Chapter 101: 關心
[Concern]
Whether it was Tang Xiaobao’s recent words that had provoked Ji Ling or not, the following days found Tang Xiaobao caught in a state of intense turmoil. This period felt utterly decadent, leaving Tang Xiaobao with a burden that was both worrisome and sweet. He constantly worried he might just get pregnant one day. After observing for a while and finding things weren’t as he imagined, Tang Xiaobao breathed a sigh of relief, yet also felt a touch of regret.
In contrast, Ji Ling remained remarkably composed about the matter, appearing to adopt a laid-back, go-with-the-flow attitude. If it happened, they’d welcome the child; if not, they’d simply wait a little longer. Either way, they would have their own child eventually. Perhaps influenced by Ji Ling’s calm demeanor, after monitoring his condition for a while and confirming he wasn’t pregnant, Tang Xiaobao stopped dwelling on the issue.
Unexpectedly, however, while the couple remained composed, certain uninvolved parties began to grow anxious.
Faced with the First Lady’s successive deliveries of gifts, Tang Xiaobao felt somewhat at a loss. Initially, upon his return, he had been deeply grateful to this matriarch who showed such care for him and Ji Ling. But after the incident in the kitchen over the distribution of ingredients, his feelings had shifted. Now, confronted with her sudden display of kindness, he couldn’t help but feel flustered.
Staring at the expensive tonics delivered, Tang Xiaobao felt utterly unworthy of such generosity. He couldn’t fathom why the First Lady was now so preoccupied with his and Ji Ling’s offspring. Every item sent was a tonic meant to fortify the body for childbearing, each seemingly worth countless coins and clearly no ordinary goods. Yet despite the matriarch’s goodwill, Tang Xiaobao genuinely didn’t want to consume such things. Refusing them outright was one matter; stashing them away privately was another. After pondering for a while, he sent servants to store the items in the storeroom. He absolutely wouldn’t touch them—who knew what problems they might cause?
After instructing Lühe to take the items away, Tang Xiaobao exhaled a long sigh of relief. He genuinely dreaded this kind of concern from elders—it not only made him feel passive but also left him somewhat at a loss. Glancing at Lühe standing beside him and reflecting on the recent attention he’d received, he couldn’t help but grumble, “Why has the Lady of the Manor suddenly started worrying about my husband and me having children? We’re still young, with plenty of time ahead of us.”
Hearing this, Lü He pursed her lips as if she wanted to say something, but the words on the tip of her tongue transformed into something else. “Perhaps the First Lady simply hopes you and the young master will have a child of your own.”
Hearing this, Tang Xiaobao pondered for a moment before accepting the explanation. After all, the ancients placed great importance on their offspring. Ji Ling, as the future heir of the Ji family, naturally deserved even more attention. Yet, as this thought crossed his mind, another concern surfaced: if the ancients valued offspring so highly, what if he couldn’t bear children? Might they force Ji Ling to take another wife?
The mere possibility filled Tang Xiaobao with revulsion, the thought itself causing her profound distress.
Observing Tang Xiaobao, her brow furrowed in deep thought, Lü He felt a surge of curiosity. She asked cautiously, “Young Madam, what troubles you?”
Tang Xiaobao glanced at Lü He, who was showing concern for her. Her tone was slightly irritated, but she still answered the question. “I was thinking… if the First Lady cares so much about Ji Ling’s offspring, then if I can’t bear children in the future, would she force Ji Ling to take another wife?”
Hearing Tang Xiaobao’s worry, Lü He paused slightly. Then, observing Tang Xiaobao sitting there lost in thought, she spoke softly, “Please don’t worry, Madam. Everyone can see how devoted the Young Master is to you. He would never do anything to hurt you like that.”
Upon hearing Lühe’s answer, Tang Xiaobao turned to look at her with curiosity, his lively eyes seeming to ask why.
Seeing him like this, Lühe felt her heart melt completely, her voice growing lighter and more cheerful. “Young Master’s kindness toward the young mistress is plain for all to see. He would never do anything to hurt her.”
Hearing Lühe’s reassurance, Tang Xiaobao felt inexplicably comforted, his mood lifting slightly. But this brief respite was short-lived. Soon after, he received devastating news: the First Lady had begun recommending candidates to Ji Ling for concubines. Upon learning this, Tang Xiaobao froze in shock for a long moment before nearly exploding with rage. Though he knew Ji Ling had rejected them all, the thought was still unbearable.
Just as Tang Xiaobao was fuming over whether to confront them, he heard that the First Lady was preparing to host another Hundred Flowers Banquet at home, inviting young ladies and distinguished young men from various families. Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaobao felt he absolutely couldn’t tolerate it. He clearly remembered Lady Ji having held such a banquet when he first arrived—its purpose was to arrange matches for Ji Ling. Don’t think he didn’t know. With that thought, Tang Xiaobao resolved to dislike the Lady from this day forward. Even if she came again next time, he wouldn’t give her a friendly look.
Having made up his mind, he reconsidered and resolved to visit Lady Ji personally to state his position. Otherwise, if things continued like this, he might not even know when he’d be replaced. Though he had complete faith in Ji Ling, he didn’t trust the temptresses outside. He knew full well how sought-after his husband was now.
With his mind made up, Tang Xiaobao took Lühe with him, donning an outfit that radiated opulence, and headed to the courtyard where the First Lady resided.
Upon entering the courtyard, maids who had been waiting there received them with respectful deference. They then courteously led the pair into the inner chambers. The First Lady sat there composedly, showing no surprise at their arrival. She offered her usual gentle smile and invited them to take a seat.
Facing the smiling Lady Ji, Tang Xiaobao still couldn’t bring himself to voice the words he’d been pondering all the way there. His expression was deeply conflicted. As if sensing his thoughts, the Lady spoke softly before he could utter a word, “I know why you’ve come. But all I’ve done is for your own good.”
Tang Xiaobao stared at her in utter bewilderment, unable to fathom where this notion of “for your own good” had come from.
Seeing Tang Xiaobao unmoved, even slightly repelled, a flicker passed through the Lady’s eyes before she continued, “I know you’re both still young, and your marriage hasn’t lasted long. But offspring are crucial for a man, especially for someone like Ji Ling who will inherit the Ji family. Without an heir, he’ll struggle to face others’ slander. Moreover, men will inevitably take concubines. If you are truly virtuous and wise, you should help your husband plan for this properly. If you start looking now, even after she enters the household, she will respectfully acknowledge your position as the primary wife.”
Hearing these words, Tang Xiaobao gaped slightly, his expression a mix of shock and confusion. Only then did he begin to grasp her meaning with great difficulty. She was subtly telling him that since his husband would inevitably take concubines anyway, helping him find them now would earn him a good reputation. Even knowing such thinking was common in this era, hearing it directly still made him feel profoundly uncomfortable.
In that instant, whether driven by anger or a pure refusal to let others covet his Ji Ling, Tang Xiaobao looked at the gentle and charming First Lady before him and said, word by word, “Thank you for your concern, Madam. But I know that Ji Ling will have no one but himself in this life and will never take a concubine.”
Hearing Tang Xiaobao’s words, the First Lady froze instantly. She stared at the earnest young man before her as if seeing him for the first time, until she met the resolute intensity in his eyes. She suddenly realized Tang Xiaobao wasn’t putting on a brave front or anything else. He truly believed what he said—that Ji Ling had chosen him alone, and he was preparing to face all manner of difficulties with fearless resolve. Yet, gazing at Tang Xiaobao’s still somewhat immature face, the contempt within her ultimately prevailed. She refused to believe that any man in this world could truly withstand temptation.
It was as if she had once believed she and the master would be together for a lifetime, one and only. Yet she had ultimately underestimated the inherent flaws in men. The moment she saw that woman, she knew her persistence was nothing but a joke—the man she had chosen didn’t care about her feelings at all, nor did he ever consider fidelity a rule men should abide by. Back then, she had lost everything, utterly defeated, even sacrificing what mattered most to her.
Tang Xiaobao, seeing the First Lady staring at him silently after he finished speaking, assumed she was stunned by his words. He couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, thinking that since his reasoning still held water, perhaps there was still room for discussion. Little did he know, the First Lady stared at him intently for a moment before breaking into a smile—a smile that was gentle yet carried an unsettling tone. “Brother Tang, you are still young. You must understand that nothing in this world can withstand the grinding passage of time.”
Tang Xiaobao opened his mouth to argue further, but in that instant, he saw the genuine look of desolation on the First Lady’s face. In the end, he could only manage, “I’ll let time prove that we can make it work.”
Even after Tang Xiaobao left, the First Lady remained silent, her gaze fixed on his retreating figure. Her voice carried a deep melancholy before turning icy. “I was once confident in myself. I don’t believe you can hold out until then. The human heart cannot withstand scrutiny.”
Unaware that his days of happiness were already being coveted by others, Tang Xiaobao sat in his own courtyard. He pondered that since he had just visited the First Lady, perhaps he should also check in with Ji Ling to gauge his thoughts. Despite his resolute demeanor before the First Lady moments ago, a faint unease still lingered within him. After all, Ji Ling had become so outstanding. Setting aside his wealth, just his looks alone would draw crowds of admirers wherever he went. Here, Tang Xiaobao was merely the son of a fallen noble family—utterly mismatched with a prodigy like Ji Ling, let alone vastly inferior. The more he thought about it, the more disheartened he felt. Tang Xiaobao sat there, staring at the flowers in his courtyard, lost in thought.
Having neglected to spend proper time with Tang Xiaobao these past few days, Ji Ling deliberately wrapped up his affairs early and returned to his courtyard. The moment he entered, he saw Tang Xiaobao sitting there, lost in thought. This was highly unusual for Tang Xiaobao, who always prepared meals punctually and waited for him daily. There was even a hint of strangeness about it. Tang Xiaobao showed no reaction even as Ji Ling approached, only reinforcing Ji Ling’s suspicions.
Only a faint rustling sound before him snapped Tang Xiaobao out of his reverie. He hurriedly looked up to find Ji Ling standing before him, towering over him as she scrutinized him, seemingly appraising something.
Instantly, Tang Xiaobao grew tense again. Even the carefully prepared speech he’d rehearsed earlier vanished from his mind. He could only stare blankly at Ji Ling, his thoughts racing through his head. Finally, he opened his mouth, but after a long pause, he still couldn’t bring himself to voice his thoughts.
Ji Ling knew Tang Xiaobao inside out. Seeing him hesitating like this, he knew he was hiding something—something too difficult to voice. He thought back over recent events in his own life, but still couldn’t place what might have caused Xiaobao to act this way.
![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]")
