The atmosphere in the main courtyard, initially harmonious, fell silent.
Ji Zizhao’s cold gaze swept over everyone present, her words like needles, sharp and resounding. "My Ji family, a century-old military lineage, was forged by the blood and lives of every man in the Ji family who held the people and the realm in their hearts! The cause of the battle in Luoyi remains undetermined, but the fact that all the men of the Ji family perished on the battlefield is indisputable. The Ji family does not expect the adults here, who are merely mingling in the court seeking stability, to understand. However, the Ji family's original intentions and beliefs cannot be trampled upon or slandered! The Ji family was born in Yulin, lived for the people, and died for the people! Whether it be the men or women of the Ji family, their blood flows with the purpose of pacifying the realm and defending the homeland!"
Under the bright sun, in the warm breeze, Ji Zizhao’s sleeves billowed, her hair flying.
Her demeanor was one of pure coldness, her deep eyes shimmering with a faint light, her long, curled eyelashes frosted with frost.
Unlike the vibrant beauty of a peach blossom, she possessed the elegant fragrance of orchids and an ethereal grace.
The courtyard was utterly silent, everyone holding their breath.
The maidservant, who had been kneeling on the ground, was already weeping, her clenched teeth filled with the bitterness of tears.
Was the eldest daughter of the Ji family truly like this?
The eldest daughter of the Ji family…
Well done!!
Not far away, in a summer pavilion nestled in the center of a lake, sat the famous wastrels of Sheng Huang City.
Their eyes, accustomed to seeing only the plump or slender, the beautiful or plain, were all stunned by Ji Zizhao’s words.
They were accustomed to the company and flattery of women, never imagining that there was a woman with such noble integrity!
In the pavilion, someone softly uttered, "Is this the notoriously useless eldest daughter of the Ji family?"
The others, snapping back to reality, could not help but cast their gazes back towards the proud figure in the main courtyard.
She wore a simple, elegant white dress, her hair tied in a plain bun.
Her unadorned skin was as white as freshly peeled water caltrop, her slender eyebrows hid a sharp gaze, and her features exuded an air of independence, unswayed by the world, possessing a pure spirit.
Undeniably, Ji Zizhao was beautiful, but her beauty was such that it deterred any rash approach.
The wastrels in the pavilion stared blankly, their chests heaving.
It wasn't frivolousness, but admiration!
Who would have thought that someone considered a useless waste for over a decade by the citizens of the imperial city was so unyielding and righteous!
If even such a person was considered useless, then what they were doing would be considered even beneath beggars!
It was Fourth Prince Xie Jinglan, seated by the window of the pavilion, who put down his book and looked up, his gaze fixed on the slender back bathed in sunlight, exuding a cool breeze. A faint smile flickered across his narrow eyes.
"Good heavens, I never imagined the eldest daughter of the Ji family would be like this. I thought the rumors of the imperial city had terrified her to the point where she wouldn't dare leave her home. Now it seems she simply disdains petty squabbles." Lu Yong, the son of Sheng Huang City's wealthiest salt merchant, felt his chest tremble, wishing he could rush over and ask if the Ji family sister needed any relatives, like a younger brother… Su Dan Novel Network.
In the main courtyard, Ji Zizhao looked at the maidservant pressed to the ground and instructed Qing Zhu, "Send her back to the Ji family to be treated first."
Qing Zhu acknowledged the order and stepped forward.
The guards from the Zhao family, having received no orders, had no intention of letting go.
Qing Zhu glanced back at her young lady. Seeing Ji Zizhao nod slightly, she then pushed one of the guards with a palm strike.
Although Qing Zhu was a woman, she had grown up in the military camp, deeply trained and taught by the Ji family's old master. With just one palm strike, the guard stumbled back several steps before collapsing onto the ground.
Seeing this, the other guards drew the sabers from their waists.
Qing Zhu swept her gaze over them expressionlessly and silently beckoned with a finger.
Grand Tutor Zhao originally did not wish to intervene. This was his residence, after all. Could he allow Ji Zizhao to run amok?
However, as one guard after another fell, Grand Tutor Zhao could no longer maintain his dignity. "What does the eldest daughter of the Ji family mean by this? Is she trying to rob us openly in the Zhao residence!"
Ji Zizhao's gaze was indifferent, as if recalling something. "I almost forgot to mention Grand Tutor Zhao just now. If I recall correctly, Grand Tutor Zhao, years ago, repeatedly visited my grandfather's residence. Although I was young at the time, I remember some things. Does Grand Tutor Zhao require me to recount them one by one?"
Grand Tutor Zhao: "..."
Is this going to end?
The reason the Zhao family sought a marriage alliance with the Ji family was precisely because Grand Tutor Zhao hoped to rely on the Ji family's influence.
Grand Tutor Zhao was well aware of the benefits he had extracted from the Ji family's old master in the name of this marriage alliance.
Ji Zizhao's mouth was like venom, her words sharp and biting. Grand Tutor Zhao, not daring to imagine what shocking pronouncements Ji Zizhao might utter next, could not possibly allow her to speak further.
"She is merely a disloyal servant. If the Ji family wishes to take her, then take her." Grand Tutor Zhao snorted in anger, no longer willing to look at Ji Zizhao's face, and turned to leave.
"Grand Tutor Zhao, please stay."
"What else do you want?"
Ji Zizhao pointed at the maidservant. "The deed of sale."
Grand Tutor Zhao: "..."
Is this what they call open robbery now?
His intestines twisted with anger, Grand Tutor Zhao quickly ordered a servant to fetch the maidservant's deed of sale. Only after the deed was handed over to Ji Zizhao did he flick his sleeve and depart.
Ji Zizhao handed the deed of sale to Qing Zhu. Seeing that the maidservant's injuries were not severe, she said, "Go, send her back to the Ji family first. Have Xinlan find her a quiet set of clothes. We can discuss the rest when I return."
Qing Zhu helped the maidservant up from the ground and nodded in silence.
The maidservant stared intently at Ji Zizhao, her lips moving as if she had something to say but hesitated.
As they brushed past, the maidservant finally cast a glance at Madam Zhao, who was standing nearby, and lowered her voice to remind her, "The Zhao residence is a place of misfortune, eldest daughter of the Ji family. Please be extremely careful in all matters. If possible, leave quickly."
Ji Zizhao's heart tightened, but her expression remained unchanged.
Qing Zhu was filled with worry and whispered, "Let me stay to protect Miss."
Ji Zizhao shook her head. "Go. It is not too late to return after sending this maidservant back to the Ji family."
She had come today without expecting any pleasantries from the Zhao family.
After all, it was just the Zhao family; they couldn't do anything to her.
Qing Zhu knew her young lady likely had a plan in mind and said no more, supporting the maidservant as they left.
Before exiting the courtyard, the maidservant cast another deep glance at Madam Zhao, who was not far away.
Madam Zhao was now completely bewildered, having not noticed the maidservant's gaze.
Were they not told that the eldest daughter of the Ji family was a useless waste who couldn't even leave her home?
But, but how…
She was completely different from the rumors!
What was with her sharp tongue?
What was with that commanding aura!
Madam Zhao, clutching wet handkerchiefs, felt her hands grow cold and tremble.
She had initially thought her plan for today was foolproof, expecting the useless eldest daughter of the Ji family to meekly comply. But now, this eldest daughter of the Ji family was not useless at all. What could she do now?!
Grandma Sun lowered her voice and comforted her, "Madam, you must not lose your composure. At this point, we have no retreat. Moreover, everything today was within our plan. No matter how clever the eldest daughter of the Ji family is, she cannot escape our schemes."
Madam Zhao nodded at Grandma Sun's words, forcing herself to calm down.
Even if the eldest daughter of the Ji family was capable, the Ji family's downfall was inevitable.
No matter how powerful this eldest daughter of the Ji family might be, she was likely all show and no substance, not worth fearing.
With this thought, Madam Zhao regained her color and, supported by Grandma Sun, walked towards Ji Zizhao.