Chapter 40: The Fate of the Ji Family in a Previous Life

Fu Minglang agreed to his grandmother’s request, but only to first inquire about the situation.

“Grandson cannot enter the imperial harem, nor can I meet with Princess Ning’an. If there is injustice involved, I will certainly not stand by idly.”

Old Madam Fu was fairly satisfied with her grandson’s response and waved him off to leave.

She glanced at Old Master Fu, who was returning with a birdcage, and snorted before ordering someone to summon her eldest daughter-in-law.

“My back and waist are aching. Have her come and massage me.”

Lady Fu, knowing her son had been summoned to the main hall, worried about what her mother-in-law might say.

She was eager to distance herself from Princess Ning’an and hoped to find a wealthy, noble woman for Minglang to marry—preferably someone from a family with multiple officials who could support him.

Unfortunately, Lady Shui had already married.

Someone like her would have been a good match for Minglang.

She still needed to keep looking.

Fu Minglang did not mention his grandmother’s request to his mother. He could tell that his grandmother tended to be a bit hard on her.

This household was still too small.

It would be wise to arrange for a few more maids to attend to his grandmother.

That way, she wouldn’t always call on his mother to fulfill her filial duties.

At the Ji residence, Ji Jian lay in bed and slowly opened his eyes.

The sword wound had not reached his heart, and with the imperial physicians’ care, although he was immobile, his life had been saved.

His sons and daughters-in-law didn’t all stay in the room but took turns attending to him.

When the eldest son saw that his father had woken up, he quickly sent someone to the neighboring room to fetch his younger brother, sister, and brother-in-law.

Senior Censor Ji had lived a life of integrity, unafraid of the powerful, and dedicated to the people.

His two sons followed in his footsteps and both served in the Censorate.

His youngest daughter had married a fellow Censor. They had been discussing in the next room with her second brother how to petition the emperor to punish Princess Ning’an.

Upon hearing that their father had awakened, they rushed to visit him.

“Father,” Ji Ruo said, tears welling in her eyes as she sat by his bedside, holding his hand.

It was all because of Princess Ning’an that she had nearly lost her father.

How cruel and heartless must the princess be to dare attempt an assassination outside the Hall of Heaven and Earth?

Ji Ruo’s husband gently patted her shoulder in comfort.

He was determined to join his brother-in-law in bringing charges against Princess Ning’an until she received the punishment she deserved.

The emperor had merely placed her under house arrest in Changle Palace, but what good was that?

Their father had uncovered evidence of Prince Jing’s rebellion, yet the emperor refused to listen and had their father kneel outside the hall.

Princess Ning’an didn’t hesitate—she stabbed him right there.

If the emperor failed to act justly, they would have no choice but to die protesting.

Ji Jian was still weak, his voice barely audible. Ji Ruo had to lean close to hear him clearly.

“Father is asking where Princess Ning’an is and how long he’s been unconscious.”

After Ji Ruo conveyed her father’s words, she answered, “Princess Ning’an is confined in Changle Palace. You’ve been unconscious for two days.”

The eldest Ji son asked, “Father, are you feeling unwell? Would you like some water? Second Brother, go call the imperial physician to check on Father again.”

As soon as the eldest Ji son finished speaking, the second son was about to leave when Ji Jian groaned twice in protest. Ji Ruo quickly motioned for her father to remain calm.

“Second Brother, don’t go just yet.”

She lowered her head to listen to her father’s next instructions and then relayed them.

“Act as though I haven’t woken up yet. Continue targeting Princess Ning’an.”

Target?

The siblings exchanged glances.

Seeking justice for their father.

Petitioning the emperor to punish the true culprit who stabbed their father.

Those were understandable requests. But why specifically target Princess Ning’an?

Could it be that their father was too weak to say more? Perhaps the injury was severe, and his mind was affected.

Ji Ruo continued, “Keep a close eye on Prince Jing. Secretly contact Grand Tutor Wen.”

The Ji family, as members of the Censorate, had some insider knowledge.

Though Prince Jing only commanded ten thousand soldiers—perhaps not enough to breach the city gates—if he continued to build his forces, they would eventually grow stronger.

Nurturing a threat was dangerous.

Grand Tutor Wen had even more disciples in court than the Ji family did.

If he could be trusted, surely the emperor would listen to the advice of the man who had mentored him.

After giving these instructions, Ji Jian closed his eyes again.

Ji Ruo, alarmed, checked his breathing and only relaxed when she confirmed he was still alive.

“Father still needs to recuperate.”

Second Master Ji, being more impulsive, didn’t quite understand his father’s meaning.
“We should still call the imperial physician to check on Father, or at least secretly find a doctor.”

The eldest Ji master, however, was more cautious and began speculating with his brother-in-law about their father’s intentions.

Since the focus was on Princess Ning’an, it indicated that she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Why had she stabbed their father? Could it have been the right thing to do?

It must have been… to lower Prince Jing’s guard.

Yes!
The reason Princess Ning’an took such a risky action was to save Senior Censor Ji’s life.

In a previous life, she couldn’t remember the exact day, but she had also heard that Senior Censor Ji had accused Prince Jing of raising a private army to rebel.

Her father, the emperor, naturally didn’t believe it. He gave Senior Censor Ji some punishment, making him kneel for half an hour.

At that time, Emperor Mingde saw how insistent Senior Censor Ji was and accepted the evidence he provided, sending people to investigate Xitong County.

However, Prince Jing had already caught wind of the investigation and hid his ten thousand soldiers.

Whether they were scattered in the countryside or hidden deep in the mountains, concealing ten thousand soldiers wasn’t too difficult.

Later, Senior Censor Ji suddenly died, and on the way back to his hometown for burial, his sons and grandsons were killed by bandits.

Fortunately, Senior Censor Ji had secretly given a copy of the evidence to Grand Tutor Wen.

Grand Tutor Wen conducted his own investigation and finally confirmed Prince Jing’s rebellion.

But by then, Ji Jian was already dead, and he had left no descendants.

Emperor Mingde was deeply remorseful, which hastened the time of his poisoning.

This time, Li Ning’an took a bold risk, stabbing Senior Censor Ji and leaving him seriously injured in bed.

Everyone in the Ji family wanted to see her severely punished, pushing the issue with Prince Jing into the background.

Li Ning’an was desperate to leave the palace and inform Grand Tutor Wen.

Even telling Wen Di would suffice.

He would certainly inform his father.

Li Ning’an feared she hadn’t handled the situation well enough and that if Senior Censor Ji didn’t wake up, no one would think to inform Grand Tutor Wen.

Or perhaps, by this time, Grand Tutor Wen already knew and was secretly preparing.

Li Ning’an needed to go out and find out for sure.

But the captain of the guards wouldn’t let her leave.

Dressed in a maid’s outfit, Li Ning’an sat on her bed, feeling defeated.

Xing’e, by herself, couldn’t possibly fight all the guards outside.

It was Hongxiu who came up with an idea when she saw the princess still wearing the maid’s outfit.

“The captain of the guards is only forbidden from letting you out. If he doesn’t know it’s you, then you can leave.”

Li Ning’an’s eyes brightened with understanding.

Hongxiu pretended to be the princess, lying in bed with the bed curtains drawn. Li Ning’an stood at the door with her head lowered, acting anxious.

Xing’e opened the door and yelled, “Something’s wrong! Something’s wrong! The princess has fainted!”

Hearing the commotion, the captain of the guards hurried inside with two others.

Xing’e pointed at the figure behind the bed curtains, “The princess is terrified she’s truly killed Senior Censor Ji and fears his ghost will come for her.”

“The princess has fainted from fear.”

“You… send Hongxiu to fetch the imperial physician. Yes, Hongxiu, go quickly and bring the physician here!”

Li Ning’an gave a small response and ran outside.

The captain of the guards frowned and took a step forward but didn’t stop her.

“Come back quickly. Don’t delay.”

Li Ning’an hurried like the wind, not daring to stop for even a moment.

By this time, night had already fallen.

When she reached the palace gate, she kept her head low and said in a gruff voice,
“Hurry and open the gate. I need to leave the palace. If I delay my master’s orders, it won’t be good for you.”

The palace guards at the gate saw her head down and asked, “Which palace are you from? What’s your business? Raise your head.”

“Why are you wasting time? Open the gate quickly. Don’t delay or offend my master.”

In the past, people were always polite when leaving the palace, but this time, the guards were unusually strict.

The palace guard noticed how she kept her head even lower, as if afraid of being recognized.

“Which palace are you from? I’ve never seen you before.”

He took a step forward, intending to lift her head and get a better look.