Qing Yu didn't even glance at Zi Qiao as she stood at the foot of the steps, respectfully bowing to Ji Zi Zhao. "Qing Yu greets the Eldest Miss Ji. Zi Qiao has always been a member of the Ji family. The Zhao family never intended to snatch her from the Ji family. Our young master only agreed to take Zi Qiao as a concubine to save the face of the First Madam. We don't know why Zi Qiao is speaking such nonsense now."
So, this implied that Ji Zi Yan had requested Zhao Liang to take Zi Qiao, and Zhao Liang had reluctantly agreed.
Even at this point, they weren't forgetting to slander the Third Miss.
Ji Zi Zhao's heart grew colder. "Whose intention were those words just now?"
Qing Yu didn't quite grasp the deeper meaning of the Eldest Miss Ji's question and replied as instructed, "It was the Zhao family's intention, and more importantly, our young master's intention."
Ji Zi Zhao nodded, then cast a cold glance at Zi Qiao, who had been beaten to the point of not being able to stand. "Zi Qiao, did you hear clearly?"
Zi Qiao's eyes widened in disbelief. Seeing Qing Yu turn to leave, she struggled and crawled towards Qing Yu, a long trail of blood following her.
"Qing Yu, you're lying to me, aren't you? How could young master abandon me? Young master clearly said he would always dote on me. Qing Yu, don't go, explain yourself..."
Qing Yu looked at her blood-stained shoes and socks, then impatiently turned back and kicked Zi Qiao in the face. "How could our young master say such things to a lowly servant like you? I warn you, mind your tongue. If you dare to slander our Zhao family again by siding with others, our Zhao family will not let you off!"
Qing Zhu clenched her fists and said gravely, "Miss, this Zhao family is going too far."
It was one thing not to admit Zi Qiao's relationship with Zhao Liang, but now they were openly accusing Zi Qiao of slandering the Zhao family with others. Everyone knew Zi Qiao came from the Ji family, so who else could "others" refer to?
Ji Zi Zhao signaled Qing Zhu not to act rashly.
Dealing with the Zhao family was simple, but she wanted to know what the Zhao family was truly hiding.
Therefore, this matter could not be rushed.
They had to wait a bit longer.
Zi Qiao curled up on the ground, kicked by Qing Yu, weeping incoherently.
If she could endure the pain of the beating, it was the Zhao family's attitude that truly made her unbearable. She had never imagined that the young master of the Zhao family, who had always shown her affection, would be such a heartless person, not only abandoning her but also disregarding her life and death!
At this moment, Zi Qiao, who had always firmly believed she could establish herself in the Zhao family and become someone superior, finally understood that it was all her delusion.
She was wrong.
Terribly wrong!
Zi Qiao turned to look at the Eldest Miss on the steps, extending her hand pleadingly. "Eldest Miss, this servant knows she was wrong. This servant truly knows she was wrong! It has nothing to do with the Third Miss's affairs. I beg the Eldest Miss, for the sake of the many years I served beside the Third Miss, to spare my life..."
Ji Zi Zhao looked at Zi Qiao with cold eyes, her voice still calm and steady. "Since what needed to be known has been learned, Zi Qiao, you may also rest in peace."
A fatal mistake could never be forgiven.
If Zi Qiao could have taken responsibility for her own mistakes, perhaps Ji Zi Zhao would have held her in higher regard. But Zi Qiao had sought advancement when the opportunity arose, and now came begging for the Ji family's shelter when she had no prospects.
It had to be said that Zi Qiao was intelligent, but it was precisely this self-righteous cleverness that had driven her to a dead end.
Zhang Ji, standing nearby, understood the Eldest Miss's meaning and quickly signaled the guards.
The two guards gripped their thick wooden boards and ferociously struck Zi Qiao.
With two crisp cracks, the three-foot-thick boards snapped.
Zi Qiao, who had been begging for mercy moments before, took her last breath without even struggling.
Such a terrifying scene made Qing Yu's legs go weak.
The Eldest Miss Ji's methods were simply too ruthless!
Ji Zi Zhao looked at Qing Yu and said, "Our Ji family produces ungrateful wretches, and our Ji family will deal with its own. However, you must have heard Zi Qiao's words just now. Since Zi Qiao's heart is with the Zhao family, please trouble yourself to take her back to the Zhao family. This way, it won't be a waste of our Ji family's servant's devotion to your Zhao family."
Qing Yu wanted to refuse, but upon seeing the Eldest Miss Ji's dark eyes, he instinctively swallowed and said not a word.
Ji Zi Zhao, accompanied by Qing Zhu, turned to walk into the mansion. As she passed the two Ji family elders, she paused briefly. "I didn't expect my two paternal uncles to be here as well. I wonder if my Ji family's cleansing of its own household has been a pleasant sight for you both?"
The Third Master Ji wanted to speak upon hearing this, but the Second Master Ji quickly pulled his brother's sleeve and hurried down the steps.
Wasn't Ji Zi Zhao's display today meant for them to see?
It was clear that Ji Zi Zhao's actions today were telling everyone that those who betrayed the Ji family would meet a bad end.
Although the Second Master Ji didn't believe Ji Zi Zhao would dare to strike him one day, he had to admit that Ji Zi Zhao's ruthlessness and poisonous methods today were enough to give him nightmares for days after returning home.
"This old servant will help the Eldest Miss inside." Madam Xu hardened her heart, no longer looking at Zi Qiao, and carefully supported Ji Zi Zhao's arm, following closely.
Madam Xu was intelligent. Bringing Zi Qiao back for public execution not only demonstrated her unwavering loyalty to the Ji family but also made the Ji family understand and appreciate her resolve, thereby protecting herself and her innocent family.
Ji Zi Zhao always enjoyed dealing with intelligent people.
Standing at the entrance of Zhaoyuan, Ji Zi Zhao asked Madam Xu to stop.
Madam Xu assumed Ji Zi Zhao wanted to admonish and warn her, so she obediently stood by the door.
Not long after, Xin Lan approached, holding a ginseng root as long as an arm.
Ji Zi Zhao signaled Xin Lan to give it to Madam Xu.
Madam Xu, startled, quickly moved to kneel. "Eldest Miss, this is too much..."
Ji Zi Zhao held Madam Xu's trembling hands. "Regarding today's events, I know it's difficult for you, Madam Xu, but you must remain strong to serve the Old Madam. This Snow Mountain Ginseng is most suitable for replenishing vital energy, strengthening the spleen and lungs, benefiting the kidneys and aiding yang, nourishing blood, calming the spirit, and improving intelligence. If you wish to keep it for yourself, Madam Xu, you may. If you fear today's events will disturb the Old Madam's peace, you can give it to her to recuperate."
Madam Xu was stunned.
The Eldest Miss was helping her clean up the mess!
A surge of bittersweet emotion washed over her. Madam Xu boldly grasped Ji Zi Zhao's hand. "This old servant is deeply grateful for the Eldest Miss's intentions and will certainly remember them. From now on, if the Eldest Miss needs my help, I will do my utmost."
Ji Zi Zhao smiled faintly. "Madam Xu is too kind. Xin Lan, escort Madam Xu out."
Madam Xu expressed her gratitude profusely for a long time before taking the Snow Mountain Ginseng and leaving the courtyard with Xin Lan.
Upon returning to the main courtyard, the Old Madam had not yet retired.
After presenting the Snow Mountain Ginseng to the Old Madam, Madam Xu, speaking indirectly, praised the Eldest Miss. "The matter of Zi Qiao has been handled properly by this old servant; I would never let down the Old Madam. As for the Zhao family... the Eldest Miss was a bit rash, but she still has the Old Madam in her heart, otherwise, she wouldn't have sent the ginseng to the Old Madam through this old servant. It shows the Eldest Miss's filial piety."
The Old Madam touched the priceless Snow Mountain Ginseng on her lap, and the killing intent in her eyes slowly dissipated.
As long as she was still in her heart, that was enough.