Chapter 98: 問罪
[Condemn]
Ji Tao stared at Ji Ling, his face betraying no emotion. After a long, silent stare, it was as if something suddenly occurred to them both. They burst out laughing, then swayed the wine cups in their hands as they spoke in a detached tone: “I truly don’t understand what could possibly be so urgent that my esteemed elder brother would personally come looking for me.” As he spoke, he glanced sideways at the man standing before him.
Seeing this, Ji Ling said nothing more. He took a few steps closer. Though Ji Tao still wore an expression of utter bewilderment, a hint of fear flickered in his eyes as Ji Ling approached. Satisfied, Ji Ling curved his lips slightly. He came to stand directly before him, lowering his head to look at the seated man. His crimson lips lifted in a faint smile as he said, “Recently, someone died. I think you, my second brother, might know him. So I came to ask.”
“So many people die every day, both inside and outside the city. Do you expect me to know every single one? Big Brother, that’s quite a laughable suggestion.” Ji Tao spoke thus, though no one saw the hand he kept hidden beneath the table suddenly clenched, his eyes flickering with a hint of wavering.
Ji Ling lowered his head, gazing down at his second brother as if in passing. “If it had nothing to do with you, I wouldn’t have bothered coming. But I heard this man was working for you not long ago. For him to die so suddenly… it’s bound to raise suspicions.”
Hearing this, Ji Tao’s expression darkened. He immediately stood up, meeting his elder brother’s gaze directly and retorting sharply, “Not only do I not have anyone like that working for me, but even if someone were under my command, if they met with an accident and died, would you blame me for not keeping a close eye on my people?”
It had been some time since he’d paid attention to this younger brother of his. Now, it seemed he’d grown considerably. He no longer appeared like the child who would spill his guts at the slightest scare. Thinking of this younger brother who used to cry bitterly when frightened by him, Ji Ling suddenly smiled with great pleasure.
Yet to Ji Tao, that smile seemed like a mockery, igniting fierce anger within him. He glared at his brother, fury boiling over. “So you came here to pin a trumped-up charge on me?” he demanded. “Just like you did to our mother—using a fabricated accusation to drive me out of the Ji family?”
Ji Ling looked at him, the smile fading from his lips. As if struck by a thought, he took a step back and said, his tone neither light nor heavy, “I only came to warn you. If you don’t stop in time, you alone will bear the consequences.” Without waiting for Ji Tao’s reply, he turned and left with his attendants.
Ji Tao fixed his gaze on Ji Ling’s retreating figure, his chest heaving violently as if on the verge of losing control. Only after he had disappeared from sight did he kick the table before him, smashing it to pieces with several furious blows that startled his attendants.
Only when there was nothing left to smash in the room did Ji Tao calm down. He let out a heavy sigh and summoned his trusted aide.
“Young Master?” The aide hesitated, observing his master’s furious demeanor.
Ji Tao turned to stare at him, his voice icy. “Continue the task I assigned you last time. Just be more careful. If anyone catches you again, you’ll be risking your own life.”
The aide stiffened at the words, replying with utmost deference, “Yes, young master.”
Gazing at the wide-open door, Ji Tao thought viciously: Since he’d started this, there was no turning back now. Didn’t he cherish his husband so deeply? Well, he’d see just how far Ji Ling would go for Tang Xiaobao.
After leaving Ji Tao’s quarters, Ji Ling turned to Feng Ling, who followed him, and ordered, “Have someone keep a close watch on him. See what he’s up to today. Have you found those people yet?”
“Yes. Those individuals have been located and are now safely confined in a secure location.” Feng Ling answered with utmost seriousness.
Ji Ling nodded, saying nothing further. After observing for a while, he realized it was still early for dinner. He then led his entourage of servants to inspect the shops for a short while. When the time seemed right, they headed to Tang Xiaobao’s restaurant.
The moment he entered, the young waiter named Jiang Chen greeted him warmly, his smile beaming at his employer. “Young Master knew you might come today and instructed me to wait at the door.”
Ji Ling turned to observe this sharp-witted waiter, gave a nod, and then, guided by his enthusiastic recommendation, entered an exquisitely appointed private room. After ordering his usual dishes, he watched the waiter about to depart and said, “Please convey a message to your young master: if he’s not too busy today, I’d like him to join me for a meal.”
“Yes, sir.” Jiang Chen replied with a cheerful lightness, delighted to deliver the message.
Sure enough, not long after, Tang Xiaobao arrived at Ji Ling’s private room accompanied by a group of waiters carrying dishes. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he entered, immediately sitting beside Ji Ling and asking happily, “Today why are you coming?”
Ji Ling looked at Tang Xiaobao, who appeared slightly thinner from his preoccupations these past few days, and said gently, “It just happened to be mealtime, so I thought I’d come see you while I was at it.” Though he called it “while I was at it,” this place was quite a distance from Ji Ling’s territory. Coming here required a considerable journey. If he wanted to eat, the young master of the Ji family could have gone anywhere for delicacies. Yet, he chose to come here.
Tang Xiaobao never pondered such things, but he knew Ji Ling had come specifically to see him. That alone filled him with immense joy. Though they could meet at home, such little surprises brought him particular delight.
Watching Tang Xiaobao’s beaming face, Ji Ling curved his lips in resignation before asking, “Are you happy?”
Tang Xiaobao lifted his sparkling eyes to meet him, his joy unmasked. “Yes,” he replied brightly. “I’m very happy that you came.”
Seeing this, Ji Ling understood that recent events hadn’t affected him—or if they had, the impact had largely faded. Reassured, only then he relaxed.
The two enjoyed a cheerful meal together. Ji Ling had been delayed by recent matters and needed to hurry back. After telling Tang Xiaobao he’d return late that night, he departed with Feng Ling.
Watching Ji Ling’s carriage disappear, and noticing the growing crowd of pastry buyers gathering at the door once more, Tang Xiaobao pouted slightly before turning away, his mood noticeably dampened.
Lu He, who had been following Tang Xiaobao all along, saw his expression and stifled a giggle. She then scampered over to her young madam and whispered, “Young Madam, since Master will be home late tonight, perhaps we could go select some fresh ingredients later and prepare that time-consuming dish you mentioned last time. I’m sure the Master would be delighted.”
Hearing Lü He’s suggestion, Tang Xiaobao turned to look at her. After a moment’s thought, he agreed, nodding happily. “Then let’s finish work early.” He knew Ji Ling adored that particular dish, but it required considerable time to prepare and had to be eaten fresh, making it quite troublesome. That’s why they rarely made it. Considering they had ample time today, Tang Xiaobao cheerfully prepared to make it for Ji Ling.
Lühe didn’t understand what her young madam meant by “leaving work,” but seeing him happy again,she lifted her spirits too. Wasn’t it their duty as servants to worry about their masters?
Thus, having wrapped up his business duties early today, Tang Xiaobao took his personal maid, Lühe, to the market to gather the necessary ingredients. Afterward, they returned home, and he cheerfully set about cooking.
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