Part 2
Ji Ling stared intently at Tang Xiaobao, noticing the earnestness in his eyes. It didn’t seem fake; it felt like a genuine desire to return to that place devoid of this city’s bustle. Ji Ling gazed into his exceptionally moist eyes, about to agree, when something suddenly occurred to him. He gently stroked Tang Xiaobao’s cheek, his tone tinged with regret. “If you truly wish to return, then let us go back. But I cannot simply abandon my uncle and leave.”
Tang Xiaobao looked up at Ji Ling, pondered for a moment, and nodded in agreement. After all, he could be anywhere as long as he was by Ji Ling’s side. “Alright, wherever you are, I’ll be there. It wouldn’t be right for us to leave the old master behind like this.”
With his head bowed, Tang Xiaobao didn’t notice the flicker of regret that crossed Ji Ling’s eyes as he listened.
Soon, Ji Ling swept Tang Xiaobao into the house. The moment they entered, they were greeted by a table laden with dishes—clearly his usual favorites.
Only when the aroma of rice wafted through the air did Tang Xiaobao seem to remember something. He jumped out of Ji Ling’s embrace and hurried to the dining table. Picking up a plate of exquisitely crafted pastries, he presented it to Ji Ling with great excitement. “Look, these are my new inventions! Try one and tell me if you like them.”
Ji Ling lowered his eyes to look. The pastries were shaped like fruits, emitting a delicate fragrance that was utterly tempting. Under Tang Xiaobao’s expectant gaze, Ji Ling gently picked one up and took a bite. Sweet without cloying, it contained a filling of bean paste. Though small in portion, it proved remarkably satisfying. After eating three in succession, he calmly declared amidst Tang Xiaobao’s hopeful eyes, “Delicious.”
Hearing this, Tang Xiaobao’s face broke into a huge smile, radiating pure satisfaction. He then set aside the pastries in hands, pulled Ji Ling to sit down, and busily served him dishes. Under Ji Ling’s steady gaze, he calmly remarked, “You can save those for snacks later. Let’s eat first—it’s not good for your health to skip meals.”
Seeing Tang Xiaobao looking so earnest, Ji Ling couldn’t help but chuckle. He then followed his instructions and began eating.
While the two shared a warm meal, on the other side, Lady Ji finished her daily routine of wiping her husband’s face. After chatting for a while and exchanging polite words with the other principal wives, she departed.
Returning to her own quarters, she began eating the exquisite meal prepared by the household. She had barely taken two bites when the sound of an announcement came from outside. Her hand paused mid-bite, and she set down her chopsticks, turning her gaze toward the doorway to await the visitor. After a moment’s thought, she took the opportunity to instruct her attendant to bring an extra set of bowls and chopsticks.
Soon, the person the matriarch had been expecting entered. She too was a woman, though she appeared distinctly tense in the matriarch’s presence. After bowing respectfully, she addressed her politely: “This one, Li, offers her greetings to the lady.”
The First Lady appraised her. Though not extravagantly dressed, her attire showed careful attention to detail. Thinking of her son, the First Lady formed her own judgment. Instantly, a warm smile spread across her face. She waved gently toward the chair beside her and said with a smile, “I summoned you in haste, so you likely haven’t had time to eat. Please join us for dinner first.”
Mrs. Li didn’t know what the matriarch meant, but the gap in their status—both past and present—was too vast for her to show any resistance. She obediently sat beside Mrs. Ji, feeling extremely stiff as she watched the matriarch’s smiling face. She picked at her food cautiously, ever ready to deflect any potential barbs from Lady Ji. After eating half a bowl, she stopped when Lady Ji set down her own bowl.
Lady Ji watched Li Shi’s movements with a cold eye, nodding inwardly with satisfaction at her tactfulness. Fixing her gaze on Li Shi, she asked directly, “I hear you have a son who once served under the late Master?”
Mrs. Li didn’t know what the matriarch meant by this sudden question. A vague suspicion stirred within her, but she couldn’t be certain. She could only answer cautiously, “Yes. It was the master’s kindness that allowed my good-for-nothing son to learn a little from him.”
Hearing her self-deprecating words, the matriarch paid them little mind. She merely looked at her and smiled gently, “Sister-in-law, you’re far too modest. Had your son not shown promise, the Master would never have wasted his time mentoring him.”
Li’s heart skipped a beat at the Lady’s words, but she swiftly concealed any flicker of emotion, her tone remaining submissive. “Thank you for your kind praise, Madam.”
Madam Ji was thoroughly pleased with Mrs. Li’s demeanor. According to her inquiries, only two or three families in this grand compound possessed sons who showed promise. Among them, the only one who truly satisfied her was the woman before her—this seemingly honest and upright Mrs. Li. She was neither competitive nor ambitious, yet she had secured a place in the eyes of the Second Master of the Ji household, proving her shrewdness. Her son had earned the favor of her husband, showing she understood how to navigate relationships. Working with her should prove far less troublesome than dealing with the previous mistress, Ji Tao.
With this in mind, Lady Ji felt no need for further pretense. She smiled gently at Li Shi. “If you don’t mind, please bring your son here more often in the coming days.”
Hearing this, Mrs. Li instantly looked up at the First Lady, as if seeking confirmation of her sincerity. Yet all she met was the First Lady’s exceptionally gentle smile. Her heart settled at once. Returning the First Lady’s warmth with a kind smile of her own, she spoke slowly, “Thank you for your guidance, Madam.”
After that day, the household frequently witnessed Lady Ji growing exceptionally close to Li Shi, a concubine of the Second Master. Even her son began accompanying Lady Ji to various important occasions, appearing to be groomed as the next heir apparent.
News of this development elicited varied reactions among those privy to it. Some gathered to observe, others watched like spectators at a play, while a few took malicious delight in the misfortune of Ji Ling, the original heir apparent. Some even went out of their way to approach Ji Ling personally, informing him of the situation just to see his reaction. Regardless of outsiders’ actions, Ji Ling remained unmoved, carrying on with his duties as usual. This left those hoping to provoke a reaction deeply disappointed, and they gradually ceased their attempts. Instead, they turned their attention to Lady Ji, observing her attitude and whether she might offer them some advantage.
Ji Ling paid no heed to the outside world’s clamor. Before him lay reports detailing the affairs handled by the Ji family members over recent days, even including their attempts to curry favor with that elder, all laid out in meticulous detail. Glancing through them briefly, Ji Ling casually set the papers aside.
Looking at his most capable subordinate, Ji Ling didn’t beat around the bush. He asked directly, “Has that divine physician been found?”
Feng Ling looked at his master and replied respectfully, “He has been found, and we have invited him over. He will arrive at the Ji residence tomorrow.”
Impressed by his efficiency, Ji Ling nodded slightly. Then, as if remembering something, he inquired, “What has the First Lady been up to lately?”
“The First Lady seems quite taken with the son of the Li family. She’s been parading him around various gatherings lately, actively introducing him to the elders.” Feng Ling continued, his expression shifting as if recalling something. “Some elders have reached agreements with the First Lady and intend to follow her lead in endorsing the Li family’s son.”
“Da Fu Ren certainly gone to great lengths.”
Ji Ling offered only a light comment after hearing this, then added casually,
“Keep them occupied lately so they won’t have time to worry about your uncle’s health. Oh, and if you’re too busy, have Feng Qing and the others assist you.”
He had many underlings, but Feng Ling was undoubtedly the most capable among them.
“Understood.” Feng Ling acknowledged the order and departed.
![Who Are You Calling A Canary? [Transmigration]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250108211651_200_280.jpg "Who Are You Calling A Canary? [Transmigration]")
