Ji Wanwan was completely unaware of Old Master Ji’s rich inner monologue; otherwise, if she knew that Nan Nan had been dragged into being labeled a fool alongside her, she would have been so furious she’d cough up three liters of blood!
Old Master Ji patted his “foolish” grandson’s head and said, “Wan Wan, this child really is as adorable as you. If you truly can’t find a place for him, let him stay with our family. I’ll take good care of him.”
Ji Wanwan nodded. “Alright. Nan Nan, call him…”
“Ahem! Just call him ‘Father’ like you do. From now on, Nan Nan will be your distant cousin.”
Old Master Ji was terrified she’d suggest calling him “Maternal Grandfather” again. If that continued, his daughter’s reputation would be completely ruined.
Without waiting for either of them to refuse, he beamed at the little one and said, “Come on, call me ‘Father.'”
Shen Zhinan: “…”
Five-year-old Nan Nan’s daily dilemma:
What to do when your kindly-looking maternal grandfather insists you call him “Father”?
…
After confirming that Ji Wanwan was unharmed, Ji Mingjing finally spoke up. “Father, although today’s incident was instigated by Lin Yourou, it was still Wan Wan who actually hit someone. Even if Duke Rong’s household doesn’t pursue the matter, it’s only right that we go and check on him.”
Rong Yu was Duke Rong’s only son, and the Duchess doted on her sole child. If Ji Wanwan earned the Duchess’s resentment, it could affect her future marriage prospects.
Although Ji Wanwan had been foolish since childhood, she was still the legitimate daughter of a fourth-rank official. Marrying a scholar would have been a decent match, but if they offended Duke Rong’s household, no aspiring scholar would dare propose to her.
Old Master Ji pondered this. “You’re right. I’ll take Wan Wan to apologize in person. This wasn’t entirely her fault, and the Duke is a reasonable man. He likely won’t hold it against a ‘child’ like Wan Wan.”
Hearing this, Ji Wanwan spoke up. “Father, let me go with you to see Young Master Rong. Since I was the one who hit him, I should be the one to apologize.”
She could tell Old Master Ji had no intention of taking her along, but she couldn’t stand by and let an elderly man apologize on her behalf.
Just as Old Master Ji was about to speak, Ji Mingjing interjected, “If she wants to go, let her. She should take responsibility for her own actions.”
With that, he went to his room and brought back a box, handing it to Old Master Ji. “No need to open it. Just give this to the Duke’s household as an apology. I have to take the Military Imperial Examination tomorrow, so I won’t be going with you.”
Old Master Ji was tempted to open the box and see what was inside, but since his reliable son had spoken, he didn’t press further. He simply took Ji Wanwan and headed to Duke Rong’s residence.
“Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus…” Shen Zhinan, who had stayed behind, blinked. Wasn’t that the betrothal gift Second Uncle gave to Second Aunt?
His mother had said that Second Uncle obtained it during his travels—an extremely rare and precious medicinal herb. He had seen this box from afar at Second Uncle’s house, carefully guarded by Second Aunt.
Ji Mingjing raised an eyebrow and glanced at his newly recognized “foolish little brother.” “How do you know there’s snow lotus inside?”
He had never shown it to anyone after bringing it back. How could this child possibly know?
Shen Zhinan said with a straight face, “I smelled it.”
Ji Mingjing: “…”
Could he smell it through the box? Was he a dog?
Still, while the snow lotus was rare, it wasn’t unheard of. This child’s attire and manner of speaking were refined—perhaps he really did recognize it.
Under the scrutinizing gaze of his stern second uncle, Shen Zhinan gave a sheepish grin, revealing two innocent little fangs.
Instantly feeling provoked, Ji Mingjing: “…”
What an act.
Definitely the child of a civil official.
Duke Rong’s Mansion.
The earlier chaos had subsided. Although Rong Yu remained unconscious, the physician who examined his pulse said there was no serious issue and he would wake in another hour.
The hearts of Duke Rong and his wife finally eased. The Duchess, with her fiery temper, had stormed over upon hearing that a woman had incited a foolish girl to strike her son.
Having been a girl herself, she was all too familiar with the petty schemes among women. This Lin Yourou either fancied her Yu’er and wanted to show off, or she intended to use the blade of the Duke Rong’s Mansion to strike at the Ji family!
Whichever it was, anyone who dared harm her Yu’er was unforgivable!
When Ji Wanwan and Old Master Ji arrived, Lin Yourou was kneeling in the courtyard, tearfully pleading her innocence. Not far away sat a noblewoman in luxurious attire, listening with a frosty expression, clearly impatient.
Old Master Ji entered and said, “This humble official, Ji Xian, accompanied by my daughter Ji Wanwan, has come to apologize for the incident involving the young duke.”
The Duchess waved her hand, and servants brought a chair. “Minister Ji, please have a seat first. The Duke is occupied with important matters in the front hall and may not arrive for a while.”
For some reason, Shen Xiang, who never engaged in private interactions, had suddenly come to the mansion to visit Yu’er. The Duchess did not understand court affairs and dared not comment.
“Yes,” Old Master Ji replied, cautiously taking a seat on the side chair and handing the gifts to a maid of the Duke’s mansion.
The Duchess had a commanding presence, sitting sternly and intimidatingly. Lin Yourou trembled as she knelt, unable to speak properly.
Ji Wanwan watched the cowardly little green tea with amusement, feeling a bit of schadenfreude. Serves you right for harming the original host—reaping what you sow, you deserve it!
Lin Yourou, already terrified, looked up and caught the smile in Ji Wanwan’s eyes. Provoked, she cried out in panic, “Duchess, it was Ji Wanwan who struck the young duke! Why are you only targeting me? I never incited her to do it! How could I come up with such a foolish plan? Clearly, this foolish girl is talking nonsense!”
Hearing Lin Yourou call Wanwan a “foolish girl,” Old Master Ji’s face darkened instantly. This despicable woman—Wanwan had considered her a close friend, yet now she betrayed her without hesitation!
Steadying his emotions, he explained to the Duchess, “Madam, although my daughter is simple-minded, she could never have devised such a plan. It was clearly this Lin girl who wrote a letter instructing my daughter to do this. Before coming today, I brought the letter with me. Please take a look, Madam.”
Old Master Ji handed the letter to the Duchess. Xiao Tao had given it to them. After hearing the contents, Wanwan had immediately acted, leaving Xiao Tao and the others no chance to stop her.
Seeing the letter, Lin Yourou flinched in fright. But remembering that the letter was not in her own handwriting, she shouted loudly again, “You’re lying! I never wrote any letter to Ji Wanwan! If you don’t believe me, compare the handwriting! I have a clear conscience!”
Ji Wanwan raised an eyebrow. What a “clear conscience.” Let Daddy teach you how to be a decent person again.
She feigned ignorance toward her father and said, “Dad, is what Yurou said true? She never wrote me a letter? But even though I can’t read, Xiao Tao said the person who wrote me letters each time was the same. Yurou even wrote me a letter before, asking me to give her a sachet—the one she’s wearing now.”
The implication was: even if the handwriting wasn’t yours, the letters still came from you. Why argue about penmanship when so many maids and guards could write on your behalf?