Chapter 303: The Song Family Won’t Pursue It? I Will
Ji Qingwu was completely baffled.
"What are you doing here, carrying that thing?"
Ma Pozi’s slanted eyes lifted. "This is our little young master, who hadn’t even taken form yet. The poor child..."
Ji Qingwu said, "As far as I know, a perfectly healthy human can’t give birth to an animal. So, are your master and mistress not human, or have you lost your mind?"
She knew the scent of the bloody mass in the treasure box the moment she smelled it. It was a deer placenta.
Ma Pozi’s voice suddenly shot up as she began to shout, her guilty conscience showing.
"Everyone, come and be the judge! She insulted our master and mistress! She said they aren’t human!"
The shouting gave Ji Qingwu a headache, and she had just started to frown.
Just then, a gleaming Cold Iron Sword was laid across Ma Pozi’s neck.
The old woman’s hand trembled, and the treasure box fell to the ground, nearly smashing onto the feet of Wei Tongyou, who held the sword.
Wei Tongyou took a step back in disgust. The edge of her sword sliced past Ma Pozi’s earring, cutting the silver bead chain. The beads scattered into the bloody mess on the ground from the blade that could cut iron like mud.
"Don’t move," Wei Tongyou warned.
Ma Pozi could feel the chill of the cold blade against the rolls of flesh on her chin, and goosebumps erupted on her neck.
She didn’t dare to move or speak another word.
Ji Qingwu raised an eyebrow at Wei Tongyou. ’This girl is surprisingly capable.’
Wei Tongyou turned her face away and snorted.
"She was just too loud. It’s not like I wanted to help you."
She had just heard Ji Qingwu deny any involvement in the miscarriage of Prime Minister Su’s daughter, and her first instinct was to draw her sword and cut the old woman down.
Although she didn’t like Ji Wu, she was still the woman her older brother had married. She couldn’t just let outsiders bully her.
Besides, from what Ji Qingwu had said, this old woman had brought some filthy thing to try and fool them, which was truly despicable.
Madam Wei’s expression also softened.
She did not stop Tong You’s actions. When bullied right at your own doorstep, a red-blooded descendant of a military family should act exactly like this.
A smile touched Ji Qingwu’s lips. She casually grabbed a wooden staff from a nearby guard and began to poke at the bloody mess at the old woman’s feet.
Among the onlookers, the timid had already turned pale. But the new lady of the Wei family had a relaxed smile on her face, showing no fear at all.
Ji Qingwu spoke slowly. "This isn’t a premature fetus from a miscarriage at all. It’s a deer placenta. Did you really think bringing something like this to frame me wouldn’t be too obvious?"
Of all the people to try these petty tricks on, she had to choose Ji Qingwu, a renowned master of gynecology.
It was also a potent medicinal ingredient known as deer fetus. Once dried, it was excellent for replenishing one’s energy and strengthening the body.
Ji Qingwu used the staff to lift the deer placenta and held it out to the woman who had "spoken up for justice" earlier.
"You’ve given birth before. Do you recognize this?"
The woman’s face turned beet red. She turned to Ma Pozi and said, "You used this to deceive us! What are you trying to do?"
Ji Qingwu then addressed the innermost circle of the crowd. "Who wants to take a closer look and see if I’m right?"
Everyone recoiled in horror, and the crowd of onlookers immediately dispersed.
The area in front of the Wei Mansion, which had been buzzing with chatter just moments before, fell silent.
With the quiet, Ji Qingwu felt much better. She tossed aside the blood-stained staff and met the gaze of Su Fengyue, who was standing there watching her.
From the moment Ji Qingwu had appeared with her graceful steps, Su Fengyue’s gaze had traveled up from the hem of her skirt, moving very slowly until it rested on her face.
It hadn’t moved since.
Ji Qingwu had long felt his unsettling stare, but she needed to stop the old woman’s ruckus first.
Now, her clear eyes shot a glance in his direction.
"You must be Prime Minister Su?"
The corners of Su Fengyue’s mouth twitched. He spoke with perfect composure, "According to Madam Wei, I should address you as Lady Wei. I see that you are young but very discerning. Perhaps this whole affair is just a misunderstanding."
He wasn’t being aggressive; instead, he was calling it a misunderstanding.
Ji Qingwu studied the old minister. Though he was old, his face was lean and sharp, and he projected an air of scholarly elegance and aloofness.
Everyone assumed that with Prime Minister Su saying this, the matter would be dropped.
Madam Wei nodded. "Since it’s a misunderstanding, Mr. Su, please be on your way. I won’t see you out."
Su Fengyue straightened his wide robes and turned to leave, with Ma Pozi and the attendants following behind.
"Wait!"
A clear, melodious female voice came from behind him.
Ji Qingwu curled her lip. A brilliant light flared in the depths of her eyes, as if something were burning within them.
She demanded, "So, whether I am right or wrong is for your Su family and the Song family to decide? Whatever you say, goes?"
Su Fengyue turned back. "Regardless, I am willing to believe that Lady Wei would not harm anyone. I can vouch for you, and the Song family will not trouble you again."
Ji Qingwu detected the "protective" undertone in his words and retorted sarcastically, "Mr. Su, I have no connection to you whatsoever. On what grounds do you vouch for me? Why aren’t you standing by your own daughter? How strange."
Before Su Fengyue could speak, Ji Qingwu continued in a rapid-fire burst, "The Song family may not want to pursue this, but I do!"
"First, Song Wei came to my clinic to slander me, and now this old woman comes to the Wei Mansion to cause a scene. My good reputation in Lin’an has been ruined by all of you. The principle of slander accumulating until it destroys a person... surely Mr. Su understands that."
Su Fengyue said, "It seems Lady Wei truly has a clear conscience. Why not come with me to the Song family for a face-to-face confrontation? What do you say, Lady Wei?"
Wei Tongyou couldn’t help but call out a warning, "Don’t be a fool! Don’t get yourself trapped over a matter of pride."
If Ji Qingwu really went to the Song family and the truth couldn’t be found, it could stir up an even bigger storm, and it wouldn’t be as easily resolved as today’s incident.
Madam Wei watched Ji Qingwu with a solemn expression, saying nothing.
Nanny Cao whispered, "Madam Wei, we can’t let the Song family take her away..."
’There are too many dark secrets in the inner courts. They can turn black into white. On the Song family’s turf, even if Ji Qingwu is innocent, there’s no guarantee she won’t be framed.’
The old madam shook her head almost imperceptibly.
Su Fengyue’s proposal was exactly what Ji Qingwu wanted.
She smiled. "Regarding Madam Song’s miscarriage, if it is discovered that someone else was responsible, has Mr. Su considered what should be done then?"
Su Fengyue declared loudly, "I give you my word as Prime Minister that I will handle the matter impartially and show no favoritism."
"Good."
Ji Qingwu’s lips curved into a smile, showing not a trace of fear.
*
「Song family.」
After entering the main gate, Ji Qingwu could feel Ma Pozi’s glare boring two holes into her back, but she paid it no mind.
Ji Qingwu had only taken a few steps before her brow furrowed.
From the outside, the gate had looked like that of a modest household, but upon entering, she discovered a whole different world inside.
It was the first time Ji Qingwu had ever seen a family erect a towering, gold-lacquered archway just behind their main gate.
As she got closer, she realized it wasn’t lacquer at all—it was crafted from solid gold.
’How many military rations could this golden archway be exchanged for...’
Ji Qingwu didn’t believe for a second that the Emperor was unaware of this.