Chapter 23 The Disgusting Marquis Household

Chapter 23: The Disgraceful Yongning Marquis Household

Under Ji Yuntang’s icy, fox-like gaze, Qiao Ye flinched with guilt and immediately bowed her head nervously. “Your Highness, please don’t be angry—I didn’t mean it. I spoke out of turn.”

The Princess’s stare was truly terrifying.

Had she not been certain she’d revealed no flaws before Ji Yuntang over the past few days, Qiao Ye would have suspected her true intentions had been uncovered.

Ji Yuntang shot her a contemptuous glance and said coldly, “Since you know you spoke out of turn, go do something that doesn’t require speaking. You and Tao Zhi—pull up every flower and plant along the courtyard walls. Then erect fences all around. I intend to raise ducks here!”

Qiao Ye stared, dumbfounded. “Ducks?”

“But where would the Prince’s Manor even get ducks from?”

Ji Yuntang curled her lips in mockery. “You don’t have them—but I do.”

It was absurd, really. Upon her marriage, the Yongning Marquis Household had prepared her dowry: one grass carp, one local dog, and a pair of ducks—claiming it was an ancient folk custom passed down through generations.

Yet the authentic “Three Auspicious Fowls” tradition actually consisted of:

—one goldfish, symbolizing abundance year after year;

—one Pekingese dog, representing prosperity and wealth;

—one pair of mandarin ducks, embodying eternal, inseparable love.

In the Yongning Marquis Household’s hands, however, these auspicious symbols had been reduced to the most mundane creatures imaginable.

All three animals were still being raised on the farm within her personal space.

Ji Yuntang sneered. Of course she knew—the Yongning Marquis Household’s so-called “auspicious dowry” was merely a thin veil for humiliation.

If they felt no shame in bestowing such a dowry, why should she conceal it?

She might as well bring them all out into the open—raise them right here, in full view—so everyone could witness the Yongning Marquis Household’s ugly face.

Tao Zhi and Qiao Ye exchanged bewildered glances. They couldn’t tell whether Ji Yuntang was genuinely serious about raising ducks at the Prince’s Manor—or simply jesting—but they dared not disobey.

The two immediately set to work weeding along the courtyard walls.

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Meanwhile, at the Yongning Marquis Manor…

Madam Ji, clad in a cloud-patterned silk brocade robe, sat serenely upon the main seat. Her silver hair and gentle countenance radiated nobility, composure, and wisdom. At that moment, she gazed fondly at Ji Qingqing, seated before her.

“Qingqing, the fable you just told—‘The Farmer and the Snake’—was truly captivating. It’s been ages since I’ve heard such a delightful story.”

Ji Qingqing flashed a charming smile, stepped forward, and affectionately looped her arm through Madam Ji’s, gently swaying it. “Grandmother, I only feared you’d grow bored indoors, so I specially selected some tales from storybooks to amuse you.”

Madam Ji chuckled heartily. “Good, good, good! Our Qingqing is indeed Grandmother’s dearest, most obedient granddaughter—so thoughtful and considerate!”

“Unlike your three brothers—either occupied with duties at the Dali Temple, off managing business ventures, or studying under tutors at the academy—so busy they hardly return home or visit this old woman. It’s our granddaughter, this little ‘warm cotton-padded jacket,’ who truly understands and cares!”

Ji Qingqing smiled dutifully, then moved behind Madam Ji and began massaging her shoulders. “Brothers have grown up; sooner or later, they must build their careers and families. Besides, whether they’re running businesses, studying at the academy, or attending to other matters—it’s all for the sake of the Yongning Marquis Household. If they achieve greatness, won’t our household share in that glory too?”

Lady Meng Shuwan—the Yongning Marquis’s wife—nodded in agreement. “Mother, Qingqing speaks wisely. Che’er, Feng’er, and Hang’er each hold lofty aspirations. They’ve long sworn before this concubine and the Marquis that within five years, they will surely accomplish extraordinary feats.”

“Che’er is now the honored heir and has even entered the Dali Temple as Right Assistant Minister. As for Feng’er and Hang’er—four and a half years have already passed. This concubine believes another year apiece will see their business ventures and scholarly pursuits astonish the entire Dongchen Kingdom.”

Just as Lady Meng finished speaking with a serene smile, a young, magnetic male voice rang out from the doorway: “Mother, it won’t take a year. In just six months, all three brothers will make everyone see us anew.”

All turned toward the entrance. Two tall, elegant figures strode in—one strikingly handsome in black robes, exuding exceptional charisma; the other possessing a face like polished jade, dressed in white, his gentle smile radiating quiet refinement.

They were none other than the Yongning Marquis Household’s Second Young Master, Ji Qingfeng, and Third Young Master, Ji Zihang—aged eighteen and sixteen respectively—both celebrated young masters of the capital.

At the sight of them, Ji Qingqing fluttered over like a joyful butterfly.

“Second Brother! Third Brother! Grandmother and Mother were just speaking of you—I never expected you’d return so soon!”

Ji Qingfeng affectionately ruffled Ji Qingqing’s hair. “Mm. Missed you all—so I set aside pressing business and came straight back.”

Ji Zihang smiled warmly. “Grandmother, Mother—Eldest Brother was just summoned by Father to the study for discussion. We arrived first.”

Having long studied at the Royal Academy, his exceptionally refined bearing carried an unmistakable air of scholarly elegance.

“Wonderful! So today, our entire family gathers—except…” Ji Qingqing paused mid-sentence, her eyes dimming with sudden sorrow.

“If only Elder Sister could return as well.”

“Today marks Elder Sister’s third-day bridal homecoming—but it’s already past mid-morning, and she still hasn’t arrived. Could she truly be angry with me?”

Ji Qingfeng frowned in disgust. “Qingqing, don’t dwell on it. Better that ugly freak doesn’t show up at all—just seeing her face makes my stomach churn.”

Though he voiced this disdain, deep down, he still hoped Ji Yuntang would return.

Ever since Ji Qingfeng had been slapped by Ji Yuntang last time, his resentment had yet to subside.

The very reason he’d rushed home amid his packed schedule today was because he’d calculated precisely that it was Ji Yuntang’s homecoming day—he intended to seize the opportunity to humiliate her thoroughly and vent his pent-up fury.

Seeing the entire family’s revulsion toward Ji Yuntang, Ji Qingqing felt inward elation—but her expression remained deeply concerned.

“But… last time, Elder Sister said she wished to sever ties with our Yongning Marquis Household. Could she truly mean it?”

Madam Ji’s expression hardened. She slammed her teacup down onto the table with a sharp clink.

“Hmph! Sever ties? As if the Yongning Marquis Household would care about such an unsightly country bumpkin!”

When Lady Meng heard the words “unsightly country bumpkin,” her brows twitched almost imperceptibly.

After all, Ji Yuntang was still her own daughter—how could Madam Ji speak of her so cruelly?

Yet she merely lowered her head to sip her tea—and uttered not a single word in Ji Yuntang’s defense.

Ji Zihang swirled the tea in his cup, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips. “Qing’er, little sister—don’t fret.”

“Ji Yuntang married that disabled prince—incapable even of caring for himself. She’s probably still busy tending to him, cleaning up his filth. How could she possibly bear to sever ties with our Yongning Marquis Household?” “In my view, it’s still early. By noon, she’ll surely come crawling back—tears streaming, begging for our forgiveness.”

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