The Taiye River sparkled under the moonlight.
One by one, the eternal lamps, carrying longing and hope, drifted with the current.
Ji Ziyan and Ji Zixiu squatted by the riverbank, holding the last eternal lamp, reluctant to release it into the river. It was as if letting go would mean letting go of their grandfather, uncles, and fathers forever.
Their minds replayed memories of the Ji family's prosperity and the deeds of its men.
Ji Ziyan could still recall her grandfather's loving smile, her uncles' blessings, and her father's red-rimmed eyes as he tried to be strong when she left.
Ji Zixiu could even still hear her grandfather's parting words, her uncles' spirited farewells, and the steady, warm touch of her father's hand on her forehead.
But now, they had to let go of it all.
Ji Ziyan's hands trembled, tears streaming down her face.
Even Ji Zixiu, who rarely cried, had teary eyes.
Two arms were placed on the shoulders of the two sisters.
Ji Ziyan and Ji Zixiu turned their heads simultaneously and saw their eldest sister, her eyes also teary, watching the eternal lamps drift away.
"We grew up under the protection of the Ji family's men. We only saw the peace and prosperity of the world, unaware of the sacrifices made by our grandfather, uncles, and father on the battlefield. Perhaps even the men of the Ji family didn't know that their lives were not taken by the perilous battles, but by the hidden filth and darkness that ultimately consumed them entirely, leaving not even bones behind."
Ji Ziyan had been wondering why the Ji family's men had vanished without a trace overnight. Hearing her eldest sister's words, she shivered, her fingers clenching tightly.
If her eldest sister spoke the truth, then how unjustly had the Ji family's men died!
Ji Zixiu was consumed by a burning rage, but she didn't know how to vent it. Just as her eldest sister had said, revenge was not merely about indiscriminate slaughter, but about making the guilty pay a thousandfold!
Ji Zizhao embraced her two younger sisters, her voice deep and hoarse. "Revenge will be exacted! Our home must be secured! With no men left in the Ji family, we sisters must move forward together, with unwavering resolve, to seek justice for our family! To carve out a haven of peace in this unjust and chaotic world! We lived our youth with silk robes and spirited horses, never regretting our days, knowing that the path of a king is forged by the victor, with no retreat, no hesitation! As long as we are firm in our steps, the path will always be there."
Ji Zixiu and Ji Ziyan, who had been squatting by the bank, felt the steady, strong arms around their shoulders, and the words that flowed into their ears filled them with courage.
The strength they felt came from the one who was mocked as a good-for-nothing throughout the imperial city.
As they released the last two eternal lamps into the Taiye River, the gazes of Ji Zixiu and Ji Ziyan had become as firm as steel.
Ji Zizhao pulled her two younger sisters up. "Since we are out, we should take some time to relax."
Once the Second Prince returned to the imperial city, the Ji family would likely have no more peaceful days.
The main streets of the imperial city were still bustling with noise.
Stalls selling snacks and trinkets were all shouting their wares with great effort.
The entrance to Xiangshan Tower had the largest crowd. As Ji Zizhao led her two sisters on foot, they heard the clear sound of a young man's arrogant laughter.
"My reward money has already been posted. Whoever can guess this lantern riddle can have it all. Don't blame me for looking down on you; with your abilities, you probably won't be able to take my reward money even until dawn!"
At a small stall in front of Xiangshan Tower, a money bag larger than a fist was indeed hanging.
Many scholars and ladies had already gathered before the stall, carefully pondering the lantern riddles. However, no one could guess even one.
On the second floor of Xiangshan Tower, the young man's mocking voice grew louder. "I told you all you people are useless."
Passersby stopped to watch.
Ji Zizhao and Ji Ziyan disliked this kind of boisterous show-off and intended to move on.
However, Ji Zixiu, hearing the arrogant laughter, couldn't help but stop. "How can this person be more audacious than me? More shameless than me? No, I have to go see what kind of riddle is so presumptuous!"
With that, Ji Zixiu pushed her way into the dusty crowd.
Ji Zizhao and Ji Ziyan, helpless, turned to follow.
In front of the small stall, other lanterns with riddles had been extinguished, leaving only one lantern with a cursive riddle still flickering with candlelight.
It was remarkably conspicuous at a glance.
From the pavilion on the second floor of Xiangshan Tower, the young man, hearing that someone else was guessing riddles, leaned out to look.
Ji Zizhao happened to look up and, seeing the young man's handsome features, immediately frowned.
Ji Ziyan asked softly, "What's wrong, Eldest Sister?"
Ji Zizhao lowered her voice. "It's the Seventh Prince."
Although she had only met him once at the Ji family's residence, she was confident she wouldn't mistake him.
Ji Ziyan trembled upon hearing this but quickly lowered her head. With so many people around, if she were to reveal the Prince's identity, it would undoubtedly cause panic. If the Prince were to be harmed, it would be more than she could bear.
Xie Jinglin also did not expect to see Ji Zizhao and muttered with a frown, "Even a good-for-nothing dares to guess riddles now?"
The other dissolute youths sitting in the private room, hearing this, all crowded towards the window.
Ma Jingbo immediately recognized Ji Zizhao and couldn't help but laugh. "Little Seventh Master, your words will hurt Lu Yong's heart. After that meeting at the Zhao family, the eldest daughter of the Ji family has already become a goddess in Lu Yong's heart."
Xie Jinglin raised his eyebrows and sneered, "Really? Lu Yong, when did you go blind?"
"..."
"Lu Yong?"
"..."
Xie Jinglin, who had not heard a response, turned his head in confusion. He saw Lu Yong staring blankly at Ji Zizhao's retreating figure, his mouth slightly open, as if his soul had already departed.
A surge of anger shot through Xie Jinglin. He turned and shouted to the street below, "If you can't guess it, don't touch it! Can you afford to break it if you do?"
Ji Zixiu, who was standing at the small stall, had never been yelled at like this before. She immediately looked up and shouted, "Go to hell! If I don't take it down, how will I know if I can guess it? Aren't riddles put out for people to take down and guess! If you treasure it so much, why don't you just take it home and worship it!"
Her earth-shattering shout almost sent Xie Jinglin tumbling down from the building.
Ma Jingbo couldn't help but exclaim, "The daughters of the Ji family are indeed as famous as the legends say." He then turned to look at a serene figure sitting not far away. "Fourth Master, wouldn't you like to take a look?"