diskusbooks Chapter 114: Deception
Chapter 114: Deception
Chapter 114: Deception
Lu Yu held her hand tightly and stood in the room. It was almost dusk when Madam Ji finally arrived, and she was taken aback when she saw them there.
"Why is the Second Miss here and you don't even have anyone to serve her? She should be punished." She laughed a few times and then walked over quickly with a friendly smile on her face. Her hands, untouched by the ravages of time, had a greasy feel that gave her goosebumps.
The room lights were turned on, and then Liu Shi followed, and she was also somewhat surprised to see Ji Meiqing.
"Please sit down, please sit down. Someone bring tea." She pushed Ji Meiqing to sit down next to her, then turned to look at Madam Liu and said with a smile, "The second young lady is back. As her mother, you should sit next to her as well."
Madam Liu dared not disobey Madam Ji's words. She glared resentfully at Ji Meiqing, then sat down beside her.
"And this is..." Madam Ji turned her gaze to Lu Yu beside her, looked him over briefly, and then looked at Ji Meiqing.
"In reply to your question, Madam, he is my husband and also my savior."
"Oh." She smiled through her handkerchief, as if she had figured out the whole story and why she was still alive in the courtyard.
“You are still a member of the Ji family after all. You should have told us about this. The Ji family wouldn’t be so heartless as to ignore it,” she scolded.
Ji Meiqing laughed it off, saying that these were just polite words and no one would take them seriously.
"I understand. Thank you, Mrs. Ji."
"Don't be so polite. We're family after all. It's not an exaggeration for you to call me 'Mother.'" She glanced at Lu Yu and then asked, "Could you please tell me this young master's name?"
"Lu Yu," Ji Meiqing answered for him, then added, "He manages two acres of small land. Although life is simple, it's quite good."
"Yes, at home one should listen to one's father, and after marriage one should obey one's husband. One must live life well."
"Thank you for your instructions, Mother."
"Alright, dinner is almost ready. Let's go eat." She stood up, and the old woman beside her helped her.
Ji Meiqing and Lu Yu also got up, but Liu Shi was still sitting in her chair. Madam Ji looked at her with some displeasure and asked, "What's wrong with Liu Shi?"
"Ah, I'm alright." Startled, she quickly rose from her chair, then looked at her sadly and pleaded, "Madam, could you please..."
"Let's talk about it after dinner. It's just in time for the second young lady to come back with her husband. Let's have a family reunion dinner to celebrate."
She interrupted Liu Shi directly, and then walked outside with Ji Meiqing. She didn't ask further about Lu Yu's matter, and Ji Meiqing didn't say anything more either.
Upon arriving at the hall, Madam Ji first spoke with Old Master Ji. Then she smiled and said, "Our second daughter has already married, and the rest of our daughters will probably be getting married soon as well."
Grandpa Ji glanced at Lu Yu but said nothing. He just looked at the table and said in a deep voice, "Please sit down."
There seemed to be some anger in her tone. Madam Ji gave them a smug look, then sat down, and the others followed suit.
There were actually quite a few people at this meal.
As a concubine, Liu Ruyan was not allowed to sit at the table and could only watch from the sidelines.
Ji Tianci somehow learned that Ji Meiqing had returned, so he hurriedly came out of his courtyard.
Those watching in the hall didn't expect the second young master to come out, so they let him in without stopping him.
"Sister, sister, you're back!" He ran over, wanting to hug Ji Meiqing like before, but Master Ji suddenly put down his chopsticks and slammed his hand on the table.
"presumptuous!"
Ji Tianci was stunned. He looked at his father, somewhat puzzled.
"At the dinner table, especially with outsiders present! What are you doing!" he shouted angrily, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
Ji Meiqing's face also darkened, but fortunately Lu Yu squeezed her hand to stop her from moving, which prevented her from lashing out.
Ji Tianci looked at the person next to Ji Meiqing and asked in confusion, "Who are you?"
“He is my husband,” she explained calmly.
Ji Tianci was also stunned for a moment, but then became excited again, "Then you are my brother-in-law Luo."
"How dare you! Lock the second young master back in his courtyard. He is not to come out without permission!" Master Ji roared, startling both Madam Liu and Ji Meiqing.
Ji Tianci looked at his father in disbelief. He wanted to argue, but didn't know what to say.
Liu, who was standing nearby, immediately turned pale with fright and ran to Master Ji, grabbing his trouser leg to plead for Ji Tianci.
Madam Ji also chimed in with a few words, but only to fan the flames. Then she looked helplessly at Madam Liu and said, "Sister Liu, you should get up. After all, there are people here. If you do this, won't you lose face for the Ji family? If you kneel down again, where will you put the face of Master and Father-in-law?"
Liu was crying so hard that tears streamed down her face, ruining her silk dress. Ji Meiqing couldn't bear to watch any longer and said, "Since Master Ji considers us outsiders, we won't stay any longer and will take our leave."
"Husband, let's go."
"Stand!"
They stopped.
"Is this the place where you can come and go as you please?"
Ji Meiqing glanced at them and said, "I didn't want to come in the first place. It's getting late, and we should go back now. We'll come back formally tomorrow for the homecoming ceremony."
"Master, let them go first." Madam Ji smiled and did not try to stop them.
Ji Meiqing reached out and helped Ji Tianci up from the ground, smoothed his hair, and said gently, "I'll come see you again tomorrow. Don't be angry with him. Be good."
"Okay, sister, I'll listen to you."
His serious answer caused the others to change their expressions and look at Ji Meiqing.
After they left, the people inside almost started throwing bowls, cups, and breaking things again. Madam Ji smiled and had Ji Tianci taken away, then sent Liu Shi back home.
"This Ji Meiqing is at least your own daughter, sir. What's wrong with you today?"
"We're better off without this wretched girl!" he roared. "At such a young age, she married another man without even consulting us. If others find out, where will the Ji family's reputation be?"
"But don't forget, it was Lu Yu who saved the Second Miss. The fact that the Second Miss is with him can be considered a completion of this drama. If she doesn't marry Lu Yu, what will people think when she comes back and people find out that she was with another man?"
The words had been explained, but Old Master Ji still couldn't swallow his anger. After seeing Old Master Ji off, Madam Ji turned to her husband and said, "Don't be angry. This is actually a good thing. At least your reputation is preserved, and nothing serious has happened."