Ji Yunxi hugged the bracelet and sobbed uncontrollably.
Seeing Ji Yunxi return to her room, Feng Xingzhi was worried and followed her.
There were not many servants on the way, so he smoothly reached Ji Yunxi's courtyard.
Feng Xingzhi knocked on the door. He could hear Ji Yunxi's sobs inside, but no one opened the door for him.
After thinking for a moment, Feng Xingzhi finally made up his mind and pushed open Ji Yunxi's door.
Ji Yunxi was sitting by the bed, shedding tears.
"Xixi." Feng Xingzhi's voice was full of distress, but at this moment, he couldn't think of any other words of comfort. He just quietly walked to Ji Yunxi's side and pulled her into his arms.
Having a shoulder to lean on, Ji Yunxi no longer held back her emotions.
"Azhi, I don't have my father anymore. I couldn't keep either my father or my mother..."
Feng Xingzhi's heart ached. He tightened his arms as if trying to embed Ji Yunxi in his embrace.
"It's all my fault. It was because of me that I killed Father. I'm the one who killed him..."
Feng Xingzhi frowned. "Why would you say that, Xixi? Lord Ji's death has nothing to do with you."
Ji Yunxi couldn't tell him about her past life, so she just kept shaking her head.
Feng Xingzhi held Ji Yunxi as she cried for a long time. He waited until she was exhausted from crying and was sobbing in his arms drowsily. After settling her down, Feng Xingzhi gently patted Ji Yunxi's shoulder to soothe her emotions.
Finally, when she fell into a deeper sleep, Feng Xingzhi stood up and left the room. Feng Yun was waiting outside.
If Ji Yunxi had been awake at this moment, she would surely have recognized that this was the spy Feng Xingzhi had met in Xirong.
"My lord."
Feng Xingzhi waved his hand, dispensing with the formalities. "Get up. Go and investigate whether Lord Ji's death was due to a sudden illness or foul play."
"Yes, but it may be hard to keep Lord Ji's death a secret."
Feng Xingzhi didn't know what the Ji brothers thought. Since he wasn't married to Ji Yunxi yet, he couldn't interfere.
"Wait. I'll go and discuss this with Ji Yuchen first."
Feng Xingzhi was always a decisive person, but now he had to consult his future brother - in - law.
Ji Yuchen had been extremely busy these days. He had a splitting headache and was resting in his study. Not long after, a servant came to report that Prince Feng was at the door.
He quickly got up to greet him. Now that Ji Qilin was gone, the glory of the prime minister's family had naturally faded. Although he was also an official in the court, compared with his father, he was still far inferior.
For example, as soon as Ji Qilin died, those in the court who disagreed with him began to secretly scheme.
Fortunately, Ji Yunxi was already engaged to Prince Feng. Even if they were bold, they wouldn't dare to provoke the favored Prince Feng, which at least protected the honor of the Ji family.
"My lord." Just as Ji Yuchen was about to bow, Feng Xingzhi stopped him. "Brother, there's no need for such formalities."
Ji Yuchen invited him in. As soon as he dismissed the attendants, he heard Feng Xingzhi ask, "I wonder what you think of our father - in - law's death?"
Ji Yuchen didn't hide his thoughts. "Father passed away suddenly. I have my doubts. I'll discuss with my younger brother and sister whether to ask the Supreme Court of Judicature to intervene."
Feng Xingzhi hesitated for a moment and then said, "I think it's a good idea. No matter what the result is, we should investigate clearly."
Ji Yuchen nodded slightly. "You're right, my lord. But if we make this public now, it may cause unrest in the capital."
He was right. After all, Ji Qilin was the prime minister. If his death was really a result of foul play, it would be no small matter.
Feng Xingzhi thought of his elder brother, the emperor, and then said, "If you trust me, why don't we handle this secretly? I'll find a coroner."
Ji Yuchen understood. If they could do it this way, it would be the best. If it was foul play, they could avoid alerting the enemy. If not, there would be no need to alarm the capital.
"However, the fact that our father - in - law has passed away will eventually come to light."
Ji Yuchen smiled bitterly. "Almost half of the capital already knows. It's just that my younger brother and sister haven't returned home yet, so I've been holding off on the funeral."
Feng Xingzhi's eyes darkened. He played with a string of Hetian jade bracelets in his hand. "This matter can't be hidden. The prime minister held a high position. If he doesn't appear for a long time, people will surely be suspicious. It's better to announce it openly. With me here, I'll surely not let the Ji Mansion be bullied."
With Feng Xingzhi's promise, Ji Yuchen felt warm in his heart.
He used to dislike Prince Feng. He thought that if his younger sister really married him and Feng Xingzhi died soon, it would ruin his younger sister's life.
Now it seemed that Feng Xingzhi regarded his younger sister as a precious treasure. He was indeed a good match.
Without the deliberate concealment, the news of Ji Qilin's death spread like wildfire.
Ji Yunxi slept through the night.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Li Jiuge sitting beside her with red - rimmed eyes, tightly holding her hand.
Li Jiuge was Feng Xingzhi's cousin and her best friend in her past life.
"Axi, you're awake?!" Li Jiuge's tone was a bit surprised, but then she felt it was inappropriate and quickly suppressed it.
When she heard that Lord Ji had passed away, she was extremely worried. She got up early to pay her respects.
After offering incense, she rushed to find Ji Yunxi, worried that she would be heartbroken.
When Ji Yunxi saw Li Jiuge, she felt like crying again. She reached out her hand, and Li Jiuge quickly held it, comforting her for a long time.
Li Jiuge didn't leave after she came. She accompanied Ji Yunxi all the time. Seeing her haggard face, she took her to sit in the courtyard.
She arranged for a servant to bring the meal, but Ji Yunxi just poked at the food with her chopsticks and refused to eat.
"Yunxi, I know you're sad, but you can't ruin your health. What should we do?"
She picked up a bowl of congee and wanted to feed Ji Yunxi.
Ji Yunxi opened her mouth slightly but then turned her head away. "I can't eat..."
"Sister is just putting on an act for who? Father is already dead. No one is watching you like this!"
Just then, Ji Yuyan walked in with her servants. Dressed in all white, she looked rather pitiful.
She was so arrogant that she didn't notice the person sitting with her back to her beside Ji Yunxi.
Ji Yunxi was heartbroken and didn't want to bother with her. She turned her head away.
Unexpectedly, Ji Yuyan refused to let it go. She stepped forward, snatched the bowl from Li Jiuge's hand and smashed it on the ground. "Since sister doesn't want to eat, then don't eat!"
Seeing Ji Yunxi being bullied, Li Jiuge's anger flared up. She suddenly stood up and slapped Ji Yuyan hard on the face.
"Presumptuous! Not only do you not pay your respects when you see this princess, but who gave you the right to shout and scream in front of me?!"
Only then did Ji Yuyan see Li Jiuge's face. Her heart skipped a beat. Why hadn't anyone told her that Li Jiuge was here?!
She quickly bowed. "Please calm down, princess..."
The servants following Ji Yuyan were also so scared that they knelt down in a row, wailing and begging for mercy, not daring to raise their heads.
Li Jiuge made her kneel there. If she didn't speak, Ji Yuyan couldn't get up.
At the same time, she roared angrily, "Ji Yuyan, how can you be so disrespectful and ignorant of the rules! Lord Ji has only been dead for a few days, and you dare to be so presumptuous? A concubine - born daughter still dares to point fingers at the legitimate elder sister."
"Who do you think you are!"