klisemfg Chapter 188: Ambush
Chapter 188: Ambush
Chapter 188: Ambush
Upon entering the kitchen, he saw Ji Meiqing busy at work. He paused before asking, "The Ji family..."
“They’re here to cause trouble.” She didn’t care at all, as if she didn’t know those people at all, but she couldn’t help herself, so she turned around and looked at Lu Yu, saying as if she were joking, “They want us to leave so they can find me another husband.”
"No way." Lu Yu objected immediately, his face full of displeasure. Seeing his reaction, Ji Meiqing couldn't help but smile, feeling a sweet warmth in her heart.
Seeing that they still hadn't come out and were completely ignoring them, Master Ji outside grew even angrier.
Ji Tianci, however, came out of his room when he heard they had arrived.
"Father!" He was excited to see the people outside. He quickly ran to Master Ji and asked, "Father, have you come to see my sister?"
He was dressed in a scholar's robe. Although he was only a teenager, he already exuded the elegance of a young man, and his demeanor made people want to take a second look.
"My son, do you want your older sister to come home?" Master Ji looked tenderly at the young man in front of him. Although he was not yet twenty, he was already almost as tall as him.
Ji Tianci was initially surprised by his question, but quickly asked excitedly, "Is it true?"
"Yes, as long as you get your sister's consent, the Ji family can go back."
"What about my brother-in-law?"
Ji Tianci asked another question, and everyone behind him froze, unsure how to answer. Old Master Ji said calmly, "This is the Ji family. Lu Yu is just a poor boy. Your sister deserves someone better."
“Even if Lu Yu is poor, I’m still willing to be with him. So what if he’s rich? Does that mean I can take a husband and concubines?” Ji Meiqing came out just then, her face serious.
"Sister..." Ji Tianci looked at Ji Meiqing like this and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Ji Meiqing came up to him and said, "If you want me to divorce Lu Yu and return to the Ji family, fine. But you must first agree to me taking a concubine."
"You! This is outrageous! One woman, multiple husbands... This... This goes against moral principles and ethics! It violates the virtues of womanhood!"
"I'm furious," said Master Ji.
“You want me to divorce Lu Yu, but you won’t agree to my terms… Mr. Ji, we business people believe in clear transactions. Since you don’t agree, why should I go back with you to get married and raise children?”
Master Ji was speechless and could only stare at her intently. Ji Meiqing ignored her completely and turned around. As soon as she did, the group of people stirred and it looked quite lively.
Ji Tianci stood there, somewhat confused.
“When the Ji family severed ties with me back then, they should have thought of this day. And the fact that things have turned out this way is entirely your own fault. I only asked for a little compensation, but you are not even willing to accept that…” She helplessly tugged at the corners of her mouth and continued, “You are unwilling and you still want to use the same old tricks to deal with me. As your daughter, I can only feel helpless.”
"Excuse me..." Granny Mei came over with a broom, breaking the silence. "If you have nothing to do, don't stand here. My eyesight isn't good, and I might mistake you for trash. Hey, make way..."
She forced her way through the crowd, drawing murmurs from the crowd. Ji Meiqing looked at them one by one, and they quickly retreated back into their shells like turtles.
Ji Meiqing wasn't in a hurry. After confronting them for a while, Old Master Ji stormed off in a huff. The door, which had been kicked open, remained stubbornly open, and she went over to close it.
Turning around, she saw Ji Tianci looking at her with a puzzled expression. Feeling confused, she asked, "What's wrong with you?"
"Why don't you want to go back and reunite with our family?" Ji Tianci asked, puzzled.
Ji Meiqing was taken aback, then gave a desolate laugh: "Do you know what I looked like when I was kicked out?"
Ji Tianci shook his head, and Ji Meiqing continued, "Since you don't know, then you should never know. That would be the end of a nightmare for me..."
Ji Tianci looked at Ji Meiqing with a half-understanding, and the latter rubbed his head before walking back into the kitchen.
Lu Yu, who was standing in the room, had already heard everything. When she came in, he asked, "Do you want to take a concubine?"
She froze, her face flushed, and looked at him with an extremely awkward expression.
"No, no, we're just here to shut them up."
Lu Yu thought for a moment, "If they agree to your conditions, wouldn't you be stuck at home?"
"They won't agree, and even if they did, no one would want me," she replied with absolute certainty. Lu Yu was somewhat puzzled, but seeing her dejected expression, he could only pretend that he understood.
"So you really want to take a concubine?"
He was still struggling with this question: what would happen to him if Ji Meiqing's request was granted?
"Don't worry," Ji Meiqing patted his shoulder, comforting him, "Even if they agree, I can take a concubine or marry a husband. At worst, I'll just marry you."
Lu Yu finally smiled. Ji Meiqing looked at him as if he were an idiot, then took the things and left.
While things were peaceful and harmonious here, Master Ji was furious and on the verge of exploding with anger, with people around him constantly trying to persuade him to calm down.
"This Ji Meiqing is truly ungrateful. The Ji family has raised her for so many years, yet she's a heartless wretch who dares to negotiate with me!" He slammed his cane down three times, seemingly quite angry.
Ji Tianzhuo stepped forward and cautiously offered his advice, "Since we can't keep Ji Meiqing, we might as well destroy her."
"You have an idea?" Master Ji's tone softened as he heard this.
Ji Tianzhuo said cautiously, "Ji Meiqing owns a restaurant. Although the business is good, I can ruin even the best business. Father, just wait, I will go and settle your score right away."
"Then go and take a look. If you can satisfy me, I'll grant you one request."
"Is it acceptable under any conditions?"
"You have quite the ambition! Besides the position of head of the family, which I have a plan for, it will be yours sooner or later."
He casually revealed what Ji Tianzhuo was thinking. However, Ji Tianzhuo didn't seem to care. After exchanging a few words with the people behind him, he looked at Master Ji with a smug expression.
"Tomorrow will mark the beginning of Ji Meiqing's decline. Father, let's just wait and see what happens."
Although he didn't know what the man was up to, judging from his son's expression, it seemed he had something on his mind. But he decided not to ask; he would find out sooner or later.