Chapter 588: Begging for Help

Chapter 588: Going to Their Door to Beg

Then the Marquis Yongning's mansion would have long since been counted among the royal relatives. So how could it have ended up in such a miserable state now?

Ji Huaiche and his two brothers had always been outstanding, with bright futures ahead of them.

But now, because of Ji Qingqing, they were wounded or ruined, hanging by a thread, and had lost their most precious prospects.

The entire Marquis Yongning's mansion was falling apart. Madam Ji had also been so angered by Ji Qingqing that she had taken to her bed, unable to walk, kept alive only by daily doses of medicine.

As for Ji Nanchuan himself, his official career had taken a hit too. He could clearly sense that Emperor Jingyang was paying him less and less attention.

At this rate, the whole marquis's mansion was doomed.

Right then, Ji Nanchuan wished he could kill Ji Qingqing.

And he was a man of action. The moment the thought crossed his mind, he grabbed a sword from one of the yamen runners outside.

The moment the blade slid out of its sheath, Ji Huaiche jumped in fright. He rushed over and asked, "Father, what are you doing?"

Ji Nanchuan gritted his teeth and said, "Che'er, don't stop me. I'm going to kill that unfilial daughter and rid our Marquis Yongning's mansion of this disgrace."

Ji Huaiche's heart lurched, and he quickly said, "Father, calm down. This is the yamen. If you kill Ji Qingqing, you'll have to bear the consequences too. Then our Marquis Yongning's mansion really will be finished."

"Father, even if you won't think about yourself, at least think about your son and Third Brother. The marquis's mansion can't afford to lose you right now."

As his words fell, the sword in Ji Nanchuan's hand clattered to the ground with a sharp ring.

Tears streamed down his face, and he broke down sobbing. "It's my fault the Marquis Yongning's mansion is ruined!"

"I've failed Feng'er, failed Hang'er, failed you... I should never have swapped your sister with Ji Qingqing. It was all my fault. I was blind!"

Seeing this, Ji Huaiche felt like a stone was lodged in his chest.

In all his memories of growing up, this was the first time he'd ever seen Ji Nanchuan cry.

No matter what had happened before, he'd never broken down like this.

Ji Huaiche could tell that Ji Nanchuan truly regretted it this time—regretted swapping Ji Yuntang for Ji Qingqing.

But weren't they just as regretful?

If they'd known this would happen, they should have treated Ji Yuntang better when they first brought her back.

She was so kind and gentle. Give her a piece of candy and she'd be happy for ages. She never asked for anything, and she never gave them any attitude.

Where could they ever find another sister so obedient and sensible?

At that thought, Ji Huaiche wished he could slap himself.

Back then, how could they have devoted all their hearts to Ji Qingqing and not seen a single good thing about Ji Yuntang?

If they'd treated Ji Yuntang better back then, and hadn't cut ties on the wedding night, would the marquis's mansion's fate be different now?

Ji Huaiche pushed down the gloom in his heart and said to Ji Nanchuan, "Father, don't be too upset. Second Brother is blessed by heaven. He'll be fine. Isn't Imperial Physician Qin treating him right now?"

Just as he finished speaking, Imperial Physician Qin walked out, soaked in sweat. He said, "Marquis, Heir, the Second Young Master's injuries are far too severe. I worked for an hour and only barely managed to stop the bleeding."

"As for when he'll wake up, that's still uncertain. My skills are limited, and I can't guarantee I can bring the Second Young Master out of danger. Please, Marquis, find a more skilled physician to treat him."

Ji Huaiche immediately asked, "Imperial Physician Qin, do you have anyone to recommend?"

Imperial Physician Qin said, "I've heard Princess Ye's medical skills are excellent. She also knows a method for treating internal injuries, something called surgery."

"The Second Young Master's condition can only be fully treated with surgery. If the Marquis and Heir can invite her to perform the surgery, I believe he'll recover more quickly."

Imperial Physician Qin's words hit Ji Nanchuan and Ji Huaiche like a ton of bricks.

The two exchanged a glance, and both saw the embarrassment on the other's face.

Going to invite Ji Yuntang—wasn't that just sticking their own faces out for her to stomp on?

Sure, they regretted it now.

But given Ji Yuntang's temperament, there was no way she'd forgive them, was there?

Before leaving, Imperial Physician Qin stressed once more.

"Marquis, Heir, the Second Young Master is still not out of danger. If he runs a fever tonight and the wound gets infected, it'll be trouble. You should hurry to the Prince Ye's mansion and invite Princess Ye!"

Ji Huaiche's face was bright red with embarrassment. He asked Ji Nanchuan, "Father, what should we do now? Are we really going to the Prince Ye's mansion to beg Ji Yuntang?"

Ji Nanchuan's head was spinning too. He rubbed his brow in agitation and finally made a decision.

"Go beg her. Compared to your Second Brother's life, what's dignity or face worth?"

"Afterward, I'll deal with Ji Qingqing!"

He was seething with hatred. Ji Qingqing's move had not only failed to kill someone but had also ground the Marquis Yongning's mansion's face into the dirt.

Forcing him to go to the Prince Ye's mansion and humble himself before Ji Yuntang.

This was the daughter he had worked so hard to raise and cherished for sixteen years.

The thought made Ji Nanchuan's heart ache. He ordered his attendants to ready the carriage, then set off for the Prince Ye's mansion with Ji Huaiche.

The gates of the Prince Ye's mansion were tightly shut. Since Ji Yuntang had returned, she'd had Luo Sinian withdraw the patrol camp guards from outside. Now only two gate guards stood out front.

Both men recognized Ji Nanchuan and Ji Huaiche, but when they saw them, they deliberately turned their heads away, acting like they didn't see them.

This infuriated Ji Nanchuan. Since when could two gate guards give him, a marquis, the cold shoulder?

He immediately stepped forward and said, "Where's your princess? I, the Marquis, need to see her."

One of the guards at the door said, "Our princess isn't receiving guests today. Please turn back, Marquis Ji and Heir Ji!"

In truth, Ji Yuntang had simply told the servants of the Prince Ye's mansion that whenever they saw anyone from the Marquis Yongning's mansion, they should act as if they hadn't seen them and ignore them completely.

The Prince Ye's mansion didn't welcome anyone from the Marquis Yongning's mansion.

That was why the guards were so cold when they saw the two.

To Ji Nanchuan, this behavior made the servants of the Prince Ye's mansion look arrogant and ill-mannered.

He fumed, "How do your master and mistress discipline you? Showing such disrespect to me, the Marquis? Do you believe I'll teach you a lesson right now?"

A flicker of impatience passed through the guard's eyes, and he said, "Marquis, this is the Prince Ye's mansion, not the Marquis Yongning's mansion. I only answer to Prince Ye and Princess Ye."

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