Chapter 92 - 91: The Eldest Miss as a Substitute Bride 7

Chapter 92: Chapter 91: The Eldest Miss as a Substitute Bride 7

When Ji Xiaosong and Chu Qingyun returned, the members of the Ji family were in the main hall, restless with anxiety.

Mr. Ji paced back and forth in the hall, his expression anxious. He glanced at the doorway from time to time, each step feeling as if it landed on his own heart.

Mother Ji sat in her chair, tightly clutching a handkerchief and wringing it incessantly, her eyes filled with worry and alarm.

As for her two younger brothers, they had perhaps just received a harsh scolding. They now sat with their heads hung low, looking for all the world like two cowering quails, timid and afraid to make the slightest sound, as if any movement would bring another round of rebukes.

The moment Mr. Ji saw Chu Qingyun, he hurried forward to greet him.

Seeing the Crown Prince’s calm and composed expression, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lord Ji, tomorrow I will send men to deliver the betrothal gifts for Miss Ji. The eighth of next month will be the day of my wedding to Miss Ji. I hold this marriage in the highest regard. When Miss Ji marries into my residence, her status will be noble. As for her dowry, I hope you, Lord Ji, will also prepare it with great care. Do not let her lose face in front of others."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Ji hurriedly bowed, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He spoke with trepidation, "Rest assured, Your Highness! It is the Ji family’s great fortune that my daughter has earned your favor. As for her dowry, how could this humble servant dare to be the least bit negligent? I will certainly do everything in my power to prepare my eldest daughter’s dowry to perfection."

Chu Qingyun gave an almost imperceptible nod, his gaze falling upon Ji Xiaosong as gently as the warm spring sun.

"Very well. I shall return to the palace now."

Mr. Ji led the entire Ji family to their knees in a synchronized SWISH, their voices loud and full of reverence. "We respectfully send off the Crown Prince."

Chu Qingyun’s grand procession departed, the dust it kicked up not yet settled.

Mr. Ji’s gaze, sharp as a blade, swept coldly over Ji Xiaosong. His lips were pressed into a thin line. Without a word, he flicked his sleeves and strode away, disappearing around the corner of the corridor in the blink of an eye.

The polite smile on Mother Ji’s face instantly vanished, replaced by an icy coldness. Her eyes, as if frozen over, were filled with disgust as she glanced at Ji Xiaosong. With a huff, she turned and walked away briskly, ignoring Ji Xiaosong completely.

The servants of the Ji family also kept their heads down, hurrying past Ji Xiaosong as if avoiding the plague. They all went about their business, leaving Ji Xiaosong standing there all alone, utterly ignored.

"Miss, they’re going too far! I’ll go drag them over here and give them a beating!"

Zixi was indignant, watching how everyone was acting.

"Heh..." Ji Xiaosong let out a soft laugh. "It’s nothing more than a useless emotional outburst. Why bother with them? We’re only staying here for another half a month before we leave. The next time we meet, I will be their ruler, and they will be my subjects."

’What’s the point of a moment’s satisfaction? They treat me poorly today, but in the future, they won’t even have the chance to curry favor with me.’

「The next day.」

In front of the Ji Mansion, to the sound of clear, loud gongs, the betrothal gift procession sent by Chu Qingyun arrived in grand style.

At the head of the procession were four Government Officials dressed in bright red brocade, holding up signs that read "Make Way" and "Silence." Their steps were neat and powerful, displaying the might of the Royal Family.

Following them were more than two hundred burly, powerfully built men carrying exquisite, vermilion-lacquered chests. The chests were inlaid with glittering jewels that reflected a rainbow of colors in the sunlight, causing passersby to turn and gasp in amazement.

Behind them, dozens of court musicians in magnificent attire played a tune that was both festive and solemn. The sounds of bianzhong chimes, guqin, and pipa filled the air, the melodious music lingering around the Ji Mansion.

In the center of the procession, an old eunuch wearing a Python Robe held a betrothal certificate wrapped in bright yellow silk. His expression was solemn as he proceeded slowly forward.

At the entrance to the Ji Mansion, Mr. Ji had long since led his entire household, all dressed in their finest attire, to kneel respectfully in greeting.

Mr. Ji’s forehead was pressed to the ground, his voice trembling slightly with unconcealed excitement. "This humble servant respectfully receives the betrothal gifts bestowed by the Crown Prince."

The old eunuch lifted his chin slightly, cleared his throat, and announced in a loud voice, "It is My sincere wish to wed the maiden Ji Xiaosong as my main wife, to serve the ancestral temple and preside over the Central Palace..."

Each and every word echoed in the air, proclaiming this noble marriage.

Once the proclamation was finished, Mr. Ji kowtowed in gratitude without delay. "Many thanks for the Crown Prince’s immense grace! This humble servant will certainly not fail your trust!"

Afterward, the members of the Ji family rose and carefully accepted the betrothal gifts, carrying them into the mansion.

Seeing the courtyard filled with betrothal gifts, Ji Yan was so furious that she led a group of people and stormed into Ji Xiaosong’s Chasing Wind Courtyard.

"Ji Xiaosong, you Beijian people! Get out here! Why does he favor you? Why give you so many betrothal gifts! All of this should be mine!"

She roared as she swung a whip around, lashing out at everything.

Chun Cui hurriedly tried to stop her from the side. "Miss, these are the betrothal gifts from the Crown Prince! You can’t damage them!"

Ji Yan’s eyes were red with fury. She paid Chun Cui no mind, and in her rage, she even whipped Chun Cui as well.

The man she had admired for so many years was presenting betrothal gifts to another right before her eyes. Even though she was the one who had given him up, she absolutely could not tolerate him giving that love to another woman.

Ji Yan had cried all night yesterday. She knew the family servants couldn’t defeat Ji Xiaosong’s attendant, Zixi. Today, she had a sword at her waist and a whip in her hand. She refused to believe that even like this, she couldn’t teach Ji Xiaosong a lesson.

’The poison mother sent was useless. I can’t wait any longer.’

Like a crazed beast, Ji Yan rampaged through Ji Xiaosong’s courtyard, swinging her whip. Everywhere she went, potted flowers were lashed to pieces, their leaves and branches sent flying.

"Ji Xiaosong! Get the hell out here!" Ji Yan screamed herself hoarse, her voice already raw.

Just then, Zixi strode out from the house. Her posture was erect, her gaze cold as she stared at Ji Yan. In a stern voice, she said, "Second Miss Ji, this is the First Miss’s courtyard. It is not a place for you to run wild! Please leave at once, lest you bring trouble upon yourself!"

"You dog of a slave! You’re just some lowly creature, what right do you have to speak to me!"

Ji Yan’s eyes were bloodshot. She cracked her whip violently, and it struck toward Zixi’s face like a venomous snake.

Zixi’s figure flashed as she easily dodged. Tapping her toes lightly on the ground, she quickly closed the distance.

Seeing her strike miss, Ji Yan grew furious with humiliation. With a SHIING, she drew the sword from her waist and, in a flash of cold light, thrust it at Zixi.

Unflustered, Zixi casually grabbed a nearby wooden stick and precisely blocked Ji Yan’s sword strike.

CLANG CLANG CLANG, the sword and stick collided, sending sparks flying.

Ji Yan’s swordsmanship was chaotic, relying entirely on brute force, whereas Zixi handled her with ease. Every one of Zixi’s blocks was perfectly timed, and she even found opportunities to counterattack, leaving Ji Yan in a flustered mess.

Ji Yan cursed as she fought, "You wretched slave girl, how dare you stop me! I’ll make Ji Xiaosong pay today!"

With that, she launched a desperate, continuous assault, her sword a whirlwind of strikes that left no openings.

Zixi’s brow furrowed slightly. Her eyes sharpened, and she suddenly put force into the wooden stick, striking Ji Yan’s sword heavily.

Ji Yan felt a numbing shock run through the webbing of her thumb, nearly sending the sword flying from her grasp.

"Second Miss, do not persist in your folly! If you do not stop now, do not blame me for being discourteous!" Zixi’s voice was low and commanding.

But Ji Yan paid her no heed. Seizing the moment while Zixi was speaking, she abruptly lashed her whip toward Zixi’s legs, attempting to trip her.

Although Zixi’s Martial Arts were formidable, she hadn’t anticipated such an undisciplined, surprise attack from Ji Yan. The whip wrapped precisely around her ankle, causing her to instantly lose her balance and fall heavily to the ground.

Seeing this, a crazed delight flashed in Ji Yan’s eyes. Seizing the opportunity, she raised her sword and charged toward Ji Xiaosong, who had been watching quietly from the side, like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey.

"Ji Xiaosong, die!"

She roared, her sword whistling through the air as it aimed straight for Ji Xiaosong’s throat.

In that critical moment, Ji Xiaosong’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. Unhurried, she extended two fingers, as if time itself had slowed down for her.

Just as the tip of the sword was about to touch her skin, she brought her two fingers together, firmly catching the blade between them.

Ji Yan’s eyes widened in disbelief at the scene before her. She tried with all her might to pull the sword back, only to find the blade held fast as if in a steel vise, refusing to budge an inch.

A cold glint flashed in Ji Xiaosong’s eyes. Her two fingers squeezed forcefully, and with a sharp CRACK, the sword snapped in half.

The broken sword tip fell to the ground with a CLANG, its sound echoing in the silent courtyard.

Ji Yan stood frozen on the spot, still holding the other half of the broken sword. She looked as if she had been struck by lightning, the madness on her face instantly replaced by deep fear and shock.

"You... What are you? A person or a ghost?"

Her voice trembled as she staggered backward, her eyes fixed on Ji Xiaosong as if she were looking at the most terrifying monster in the world.

Ji Xiaosong calmly dusted off her sleeves, her expression serene, as if she had just casually crushed a dry leaf.

"You are no match for me, and I don’t want you dead just yet." Her voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable authority.