Chapter 268 If you leave now, it will be difficult to come back.
Princess Huachang visited Emperor Wusu in his bedchamber for a moment, then went to a separate palace to stay temporarily.
The candles in Zhaoyang Palace burned all night long.
The next morning.
Chen, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, came to take his pulse. He stroked his gray beard and couldn't come up with a proper diagnosis for a long time.
Ji Qingwu was aware of Emperor Wusu's condition.
She stayed up all night curled up in a chair, checking her pulse every hour.
Emperor Wusu's condition remained unchanged, showing no signs of improvement or deterioration.
The pulse was as thin as a thread, as if it were about to break, yet it was remarkably steady.
Fortunately, things have stabilized.
As the sun rose, Ji Qingwu stepped outside the palace and finally met Duan Mingfeng at the door.
He led several hundred black-clad Imperial Guards and completely surrounded Zhaoyang Palace.
Let alone people, anything that wants to enter the hall must be personally inspected by Duan Mingfeng.
Upon seeing Ji Qingwu emerge, Duan Mingfeng cupped his hands and greeted her, "Miss Ji."
He also learned of Wei Ting's marriage to Ji Qingwu, but unlike Prince Yong and Qingyun, he was not furious. His attitude towards her remained unchanged, and his face was as gloomy as ever.
Ji Qingwu returned the greeting, saying, "Lord Duan."
Judging from the dark circles under her eyes, she hadn't slept all night, and she was carrying a bundle in her hand.
Duan Mingfeng said, "Where is Miss Ji going? If she goes out now, it will be difficult for her to come back."
These words seemed to have a hidden meaning. Ji Qingwu turned around and looked at the magnificent, ornately decorated hall.
She said, "I probably won't be coming back."
Duan Mingfeng stood motionless in front of her, as if he wanted to stop her or say something.
But after exchanging a glance with Li Yuzong, who was standing at the door, he finally stepped aside.
Today marks the first time in many years since the founding of the Northern Li Kingdom that Emperor Wusu has suspended court proceedings, aside from normal days off.
Although the official explanation was that the emperor was unwell, rumors of an assassination attempt were already circulating in the streets and alleys, and the emperor was seriously injured and about to die.
The people walking on the streets of Lin'an did not have smiles on their faces. They were worried about the emperor's health, and many people spontaneously went to Hanshan Temple to pray for him.
At the same time, news spread that General Wei Ting, who had been reinstated, was getting married.
The woman he is to marry is none other than the Miss Ji, whom he had previously sought to marry in court, and the wedding ceremony is to be held tomorrow.
The entire Wei family was running around in a flurry of activity.
Upon receiving these two pieces of news, two members of the Ji family fainted.
When Madam Ji learned that the Empress Dowager had lost the struggle for the throne to Prince Yong, she worried that the Ji family's future would be even more difficult.
The other person who fainted was Mrs. Qiao, who was heartbroken over her daughter.
Ji Qingwu returned home in the morning. She walked into Wutongyuan, casually threw down the package in her hand, and looked at the bare yard in front of her.
Last night, she rode back on horseback and ransacked the flowerbeds in the yard.
Now only one herb remains standing, the one that Emperor Wusu once personally watered, the one with special effects.
The other herbs, which Ji Qingwu thought the emperor might be able to use, were all taken away.
But he will never be able to use this plant in his lifetime.
Ji Qingwu gazed at the lone seedling, not even having time to feel sad, when Lanzhi caught sight of a figure in the courtyard and ran out of the house.
He called out breathlessly, "Fifth Miss! You're finally back!"
Ji Qingwu's head was buzzing from her shouting. He asked, "Why are you so panicked? What happened?"
Lanzhi said, "Fifth Miss, the First Madam fainted after hearing the news from the palace."
Ji Qingwu slapped his forehead. The matter was urgent, and he had forgotten to give Qiao a heads-up first.
She hurried to Anjuyuan.
Chunhua came down from the corridor to greet her: "Fifth Miss, please come in."
As Ji Qingwu walked, he asked, "How is my mother?"
Chunhua said, "We have called a doctor to come and see her. The old lady has woken up now, but she was shocked when she heard the news about Miss."
As soon as Ji Qingwu pushed open the door, Qiao heard the sound and immediately asked, "Is it Xiao Wu who's back?"
She walked quickly to the bedside and said, "Mother, it's me."
Qiao grabbed her arm and hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her face.
“You have suffered so much injustice in the palace these past few days, and you have to be forced by that heartless Wei Ting.”
The air in Qiao's arms was sweet and warm. If she could, Ji Qingwu would love to bury her head in them and never get up, regardless of the wind and rain outside.
Ji Qingwu rubbed his face against Qiao's shoulder, then looked up at Qiao's pale face.
She held Qiao's hand and comforted her, "Mother, I'm fine, everything's alright, you can see for yourself."
Mother and daughter are of one heart. Knowing that Ji Qingwu was in a difficult situation, Qiao pretended not to see the haggard look on Xiao Wu's face and suppressed her heartache.
Since some things are destined to happen, we still have to face them.
Madam Qiao said, "My fifth daughter is as beautiful as a fairy descended from heaven."
Ji Qingwu tugged at the corners of her mouth, forcing a smile.
At this moment, Chunhua rushed in and said, "Grandma, Fifth Miss."
Qiao asked, "What's wrong?"
Chunhua said cautiously, "The Wei family sent more than sixty boxes of betrothal gifts, which filled the main courtyard."
Ji Qingwu frowned and said, "Tell them to put it down, then leave."
Chunhua said, "They also sent the wedding dress and golden crown for tomorrow, a total of eight sets. They said that General Wei personally went to various embroidery shops to choose them, and invited Miss Wu to go and choose the one she likes best."
Ji Qingwu said, "Then let's choose the first set and go."
Qiao pressed her hand down and said, "Xiao Wu, why don't you go and take a look?"
"Although Wei Ting's methods towards you were too harsh, since you are going to marry him, don't make things too ugly, otherwise your life in the Wei family will really be difficult in the future."
Qiao had long cursed Wei Ting in her heart, but as a mother, she had to think about her daughter's future.
Ji Qingwu said indifferently, "I can't wait for him to get tired of me sooner."
Madam Qiao sighed and said, "Wei Ting cares about you quite a bit. He even took the time out of his busy schedule to pick out auspicious clothes for you. This care is the foundation for your future stability in the Wei family, do you understand?"
Ji Qingwu nodded casually, clearly not having listened.
Mrs. Qiao was unwilling to offer any further advice; she herself felt a tightness in her chest as she spoke.
"Xiao Wu, your marriage was too rushed. Your father and brothers couldn't make it back in time... "
Ji Qingwu grasped Qiao's hand in return: "Mother, you don't need to say anything, I understand."
Qiao forced herself to stay alert and tried to prepare a dowry list for Xiao Wu's wedding.
Ji Qingwu pressed Qiao down firmly on the bed.
“Mother, you already gave me those shops before; they were part of my dowry, so there’s no need to prepare anything else.”
Mrs. Qiao disagreed, saying, "This is against the rules. How can a bride leave home without a dowry? People will laugh at her."
Ji Qingwu raised an eyebrow and said, "How can you expect to get married within three days?"
"If anyone is being unruly, it's Wei Ting. Let the whole city laugh at him."
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