I have suffered enough in my previous life, my cousin will never marry me

Chapter 221 Provocation
Overwhelmed with grief, Mu Qingqing threw herself into Ye Wanshu's arms and wept uncontrollably.

Consort Zhang had no idea what Ye Wanshu was up to, and anxiously asked, "Wan'er, what exactly happened? Tell me the truth quickly."

Seeing the mother and daughter's anxious expressions, Ye Wanshu first had Chunhong and Xingtao lead the maids away, and then turned her gaze to Ji Ningxuan.

Ji Ningxuan understood immediately and reported truthfully: "Your Highness, Princess, all of this was just my elder sister and brother-in-law playing tricks on Princess Daqiu."

After carefully recounting the whole story, Consort Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief: "I knew my son wouldn't be that utterly despicable."

Thinking about the attitude of the officials, Consort Zhang couldn't help but clench her fists in resentment: "These scholars in Lin'an are spineless, just like those corrupt scholars in Yuezhou. They are used to talking big in ordinary times, but when it comes to a crisis, all they can do is grovel and beg for peace. They are not as dignified as us women."

“But if the people are not on good terms, I’m afraid this battle will be extremely difficult,” Ye Wanshu explained. “So I have no choice but to take this last resort to give His Majesty and His Highness more time to prepare.”

"You always like to wrong yourself," Consort Zhang said with heartache. "If that rebellious son dares to mistreat you in the future, I will not let him off easily."

Hearing this warmed Ye Wanshu's heart: "Thank you, Your Highness."

Upon learning that it was all just an act, the gloom on Fu Yunni's face dissipated. She happily grasped Consort Zhang's hand and said with a cheerful smile, "Mother, shall we stay at Sister Ye's residence for the time being?"

"Hmph, of course," Consort Zhang said, pursing her lips. "We'll go back whenever your good-for-nothing brother marries your sister-in-law."

"Great, great!" Fu Yunni cheered and ran out the door, only to hear a woman's nagging as soon as she reached the door.

"Quickly call the eldest daughter out. We must get an explanation for today's adoption."

Recognizing the voices of Aunt Sun and Madam You, Ji Ningxuan quickly frowned and glanced at Ye Wanshu.

Just as Ye Wanshu was about to leave, Consort Zhang grabbed her and her eyes suddenly darkened: "It's true that a tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs. Wan'er, don't worry about this matter, leave it to A'ni."

Hearing the voices outside, Consort Zhang guessed that someone in the mansion must be up to no good and wanted to seize the family business left by Ji Yuan.

Ye Wanshu nodded and helped Mu Qingqing and Consort Zhang to sit down by the stove. The group then began to enjoy their tea.

Fu Yunni glared at the group of uninvited guests who had barged in, and said sternly, "What explanation do you want from my sister Ye?"

Madam You did not recognize the little girl in front of her and glared at her unhappily: "Where did you come from, you wild child? That girl Ye is just trying to fool us like this, sending a child out as a shield."

"Wild child?"

Qi Mama, who was standing next to Fu Yunni, immediately frowned and ordered the maid beside her, "Slap her."

Without saying a word, several maids stepped forward, grabbed You Shi, and slapped her mouth dozens of times, leaving it bruised and bleeding.

"Who exactly are you all?" Aunt Sun asked somewhat timidly.

"Open your dog eyes and see clearly! This lady in front of you is the Crown Prince's younger sister, the soon-to-be-conferred Princess Jiayou!" Madam Qi said angrily. "Get out of here now! If you disturb the Empress Dowager's peace, I'll take your lives immediately!"

"Aunt Qi, why are you in such a hurry? I haven't played yet."

Fu Yunni was worried about where to vent her anger on Helian Jiu, so she rolled her eyes at Qi Mama and pointed at Aunt Sun: "Since you're here, why don't you hurry up and have some fun with this princess?"

"What does the princess want me to do?" Aunt Sun asked, wiping her sweat with trepidation.

Fu Yunni thought for a moment, then said, "You can lie down and be my horse." "This," Aunt Sun said, looking troubled.

Madam Qi's eyes flashed with a sharp look: "You dare to hesitate about the blessing bestowed by the princess?"

"Yes, this humble woman thanks Your Highness for your kindness."

Aunt Sun was so frightened that she immediately crawled on the ground, letting Fu Yunni ride on her back and keep yelling as they crawled around the yard.

Fu Yunni only let her go when she was completely exhausted.

Just then, Ji Ningxuan came out of the house. Looking at her disheveled aunt and Aunt Sun, she deliberately asked, "Aunt Sun, did you come here for something else?"

The two shook their heads hastily: "Nothing's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong, let's go now."

After Aunt Sun finished answering, she was about to move when Ji Ningxuan suddenly called her back: "Aunt Sun, it's alright, but I have something to tell you. My elder sister has instructed that Ning Rui be adopted by our stepmother. From now on, let Fourth Sister live with me."

Aunt Sun knelt down on the ground with a mournful expression: "Third Miss, Ning Rui is my only daughter. You and the eldest Miss can't take her away from me."

"Aunt Sun, you don't know what's good for you."

Ji Ningxuan said, "What future can Ning Rui have by your side? At least she will have the status of a legitimate daughter if she is adopted by her stepmother. As long as you behave yourself, your elder sister is not an unreasonable person. You will still be able to see Ning Rui in the future."

Aunt Sun knew that the eldest daughter was already making moves against her. She had taken her daughter away, and if she had any other ideas, she would probably be kicked out.

"Yes, thank you for your help, young lady," Aunt Sun replied listlessly.

"My elder sister said that since you have already invited the clan leader, let's take this opportunity to handle the adoption matter," Ji Ningxuan instructed before going inside to call Ye Wanshu to go out and discuss the adoption.

Fu Mingchi and Helian Jiu left the Ji residence. Walking down the street, they saw the Daqiu people everywhere oppressing and plundering women, and the entire street was filled with resentment.

Zhu Wencai was furious and was about to draw his sword to step forward when he saw that Fu Mingchi had no intention of stopping him. Helian Jiu's face immediately darkened: "What? Since the Crown Prince and His Majesty have already agreed to submit to you, do you not even have this much consideration?"

Fu Mingchi simply watched as the patrolling soldiers surrounded them in the distance, without immediately replying.

Seeing that the patrolling soldiers were preparing to arrest the envoy from Daqiu, Helian Jiu's provocation intensified. He drew the curved sword from his guard's waist, strode forward, and with a fierce slash, cut the leading junior officer to the ground.

"Your Highness, are we just going to let this vixen run rampant like this?" Zhu Wencai said through gritted teeth.

Fu Mingchi narrowed his eyes: "Perhaps Lin'an City has been too peaceful for too long. It is time for someone to shed blood to awaken the anger in everyone's hearts."

Recalling how the entire court of officials bowed and scraped before the people of Daqiu, Fu Mingchi felt a deep sense of disappointment.

Rather than seeing his soldiers fight valiantly on the front lines while suffering the ostracism and skepticism of these cowards in the rear, he preferred to watch these people experience the taste of being slaves of a conquered nation first.

He casually walked forward with Zhu Wencai, and happened to run into the Second Grand Secretary Li Youzhen, who was also arriving with many court officials.

"Greetings, Princess; greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince," Li Youzhen said respectfully, clasping her hands in a fist and palm salute.

"Your Excellency has arrived just in time," Helian Jiu said coldly, wiping the bloodied wound from her blade. "You be the judge for this princess. Should this man have been killed or not?"