Chapter 78: 書生
[The Scholar]
Upon hearing Ji Ling’s words, Lei Ming felt utterly perplexed. Even if his uncle had returned, what business did this have with Ji Tao? Though deeply curious, he merely watched Ji Ling, who seemed hesitant to speak, and refrained from asking outright.
Ji Ling did not look at him again, instead turning his gaze to the people below who were now fighting with great enthusiasm. Her expression was indifferent, revealing no discernible emotion. The man being beaten appeared to be from a poor family, clad in a faded blue robe that had been washed until it was slightly whitish. Now lying knocked to the ground, he didn’t utter a sound.
The surrounding crowd watched the spectacle as spectators, though some seemed to recognize the identities of both the attacker and the victim. No one dared stir up trouble, and no one dared step in to break up the fight.
The two men on the balcony watched as the victim, who had initially fought back, gradually lost his strength. Seeing him gasping for breath, Lei Ming couldn’t help but remark, “That kid looks like he’s about to be beaten to death.” It was merely an observation, without any intention of intervening.
Ji Ling, however, glanced over and motioned to Feng Ling beside him. “Go down and save him,” He said calmly. “If he dies, it’ll tarnish the Ji family’s reputation.”
Feng Ling looked at his young master and replied respectfully, “Yes.” He then turned and headed downstairs.
Soon, Feng Ling reappeared before the two, pulling the still-fighting man away and whispering something in his ear. The man abruptly stopped his assault, shot a look of utter contempt toward Ji Ling, and without another word, signaled his friends to leave.
Ji Ling watched as Feng Ling helped the beaten man to his feet and guided him toward a nearby clinic before finally withdrawing his gaze. He then raised an eyebrow at Lei Ming, who was staring at him, puzzled. “What?”
Lei Ming smiled with a simple, honest warmth. He picked up a pastry from the tray before him, popped it into his mouth, and chewed a couple of times. Finding the taste passable, he then remarked with a hint of surprise, “I never expected you to be so kind-hearted.” Unless it was something special, people of their standing wouldn’t normally get involved. To see the usually cold-hearted Ji Ling actually send his subordinate to do this was something that made him look at him with new respect.
Ji Ling watched him, mimicking his gesture to pick up a pastry. But after just one bite, he set it down. These treats were best when made by Tang Xiaobao. He’d wait until he returned to savor his version. He took another leisurely sip of tea before speaking slowly, “I simply didn’t want trouble for the Ji family. Do you know what that scholar who was beaten earlier does?”
Lei Ming was momentarily caught off guard by Ji Ling’s question. He looked at Ji Ling, who seemed utterly at ease, but still couldn’t recall who that man had been. Truthfully, it felt like the first time he’d ever seen that scholar. How could he possibly know the man’s identity? As he racked his brain, he couldn’t help but turn to look at Ji Ling, hoping for an answer from him.
Seeing Lei Ming’s pleading expression, Ji Ling stopped beating around the bush and stated plainly, “The last time I saw him, he was preparing with fellow students from his academy for the upcoming Imperial Academy competition. He seemed to hold considerable standing among them.”
In an instant, Lei Ming grasped the crucial point. Bullying someone with no background carried entirely different consequences than bullying someone destined for officialdom. Ultimately, in this world, the power of officials remained supreme. Realizing this, his gaze toward Ji Tao couldn’t help but carry a hint of schadenfreude, his tone laced with uncertainty. “Do you think your little brother even knows his own identity?”
Ji Ling was refreshingly honest on this point, shaking his head. “I don’t know.”
Lei Ming glanced at Ji Ling, who had remained utterly composed throughout. As if something clicked into place, a smile of anticipation spread across his face.
He’d thought that day’s events would simply fade away, but soon after, news arrived that the head of the Ji family had returned. Businessmen like him were often on the road, sometimes going ten days or even half a month without bothering to go home. Every time he’d come back before, it was to deal with the pile of affairs waiting at home. Who would’ve guessed that this time, he’d summon Ji Tao directly?
Ji Tao had assumed his talents had been recognized by his eldest uncle, so he went willingly. Little did he know that when he emerged, he looked utterly disheveled and defeated—a far cry from the image of someone receiving a reward. Later, according to rumors circulating within the inner courtyard, the patriarch had flown into a terrible rage, even going so far as to withhold Ji Tao’s monthly allowance.
When Sang Jiayi learned of this incident, she was reading a letter from her father. But the letter contained only a few repetitive phrases, and after reading the opening lines, she lost all desire to continue. When Xiao Jing came to relay the news, Sang Jiayi felt no surprise, having already guessed the reason behind it. Reading her father’s letter, where eight out of ten sentences urged her to hurry and find a suitable husband here—preferably someone destined to rule the household—only deepened her irritation.
She tore the letter in her hands, then placed it over the candle flame, reducing it to ashes. Watching the flickering flames, she recalled the fleeting thoughts she’d once entertained about marriage, and the more she thought about it, the less she wanted to dwell on it. As for potential marriage candidates, she’d take her time deciding.
Xiao Jing watched her miss’s actions, silently sighing before turning to look at her with a complex expression.
Meanwhile, Ji Tao emerged from his uncle’s courtyard, striding swiftly toward his own quarters. A smoldering anger burned within him, his expression visibly agitated.
Upon entering his room, he found his mother seated there, her eyes lighting up with surprise at his arrival. But upon seeing the expression on his face, she grew uncertain. Knowing her son well, this didn’t look like the look of someone who’d received praise—it looked more like he’d been scolded. Sure enough, before she could speak, she heard her son complaining to her:”Mother, you don’t know—my eldest uncle called me over and gave me a thorough scolding.”
Hearing this, the Second Lady’s face paled. She pulled her son close, her voice laced with anxiety. “Why would he scold you? What foolish thing have you done now?”
Ji Tao looked at his mother, his face still flushed with indignation, his voice tinged with bitterness. “I was just disciplining a poor scholar with my friends the other day. Now I remember—it must have been Ji Ling who ratted me out. He was watching the whole time.” The thought that Ji Ling was the kind of person to snitch behind his back made Ji Tao grind his teeth, his expression turning fierce.
Seeing his state, the Second Lady refrained from further questioning. Instead, she looked at Ji Tao, still immersed in the emotional aftermath of the scolding, and asked doubtfully, “You merely beat a poor scholar. Why such harsh reprimands? This whole affair seems rather suspicious to me.” Given their family background, it wasn’t just about beating a poor scholar—even striking a jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial civil service examination / palace graduate) would bring disgrace upon their household.
The moment his mother spoke, Ji Tao flashed a look of unease before relaying his uncle’s words: “He said that poor scholar belongs to some group that seems to wield considerable influence. Since I struck him outright, they’ll surely demand retribution.”
Hearing her son’s explanation, the Second Lady immediately exhaled in relief. She then felt the First Master was being far too petty—scolding her son over something that clearly hadn’t amounted to much. She looked at her son and soothed him repeatedly, “It’s all right, my son. Go rest now. Don’t dwell on today’s events. He is still your eldest uncle. Avoid provoking him.” She left the unspoken implication hanging—both understood that the head of the household held the ultimate authority. Even if they didn’t fear him, they couldn’t afford to antagonize him.
Hearing his mother’s admonition, Ji Tao nodded obediently despite his irritation. Then, with a hint of impatience, he said, “Mother, you should go back to your quarters now.”
Patting her son’s shoulder, the Second Lady saw no need to say more. She simply left with her maid.
Only after the Second Lady departed did Ji Tao smash every ornament in his room. Panting heavily, he stood there until his rage gradually subsided. Sitting there, he caught sight of the maid standing quietly nearby out of the corner of his eye. Remembering the desires he’d suppressed lately because of Sang Jiayi, he no longer felt like holding back. He reached out, beckoned the maid to him, and pulled the still-pale girl straight toward the bed.
Originally, it was thought to be just one incident, but within days, it had spiraled into a raging rumor. The situation seemed to be escalating further. Early this morning, after breakfast, Ji Ling took Tang Xiaobao out, intending to drop him off at a private restaurant before meeting up with Lei Ming.
Leaving him at the alley entrance, she urged him not to overwork himself, to delegate unimportant tasks to others, and even mentioned that if possible, she’d bring Lei Ming over for lunch. Tang Xiaobao agreed to each request, secretly wondering when Ji Ling had become so talkative. Yet even as he thought this, his heart swelled with warmth, knowing Ji Ling’s concern for him was the reason behind all the words.
Only after Ji Ling departed did Tang Xiaobao, his cheeks flushed, lead Lü He toward the restaurant.
Watching the rosy-cheeked young master stride ahead, Lü He couldn’t help but chuckle behind him. “Young Master truly dotes on the young miss.” Who would have thought such an icy-cold person could become so tender when meeting Tang Xiaobao?
Hearing Lü He’s words, Tang Xiaobao felt even more embarrassed, hastening his pace to hide his awkwardness.
Watching his expression, Lü He couldn’t help but chuckle softly behind him, prompting Tang Xiaobao to turn and glare at him. Only when they entered the restaurant and saw the servants standing there respectfully did he compose his expression.
This venture involved all three of them, though Young Master Huang seemed exceedingly busy and had entrusted the matter entirely to the other two. Needless to say, Lei Ming gladly agreed, and Ji Ling had no objections either. After all, an extra person might mean more disagreements. He was highly confident in this business, having originally brought Lei Ming on board precisely because of his family background.
After days of preparation, they were just a final step away from completing the first phase. This time, they were with Lei Ming to finalize the shop location. After much discussion, they decided to open the shop on a bustling street, and this visit was to confirm the site.
Accompanied by several servants and a specialized intermediary, they prepared to inspect the pre-selected candidate locations. But barely two steps into their journey, they encountered a group of scholars. The scene was quite impressive: they had unfurled a banner and erected a makeshift platform. One of them stood passionately delivering a speech atop the crude stage. Passersby were drawn to the commotion, many stopping to listen intently, nodding and shouting enthusiastic responses.
Seeing this scene, Ji Ling and Lei Ming stopped and watched for a moment.
They heard the scholar on the platform shouting loudly, seemingly at the top of his lungs, “The Ji family may be a prominent clan, but they cannot treat us this way! Today, scholars from our academy have been humiliated. We still have our teachers to stand up for us. Had I been alone, my body would likely vanish without a trace, unnoticed by anyone.”
Lei Ming felt a wave of disinterest wash over him at the scholar’s words. Yet, observing the crowd below, already stirred to near-frenzy, he turned to Jiling and remarked, “Looks like your brother’s gotten himself into some serious trouble this time.”
Ji Ling frowned without reply, merely glancing up at the passionate scholar above. He too sensed the situation had escalated.
Over recent days, Sang Jiayi had developed a habit: whenever free at noon, she’d visit Tang Xiaobao’s shop. But today, on his way there, he overheard people discussing some scholar, with vague mentions of the Ji family, their faces flushed with righteous indignation. Recalling Ji Tao’s actions that day, Sang Jiayi slowly shook her head inwardly.
She felt ashamed for ever having set her sights on him—that person was utterly foolish.