Super-Fertile Darling: Forced to Marry the Heirless Tyrant

Chapter 268: Chapter 268: It Will Be Difficult to Return If You Leave Now

Princess Hua Chang went to the bedchamber to check on Emperor Wu Su, then retired to a separate palace to stay for the time being.

The candles in Zhaoyang Hall burned all night.

「The next morning.」

Dean Chen of the Imperial Hospital came to take the Emperor’s pulse. He stroked his graying beard, but for the longest time, he could not come to any conclusion.

Ji Qingwu knew Emperor Wu Su’s condition.

She had spent the night curled up in a chair, staying awake to check his pulse every hour.

Emperor Wu Su’s condition remained unchanged, showing no signs of either improvement or deterioration.

His pulse was as faint as a silken thread, as if it might snap at any moment, yet it remained surprisingly steady.

But at least it had stabilized.

As the morning sun rose, Ji Qingwu walked out of the hall and finally saw Duan Mingfeng at the entrance.

He had brought several hundred black-clad guards from the Imperial City Department and surrounded Zhaoyang Hall, sealing it off completely.

Never mind people; even inanimate objects required Duan Mingfeng’s personal inspection before being allowed inside the hall.

Seeing Ji Qingwu emerge, Duan Mingfeng cupped his hands in greeting. "Miss Ji."

He had also heard about the marriage between Wei Ting and Ji Qingwu, but unlike the infuriated Prince Yong and Qingyun, his attitude toward her remained unchanged. His expression was as grim as ever.

Ji Qingwu returned the gesture. "Mr. Duan."

He could tell from the dark circles under her eyes that she hadn’t slept. She was carrying a bundle in her hand.

Duan Mingfeng asked, "Where are you headed, Miss Ji? If you leave now, it will be difficult to return."

His words seemed to carry a hidden meaning. Ji Qingwu glanced back at the magnificent, ornately decorated interior of the hall.

She said, "I don’t think I’ll be coming back."

Duan Mingfeng stood motionless before her, as if he wanted to block her path and say something more.

But after exchanging a look with Li Yuzong, who was standing by the door, he ultimately stepped aside.

Today, for the first time in many years, Emperor Wu Su had canceled the morning court session—an unprecedented event outside of scheduled rest days since the founding of Beili.

Although the official announcement claimed the Emperor was merely unwell, rumors of an assassination had already spread through the city’s streets and alleys, whispering that the Emperor was gravely injured and on the verge of death.

None of the people walking along Lin’an Street were smiling. They were worried for the Emperor’s health, and many had gone to Hanshan Temple of their own accord to pray for his recovery.

At the same time, news spread that Wei Ting, the newly reinstated General Zhenbei, was to be married.

The bride-to-be was none other than the very same Miss Ji whose hand he had once sought in open court, and the ceremony was to be held the very next day.

The entire Wei Mansion was in a flurry of activity.

When these two pieces of news reached the Ji Mansion, two people fainted on the spot.

Old Madam Ji had learned that the Empress Dowager and Prince Yong had lost the struggle for power and fainted, worried that the road ahead for the Ji Family would now be even more perilous.

The other was Mrs. Qiao, who fainted because her heart ached for her daughter.

Ji Qingwu returned home that morning. She walked into Wutong Garden, tossed the bundle in her hand aside, and stared at the barren courtyard before her.

The previous night, she had ridden back and stripped the courtyard’s flowerbeds.

Now, only a single medicinal herb remained standing—the very plant with special properties that Emperor Wu Su had once watered with his own hands.

Ji Qingwu had taken all the other herbs, thinking the Emperor might have use for them.

’But this one... he’ll never have a use for it in this lifetime.’

Before Ji Qingwu had time to feel sentimental while gazing at the lone plant, Lan Zhi spotted her in the courtyard and rushed out of the room.

She called out breathlessly, "Fifth Missy! You’re finally back!"

Her shouting made Ji Qingwu’s head buzz. "Why are you in such a panic? What happened?" she asked.

Lan Zhi said, "Fifth Missy, the Madam fainted when she heard the news from the palace."

Ji Qingwu slapped her forehead. ’Things were so chaotic, I forgot to send a message to put Mother at ease.’

She hurried to Anju Garden.

Chunhua came down from the covered walkway to greet her. "Fifth Missy, please hurry inside."

Ji Qingwu asked as she walked, "How is my mother?"

Chunhua replied, "We had a doctor see her. The Madam is awake now. She was just shocked by the news about you."

Just as Ji Qingwu pushed open the door, Mrs. Qiao heard the noise and immediately asked, "Is that Xiao Wu? Has she returned?"

She hurried to the bedside. "Mother, it’s me."

Mrs. Qiao grabbed her arm, pulled her into an embrace, and burst into tears.

"All this time, you’ve suffered so much in the palace, only to be forced into this by that black-hearted Wei Ting."

Mrs. Qiao’s embrace was warm and fragrant. ’If only I could bury my head here and never lift it,’ Ji Qingwu thought, ’and just ignore the storm raging outside.’

Ji Qingwu nuzzled her face against her mother’s shoulder before lifting her head to look at Mrs. Qiao’s colorless face.

She took Mrs. Qiao’s hand and comforted her, "Mother, I’m fine, really. See for yourself if you don’t believe me."

A mother’s heart is always connected to her daughter’s. Mrs. Qiao knew how difficult Ji Qingwu’s situation was. She pretended not to notice the haggard look on Xiao Wu’s face and suppressed her own heartache.

’Since some things are destined to happen, one must face them.’

Mrs. Qiao said, "My Xiao Wu is as beautiful as ever, like a fairy descended from the heavens."

Ji Qingwu pulled at the corners of her lips, managing to force a smile.

Just then, Chunhua rushed in flustered. "Madam, Fifth Missy."

Mrs. Qiao asked, "What is it?"

Chunhua said cautiously, "The Wei Family sent people with the betrothal gifts—more than sixty chests of them. They’ve filled the entire main courtyard."

Ji Qingwu frowned. "Have them leave the items and go."

Chunhua continued, "They also brought the wedding attire and golden crowns for tomorrow. There are eight sets in total. They said General Wei personally selected them from the major embroidery houses and invites Fifth Missy to come and choose her favorite."

Ji Qingwu replied, "Just pick the first one. Go on."

Mrs. Qiao held her hand down. "Xiao Wu, perhaps you should go take a look."

"Wei Ting’s methods were indeed tyrannical, but since you are to marry him, it’s best not to make things too unpleasant. Otherwise, your life in the Wei Family will be truly difficult."

In her heart, Mrs. Qiao had already cursed Wei Ting a thousand times over, but as a mother, she had to consider her daughter’s future.

Ji Qingwu said nonchalantly, "I’d be thrilled if he grew tired of me sooner rather than later."

Mrs. Qiao sighed. "Wei Ting is at least putting some thought into this. He took time out of his busy schedule to pick out your wedding attire. That attentiveness is the foundation you’ll need to secure your place in the Wei Family. Do you understand?"

Ji Qingwu gave a careless nod, clearly not taking the words to heart.

Mrs. Qiao didn’t press the matter. Just saying the words made her own heart ache.

"Xiao Wu, this wedding is so rushed. Your father and brothers won’t even be able to make it back in time. You..."

Ji Qingwu squeezed Mrs. Qiao’s hand back. "Mother, you don’t have to say it. I understand."

Mrs. Qiao forced herself to rally, wanting to prepare a dowry list for Xiao Wu’s wedding.

Ji Qingwu firmly pushed Mrs. Qiao back down onto the bed.

"Mother, you’ve already given me one. Those shops are my dowry; there’s no need to prepare more."

Mrs. Qiao said in disapproval, "That’s not proper. What bride marries without bringing a dowry? You’ll be a laughingstock."

Ji Qingwu raised an eyebrow. "And what kind of marriage is announced and held within three days?"

"If anyone is being improper, it’s Wei Ting. Let the entire city laugh at him, for all I care."