Chapter 25 Ji Yuntang Dies—Ji Qingqing Arrives with a Coffin

Chapter 25: Ji Yuntang is Dead, Ji Qingqing Arrives with a Coffin

Ji Yuntang was in a daze, murmuring, "A Tang…"

Neither in her past life nor this one had anyone ever called her that.

She had been single her whole twenty-eight years, either researching medicine or on the path to researching it, and ultimately gave her life for it.

Now… with a second chance at life, these new experiences were worth trying.

Thinking this, Ji Yuntang immediately smiled. "Of course, Prince Ye can call me whatever you like."

Luo Junhe's heart leaped with joy, the weight of worry finally lifting. He'd been worried she would refuse.

Soon after, he asked somewhat awkwardly, "Then… could you not call me 'Prince Ye' in the future?"

He always felt that title was too formal, creating distance between them.

"What should I call you then?" Ji Yuntang blinked, suddenly wanting to tease him. "Young Master Luo? Master Luo? Jun Jun? He He? Baby He?"

The further Ji Yuntang went, the more outrageous it became. Luo Junhe quickly interjected, "Just call me A He!"

Ji Yuntang silently repeated the name "A He" in her mind and found it surprisingly natural to say.

"Alright, then I'll call you A He from now on."

Ji Yuntang cleared away the dishes, then applied the scar-repairing ointment to Luo Junhe's face once more.

Next, she applied the detoxifying facial mask she had prepared earlier to her own face and went outside to sit comfortably on the recliner, basking in the sun.

The people of the Yongning Marquisate waited for Ji Yuntang's bridal return visit, waiting until the sun had set, yet they never caught a glimpse of her.

They hadn't even seen a single servant from Prince Ye's mansion. Barely contained fury was evident on everyone's faces.

Observing the oppressive atmosphere in the room, Ji Qingqing's eyes darted around. She spoke up weakly, "Even if Elder Sister didn't want to return, she could have at least sent someone to notify our house. How could she make Grandmother, Father, Mother, and my three brothers wait for so long?"

"If this gets out, what will become of our Yongning Marquisate's reputation?"

Ji Huaiche picked up a teacup from the table and took a sip, his deep, handsome face inscrutable. "In my opinion, it's not that she doesn't want to return; it's that she can't return."

"What do you mean, Eldest Brother?" Ji Qingfeng pressed.

"Who in the Dongchen Kingdom doesn't know that Prince Ye, Luo Junhe, has married five princess-consorts in three years? The first four either died of fright or ran away on their wedding night. Do you think, given Ji Yuntang's timid, mouse-like nature, she would fare any better than those previous four?"

"With no news for this long, it's possible Ji Yuntang was frightened to death by Prince Ye on the very night she married."

"How could such a Princess Ye possibly return for a bridal visit?"

Ji Huaiche's words were logical and well-founded. Coupled with his position as the Right Assistant Minister in the Dali Temple, where he investigated and adjudicated various cases daily, his words carried even more weight.

Ji Nanchuan, Marquis of Yongning, who had remained silent until now, also voiced his agreement. "The heir's words are not without reason. However, that wretched girl is dead, and that's that. The value of bringing her back was always to shield Qing Qing from this marriage. Since Ji Yuntang's marriage to Prince Ye is settled, presumably His Majesty will no longer bestow marriages upon the Yongning Marquisate. Qing Qing can then marry His Highness the Crown Prince with peace of mind."

The entire household of the Yongning Marquisate chimed in with smiles, beginning to praise Ji Qingqing for her cleverness, natural beauty, and her destined future as Crown Princess.

They were convinced in their hearts that Ji Yuntang was already dead. It seemed her death was an utterly insignificant matter to them.

Ji Qingfeng shook his head with some regret. What a pity. He hadn't had the chance to humiliate that ugly freak yet. For her to die like this was really letting her off too easily!

Ji Qingqing, however, didn't think this way at all. She always felt there was something strange about this situation.

The demeanor Ji Yuntang had displayed that day still made her shudder when she thought about it now.

How could someone with such a formidable presence die so easily?

She simply didn't believe it!

Thinking this, Ji Qingqing decided to see for herself. Only by seeing Ji Yuntang's corpse with her own eyes would she believe the other was truly dead.

Tears instantly streamed down her face. "Grandmother, Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother… Elder Sister married into Prince Ye's mansion in my place. Her death is so sudden, and I bear an undeniable responsibility in this matter. I wish to visit Prince Ye's mansion tomorrow to see Elder Sister and bring her body back to lay her to rest."

Ji Zihang looked at the tear-streaked Ji Qingqing and patted her hair.

"Qing'er, my dear sister, why would you bury her? Her corpse only deserves to be thrown in a mass grave, a garbage dump, to be devoured by wild dogs."

Ji Qingfeng took out a handkerchief, his heart aching as he wiped Ji Qingqing's tears.

"Qing Qing, you're just too kind-hearted. Have you forgotten how she humiliated you? Someone like her doesn't deserve pity even in death!"

Ji Qingqing shook her head through her tears. "Second Brother, Third Brother, please don't say that. No matter how bad Elder Sister was, we are still her only family in this world. Now that she has met this end with no one to claim her body, how can we not care for her?"

"I know my brothers are all busy with important matters and cannot get away. Don't worry, leave this task to me. Tomorrow, I will take some people to Prince Ye's mansion myself to retrieve Elder Sister's body. We cannot let others think our Yongning Marquisate is truly cold-hearted and indifferent to a daughter who has married out."

Lady Meng frowned with worry. "Qing Qing, can you manage alone? Should Mother accompany you?"

Ji Qingqing absolutely did not want Lady Meng to see Ji Yuntang. She feared her mother might feel pity, and even more, she feared Lady Meng witnessing her own ruthless side. "Mother, don't worry. Prince Ye's mansion doesn't have many servants to begin with. No one there would dare give me trouble. You can rest assured and leave this small matter to me."

Lady Meng fell silent, but a feeling of unease lingered in her heart.

*

The next morning, true to her word, Ji Qingqing went to Prince Ye's mansion with over a dozen household servants.

Accompanying them was a black wooden coffin.

Their conspicuous procession through the streets caused a stir among the passersby.

"Look! The Second Miss Ji of the Yongning Marquisate has people carrying a coffin towards Prince Ye's mansion."

"I haven't heard of anyone dying at Prince Ye's mansion. Could it be something happened to His Highness Prince Ye?"

"I don't know. Quick, let's follow and see…"

"…"

Ji Qingqing garnered plenty of attention on the street. Her eyes were red like a rabbit's, tears constantly welling up.

When the gates of Prince Ye's mansion opened, Nanny Xu was utterly dumbfounded.

A square coffin lay directly in the middle of the entrance.

Nanny Xu had never seen such a scene. Just as she was about to lose her temper, Ji Qingqing suddenly rushed forward, tears falling like broken strings of pearls.

"Nanny Xu, I know Elder Sister has passed. Please, let me see her one last time. After all, she is also Father's daughter who was lost outside. I want her to depart with some dignity."

The muscles on Nanny Xu's face twitched in shock.

Ji Yuntang was dead? How did she not know?

Wasn't she full of life and beating people up just yesterday?

Seeing Nanny Xu's lack of reaction, Ji Qingqing cried even more sorrowfully.

"Nanny Xu, I beg of you. Please, just let me see my sister."

Her personal maid, Cui Liu, stepped forward and secretly slipped a jade bracelet into Nanny Xu's hand.

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