Ji Chengru hesitated for a moment before saying to his father, "Father, perhaps I should pay a visit to Duke An. With such a scandal erupting from Duke An's Mansion, the whole capital is buzzing with gossip. As relatives by marriage, if we pretend to be unaware, it doesn't seem proper."
Ji Xiaoyuan set his cup on the table and said coldly, "You've studied for many years; how can you be so clueless? If Duke An's Mansion were framed and now teetering on the brink, I would have taken action without needing your suggestion, to defend them. But as things stand, this situation has arisen from his failure to manage his household properly; where does that leave you to offer comfort or to make a visit?"
Ji Chengru was first taken aback, then his face flushed with shame as he stood and responded, "My understanding was shallow; my thoughts were misguided. I admit my mistake."
