My elder sister forced me to become a concubine; I was reborn and remarried into the emperor's

Regardless of why the emperor fell into a coma a few years earlier than expected, or how turbulent the court was, these were not things Wei Nanxun should care about.

She is just a small-time businesswoman now, and living her life well in the present is the most important thing.

After Wei Nanxun and Ji Shouzhuo confessed their feelings to each other, she was initially a little uncomfortable. After all, they would see each other all the time, and their tone of voice and expressions could not be kept secret.

But she soon discovered that the people around her seemed to accept it even faster than she did, not only tacitly ignoring it but also giving them time to be alone together.

Wei Nanxun was so curious that he asked Zhixia about it privately.

“Zhixia, why don’t you try to persuade me or oppose my relationship with Ji Shouzhuo?”

"I trust my elder sister's judgment in judging people, just like how you left the capital without hesitation because you thought the Crown Prince was no good. I think the young lady living in the Eastern Palace now must be regretting it."

That's why, ever since she learned that the Crown Prince had taken concubines one after another, she has never mentioned going back.

"But don't you think I'm being too casual? After all, marriage should be arranged by parents and matchmakers."

"But someone has to consider your feelings, sister. The second master is away all year round, and the old lady and the first lady don't treat you like their own granddaughter at all. They only think about using your marriage to benefit the Wei family. Sister should make her own plans. She shouldn't let them benefit at the expense of her own happiness."

Zhixia lowered her voice and said, "Although Mr. Ji's family is destitute, from the time we've spent together, I can tell he's not incompetent. Even if he doesn't achieve great things in the future, he can definitely support his family by teaching in this town. I think he's much better than those so-called sons of officials in the capital."

This is also why, after that Wen guy caused such a scene, they became extremely disgusted with those pampered young masters.

Fortunately, Wen Zhuxi seemed to have been humiliated and scared, and never bothered them again after that.

Wei Nanxun always treated Zhixia as her younger sister who hadn't grown up yet. After all, she had lived a second life, so it was normal for her to be insightful and open-minded.

Unexpectedly, Zhixia had considered so much for her, and she couldn't help but feel touched.

Then Zhixia added jokingly, "Besides, Mr. Ji is so good-looking. If he were in the capital, he would be sought after by everyone. Just based on his looks, it would definitely be a good deal to marry him into the family!"

Wei Nanxun was amused by her: "You little rascal, you're making fun of your older sister now, aren't you? If anyone wants to marry our little Zhixia in the future, they'll have to pass my test in terms of looks."

The two sisters burst into laughter, successfully easing Wei Nanxun's anxiety.

After she got used to the way others looked at her, her interactions with Ji Shouzhuo became more natural.

During the day, she draws flower patterns and comes up with new ideas. His injuries have improved, and he can move around freely. Occasionally, she will offer advice from his side.

She wasn't good at writing or drawing, so he taught her to write.

Once he took on the role of the teacher, he showed her no mercy, and sometimes she would be punished with a slap if she didn't write well.

Wei Nanxun was initially somewhat displeased. Given their current relationship, was it necessary to be so serious?

But then she thought that his serious teaching was the only way he could be responsible for her and truly respect her. If he were to play around even while reading and teaching, then he would be truly looking down on her. So she put aside her temper and seriously followed him in learning to write and read.

It actually looked quite like a proper school class.

Although the two had already developed feelings for each other, apart from occasionally holding hands and whispering sweet nothings, they did not engage in any further inappropriate behavior.

Wei Nanxun became increasingly convinced that she hadn't liked the wrong person, and that he was serious about her.

Meanwhile, good news also came from the clothing shop. The clothes were all new before the season, and as the weather was getting colder day by day, they had already cut new clothes according to her patterns.

Unexpectedly, the ready-made clothes were sold out immediately as soon as they were put on display, and some even bought up all the new arrivals in the store.

Manager He hurriedly had the embroiderers make a new batch, which was also sold out in a short time. She came to deliver the bonus, which was a whole ingot of gold.

When she saw Wei Nanxun, her face was frozen with a smile, as if she wanted to worship her.

“Miss Guan, if you have any good designs, I’ll take them all. We’ve had such a pleasant working relationship, and I’m very generous with my payments. You can’t sell your new designs to others.”

Wei Nanxun knew that this flower design would sell well, but she didn't expect the profit to be so high.

Knowing her goal was ten ingots of gold, how could she refuse? She also took out the design of another garment she had recently drawn.

If she only drew flower patterns, they would always overlap with those in the capital, attracting too much attention. So she came up with another way.

She remembered clearly that in her previous life, she had made the sleeves of her clothes very wide after autumn arrived, and she also made several layers of sleeve edges, so that the woman's hands would appear particularly slender. She only wore it once to a banquet.

The girls at the table all thought it was beautiful, and it soon spread throughout the capital.

Starting that autumn and winter, everyone's sleeves became bigger and bigger, and the sleeve edges became more and more layered.

This was the first outfit she wore, and no one in the capital would know about it. Even if it became popular in Pingzhen, no one would suspect anything.

She has recently been learning painting techniques from Pei Ji. While she can't say she's a great painter, she has at least grasped the most basic forms.

Shopkeeper He was delighted with the design as soon as he saw it: "How come I never thought that the sleeves could be cut like this? It looks beautiful. If these are made, they will definitely sell well."

"By the way, Miss Guan, quite a few ladies and young women from wealthy and powerful families have come to my shop to buy clothes, and many of them have been asking me who designed such beautiful patterns, saying they are even more fashionable than those in the clothing shops in the capital. I haven't told them that you designed them, so how am I supposed to answer if they ask again?"

Wei Nanxun naturally didn't want to be too ostentatious: "Manager He also knows that I am still unmarried. It's just a hobby. If I'm too flamboyant, I'm afraid my elders at home won't like it."

“I understand, but if you can make your name known, your paintings will definitely fetch a lot more price in the future. I’m doing this all for your sake.”

It's like a famous painting; the same painting can command a high price if the artist is famous.

In the past, Wei Nanxun would never have considered it, but when she thought about how much money would be needed for everything in the family and how she wanted to save money to find a husband, she became somewhat tempted.

Manager He saw through her thoughts at a glance and gave her a suggestion: "You don't need to use your full name, just choose an elegant nickname."

That's a good idea; it allows her to make money without drawing too much attention to herself.

Her fingers happened to touch the jade pendant hanging from her waist. She smiled and said, "Then call me Mr. Yue."

-

Meanwhile at the Imperial Palace.

Prime Minister Wen stood before the imperial bed, looking at the emperor with concern and a solemn expression.

"Prime Minister, only you can save His Majesty now. The Crown Prince has gone mad! He has been feeding His Majesty something every day that has kept him in a deep sleep."

“Your Highness, I understand your feelings, but you must be careful with your words and actions. Without evidence, how can you slander the Crown Prince?”

"No! I'm not making this up. I saw someone come in at night and cover His Majesty's mouth and nose. Luckily, I screamed and scared them away. It must be the Crown Prince. It was him who plotted to murder His Majesty so he could sit on the throne as soon as possible."

The Consort Xian had long lost her former high spirits. Ever since she offered to come and attend to the sick, she had been under house arrest and had no way to step out of her bedchamber.

She was paranoid every day, and dared not even eat anything, fearing that one day she would be like the emperor and never wake up again.

Having finally encountered Prime Minister Wen visiting the Emperor, she disregarded everything else and kowtowed repeatedly, begging him to restrain the Crown Prince.

Prime Minister Wen was once the emperor's tutor and the most upright and incorruptible person in the court and among the people.

If even he can't help her, then death is all that awaits her and her child.

“I have it, I have it. I was the one who served His Majesty when he vomited after taking the medicine. I have put everything away. As long as we take it to the imperial physician for examination, we will know the reason.”

Consort Xian, as if possessed, pulled a jade basin from under the bed. Upon thinking about what was inside, even Prime Minister Wen couldn't help but frown.

He finally sighed and said, "If that's the case, then this old minister will send someone to investigate."

"Prime Minister, Crown Prince, the Crown Prince even attacked His Majesty, he certainly won't let my son go either. Please, Prime Minister, save my son."

"Your Highness, please rise. This old minister cannot accept such a grand gesture. The Crown Prince and the Second Prince are brothers, how could they possibly do something to harm their own brother? You are worrying too much."

"No, I will not get up unless the Prime Minister agrees..."

As the two were struggling, the palace doors were opened from the outside, and Pei Yuyan, dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe, strode in with a group of people.

Chen Desheng rushed in first, his shrill voice booming, "His Majesty is unconscious! What are Consort Xian and Prime Minister Wen doing?"