Chapter 71: 談話【修】
Conversation [Revised]
Even fifteen minutes after Ji Ling had left, Tang Xiaobao still felt gloomy and distinctly unhappy. Sitting there, he couldn’t muster the energy to do anything. Expressionless, he stared at the trees in the courtyard, thinking that although life here was extremely luxurious, he didn’t like it. He wondered when they would be able to return. Even if their courtyard back home wasn’t as large as this one, at least he could make his own decisions there.
These thoughts only deepened Tang Xiaobao’s discontent. Noticing his mood, Lühe, who had been standing guard nearby, pondered for a moment before cautiously approaching. “If the young mistress is bored,” she suggested, “perhaps we could go to the kitchen and make some pastries?”
Tang Xiaobao shook his head, gazing out the door without speaking, then indicated he wished to be alone for a while. Seeing the young mistress’s request, Lühe didn’t press further. She stepped back to a spot neither too close nor too far, ready to be summoned whenever Tang Xiaobao needed her.
Tang Xiaobao glanced at the sky, then at the seemingly empty courtyard. He wondered why he hadn’t felt this bored when Ji Ling was around, even though he had come here alone long ago.
Just as Tang Xiaobao was lost in these random, existential thoughts, Ji Ling had already arrived at the door of the First Lady’s quarters, accompanied by the maid who had come to relay the message.
Entering, he found the First Lady seated on her couch, observing him with a hint of affection in her eyes. She radiated the warmth of an elder deeply devoted to her younger kin. Seeing Ji Ling, she beamed with delight, beckoning him closer. “Ji San,” she said cheerfully, “You come here. I have something to ask you.”
He understood immediately why she had summoned him. A plan formed in his mind as he walked toward her, his tone respectful. “Whatever you wish to ask, Madam, I will answer truthfully and without reservation.”
Seeing his sincere expression, the smile on the First Lady’s face broadened, making her appear even more gentle. She beckoned him closer and spoke slowly, “I’ve heard you’ve been spending quite a bit of time with Jiayi lately. It seems your relationship has grown quite close.” “As she spoke, she studied Ji Ling’s expression, eager to see his reaction to this news. Yet she had clearly underestimated him—his face remained impassive throughout, revealing nothing.
Ji Ling looked at his eldest aunt, his tone sincere, though his words were not what the eldest lady wished to hear. “Miss Sang is your niece, so she is also a sort of relative to me. When a relative visits, it’s only natural for an older brother to take her out for some fun. It’s hardly a bother. Fortunately, I always bring my husband along, so outsiders won’t jump to unfounded conclusions. If this were to affect Sister Sang’s marriage prospects, then my transgression would be grave indeed.”
The First Lady, who had never heard Ji Ling speak so much at once, opened her mouth in surprise, unsure how to respond. She had intended to ask if Ji Ling meant what he said, but upon hearing his words, she felt it would be inappropriate to pursue the matter further. Ultimately, she chose to ignore her strange intuition. Looking at Ji Ling, she smiled and said, ” Well then, Ji San, what do you think of my niece as a wife?”
This was a blatant inquiry. Had any outsiders been present, it would inevitably have tarnished the young woman’s reputation. Reflecting on their recent interactions, Ji Ling chose his words with great care: “Miss Sang is a young lady of profound understanding and refined manners.”
The matriarch’s face grew increasingly pleased as she listened to Ji Ling’s praise of Sang Jiayi. After a moment’s thought, she voiced her true intention directly, “Ji San, you know how deeply I cherish this niece of mine. It’s a pity her father proved so unworthy. I treat her as my own child, and thus wish to strengthen our bond through marriage. If you have no objection, how about taking a ‘side wife’ (a type of concubine in ancient China who was of equal or higher status than the main wife)?” In truth, she would have preferred Ji Ling to divorce his current husband altogether. But observing Ji Ling’s recent demeanor, she sensed he would never do such a thing. Settling for the next best option, she requested a co-wife—a concubine — simply because she herself did not agree.
When the First Lady finally voiced this proposal, Ji Ling lifted his eyes to meet hers. A flicker of surprise seemed to pass through his gaze before quickly fading. His tone returned to its usual cool detachment. “But I already have a husband.”
“A man having multiple wives and concubines is perfectly ordinary. Even if Ji Yi enters the household later, she will still respect him as the primary husband. Given his status, marrying into the Ji family is already a step up for her.” Though the matriarch’s tone remained consistently cool, it carried an underlying note of condescension. Matrimonial alliances had always emphasized matching social standing. Strictly speaking, they should never have been together in the first place, let alone Ji Ling granting him the position of primary wife.
After hearing the matriarch’s words, Ji Ling’s aura grew even more icy. Though his expression remained impassive, something felt distinctly off, as if the atmosphere itself had turned colder. Before the matriarch could speak further, Ji Ling looked at her with unwavering seriousness and said, “Sang Mei Mei is a good girl, but she is not suited for me. I already have Tang Xiaobao as my husband, and I will take no other wives. Given this, it would be even more unfair to put Sister Sang in such a position.”
The matriarch’s brows furrowed slightly, though her tone remained gentle. She regarded Ji Ling as observing an immature child. “If you cherish past ties, then once Jiayi enters the household, she will always respect him. I will also provide him with some compensation.”
Ji Ling shook her head. Under the matriarch’s disapproving gaze, she looked at her with utter sincerity. “Aunt, you know that when I left the Ji household, I had only days left to live. Had I not encountered Tang Xiaobao, I likely wouldn’t be standing before you now, speaking these words. This debt of life-saving grace, I truly intend to repay with my very being. After marrying Tang Xiaobao, I never once considered betraying him.”
Hearing these words spoken so matter-of-factly, the First Lady froze. They had indeed wondered how Ji Ling’s once-ailing body had recovered, but had simply assumed it was due to a divine physician, as the rumors claimed. Little did they know it was actually because of Tang Xiaobao. This finally explained why Ji San, such a shrewd man, held Tang Xiaobao in such high regard. Realizing this, her gaze toward Ji Ling grew increasingly complex. She never imagined Ji Ling could be such a deeply devoted person.
Just as the eldest madam stood transfixed, Ji Ling looked at her with sincere earnestness. “Since I have made a promise, I cannot go back on my word. I implore you, Aunt, to grant me your blessing. Miss Sang is a fine young woman; she will find her perfect match in due time.”
Her thoughts had been shaken by Ji Ling’s words. By the time the matriarch regained her composure, Ji Ling was already preparing to take his leave. Watching his figure grow increasingly upright as he departed, she couldn’t help but issue a warning: “Do you realize what you might lose?”
Though she sensed the veiled threat in the matriarch’s tone, Ji Ling paid it no mind. What wasn’t his by right would be useless even if obtained, while what truly belonged to him would remain his no matter how others schemed to take it. Standing there, he bowed and replied with decisive clarity, “I know.”
After all that, the First Lady realized his resolve was unshakable. She said no more, merely observing him as she remarked calmly, “Since you’ve made up your mind, what about today’s matter?”
A faint smile touched Ji Ling’s lips, adding a touch of liveliness to his already handsome features. His tone remained as composed as ever. “Naturally, it was Mother-in-law’s concern for my health that brought me here for a visit.” After speaking, he bowed to the First Lady once more before turning to leave.
Watching Ji Ling’s retreating figure, the First Lady found herself inexplicably recalling her own youth when she had met the First Master. He too had been so young back then, and she herself had been in the bloom of youth. They had once sworn eternal love, sweet as honey, for a time. But then… Suddenly, an inexplicable surge of anger made her hurl the teacup in her hand across the room.
The elderly maid, who had been about to enter after Ji Ling left, heard the crash and hurried inside. Seeing the shattered cup on the floor, she gasped involuntarily. Realizing her mistress was in a terrible mood and recalling Ji Ling’s expression earlier, she instantly sensed that this matter was likely doomed. She surmised that the mistress’s fury must stem from the recent incident. Approaching cautiously, she murmured, “Mistress, please do not fret. If this attempt fails, we shall try again. Success will surely come. I refuse to believe that a marriage proposal has ever been refused. Should it not work out, we can simply have the master decide directly.”
The eldest madam turned to the old matron offering counsel, her face still bearing traces of sorrow she hadn’t managed to hide. Yet in an instant, she composed herself completely, swiftly reverting to the dignified and virtuous matriarch of the Ji household. Gazing at her closest confidante, she remarked coolly, “He refuses. His heart still belongs to his husband.”
Her expression darkened considerably at this point. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she added, “In that case, adjust the provisions sent over there. Ensure they don’t exceed the budget of the other courtyard.”
She refused to believe there is a man who doesn’t appreciate beautiful women that could bring him benefits.
Watching her mistress’s face twist briefly before quickly regaining its composure, the old matron sighed inwardly. She nodded in agreement, replying, “I understand, Madam. I’ll inform the steward of your decision shortly.”
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