Chapter 103: Reunion
Zhao Ming had just been shoved out of the Luo family's villa by their servants, even stumbling over the steps in the process. Furious, his face flushed red as he cursed, "Luo Xian, you ungrateful dog! After all I've done for you, this is how you treat me today?"
Earlier, Zhao Ming had been driven out of the Gu family's villa by their guards, not even allowed to take his belongings. He could only straighten his clothes and, under the sidelong glances of the villagers of Lingbi, stride proudly to the Luo family's villa.
...Yet before he could even say anything, Luo Xian had turned on him, ordering his servants to throw him out.
Luo Xian crossed his arms and sneered, "Manager Zhao, you should understand our position—who in these ten villages and eight shops dares to cross the Ji family? The Ji family's Second Young Master personally escorted Miss Gu here and made it clear no one was to employ you. What could I possibly do?"
Zhao Ming was stunned. He had thought the Ji family's young master hadn't intended to interfere!
Luo Xian continued mockingly, "Besides, think about it yourself—if you dared to steal from the Gu family for me today, who's to say you wouldn't steal from the Luo family for someone else tomorrow? Someone as ungrateful as you—do you really think anyone would value you? You're such a fool; anyone who takes you in must be sick in the head!"
Zhao Ming glared at him in rage. He had never imagined Luo Xian would look down on him so much and had never truly intended to take him in.
He lunged forward, fist raised to strike Luo Xian, but was blocked by the villa's workers. Luo Xian snorted coldly and ordered the villa gates shut, ignoring Zhao Ming entirely.
After yelling himself hoarse with no response, Zhao Ming had no choice but to leave the Luo family's villa in bitter resentment.
Before long, night fell. After much deliberation, Zhao Ming gritted his teeth and decided to return to the Gu family. At worst, he would apologize to the Eldest Miss... surely she wouldn't be too hard on him! Resolved, he set off for the Gu family's villa under the moonlight, only to be intercepted by tenant farmers along the way.
Having suffered under his tyranny for years, the farmers seized the chance for revenge now that Zhao Ming no longer held power over their lives. A dozen men armed with clubs beat Zhao Ming until he wailed for mercy, his legs broken before he was thrown out of Lingbi Village.
Jinchao heard the news the next day and remarked, "He got what he deserved. No need to bother with him."
The night before, she had already sent a letter to another manager of the Yongxin villa in Xianghe, instructing him to send trustworthy men to oversee the Lingbi villa. Someone knowledgeable in farming was needed to handle matters here, as they were preparing to return to Tongzhou.
As their belongings were packed, a man named Qin Er arrived carrying a basket of fresh eggs and duck eggs, along with another basket brimming with wild chestnuts and dates. Nervously, he said to Mama Tong, "These were gathered by the villagers. There were also persimmons and cornmeal, but I figured the Eldest Miss wouldn't care for those, so I didn't bring them..."
Mama Tong smiled at him, making him even more flustered. "These are easy to carry! The dates are big and sweet, and the chestnuts are fragrant..."
Jinchao stepped out and instructed Mama Tong to accept the gifts. Then she asked Qin Er, "Would you like to work for the villa? We're short on hands. When Manager Xu from Yongxin arrives, you can assist him. At the very least, your family won't go hungry."Qin Er was stunned for a long moment before finally reacting, overwhelmed with gratitude. He repeatedly thanked Jinchao and even wanted to kowtow to her.
Jinchao smiled and accepted his gesture.
By noon, the group returned to Tongzhou. However, there was an issue with the Luzhou silk shop in Xianghe. A steward had rushed overnight to Lingbi to consult Ji Yao, who couldn’t return to Tongzhou. As Jinchao boarded the carriage, she overheard Ji Yao speaking sternly with the steward as they walked: "...How audacious! Daring to help those Guizhou bandits transport goods. Round them all up—I’ll interrogate them myself..." His tone was icy.
Guizhou bandits? For some reason, Jinchao’s heart skipped a beat at those words.
But judging by Ji Yao’s demeanor, this was clearly no trivial matter. She had no idea what had happened...
She didn’t ask. This was the Ji family’s private affair, and pressing Ji Yao would only put him in an awkward position.
By the time they arrived back in Tongzhou, it was already past noon, and Jinchao hadn’t eaten yet. Her grandmother bustled about, having the kitchen prepare a lavish spread of dishes. Smiling, she said to Jinchao, "...You must not have eaten well these past few days in Xianghe." She then asked how the Villa matters had been handled.
Jinchao gave a wry smile. "Grandmother, I’m still in mourning..." How could she indulge in such rich meats and dishes?
Her grandmother frowned. "The living matter most. Look how much weight you’ve lost these past months—your mother would be even more heartbroken and worried if she saw you..." She firmly pressed the chopsticks into Jinchao’s hand, leaving no room for refusal.
Reluctantly, Jinchao began to eat. Meanwhile, her grandmother turned to Mama Song, questioning her thoroughly about Manager Zhao’s situation. After hearing everything, she smiled and stroked Jinchao’s hair. "Our Chaojie is so capable. Such a man shouldn’t be kept around!"
Warmth bloomed in Jinchao’s chest. Here, with her grandmother, she felt like a cherished child again.
Soon after, Ji Anchun was brought in by a maid to pay respects to Ji Wu Shi. Not only did he observe morning and evening courtesies, but he also visited at noon. He adored Ji Wu Shi, who always prepared two large hexagonal porcelain boxes filled with treats for him—dried fruits, candies, pastries, preserved fruits, and meats.
Clutching his big box, Ji Anchun nestled against Ji Wu Shi on the heated kang. Spotting Jinchao eating, he stared longingly at the plate of wine-marinated goose feet.
Jinchao picked up a small piece and asked, "Would Chun Ge’er like some?"
But Ji Anchun ignored her, shrinking back to hide behind Ji Wu Shi. Ji Wu Shi chuckled helplessly. "Chun Ge’er is usually so outgoing, yet he seems a little afraid of you. How strange—on his first birthday, he even grabbed your hairpin..." She coaxed him out, urging him to call Jinchao "Aunt," but Ji Anchun clamped his mouth shut, refusing to speak. Finally, he burst into loud wails.
His nursemaid, alarmed, quickly soothed him with gentle words. Ji Wu Shi had her take Ji Anchun out to play in the courtyard. By then, Jinchao had finished her meal, and the maids cleared the dishes.
Just then, Xianglan, the senior maid attending Ji Wu Shi, entered. She first curtsied to Ji Wu Shi and Jinchao before announcing, "...Third Young Master has returned. His carriage has just reached the screen wall!"Upon returning from a long journey, it was customary to first pay respects to Ji Wu Shi. Ji Wu Shi had also forgotten about Ji An Chun’s matter and became delighted instead. “...I wonder how his studies with others have been progressing. Quickly summon him here—I wish to ask him... And since his cousin is also here, it’s all the more reason for him to come!”
Jinchao was also happy for her grandmother. The Ji family had few who were naturally gifted in scholarly pursuits. In her past life, Ji Yun had only achieved the rank of Tong Jinshi. Perhaps in this lifetime, after studying with Chen Xuanqing, he might perform better in the examinations.
Xiang Lan acknowledged the order and left. Before long, Jinchao heard footsteps. As soon as Ji Yun stepped through the door, he greeted with a smile, “Grandmother, I hope you’ve been well these days!” Then he noticed Jinchao and cupped his hands in greeting, “Cousin, you’re here too!”
Ji Wu Shi smiled and beckoned him over, about to speak to him when she noticed two more people entering behind him. One was slightly shorter, dressed in a tea-colored Hangzhou silk robe, with regular features and a cheerful expression.
The other followed a step behind, wearing a blue fine-cloth straight robe with cloud patterns. He was tall and slender, with exceptionally refined and handsome features. What was even rarer was his gentle and composed demeanor. His faint smile was like mist swirling around bamboo atop a mountain, exuding an air of quiet elegance.
Jinchao’s expression changed.
Immediately, she clenched her palm discreetly and lowered her gaze.
Chen Xuanqing... It was actually Chen Xuanqing. She had unexpectedly encountered him again in his youth!
Ji Yun introduced the two to Ji Wu Shi, starting with the shorter one. “...This is the cousin of Prince Rui, the third son of Lord An—An Songhuai. He’s my fellow student at the Imperial Academy.” Then he gestured to the youth in the blue cloud-patterned robe. “...The seventh young master of the Chen family, Chen Xuanqing. Grandmother must know him—he ranked third in the Northern Zhili provincial examinations!”
Ji Wu Shi had met Chen Xuanqing during Ji Yun’s wedding and was naturally familiar with him. As for Prince Rui’s cousin, she hadn’t heard of him before, but since he had accompanied her grandson back, he must also be a successful candidate in the provincial exams. She nodded with a smile.
Ji Yun then introduced Ji Wu Shi, and the two bowed in greeting.
Ji Yun hesitated, unsure whether he should introduce Gu Jinzhao. He had hurried to Duanhua Pavilion without hearing Xiang Lan’s full explanation and hadn’t known Gu Jinzhao was present. Otherwise, Chen Xuanqing and An Songhuai would have had to withdraw. But now that things had come to this, not introducing her would seem impolite. So he added, “...This is my cousin, the Eldest Miss of the Gu family.”
Though Gu Jinzhao had no desire to face Chen Xuanqing, she had no choice but to lift her head and nod with a faint smile.
Chen Xuanqing was also taken aback, but he quickly regained his composure. As if he didn’t know Gu Jinzhao, he cupped his hands and greeted, “Eldest Miss Gu, I hope you are well.” Then he turned away without looking at her again. His expression was indifferent, but his hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched tightly.
Had he known Gu Jinzhao was at the Ji family... he would never have come here under any circumstances!
An Songhuai, however, was momentarily stunned upon seeing Gu Jinzhao. Ji Wu Shi couldn’t help but feel displeased and thus turned to Chen Xuanqing with a smile. “Ji Yun has been troubling you with his studies in the Eight-legged essay. He’s rather slow by nature and always needs guidance to understand. Young Master An must feel the same way, no?”
Realizing his impropriety, An Songhuai flushed and stammered, “Ji Yun is far cleverer than I...”
Chen Xuanqing replied amiably, “Tai Furen, you are too kind. It’s merely that I’ve received much guidance from my father at home. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have achieved first place.” His father, Chen Yanyun, had once been the Top Candidate in the Northern Zhili provincial exams and later ranked Second Place in the palace examinations.Ji Wu Shi couldn't help but smile. No matter what, people from the Chen Family were different. Chen Xuanqing's scholarship was excellent, yet he didn't have the slightest arrogance in his character.
Ji Wu Shi then asked Ji Yun why they had come to Tongzhou.
Ji Yun replied, "When I went to the Chen Family, I happened to meet Juming and spoke a few words with the Third Master of the Chen Family. The Third Master advised us to seek out Instructor Zhang of the Imperial Academy, who specializes in Guangye studies, saying his lectures on Guangye were exceptionally good... Since Instructor Zhang has retired to Tongzhou, we came back this way and took the opportunity to pay our respects to you, Grandmother."
Juming was the courtesy name of An Songhuai.
Ji Wu Shi then instructed Mama Song to prepare one hundred taels of silver as a gift and ceremonial offering for Instructor Zhang.
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