Free Web NovelChapter 38: Chapter 38: Settle This Marriage First
Ji Qingwu replayed the matter of the performance in her mind, and her eyes suddenly widened.
’If I’m not mistaken...’
’It must be about those few glances I gave Li Chengxun during the palace banquet.’
What was the big deal? When you see a beautiful sight you’ve never seen before, who can resist looking?
Ji Qingwu tried to guess Emperor Wu Su’s thoughts. ’It’s probably a man’s competitive spirit acting up. Just as women compete over beauty, men must do the same.’
So, Ji Qingwu said impartially, "I didn’t only look at Mr. Li, Your Majesty. I looked at you, too."
Emperor Wu Su raised an eyebrow. "When did you look?"
This time, Ji Qingwu began to stammer. Every time she loosed an arrow, she would turn back to search for his gaze. When she missed, she sought reassurance. When she hit the target, she wanted to share her joy. freewebnσvel.cøm
When it came to archery, she truly held Emperor Wu Su in high regard.
But to say it out loud at this moment would make her seem like she had ulterior motives.
Ji Qingwu stammered, "D-During the archery... I looked. I looked more often, and for longer."
The man, whose expression had been displeased just moments ago, now looked much better. He teased, "Have you had your fill of looking? You’re not going to look anymore?"
"I’ve had enough. I won’t look anymore."
Ji Qingwu shook her head. Seeing his handsome face start to darken, she quickly added, "I’ll look again next time."
Emperor Wu Su leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them.
His thick, broad shoulders created an even greater sense of pressure, blocking most of the light.
"In such a hurry to leave now? Don’t you have anything to ask me?"
Ji Qingwu’s heart tightened. ’How can he see right through my thoughts?’
She did have a question she wanted to ask—for example, how the Emperor knew her archery was good. But she didn’t dare to ask, and she was afraid of hearing the answer from him.
So, she shook her head.
But then she heard a clear, cool voice say, "But I have a question for you."
Ji Qingwu’s heart leaped into her throat again.
"You opened a medical clinic in Nanchu. What did you treat?"
She answered honestly, "Infertility, for both men and women." Then she added, "And not limited by species. I can treat cats and dogs, too."
A sudden thought struck her. ’Don’t tell me the Emperor wants me to treat his... hidden ailment!’
After all, no Prince or Princess had been born in the imperial harem for so many years.
’This is going to be difficult. Although he’s an Emperor, he is fated to have no heirs. I transmigrated here precisely to help him continue his bloodline.’
’This hidden ailment... I can’t treat it.’
’No, that’s not right. It’s not that it *can’t* be treated.’
’It’s just that... his heirs can only be born from me. The other Concubines will absolutely never conceive.’
Ji Qingwu said with difficulty, "Your Majesty, you..."
Seeing her fidgety expression, Emperor Wu Su knew she had gotten the wrong idea. He said directly, "Make a trip to the Princess Mansion and take my elder sister’s pulse."
So that’s why Emperor Wu Su had appeared at the entrance of Duke Zhongyong’s Mansion late at night. He was looking for her to discuss this matter.
’My eldest sister-in-law was just diagnosed as pregnant, and the news has already reached the Emperor’s ears? It seems my medical skills have been recognized.’
’The Emperor went out of his way to make this trip. He really values Princess Hua Chang.’
The Eldest Princess, Zhao Tianhua, with the title Hua Chang, was the Emperor’s biological elder sister. She had been married to the Prince Consort for six years. Rumor had it that the couple was as respectful to each other as guests, a picture of domestic harmony, but they simply had no children.
Ji Qingwu’s doubts were dispelled, and she nodded obediently.
"Alright, I’ll go first thing tomorrow morning."
"Go in three days."
Ji Qingwu looked up at him in surprise. "Why wait for three days?" ’He waited for me so late tonight. Isn’t this urgent?’
Emperor Wu Su said coldly, "Don’t ask so many questions. When I say three days, I mean three days."
But, in three days, she had plans to visit Hanshan Temple with Li Chengxun.
Ji Qingwu looked hesitantly at Emperor Wu Su, her eyes glistening as if holding a pool of water, but it did nothing to sway the man’s decision.
He directly issued a cold, hard order to leave.
"Get out."
There was absolutely no room for negotiation.
She lowered her head, curtsied, and quietly disembarked from the carriage. To her surprise, she saw another carriage parked at the main entrance of the Marquis Mansion.
She rubbed her eyes. ’Was I seeing things just now?’
*
「The next day.」
Ji Qingwu went to Anju Garden and told Mrs. Qiao about having to go to Princess Hua Chang’s Mansion in three days.
But she didn’t mention seeing the Emperor last night, only saying that a messenger had delivered the order.
"Mother, I’ll have to break my promise to Mr. Li." Ji Qingwu asked, "Is it appropriate for me to write him a letter explaining the reason?"
Mrs. Qiao mused, "What a coincidence, for it to be on the same day. Still, the Eldest Princess’s matter is more important."
"Since you won’t be able to meet him... why don’t you accompany me to the Qiao Family estate today? Your grandmother isn’t feeling well, and you two can talk things over in person."
Ji Qingwu nodded. "That’s a good idea."
Arriving at the Qiao Mansion, the mother and daughter went first to Madam Qiao’s chambers.
As soon as they reached the door, they heard Old Mrs. Qiao’s laughing scolds from inside.
"You little rascal, coming home just to make fun of this old lady."
Then they heard a man’s voice teasing, "Even as an old lady now, your charm hasn’t faded one bit. All those old men in Xitang are just waiting for a chance to jump in the river to win another smile from you."
Old Mrs. Qiao was so exasperated she threw a bolster pillow at him.
Ji Qingwu and Mrs. Qiao entered just in time to nearly be hit. Ji Qingwu sidestepped, raised a hand, and caught it with lightning-fast reflexes.
"Aiyo, you almost hit my precious darling!" Old Mrs. Qiao scolded the man in the deep blue robes a few more times.
Then she beckoned them over. "Come, come sit by my side. Xiao Wu, this scoundrel is your youngest uncle."
Qiao Qiqi said with a smile, "Elder Sister, Qingwu’s reflexes are quite good."
Mrs. Qiao complained, "Fourth Brother, why are you teasing Mother again? She’s at an advanced age. Don’t provoke her into getting physical. If she throws out her back, it’ll be your fault."
Qiao Qiqi rubbed his nose. Being scolded in front of his niece at his age was a little embarrassing.
"Xiao Wu, you’ve come at the perfect time. Your uncle just returned from Xianyang. He also went to Li Chengxun’s hometown to make inquiries. They’re an honest and respectable family."
Old Mrs. Qiao took Ji Qingwu’s hand. "Although their family fortune can’t compare to the nobles in the capital city, a man’s future is something he must earn for himself. Your maternal grandfather and your uncle both feel this man has great potential."
The old woman spoke earnestly, and Ji Qingwu nodded along cooperatively.
"If you fancy him too, we’ll settle this marriage before the palace examination."
’How did things suddenly fast-forward to an engagement!’
Ji Qingwu stammered, "Isn’t this... a bit too rushed..."
"Silly girl, once he passes the palace examination and becomes the top scholar, many more families will have their eyes on Li Chengxun. There’s no guarantee someone else won’t snatch him away."
But a matter like this should be based on mutual affection. Ji Qingwu didn’t want to be too hasty. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
"Mr. Li... is he aware of this?"
Qiao Qiqi said with a smile, "He agreed to it long ago."
Ji Qingwu fiddled with her little finger and said, "Let me meet with Mr. Li first."
At that very moment, in the Diligent Governance Hall.
Ever since the last investigation into Ji Qingwu, Sanchuan had been ordered by Emperor Wu Su to become a Hidden Guard tasked specifically with watching her.
Right now, Sanchuan was kneeling in the hall, reporting.
"Reporting to the Holy Emperor, Fifth Miss Ji returned to her maternal family’s home today."
Emperor Wu Su, who was sitting behind his desk reading through memorials, looked up. "Was she originally scheduled to return to the Qiao Mansion today?"
Sanchuan replied, "It was a last-minute decision."
’Who’s at the Qiao Family estate that she’s so eager to go back again?’
A smile tugged at Emperor Wu Su’s lips. It had the right shape, but it lacked any warmth.
Li Yuzong and Sanchuan both lowered their heads, thinking in unison, ’It looks like someone is in for a world of trouble.’
