Chapter 93: 被休
[Divorced]
She had believed herself the ultimate victor, yet this scandal spread through the city like a disease. The second wife was utterly panicked, especially upon learning the news had become common knowledge outside the household—only then did she realize her ruin was complete.
When the clan elders sought out the head of the household, he learned the affair had escalated to such an outrageous extent.
“This is all Qin’s fault! First, she disregarded the Ji family’s honor by suing her own son, and now it’s escalated into such a scandal. If we don’t deal with this severely, others in the Ji family will follow suit. Where would the Ji family’s dignity be? Where would its reputation stand?” The elder speaking wore a face of fury, clearly at the end of his patience with this affair. Normally, matters concerning the Ji family were handled by the Patriarch. Only when something so damaging to the family’s reputation arose would the elders step forward.
Facing elders of higher standing, the Patriarch naturally would not defy their wishes, especially given the gravity of the situation. After a moment’s thought, he nodded, then asked uncertainly, “If that is the case, how do you gentlemen propose to handle this?”
The elders had clearly already formulated a plan. Upon hearing Master Ji’s question, they exchanged glances. Then, the elder who had spoken earlier turned to face him, his expression stern. “Since matters have reached this point, our Ji family cannot tolerate someone who brings such disgrace upon our household. Let the Second Master send her back to her own family.”
Upon hearing this outcome, the First Master Ji showed no surprise. After a moment’s thought, he finally nodded in agreement. “Then let us proceed as the First Elder suggests.”
Ever since hearing this news, the Second Lady’s first instinct was that Ji Ling had framed her. But when she sent people to investigate and even tried every means to cover up the incident, she discovered it was actually her own family members who had orchestrated it. Originally, she had placed her own people within the Ji family’s enterprises for three reasons: first, to provide some support to her family; second, to demonstrate her own capabilities, thereby steadily increasing her standing within her natal family; and third, to create a reliable source of income for herself.
Because of this incident, those who had been placed within the Ji household solely through her connections were all expelled. Their expulsion itself was no great loss, but who could have predicted that years of lavish living had spoiled them? After being dismissed, they sought out the Second Lady, hoping to be reinstated. However, the Second Lady was now in such a precarious position herself that she could barely save her own skin. She certainly had no time to concern herself with this matter, so she sent them away. Yet those individuals remained relentless in their harassment. When their demands were ultimately refused, they issued threats. She ignored them. To her horror, they then leaked the entire affair. Upon learning the full story, the Second Lady was filled with regret.
Before her regret could fully set in, a servant arrived at the door, requesting the Second Lady accompany him to the ancestral hall. Hearing this, the Second Lady, who had been pondering countermeasures in her room, stiffened. An instinctive sense of impending doom washed over her. She turned to her son, who was watching her with concern, and said, “Go find your father. Ask him to intercede for me.”
Ji Tao watched his mother feigning composure, swallowing his own bitterness as he nodded firmly.
Seeing her son’s agreement, the Second Lady quickly tidied her appearance before following the servant out. A sliver of hope lingered in her heart—as the Second Lady of the Ji household, they couldn’t possibly do anything to her.
The moment she entered the ancestral hall, she saw elders who seldom ventured out, the eldest master and his wife, the Ji family’s direct descendants—even her own husband stood among them. The Second Lady took in the scene, her lips parting, but no words came out.
The Second Master glanced discreetly at his wife. Her face bore a composed expression, yet her eyes met his with a plea. But recalling the words his elder brother had just spoken to him, the Second Master averted his gaze.
Tang Xiaobao stood beside Ji Ling, feeling uneasy. He didn’t know what was happening; this was his first time here. Observing the Second Lady standing in the center, he sensed something momentous was unfolding today. Yet the room’s solemn atmosphere made him profoundly uncomfortable.
Ji Ling, who had remained by Tang Xiaobao’s side, seemed to notice his unease. He reached out and patted his arm, offering silent reassurance. Only when he felt Tang Xiaobao relax did he allow himself a slight sense of relief.
As the two interacted, the leader turned to the Second Lady before him and demanded sternly, “Madam Qin, are you aware of the offense you’ve committed recently?”
The Second Lady lifted her eyes to meet his, clenched her jaw, and shook her head.
The man seemed to have anticipated her reaction. Fixing his gaze upon her, he spoke calmly, “Since you yourself do not know what wrong you have committed, I shall tell you.
Fabricating baseless accusations, disregarding the Ji family’s reputation by dragging your stepson before the magistrate—this is wickedness.
Misappropriating the dowry of your husband’s former wife, and refusing to repent even after being discovered—this is jealousy.
Allowing your own kin to infiltrate the Ji family’s holdings and exploiting your position to amass wealth—this is greed.
Each of these offenses alone warrants expulsion from the Ji family. After deliberation by the clan elders, “From this day forward, you, Mrs. Qin, are no longer a member of the Ji family.”
With that, he produced the divorce decree written by Second Master Ji and presented it to the Second Lady.
Seeing the divorce decree before her, the Second Lady’s eyes suddenly widened. She then looked at her husband in disbelief, only to find him avoiding her gaze and subtly retreating backward. Only then did she realize what she was facing. She looked at the elder before her and said, “I refuse to accept this. Over the years, even if I haven’t contributed much to the Ji family, I’ve certainly endured hardships.”
The elder regarded her with no trace of pity, even letting out a cold chuckle at her words. “This is the Ji family’s decision. You should know the consequences of your actions.”
“No, I refuse to believe it! Punish me however you wish, but you cannot divorce me like this!” If this happened, what face would she have left to live in this world? She had intended to plead with her husband, only to discover that since the announcement, Second Master Ji had already retreated to the back. She shifted her gaze to the assembled crowd, her eyes brightening when she spotted the First Lady standing there. Right—she had done all this because she trusted the First Lady’s words. She would surely help her.
“Sister-in-law.” The moment she uttered the word, the First Lady looked at her. Her tone was gentle, yet it carried an inexplicable chill. “Younger sister-in-law, I cannot help you now. The things you’ve done are grave offenses. When you acted, you should have been considered Fourth Young Master.”
The Second Lady stiffened at the mention of her son, then swallowed all her words. She knew that even for her son’s sake, there was no turning back now. Tears streamed down her face as she collapsed, wailing loudly, her misery palpable.
Seeing the once-arrogant Second Lady reduced to this state, Tang Xiaobao felt an inexplicable sadness. Yet observing the surrounding crowd’s apparent indifference, he was overcome by an equally inexplicable dread.
As if sensing Tang Xiaobao’s unease, Ji Ling reached out and clasped his hand, offering silent comfort.
The Ji family deliberately kept the matter concerning the Second Lady hidden from Ji Tao. By the time Ji Tao received word and arrived at the ancestral hall, the elders in charge had already departed. Only those overseeing the Second Lady’s swift departure from the Ji household remained.
“Mother.” Seeing his mother looking utterly wretched, Ji Tao stumbled forward step by step until he reached her. He helped her up, gazing at the tear-stained marks on her face. “Mother, I’ll go beg Father to spare you. Then you won’t have to leave.” With that, he turned to leave, intending to find his father.
But suddenly, the Second Lady grabbed his hand tightly. Looking at him earnestly, she said, “Don’t go. It’s useless. This is the decision of the clan elders. Your father cannot defy it. Listen to me. I can no longer protect you here. You must be strong.” From the moment it began, her nominal husband had shown her no concern whatsoever. She knew her greatest support within the Ji family was now useless.
“Mother.” Knowing his mother still cared for him at a time like this filled Ji Tao with profound sorrow.
In the end, when the once-glorious Second Lady Ji departed, she took only her dowry and a few items given to her by Second Master Ji. Yet no one demanded the return of the things she had embezzled.
Standing outside the gate, watching the departing carriage, Ji Tao said expressionlessly, “I know. It’s all Ji Ling’s fault. From now on, I will be his sworn enemy.” If not for Ji Ling, none of his mother’s affairs would have been exposed, let alone brought to light.
Sang Jiayi stood by silently, observing Ji Tao who seemed slightly off, wisely keeping her thoughts to herself. Still, she couldn’t help but think her mother-in-law was a bit too foolish.
The departure of Second Lady Ji appeared to have no impact whatsoever on the household. In fact, when people spoke of her, they saw her merely as a laughingstock, with little else to say.
For Tang Xiaobao, Ji Ling’s return brought not only a significant lift in his mood but also a physical toll. It seemed the previous incident had stirred something in Ji Ling, causing him to suddenly become intensely devoted to certain matters over the following days. Tang Xiaobao woke each morning rubbing his aching waist, clearly in discomfort.
Today was no different. Having been thoroughly worn out yesterday, Tang Xiaobao sat up, still rubbing his back, and instructed Lühe, who was waiting outside, to bring in the breakfast that had been prepared earlier.
Lu He placed the breakfast on the table. Seeing how awkwardly Tang Xiaobao moved, she reached out to steady him and asked with concern, “Young Madam, are we still going to the restaurant later?”
Hearing this, Tang Xiaobao thought it over seriously before nodding. Running this restaurant was pure whim—he went when he felt like it and stayed home when he didn’t. Especially lately, with Ji Ling’s situation, he’d simply stopped going altogether. It has been nearly a week now. If Ji Ling hadn’t had some money, he wouldn’t have been able to endure his neglect. Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but blush slightly.
“Should we tell the young master?” After receiving Tang Xiaobao’s answer, Lü He remembered her young master’s recent instructions not to let his wife overwork.
Tang Xiaobao pondered for a moment before shaking his head. He didn’t consider it a significant matter and saw no need to inform Ji Ling. Since Ji Ling’s return, Tang Xiaobao had been busy handling business matters that had been neglected, as well as expressing gratitude to those who had assisted him over the past few days.
After breakfast and a brief rest, Tang Xiaobao headed to the restaurant accompanied by Lühe. Seeing him arrive, the staff—who had been anxious due to recent rumors—immediately relaxed and greeted him with such effusive warmth that Tang Xiaobao felt almost embarrassed. Reflecting on his recent capriciousness, he looked at the shop assistants and said, “Starting today, I’ll be relying on your hard work once more.”
Hearing such polite words from Tang Xiaobao, the servants grew flustered and hastily replied, “Master, you’re too kind. It’s our duty.” Their earlier worries about losing this coveted job vanished instantly at his words, and their responses now rang with genuine sincerity.
Watching the excited staff, Tang Xiaobao felt thoroughly satisfied. He instructed someone to hang the “Open for Business” sign at the entrance before heading to the back kitchen. There, he planned to prepare a dessert he’d conceived days ago but hadn’t had time to make due to recent events. It would become a signature sweet treat for his shop.
While Tang Xiaobao was energetically preparing the ingredients, Ji Ling sat with Lei Ming and Young Master Huang.
He pushed his ledger toward Ji Ling and recounted how he’d taken over managing the affairs Ji Ling had been handling these past few days. What he’d initially thought would be a breeze nearly drove him to the brink of exhaustion. In the end, he had to admit that making money truly depended on Ji Ling’s talent. “I’m exhausted. If you hadn’t shown up, I was ready to deliver the goods to you myself or even wrestle the man away from the magistrate’s office. This job is no human’s burden—utterly troublesome.”
Ji Ling remained silent, merely nodding faintly as he took the items from Lei Ming’s hands. After a quick glance, he found the earnings were roughly on par with what he’d managed before his incident—though slightly less, it was still within reason, so he didn’t dwell on it. He inquired about recent developments, offered some guidance on how to proceed, and thus concluded his work for the day.
With business settled, they turned to personal matters. Taking a sip of tea, Lei Ming looked at Ji Ling with concern. “Your stepmother was behind your imprisonment. Releasing her so easily—what if she decides to stir up trouble again someday?”
Ji Ling, however, seemed utterly unconcerned by his friend’s worries, even carrying a hint of disdain. Staring at the tea in his cup, he replied indifferently, “I imagine she’ll have her hands full just dealing with her own family now that she’s back. She likely won’t have the energy to meddle in the Ji family’s affairs again. Besides, she’s no longer part of the Ji family. The Ji family’s matters are none of her concern anymore.”
Upon hearing Ji Ling’s words, Lei Ming, who had been somewhat concerned for him, instantly felt reassured. Pouring himself a cup of wine, he chuckled to himself, thinking he’d overthought it. After all, she was just a woman. No matter what trouble she might stir up, without her husband’s backing, she wouldn’t amount to much.
Huang Gongzi, who had been listening quietly, observed Ji Ling—who had always been the undisputed top performer—and after a moment’s thought, spoke up: “I wonder if you might be interested in managing even more wealth?”
Ji Ling didn’t grasp the implication and asked in confusion, “Such as?”
Huang Gongzi looked at him, smiled, and replied with equal parts jest and earnestness, “Such as becoming an official, helping the emperor manage his coffers.”
His words fell into a moment of silence. Then, Ji Ling replied slowly, “I’m just a merchant. I don’t have such grand ambitions. Managing my own little plot of land is enough for me. As for the bigger matters, it’s best to leave them to the experts.”
Huang Gongzi had felt his earlier suggestion was somewhat abrupt, but Ji Ling’s prompt refusal brought him relief mixed with a hint of regret. Regardless, he admired Ji Ling’s talent, and the tangible benefits Ji Ling now provided were what truly mattered. This thought made him chuckle. “I was just speaking off the cuff.”
Ji Ling smiled without comment and steered the conversation elsewhere.
After a while, as dinner time approached, Lei Ming glanced at Ji Ling and thought of his husband, who was an exceptional cook. The small restaurant had closed because of Ji Ling, but now that he was back, there was no reason to keep it shut. Thus, he proposed dining at Tang Xiaobao’s place. Naturally, no one objected—especially Ji Ling, deeply concerned about Tang Xiaobao’s health, who longed to see her beloved husband.
When the group arrived at the entrance of Tang Xiaobao’s private restaurant, they found the once deserted spot now bustling with activity. The queue stretched nearly to the street corner. Each customer emerging carried a beautifully packaged pastry, their joy evident as the faint scent of lotus leaves wafted from the boxes.
Seeing this scene, the trio hesitated not a moment, weaving through the crowd to enter the shop. Unexpectedly, they were stopped before even entering. The waiter, who appeared to be new, addressed them politely: “My apologies, sirs. We are fully booked today. Please come another time. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”
His tone was so courteous it made it hard to take offense. Before the trio could respond, a waiter selling pastries nearby seemed to spot something. He set down his goods and hurried over, pushing the original attendant behind him. He smiled obsequiously at Ji Ling, “My apologies, sir. This one is new and didn’t recognize you. You’re here to eat, right? I’ll show you right away.”
Ji Ling observed this quick-witted waiter, nodded without further comment, and followed him inside.
The waiter left behind hurried over to assist the pastry seller, still trembling as he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He was startled by his own actions—how could he not recognize his own boss? Thankfully, he hadn’t been kicked out immediately. Thinking of Brother Jiang’s timely intervention, he felt the man was a good soul.
The waiter led them inside, and Ji Ling immediately asked, “What were all those people here for earlier?”
Hearing this, the waiter beamed with pride and excitedly replied, “It’s all because the boss’s pastries are simply too delicious! They all came specifically for the boss’s pastries. Plus, our shop hasn’t been open for a while. The moment we reopened, so many people came seeking the owner’s fame that all our private rooms are booked today. Luckily, the owner is wise and kept one reserved as a backup.” Saying this, he arrived at the door of that room, pushed it open, and walked inside.
The three of them saw that this room was the one they most frequently occupied during their usual visits, and instantly understood.
They then settled into their seats with practiced ease, ordered their dishes, and just as the waiter was about to leave, Ji Ling called him back. “Tell your boss to take care of himself and not overwork himself,”
Hearing this, the waiter beamed with excitement. “Understood!” he replied, then dashed off with the menu.
Seeing this, Lei Ming felt compelled to tease. Observing Ji Ling’s expression, he couldn’t help but chuckle. “Who knew you cherished your husband so deeply? No wonder you always put on such a saintly, gentlemanly act when entertaining at those pleasure quarters.”
Ji Ling merely glanced at him, offering no reply.
Meanwhile, at the other end, Second Lady Ji, Qin Shi, had returned to her natal home. Not only was there no one to greet her, but she was met with a barrage of cold sarcasm and scorn. Only upon entering the house did she discover that every soul within the household now harbored hostility toward her. Not a single one remembered the kindness she had shown over the years. Instead, they all blamed her for being divorced by the Ji family due to her own selfish desires.
Seeing those who had once fawned over her now turn their backs on her, Qin’s anger flared. She promptly gathered her belongings and sought lodging elsewhere, her heart filled with venomous thoughts: her downfall was entirely Ji Ling’s doing. A malicious smile touched her lips as she thought of her son still residing in the Ji household. It didn’t matter—she wasn’t completely defeated yet.
