even started praising her.

"Not too stupid." Although his tone was flat and his expression was cold, Qinghe knew he was praising someone, but in a way that sent chills down her spine.

"This subordinate dares not accept such an honor," Qinghe said, bowing her head in embarrassment.

Wen Qiyan did not speak again.

"..."

The journey from Linxia to the capital didn't take too long; when Ji Yu arrived, Wen Qingling was still recovering from her illness.

Madam Wen was worried about what was wrong with her illness.

How could she have fallen ill so suddenly? And she's getting more and more listless every day. Lord Wen once wondered if she was faking it. But when he personally visited Wen Qingling, he found that she was truly lost and disoriented, her speech and actions were somewhat sluggish, and it always took her a long time to react when others spoke to her.

The emperor has already petitioned the palace and sent an imperial physician. The physician said she suffered from palpitations and fright; in short, it was a heart ailment.

When asked what she was thinking, she refused to answer, no matter how much Madam Wen and Lord Wen tried to probe her.

Lord Wen began to wonder if what she said that day was too serious. But he hadn't said anything. It was mainly for the sake of the bigger picture; it was dangerous for Wen Qingling to stay in the capital.

Lin Nianxi had been coming to the Wen family's door every day, ostensibly to visit the sick, and it was difficult to refuse her. In the last two days, Madam Wen said that Wen Qingling's condition had worsened and she needed to rest, which is why she hadn't come earlier.

But this can't go on forever.

Lady Wen traveled back and forth between the palace and the Ji family, sighing and lamenting all day long.

Just when they were at their wits' end, the Ji family son-in-law actually came to their door.

Seeing the elegant young man in his fine clothes, with his jade pendant fan hanging at his waist, Madam Wen felt displeased.

But since the person had come from afar, and one shouldn't refuse a smiling face, especially since the Ji family member hadn't done anything wrong, Madam Wen still warmly welcomed him inside.

With Yu here this season, perhaps Wen Qingling's illness will be cured?

After Madam Wen led him inside, she deliberately left the room for the two of them, saying that she was going to the kitchen to oversee the cooks and that she would prepare plenty of drinks tonight to welcome Ji Yu.

After Madam Wen left, the atmosphere in the inner room suddenly turned cold.

Wen Qingling's expression was not good, nor was her tone, "Why are you here?"

"My wife is seriously ill, so of course I had to come and see her." Ji Yu sat down and poured tea, looked around her boudoir, and took out a folding fan from his waist to fan himself.

He was used to being a romantic and talented man, and he could never change these romantic habits. What kind of season is this now, that he still has to wear a folding fan? When Wen Qingling saw the picture of a lady offering herself on the folding fan, she couldn't help but sneer.

Ji Yu, knowing she had a bit of a spoiled princess temper, asked, "What's wrong, my wife?"

"I don't need your fake kindness." Wen Qingling's cold gaze swept over her. "During my time back in the capital, you must have taken in quite a few more concubines."

Ji Yu raised an eyebrow. "What are you saying, my wife? I didn't do that. Don't believe me? Go back and see for yourself."

"I'm not going back with you," Wen Qingling refused outright.

She knew what Ji Yu meant; he had only taken in maids as concubines, not promoted any to concubines, so it wasn't that he had wronged her.

We promised each other a lifetime of being together.

She was truly blind; she was actually deceived by this person's facade and believed his lies.

They had only been married a short time when he took advantage of her pregnancy to flirt with the maidservant.

"Ji Yu, now that you've seen it, get back to Linxia."

"Why do you have to be so harsh, my wife? We've been husband and wife for so long, why are you acting like enemies?"

He got up and sat on the edge of Wen Qingling's bed, asking her what kind of medicine she was taking.

She told him to get out, but Ji Yu ignored her anger.

He seemed very patient today, but Wen Qingling knew it was all because he was under the Wen family's roof. If he dared to treat her like he did in Linxia, ​​her father would definitely not let him off easily. Ji Yu was keeping a low profile.

"My wife, you've become so thin after just a few months!"

Upon receiving the letter, he learned that Wen Qingling was ill. He had previously thought she was faking it, but upon seeing her today, he was surprised to find that she looked haggard, completely different from the bright and beautiful woman he usually saw.

Seeing her glaring at him angrily and refusing to be touched, Ji Yu paused for a moment, though a smile remained on his face.

"Do you care?" She's been back in the capital for so long, how many letters has he written to her?

"What are you doing here?" she said, calling him hypocritical.

Looking at her aloof demeanor, Ji Yu asked, "If I told you, my wife, that my brother-in-law sent me, would you believe me?"

The words had barely left his mouth when Ji Yu was shocked by Wen Qingling's reaction. Her pupils constricted, she gripped the blankets tightly, her breathing quickened and became heavy, and her expression froze in shock.

no…? !

He knew that Wen Qingling feared her brothers, especially her eldest brother, but he didn't expect her to be so afraid. Hearing his name was like hearing the voice of Yama, the King of Hell, coming to claim her life.

Could something have happened to the Wen family in the past few months?

Or did Wen Qingling do something to offend the Wen family?

"What's wrong?" Ji Yu raised his hand to help her tuck the fallen hair behind her ear, but Wen Qingling slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me!"

"You said...who sent you?" she pressed.

Ji Yu was puzzled; he was still wondering about Wen Qingling's reaction. "Uncle—"

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Madam Wen, who entered the room.

She said the meal was ready and that Wen's father had returned home. She asked Ji Yu where she would like to dine.

"I will follow my mother-in-law's arrangements." Ji Yu stood up and offered his seat to Madam Wen.

Seeing that Wen Qingling's face still looked pale, Wen's mother frowned and asked, "Qingling, what's wrong?"

Wen Qingling refused to answer, clutching the quilt and shaking her head as she tried to catch her breath. Wen's mother looked at Ji Yu but did not ask any questions. Ji Yu already knew that Madam Wen was blaming him for Wen Qingling's displeasure.

The Wen family is currently very powerful and highly valued by His Majesty, so we still need to be humble and modest.

So Ji Yu quickly explained what had just happened.

When Madam Wen heard that Wen Qingling had heard her elder brother ask Ji Yu to come and take her back, her brows furrowed.

"Did Qi Yan send someone to send you?"

Ji Yu added more comprehensively, "To answer Mother-in-law, that's not entirely true. Actually, I was already preparing to set off before my brother-in-law sent someone to deliver the message, but we just happened to run into his men."

"By the way, my brother-in-law's people have also come to the capital."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wen, who was deep in thought, caught a glimpse of Wen Qingling's clenched fingers, which were almost white with tension.

She couldn't help but wonder, could it be that Wen Qingling's heartache was actually because of her older brother?

But the brother and sister didn't have much interaction.

If there was any connection between them, it was simply that before Wen Qiyan left the capital last time, he warned her not to interfere in his affairs with Ji Wanyuan again, otherwise...

etc!

Madam Wen suddenly had a flash of inspiration. She looked up at Wen Qingling, wondering if she had done something to betray the Wen family, which was why Wen Qiyan sent someone to Linxia to summon Ji Yu to the capital.

The more Madam Wen thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Otherwise, why would Wen Qingling look so guilty and fearful?

Furthermore, with so much to do in Youzhou, Ji Wanyuan about to give birth, and the need to deal with the court, why is Wen Qiyan meddling in Linxia's affairs?

Worried about his sister? The two aren't close, isn't this worry a bit unnecessary?

In front of Ji Yu, Madam Wen did not want to press him directly, so she only offered a few words of comfort and moved on from the topic, planning to ask her father before making any further plans.

Wen's father was not surprised by Ji Yu's arrival, and was even a little dissatisfied. He subtly and overtly reprimanded him several times at the dinner table. Ji Yu was the only son who was favored at home and often talked back, but he did not dare to be disrespectful in front of Wen's father. He agreed to everything and promised to treat Wen Qingling well.

After dinner, Madam Wen immediately told her father about the matter.

"Sir, do you think my guess is correct?"

Upon hearing this, Father Wen's expression also turned grave. "Some time ago, Madam sent someone to serve Qingling. Did you hear what she was saying to that girl from the Lin family?"

Father Wen was wary of the Lin family, and Madam Wen naturally helped him. Unable to stop Lin Nianxi from coming to visit, Madam Wen sent some people to Wen Qingling's side, ostensibly to take care of her, but actually to monitor her.

"The older women didn't hear anything suspicious. Everything was normal. It was just some young girls joking around. I checked all the things that the Lin family girl brought to the door, and there was nothing wrong with them."

It's the absence of problems that causes anxiety.

Without evidence, let's try to bluff first; after all, all's fair in war.

Wen's father accompanied his wife to visit Wen Qingling, and Wen's wife took the opportunity to take Ji Yu away, leaving the father and daughter alone.

"Qingling, how have you been feeling these days?"

"My daughter, my daughter has been taking medicine." This medicine can regulate the body, but it can't cure the heart disease, so she feels that's all that matters.

She thought Mr. Wen had come to ask about her relationship with Ji Yu, but unexpectedly, he changed the subject.

"Qingling, is your illness related to your brother?"

Wen Qingling's face turned pale. "Father, what did you say?"

"What wrong have you done?" Ignoring her panic, Wen's father continued to interrogate her.

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Author's Note: Here it is! This chapter also features a random giveaway of lucky red envelopes! [rainbow fart]