Chapter 94: 出事
[Accident occured]
Ever since the Second Lady departed, everyone in the household seemed to hold Ji Ling in deep reverence. Even the kitchen steward who had been making things difficult for them recently resumed supplying their courtyard as before. He even personally came to apologize to Tang Xiaobao, fearing that once this soon-to-be-promoted madam gained influence, he might whisper in Ji Ling’s ear, and then his position would be in jeopardy. Tang Xiaobao didn’t know how to handle such people, so in the end, he had Lühe send the person away.
Beyond the business ventures Ji Ling and Lei Ming pursued together, Master Ji also granted Ji Ling greater authority, involving him in more family affairs. The old Ji Ling would have refused outright, but now, for reasons unknown, he accepted the responsibilities, even promising to fulfill them diligently. This development greatly pleased Old Master Ji, who believed Ji Ling possessed the capability to succeed.
After Ji Ling’s visible rise to power, his standing within the manor steadily grew. Every servant he encountered now bowed respectfully to both Ji Ling and Tang Xiaobao. Even the illegitimate children, who had previously kept their distance, now carried a hint of flattery in their demeanor. At first, Tang Xiaobao felt utterly at a loss in this new environment. It wasn’t until he received guidance from Lühe that he began to navigate it with ease and could treat it with a calm, composed demeanor. Ji Ling, who had been quietly observing this development, had initially harbored some concerns. However, upon seeing Tang Xiaobao adapt well and handle matters with skill and confidence, he ceased to pay it much attention.
In stark contrast to Ji Ling’s triumphant success, Ji Tao’s situation was far more miserable. His mother had been expelled from the Ji household in a manner that drew public ridicule. When he sought his father’s intervention, he was instead subjected to a harsh scolding, culminating in a heated argument between father and son. He knew everyone in the mansion was watching him for laughs. These thoughts only made his temper worse, and he often took it out on the servants around him. Consequently, the servants grew increasingly distant and cautious around him.
One day, upon learning his eldest uncle had assigned a task originally entrusted to him to someone else, Ji Tao once again lost his temper in his room. After smashing several porcelain pieces, he still felt unsatisfied. Just as he was about to take it out on someone, a gentle voice spoke: “Husband, what’s wrong?”
In an instant, Ji Tao seemed to calm down. He looked at the woman standing before him, gazing at him tenderly, and moved his lips but no words came out.
Sang Jiayi glanced around at the situation and immediately understood what had happened. Her expression toward Ji Tao remained unchanged, her tone still gentle. She moved closer to him and whispered softly, ” Don’t be angry. Anger harms the body. Whatever the issue is, we’ll discuss it calmly. Two heads are better than one. It’s far better than stewing in silence alone.”
Ji Tao lifted his gaze to meet Sang Jiayi’s eyes, which remained perpetually gentle. The rage in his heart instantly subsided. After a long moment, he slowly nodded in agreement.
Seeing Ji Tao successfully calmed, Sang Jiayi gently placed her hand on his head, stroking it softly as she said in a calm tone, “It’s okay. We still have a chance.”
As if struck by a thought, Ji Tao smiled faintly, as though bewitched, murmuring softly, “Yes, we still have a chance.”
“Madam, the pastries and peach blossom wine we prepared have all sold out. Should we make some more?” Jiang Chen looked at his employer with obvious excitement. Their goods weren’t cheap, yet they never struggled to sell them. Especially the new pastries his employer had created—they were practically in short supply. Now, they have become a symbol of status and prestige in the city. If one didn’t include a box of these pastries in a gift, it was considered a lapse in etiquette.
As their fame grew, the pastries sold even better, often flying off the shelves shortly after being put out. As the third most powerful person in the shop after his boss and the shopkeeper, Jiang Chen was naturally thrilled by this phenomenon. After all, the better they sold, the more generous the monthly bonuses they received.
Tang Xiaobao wasn’t surprised by the news. After all, he had used that special method to make the pastry. While it wouldn’t produce effects as powerful as when treating Ji Ling, it still had some nourishing properties. Those who knew how to eat it could naturally appreciate its subtle benefits. However, upon hearing Jiang Chen’s words, he pondered for a moment before shaking his head and saying indifferently, “No need. We’re almost at closing time.”
Jiang Chen, who had been filled with joy moments before, froze upon hearing Tang Xiaobao’s reply. Then, remembering his other terrifying employer, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Yet his face still bore a look of deep conflict as he said, “Yes, Master.”
Seeing Jiang Chen’s expression, he knew exactly what was on his mind. For him, however, accompanying Ji Ling remained the priority. Since Ji Ling was so busy now, he naturally needed to reduce his own workload to ensure more time together. After all, a harmonious family required mutual effort—it couldn’t rely solely on Ji Ling’s sacrifices.
He gave a quick farewell to the restaurant staff, instructing them to prepare tomorrow’s ingredients before clocking out. Amidst their mixed expressions of relief and reluctance, he began tidying up to head home, thinking he still had enough time to make Ji Ling a nourishing soup.
But before he could even change out of his uniform into casual clothes, a panicked voice burst in from outside: “Master! Trouble! They say someone ate our food and died!”
