Chapter 90: 責備
[Reproach]
What should have been a three-day journey was forced upon Master Ji to complete within a single day. Upon hearing this news, both the First Lady and the Second Lady appeared utterly astonished. The Second Lady, in particular, had schemed to have Ji Ling imprisoned, intending to seize this opportunity to frame him for the crime of filial disrespect. Now, when outsiders mentioned it, she found him nothing but a laughingstock.
Now seated in the First Lady’s chambers, the Second Lady and the First Lady were plotting against Ji Ling when a servant suddenly arrived to announce the Master’s return. Upon hearing this, the two women exchanged glances. Panic was clearly visible in the Second Lady’s eyes.
Seeing the Second Lady so unsettled, the First Lady waved the servant away before turning to face her flustered companion.
The news of the Master’s sudden return sent a wave of panic through the Second Lady. He was not due back for several more days. His abrupt return must be about Ji Ling. This thought filled her with unease, even terror. Watching the First Lady dismiss the servant, the Second Lady turned to her, concern etched in her eyes. “Master must have returned so quickly because of Ji Ling. What should we do when he arrives?”
The First Lady glanced at the flustered Second Lady, took a solitary sip of tea, then spoke slowly and deliberately. “There’s nothing to worry about. After all, what he did is the truth, isn’t it?”
Observing her sister-in-law’s composed demeanor, the Second Lady recalled the truth of the matter and couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration. Perhaps it was the First Lady’s attitude that instilled confidence in her. After a moment of panic, the Second Lady quickly regained her composure. She nodded earnestly at the First Lady and exhaled softly, “Yes, this matter is entirely Ji Ling’s fault. I have nothing to worry about.”
Seeing that the Second Lady wasn’t quite beyond redemption, the First Lady’s already smiling face curved slightly at the corners. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, her thoughts hidden behind a warm smile.
Just as the two women had comforted each other and set aside their grievances, a servant arrived at the door seeking an audience. Hearing he was sent by the Master, the First Lady paused slightly before still inviting the person outside in with great gentleness.
The servant bowed respectfully the moment he entered, then looked at the First Lady and reported honestly, “Madam, the Master has returned and requests that the Second Madam come to him alone.”
Upon hearing this, both women froze momentarily. After a brief pause, the First Lady nodded, instructing him to escort the Second Lady away. Watching them depart one after the other, a vague sense of foreboding crept over the First Lady. After all, it was improper for a man to meet privately with a woman of the household, even if she was his own sister-in-law. Yet now, the Old Master seemed utterly unconcerned with such propriety. It seemed something was bound to happen. With this thought, the First Lady resolved to prepare herself, ensuring she could handle whatever might unfold.
Meanwhile, the Second Lady also recognized the impropriety of the situation. The fragile confidence she had gained from the First Lady began to crumble. Yet, bolstered by that small measure of support, she managed to maintain a semblance of composure.
Upon entering the master’s study, she discovered not only the master seated in his chair but also the second master beside him, his clothes slightly disheveled. The look of confusion on his face as he stared at his elder brother suggested he too had been summoned at the last moment, utterly unaware of what was unfolding. Witnessing this scene, the second mistress’s heart began to race, though she gave no outward sign. Stepping forward, she entered.
The moment she entered, she felt the eldest master’s gaze settle upon her. His expression gave nothing away, yet the weight of his years as the head of the household was enough to send shivers down her spine. She performed the customary bow with utmost reverence, then stood waiting for him to speak.
The patriarch stared silently at his sister-in-law before him, then shifted his gaze to his good-for-nothing younger brother. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “Do you know why I summoned you here?”
At his words, a flicker of panic crossed the Second Lady’s eyes before she quickly regained her composure. Her tone remained calm as she replied, “I do not know.”
Though the patriarch had long suspected her answer, hearing it confirmed still stung. His own brother was useless, so he’d sought a capable daughter-in-law to support him. Yet not only had she failed to rein in her husband, she’d caused such a scandal herself. The thought gave the patriarch a headache. Remembering she was still a daughter-in-law of the Ji family, he steeled his patience and repeated his question, “You truly don’t know?”
“I don’t know,” the Second Lady replied with unwavering resolve.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the First Master let out a long sigh before his voice grew hushed. “Then what about the matter concerning Ji Ling?”
Hearing the head of the household bring up this matter, the second wife’s heart tightened. Yet she remained composed as she replied, “He sought to harm me. I had no choice but to act.”
If a member of their own family committed a wrongdoing, a clan like theirs would certainly have someone step forward to discipline them. They would never disregard their reputation by dragging the matter to the magistrate’s office, making their family the subject of gossip and ridicule. The eldest master stared at the woman before him, now well into her thirties, wondering how she could utter such naive words. His earlier impression of her as virtuous and steady had clearly been mistaken. Recalling the evidence he’d uncovered, his mood darkened further. Seeing that reason was futile with her, he turned to his younger brother and asked gravely, “You agree with this?”
Second Master Ji, who had sat impassively throughout the scolding of his wife, felt nothing—even a strange sense of relief that it wasn’t him being berated. But when his elder brother called his name, he instantly sat up straight. Looking at his brother, he hesitated before saying, “That unfilial son has committed such grave offenses. I think this treatment is actually too lenient for him.”
Seeing his younger brother’s face twisted with anger, looking utterly foolish, the eldest master shook his head helplessly. What a disgrace to the family. He then ignored him, turning his attention to the person standing before him. He decided not to beat around the bush and asked directly, “Since you say Ji Ling tried to harm you, what was his motive for doing so?”
The Second Lady observed the First Master, recognizing his intent to defend Ji Ling. A moment’s thought revealed that if she couldn’t provide a plausible explanation, the blame would inevitably fall on her. After a brief pause, she resorted to her usual justification. Fixing her gaze on the master, who had been watching her intently, the Second Lady lifted her head and declared with unyielding resolve, “Naturally, it’s because he dislikes me. Ever since his mother passed away, he hasn’t been particularly close to the master either. How much less so to a stepmother like me, who came into the family later. Even when he was ill before, he resorted to such vicious tactics. Now that he’s recovered and gained your favor, Master, he feels even more emboldened.”
Seeing the woman before him speak thus, he knew she had no intention of repenting. He stared at her expressionlessly, then spoke with remarkable composure: “Why not admit that he discovered you secretly taking things left behind by Ji Ling’s mother? Is that why he treated you this way?”
Caught off guard by this accusation, the Second Lady gasped in shock before immediately denying it vehemently. “Elder Brother, what nonsense are you spouting? How could I possibly do such a thing?”
Already furious over her reporting Ji Ling to the authorities, he now seethed at her brazen denial. His face darkened, and he cut straight to the point: “I’ve already had people investigate. Everything left by Ji Ling’s mother has been turned into your own assets. Even that wouldn’t be so bad, but you’ve gone so far as to infiltrate Ji Ling’s family business with your own people. That is something I cannot tolerate.”
Hearing this, the Second Lady’s face drained of color, fear creeping into her expression. She had believed her actions were perfectly concealed, never imagining that Master Ji would uncover them. But thinking of her ultimate goal, she ultimately decided to go all in, still intending to continue smearing Ji Ling. Little did she know that at this moment, the Old Master Ji waved his hand impatiently, his tone thick with exasperation. “Since these matters are now clear, I believe the Ji family has no need for such an unprincipled daughter-in-law. If you persist in your stubbornness, I can only send you back to your own family.”
The Second Lady’s words were cut off mid-sentence. She stared at Master Ji with utter astonishment, then belatedly turned to her husband. Shock flickered in his eyes, mixed with a hint of conflict—but no trace of resistance. She understood perfectly well that if the Master insisted on forcing her husband to divorce her, he would eventually agree after some struggle. Realizing this, she looked at the expressionless Master Ji and finally relented, saying, “I understand what I must do.”
Thanks to the pass given by Young Master Huang last time, Tang Xiaobao could enter and exit the prison with remarkable ease. Even bringing items inside went smoothly, with no one stopping him for inspection. Because of this, Ji Ling’s days inside weren’t too miserable. Tang Xiaobao, while speculating about Young Master Huang’s identity, also felt grateful for his kindness.
That day, Tang Xiaobao arrived at the magistrate’s office bearing prepared meals, intending to visit Ji Ling. He first distributed individual portions to the guards stationed at the entrance before carrying Ji Ling’s share inside. Upon entering, he found Ji Ling conversing with a young gentleman. As he approached, he recognized the man as the one who had delivered the message last time. The young man’s attendant also held a container resembling a food box, presumably carrying provisions as well.
The two men, who had been conversing, both turned their gaze toward Tang Xiaobao as he approached. Recognizing him, Ji Ling’s face softened into a gentle smile. The young gentleman, seeing Tang Xiaobao laden with bags and parcels, immediately understood his purpose. He turned to Ji Ling and offered a knowing smile: “It seems your husband cares deeply for you.”
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