The Emperor's Pampered Wife 99 A Brother's Advice

Famously known for its beauty, elegance, and as being a boldly romantic city and unarguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the capital of France, of art and of fas.h.i.+on—Paris.

Ji Li Zhao alongside his men had plenty of time to visit the place but no matter how many times they visit, the city still astounds them. They all seriously took in the beauty of the city before they stopped in an elegant jewelry shop with the italicized 'Jardin de bijoux' or Garden of Jewels at the top of its shop.

Their boss was the first one to step out and he marched in without saying anything more. They followed closely behind them and not a moment too soon, they were greeted warmly by a raven-haired man. He pushed his wheelchair towards the entrance and flashed them a smile. "Welcome---"

"Ah Li!" he exclaimed in excitement when he saw his ebony colored hair swinging alongside the wind. He stared deeply in his ashed eyes before he pushed his wheelchair to get closer to him.

Ji Li Zhao returned his smile before he bowed down politely to the older brother he deeply respects and treasures. "Third Brother"

Unlike the other Ji Successor who continues to give their young master a hard time, Ji Xuejin born as the youngest son of Ji Ling Hao's first wife, treated Ji Li Zhao well and loved him to no ends. After he got in an accident with his biological mother and ended up a disabled person, he began secluding himself and deemed himself unworthy of the inheritance. He only came out of his sh.e.l.l after meeting Ji Li Zhao's mother who took care of him and his two other older brothers with deep care and affection. He returned to the kind child he is and grew up with an artistic mind. However, he left the household after the Ji Li Zhao's mother disappeared.

Until this day, he continues to find their missing mother—Bei Qing Qing.

"Come in!" he urged as he guided them further inside. Once he noticed that the others tried to guard them outside, he smiled and urged them inside as well. "You can come in too, guys!"

"Sorry for the intrusion, Third Young Master" Huang Xun muttered as he went inside alongside the twins—Yun Xi Lan and Yun Zhu. The other King of Kings left the moment they landed in Paris to enjoy and fully spend their day-off in the beautiful city.

He had long known these people so he treated them casually. Ji Xuejin brought them towards their entertainment room and smiled at the twins who eagerly sat down. He knows very well how much a sweet tooth they are thanks to Makio's influence. "You came on time. I just finished the cake"

"Where's Second Brother?" Ji Li Zhao asked as he glanced around. He already heard that he arrived in Paris before him.

"I'm here!" someone shouted at the far end corner which connects to the kitchen that Xuejin likes to use. "Ah Li, can you help me in here?"

Without asking for another time, Ji Li Zhao was already taking off his coat and raising his sleeves. He took off his Rolex Bao Dai and handed to Huang Xun who carefully placed it on one of Xuejin's jewelry box. "Coming!"

"How have you been, Huang Xun? Still having a tough time with Ah Li?" Ji Xuejin asked as soon as his little brother went inside the kitchen. He knows that Huang Xun is one of the JLZ Loyalist and he continues to be one until today. He was always concerned for his little brother because he pushes himself too much and often neglects his health. Even though Gu Man or Huang Xun are there to remind him, he remains worried because he uses his authority to stop them from prying in like a stubborn child.

Huang Xun smiled at him before he swept his gaze towards the kitchen where series of metallic noises continuously erupts. "It's less troubling now"

"That's good then" he muttered with a smile fully knowing the reason behind such change.

There is only three Ji Family Members that Ji Li Zhao fully trusts and love. One of them is Ji Xuejin, the other is Ji Bao s.h.i.+ who already pa.s.sed on to the other realm because of their scheming snake of an uncle, and the last one is Ji Bao s.h.i.+'s twin—Ji Cao s.h.i.+ who came out of the kitchen with a toothy smile on his face and a chocolate cake in his hands. "A treat from Master Ji himself"

As soon as they started eating, Ji Cao s.h.i.+ immediately began his series of interrogations. It's been a long time since they saw each other and because of Ji Li Zhao's busy schedule, their contact became minimal as well. He knew he shouldn't overly trouble his brother who continues to support them while he handles the hurdle of handling Tians.h.i.+ Conglomerate, but he still can't help but feel sad by it. "You haven't contacted me in a while now, Ah Li. Big brother feels sad"

Ji Li Zhao sheepishly smiled at his brother as an apology before he shoved a spoonful of the chocolate cake they made. Xuejin looked at his brother with a smile as he happily gobbled the cake and not too soon after, remembered the very reason for his visit. "I already finished the modifications of the ring. You came here for that, right?"

"Yes" he answered with a smile. Ji Xuejin is a world-cla.s.s jewelry artisan who continuously receives an invitation from other jewelry companies. The ring he gave to Hou Wei Yan came from him because he fully trust his abilities and the consideration he always places on his crafts is something unique to him. "Thank you, Third Brother"

"Ring? What ring?" Ji Cao s.h.i.+ asked in confusion. Contrary to Ji Xuejin who always keeps a close watch to Ji Li Zhao, he oftentimes forgets to receive news from him because of his profession. He works as an artist who traverses the other countries and leaves behind world-cla.s.s paintings and other arts. Before he came to Paris, he went to Africa to take photos of their culture for his next exhibit. "Are you proposing to someone?"

"It's for his wife" Xuejin replied before he laughed at his obvious negligence to them whenever he gets too engrossed in his work.

"Wife?"

Ji Xuejin shook his head before he left the room with a smile. "He's married, Big Brother. Of course, all gifts he will ask me will be for his wife"

"What! You're married!?" their older brother exclaimed which was only replied by a series of smiles from the others present inside.

"Yes" Ji Li Zhao nonchalantly replied causing Ji Cao s.h.i.+ to clutch his heart in surprise and not a moment too soon, he changed his expression into a betrayed one.

"You got married without my knowledge!?"

Ji Li Zhao tried contacting him a couple of times but because he went to the most remote parts of Africa, contacting him became impossible. Only when he finished his exhibit and decided to rest in Paris with his younger brother did he finally become contactable. "I did it as soon as her mother approved. Sorry, Big Brother"

"You little rascal" he grumbled as he headlock his little brother. They initially thought he would sulk a few minutes more but he surprisingly got over it too soon. He ruffled Ji Li Zhao's hair for a few more seconds before he released him and flashed him an intrigued yet excited smile. "Who's the lady?"

"Wei Wei" he mumbled all too lovingly causing them to smile shyly.

It's good that he's in love and he's happy but they feel bad because they are still single. Aside from s.h.i.+n Wolter who was currently a.s.signed to their Lady Boss, the King of Kings and Huang Xun are single and they feel like eating the sand whenever they see their boss getting overly chummy with his wife.

They feel the sudden urge to look for their fated partners because of their continuous show of affection!

"Wei Wei?" Ji Cao s.h.i.+ asked as he tilted his head, trying his hardest to remember where he heard such nickname. After a few seconds, an image of a healthy-looking brunette crossed his mind making him snap his finger in realization. "That little chubby baby in the past?"

"Yes"

Ji Xuejin who heard this upon reentering the room couldn't help but chuckle as he shakes his head. After placing two jewelry boxes in the table with his brand logo in it, he fished out his phone and showed his older brother Hou Wei Yan's Instagram feed. "This is her now, Big Brother"

"Woah" he exclaimed as he clicked one of her recent photos. She was holding a bouquet of red roses in her hands and she was smelling it with the beautiful and warm light of sunrise as her backdrop. Her hair blonde hair shone beautifully and a smile adorned her refined face. The photo wasn't taken by a professional but because of her delicate feature and the aura she excludes, it made the photograph noteworthy and could even be displayed in a private exhibit!

After he checked a few more of her photographs, he looked at his brother and smiled widely at him. The woman was beautiful and was akin to a professional model, and his brother's domineering and composed look compliments her well. If they are placed in the same frame, it would be a spectacular photograph to behold. "You look good for each other"

"Thank you" he mumbled with sincerity causing Ji Cao s.h.i.+ to sigh and turn to his little brother with a sad yet joking smile.

"Aiya! Now our youngest is a married man. When will our fated one come, Xuejin?"

Ji Xuejin sighed at his little commentary. "I'm fine as a single man, Big Brother"

"Anyway, how's married life, Ah Li?" Ji Cao s.h.i.+ asked as soon as he got over the surprise news. He wanted to learn more about his little brother's married life before he takes off to another trip to his next chosen destination in the Western Pacific Ocean, the country with 7,641 islands—the Asian country, Philippines.

Ji Li Zhao braced himself before he began to tell him the events that transpired after he met Hou Wei Yan again. He told him everything, from the gruesome test he received from Xing Mei Yi to the day he called Ji Xuejin to finally take the ring back home.

Ji Cao s.h.i.+'s face displayed happiness at first but it slowly turned into a concerned one upon hearing his plan. After his young brother finished retelling the story of his marriage, he immediately sighed and looked at him seriously. "I think you're being overconfident, Ah Li"

"You should stop this and face her immediately. Take off the mask so you won't have trouble in the future" he advised with all sincerity and seriousness he could muster. There is a limit to playing the mysterious man trump card and he greatly thinks Ji Li Zhao should stop. "Look, you're overconfident of your wife's endurance. But haven't you considered that by playing this hide and seek, you're tormenting her as well. Besides, what if someone else steps in? Aren't you afraid at all, Ah Li?"

"I trust Wei Wei" Ji Li Zhao replied seriously making Ji Cao s.h.i.+ sigh once more.

Sure he trusts her, but there is something that he should never ever forget. "I'm not saying that you're wife is shallow, but you know how appearance can easily sway emotions"

Without seeing his appearance, Hou Wei Yan will never feel secured. Unless he decides to show himself to her and be open, their relations.h.i.+p will never stabilize so he shouldn't be overly confident. This plan should be thrown to the trash bin because nothing good will come out when lying. He should just be open and introduce himself to her properly.

"I'm handsome" Ji Li Zhao suddenly blurted out with all the confidence he has in his body.

His sudden statement sent everyone to freeze and silence dominated the place. Ji Cao s.h.i.+ had his jaw hanging before he slowly turned to Ji Xuejin who had the same expression as him. Not a moment too soon, his boisterous laughter rippled in the place causing the others to recover from the shock.

"Now this is new!" he muttered in between his laughter. He never expected to hear this directly from him. Unlike others who like to flaunt their look and use it to gain something, Ji Li Zhao doesn't even acknowledge that he's handsome. And yet look at him now! "My brother is saying something quite narcissistic"

"But you said I am" he remarked in confusion as he tilted his head towards his two brothers. Ever since he was young, they would always tell him how handsome he is and they never stopped complimenting him. He never acknowledged it before but he trusts his brothers. Are they lying? "Am I not?"

Ji Cao s.h.i.+ immediately smiled at him. His lack of awareness will make some men cry for sure.

"Of course, you're handsome!" he blurted out with a huge smile in his face. If Ji Li Zhao isn't considered handsome, then no one is good enough to be considered handsome! "Right, Ah Jin?"

Ji Xuejin immediately raised his thumbs up with a smile. His little brother is a top beauty and many love his look even though he rarely displays a smile in such G.o.d-given looks. "More than handsome"

Their a.s.surance made Ji Li Zhao smile. It's comforting to know that he has the looks to match his beautiful wife.

"Ah Li" Ji Cao s.h.i.+ suddenly called out causing him to abruptly turn his attention back to him.

"Humans are p.r.o.ne to temptations. You're trying this game to fulfill your wife's fantasies and protect her at the same time, but the more you prolong this, the more things will turn complicated" hid older brother lectured once more making him silently give in and nod his head. "You need to end this immediately before it's too late. Stop using her fantasies and protection to justify your torture towards your wife and yourself. Be a man and face your fears head-on"

"I understand" he mumbled making the twins and Huang Xun look at each other. Many people already told him to stop his plans yet he never bothered to take their advice seriously. Only when his older brother advised him to stop did he finally listen. Truly, their trust and connection is something they should applaud!

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Ah Li" Ji Xuejin suddenly said with a sad smile on his face. He knows why he is doing this kind of stuff. He may justify his actions by using her fantasy as an excuse but he knows very well that its a punishment he decided to incur in himself.

The tragedy that transpired between them long pa.s.sed but his inability to move on from it is causing him to take this precarious action to torment himself because he was unable to protect her before. This grief that's still hanging in his heart is causing him to take excessive measures towards the th.o.r.n.y path instead of the smooth road.

"It's painful to watch you make decisions to punish yourself. What happened in the past is unfortunate but getting tied down by that memory won't fix anything" he said, his voice filled with utter worry. "You need to move forward and make memories with your wife. Stop minding what happened, just focus on the present"

Ji Li Zhao couldn't help but gulp down his own saliva before he nodded his head. He chose to take this action because he's afraid he would reopen her wound…but if he doesn't treasure his moments with her and be a proper husband, he will only regret it in the future just like what happened in the past. "Mn"

As soon as he heard his reply, Ji Xuejin replaced his sullen expression with a smile. He reached out his hands to the jewelry box in the table and opened it up for everyone to see.

Inside the box were two rings beautifully crafted to complement one another. Unlike the past version, both ring now has blue gem centerpiece. Ji Li Zhao asked him before for two wedding rings but because of his sudden request, his ring wasn't finished on time for the ceremony. Today, he was finally able to see the ring that couples with his wife.

"I installed the tracking device just as you asked and added a few more jewelry to make it look like a wedding ring" he explained with a huge smile on his face. He then showed him the blue gem that was the pride of the ring. "You said your wife liked the ocean so I chose the Benitoite. It's rare and beautiful so I went with it than Sapphire. The one I used in this piece came from a black market auction in California. It's by far the most beautiful Benitoite ever auctioned abroad"

Benitoite is a rare mineral first discovered in California by James Couch in 1907. It is a fine blue barium t.i.tanium silicate and one of the rarest gemstones available today. Benitoite has a higher dispersion rating than diamond and is known to display impressive brilliance and fire that's why Ji Xuejin decided it was better for his piece. Although the mineral benitoite has been found in various locations around the world, gem-quality and face-table material have only been found in San Benito, California. Benitoite is also the official state gemstone for California making it well known across the globe.

"Thank you, Big Brother," Ji Li Zhao said as he accepted the box. "She'll love this"

Hearing this, Ji Xuejin smiled before he opened up the bigger jewelry box and presented to him another one of the rare pieces he crafted only for his family members. "This is a blue moonstone set I call, Serene Wings. The centerpiece is a Blue Moonstone that Big Brother bought in Dubai. This will be our wedding gift for your wife"

Ji Li Zhao leaned forward and observed the jewelry. It had two silver wings with intricate design and the chain had Ji Li Zhao's signature orchid pattern he always places in his artworks. The centerpiece is a beautiful stone with a cat's eye pattern known as Chatoyancy—an optical phenomenon distinguished by a unique reflection of light that closely resembles the slit-eye of a cat.

Moonstone is the best-known variety of orthoclase pota.s.sium feldspar. The name 'moonstone' is owed to moonstone's bluish-white s.h.i.+mmering effect that resembles the moon s.h.i.+ning in the night sky. The phenomenon is known as adularescence and is a result of moonstone's unique structural pattern. Moonstone that exhibits the optical phenomena of chatoyancy is rare, but not unheard of. Chatoyant moonstone is known in the gem trade as star moonstone.

Though most moonstone exhibits a bluish-white sheen, many other colors can be seen through its adularescence. Adularescence is best described as a milky sheen or glowing light which appears to come from below the surface of the stone.

Ji Li Zhao accepted the gift without hesitation. He looked at it a few more seconds before a smile glowed in his face. His wife will look beautiful with this moonstone in her neck. "Thank You"

"If your wife gets pregnant, don't hide it from me, okay?" Ji Cao s.h.i.+ blurted out of the blue making them look at him in surprise.

That came out of nowhere! He must still be hung up with the idea of learning of the marriage too late although he already appeared fine.

His little brother could only nod his head as he handed the two jewelry boxes to the twins who then headed out and placed it in the car. "Mn"

They happily chatted once more before a fl.u.s.tered Makio came in with a laptop in his hands. All of them looked at him as he placed the laptop in the table with a panicked look in his eyes. "Boss, something happened in the Hou Estate"

The mere mention of the Hou Estate immediately piqued Ji Li Zhao's interest and not a moment too soon, they were faced with horrifying footage. The CCTV footage captured the twins, Hou Jei Li and Hou Wuxi crying as they receive some slaps from their stepmother Fe Rou Chao. Before any more could hit their face, a maid came in and gathered the twin in her embrace. She crouched down in a protective manner and received a whipping from the menacing Madame of the Household.

"This is---"

"My wife's siblings and their stepmother" Ji Li Zhao muttered as he carefully watched the whole footage in a clenched fist. She is just a stepmother so she has no rights or whatsoever to do this to them! "Abuse"

"Does their father know?" Ji Xuejin asked worriedly before he glanced at Makio who obviously has the answers to all of their questions.

"That place has no CCTV. We managed to set up plenty of small moving cameras around the house thanks to that woman" he remarked as he showed them the profile of the young maid who continuously received the whipping to protect the children. "I discovered that Jun Shen is quite close to her so we decided to ask her and managed to persuade us to help"

"Hou Guanyu doesn't seem like the type to tolerate this" Ji Cao s.h.i.+ said before he hummed in surprise. He had a few exchanges with the old man before he became an artist and he knows very well how he treasures his daughter. Surely, he would never allow such a thing to happen to his other children as well, right? "Where is he now?"

"Hansang" Makio muttered with a sigh. He just managed to infiltrate the House and yet this is what greets him the moment he did so.

Ji Li Zhao sternly looked at his most trusted IT Genius before he gave out his next order. "Send him the footage"

"Yes, Boss" he replied before he proceeded with his task. While doing his job, he can't help but mutter his questions out loud. "The kids recently met with Lady Boss. Why would they keep silent? Even Hou Jun Shen kept silent about it"

"Makio" Ji Xuejin called out which immediately drew their attention. "When someone abuses you, you'll feel a sense of weakness. Getting abused weakens not only the physical state but also the emotional state. They are still kids, they probably don't want to show this to their sister and make her feel bad for herself"

"Wei Wei will indeed blame this on herself again" Ji Li Zhao added with a sigh. He knows very well how she will react once she finds out about this. They must have wanted to keep her away from worrying and rampaging.

Ji Cao s.h.i.+ carefully observed the footage once more before he sighed and looked at his little worriedly. "They are Xing Mei Yi's children, right?"

"Not these two" Ji Li Zhao muttered. Xing Mei Yi may see them as her own children but no matter how she treats them she is still not their biological mother and even to this day, their biological mother remains a mystery to everyone. "They are Hou Guanyu's children from another woman. But Madame Xing treats as her children"

"They don't want your wife to know because Xing Mei Yi will eventually learn about this from her" Ji Cao s.h.i.+ replied after he concluded why they would act in such a way even though they have quite a trustworthy older sister. They could have just told her everything so she can end their mystery but they didn't do it and instead endured all of this abuse. "They must have endured it to not create another chaos. Madame Xing is known for her temper, if she finds out of the abuse, she'll surely rip Hou Guanyu apart"

"He is still their Father after all. They probably don't want him to die under their mother's grasp" Ji Xuejin added his own a.s.sessment with a sigh. Usually, children would ask for help in such situations, but they are far too intellectual for their own good. They know the consequence if they tell their mother about this so they deliberately kept silent to protect their family from getting ruined. "Are you monitoring them for your wife?"

"For Madame Xing"

"Don't tell her yet. This may cause a war between the Xings and the Hous" Ji Cao s.h.i.+ advised seriously. Xing Mei Yi is a monster and if she decides to mobilize the Xings, she will end up destroying the Hous. If the Hous disappear, their business will plummet and it may change the course of the economy. This doesn't only concern them anymore, but the livelihood of many people lies in their decision.

"Mn" Ji Li Zhao muttered in agreement. He can do other things to solve the issue without incurring Madame Xings wrath. For now, they need to stop the abuse, place more people to protect them, and use the Head of the House to control the situation. "How's Hou Guanyu?"

"Rus.h.i.+ng home" Makio muttered as he nervously watched Hou Guanyu enter his car. He must arrive before its too late so he was praying his driver would fasten up the pace.

As soon as Hou Guanyu arrived at his estate, he hurriedly strode inside towards the place where Fe Rou Chao is abusing the children. He immediately felt his blood boil when she saw her smirking as she swings her whip again. "Fe Rou Chao!"

Fe Rou Chao felt her blood run cold. "H-Honey! You're back!"

Hou Guanyu angrily looked at her hands and held it tightly in his grasp. "What do you think you're doing!?"

"They tried hurting Shuren! I'm only punis.h.i.+ng them!" she replied back making the children shake their head. Why in the world would they try to hurt their little brother?! He may be the son of the evil beasts but he is still their little brother!

When he saw them shaking their heads, he glared back at Fe Rou Chao. "I clearly instructed you not to hurt them! I repeatedly told you that countless times!"

"They're hurting Shuren!"

"You even use the same excuse!" he argued back with all the anger he could muster. He may have neglected his children and kept them away from Xing Mei Yi and Hou Wei Yan, but he never tolerates abuse!

"But it's true!"

"I don't care!" he yelled back causing Fe Rou Chao to flinch. This time, she could already feel that he is utterly angry. He angrily threw her hand away causing her to stumble back and nearly fall to the ground. "My order remains the same. Don't hurt them! I don't want a single mark left in their body!"

"Honey!" she called out once he saw Hou Guanyu going upstairs. But no matter how much she calls him, he continuously ignored her causing her to bite her lower lip in angry.

As he pa.s.sed by the children, Hou Guanyu looked at them momentarily before he turned towards Chu Jin who already gathered the maids. "Go and treat them. I don't want this to happen again"

Chu Jin nodded his head and did as he was instructed. This action made Ji Li Zhao who was watching on the other side hum as he realized something.

"Somethings wrong"

"Indeed" Ji Cao s.h.i.+ muttered as he too turned serious. He thought it could be fixed by telling Hou Guanyu but now they saw something that concerns them even more. "He rushed home but he treated them coldly afterwards"

"Did he only rush there and stopped Fe Rou Chao because someone sent a video and wanted to keep their family secret safe?" Ji Xuejin asked worriedly. Is he really this type of man?

"Makio" Ji Li Zhao called out making Makio to abruptly turn his attention back to him. "Do whatever you can to get Hou Guanyu's full medical history. See to it if he had some problems"

Einstein immediately nodded his head in understanding. "Got it"

"Try asking the girl you commissioned if he's taking any weird drugs" he added to his order before he stood up and wore his coat once more.

Ji Cao s.h.i.+ stood up as well and worriedly looked at him. What will he do next after he learned of this? "Are you going back to China?"

"I'm sorry if my stay is quite short, Older Brothers" Ji Li Zhao muttered in sincere apology. He wanted to spend more time with them but a promise is a promise and he cannot break it especially when the other party is his wife. "I promised her that I would return immediately"

"No need to apologize" Ji Xue Jin muttered as he held his hands. He tightly clasped it in his before he glanced up and looked at him worriedly. "Be strong. Grandpa will not take this lightly if he finds out so be careful"

"You're leading Tians.h.i.+ Conglomerate but he's still the Head of the entire Ji Empire, so always watch your back" he added with seriousness. He should never be at ease and must always look after himself. Unlike the Xings who has a good relations.h.i.+p with each other, their family is a battlefield and they pry on every opening they see.

"Mn" Ji Li Zhao replied as he nodded his head. He knows just how terrifying his Grandfather is and how much he loathes the Xings. He always wanted the number one in the rankings so he views their family as a menace. No matter how hard he tries, he could not defeat the Xings because of their impenetrable defense.

If he find out that one of his top running candidate for the successors.h.i.+p is married and in love with a Xing descendant, he would surely flip and will do his best to either ruin their relations.h.i.+p or use Hou Wei Yan as his p.a.w.n to ruin his nemesis. He should always be vigilant and protect his wife until he inherit the whole Ji Empire. He holds Tians.h.i.+ Conglomerate now but unless he becomes the Real Overlord of their family Empire, he would never be at ease.

"Stay safe" Ji Cao s.h.i.+ muttered as he hugged his little brother. He waved them goodbye but before he could enter the car, Ji Li Zhao was called once more. "Ah Li!"

"Hm?"

Ji Cao s.h.i.+ flashed him a wide and cheeky smile before he blurted out a statement that made Ji Li Zhao bashful. "I want a nephew! Bring me one next time!"

He could only smile as he shook his head at his statement. "You make it sound so easy"

"A niece would be fine as well" he blurted out once more. He was deciding what he wants to get but in the end chose to have both of them instead. "You know what, get me a pair. Twins would sound good so make sure to do your best!"

Ji Li Zhao immediately shook his head before he waved his hands and entered his car. Whether he will return next time with children will all depend on his next course of action and of course…his wife.