WBSGVS Chapter 21

Zheng Family

East Courtyard

Zhang Shi lay in bed, cradling her belly where she had been kicked, wailing and cursing: “That Ji family is ruthless! No conscience at all! My son liked her so much, yet she let her own brother bully him! The Ji family has no law to follow!!!”

“How dare she get a divorce? Who gave her the audacity? She even took away the dowry; old man, you need to go get the betrothal gifts back!”

“Oh, my poor son…”

Her furious cries echoed clearly, sharp and piercing, creating a ghostly atmosphere as the sky darkened outside.

In the courtyard, a few of the concubine-born daughters-in-law exchanged glances and pouted but didn’t dare say anything. They silently added a bit more huanglian (a bitter herb) to the medicine they were brewing.

Zheng Laoye (Old Master Zheng) sat in the outer hall, his face troubled and his brows tightly furrowed, yet he didn’t move an inch.

Go confront the Ji family?

He wouldn’t dare.

Especially since he was just a ninth-rank official now. During this time, even those who used to be on good terms with him had ignored him completely. How could he be bold enough?

If he got punched like his wife and son, at his age, he might just drop dead.

But that Ji family!

Zheng Laoye thumped his chest, his eyes turning red with anger.

Just then, the steward rushed in. Zheng Laoye, displeased, asked, “What’s going on? Why the hurry?”

The steward hurriedly replied, “Sir, someone from the Ji family has come. They’ve brought back the dowry that the eldest young master gave when he sent it over.”

“What?!” Zheng Laoye choked on his words, his face flushing as if he were suffocating. The steward turned pale with fright and quickly sought a doctor while supporting him and patting his back.

Fortunately, Zheng Laoye just needed to catch his breath and gradually recovered, but his complexion remained poor, his usually stern face filled with grief and anger: “What on earth is going on!!!”

The steward sighed but dared not speak.

Who told the eldest young master and his wife to provoke the Ji family, knowing what their temperament was?

Now look at the result.

The Ji family announced the divorce and went through with it, showing no mercy, returning the dowry, and turning around to send back the betrothal gifts. It was clear they couldn’t wait to cut ties with the Zheng family!

The voices from the outer hall reached those inside, and Zhang Shi’s cries halted for a moment before she yelled, “Third Young Master’s wife! Come here!”

The Third Young Master’s wife quickly wiped her hands and bowed her head as she entered.

Zhang Shi glared at her resentfully, seeming to vent her anger towards Ji Qingli on these daughters-in-law, extending her hand: “Support me!”

“Yes.” The Third Young Master’s wife helped her out, and as they passed the courtyard where the others were brewing medicine, Zhang Shi shot a few more unkind remarks before cursing as she made her way outside.

She wanted to see if all those betrothal gifts had been returned!

Once outside, she only saw two red boxes. Her expression fell, and she shouted angrily: “The Ji family has gone too far! They not only took the dowry but only returned a small portion of the betrothal gifts! Is there any justice in this?!”

The servants from the Ji family were still there, waiting for the Zheng family to come out. Upon seeing this, one of them said coldly, “The betrothal gifts that your family gave were all taken to the Zheng family by our young lady. Later, Madam Zheng, you asked for some more every so often. What’s left here is what our young lady brought back when she returned home and the gifts given during the holidays over the years!”

Zhang Shi’s anger faltered, her eyes darting as she recalled whether what the servant said was true.

The servant then pulled out a list and tossed it at Zhang Shi’s feet, saying, “Here’s the list of items from these past years. Madam Zheng, our young master said that if you don’t come to the government office tomorrow, he will come personally to ask.”

Once everything was said, he turned to leave.

The Ji family was now only sending the betrothal gifts back to organize the list and silence Zhang Shi.

Fortunately, the madam had sent someone to manage the young lady’s dowry back then; otherwise, with Zhang Shi’s greed, it would have turned into quite a dispute.

Zhang Shi, supported by her daughter-in-law, looked down and saw the list at her feet. Knowing the Ji family had gone this far, she realized it must be very detailed. Suddenly, she felt that her earlier outburst had been completely misplaced. Looking around at the onlookers, her face flushed a deep red, filled with humiliation and anger.

Yet, even so, Zhang Shi was unwilling to admit defeat. She forced herself to shout, “Let them go! My son is young and capable; even if they get divorced, he’ll surely find someone better. The Ji family is arrogant and jealous, and after so many years of marriage, they’ve failed to give the Zheng family any descendants. No one will want them in the future!”

“Are you asking for a beating, you shrew!” A servant from the Ji family, hearing her outburst, turned back with a dark expression, ready to strike.

“Ah!” Zhang Shi was so frightened that she shook all over, no longer caring for her belly pain. She hurriedly ran back inside, shouting, “Close the door! Close the door!”

“Hahaha…” The crowd outside erupted into laughter, eager to share this scene with their families and friends later.

Laughter filled the Zheng household as everyone discussed the incident.

Not long ago, many had said that Ji Qingli and Zheng Yihan, the eldest son of the Zheng family, had a good relationship. Even if he took a concubine, the situation wouldn’t be the same as it was ten years ago; they wouldn’t divorce.

Moreover, a woman who divorced would already have a bad reputation—would she still be able to live on?

Now, the reality had slapped them in the face.

No one expected that Ji Qingli, who had seemed to accept her fate quietly, would on the very day her husband took a concubine, drink the tea served by the concubine, locking in the identity of Su Tingxue, and then completely turn her back, leaving without hesitation.

Women with fiery tempers applauded her decisiveness, while traditionalists shook their heads, declaring that such a woman was unworthy to be a wife.

Nevertheless, this did not stop people from marveling at the Ji family’s reputation and… the joy of winning bets.

Meanwhile, Ning Yitong, anxiously awaiting the outcome, nearly startled her parents awake with her laughter when she heard news from the servants that night.

At her maid’s reminder, she covered her mouth to stifle her glee, but her shoulders shook with laughter. After a while, she finally calmed down and said to her maid, “I’m so happy!”

“Who would’ve thought that Sister Ji was waiting for this day? I was so worried; I thought she had been convinced by that scoundrel!”

“She’s truly amazing and decisive. In the future, I want to be just as resolute. If a man is heartless, then let’s part ways; there’s no need to cling desperately. If it were like those people say, that a wife should graciously accept her husband’s concubine and manage the household, wouldn’t that be incredibly stifling?”

The maid nodded in agreement, smiling, “You’re right, Miss! It should be like that!”

After enjoying the moment, Ning Yitong said, “Bring me some paper and a pen. I want to send a congratulatory note to Sister Ji. Now that she has successfully divorced, she must be thrilled, and we should celebrate properly! And let’s not forget Sister Li…”

“Of course.” The maid happily went to fetch what she needed. Just as she reached the door, a sudden “bang—” sounded outside, and the next moment, brilliant fireworks lit up the night.

She paused for a moment, thought it over, and quickly ran back inside, exclaiming, “Miss! The Ji family is setting off fireworks!”

“Wow!” Ning Yitong dashed outside and, sure enough, saw clusters of fireworks shooting into the sky from the direction of the Ji family, illuminating the night with vibrant colors. It was a beautiful sight.

After watching for a while, she clapped her hands and laughed, “The Ji family knows how to celebrate! Those people must be furious!”

Under the same sky, Yu Yonglan looked up dreamily at the fireworks as they lit up, a smile spreading across her face.

Zheng Yihan was jolted awake by the sounds of the fireworks. When he opened his eyes, he saw a woman with her eyes closed, leaning against the bed rail.

Seeing her reminded him of his shattered marriage and the divorce papers that had hit his chest like a heavyweight, filling him with a sense of suffocation. He wanted to turn his face away.

But as soon as he moved, a sharp pain shot through his left cheek, causing him to gasp in pain.

The commotion startled Su Tingxue awake. She opened her eyes and cheerfully said, “Zheng Ge, you’re awake!”

Zheng Yihan endured the pain as it subsided a bit. “Mhm,” he replied.

Seeing him stir, Su Tingxue thought he was coming around and reached out to help him.

Zheng Yihan instinctively pulled away. His injuries were only on his face, and his limbs were fine. He sat up on his own, and Su Tingxue withdrew her hand, smiling. “Zheng Ge, are you hungry? Should I have the kitchen send something over?”

“No need,” he shook his head, lacking appetite.

Outside, the fireworks continued to explode, casting colorful lights through the window and quickly fading away. Curious, he glanced outside, but due to his angle, he couldn’t see the fireworks. He asked, “Which family is setting off fireworks?”

Fireworks weren’t allowed in the capital except during holidays or royal celebrations. Given that the Emperor’s birthday feast was still some days away, who would dare set off fireworks at this time?

Su Tingxue’s smile faltered, and she shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Zheng Yihan wasn’t surprised. Su Tingxue had only just arrived in the capital. Perhaps it was true what A Li had said—he should have settled her in properly from the start, so they wouldn’t have so many problems now.

Thinking of A Li brought back the image of her resolute expression before he lost consciousness.

Suddenly, Zheng Yihan’s thoughts halted, and he looked out the window again but still saw nothing. He quickly threw off the covers and rushed to the window. Just then, two more fireworks shot up, bursting in the sky and illuminating the world for an instant before extinguishing.

The direction and distance of the fireworks…

It was the Ji family!

His guess struck him like lightning, sending shockwaves through his heart. He staggered back two steps, feeling a burning pain in his chest as if his heart were being torn apart. The agony was so overwhelming that he could hardly breathe. His hands clenched tightly on his chest, mouth agape like a fish out of water.

Su Tingxue watched from behind, feeling a deep pang of sorrow, unable to put it into words. Since he woke up, he hadn’t even looked at her.

Yet even so, seeing him in pain, she rushed forward, concerned, “Zheng Ge, what’s wrong?”

Hearing her voice only made his pain worse, and his eyes turned red. If it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t have lost A Li.

He didn’t want her to support him, so he pushed her away, using his other hand to grip the window frame. Outside, the fireworks continued to burst, each explosion causing his heart to ache more and more. Finally, he let out a soft whimper, tinged with despair.

He had truly been abandoned by his wife.

They had grown up together, sharing innocent childhood years from age eight to now, and he had always believed they would be together for life. In their most affectionate moments, he thought that even without children, they could still live happily.

But now, they were apart, and she seemed so happy about it.

If she were truly unhappy, the Ji family wouldn’t set off fireworks to further her suffering.

Having left him, A Li was happy.

The pain in Zheng Yihan’s heart deepened, and he felt stifled. Unable to bear it, he pounded his chest, and the agitation eased his breathing slightly. But before he could catch his breath, a sweet taste rose in his throat, and he spat out blood: “Pfft!”

At that moment, he couldn’t help but recall when he first returned and told A Li about taking a concubine. A Li had spat blood too; was she feeling this much pain as well?

Why had he insisted on this? If he had dealt with Su Tingxue sooner, perhaps the Third Prince wouldn’t have discovered her!

“Zheng Ge!” Su Tingxue cried out as she watched the young man, whose cheek was bruised, collapse before her, his gaze fixed on the fireworks outside.

“Eldest Young Master!” The servants panicked, rushing to find a doctor and report to the East Courtyard, causing chaos.

Su Tingxue and two maids helped him back to bed, watching as the maids cleaned the blood from his face, changed his clothes, and called for a doctor again.

When Zhang Shi heard the news and saw her son’s condition, especially since he was mumbling A Li’s name while unconscious, she became even more enraged and scolded, “How are you all taking care of him? How could the Eldest Young Master spit blood?!”

“That Ji family is ruthless; they’ve divorced without hesitation, causing my son to end up like this! I curse her to have a miserable life!”

Su Tingxue suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion. She found a corner to sit in, watching the busy people around her, and let out a bitter laugh.

This was her long-awaited wedding night.

It was nothing like she had imagined; it was even… filled with humiliation!

But it was too late for regrets. She had become someone’s concubine, serving tea to the rightful wife, and even if her husband rejected her, she could only endure it.

This was all her choice.

The Next Day

Su Tingxue had been restless most of the night. After finally managing to sleep for a bit, the sun was up again, and she hurried to see Zheng Yihan.

As before, he lay in bed, staring blankly.

However, today he looked much paler than yesterday, with cracked lips and pronounced stubble on his chin. There were even tear stains at the corners of his eyes.

He had looked like this before she went to sleep; was he torturing himself over Ji Qingli?

A maid attending Zheng Yihan approached Su Tingxue quietly, saying, “Madam Su, the young master refuses to eat breakfast!”

Su Tingxue felt a lump in her throat and nodded silently. She sat at the edge of the bed and tried to take his hand.

But as she reached out, he moved his hand away, refusing her touch.

Tears filled her eyes, and she blinked rapidly to hold them back. “Husband, I know I shouldn’t have married into this family. I’m sorry, but please don’t do this… I feel so miserable…”

Zheng Yihan was not a hard-hearted man, but he was struggling with his feelings. Hearing Su Tingxue’s weeping made his eyes tremble. He wanted to look at her but held back the guilt inside. His lips moved slightly as he said hoarsely, “I don’t want to eat.”

Su Tingxue remained silent for a long time as if making a significant decision. Then she said through her tears, “Zheng Dage, I know you still care for Sister Ji. I’ll go to the Ji family and kneel until she agrees to come back! After all these years of marriage, she must be acting out of anger; I’ll keep kneeling until she says yes!”

She stood up after speaking.

Her movement was slower than her words, allowing Zheng Yihan to react quickly. He sat up abruptly, calling out urgently, “Stop!”

Su Tingxue’s body trembled, and she turned back to look at him, her eyes red.

Zheng Yihan’s eyes brightened slightly, his tone excited. “You don’t need to go; I’ll go!”

Of course.

How could he not realize that even if A-Li left, he could still ask for her back? Just like when he had knelt outside the Ji residence for her hand in marriage, enduring bullying from her brothers. A-Li had sympathized with him and protected him back then.

If he went to plead now, even if it took time, A-Li would surely soften her heart!

Su Tingxue wasn’t surprised by Zheng Yihan’s decision; she smiled and nodded. “If you go personally, it will surely touch Sister Ji’s heart more. But first, you need to take care of your health.”

“You’re right.” Zheng Yihan’s expression softened a little as he nodded. He needed to regain his strength; otherwise, his frail body might give out before A-Li even saw him.

He was about to get up when a servant rushed in, stopping at the door of the inner chamber. “It’s bad, Young Master! The Ji family has sent someone to summon the Master, Madam, and you to the yamen!”

Zheng Yihan’s fleeting hope shattered into pieces, his face turning pale with rage. “What did you say?! Repeat that!”

The servant timidly repeated the message, adding, “I saw that the Master and Madam have already gone.”

They’ve already left?

Did that mean the divorce was definite?!

Zheng Yihan’s vision went dark. His already weak body felt even more strained. He collapsed backward onto the bed with a thud, causing a stir.

Su Tingxue didn’t move, her heart filled with shock.

Ji Qingli did go through with the divorce. She had left yesterday with her dowry, returned the betrothal gifts, and now headed straight to the government office to sever ties?!

After the initial shock, Su Tingxue felt little joy.

The more resolute Ji Qingli was, the deeper the mark she left in Zheng Yihan’s heart. As he recalled their once harmonious marriage, it must feel like a thorn in his throat, especially since everything had come to this due to her self-sacrifice.

Qingli lay in the courtyard, basking in the warm winter sun. A warming pot was by her feet, and one maid was massaging her legs while another fed her sunflower seeds—she felt utterly content.

After returning from Zheng’s house yesterday, she had set off fireworks in the evening and sparred with her brother to test her skills since crossing over, earning praise from her brother and admiration from her other siblings. However, it resulted in her body being sore and exhausted.

She was forced to stay home today, not wanting to go anywhere.

When it was time, hurried footsteps approached.

Qingli opened her eyes to see her brother, Ji Shuyuan, returning, a bright smile on his dark face. “A-Li, it’s done! From now on, you have no ties with the Zheng family!”

Qingli’s face lit up as she sat up. “Thank you, Brother!”

Her voice was clear and cheerful, showing no signs of gloom. Ji Shuyuan, holding the divorce certificate, felt completely relieved. He stepped forward, ruffled her hair gently, and said softly, “I can’t stay long in the capital; I have to go to the palace to plead for leniency and will leave tomorrow. A-Li, will you come with me?”

Although the frontier was often at war and the environment wasn’t great, having the Ji family there meant she would live freely.

Moreover, while noblewomen held a higher status in the capital, a divorce would inevitably tarnish her reputation.

Not to mention that the Ji family was often schemed against.

Leaving would distance them from the gossip.

Ten years ago, Qingli’s aunt had also gone to the frontier with her parents after her divorce, only returning every few years.

Qingli shook her head with a smile. “No, I’ll go when I want to.”

Although she was divorced, the matters here weren’t settled yet; she couldn’t leave.

Seeing her firm answer, Ji Shuyuan nodded without pushing further. “Alright, take this with you. I need to prepare for my audience with the emperor.”

“Okay.” Qingli obediently took the divorce certificate.

This certificate was different from the divorce letter Qingli had written.

It was an official document stamped by the government—confirming that Ji Qingli and Zheng Yihan’s marriage was irreparably broken and that they were officially divorced…

With this in hand, she was truly single!

Qingli gazed at the thin sheet of paper, examining it closely. She felt a mix of sourness and relief as the words resonated in her heart.

This represented the original owner’s feelings; she couldn’t help but feel a bit reluctant.

After so many years of love, men could easily forget, but women often remained trapped in those feelings, unable to let go. Yet for Qingli, it was time to release them!

As that feeling faded, a smile slowly crept onto Qingli’s lips.

Since her master received the divorce certificate, Wan Yue had been holding her breath, worried her master might feel upset. Now, seeing her smile, she felt relieved and chimed in, “Congratulations, Miss!”

Qingli chuckled. “Yes, it’s time to celebrate! Today is a great day for me; everyone in the household deserves a month’s bonus!”

The maids around them instantly erupted in joy. “Thank you, Miss! Congratulations!”

What had been a quiet atmosphere suddenly turned lively. By the time Wan Yue went to inform the steward, the entire household began celebrating.

A month’s bonus was such great news!

At this moment, a maid from the Ning residence came over. Watching the joyful atmosphere throughout the house, she couldn’t help but marvel at how, just as her young mistress had said, Miss Ji didn’t seem sad at all.

Her steps were lighter than before, and upon seeing the young lady, she immediately presented a letter: “Miss Ji, this is an invitation from my young mistress.”

Qingli took it and saw that it was an invitation from Ning Yitong, asking her to join a gathering at their residence. The other invitees included Miss Li and Miss Wang, and there was a somewhat awkward mention of Miss Yu, though it was uncertain if she would attend.

Qingli smiled and said, “Perfect! My older brother just brought back a deer that we haven’t eaten yet. Why don’t we invite your young mistress and the others to my Ji residence? I’ll treat everyone to some fresh delicacies.”

The maid nodded, “Yes, I’ll return and tell my young mistress right away.”

Once the maid left, Qingli stretched, ignoring her still sore muscles, and headed back to her room to get paper and pens to list everything she needed.

She planned to host a barbecue to celebrate.

This sudden decision sent the household into a flurry. What exactly is a barbecue? They had never experienced it before.

To prepare, they needed bamboo skewers, a grill, and charcoal. Fortunately, it was still morning, and they had plenty of time to get ready.

Since Qingli said she would make delicious food, she was determined to show her skills. Thanks to her experience from previous missions, her culinary skills were quite good, especially at grilling meat, where she excelled at controlling the heat.

As the eldest daughter of the Ji family, Qingli didn’t do everything herself. She instructed the kitchen staff, who quickly began to process various meats and marinate them in small pieces according to her requests.

Other servants busily whittled sticks into skewers, working energetically.

Qingli’s invitation was quite appealing, especially since she had just divorced that morning, and everyone was curious about her mood.

Apart from the guests, some other young ladies also proactively sent their invitations, eager to come. Qingli welcomed them all. After the midday break, they began to arrive one after another, bringing gifts.

Ning Yitong was the first to arrive.

Initially, she felt a bit anxious, fearing that Qingli’s happiness was merely a façade. However, when she arrived, she saw Qingli lazily lounging in the shade, surrounded by maids attending to her.

Qingli was dressed in a narrow-sleeved blue outfit, with a black belt cinching her waist. Her hands were tucked behind her head, revealing her slender figure, while her long black hair was styled high. Her legs were crossed, and she wore black boots that resembled men’s attire.

With her eyes half-closed, she looked as if she could fall asleep at any moment, listening to a maid recite a story, while two other maids massaged her legs. In that pose, one could easily mistake her for a charming young master rather than a lady.

Ning Yitong had never seen anyone like this, let alone Qingli in such a state. Staring wide-eyed, she could only whisper, “Sister Ji?”

Upon hearing her voice, Qingli snapped back to reality, sitting up and saying, “Oh, I was just tired from being busy earlier. You’ve arrived, come sit.”

A maid brought a chair, and Ning Yitong sat down beside Qingli, unable to suppress her curiosity. “Sister Ji, how come you’re so…”

Qingli lazily responded, “Hmm?”

Without even fully opening her mouth, her voice came out deeper than usual, making her sound even more like a charming young man.

Ning Yitong blushed slightly, whispering, “You seem like a dashing young lord from a story.”

Qingli chuckled, “Isn’t that good?”

Ning Yitong shook her head. It wasn’t bad; she just felt the image was a bit off. Could the divorce have affected her after all?

She watched secretly, but inwardly dismissed her thoughts. Sister Ji looked too radiant to be someone defeated!

With guests arriving, Qingli didn’t act as recklessly as before. Instead, she leaned back in her rocking chair and yawned. “It’s still early. What shall we play?”

Ning Yitong quickly straightened up and suggested, “How about throwing arrows?”

“I’ve played that too much; it’s boring,” Qingli rejected.

Ning Yitong’s face fell. “What, then? Writing poetry? I don’t want to do that!”

Qingli found her reaction amusing and gently tapped her on the head. “Let’s play chess.”

“Ah?” Ning Yitong hesitated.

She didn’t like any of the traditional arts!

Qingli blinked. “Gomoku, not Go.”

Ning Yitong’s eyes brightened; that didn’t sound too hard. “That sounds good!”

Soon, the maids brought a board and pieces. Qingli explained the rules: five in a row wins. It was very simple and fast-paced. They started playing, and Ning Yitong quickly found it enjoyable, pulling Qingli into several rounds.

Not long after, Li Shuyue and others arrived. Seeing Qingli and Ning Yitong engrossed in their game, the young lady from the Chancellor’s family exclaimed, “I want to play too!”

Qingli stepped aside. “Go ahead! Now that everyone’s here, the barbecue can start!”

With her command, the prepared skewers and charcoal grill were brought out.

The marinated meat, cut into small pieces, was skewered on sharpened wooden sticks, and categorized by type: pork, lamb, deer, all laid out raw.

Just as Ning Yitong began a new game, she noticed the barbecue setup and widened her eyes in curiosity. “We’re not expected to grill it ourselves, are we?”

“Exactly,” Qingli said with a smile. “Of course, we can let the servants grill it, but I think it’s more fun to do it ourselves.”

Just as Ning Yitong was about to insist on letting the servants handle it, several servants approached carrying the grill. Though it wasn’t specifically designed for barbecuing, it was suitable enough, with a metal rack on top for the meat.

Qingli placed skewers directly on the grill, and brushed them with oil, and the heat from the coals immediately began to change the color of the marinated meat, sizzling as she flipped each piece and sprinkled on some seasoning. A fragrant aroma, slightly spicy, wafted through the air.

Ning Yitong was rendered speechless, her interest in the game fading as she craned her neck to watch, inhaling the delicious scent.

Li Shuyue remarked, “Alright, you go eat. I need someone else to play chess with me.”

“Sure!” Ning Yitong nodded and dashed over excitedly, saying, “Sister Ji, teach me how to grill!”

“Wait a moment,” Qingli replied as she managed the grill. Fortunately, the meat was cut small, and the grill was hot enough; after a few turns, they were perfectly cooked. She handed over a well-cooked skewer. “Try this first and let me know how it tastes!”

The young ladies usually enjoyed milder flavors, and Qingli hadn’t added many spices. The meat, marinated and seasoned with a bit of cumin and a touch of chili, was flavorful enough on its own.

Ning Yitong hesitated as she stared at the small wooden stick. Although they had eaten grilled meat before, they had never eaten it this way—directly off a skewer, cut so small. Previously, they had always eaten larger pieces.

But since it was offered by Qingli, she felt compelled to try it, taking a cautious bite from the tip.

The meat hadn’t been grilled too long, remaining tender and juicy from the marinade. With each bite, a burst of flavor exploded on her tongue. Ning Yitong was pleasantly surprised. “This is so delicious!”

Much more tender than any grilled meat she had had before, it tasted better than typical stir-fried meat!

Qingli laughed, “You eat while watching the fire. Remember to flip them over soon.” As she spoke, she shared other cooked skewers with Li Shuyue and the girls she had brought, earning exclamations of delight: “So good!”

In no time, the grill was surrounded by a circle of people, and the game of Gomoku was forgotten.

Qingli found herself pushed aside, sitting off to the side to greet the next arriving guests. “Miss Yu, you finally made it. We’ve been waiting for you.”

Yu Yonglan looked her over, relieved to see Qingli in good spirits, with a rosy complexion and a bit of grease at the corners of her mouth. “I was worried I had come too early.”

“Just right! Over there, they’re grilling meat, and here we’re playing chess. Which would you like to join?”

Yu Yonglan preferred chess and directly said, “I’ll go watch the game.”

Qingli nodded and had Wan Yue take her over, as two more young ladies arrived behind her.

These two weren’t from their circle, but they frequently encountered each other at gatherings. Although they wouldn’t play together, Qingli had invited them along when they sent their invitations.

However, when Madam Zhang and Madam Wang arrived, they walked briskly. Upon seeing Qingli, their eyes lit up, as if they were eager to say something.

Qingli stepped forward to greet them, but before she could approach fully, Madam Zhang had already glanced at her, her expression somewhat strange and mocking. “Miss Ji, just now when we arrived, we saw someone kneeling at the gate of the Ji residence. Aren’t you going to check it out?”

Madam Wang chimed in, nudging Qingli with a wink and whispering, “That person looked very unwell as if recovering from a serious illness, and they were kneeling so unsteadily. Shouldn’t Miss Ji go take a look?”

Qingli blinked, her expression a mix of calmness and puzzlement. “Someone is kneeling at my Ji residence? Is that a beggar? Why didn’t you two give them something? Did you forget your coins?”

Madam Zhang and Madam Wang were left speechless, staring in confusion.

Did she genuinely not understand, or was she just pretending? Did she mistake her ex-husband for a beggar?!