The voices of the common people continued to surge like waves, crashing relentlessly against the Fifth Prince's mansion.
Luo Hong, usually arrogant, turned pale with alarm and quickly ordered the servants to secure the mansion gates.
The bright red sedan chair still rested at the foot of the steps, but the bride had already departed with pride.
Just moments ago, the Ji family's doorstep had been occupied by a horse waiting for its groom.
Now, an empty sedan chair had been returned to the Fifth Prince's mansion gates.
Truly a humiliating and unpleasant turn of events.
In a distant alley, a carriage remained parked quietly.
Xie Jinglan's light laughter echoed within the carriage.
With just a few words, he could stir the people into crying out for justice and igniting their spirit.
A mere woman possessed the power to turn the tide, to manipulate the fate of the world with her own hands.
The Imperial City had spread rumors that this eldest daughter of the Ji family was a useless waste, but it seemed that was not entirely true.
On the soft couch inside the carriage, a young man with his legs crossed slept soundly. Hearing the laughter, he half-opened his eyes and asked, "She's just a good-for-nothing who's become a discarded wife. Is that enough to make my Imperial Brother so happy?"
Xie Jinglan's gaze was deep. "Little Seven, this eldest daughter of the Ji family is not someone to be underestimated."
The young man addressed as Little Seven snorted dismissively and closed his eyes again.
Just a waste.
No matter where she went, it would be in vain.
Xie Jinglan smiled faintly and shook his head. "Let's go."
The inconspicuous carriage rolled out of the alley and slowly made its way towards the Fourth Prince's mansion. As it passed the Ji family's main gate, the sight of the brightly hanging red silk and the large red character for "joy" pasted on the doors could still be seen. However, the Ji family was now in utter chaos.
Upon hearing the report from the imperial messenger, the Ji family erupted in wails.
When the younger daughters of the Ji family heard that their brothers and father had fallen on the battlefield, they immediately grabbed their spears and sabers, intending to march to Luoyi to avenge their kin.
The Ji family's wives desperately tried to stop them, when news of the Old Madam collapsing reached them from the main courtyard.
In an instant, the Ji family's misfortunes compounded, descending into complete pandemonium.
Cries and roars shook the heavens.
It was at this moment that Ji Zizhao stepped through the entrance.
The servants still busy in the courtyard were stunned to see the figure clad in red.
"The... The Eldest Miss!"
Ji Zizhao moved past the servants in front of her and looked into the distance. Upon seeing the figures surging towards the main courtyard, her heart skipped a beat.
"Qing Zhu!"
"Here."
"Go fetch my medicine chest."
"Yes."
The atmosphere in the main courtyard was heavy.
Servants knelt on the ground, their minds focused.
The old doctor, who frequently checked the Ji family's pulse for well-being, sighed, shook his head at everyone, and then, picking up his medicine chest, left without looking back.
First Madam Lin Wanyun burst into tears on the spot.
The others in the room felt their vision blur, their chests constricting with discomfort.
Suddenly, a clamor arose.
Following that, the people in the room saw Ji Zizhao, dressed in red, enter.
The grandmother on the bed was breathing weakly, a gurgling sound like something caught in her throat.
Ji Zizhao had no time to speak. She stepped forward to the bedside, her fair hand resting on her grandmother's now-cold wrist. Her other hand did not hesitate; she flipped open her grandmother's eyelids and then moved down to her chest.
Everyone in the room was dumbfounded.
What was she doing?
Ji Zixiu, upon seeing this, shouted, "You good-for-nothing! At this time, you still intend to disrespect Grandmother? Let go of Grandmother at once!" Sudancn.com
Ji Zixiu, the third daughter of the Ji family, had never thought highly of this good-for-nothing who spent her days engrossed in books since childhood. Now, seeing Ji Zizhao's audacity, she drew her soft whip from her waist.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan glanced at Lin Wanyun, who was approaching, and quickly restrained her daughter. "Do not be presumptuous! That is your eldest sister!"
Ji Zixiu, watching Ji Zizhao still touching her grandmother, her eyes reddened. "I do not have a good-for-nothing for an elder sister!"
Lin Wanyun, hearing this, immediately rebuked with tears, "The Old Madam has not yet breathed her last! How can you, a junior of the Ji family, be so disrespectful and throw a tantrum here!"
Second Madam Yu Fenglan hugged her daughter tightly, feeling conflicted. "Please understand, Eldest Sister-in-law. If it weren't for Sister Zhao returning suddenly on her wedding day and disrespecting the Old Madam in such a manner, how would Xiu'er dare to draw her whip?"
Lin Wanyun understood the implied meaning behind her second sister-in-law's words, but she did not wish to argue at this moment, for her daughter's sudden return had surprised even her.
Suddenly, a sharp intake of breath echoed in the room.
Lin Wanyun looked up, startled, and stumbled. "Zhao'er, what do you intend to do?"
Ji Zizhao, standing by the Old Madam's bedside, had removed a silver hairpin from her head. Her gaze was intense, her fingertips chilled.
A cold glint flashed as her arm fell vertically.
Ji Zizhao plunged the silver hairpin directly below the Old Madam's collarbone!
Everyone in the room gasped, their breaths catching. They all collapsed to the floor, with only one thought remaining in their hearts.
The Eldest Miss...
Had gone mad!
Ji Zixiu's grip on her whip tightened, making a cracking sound. "Good-for-nothing! Today I will kill you and cleanse the Ji family's name!"
As she spoke, the whip made of fiery snake skin cut through the air in an arc, lashing directly at Ji Zizhao.
At this moment, no one in the room stepped forward to intervene.
Even Lin Wanyun had fallen to the floor, closing her eyes in despair.
For years, no matter what outsiders said, she had believed her late husband's words: Zha'er was not useless, people simply had not seen her brilliance.
Therefore, Lin Wanyun had meticulously cared for this daughter whom everyone despised.
If she didn't want to go out, she wouldn't. If she didn't want to study martial arts, she wouldn't. If she wanted to read all day, she could.
And the result? She had raised such a monster!
A cool breeze swept through the room, brushing against everyone's faces.
Everyone looked up to see Qing Zhu, carrying the medicine chest, standing in front of Ji Zizhao, and with his bare hands, catching Ji Zixiu's fatal whip.
Ji Zixiu's bloodshot eyes were filled with anger. "Qing Zhu, you were once the general most valued by our grandfather. Are you truly going to continue to shield this good-for-nothing?"
Qing Zhu's expression remained unchanged as he released the whip. "My lady is not a good-for-nothing."
"You..."
"Cough, cough, cough... cough, cough, cough..."
A series of violent coughs interrupted Ji Zixiu's unfinished words.
But by now, no one in the room cared about what Ji Zixiu wanted to say.
Everyone stared in disbelief at the Old Madam, whose shoulder was still bleeding, but whose eyes were slowly opening. They were so astonished that they couldn't even muster a joyous expression.
They simply stared with wide eyes at the slender figure who had remained with her back to the crowd, watching the Old Madam.
The Eldest Miss, whom everyone had considered a good-for-nothing...
Had saved the Old Madam?!