Chapter 79: 受罰
[Punishment]
Sure enough, just as Ji Ling had predicted, the incident quickly escalated, growing ever more chaotic until it reached a point of no return. Only when it reached the ears of the head of the Ji household did he realize the gravity of the situation. His first thought was that his nephew was utterly foolish, followed immediately by concerns about how to quell the matter.
“Why is the master so furious?” Observing the elder master sitting there, visibly enraged, the eldest madam approached with a cup of ginseng tea. Her eyes flickered a few times before she asked in her usual soft, gentle voice.
The patriarch turned to take the tea from his wife’s hands. He didn’t drink it, but placed it on his desk instead. Then, picking up a short letter from the desk, he showed it to the matriarch, his tone tinged with disappointment. “Look at this good-for-nothing. The trouble he’s caused this time is immense. He’s ruined the Ji family’s reputation completely. What trouble couldn’t he have caused instead of picking a fight with a group of scholars and beating them up?” The patriarch looked deeply troubled, rubbing his temples in discomfort.
Hearing his words, the Eldest madam approached from behind, gently massaging his temples to ease his tension. She murmured softly, “Perhaps he’s still young and lacks judgment. If the scholar is reasonable, send Ji Tao to apologize and make amends.”
The patriarch had considered this himself, but now the situation had escalated so dramatically—would the scholar truly let the Ji family off so easily? At this thought, his head began to throb anew, tinged with a faint irritation. Before he could devise a perfect solution, however, a servant rushed in from outside. After bowing to the patriarch, he exclaimed urgently, “Master! Trouble! A large group of scholars has gathered at our main gate, demanding an explanation from the Ji household!”
The master’s head felt instantly heavier. Pointing at the messenger, he ordered, “Go to the second branch immediately and fetch Ji Tao.”
The servant trembled at the master’s words, then swiftly turned and dashed toward the courtyard where Ji Tao resided. Once the servant had departed, the master turned to the attendant beside him and instructed, “When he arrives with his men, have them come directly to the front gate to find me.”
“Yes, sir.” The servant remained behind, responding respectfully.
After instructing the servant, he turned to the First Lady standing there, his tone softening slightly. “I’ll go handle this matter. You stay here.”
The First Lady, who had intended to accompany him, hesitated for two seconds upon hearing this before nodding in agreement. Watching the master hurry away, the First Lady turned to the maid beside her and said in a very calm tone, “Go find someone to notify the guards. Send more men over there.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The maid curtsied and immediately left.
The First Lady watched her husband’s departing figure, a fleeting look of deep thought crossing her eyes before quickly returning to calm.
“Master, perhaps I should take men to deal with the matter?” The steward, who had arrived late, stood beside the elder master, occasionally jogging to keep pace with his hurried strides. Seeing his master’s urgent demeanor, he offered the suggestion with a desire to share the burden.
Hearing his steward’s words, the master’s expression darkened slightly. He shook his head. If possible, he would never have intervened personally. But this incident had escalated far beyond expectations. He had assumed the scholar was just an ordinary man of letters, never imagining he had powerful backing. That this man could incite other scholars to stir up trouble was something he hadn’t anticipated. The only course left was to clarify matters with those scholars and seek their understanding.
As the master reached the doorway, he found the main gate tightly shut. Guards stood rigidly posted, as if fearing an external breach. Distant shouts could faintly be heard beyond the gate, making it clear a large crowd had gathered.
The guards looked surprised to see the Elder Lord, then bowed respectfully before standing frozen, unsure what to do. Only when the Elder Lord stared expressionlessly at the door, as if trying to see through it to those beyond, did he say calmly, “Open the door.”
At the magistrate’s command, the guards stiffened. They glanced at him again for confirmation, only to see him nod calmly. The two men responsible for the door exchanged a brief look before pulling it open with force.
The scholars gathered outside had been clamorous, with several eloquent ones still trying to persuade the crowd to join their cause. They had stirred up many young men, who now looked eager to confront the Ji family alongside them. The moment the elder stepped out, the crowd noticed and fell silent. All eyes turned toward him.
Both sides stood quiet for a moment. Then the leading scholar addressed the middle-aged man in fine brocade robes before him, his voice loud and clear: “Master Ji! After all this, do you still refuse to give us justice?”
As soon as the scholar finished, murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. Some were scholars who had originally accompanied them, but the majority were ordinary people drawn by the commotion. They now looked deeply indignant, as if ready to charge forward at the slightest command from the man in the center.
Such a scene was but a trifle to the seasoned elder, who had traveled far and wide without fear. He didn’t even blink. Yet he knew he must not let his emotions show, lest it provoke greater conflict. Stepping forward, he surveyed the crowd below and declared in a clear voice, “This incident stems from my family’s failure to instill proper discipline. I, Ji, stand here to apologize on behalf of my nephew to all of you. We will cover all medical expenses for the injured party and provide additional compensation.”
“Master Ji, we respect your family’s standing, which is why we avoided court. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for everyone involved. However, we did not come seeking your apology on behalf of another. We demand that the Ji family hand over the young master responsible for the injury so he may face punishment. We demand fairness, justice, and the rule of law under heaven.” The scholar who spoke was clearly eloquent, and upon hearing this, the crowd behind him erupted in cheers.
“Yes! We stand for the rule of law under heaven! Don’t think your family’s wealth grants you immunity from the law! We’re here to tell you there are things money simply cannot buy!” Another scholar chimed in, his gaze toward Magistrate Ji dripping with contempt, as if merely associating with such a man might taint him with the stench of filthy lucre.
Since ascending to the position of family head, the eldest master had never endured such humiliation. Yet, the composure honed over years quickly overrode his urge to teach this man a lesson.
Just then, Ji Tao was finally summoned by his servant after repeated urging. At first, he thought it was merely a group of penniless scholars causing a disturbance at the gate. But upon approaching and hearing a few words, he realized he might have truly stirred up trouble. He knew his uncle well. If these scholars posed no threat, he would have merely sent someone with medicinal ointment and silver—never would he have come out personally to speak with them. Though he braced himself for trouble, his feet carried him steadily toward the doorway.
Until his figure appeared before the crowd, the voices that had just quieted down began to stir once more. The leader looked quite agitated. Ji Tao glanced across the way and saw the scholar he had struck standing quietly among the crowd, watching him without speaking. Yet, it felt like being stared at by a snake.
After just one glance, Ji Tao averted his eyes and turned to his eldest uncle, addressing him with utmost respect: “Uncle.”
The elder, thoroughly annoyed by his presence, kept his displeasure hidden in front of the crowd. His tone was flat as he addressed Ji Tao: “Since you made this mistake yourself, you will now publicly apologize to the scholar you struck that day.”
As the eldest master fixed his gaze on him, showing no room for negotiation, Ji Tao realized he had truly overstepped this time. He hadn’t expected to have misjudged the situation. Turning his head, he looked at the scholar below who had been humiliated that day, bowed his head respectfully, and said, “I’m sorry.”
But the scholar didn’t look at him. Instead, he turned his gaze to the standing Magistrate Ji, his voice quiet yet clear enough for everyone nearby to hear distinctly: “I, Shen, know I am no match for the precious young master of the Ji family. Yet this fleshly suffering was traded for nothing more than a hollow apology. Thankfully, I am fortunate to be alive. Had any of those frail souls succumbed to the torment that day and perished, they too would have earned only this insubstantial apology. Surely they would find no peace in the afterlife.”
Hearing the scholar’s words, Ji Tao—who had never endured such torment—suddenly lifted his head, staring straight at Shen Qing with visible anger. Yet, as if recalling something, he ultimately remained silent.
Seeing Ji Tao’s look of suppressed anger, Shen Qing seemed quite satisfied. Yet recalling the humiliation he had suffered that day, he realized this wasn’t his true goal. Turning to stare at the Magistrate, his voice remained icy cold, though a careful listener might detect a hint of bitterness. “If the Ji family refuses to give me justice, then I will sacrifice my own reputation to ask my master to preside over it for me.”
Hearing the scholar’s words, Old Master Ji furrowed his brow and fell into thought. After a moment, he spoke slowly to Ji Tao: “This assault was your fault. It violates the Ji family’s ancestral teachings and has caused such great repercussions for our family. You should be punished according to our family law.”
“No, Uncle! I was wrong!” Ji Tao’s face drained of color at these words. He had witnessed the Ji family’s disciplinary methods firsthand. Having never endured physical punishment before, he knew he couldn’t withstand such torture. Before he could beg for mercy, his mouth was covered, and he was dragged inside by the household guards.
After Ji Tao was dragged away, the patriarch finally turned to the scholar who had been watching intently and asked, “Young Master Shen, would you care to witness this?”
Despite the patriarch’s harsh tone, Shen Qing paid it no mind. He even offered a faint smile and replied calmly, “In that case, I shall humbly accept your invitation.” With that, he led his fellow students who had accompanied him inside.
Ji Tao was dragged along, stumbling with each step, while the magistrate stormed behind him. Shen Qing followed with his classmates, while the rioting crowd was left outside.
After about fifteen minutes, the procession reached a solemn ancestral hall.
Upon entering, the Magistrate waved for his servants to bind Ji Tao to the torture device. Ignoring the man’s violent struggles, he ordered the executioner to begin. The black whip cracked repeatedly against Ji Tao’s body, leaving blood seeping through his thin garments.
Ji Tao, who had struggled fiercely at first, now seemed oblivious even as his arms were raw and bleeding, clearly in immense agony. Some scholars, unaccustomed to such scenes, couldn’t help but avert their eyes. Only Shen Qing kept his gaze fixed on Ji Tao, not blinking once.
After twenty lashes, Ji Tao had fainted. The elder hurriedly ordered men to carry him away for later transfer to the courtyard. Turning to Shen Qing, his tone grew icy, “Are you satisfied now, Young Master Shen?”
The Ji family’s discipline is exceedingly strict. Under these circumstances, it would be inappropriate for us to stay longer. We shall take our leave.” Having obtained what he desired, Shen Qing immediately led his frightened classmates away.
The Magistrate watched them leave, just about to order Ji Tao’s return when he heard a woman wailing and wringing her hands.
Meanwhile, Shen Qing, now unescorted, relied solely on memory to find his way out. At the corner, he unexpectedly encountered a familiar face. Both parties froze upon recognizing each other.
Shen Qing glanced at Ji Ling and the young man beside him, his lips curling slightly. “I must thank you again, Young Master Ji, for your assistance that day.”
