Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1701: Kind Treatment

Ji Qi was terribly frightened, yet he mustered all his courage to plead with Grandpa Ji: "Grandfather, please, don’t let them hit father... Otherwise, the servants will mock him, and he won’t be able to manage the household."

After listening to him, Elder Ji felt a bit relieved. Although Brother Qi was incompetent in many aspects, his heart wasn’t bad, and he obeyed almost everything, rarely defying his grandfather.

But Elder Ji had a domineering temperament and dealt with things decisively. What he hated most was people like Ji Qi, who were slow, soft, and unambitious.

Zhenniang, although bold and unruly, at times resembled him most; daring to strive... Though most of the time she was being irrational, at least she dared to cause a ruckus.

Elder Ji snorted coldly: "Manage the household? With your father like that? If the Ji Family were handed over to him, it wouldn’t take years before it declined to the point where none of the family would have a good end!"

Ah?

"Grand, Grandfather, although father isn’t as capable as you, surely it’s not that serious?" Ji Qi said weakly.

"Not that serious? Throughout history, there are countless instances where a family was ruined by an incompetent eldest son!" Elder Ji spoke, glancing at Sanzi and Ji Si standing silently not far off, snorting coldly: "So today, I will tell you, if none of you rise to the occasion, before I die, I will sell off the family assets, convert them to silver, and send them to Zhenniang’s family."

"What?!"

Ji San and Ji Si grew anxious: "Father, since when has a granddaughter ever been given the family assets?"

Elder Ji chuckled: "Why not? A great merchant during the Great Zhou period did exactly that, with no sons and no sons-in-law, directly giving the family assets to his granddaughter who married out."

He added: "If I fail to teach you well, I’ll just act as if you’re all dead before I die, and give the family assets to the granddaughter married out!"

Ji San and Ji Si were speechless; wasn’t the Elder just being unreasonable?

Moreover, that unreasonable shrew Ji Zhenniang, besides having married a good man, what abilities does she have to inherit the Ji Family’s industry?

"Grandfather, please don’t say that, it’s our fault for making you upset..." Ji Qi, being a scholar, valued filial piety greatly. Seeing Elder Ji speaking such words showed intense disappointment and sadness, he wiped his tears: "We will study hard, not let Grandfather be disappointed, boo hoo~"

Though Elder Ji was touched, he retorted: "Shut up! You’re almost thirty, still crying like this, are you a woman?!"

It angered him to death, couldn’t they have a bit of masculinity?

"Yes." Ji Qi, scolded, quickly wiped away his tears, though feeling quite aggrieved: "Grandson is only twenty-four and isn’t yet married."

How did I become thirty?

I’m not that old.

Speaking of which, Elder Ji nearly slapped himself... He truly wished to change the Ji Family’s door. Seeing Ji Qi passing the student exam, he planned to arrange for a marriage with an official’s legitimate daughter when he passed the scholar exam.

However, Ji Qi’s studies were lacking, remaining stuck at the student level, not even nearing scholar status, leading to an aging situation without a proper official position, leaving the betrothal in limbo.

Nevertheless, Xie Cheng had performed meritoriously, and once the battle was over, should rise in rank. As long as Xie Cheng, the brother-in-law, rose in office, Ji Qi, as his brother-in-law, would also gain some benefit, making the betrothal easier.

"Go, follow the Protector to the rural manor." Elder Ji said.

Really going?

Ji Qi feared hardship, reluctant to go, but could only nod: "Yes, Grandson is leaving, Grandfather take care, remember to use medication daily to lure out pests... Grandson will learn how to manage affairs well."

Ji Qi kowtowed thrice to Elder Ji, stood and called Ji Bin: "Cousin, let us go."

It’s better to go on one’s own, not letting the Protector escort you, very humiliating.

Humph, Ji Bin snorted, somewhat disdainful of Ji Qi’s kindness, stood hurriedly following Ji Qi after receiving Elder Ji’s glaring eyes.

Ji San and Ji Si dared not speak.

Elder Ji said: "You two, don’t just stand there, prepare gifts, recompenses, and supplies, the old man needs them."

After speaking, he handed them three lists of gifts.

The two glanced at them, blood pressure rising, nearly fainting, trembling handedly said: "Father, isn’t this too much?"

Giving congratulatory gifts to the Gu Family was reasonable, after all, Gu Family was favored by the Emperor, currying favor would bring benefits.

But why give so much recompense to Ji Zhenniang’s in-laws?

And the supplies sent to the Northwest, wasn’t just a list, but practically an inventory booklet, just the grain required was tens of thousands of pounds, consuming how much silver from the Ji Family? Can the Ji Family still live?

Elder Ji sneered: "Not satisfied? This is bought with silver I earned myself, if you are dissatisfied, I’ll split the family now, you can leave the Ji Family, live your own lives, when you become successful, you can throw your silver into the river and I won’t say a word!"

Ji San and Ji Si stammered, too afraid to provoke Elder Ji further, just held on to the gift lists to arrange things.

Before leaving, Elder Ji warned: "Remember, this is your opportunity, use it well, should you cheat for silver, whatever you skimp on should be covered from your family division silver!"

This?

Ji San and Ji Si wanted to curse, was this a father? Was any father guarding against his sons like this?

But Housekeeper Ji knew Elder Ji’s earnest intent... All the masters and young masters couldn’t step up, and were selfish, Grandpa Ji’s successive wife, Second Young Master’s wife plotted against Miss Sun in secret, internally Ji Family showed signs of decay, if the Elder didn’t cleanse the Ji Family from within while still healthy, fear within a hundred years, Ji Family would soon decline, preyed upon by noble families and wealthy households.

"Master, have some herbal tea first." Housekeeper Ji presented herbal tea prescribed by the doctor. These herbs were specially prepared for Elder Ji, gentle and nourishing but not as excessive in nourishment as ginseng tea, easing bodily strain.

Elder Ji drank the herbal tea, nestling in the Taishi Chair for over a quarter-hour before finally catching his breath, opening his eyes: "Previously, I neglected Zhenniang, pick out some hands yourself, find good, loyal ones, after my approval, send them with supplies to the Northwest."

Ji Family finally had a son-in-law like Xie Cheng, Zhenniang’s side must be well attended to, no room for mistakes anymore!

"Yes, Master rest assured, the old servant will carefully select people." Housekeeper Ji spoke, really this nanny, Hong Xiang, and Hong Xiu’s matters, couldn’t entirely be blamed on the master, these people were personally chosen by Miss Sun to take along, wanting to change them, she wasn’t willing, kicking up a fuss accusing Ji Family of plotting to harm her by sending unfamiliar people.

Those words he dared not tell the master, fearing the master would be angered to death.

Now having learnt the lesson, at least differentiating loyalty and treachery.

"Master, the government office has sent people, asking you to go to the government office, take the officials from the Three Departments and One Temple to the shop for accounting." The housekeeper from the outer courtyard reported, face showing some worry: "Master, Linhe Prefecture is investigating our Ji Family, wouldn’t... "

Elder Ji shook his head, interrupting his concern: "No, with Xie Cheng’s merit, the officials from the Three Departments and One Temple will only treat Ji Family well."