Chapter 21 Alarming the Emperor? A Written Agreement
Ji Qingrong was startled by her fifth sister's words.
She was exhausted, but she knew that she couldn't really bring such a scandal to the emperor's attention, or it would become known to the whole world and bring shame to both families.
As if she knew her worries, Ji Qingwu shielded her elder sister behind her and whispered in her ear, "Elder sister, I'll take care of this. Don't worry."
Ji Qingrong nodded, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.
When Lu Juan saw his wife being pulled behind him, his brows furrowed and his eyes sharpened.
Ji Qingwu looked up and met Lu Juan's gaze openly.
Lu Juan had served in the government for a long time and had also been trained in the Dali Temple. His imposing presence when he frowned was extraordinary, and no woman or child dared to be afraid of him.
But Ji Qingwu was not afraid at all; she had seen even colder and fiercer people before!
Her style of doing things is always to be polite first and then forceful. She tries to show weakness first to see if she can get away with it. If she can't, it doesn't matter.
She also possesses immense power.
Previously, she thought that Zizhu was just a maid, and it wasn't worth arguing with her or lowering herself.
But since Madam Cui had said such harsh words, Ji Qingwu, as the eldest sister's family member, represented the entire Ji family.
At this moment, Ji Qingwu still had tear stains at the corners of his eyes, but his dark eyes revealed a calm demeanor.
She was completely different from the beautiful young woman who had been crying just moments before.
Lu Juan was momentarily lost in thought.
It wasn't her beauty that attracted him, but rather the aura she exuded that reminded him of Prince Yuan Heng in the palace.
Yesterday, when he went to the palace, he unexpectedly saw the Emperor punishing the young prince.
Yuan Heng's palms were bleeding from the blows from the ruler, and even he couldn't bear to look at them.
Lu Juan stood at the entrance of Qian Yuan Palace, secretly alarmed. He had heard that the young prince had fallen into the water, but instead of comfort, he was punished.
However, since Emperor Wusu punished Yuan Heng, it must be because he made a mistake or angered His Majesty.
Through the crack in the palace door, one could see Yuan Heng's eyes, which were remarkably similar to His Majesty's, were streaming with tears of pain. Yet, he still met the cold-hearted emperor's gaze with unwavering determination, as if he too was steadfastly protecting someone.
Then, a faint sigh could be heard from Emperor Wusu...
Lu Juan snapped out of his daze and solemnly reminded her, "Fifth Sister, the Emperor is very busy with state affairs and may not have time to meet with you. Please don't act rashly."
Ji Qingwu laughed, puzzled, and said, "Was I impulsive? I thought it was the Grand Madam who was impulsive. If the Grand Madam hadn't pushed me to the edge, I wouldn't have wanted to alarm His Majesty."
She noticed the strange atmosphere between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor when she entered the palace a few days ago, and just now she heard from Cui that the Ji family was powerful and had a hidden threat to the imperial power.
Going directly to the emperor, even with the empress dowager's support, would inevitably hasten the estrangement between the two.
This is a poor choice.
Ji Qingwu said, "Young Master Lu, I can also choose not to go to His Majesty. All I want is a fair and impartial decision."
Lu Juan understood her meaning and turned to Cui Shi, gesturing, "Mother."
Hearing Ji Qingwu say that he wanted to ask the emperor for a judgment, Cui Shi finally realized what was going on.
Although she held the Ji family in contempt, if this matter reached the emperor, it would be the Marquis's family and she who would lose face.
Although Cui was his aunt, she was afraid of Emperor Wusu every time she saw him. It was as if he could see right through her every thought and trick in the book.
Cui's face was tense, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were as deep as ravines. She tried her best to suppress the disgust in her heart.
After taking a deep breath, he asked with a sharp look in his eyes, "Tell me, what do you want to do?"
Ji Qingwu did not answer directly, but instead started talking about other things as if they were just having a casual chat.
"I heard from my elder sister that the youngest daughter of the Grand Madam, Lu Yun, is almost of marriageable age. If outsiders find out that her mother mistreated her daughter-in-law and even did something as cruel as drugging her, I wonder how the noble family will view Miss Lu?"
Lu Yun is Lu Juan's biological younger sister, born of the same mother, and is the apple of Cui's eye.
Ji Qingwu pinched his chin and analyzed, "Everyone says that a wife should be virtuous, and most aristocratic families would probably avoid her like the plague."
Prominent families value reputation and upbringing above all else. If such a thing were to happen in the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion, it would not only bring shame and ridicule to the family, but it would also delay the marriages of the young men and women in the mansion.
Ji Qingwu saw through the Cui family.
This woman is not the kind of person who can be empathetic or warmed with sincerity.
Over the years, Cui has never taken Ji Qingrong's good deeds seriously.
Just as you have to strike a snake at its vital spot, she could only truly frighten Cui by hitting Cui right where it hurts.
Ji Qingwu said, "As a mother-in-law, if the Dowager doesn't care about her daughter-in-law's life or death, what about her own daughter? Does she not care about her either?"
These words struck Cui's heart like a heavy hammer.
Cui lost her balance, pointing an angry finger at her, her lips trembling: "You, you actually threatened me?!"
Ji Qingwu nodded and said indifferently, "Yes, Madam is really smart. I was just threatening Madam. Who told you to be in the wrong first?"
Madam Cui gritted her teeth in anger, then turned her gaze to her son with a helpless expression.
Lu Juan kept staring at Ji Qingrong, who was in a daze, as if nothing around him could attract his attention, and he didn't spare her a single glance.
Cui stared at her and asked, "What do you want?"
Ji Qingwu pretended to be thinking for a moment before slowly speaking.
"I want you to apologize to my older sister and make a written agreement as proof."
Mrs. Cui already had a plan in mind. The apology was not unexpected. But what was that written agreement?
She asked, "What kind of written agreement?"
Ji Qingwu smiled and explained, "Madam, this document is for record-keeping. You need to clearly state what mistakes you made and how you will correct them in the future. There is no word limit; feel free to write whatever you want."
She added, "Oh, and don't forget to sign your name and the time."
Cui had never suffered such humiliation. Writing it meant being controlled by others, but she had no choice but to do it.
"Xin'er, bring me a brush and ink, and help the Grand Madam write." Ji Qingwu casually called her in.
Cui's face was already flushed with anger, and she had just picked up her pen and written a few words.
Then, that annoying Fifth Miss Ji spoke again.
"Oh, right, Madam, there are also the concubines you went to so much trouble to find..." Ji Qingwu tilted her head and thought for a moment, "And two maids, kick them all out."
People who were brought in should be led out the same way.
Cui's pen stopped abruptly, and ink dripped onto the paper, leaving a glaring mark.
"Absolutely not!"
Ji Qingrong has ruined her body and can no longer have children. Lu Juan already has no one to serve him. If he doesn't even have concubines or maids, then he will really have no descendants. How can the title be passed on? He can't let it fall into the hands of those illegitimate sons.
Madam Cui said urgently, "The Marquis's mansion cannot be without an heir!"
The more eager she was to hold her grandson, the more Ji Qingwu found this woman despicable.
She made up her mind and decided not to tell them that her elder sister's symptoms were treatable.
We need to let Cui experience what it feels like to reap what you sow.
By the way, we should also test Lu Juan.
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