The faces of the crowd were grim, even the usually carefree Xie Jinglin wore a somber expression.
Farming over commerce, emphasizing the root over the branches, was a common method of governance for any nation.
Under such oppressive policies, immense disparities in wealth existed within each country, with beggars frequently seen on the streets.
Today, these beggars dared to openly rob. This clearly indicated rebellious intentions. If they could rob the common folk now, they might later band together and become bandits.
Even worse!
They dared to cast their eyes upon the netherworld, intending to incite an uprising.
The young masters present had all been tutored by great scholars since childhood and understood the hidden dangers.
As for the Seventh Prince Xie Jinglin, there was even less to say. If a prince lacked such a clear sense of crisis, he could truly be called a useless individual.
Not long after, a carriage bearing the Ji family's insignia arrived.
Amidst the silence of the crowd, Ji Zizhao boarded the carriage with her two younger sisters.
As soon as they were seated, Ji Ziyan quickly took her elder sister's hand. "I was so scared just now. Is Eldest Sister injured?"
Ji Zizhao shook her head. "No. Are you two alright?"
Ji Ziyan nodded. "The young masters from Xiangshan Tower arrived in time. The young man called Seventh Master even distributed his money bag to them. As soon as those beggars saw the silver, they all ran off."
To fulfill needs, to save lives.
Ji Zizhao hadn't expected Xie Jinglin to possess such insight.
Ji Ziyan clenched the whip in her hand, clearly angered. "If you ask me, they're a bunch of cowards. My Ji family defends the nation and fights on the battlefield for the peace of Yulin. Yet, what we protect are these ruffians who only know how to reach out and rob?"
Ji Ziyan sighed. "Regardless, it's good that none of us were injured."
"If today's incident had happened to any other woman, she might not have even survived!" Ji Ziyan gritted her teeth, still recalling the distorted excitement in the beggars' eyes.
Ji Zizhao said softly, "The men of the Ji family bear the duty of defending the nation. Our home is Yulin, so any citizen of Yulin is a target of the Ji family's protection."
Ji Ziyan suddenly stood up, her eyes red with anger as she stared at Ji Zizhao. "But they are pests!"
Ji Zizhao's expression remained unchanged. "No one is born wanting to be a beggar or a pest."
For a nation's prosperity and its people's peace, who would abandon their dignity and cling to mere survival?
Only when one is destitute and has no other path would they discard their humanity solely to stay alive.
Regarding the incident in Luoyi, Ji Zizhao only saw the crisis facing the Ji family, unaware that the imperial authority itself had already rotted beyond repair.
Perhaps, the court was no longer the just and righteous place her grandfather had envisioned.
Perhaps, the Ji family was merely a product to be sacrificed in the shifting tides of politics.
Ji Zizhao hoped she was mistaken, but many things could not be deluded.
By the time the carriage arrived at the Ji family mansion, it was already the hour of Xu (7-9 PM).
Ji Zizhao watched her two younger sisters walk towards their respective courtyards before turning towards Zhaoyuan.
In the main house of the courtyard, Shuiling was kneeling on the ground.
Under the flickering candlelight, she repeatedly kowtowed to Yongmei. "I wish to remain by Eldest Miss's side to serve her."
The events concerning the Zhao family had given Shuiling, whose heart had turned to ash, a glimmer of hope for survival.
She did not seek to rise above others in the Ji family, but only wished to serve Eldest Miss in her daily life, thereby repaying the kindness once shown by the old master of the Ji family.
Yongmei sat on a chair, coldly watching Shuiling. "I grew up following Miss. How can you possibly compare?"
Shuiling lowered her head, neither subservient nor arrogant. "I merely wish to stay; I have no intention of competing for anything."
Yongmei looked at the kneeling Shuiling, her eyes betraying neither anger nor lingering fear.
Since Luohongniang had slapped her last time, she hadn't approached her again. Even though she spent all day inquiring about the maids and servants secretly communicating with the Fifth Prince's mansion, she still hadn't managed to speak with Luohongniang.
However, Yongmei was not afraid.
As long as she clung to Miss's side, once Miss returned to the Fifth Prince's mansion, even if the Fifth Prince ignored her, he would still have to accept her as a concubine for Miss's sake.
Lifting her foot, she stepped onto Shuiling's shoulder. Yongmei, like a mistress, raised her finely arched eyebrows. "Since you want to stay so badly, promise me one thing."
Shuiling remained silent.
Yongmei paused before continuing, "In a few days, Miss will return to the Fifth Prince's mansion. You will replace me and remain in this Ji family. If you agree, I will let you stay."
Shuiling looked up indignantly. "I refuse."
"What did you say?"
"If I stay, I will be by Eldest Miss's side. The decision should be Eldest Miss's. If Eldest Miss allows me to stay, I will have no complaints. But if Eldest Miss orders me to follow, no one can stop me."
Yongmei was so enraged by these words that she stood up and raised her hand. "You..."
"I never expected that someone by my side would achieve such authority today." A clear, cold voice suddenly rang out.
Ji Zizhao stood at the doorway, clad in the night's chill, her dark eyes as deep as water.
Yongmei trembled all over and immediately knelt on the ground. "Miss..."
Ji Zizhao curved her lips into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Don't call me Miss. I dare not accept the title of your Miss."
Yongmei trembled again and scrambled towards Ji Zizhao's feet. "Miss, your servant merely wishes to follow you always. Even when we go to the Fifth Prince's residence, your servant can still attend to you."
Ji Zizhao stood still, looking down at the abjectly pleading Yongmei. "Do you truly wish to accompany me to the Fifth Prince's mansion?"
Yongmei's heart leaped with joy, and she nodded repeatedly. "Of course. Your servant is willing to serve Miss forever."
"If that is the case, then go to Nanny He yourself and receive five planks. This will temper your arrogance. The Fifth Prince's mansion is not like the Ji family. If your sharpness causes trouble there, I might not be able to bear the responsibility for you."
Ji Zizhao's dark eyes were calm and indifferent.
Yongmei's eyes widened in shock.
Having never even done manual labor while following Miss, how could she endure five planks? If they were all struck, she would be bedridden for at least half a month!
But thinking that this was the path to the Fifth Prince's mansion, Yongmei still nodded. "Your servant is willing to accept the punishment."
With that, she truly left to find Nanny He to receive her punishment.
Soon, the crisp sound of planks striking flesh echoed in the courtyard.
Ji Zizhao stood in the room, listening to Yongmei's muffled groans, her dark eyes cold. Sudan Novel Network
The Fifth Prince's methods are truly remarkable, to have bought over the servants by her side so thoroughly without expending any effort.
Initially, she hadn't intended to kill Yongmei, merely planning to let her go after setting a trap. But now, it seemed she had been too soft-hearted.
In the courtyard, Yongmei, enduring the pain of the planks, felt a sense of perverse happiness. As long as she could go to the Fifth Prince's mansion, she would become the Fifth Prince's concubine, and she would no longer have to look at others with deference.
At that time, even if she were Miss, what of it?
Would she not still be on equal footing with her?