Gu Jingyuan pointed at Ji Wujing’s nose, panting heavily, his face pale with rage. Finally, he squeezed out a sentence: “The poison you drank wasn’t potent enough. Why don’t you drink another bottle!”
Ji Wujing leaned to one side, his elbow resting on the armrest of his wheelchair, supporting his chin with one hand. He lazily said, “Your son-in-law endures the pain of illness every day just to wear mourning clothes for you in the future. How dare I go before you pass away, making you send off a young man with your old age? That would be too unfilial.”
Gu Jingyuan sneered and said, “Should I praise you for your filial piety? Good son.”
“Ah, good father.”
Gu Jingyuan stared at Ji Wujing’s smirking face, his teeth itching with hatred. How could there be such a shameless person in the world? He had known Ji Wujing for many years and had crossed paths with him a few times. Both had suffered losses at each other’s hands. Gu Jingyuan still remembered thinking back then—”A gentleman does not fight with a villain; it’s best to stay far away from Ji Zhao.”
He never expected the person he tried to stay away from would become his son-in-law, standing in front of him every day, annoying him. For the sake of his daughter, he couldn’t even draw his sword and cut him down. He really wanted to chase this scoundrel away, but he knew that if he did, his little girl would follow. How could Gu Jingyuan bear to part with his daughter?
It was truly frustrating.
“Let me ask you, did you indecently wear women’s clothing yesterday?” Gu Jingyuan glared at Ji Wujing with disdain, feeling disgusted even as he asked the question.
Ji Wujing hummed and smiled, “I didn’t realize before how comfortable it is to wear a skirt with bare legs. Unfortunately, the skirt was too small. What, does my father-in-law want to gift me a set that fits? You’re really a good father; I’m deeply grateful. Oh, by the way, I like red clothes.”
Gu Jingyuan’s eyes widened, “You still want to wear it? Do you want to wear it outside as well?”
Gu Jianli, seeing her father’s reaction, was worried he might get too upset. She quickly held her father’s arm and said, “Father, the market is lively lately. Fifth Master and I will take the children out for a stroll.”
Gu Jingyuan glanced back at the two children. Ji Xinglan blinked innocently at Gu Jingyuan, looking very well-behaved, while Ji Xinglou glared at Gu Jingyuan with a fierce look. Gu Jingyuan thought, ‘As expected, they are Ji Wujing’s children. Though they don’t look alike, their temperaments are equally bad.’
However, he wouldn’t argue with a child and, holding back his temper, said to Gu Jianli, “Taking the children out to play is fine, but why bring along a cripple?”
Gu Jianli’s original intention was to get Ji Wujing out of the house. Could she say that out loud? She had to say, “I thought the weather was nice today. It’s the weak who should go out, get some sun, and interact more with people.”
Gu Jingyuan understood his youngest daughter’s intention but had to pretend not to. He glared at Ji Wujing one more time before turning away in anger.
Gu Jianli asked Jixia to find small cotton jackets for Ji Xinglan and Ji Xinglou. She then squatted in front of Ji Wujing again and said, “We’re going out, so you can’t go without shoes and socks.”
After helping him put on his shoes and socks, Gu Jianli got up, moved behind him, and pushed his wheelchair. As the wheelchair was just pushed out of the courtyard, Gu Jianli bent down and whispered in Ji Wujing’s ear in a pleading tone, “Father’s temper has always been bad. What he said today was over the top; don’t mind it.”
Ji Wujing watched Ji Xinglou running ahead and didn’t pay much attention to what Gu Jianli said.
Gu Jianli thought he was still angry and said, “If you really like it, I can make you a dress. Please don’t be mad…”
Ji Wujing turned his face in surprise, looking at Gu Jianli, and met her sincere, clear eyes.
The fleeting surprise in Ji Wujing’s eyes was quickly suppressed. He casually smiled and said, “I’m not mad. Anyone would be furious to wake up and find themselves with a son-in-law like me.”
Gu Jianli lowered her eyes, her voice soft with a hint of apology, “It’s my fault. I didn’t explain it clearly to Father, and he misunderstood you.”
“It has nothing to do with you. Your father and I have been talking like this for over ten years.” Ji Wujing casually tapped Gu Jianli’s head, but the smile in his eyes faded, replaced by a rare seriousness.
It was still early in the year, and the markets in various cities and towns were bustling, especially in the imperial capital.
Gu Jianli bought many toys for Ji Xinglan and Ji Xinglou, with Changsheng following behind, hands full.
Gu Jianli then went to the ink shop, carefully choosing suitable writing tools for the children. Ji Xinglou and Ji Xinglan couldn’t delay any longer; they needed a tutor to properly teach them reading and writing.
Passing by a silk shop, Gu Jianli stopped and told Ji Wujing and the children to wait outside while she went in alone to select fabric.
After a long wait, Ji Xinglou rolled his eyes, “Why is she so slow in picking a piece of cloth? Women are such a hassle!”
Ji Xinglan didn’t like hearing this and frowned, saying, “Don’t say that. She took a long time picking out a toy bow for you too!”
Ji Xinglou turned his head away.
Gu Jianli came out holding two rolls of red fabric, one dark and one light, and smiled at Ji Wujing, asking, “Which color do you think is better?”
… She was really picking fabric to make him a dress?
Silly girl.
Ji Wujing helplessly gave her a deep look and casually pointed to one.
Not far across the street, in a teahouse, Zhang Yilun, the acting master of the Xuanjing Sect, was staring at Ji Wujing with an unclear expression.
“The master’s complexion seems much better,” Zhang Yilun said.
Zhao Jiang, beside him, glanced at Ji Wujing and said, “With the imperial physicians and Mr. Ji personally taking care of him, it’s no wonder the master looks better. But back then, during the mission, the master ingested a poison for which there’s no cure. He’s just hanging on to life.”
Observing Zhang Yilun’s reaction, Zhao Jiang squinted and flattered him, “Even though you’re just the acting master now, many in the sect already see you as the true master. Sooner or later, Xuanjing Sect will be yours.”
He obsequiously poured Zhang Yilun a cup of hot tea.
Zhang Yilun took a sip of tea, smiled, and said, “Don’t speak of such things in the future.”
Zhao Jiang’s small eyes darted around as he pondered Zhang Yilun’s words, then he beamed and nodded repeatedly, “Understood, understood!”
As the sun set in the west, Gu Jianli, worried it would get cold soon, didn’t delay and took the ailing Ji Wujing and the two children home. After settling Ji Wujing and the children, she hurried to her father’s place.
“Father, I bought you your favorite marinated meat. There were so many people in line; I almost didn’t get it.” Gu Jianli squatted in front of Gu Jingyuan, carefully massaging his legs. “Are your legs still hurting?”
Gu Jingyuan glanced at her, unable to stay angry at his daughter, feeling only tenderness. He pulled her to sit beside him and said, “Sit. Whatever you want to say, just say it.”
Gu Jianli spoke gently, “Please don’t be angry with Fifth Master. He’s always been like that; it’s not directed at you. It’s my fault for not explaining things properly to him.”
“What could you explain to him? Would he listen to you?” Gu Jingyuan snorted. “Don’t blame yourself. We have always bickered like this since we first met over a decade ago.”
Gu Jianli frowned, finding his words somewhat familiar.
Gu Jingyuan glanced at her and added, “Taking that patient out for a stroll, as if he’s the only sick person in the family!”
Gu Jianli was taken aback and quickly said, “It’s not the same, not the same! Fifth Master was poisoned and doesn’t have much time left. Your injury is an external one and can be healed.”
Gu Jingyuan laughed. His daughter’s implication was that the wretched Ji Wujing would die first!
This slowly dissipated the anger that had been simmering all afternoon.
But thinking of his daughter being married to such a scoundrel still made him uneasy. After hesitating for a long time, he asked, “Jianli, I heard that Ji Shao went to the frontier. Tell me honestly, do you resent Ji Shao?”
Gu Jianli shook her head without a hint of hesitation.
“No, I don’t. He didn’t have the power to protect this marriage, and neither did I. How can I resent him for that? I should be grateful for the protection others tried to give me, not resent them for failing. Even if he had retreated out of fear, I wouldn’t blame him.” Gu Jianli smiled gently. “Third Brother was a top scholar in his youth, his character and abilities are excellent. If he gains experience at the frontier and becomes more mature, his future will be bright.”
Gu Jingyuan listened to his daughter’s gentle words, then after a moment of silence, asked, “Do you still have feelings for him?”
Gu Jianli paused, slowly blinked, and lowered her eyes, looking at her fingertips. She said softly, “I can’t have any.”
She couldn’t.
Gu Jingyuan sighed deeply. “Your temperament is just like your mother’s.”
Gu Jianli had little memory of her mother and looked up at her father.
Gu Jingyuan noticed that in just a few months, his younger daughter’s features had matured and she now resembled her mother more than her elder sister did. Beauty could be both a blessing and a curse. Gu Jingyuan only hoped his daughters wouldn’t share their mother’s tragic fate.
Gu Jianli stood up and said, “Father, I’ll head back now.”
“Jianli, are you planning to take Ji Zhao into the palace to see your aunt during the Lantern Festival banquet?”
Gu Jianli was stunned. She hadn’t mentioned this to anyone, yet her father had guessed it. She carefully observed her father’s expression and cautiously asked, “Father, do you not want me to go?”
“If you want to go, then go,” Gu Jingyuan sighed. “Your aunt is also a pitiable person.”
Gu Jingyuan hesitated for a moment, then added, “After entering the palace, don’t hide anything from Ji Zhao. Let him know. Though he’s a scoundrel, as long as you don’t deceive him or harm him or harbor ill intentions, he might not always protect you, but he definitely won’t let anyone else harm you.”
Gu Jianli’s eyes widened in surprise. Had she heard correctly? Her father was actually speaking on behalf of Ji Wujing?
Seeing his daughter’s astonished expression, Gu Jingyuan waved his hand impatiently, “Go on, leave already!”
“Then I’ll head back now.”
As he watched Gu Jianli’s departing figure, Gu Jingyuan started brooding again. How had those dead eunuchs from the Eastern Depot not managed to castrate Ji Zhao back then? It was all the former crown prince’s fault for stopping them!
Gu Jianli left her father’s place as night fell. She looked at the rising moon and smiled. Her father had just spoken favorably of Ji Wujing, which made her think that maybe he didn’t detest Ji Wujing as much as she thought.
When Gu Jianli returned to her room, Ji Wujing beckoned her over, “Come here.”
As he moved, a silver glint flashed between his fingers. It was a needle.
Gu Jianli was startled. What was he up to now?
She took small steps toward Ji Wujing and asked, “Fifth Master, why are you holding a needle?”
Ji Wujing handed the needle to Gu Jianli.
