Chapter 26: Do You Not Know How to Cherish Your Daughter?

Ji Tianxin smacked her lips, licking the crumbs that clung to her delicate pink lips. The young attendant leading the way had just turned to speak when he caught sight of this scene. The little gesture made her already petite and strikingly lively face even more charming and delightful—enough to melt anyone’s heart.

The attendant froze for a moment, but recalling what had just transpired in the main hall, he was instantly struck as if by lightning. The tenderness in his eyes swiftly turned to fear.

“There’s no need—just settle in for now,” Ji Tian said, then glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing slightly as she added, “We have company.”

After Ji Tianxin and her companions left, the atmosphere in the main hall grew tense and uneasy. Ji Yuanruo had fainted, and the concubines, terrified, clung together, unable to recover from what had just happened. Only when Ji Yuntian waved his hand did the maids and old serving women begin to escort the frightened women back to the rear courtyard one by one. Ji Yuanruo was taken away as well.

Ji Yuntian looked down at the two corpses on the floor and let out a long, weary sigh. “From now on, the Ji family is under your stewardship. Handle this matter as you see fit.”

Ji Huaili’s brow was furrowed deeply. “Father, aren’t you afraid she’ll bring trouble upon our family?”

There was still genuine feeling in Ji Huaili’s heart for Lady Chen. Watching her die before his eyes, how could he remain unmoved? No matter how grave her mistakes, she was still his wife, the woman who had shared his bed.

Ji Yuntian’s expression darkened, his tone cold. “Let me ask you this—was she your daughter? Don’t forget, Tianxin is your child! If you can feel sympathy and pity for Lady Chen, how can you not spare a little for your daughter, who wandered alone for seven years?”

“If she were an ordinary person, of course I would,” Ji Huaili began, but Ji Yuntian immediately cut him off.

“You mean to say she’s not ordinary, and so you’re afraid of her, even unwilling to acknowledge her as your daughter?” Ji Yuntian’s words were thick with disappointment.

He snorted, casting a glance at Lady Chen’s corpse on the floor, and continued, “Lady Chen committed such crimes—her fate was inevitable. You’d best spend your time considering how to manage your household from now on. If you can’t even rule your own home, how can you call yourself a general?”

With that tirade, Ji Yuntian turned and strode away.

Ji Yuntian and the current Ji Huaili were worlds apart: standing in different places, seeking different things, and naturally their hearts were not the same. To Ji Yuntian, the death of one person was nothing, especially if that person deserved it. Compared to that, his exceptional granddaughter was far more important. The future glory of the family, and the endless path ahead—these were what he truly sought.

Ji Huaili’s face was taut as he ordered his men to carry away the two bodies lying on the floor. He swept a cold gaze across the concubines and servants in the hall, all of whom were too frightened to utter a word.

“Remember the words of the Grand Elder. If anyone dares to breathe a word about today’s events—” he enunciated each word with a chilling threat, “there will be no mercy!”

The three words sent a shudder through everyone’s heart.

“Y-yes…” Even their voices trembled as they answered.

Ji Huaili withdrew his gaze and watched as the bodies were carried away, letting out a heavy sigh.

If he had known from the start that Ji Tianxin was his daughter—and such a formidable one at that—he would have welcomed her home with drums and gongs, perhaps even leapt for joy like his own father.

But now…