Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter 107: Temporary Separation

To avoid any entanglement between Ji Meiqing and the Ji family, Madam Ji specifically sent someone to talk to Ji Meiqing.

Upon thinking of Ji Tianci, she immediately sent someone over. Some things are better done sooner rather than later, so she took a bag of silver from her personal savings and handed it to the messenger.

Since ancient times, money has been a powerful force. Ji Meiqing has been kicked out of the Ji family and is said to have been adopted. This amount of money should be enough to sever her ties with the Ji family, and it should also make Ji Tianci give up on her, thus cutting off any possibility of her returning to the Ji mansion.

The messenger was a bully who preyed on the weak. He took the silver and went to the Lu family, only to find that Ji Meiqing was not at home.

It wasn't too early; it was already noon. He glanced at the door twice, then went in without knocking.

The room was empty, but quite large. He wandered around inside, looking at the things in the room, when suddenly a shout came from behind him.

"What are you doing?"

He turned around and looked at the woman, put down what he was holding, and said arrogantly, "I was sent by the Ji family. I don't know if Ji Meiqing is here."

"Are you looking for Ji Meiqing? She's gone out." Widow Li looked him up and down curiously. "If you have anything to say, young master, you can tell me and I will pass on your message."

The man, however, was quite disdainful. "This is a matter for the Ji family. What are you, an outsider, meddling in?"

Widow Li looked embarrassed and her face darkened. He, however, swaggered down and glared at her, saying, "Is this how Ji Meiqing treats her guests? She doesn't even serve tea or water when guests arrive."

"Please wait a moment." She went to the kitchen to get some tea, her face pale. The man, however, looked around and then at the furnishings in the room.

Tea and pastries were served, and he picked one up and took a bite. After serving as a servant for so long, it wasn't bad to enjoy being waited on again.

He took a bite of the pastry and had to admit it was quite delicious. He considered stealing some to hide, but was being watched closely. Looking at the pastries in front of him, he racked his brains for a plan.

"I'll wait here for Ji Meiqing to come back! You go ahead and do your work."

He acted like a lord, lounging with his legs crossed as if this were his own home. Widow Li wanted to be angry, but because he was Ji Meiqing's family, she had no choice but to endure it.

“I am not a servant here. If you want to wait for her to return, you might as well come again tomorrow.” She stated her identity directly.

"Why can't you do two things?" He stood up abruptly and went over to confront her. Widow Li was a woman whose usual rough work consisted only of brewing wine in the distillery. The man rushed over and shoved her.

"If you're not a servant here, what are you doing here? Are you a thief?"

Widow Li retorted, "I'm not like that, I work for him."

"What else is she but a servant?" he shouted, shoving her.

Widow Li staggered and almost fell.

Just then, Ji Meiqing came over and quickly helped her up. Then, she looked up sharply at the person opposite her and asked, "Who are you?"

"Madam Ji asked me to come and tell you a few things."

Ji Meiqing pointed directly towards the door and said in a deep voice, "If you don't want to hear it, get out."

That guy seemed surprised by her reaction and didn't know how to respond. Ji Meiqing squinted and walked over, "If you can't understand human language, I have nothing to say."

The man's face immediately turned ashen. "I am Madam Ji's man. If you dare to disobey me, you are defying Madam Ji's orders."

"Orders?" She sneered. "Who is Madam Ji to me? I have to obey her orders. If you don't leave, I'll immediately take you to the authorities and accuse you of theft."

"You." He had no choice but to leave dejectedly. Ji Meiqing was still angry, but thinking of Li Shi, she hurriedly ran over to help her up.

"Are you alright?" She looked at her with concern. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you alone with them."

Li shook her head, feeling a lingering fear, and slowly walked to the chair and sat down.

Ji Meiqing went to bring her a glass of water, but saw Li looking at her with concern. Ji Meiqing was taken aback and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"After what you did just now, the Ji family won't do anything to you, will they?"

With concern, she reached out and took the cup of tea.

Ji Meiqing smiled with relief, "I'm fine, and besides, I'm not a member of the Ji family."

Li didn't ask any more questions. She drank her tea and was then personally escorted home by Ji Meiqing. She told Li Ming what had happened and apologized.

Li Ming clenched his fists and said angrily, "They've gone too far."

"I'm sorry you've been dragged into this."

Li Ming ignored her, probably still angry, but Madam Li calmly sent her back.

Ji Meiqing returned to her room and tidied up the leftover food on the table. The pastries were eaten down to crumbs, which Ji Meiqing threw away expressionlessly. She also cleaned up some dirty spots on the table with a rag.

She didn't start making lunch until she finished all those things.

The servant returned to Madam Ji and embellished Ji Meiqing's attitude.

"This Ji Meiqing, he's really gotten too big for his britches," she said indignantly, then looked at him closely: "Didn't you mention my name?"

"I've mentioned it, but..." He stammered and didn't explain himself clearly, which only piqued her interest further.

She couldn't help but press, "Where is she?"

"She said she is no longer a member of the Ji family, so she doesn't have to listen to you."

"You bastard!" She slammed her hand on the table, her face contorted with rage. The servant shrank back in fear at the sound of her voice. Then she continued, "This Ji Meiqing really thinks she's no longer a member of the Ji family just because she left. She's gotten too big for her britches and dares to disobey my orders."

The people below were trembling with fear and dared not step forward. Madam Ji was also annoyed and simply waved him away.

"Wait a minute." He walked to the door but was stopped again.

The man walked over tremblingly, "Does Madam have any further instructions?"

"Where's the purse?" she asked.

The servant quickly took the money pouch out of his pocket and placed it in her hand before leaving.

Once outside the courtyard, he took out what was in his sleeve. Luckily, he was quick-witted and pulled out a silver ingot. Weighing it in his hand, he was satisfied to have money again and left.

Madam Ji looked at the money bag and suddenly felt something was wrong. She opened it, counted the amount inside, and finally her face darkened.

She ordered the people inside the house, angrily saying, "Go and tie that man up and bring him back to me."