Chapter 16 The Overbearing and Destructive Medicine
Ji Changyan blocked the carriage, and the coachman dared not make a move.
More and more people gathered around to look.
Ji Changyan persisted, "What's the rush? You don't even have time to say a few words to His Highness?"
Is her third brother an idiot?!
On a busy street, they expect her to chat with Prince Yong? Do they think she's some lowly woman?
Ji Qingwu held back her temper for a long time before finally speaking, "I need to go to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence. My elder sister and brother-in-law are still waiting for me."
When Ji Changyan heard that she was going to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence and wanted her to accompany them to a teahouse for a drink, he couldn't bring himself to say it. He stole a glance at Prince Yong, waiting for him to make a decision.
In terms of rank, the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion is naturally inferior to that of Prince Yong.
However, the Lady of Zhongyong Marquis is the emperor's maternal aunt, and the heir apparent Lu Juan is the emperor's cousin, who is currently highly favored in the court.
Prince Yong's expression changed, and he said with a mix of threat and persuasion, "Since there's something else going on, I won't invite my fifth cousin for tea. But please don't refuse next time."
The person inside the curtain remained silent.
Just now, Ji Qingwu deliberately mentioned her brother-in-law, because she had overheard Qiao Shi say that her brother-in-law, Lu Juan, grew up with the current emperor and their relationship was even deeper than that of blood brothers, surpassing even that of Prince Yong.
The Ji family married their eldest daughter off to the Empress Dowager, hoping to solidify their position and that of the family through marriage.
When Ji Qingwu's carriage arrived at the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence, servants and maids were already waiting at the gate.
The servant led the coachman to find a place to settle down, and the maidservant bowed respectfully: "Fifth Miss, Madam got up early this morning and has been waiting for you. Please come with me."
Ji Qingwu nodded with a smile.
Upon entering the courtyard, a gray brick path leads directly to the main hall, dividing the area into an east garden and a west garden.
"The lady resides in Ninghua Hall in the East Garden."
Ji Qingwu followed the maid all the way. The Hou Mansion's courtyard was much larger than the Ji family's, and the scenery was indescribably elegant and interesting.
On the road, they encountered a slightly plump woman dressed in gorgeous clothes. Before she spoke, the woman smiled and said, "Xin'er, this must be the younger sister of your third brother's wife, right?"
"Second Madam, this is indeed Fifth Miss. My mistress is waiting for her."
Ji Qingwu smiled and nodded. It turned out that this was the second sister-in-law Feng Shuang that the eldest sister had mentioned.
Feng Shuang warmly invited, "Sister, you are such a beauty! I love being with young and beautiful girls. If you have time, come and sit in my yard."
The two politely brushed past each other.
Once Ji Qingwu and Xin'er disappeared from sight, Second Madam Feng Shuang immediately stopped laughing and said sarcastically, "Her face looks just like her older sister's. She's good at seducing people. She's so young and has already had a child with someone. How dare such a withered flower come to the Marquis's mansion as a guest?"
This is completely different from his smiling and welcoming demeanor just now.
The maidservant beside her quickly reminded her, "Second Madam, we are still outside."
Feng Shuang glanced at her and said, "Go find someone to inquire and see what she came to the manor for."
When Ji Qingwu arrived at her elder sister's Ninghua Hall, sweat began to bead on her forehead.
Although the dress was beautiful, she couldn't take big steps; she could only move around in small, delicate steps.
But to the people of the Marquis's mansion, her moon-white outer skirt, as she moved, resembled a soft cloud floating at her feet, and her pale blue lotus ribbons fluttered along with it, making her look like an ethereal, otherworldly woman.
Ji Qingrong saw her through the window.
When the fifth sister came in, she joked, "If you didn't know better, you'd think a fairy princess had come to my courtyard."
After entering the room, Ji Qingwu plopped down in a chair and fanned himself with his hand.
"Elder sister, I wish I were a fairy so I could fly in directly. The Marquis's mansion is so big, and I've been walking for so long, I estimate it must be several miles."
Ji Qingrong was amused by her charming appearance and instructed, "Xin'er, prepare tea for the Fifth Miss. Brew the newly acquired Xuemo Qingcha tea."
Seeing Ji Qingwu's flushed face, Ji Qingrong had someone bring out a newly scented handkerchief to wipe her sweat.
Ji Qingwu tilted her head back, enjoying her elder sister's gentle care.
"Fifth Sister, what would you like to eat for lunch? I'll have the kitchen prepare it early. We'll have lunch at Ninghua Hall today."
Ji Qingwu shook her head: "Elder sister, the Marquis's mansion usually eats together with the old lady, right? It's more lively when there are more people eating together."
Ji Qingrong knew that her younger sister was being considerate of her current difficult situation and didn't want her to lose face in front of the old lady.
Xin'er poured Ji Qingwu a cup of tea. Ji Qingwu was indeed thirsty, so he picked it up and took a sip: "It is indeed good tea."
It has a sweet taste upon entry, with no astringency whatsoever.
Ji Qingrong smiled and said, "Having a meal in my own courtyard is no problem. I'm not that useless."
Seeing that her elder sister didn't seem to be putting on a brave face, Ji Qingwu was naturally happy to accept it. When a group of people eat together, there are rules, and it's hard to say whether they can get enough to eat.
She winked at Ji Qingrong.
The important business I came here for today hasn't been taken care of yet.
"Alright, you may all leave." Only Xin'er remained in the room to serve.
Xin'er took a kraft paper package from the white rosewood cabinet with the three-tiered inner cabinet and carefully handed it to Ji Qingwu.
After she opened it, she saw that there were about ten contraceptive pills left inside. She picked one up and sniffed it.
"Xin'er, could you please give me a bowl of water?"
When the water arrived, Ji Qingwu put the dumpling into the water to dissolve it. Looking at the fragments inside and the water that had turned blackish-yellow, he pondered for a moment.
Then he started stirring it with the silver hairpin again.
Ji Qingrong was afraid of disturbing her, but she couldn't help but ask, "Fifth Sister, is there something wrong with these pills?"
Ji Qingwu raised his head, his brows furrowed, and his expression was not good.
She said firmly, "The contraceptive pill is fine."
Upon receiving the negative answer, Ji Qingrong breathed a sigh of relief.
She was on tenterhooks all night. If it really was the pills that were the problem, she would live with regret for the rest of her life.
However, Ji Qingwu said solemnly, "Big sister, the biggest problem is that there is no problem."
They initially thought that the contraceptive pill had damaged their bodies, causing infertility, but after ruling that out, what was the cause?
The most dangerous thing is not finding the cause.
Ji Qingrong also realized this, and felt even more distressed. Was she destined to have no children?
Ji Qingwu took her pulse yesterday and was certain that her eldest sister must have taken some kind of potent and dangerous medicine, which had damaged her body's foundation.
She tentatively asked, "Have you had any other illnesses or taken any other medications in the past few years?"
Ji Qingrong thought back and slowly shook her head.
Xin'er also said, "Our lady has never had a serious illness in recent years. She does have minor typhoid fever, but she gets better after drinking some nourishing soup. She has never needed to take medicine."
That's really strange.
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