Chapter 390: Perfect Timing, Get Out

"Sir, the Eldest Missy began having stomach pains last night. The Grand Dowager summoned a doctor, who said she was going into labor, but she still hasn’t given birth."

Mrs. Qiao felt a wave of dizziness upon hearing this, and Ji Bo Lian steadied her.

Only then did Ji Qingwu see clearly that the maid speaking was Ji Qingrong’s personal attendant, Chun Xing.

’Did Chun Xing come from Duke Zhongyong’s Mansion to the Ji Mansion just to deliver this news?’

Ji Qingwu furrowed her brow.

’But for her elder sister’s personal maid to return to their maternal home alone while Ji Qingrong is in labor—a time she can’t be without her confidantes—something must have happened.’

Ji Qingwu’s heart sank. "Chun Xing, you’re coming with me." She turned back, not forgetting to add, "Father, keep an eye on Mother. Don’t let her fall."

Mrs. Qiao, still dizzy, wanted to go with Xiao Wu.

Ji Bo Lian held her back, persuading her, "Xiao Wu is a doctor; she’ll be more useful there. If you faint at the Marquis Mansion, both Qingrong and Xiao Wu will have to worry about you."

"Don’t be anxious. We’ll follow slowly behind."

Mrs. Qiao found a stone bench in the courtyard and sat down, taking a moment to recover.

Ji Qingwu ran all the way to the carriage at the mansion gate.

She said to the person standing by the carriage, "Chun Xing, get in. I have some questions for you."

After Chun Xing sat down, Ji Qingwu noticed her dirt-stained shoes and the bruises on her wrist.

She asked, "Elder Sister went into labor last night. Why are you only now coming to tell us?"

Chun Xing glanced at Ji Qingwu and began to shed tears.

"Fifth Missy, it’s all my fault. I didn’t take good care of the Madam..."

Ji Qingwu cut her off. "Now is not the time for blame. Tell me clearly, what happened at the Marquis Mansion?"

Chun Xing choked out, "It was the Grand Dowager. She stopped the servants of Ninghua Hall from sending any word out."

Ji Qingwu’s gaze darkened. ’So it was Madam Cui who interfered.’

"It was all arranged before. When the Madam went into labor, she was to be sent to the medical hall to give birth."

Chun Xing said frantically, "But for some reason, the Grand Dowager adamantly refused to let her go. She had already prepared a midwife at home. With that delay, the Madam’s stomach pain grew worse, and it became difficult to move her."

As Ji Qingwu listened, her expression grew increasingly grim.

"What did the doctor and midwife they brought in say?"

Chun Xing was actually a little afraid of this normally smiling Fifth Missy’s cold expression.

Her voice trembling, she continued, "I don’t know where they found that doctor, but the labor-inducing medicine he prescribed didn’t work."

"The Madam was in so much pain she couldn’t bear it. I could see she had no strength left, so I climbed over the back wall to get out."

Ji Qingwu nodded. "You did the right thing."

Chun Xing fell to her knees before Ji Qingwu, crying, "Fifth Missy, I’m begging you, please save the Madam..."

"She’s my elder sister. You don’t need to beg me."

Ji Qingwu forcefully pulled her up from the floor and pushed her onto the side seat of the carriage.

"Where is my brother-in-law?"

’Ji Qingrong is giving birth! At a critical moment like this, teetering on the edge of life and death, where has Lu Juan—who has always been so devoted to my sister—run off to?!’

Chun Xing said, "The Princely Heir... he’s still at the palace. His attendant sent a message back at noon, saying he has urgent business tonight and must stay in the palace. He can’t come home."

Ji Qingwu’s eyes flickered. ’What great timing.’

’This "urgent business" is most likely related to Emperor Wu Su personally leading a military campaign. Matters of the court are probably being entrusted to this Favored Minister of the Emperor.’

’Even so, knowing Lu Juan, he would have sent someone to fetch her as soon as he heard his wife was in labor. He wouldn’t have been at ease otherwise.’

Ji Qingwu frowned. "You didn’t try to send for my brother-in-law again?"

Chun Xing replied, "We did. Both the Grand Dowager and the Second Madam sent servants, but no message has come back from the palace."

’It would be a miracle if a message got back.’

’Lu Juan must be swamped right now. It’s questionable whether the message even reached the palace.’

’Besides, who knows if that despicable Old Mrs. Cui and Feng Shuang even sent anyone in the first place.’

A thought struck Ji Qingwu. "I left in such a hurry I forgot to bring medical supplies."

’Given the situation, she couldn’t trust the Cui Family. She had to avoid using anything from the Marquis Mansion if possible.’

Ji Qingwu gave a calm order, "Chun Xing, get out of the carriage now. Go to the medical hall and tell Manager Mi you need herbs to assist with childbirth. Also, bring back the most experienced midwife."

Chun Xing nodded repeatedly and got out of the carriage.

Ji Qingwu urged the driver to hurry, then lifted the curtain with her hand, praying to reach Duke Zhongyong’s Mansion faster.

When she reached the main gate of the Marquis Mansion, the guards stopped her.

"Who are you, coming so late? The Marquis Mansion isn’t receiving guests today!"

Ji Qingwu said, "I’m no guest. I’m from the Ji Family. Let me in."

The guard at the gate must have received instructions; his expression grew tense, and his tone became even sterner.

"How can you prove you’re from the Ji Family? You can’t enter without a calling card."

’They want me to prove my identity?’

Without another word, Ji Qingwu turned and walked away.

Seeing her leave, the guard opened a crack in the gate and whispered something to someone inside.

But when the guard turned back around, he saw Ji Qingwu, who was supposed to have left, now standing there with a horse whip in hand, staring at him coldly.

"Move!"

The tall, burly guard was stunned into inaction by her shout. Ji Qingwu kicked the gate open and strode inside.

The guard snapped out of it and reached out to grab her.

"Don’t make this harder on yourself! Get out now!"

Just as the big, rough hand was about to grab Ji Qingwu’s shoulder, she sidestepped, perfectly evading his grasp.

Then, with a full-force crack of the whip, she struck the guard’s upper arm—the same one he had used to try and grab her—sending him sprawling to the ground.

Ji Qingwu, gripping the bloodied horse whip, walked straight in without a single glance back.

Following her memory, she ran toward Ninghua Hall.

But her path was blocked again. Four female servants surrounded Ji Qingwu as a figure emerged from behind a long corridor.

"Well, well, if it isn’t Lady Wei gracing us with her presence... oh, that’s not right. According to Mr. Ji, the Fifth Missy has nothing to do with the Wei Family anymore. Oh dear, I just don’t know what to call you."

Ji Qingwu looked at the person speaking in that affected, mocking tone. It was the Second Madam, Feng Shuang.

Feng Shuang no longer bothered with her previous pretense of kindness, revealing her sharp, malicious face completely.

"I was wondering who would dare force their way into our Marquis Mansion. It’s no surprise that it’s the Fifth Missy of the Ji Family."

Ji Qingwu replied with a deadpan expression, "I was wondering what kind of dog loves to block the path. It’s no surprise that it’s the Second Madam."

Feng Shuang choked. "You! What did you say?"

Ji Qingwu had no time to waste on her.

"Tell your people to get out of my way."

Twisting her waist, Feng Shuang slowly walked up to her. "Does the Fifth Missy think the Marquis Mansion is the Ji Family’s home? A place for you to throw your weight around?"

As she spoke, she shot a look at the four female servants, signaling for them to restrain her.

"First, escort the Fifth Missy to a room in the rear courtyard to rest. We’ll let her out once the commotion in Ninghua Hall has died down."