Chapter 308 Apology and Repentance, Unexpected Events

Earlier, when Emperor Wusu regained consciousness and learned of Ji Qingwu's marriage, his angry outburst and subsequent vomiting of blood truly shocked them all.

At that time, Li Yuzong, Lu Duan, and the other two left the hall and gathered together to reach a consensus on the matter of Ji Qingwu.

Emperor Wusu's coughing up blood made them begin to reflect on whether they had not done enough as his subjects.

There is only one emperor. If he gets angry, where will they find such a wise ruler again?

So, several enthusiastic ministers bumped heads, wanting to share the emperor's burdens.

Therefore, the conclusion they reached was that they would treat Miss Ji's affairs as if they were the Emperor's affairs and handle them with utmost care.

The more things go smoothly for Ji Qingwu, the less Emperor Wusu worries.

The Zhaoyang Palace was completely silent.

Emperor Wusu sat heavily behind his desk.

Li Yuzong snapped out of his thoughts and quickly explained in a low voice, "Lord Lu is only concerned about Miss Ji's safety."

Zhao Mingyan said coldly, "Why is Lu Juan taking the initiative? Is it his turn to draw attention?"

That tone, that expression...

Li Yuzong realized that they couldn't be too lenient with each other.

"Then, this old servant will go and call Lord Lu back." With that, he prepared to leave.

Zhao Mingyan waved his hand and said reluctantly, "Never mind, let him be."

Then he added, "After nightfall, summon him to the palace."

Li Yuzong lowered his head and stepped aside. While Emperor Wusu was looking at the map of carriages, his eyes darted around.

They still need to find time to meet up and have a small meeting to keep things in check.

*

When Lu Juan arrived at the Song residence.

As soon as the gatekeeper opened the gate for him, a magnificent golden archway stood before him.

Lu Juan stopped in his tracks.

He had heard of this archway before, but what truly surprised him was that it was surrounded by people.

The servants of the entire mansion carried him and stood in seven rows.

Anyone who comes in and sees such a scene will hesitate to enter.

Just as Lu Juan was stroking his chin, analyzing whether such a grand scene meant Song Wei wanted to kick him out of the Song residence, or was a welcoming ceremony for him...

The crowd suddenly dispersed, and Lu Juan cautiously hid behind a thick, dark doorpost.

The stone pillar felt warm to the touch. He carefully examined it and discovered that the outer layer of the pillar was covered with a layer of black jade. The Song family's wealth was truly enough to rival half a country.

Before Lu Juan could finish his sigh, he heard that familiar, soft voice again.

"I chose this compromise because I was at Lord Su's request."

Ji Qingwu walked leisurely to the opposite side of the crowd, followed by two people.

"Back then, Lord Song led a group of people to the clinic and made a scene in front of the people of Lin'an, saying that my clinic was killing people and causing incalculable damage to the clinic's reputation."

"Right now, all you need to do is offer a small apology in front of the entire household. That wouldn't be too much to ask, would it?"

Lu Juan touched the black jade and listened to Ji Qingwu's frank and generous words, cheering for his fifth sister in his heart.

It seems he doesn't need to get involved.

Lu Juan was filled with mixed feelings. Not long ago, this fifth sister would always have a wronged look on her face when she encountered something, and her gentleness was evident from the bottom of her heart.

Now that she's so powerful, she can still put on airs and punish her son-in-law in front of that old fox, Prime Minister Su.

But what exactly is this "small apology" that Ji Qingwu is referring to?

Lu Juan quietly turned his head to look.

Song Wei's face looked as if it had been coated with a layer of grayish-black paste, and it was taut.

He glanced at Su Fengyue, and seeing that he remained silent, he could only admit defeat.

Song Wei said unwillingly, "Madam Wei, we will still have to meet in Lin'an in the future, so why not save some face for each other?"

Ji Qingwu asked, "Lord Song, when and where do you think we will meet next?"

Song Wei hinted, "No one's life is always smooth sailing. If Madam Wei ever needs my help in the future, I will remember Madam Wei's magnanimity today."

The Song family's wealth was enough to make people envious, and many high-ranking officials and nobles vied to befriend them. The fact that Prime Minister Su married his daughter to Song Wei was also largely due to the Song family's immense wealth.

Ji Qingwu said dismissively, "But I am small and insignificant. Lord Song, please be more decisive and get it done quickly, the sun is about to set."

Seeing that persuasion was futile, Song Wei took a deep breath, flicked his sleeves, and stood before all the family members and servants of the mansion.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he first took off his fourth-rank blue robe and put on his undergarments.

After removing his clothes in public, the muscles under his eyes were twitching, and he also took off the golden crown on his head.

After reaching adulthood, men were required to wear a hair crown, and removing the hair crown was considered a great disgrace.

Song Wei bowed respectfully, his clothes disheveled.

A strange light flashed in Ji Qingwu's eyes as he finished bowing and raised his head.

She smiled faintly and said, "That won't do."

Song Wei gritted his teeth and said, "What exactly do you want?"

Ji Qingwu's gaze fell on his black boots: "According to the rules of aristocratic families, one should go barefoot and remove one's hat to apologize. Lord Song, you are missing one thing."

She sought the opinion of those around her, asking, "Lord Su, you've seen a lot, don't you think?"

Su Fengyue nodded and said, "That's right."

But Ji Qingwu could have reminded Song Wei before he bowed.

But she didn't.

Lu Juan, hidden behind the gatepost, smiled silently.

He made another new discovery.

Previously, he had misjudged Fifth Sister, thinking she was a piece of white mutton fat jade, but he did not expect her to be a black and hard dark blue jade.

Song Wei had no choice but to bend down, take off his boots and socks, and, with resentment in his eyes, stand on the stone pavement and bow to Ji Qingwu again in apology.

This time, Ji Qingwu nodded in satisfaction.

"I have received Lord Song's remorse. Please do not repeat this mistake in the future."

Ji Qingwu said, "Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't know how Lord Song will treat me next time we meet."

"Alright, I'll be waiting for the next time!"

The servants around Song Wei hurriedly came up to help him get dressed, but he scolded them and sent them away. He then left with his shoes, socks, and clothes.

Logically speaking, it was rare for officials in the imperial court to barefoot and remove their hats to apologize.

Because... I cannot bear such humiliation.

However, Song Wei's personality was such that he valued personal gain over integrity.

Among the social classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants were considered the lowest class. In order to enter the court as an official, Song Wei learned of Prime Minister Su's peculiarities and deliberately pandered to them, thus gaining the opportunity to marry Su's daughter, which enabled him to enter officialdom.

Ji Qingwu picked the easy target.

Seeing that there was nothing for him to do here, Lu Juan quietly left first.

Ji Qingwu raised his eyebrows and said, "I'm leaving. Lord Su, there's no need to see me off."

Su Fengyue smiled and said, "I was just about to leave anyway, so I'll go with Madam Wei."

But Ji Qingwu left before he could finish speaking.

Su Fengyue watched the graceful figure in pale green disappear through the gate, his smile vanishing, replaced by a strange glint in his eyes.

As soon as Ji Qingwu stepped out of the Song residence, he frowned.

Su Daiyue seemed terrified of returning to the Su family. She preferred to stay with Song Wei, who might kill her at any moment, and even preferred to die rather than return to the Su family.

As Ji Qingwu walked, he gathered all his thoughts together in his mind.

Suddenly.

My mind went blank, as if it had short-circuited.