bestfiction Chapter 147 Strange things
Chapter 147 Strange things
For the people of the capital on that day, this was the first strange thing in history.
The Ji family, which was once so powerful and influential, actually had to apologize to an old man from Huangzhou.
Although it was an apology to Old Man Yuan, in the hearts of all the people, Old Man Yuan represented them, and this was an apology to all the people who had been trampled under the feet of the Ji family.
The streets were crowded with people, and everyone was heading towards Zui Jiangyue, all wanting to see how the once high and mighty Ji family was now prostrating themselves on the ground and confessing their crimes to the common people.
So the place was already lively before people even arrived.
No matter how glorious and glorious you once were, now you are faced with so much cold stares and ridicule.
But Ji Xiangli didn't care at all, he knew what the people wanted to see.
He was supported by Ji Bozhou as he got down from the carriage in a somewhat dejected manner, his brows slightly furrowed, his cheeks sunken, tears in his eyes, and a perfect hint of guilt on his face.
Ji Cheng was beheaded in public, and his title was stripped from him in public. He is still despised and insulted by the people until now, and everyone knows that Ji Xiangli was beaten with a stick.
The reputation and prestige of the Marquis' Mansion had been lost long ago, so he didn't care whether he would be in the spotlight or infamy at the moment.
The two carriages from the palace arrived after the Ji family. Jiang Xing and Lu Xuan sat in the front, and Old Man Yuan sat in the back.
When the people saw Prince Jin helping the princess get off the carriage, they couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
The prince and the princess are a perfect match!
If the prince wasn't so extravagant and dissolute, they would even want to praise them as a match made in heaven!
In addition, with the contrast of a hypocrite like Ji Cheng, Jiang Xing's previous reputation for extravagance is nothing compared to the Ji family's wealth that rivals a country.
As soon as he got off the carriage, Lu Xuan was shocked by today's scene.
Did the Ji family take Zui Jiangyue under their wing?
I saw that Zuijiangyue was newly decorated inside and out. A red silk was hung in front of the door, and osmanthus trees and blooming peonies were placed on both sides, symbolizing reconciliation and wealth.
Walking from the restaurant, one originally had to pass through a courtyard with flowers, flowing water, rockery and strange rocks, and then reach the elegant pavilion specially used to entertain distinguished guests.
But for today's gimmick, the shopkeeper actually built a unique pavilion directly on the flowers, plants and rocks, and hung gauze curtains on the walls of the pavilion for privacy.
Although there was a gauze curtain blocking the view, the movements of the people inside were almost half real and half fake, and could be seen at a glance.
Are they going to expose their meeting today to everyone?
Lu Xuan couldn't help but wonder, at this critical juncture, Ji Xiangli wasn't that stupid, this shouldn't happen!
Then the shopkeeper's eyes narrowed into slits, and he leaned forward to flatter Ji Xiangli, saying, "Father-in-law Ji, Zuijiangyue Restaurant has recently been renovated, and this spacious and comfortable Yunyi Pavilion was built especially for distinguished guests like you.
It is the height of summer now, with the water flowing gently beneath the pavilion and people drinking and singing in the pavilion, it is the perfect place for you to entertain guests and relax!
The shopkeeper knew why the people came today, and naturally wanted to make more money for Zui Jiang Yue that day, so he came up with this idea.
Seeing this, Jiang Xing laughed inwardly, and couldn't help but teasing: "Thank you so much for the hospitality, Ji Guozhang."
This directly agreed to hold the banquet in this pavilion where people could watch from all directions, so that the people around would be able to witness the humble attitude of the Ji family even more.
Ji Xiangli was put on such a humiliating show that he could only smile and say, "Then let's do as the prince said and stay here."
Originally, his coming to apologize today was just a pretext, but he didn't expect Jiang Xing to actually take it seriously!
However, his target today was not Jiang Xing at all, so it didn't matter where he was or how many people laughed at him!
It’s okay for Jiang Xing to be arrogant and show off his eloquence for now!
After that, a servant led the group to Yunyixuan, and Ji Bozhou followed the shopkeeper to welcome the third prince.
The pavilion is indeed spacious. In addition to a large round table made of sunken wood, there is also a screen partition made of golden crabapple. In the small tea room, there are soft couches, foot mats, low tables, tea-making utensils, etc., which are extremely elegant.
The center seat at the round table was reserved for Jiang Xing, followed by the Third Prince and Lu Xuan on either side, followed closely by Elder Yuan and Ji Xiangli. The Ji family members placed themselves in a very humble position.
Song Chuchu also arrived at this time. She deliberately wore a veil to cover her face, but she saw Ji Bozhou leading the third prince seemed to look at her, which frightened her heart.
Then, the two men were seen talking and laughing as they went inside.
She quickly dodged to the side and used the bodies of the people watching the fun around her to cover herself.
There were a lot of people here today, so she walked forward in the crowd and easily concealed herself.
From her understanding of the Third Prince, he would usually have a private room reserved for him wherever he went, to rest in. Moreover, today's banquet was being held in such a public place, and the Third Prince hated interacting with the public, so he would definitely want to leave soon.
She saw the Third Prince and Ji Bozhou saying something privately to the shopkeeper. When the Third Prince followed Ji Bozhou to the table, she quickly found a secluded corner and went to greet the shopkeeper.
Inside Yunyixuan, Ji Xiangli saw that everyone had arrived, so he stood up first with Ji Bozhou, and the two of them then took off their outer robes.
Seeing him take off his clothes as soon as he arrived, Lu Xuan was shocked.
Then I saw that both of them were wearing plain clothes with white silk tied around their waists. This was an attire for apology, representing their sincerity and courtesy.
The third prince Jiang Xu had always been favored. Since he was a child, he had only seen his uncle and grandfather in glory and glory. He had never seen such a humble and subservient appearance, and a feeling of displeasure suddenly rose in his heart.
Old Man Yuan had seen Ji Xiangli's cruel look in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, so he was still a little angry at the moment and turned his head away.
When the Third Prince saw Old Man Yuan's expression, he became even angrier. Before Ji Xiangli could say anything, he suddenly finished the glass of wine in front of him and slammed the glass heavily on the table.
Ji Xiangli glanced at him immediately.
The third prince remembered his mother's instructions that morning and suppressed the anger that was boiling in his heart.
Today, the people are eagerly waiting, and the atmosphere is so high. Ji Xiangli knows that if he doesn't take some practical action this time, the Ji family might be in a worse situation than before.
Moreover, the Third Prince is young after all. In order to prevent him from continuing to make more uncontrollable actions here, he must cut the Gordian knot and divert the attention of the people first.
Ji Xiangli and Ji Bozhou walked up to Jiang Xing, Lu Xuan, and Old Man Yuan. Lu Xuan barely blinked before the two men bowed deeply.
Lu Xuan stepped back in fright, but Ji Bozhou's eyes strangely didn't look at her.
"The guilty Ji Xiangli, along with the younger generation of the Ji family, has come to apologize to the prince, princess, and Lord Yuan!"
Ji Xiangli's voice was low, but the private rooms were packed with people watching the excitement, their ears pricked up like a needle. Although they didn't stare openly, all eyes were instantly focused on him.
"Please forgive my late eldest son of the Ji family for committing a crime that almost cost His Majesty's life!"
After saying that, the two of them stood up, each took a glass of wine, tilted their heads back and drank it in front of Jiang Xing and Lu Xuan.
"Second, I apologize to Lord Yuan for his corruption, abuse of power, and cruelty to the people!"
After saying this, he bowed deeply to Mr. Yuan.
Another glass of wine rolled down Ji Xiangli's throat before he could taste it.
"Third, for the sake of past grievances, I hope that the prince and princess will be magnanimous and reconcile with the Ji family and put aside the past grudges!"
Another deep bow.
The people outside couldn't hear the specific words clearly, but words like "apology" and "forgiveness" sounded very pleasant and clear to their ears. Some people couldn't help but shout and sneer.
"Oh, even the father-in-law who is so powerful will bow down to ordinary people like us one day!"
"That's right! If it weren't for Prince Jin and Princess Jin's help, the truth would have never been revealed. Who knows, they might have spent the people's hard-earned money while secretly cursing the people for being stupid!"
"Such an injustice and disaster, yet they only killed one person! Fortunately, Prince Jin came to help..."
Suddenly, Jiang Xing and Lu Xuan both subconsciously felt that something was wrong.