Chapter 635 - A Body Like This
News of Prince Yi’s wedding soon spread throughout the capital, and then to every prefecture and county. It became a topic of many lively discussions about how the Ji family had produced a very fortunate daughter, who actually had the chance to become Prince Yi’s consort. This was a rare honor that very few people could obtain. She must have saved the entire Milky Way in her last life!
Outside the capital.
A horse-drawn carriage rumbled slowly along the official road. Inside, Ji Shuhan sat with his hands resting on his knees, eyes closed in repose. Beside him, Ji Wanxin also kept silent, afraid of disturbing her father. Even when she drank water, she did so carefully.
The father-daughter pair originally were headed to the capital, with Ji Shuhan personally escorting Ji Wanxin for her marriage to the Shen family. They didn’t expect to receive the news of the Emperor bestowing the marriage while on the road. His daughter would be married into Prince Yi’s family as his Consort!
When he first heard the news, Ji Shuhan was stunned for a long while. He checked with the messenger time and time again that he had heard the news correctly, before he relaxed and smiled so widely that his eyes turned into slits. I thank the heavens, the G.o.ds, and Buddha for this good fortune!
He had thought that after the death of the First Prince, the Ji family would have no more hope of producing the Crown Prince Consort. He didn’t expect that there would still be a chance with Prince Yi, and that the Emperor would bestow marriage!
With Prince Yi’s current standing in court, he surely would become Crown Prince. When he becomes the Emperor in the future, Ji Muqing would be Empress. Just that thought sent Ji Shuhan into a fit of glee. [1]
In comparison, Ji Wanxin’s marriage appeared extremely insignificant. She didn’t care either, and even hoped that her betrothal would be cancelled.
After a long, b.u.mpy journey, they were finally approaching the capital. Ji Wanxin reached out her white fingers and lifted the curtains to take a look outside. They had already reached Mount Liang just outside the capital and would reach the capital gates in less than two hours. After so much had happened, she was back at the capital again.
“Where are we now?” Ji Shuhan asked with his eyes still closed.
“We’ve reached Mount Liang.”
“Mn. It’s fine so long as we can get there in time.”
“We will. Big Sister will only get married tomorrow.”
Ji Shuhan opened his eyes and smiled cheerfully, “After the Crown Prince died, I had thought that your Big Sister’s marriage would come to nothing. I didn’t expect that the Emperor would actually bestow marriage to your sister and Prince Yi. The heavens must be helping our Ji family for Muqing to become Prince Yi’s Consort.”
“I’m very happy that Big Sister could find a good family.” Is that blessing truly sincere or sarcastic?
Ji Shuhan couldn’t tell what she truly felt. “You must be more careful as well.” Ji Shuhan looked at her with a worried frown. “The betrothal between you and the Shen family had been set a long time ago; neither of us can reject it. However dissatisfied you are with Minister Shen, it’s been set in stone. You must take care of your health and don’t casually go outdoors if you don’t need to. [2]When we get to the capital, I’ll find a good physician for you to improve your health so that you can birth children in the future. We’ll see what else the Shen family has to say.”
How did they get back to talking about herself again? Ji Wanxin lowered her eyes, “Your daughter understands.”
Ji Shuhan got angry as he looked at her, “Look at yourself! You’re always like that! Every time I tell you off, you only know to lower your head. Who will be around to help you if you get bullied after you’re married into the Shen family? You have to put in more effort as well, understand?”
“Yes, Father.”
Sigh. “You’re all the same.” All?
Naturally, that statement included Ji Yunshu as well. Every time he said anything to Ji Yunshu, she would either lower her head, or hum in noncommittal agreement. Now Ji Wanxin was also the same, lowering her head and speaking less than two sentences.
Of his four daughters, only Ji Muqing was the most likable; the other three only created headaches for him.
Ji Wanxin felt wronged and teared up, but didn’t say anything to her father either.
An hour later, the carriage entered the city and stopped at the doors of the General’s mansion. The two Ji brothers had long been waiting at the door. “Father, you must be tired after such a long journey. Please go take a rest in a while.”
“No need.” Ji Shuhan replied urgently, “Muqing will be married off soon. Quickly brief me on the wedding arrangements.”
“Yes.”
Ji Li brought them indoors and described the wedding arrangements in detail, but Ji Shuhan was still not satisfied. “Our Ji family cannot be stingy when marrying off our daughters. Although the wedding gifts from the Emperor and Prince Yi are precious, we cannot be careless with the dowry we send out either.”
Ji Li replied, “Father, rest a.s.sured. I have everything prepared.”
“Your mother died early, and your grandmother is gone as well. As her father, I must attend to the guests at the wedding; as her brothers, you must also be more conscientious and not make any mistakes.”
“Understood.”
“Additionally, you and Ji Huan must support Prince Yi in the Imperial Court from now on. When he gains in power and status, your sister does too. Only then can our Ji family be firmly established in the capital.” Ji Shuhan had also once been an official in court and understood the hidden undercurrents, even if he didn’t clearly state them.
Ji Li also seemed to have no intention of mentioning what had happened during the time of the Crown Prince Consort Selection. Beside him, Ji Huan also kept his mouth shut as he listened to his brother and father discussing the marriage.
Ji Wanxin, who had been quietly sitting in the hall, decided to silently leave as she was unable to add to the conversation. Ji Huan followed her and called out, “Wanxin.”
“Second Brother? Is something the matter?”
“Your complexion doesn’t look good. What’s wrong?”
Truly, only her full-blood sibling Ji Huan would still be concerned about her. She smiled mildly and shook her head. “I’m fine. I’m just a little tired from the journey.”
Ji Huan fussed, “Your health has never been very good, so you must be more careful with yourself. I’ll have someone send some tonics over to you to improve your health. After Muqing’s wedding is over, we should also start preparing for yours.”
“Mn.” She nodded in agreement.
Ji Huan glanced back at the hall before he lowered his voice, “Actually, I can tell that you don’t want to marry at all. Although I really don’t like that Minister Shen, it can’t be helped as you are already betrothed and Father is determined to marry you off to them. Just bear with it for the moment; if any of the Shen family dare to bully you, tell Second Brother and I’ll bring a squadron to beat them up.” A bold statement.
Ji Wanxin felt so touched and gratified that her eyes turned watery. “Second Brother treats me the best.”
“We’re blood siblings! Who would be nice to you if I’m not?” Ji Huan truly felt sorry for her. She had been sickly since young and was frequently confined to her courtyard. What a pity she had a body like this! Otherwise, her life wouldn’t be too bad at all. “You must be tired, go have a rest.”
“It’s fine, I’ll go visit Big Sister. She’s getting married tomorrow and there must be something I can do to help.”
“You better don’t go. You know your big sister’s temper; I’m afraid she’ll bully you.”
“I’ll be fine.” With that, she left.
Behind her, Ji Huan looked at her worriedly and heaved a long sigh.
[1] Sigh. This family all like counting chickens before they hatch eh?
[2] P.S. same goes for all readers still in 2020 COVID h.e.l.l!