Chapter 380 I've come in disguise, no need for formalities
Madam Ji opened her droopy eyelids, and her eyes brightened.
"Changlin is back. Come quickly to your grandmother's side."
Ji Changlin addressed his father and mother, saying, "Father, Mother."
Mrs. Qiao patted her eldest son on the shoulder and got up to move aside from the bedside.
The old lady truly loved her two grandsons, and she tried to sit up.
Ji Changlin quickly stepped forward to support Madam Ji, saying, "Grandmother, I've only been gone a short time, and you've already fallen ill."
When Madam Ji saw her only remaining grandson, tears streamed down her face.
"Changlin, your third brother... he's gone. None of us even got to see him one last time..."
Ji Changlin, who was in Nanchu, also heard about this.
Ji Changyan's murder of the censor was a serious crime. He died in prison after being tortured. It was fortunate that no other members of the Ji family were implicated.
Ji Changlin said, "Grandmother, please don't be sad about Changyan's matter." He paused for a long time, then slowly said, "It was fate."
With tears in her eyes, Madam Ji said, "Changlin, your third brother is innocent. There must be someone behind him, and that person is Yong..."
Sitting at the foot of the bed, Ji Bolian held a bowl of medicine and glared angrily at the old lady, stopping her from uttering the name she was about to say.
"Mother! You can take medicine however you want, but you can't say whatever you want!"
Ji Qingwu, standing at the doorway, pursed her lips, suppressing an inappropriate laugh.
Her mother was right; her father sometimes said things that were truly impactful.
Inside the house, only Madam Qiao and Ji Qingwu knew the inside story behind Ji Changyan's affair, and neither of them would ever feel any sympathy for him.
Madam Ji looked even more heartbroken and said, "Changlin, your father has many grievances against me. I might as well go with Changyan and stay here to avoid upsetting him."
When Ji's father couldn't retaliate, Qiao pulled him aside and told him to go to the bedside to get some fresh air and calm down.
Ji Changlin said, "Grandmother, let's not talk about the past anymore. The right thing to do is to live our lives well now."
Ji Qingwu nodded in deep agreement and said softly, "Exactly."
Madam Ji turned her gaze to the doorway and saw that she had also arrived. The old lady pointed at her with her wrinkled index finger.
"Get out."
Ji Qingwu said, "I am a member of the Ji family, and I have come to visit my grandmother. Why is my grandmother asking me to leave?"
Madam Ji could no longer hide her emotions. Her voice was filled with hatred as she said, "You... it was because of you, you troublemaker, that Changyan lost his life."
Ji Qingwu raised her eyebrows in surprise. Only now did she understand why the old lady had always disliked her. The root of the problem lay in the death of Ji Changyan.
With clear eyes, she said, "Grandmother blamed me for this, but I am so wronged."
Madam Ji stared at her and said, "When the accident happened, you and Changyan were together. Why was it that only you returned safely? And what happened at that time? You have refused to say."
Qiao's expression also turned serious, and she shook her head at Ji Qingwu.
"Mother, please don't get agitated. Doctor Qi has already told you that you need to rest."
Madam Ji said, "I'm going to say it now. This is the thing that's been weighing on my heart: how pitiful my grandson is..."
She looked at Ji Qingwu and questioned loudly, "The Imperial City Guard and the Censorate were all here that night, and Prince Yong was also nearby. It's highly likely that you and Prince Yong conspired to use Changyan and then discard him."
The old lady was no longer as weak and feeble as before; she propped herself up and stared straight at her.
“Last time, when Princess Yong confronted you in Cining Palace, I don’t think it was all just empty talk. Tell me, what benefits did Prince Yong promise you that made you betray your own brother?”
Ji Qingwu remained silent, but he was also afraid that he might really anger the old lady to death.
She frowned, timidly moved to the side, and spoke softly.
“Grandmother, I swear that I have never had any illicit dealings with Prince Yong, nor have I ever made any deals with him.”
Upon hearing Xiao Wu's denial, Ji Bolian immediately turned around and said, "Mother, your voice is still full of energy; you can live for at least another twenty years."
Ji Changlin pressed down on Madam Ji's hand and said, "Grandmother, Fifth Sister wouldn't do that."
The old lady looked at them with heartache and said, "You guys, you've all been deceived by her. She's not like this obedient and docile person in front of me."
Ji Qingwu looked up, her expression aggrieved, and said, "Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. My grandmother has never liked me and always scolds me whenever she sees me... I was not convinced and talked back to you a few times."
As she spoke, she bit her lower lip, and her eyes began to well up with tears.
“I know I am not as pleasing to you as my fourth sister, simply because I grew up in the countryside and have embarrassed you.”
Ji Bolian interrupted, "Xiao Wu, don't say that."
He could no longer maintain the facade of a strict father.
"It's your fault for not taking good care of you. It's not your fault, and you're not at fault either."
Since Grandma Ji brought this up, we must find out the truth today.
"Since you say it has nothing to do with you, why won't you tell me what exactly happened that night?"
Ji Qingwu lowered his head, hesitating whether or not to tell the truth.
Ji Changlin pondered for a moment and said, "Fifth Sister, why don't we clear up this misunderstanding right here?"
Ji Bolian nodded, his eyes firm, and said, "Little Wu, speak freely and without worry. Your father will not be biased."
These words sound biased at first glance, but as for whose side they're biased towards...
Even someone as oblivious as Ji Qingwu could sense that the bias was towards him.
Qiao turned her head away; Ji's father actually wanted to give Xiao Wu a chance to prove his innocence.
But the fact that he was drugged with aphrodisiacs and sent to Prince Yong's pleasure boat is not only unsightly, but if this matter were to spread again after Xiao Wu enters the palace...
Qiao said, "Granny Feng, take the servants out."
Ji Qingwu sniffed, her pitiful gaze falling on Ji Bolian. Her father's words, "Forget it, don't say anything more, look how wronged the child is," were on the tip of his tongue.
A loud exclamation came from the doorway.
Judging from her voice, it was Ji Qingyuan who arrived late.
The entire Ji family looked towards the doorway.
A man dressed in a colorful brocade robe with purple-black trim and gold edges appeared before everyone.
Compared to their overly surprised and bewildered expressions, the person in front of them had a lighthearted demeanor, unlike his usual cold face in court, with a faint smile on his lips.
"I heard that the old lady was seriously ill, so I brought some tonics to visit her."
Ji Bolian and Ji Changlin were the first to react and were about to kneel down to pay their respects.
Li Yuzong, dressed in dark blue, quickly stepped forward to stop them and whispered, "His Majesty has come incognito, please do not stand on ceremony."
Ji Qingwu stared in disbelief at Emperor Wusu, who had suddenly appeared in his home.
We used to meet every night, but this time we met in broad daylight, and it feels a little... strange.
Zhao Mingyan's gaze swept over her, seemingly without lingering any longer.
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