Zhao Liang exited the Ji family's gate and waved goodbye as he boarded the carriage.
The young servant driving the carriage softly inquired, "Does Young Master wish to return to the manor to deliver good news to the First Madam?"
Zhao Liang glanced through the carriage window at the colorful lanterns of the bustling entertainment district on the adjacent street. "The Ji family is already within my grasp. Whether I inform Mother sooner or later makes no difference. However, I recently heard that the Chun Yan Tower has a new courtesan, exceptionally beautiful… What time is it now?"
The servant smartly replied, "Young Master's calculations are precise; it has just reached the hour of Wei."
The hour of Wei was when the brothels in the imperial city opened their doors.
Zhao Liang laughed heartily, "Then what are we waiting for?"
The servant nodded in agreement and quickly turned the carriage towards the flower street.
Meanwhile, Ji Zizhao, who had been busy in the Yan courtyard, only learned of Zhao Liang's arrival from Nanny He.
Ji Zizhao asked Xinlan to help look after Ji Ziyan and went to the main courtyard alone.
As she was about to enter the courtyard, she was stopped by the First Madam, Lin Wanyun.
"The Old Madam has just retired; it's best not to disturb her at this time." The First Madam, Lin Wanyun, took her daughter's hand and led her towards her own courtyard.
Ji Zizhao glanced suspiciously at the main courtyard behind them. "Has Zhao Liang already left?"
The First Madam, Lin Wanyun, clasped her daughter's hand and said earnestly, "He has. It is said that everything that happened to Yan Jie'er was because Shui Wancun desired to climb higher. The Zhao family has already executed Shui Wancun, and they feel deeply indebted to us for this matter, which is why the eldest son of the Zhao family rushed here early this morning."
Ji Zizhao's expression was indifferent. "Did Zhao Liang say all this?"
The First Madam, Lin Wanyun, knew what her daughter was thinking. "Our Ji family is not what it used to be. It is already difficult enough that the Zhao family is willing to come to apologize. Yan Jie'er is already considered part of the Zhao family. If we truly fall out with the Zhao family, how will Yan Jie'er live in the Zhao family in the future?"
Ji Zizhao's heart turned cold.
Because a married daughter is like spilled water, should we just let the matter rest? What kind of logic is this!
Ji Zizhao could not suppress her anger, and her voice grew cold. "Are we all to stand by and watch as Third Sister continues to live under the Zhao family's roof, enduring hardship and barely surviving?"
The hot wind brushed against her face, making her chest feel stuffy.
Lin Wanyun quickly pulled her daughter onto a small path. "This matter has not yet been decided, and you are already so angry. Zhao Liang left on his own accord; he did not say he wanted to take Yan Jie'er with him."
Hearing that the Zhao family was no longer insisting on taking Ji Ziyan, Ji Zizhao stopped arguing. However, she did not return to the Yun courtyard with her mother. After escorting her mother to the doorstep, she turned and took her leave.
"Does the First Madam truly intend to keep it from the Eldest Daughter forever?" Nanny, the wet nurse of the First Madam, watched the Eldest Daughter's retreating figure with a worried expression. No matter how detached the Eldest Daughter was from worldly affairs in the past, anyone could see now how much she cared about and was concerned for Third Sister.
"It's not that I intend to hide it; it's that the Old Madam has already made everyone keep their mouths shut." While saying this, the First Madam, Lin Wanyun, knew in her heart that this so-called secrecy also carried her own selfish motives.
As Ji Zizhao reached the Yan courtyard, she saw Zhang Ji waiting at the entrance.
Zhang Ji hurried over and bowed. "Eldest Daughter."
Ji Zizhao clasped Zhang Ji's arm. "Uncle Ji, there's no need for such formality. Speak directly."
Zhang Ji nodded and lowered his voice. "I have already found out that Shui Wancun was sold to a brothel by the Zhao family several days ago. However, the Zhao family has kept very tight-lipped about Zi Qiao's whereabouts."
Ji Zizhao was filled with rage, regretting that she had not personally confronted Zhao Liang earlier.
After a long pause, she suppressed her anger. "Please trouble Uncle Ji to fetch some silver from the Zhao courtyard later. No matter the cost, Shui Wancun must be ransomed. As for Zi Qiao... Uncle Ji will need to continue investigating."
"Eldest Daughter, rest assured, I will attend to it immediately."
Zhang Ji turned to leave, and just then, Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu walked over.
Standing beside Ji Zizhao, she looked around conspiratorially for a long time before seeming to muster great courage and cautiously said, "Zhaojie'er, today..."
"Third Sister has woken up!"
Before Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu could finish speaking, the maids' cheers rang out from the courtyard.
Ji Zizhao could no longer attend to anything else and turned, rushing into the courtyard.
"Zhaojie'er..."
"May I ask what Fourth Madam wished to say to the Eldest Daughter? Was it so urgent?"
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu wanted to say more, but a deep voice suddenly sounded from behind her.
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu trembled all over, turned around, and saw Nanny Xu standing not far away.
Nanny Xu had been by the Old Madam's side since childhood and was fiercely loyal to her. "Did Fourth Madam not understand what the Old Madam said today, or do you have any objections to the Old Madam's decision?"
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu lowered her eyes. "Nanny Xu jokes. I, I just wanted to chat with Zhaojie'er."
Nanny Xu walked up to Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu, her words seemingly a warning or a threat. "Since Fourth Madam says so, this old servant believes you. However, I hope Fourth Madam will keep her word. Otherwise, if this matter reaches the Old Madam's ears, do you think the Old Madam will still tolerate you?"
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu clenched her handkerchief.
None of the men of the Ji family had survived. The lives of the remaining widows naturally rested in the Old Madam's hands.
These daughters-in-law were all like spilled water; if they truly returned to their maternal families now, their families might not accept them.
The main room of the Yan courtyard was still filled with the lingering bitter scent of medicine.
Ji Ziyan, whose face was as pale as gold paper, was leaning by the bedside. It was unclear what the Third Madam, Yin Wenying, was saying to her, but Ji Ziyan's dazed eyes showed no emotion.
Suddenly, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice sounded in her ear, "Third Sister."
Ji Ziyan looked up and saw Ji Zizhao standing behind the Third Madam, Yin Wenying.
Her elder sister was still as steady and serene as she remembered, as if no matter how great the storm, it could not stir the slightest ripple in front of her elder sister.
Ji Ziyan's heart ached, and her throat felt choked with emotion.
Once, the Zhao family had come to propose marriage, and everyone in the manor had envied and blessed her. Even she herself had thought this match was perfect. But only her elder sister had held her hand and told her that the Zhao family was not a good match, urging her to reconsider carefully.
However, at that time, she was blinded by the vanity of the Zhao family's status and had not heeded her elder sister's advice at all.
As a result...
Ji Ziyan's eyes reddened as she looked at her elder sister's calm figure and finally couldn't help but burst into tears. "Eldest Sister, I was wrong... Third Sister truly knows she was wrong..." Su Dan Novel Network
Even though she knew there was no regret medicine in the world, she still wanted to apologize to her elder sister.
Ji Zizhao looked at the tearful Ji Ziyan, her heart filled with a mix of emotions.
Although she had known all along that Third Sister would wake up, seeing someone so devoid of vitality brought her no joy.
Ji Ziyan's awakening brought relief to everyone in the manor.
That evening, Ji Zizhao returned to her own courtyard, leaving only the Third Madam, Yin Wenying, to care for her.
After the visitors had all left, the Third Madam, Yin Wenying, sat back down by the bedside.
Looking at her daughter's pale face, she comforted her. "You still don't know, do you? The eldest son of the Zhao family has already paid a visit and kowtowed to our Ji family to apologize. Mother has already agreed to let you return to the Zhao family once you have recovered."