IF line 11: No heartache, only backache.
Zhao Mingyan raised his arms to help her down from the carriage.
With so many onlookers, Ji Qingwu embarrassedly slapped his hand away, then nimbly leaped off the carriage.
A hint of helplessness flashed in Zhao Mingyan's eyes as he said, "Let's go in."
Ji Qingwu smiled and nodded, then followed him into the Marquis's residence.
Everyone in the Marquis's residence showed expressions of surprise.
The young master is cold-hearted and aloof, used to being alone, and only has Li Yuzong as his close attendant.
But now, a girl has appeared by his side. Although the two do not act overly intimately, it is precisely this casual and unrestrained manner that reveals that their relationship is extraordinary.
Ji Fangmin stared at Ji Qingwu's back and said to the old woman, "Go and find out whose family this woman belongs to, and how she got involved with the young master."
What shocked the entire Marquis's mansion even more happened.
The girl the prince brought back stayed in his room, while Zhao Mingyan slept alone in the study.
Moreover, all matters in the Crown Prince's courtyard must first be reported to Ji Qingwu, and Li Yuzong must also obtain her approval before carrying out his duties.
Ji Fangmin sent people to investigate and learned that the woman was originally a doctor accompanying the army. Seeing her in the mansion, she acted like the wife of a prince. Ji Fangmin hurriedly returned to the Ji family and discussed the matter with the old lady of the Ji family.
Later that evening, she returned to the Marquis's residence, bringing with her the fourth young lady of the Ji family, Ji Qingyuan.
Since returning to Lin'an, Zhao Mingyan has been extremely busy.
He stayed in the study, firstly because he was busy with affairs and did not want to disturb Ji Qingwu's sleep, and secondly because he had already returned home and needed to consider her reputation.
That day, Zhao Mingyan was still discussing matters with his advisors in his study in the front yard, while Ji Qingwu was in the room pondering the recipe for medicinal cuisine.
The table was covered with papers. She held a calligraphy brush and occasionally frowned as she sketched.
The fertility system only has two months left to work on her; if she can't get pregnant by then, things will be terrible.
Is she not trying hard enough? Does she have to exchange for that Liu Zi Dan?
Ji Qingwu was so worried that she bit her pen, but the side effects of the medicine were unknown, and she would regret it if something went wrong.
Just then, two people suddenly entered through the door without any servants announcing their arrival.
Ji Qingwu recognized the person who came, put down his paper and pen, stood up and said, "Madam Hou".
Ji Fangmin adopted the air of a hostess and smiled, "No need for formalities, sit down and let's talk."
Ji Qingyuan sat next to her aunt, head held high, looking down at Ji Qingwu with her nostrils flared, like a proud pink peacock.
Ji Qingwu sensed the obvious hostility and could guess why; in recent days, a lot of rumors had reached her ears.
She asked, "Does the Lady Marquis have something to say?"
Ji Fangmin took the initiative to build rapport: "Miss Ji, it's quite a coincidence that we both have the surname Ji. Who knows, we might have been from the same family eight hundred years ago."
She pointed to the person next to her and introduced, "This is my niece from my maternal family. She comes from a distinguished family and is well-educated and sensible. From a young age, she has..."
The rest of her speech was all about praising how outstanding her niece was.
Ji Qingwu wasn't paying attention; her eyes flickered.
They all share the surname Ji? The system can't possibly be that coincidental, can it?!
Seeing Ji Qingwu's dazed expression, Ji Fangmin's eyes flashed with disdain. She was just a country girl; she must have felt ashamed of herself after seeing Qingyuan.
She smiled and said, "Miss Ji, I see that you are about the same age as Yuan'er, so I treat you as a junior in the family. Although the young master dotes on you now, you have never had a proper title or status. I understand your heartache."
Ji Qingwu felt no heartache, only back pain.
She asked, "Madam Hou, what do you mean?"
Ji Fangmin said hesitantly, "I like you very much too, but..."
She sighed and said, "Let's be frank. Yan'er is still the heir apparent, but in another month or so, he will ascend the throne."
Ji Qingwu nodded. She knew more than Ji Fangmin and understood Zhao Mingyan's thoughts better.
It won't even take a month or two. As long as the country is without a ruler, the people will never feel at ease. A new emperor will be appointed in as little as a month.
Ji Fangmin said, "How about this, I can make the decision now to make you a concubine. You can be a mistress in the future, and if you're lucky, you can even become the head of a palace and enjoy wealth and honor for the rest of your life."
Upon hearing the title of the First Palace Master, Ji Qingyuan rolled her eyes.
That eye roll completely ruined her noble lady demeanor.
Ji Qingwu couldn't help but laugh out loud, finding the aunt and niece quite amusing.
She politely declined, saying, "There's no need for you to trouble yourself, Madam Hou."
Seeing that she wouldn't agree, Ji Fangmin had already shown her respect by personally coming here to offer her the terms first.
She rebuked him, "Do you think that just because the Crown Prince and the Princess broke off their engagement, he can marry you? A girl like Qingyuan is worthy of the Empress's position. Don't dream!"
Ji Qingwu wasn't angry and said nonchalantly, "Do you have to care what I dream about? But this isn't something you can decide. You should worry less and eat more tonics. I think the wrinkles around your eyes seem to have deepened."
Ji Fangmin was taken aback, quickly touched the corner of her eye, and said, "You'll suffer sooner or later, Qingyuan, let's go!"
Ji Qingwu smiled faintly as he saw the two off.
But after the person left, her lips fell silent.
Zhao Mingyan and the princess broke off their engagement? When did that happen? He hadn't told her about it.
Also, Qingyuan, Ji Qingyuan...
Their names are so similar.
Ji Qingwu looked out the window, wondering if she, too, would be able to secure the position of Empress if she were a daughter of the Ji family.
His favor alone is not enough.
After inquiring about the Ji family's past, Ji Qingwu went to the Ji family the next day.
When the gatekeeper of the Ji residence announced that someone had come to visit, Ji Fangmin, who had returned to her parents' home, heard it was her and angrily said, "Mother, she even followed me here. I'll go out and send her back."
Both the eldest daughter-in-law, Qiao, and the second daughter-in-law, Wu, were present. Neither of them dared to advise their younger sister-in-law, because Ji Fangmin's status had risen dramatically and she would soon become the Empress Dowager.
Madam Ji said, "You're going? Or will she upset you again?"
Ji Fangmin sat down and said anxiously, "Mother, please help me. She's a vixen who has won over the young master's heart. If we can't control her now, she'll be able to ride roughshod over us in the future."
Normally, Zhao Mingyan had no one by her side, and she managed the entire Hou Mansion. Ji Fangmin was used to being in charge of the household, and when she learned that Zhao Mingyan might become the Empress Dowager, Ji Fangmin's ambition grew even stronger.
The old lady calmly said, "Let her in."
Ji Qingwu entered Shou'an Hall, first looked around at the people in the room, and quickly locked his gaze on the serious and dignified woman sitting on the lower left.
Madam Ji said, "Whose maid is this? She entered my mansion without greeting anyone or introducing herself. Such poor manners!"
Without saying a word, Ji Qingwu took out the pair of koi jade pendants from his pocket, catching everyone off guard.
Qiao immediately became unsteady on her feet, got up and took the things from her hands, her lips trembling.
"you......"
Qiao looked at her through teary eyes, wanting to reach out and touch her face, but hesitating: "Are you Xiao Wu?"
She said softly, "I am Qingwu."
Qiao hugged her tightly, calling her her darling, which made Ji Qingwu's eyes sting with tears.
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