Chapter 100: 逐出
[Eviction]
He had always believed Ji Tao merely disliked Ji Ling, never imagining the man would go so far as to kill someone to achieve his goals. This realization was difficult for Tang Xiaobao to accept.
The surrounding crowd fell into collective silence upon hearing these words, their gazes fixed on Ji Tao with profound complexity. The eldest madam felt it most acutely. She had believed she could control Ji Tao to secure the Ji family’s future destiny, never anticipating he would prove so utterly useless and foolish. She privately regretted not abandoning him when his mother was expelled from the Ji family. Still, it wasn’t too late to discard him now. With this thought, the First Lady had already devised a plan.
Compared to the varied yet distinctly spectator-like expressions on everyone else’s faces, Ji Tao’s countenance was grim, even tinged with a faint pallor. He looked somewhat bedraggled, yet he continued to stare stubbornly at the First Master, neither speaking nor denying the accusations.
A heavy silence fell over the room. Suddenly, the Second Master roared, then lashed out at Ji Tao with a fierce slap. “You beast!” he bellowed. “How dare you bring such shame upon the Ji family?” The blow was so hard it left half of Ji Tao’s face swollen.
The blow seemed to snap Ji Tao back to his senses. He turned to face his father, recalling his mother’s destitution before she left. A contemptuous snort escaped him. Even now, his so-called father cared only about his own reputation, utterly disregarding any familial bond. He hadn’t even considered helping Ji Tao clear his name, instead condemning him outright. The more he thought about it, the deeper his disappointment grew. After a bitter laugh, he turned away, head bowed, lost in his own thoughts.
Seeing his long-cherished son treat him thus, the Second Master was about to erupt in anger. Only when his peripheral vision caught the crowd gathered around did he remember why he was here. He halted abruptly, turning to his eldest brother with a pleading look. “Consider that Ji Tao is a first-time offender,” he implored. “Brother, please spare him this once.”
The eldest master Ji knew his second brother’s character all too well. Seeing his foolishness now, he said little, merely shaking his head coldly. “It may be his first offense, but it is a grave one. He has disregarded the Ji family’s reputation, seeking to ruin his elder brother’s wife, Tang Xiaobao, and destroy his reputation. No matter how magnanimous our Ji family may be, we cannot tolerate such a person. From this day forward, he is no longer part of the Ji family. No one’s pleas will change that.”
Hearing the patriarch’s words, Ji Tao’s face drained of color, his body beginning to sway unsteadily. He refused to accept this. Who in this vast mansion didn’t harbor some dark secret? Many mistreated their servants year after year, causing countless deaths. Why should he alone receive such severe punishment? The more he thought about it, the more unjust it seemed. He raised his head to look at the Patriarch, his voice trembling slightly as he protested, “Why is it that when a servant dies in this household, no one is held accountable? I merely saw that they were terminally ill and helped them find relief. For that, I must suffer such punishment? I refuse to accept this!”
No one answered his question. Some eyes shifted from shock to pity, tinged with lingering astonishment.
Even the Second Master sensed something amiss. He glared at Ji Tao and barked, “You ungrateful son! What nonsense are you spouting? Apologize at once!”
Ji Tao stared at his father, saying nothing, his eyes fixed intently on the First Master, seeking an answer.
The First Master looked at Ji Tao before him, then at his younger brother, and thought of his departed sister-in-law. He sighed inwardly, wondering whose foolishness Ji Tao had inherited to such an extreme. Those servants who entered the household had signed death contracts. This meant their lives and deaths were entirely at the master’s discretion. Even if they died by the master’s side, no one would ask a single question. But now an outsider had died, and the incident had become a scandal. The mud slung at Tang Xiaobao hadn’t even been properly cleaned up. At this thought, the look in his eyes toward Ji Tao turned undeniably pitying. His parents hadn’t equipped him with enough wisdom to navigate the rules of this world, leading him to misunderstand it. His gravest mistake had been pinning this incident on Tang Xiaobao—and getting caught. For families like theirs, prosperity and ruin were always shared. No matter how fierce the infighting, they never aired their dirty laundry in public, much less let outsiders know the gory details.
Ji Tao kept his eyes fixed on the Old Master Ji, observing the shifting expressions on his face throughout the journey. The eyes that had once burned with fighting spirit gradually lost their reason, even staring at the Old Master Ji with utter disbelief—unable to fathom that his own family would abandon him over such a trivial matter. Yet, as he met the Old Master Ji’s piercing gaze, Ji Tao finally confronted the harsh reality. Unable to accept it, he protested, “Impossible! You cannot do this to me! I am the legitimate son of the Ji family, the future helmsman of this house!”
Upon hearing Ji Tao’s words, the Old Master Ji maintained only a cold stare. When he heard the claim of being the future helmsman, a fleeting hint of scorn flashed in his eyes. He then turned to the assembled crowd and declared calmly: “From this day forward, before all our ancestors, I declare that Ji Tao is no longer a member of the Ji family.”
Hearing this, Ji Tao—who had believed he would escape unscathed—collapsed to the ground. He muttered, “Impossible. Impossible. The Ji family will be mine to rule. You can’t do this to me.”
Then, paying no heed to Ji Tao before him, he lifted his foot and walked out. As he left, he pondered whether the Ji family needed a thorough overhaul. With so many troubles brewing lately, if things continued this way, others might follow suit. How could such a great clan be managed then?
Even knowing Ji Tao was behind the recent incidents, seeing him sitting there looking utterly despairing stirred a pang of pity deep within him. But before he could say anything, Ji Ling, standing beside him, wrapped his arms around him and led him outside. Tang Xiaobao hurriedly followed Ji Ling, yet his gaze involuntarily lingered on Ji Tao, his concern unmistakable. Just as he hesitated to stop and speak to Ji Tao, Ji Ling whispered softly in his ear, “We must leave now, or he’ll think we’re mocking him.”
Tang Xiaobao looked up at Ji Ling in confusion, then glanced back at Ji Tao, who hadn’t changed his posture since earlier. Though reluctant to admit it, deep down he believed Ji Ling might be right. Turning away from the man, he followed Ji Ling out.
Seeing Tang Xiaobao trust him so completely, Ji Ling’s lips gradually curved upward, his expression radiating contentment.
After returning, Tang Xiaobao still couldn’t wrap his head around why Ji Tao had acted that way. His impression of him had always been that of the freeloading young man from back then, making today’s encounter utterly bewildering. Even as he lay in bed that night, his mind kept circling back to the events of the day, yet he still couldn’t make sense of it.
Seeing Tang Xiaobao tossing and turning, Ji Ling, who had been lying beside him, suddenly rolled over and pressed against him. With a cheerful expression, he said, “Since you can’t sleep, let’s do something meaningful instead.”
Tang Xiaobao started to refuse, but was silenced by the other’s hot breath. Soon, swept away by his passion, Tang Xiaobao was carried away, forgetting all about his earlier worries.
The next morning, Ji Ling woke up feeling refreshed. Seeing Tang Xiaobao still asleep, he felt deeply satisfied. He gently stroked Tang Xiaobao’s peaceful face, then turned and left. Arriving at the study, he found Feng Ling already waiting. “What is it?” he asked coolly.
Feng Ling glanced at his master, then bowed respectfully. “Young Master Ji Tao left the estate early this morning. Before departing, he spoke at length with the Second Master.”
Ji Tao showed no reaction upon hearing this. He knew full well how much private wealth his father, whose mind was always wandering off to who knows where, would have allowed his beloved second younger brother to take. But he couldn’t care less about that little bit of money. After listening, he looked at Feng Ling and instructed him to keep a close watch on Ji Tao’s movements, reporting back to him immediately if he heard anything. Feng Ling, of course, readily agreed.
Several days later, when Ji Ling learned that Ji Tao had been hounded by the very extortionist he had disciplined—and that the matter had even reached the authorities—he expressed great satisfaction, even rewarding the servant who brought the news with an extra tip. After that, he paid Ji Tao no further attention.
Tang Xiaobao, after brooding for several days following the exposure of Ji Tao’s affair, resumed his business. As more and more customers began to arrive, his spirits lifted once more. Though he still occasionally thought about Sang Jiayi, who had left without so much as a word, he no longer dwelled on it as intensely as before.
“Boss, another table just arrived and specifically requested your signature dish—snow pea shoots.” Because Jiang Chen was meticulous in his work and naturally quick-witted, coupled with Tang Xiaobao’s favorable first impression of him, he was often entrusted with various tasks. He was now quietly establishing himself as the de facto second-in-command.
Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaobao handed the freshly prepared dish to the waiter beside him, then picked up the necessary ingredients and began cooking. Since business had picked up, Tang Xiaobao had hired two additional chefs, entrusting them with the restaurant’s signature dishes. However, some dishes still couldn’t quite match his signature flavor in the short term, so he still handled them personally when needed.
The waiter placed the dish on the table and withdrew respectfully. A young woman seated in the private room picked up a piece, took a bite, and remarked softly, “After all this time, it still tastes the same. I wonder if he misses me, since I left without saying goodbye.”
She ate two elegant bites, but after that, her expression darkened. “I suppose he doesn’t want to see me now.” She gave a self-deprecating smile, ate two more bites, then rose and left.
Jiang Chen, who was making his rounds, watched the departing woman. Her figure felt strangely familiar. After a moment’s thought, it suddenly dawned on him—she was the one who had frequently dined at his restaurant not long ago. She hadn’t returned since his boss had that troublesome incident, but here she was again after some time. Watching her retreating figure from afar, he mused that she truly adored the dishes his boss prepared.
It seemed nothing could hinder Tang Xiaobao and Ji Ling’s relationship after that incident. Ji Ling’s career flourished, and he took over most of the Ji family’s businesses. Even the patriarch subtly hinted at transferring all the family’s power to him. Ji Ling welcomed this responsibility wholeheartedly, though it left him increasingly busy. Yet no matter how hectic his schedule grew, he always made time to return and dine with Tang Xiaobao, resuming his duties only after their meal.
Examining the item Feng Ling had entrusted to him, Ji Ling’s expression remained unchanged, though a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. He seemed to have uncovered something rather intriguing.
As Ji Ling gradually assumed the role of head of the Ji family, Tang Xiaobao also became a popular figure within the grand mansion. Yet one matter left him feeling both awkward and deeply humiliated.
“Young Master Tang, I know you are a good one. However, Ji Ling will eventually become the clan leader of the Ji family, and his lineage is a significant issue.” Madam Ji looked at Tang Xiaobao before her, her tone gentle, though deep down she still lamented her ill-fated niece. Had Ji Ling chosen her niece back then, none of this would have happened, and she wouldn’t have to worry so much now. Yet none of this could be revealed to the man before her. Maintaining a composed smile, she continued in a gentle tone, “I hear you’ve been married for a year now. The matter of children requires your earnest attention.”
Tang Xiaobao knew that the young men here were capable of bearing children. He’d even been startled upon first witnessing it, though he never truly defined himself as one of them. He hadn’t considered it himself, and Ji Ling had never mentioned such matters, so he’d never given it much thought. Now, however, the sudden mention made him feel momentarily uncomfortable. Yet, faced with the First Lady’s earnest admonition and sensing the kindness in her tone, he blushed and nodded.
Perhaps because she didn’t treat Tang Xiaobao as an outsider, or perhaps because she was genuinely too concerned about Ji Ling’s inability to conceive, seeing Tang Xiaobao still failing to grasp the situation. The matriarch dismissed her attendants, then took Tang Xiaobao’s hand to impart further instructions—details on the posture for union, the auspicious hour, even the frequency of their intimate moments. Her words left Tang Xiaobao flushed from head to toe. His face remained crimson long after they left the matriarch’s presence.
When Ji Ling returned that evening and slipped quietly into bed, he expected his wife to be asleep. Instead, he rolled over, her eyes bright and alert, fixed on him.
Seeing Tang Xiaobao so wide awake, Ji Ling hesitated before finally asking, “What’s wrong?”
Tang Xiaobao thought back to the events of the day. After Ji Ling returned, he had seriously considered it—if it were truly possible, he would be willing to give Ji Ling a child. But the thought of those intimate matters still made his face flush involuntarily. He lifted his head, his large, watery eyes wide, and whispered shyly, “Do you want a child?”
At first, Ji Ling didn’t quite catch Tang Xiaobao’s words, so he asked him to repeat them. Only when he heard clearly and saw his bashful expression did he slowly break into a smile—a radiant smile unlike any he’d ever shown before. Tang Xiaobao was utterly transfixed, staring at him in awe. Seeing Tang Xiaobao’s expression, Ji Ling felt deeply satisfied. He leaned close to his ear, gave it a gentle kiss, and murmured softly, “If you can bear children for me, I’d be delighted to have several more.”
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