Chapter 238 Longing for the Grand Scholar

When Wei Liru looked up again, her eyes were filled with resentment.

She shook her head and said, "No, brother, you haven't seen the way the Emperor's gaze fell on her."

Wei Liru paid close attention to Emperor Wusu's every move, and she had long since noticed the difference.

"I'm just not convinced. I've been by the Emperor's side for so many years, and I've risen from the rank of Noble Lady to the most favored concubine in the harem."

"If Ji Qingwu hadn't appeared, I would have been just a little bit away from becoming empress."

It may seem like just a small difference, but in reality, it's an insurmountable chasm.

Wei Ting said soberly, "Li Ru, without the Wei family behind you, do you think you can still stand so high?"

These words awakened Wei Liru, reminding her of her original intention when she entered the palace.

Her elder brother joined the army, and she entered the palace as a concubine. The two worked together to pull the declining Wei family back into the ranks of aristocratic families.

But people's hearts are fickle, and what she wanted had also changed.

Wei Liru said, "I know that you asked Ji Wu for her hand in court before. You did it to help me, right?"

"Brother, can you think of another way to prevent Ji Qingwu from entering the palace?"

This proud younger sister rarely begs people in such a humble manner.

Wei Ting's gaze fell on two sparrows on the treetop, who were happily preening each other's feathers.

When Wei's parents committed suicide by self-immolation, Wei Liru was still young. Although she had the help of her grandmother and aunts, she had always liked to stick close to her older brother.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Wei Liru was raised by Wei Ting himself.

With such a brother protecting her, Wei Ting would always go along with her wishes, and he would never refuse her anything she wanted.

However, since she could easily get whatever she wanted, Wei Liru's ambition was raised too high.

Wei Ting said, "Your opponent is not her. The Emperor's heart is not with you, and it is not her fault."

Wei Liru frowned and said, "But if it weren't for her, the Emperor's heart would be impartial."

She quickly realized something was wrong.

Why is my brother siding with Ji Wu?

She demanded loudly, "Has your heart turned away from me too?!"

Two sparrows on the treetop were startled into flight by the sudden, sharp sound.

Wei Ting watched the little birds flutter their wings and fly away; in the end, one went east and the other went west.

He still had a smile on his lips, and his voice remained gentle.

“Liru, there’s something you’ve misunderstood. The reason I considered marrying her is because I don’t think I’m so despicable as to trade a girl’s future.”

Wei Liru's beautiful eyes were filled with shock.

"Brother, what are you saying...?"

He shouldn't have done these things to solidify her position in the palace.

Wei Ting spoke in the gentlest tone, saying words that made Wei Liru tremble all over.

"I don't need to explain my relationship with her to anyone, but I want to tell you that I have no intention of marrying her as a decoration."

Wei Ting said with a hint of distress, "Unfortunately, she is unwilling. I can only think of other ways."

Wei Liru stared at him as if frozen in place, biting her lip until it turned pale.

Wei Ting turned around: "If possible, I also hope that when you see her again, you can call her sister-in-law."

*

Ji Qingwu was woken up by the little girl in the morning.

When Qiuqiu opened her eyes, she saw her big mother sleeping right next to her, and she was overjoyed.

The chubby little body rolled over and snuggled into its mother's arms.

Ji Qingwu was still unconscious when she instinctively raised her hand to hold down the little guy who was wriggling all over her.

"Sweetie, sleep a little longer, just a little while."

She kept her eyes closed, unwilling to open them; she had only slept for two hours since she returned.

Ji Qingwu longed to continue her journey with Zhou Gong (the Duke of Zhou in Chinese mythology), but the child woke up and began to speak clearly.

It chattered away in her ear like a never-ending little chatterbox.

She rubbed the little rascal's bottom and finally lifted his eyelashes.

With a sweet smile, Chiu Chiu asked, "When did Mother arrive?"

Ji Qingwu's voice still sounded sleepy.

"last night."

Chiu Chiu's little face nestled against her shoulder as she asked, "Did Mother come over after I fell asleep?"

Ji Qingwu touched the back of her head and replied, "Yes."

Chiu Chiu said, "Mother must have been missing Chiu Chiu so much that she couldn't sleep, so she came over in the middle of the night, right?"

Ji Qingwu nodded slightly, feeling a little guilty.

Last night, the emperor took her to the rooftop. It was only to appease him and stop him from throwing a tantrum that he thought of this little girl who could save the day.

The urge to chirp when unable to sleep is indeed valid when taken out of context.

Chuchu immediately showered Chuchu with several passionate kisses.

When Granny Li heard the commotion and came in, she was quite surprised to see Ji Qingwu sitting on the bed.

"When did the Fifth Miss enter the household?"

Yesterday, Granny Li accompanied Madam Qiao back first. A maid came to deliver a message saying that Princess Qingyun wanted to keep the Fifth Miss for a chat.

Just as Ji Qingwu was about to speak, Qiuqiu stood on the bed with her hands on her hips and said in a refined manner, "Mother is thinking of you day and night, tossing and turning in bed."

Granny Li asked, "What does the young lady mean by that?"

Chiu Chiu boasted, "Granny, it means that Mother misses me at night and can't sleep, so she couldn't help but come to find me."

Granny Li suddenly realized and chimed in, "So that's what it means."

Ji Qingwu helped Qiuqiu put on a light purple short blouse and looked at her with a smile.

Granny Li continued with an admiring look, "Young Miss's talent is too remarkable. This old servant thinks she is no less talented than those great scholars."

The little girl raised her chin as her mother fastened the buttons around her neck.

After putting on her clothes, Ji Qingwu patted Qiuqiu's little arm.

She smiled and said, "Alright, Scholar Qiu, hurry up and wash up. After breakfast, Master Main will be here to teach."

Upon hearing that it was her favorite Master Mei, Qiuqiu happily stepped off the ground with her short legs.

Recently, Qiao and Ji Qingwu discussed what the little girl liked and how she could learn and master one of the Six Arts.

The Qiao family specially hired various tutors, and in addition to attending classes at the Imperial Study, Qiuqiu also had to take lessons at home every day.

Surprisingly, the little girl showed no resistance whatsoever. Today she rode a pony, tomorrow she drew flowers and birds; she was interested in everything.

With Granny Li present, Ji Qingwu had breakfast with Qiuqiu and then returned to Wutong Garden.

She wanted to catch up on her sleep, but after lying down, she stared at the top of the green gauze tent and couldn't fall asleep anymore.

Emperor Wusu was drunk last night and a bit difficult to deal with, but she had figured out his intentions. If he had to go to the palace sooner or later, she needed to make plans early and couldn't keep dragging it out like this.

Living day by day is not a long-term solution.

Ji Qingwu sprang up and sat up again.

"Lanzhi, come with me to the clinic."

But before they could even leave the Wutong Garden, a young eunuch rushed in.

"Miss Ji!"