The ladies of the Ji family turned ashen upon hearing this. Ji Zizhao's words had moved the surrounding commoners to tears, but they failed to sway the Emperor. If the imperial edict was read, where would they find a path to survival? Was the Emperor truly so heartless?
Ji Zizhao understood perfectly. The Emperor was not heartless. He simply could not swallow the bitter pill of ten thousand soldiers perishing in Luoyi. Furthermore, with all the men of the Ji family dead in Luoyi, the Emperor saw no further use for the remaining orphaned female members of the family, deeming it better to punish them all to assuage his anger.
However, Ji Zizhao knew even more clearly that the Emperor had mistaken the culprit. The true perpetrator responsible for the lives of those ten thousand soldiers was still at large! While the Emperor was muddled, she was perfectly clear. Therefore, she had to expose the Second Prince. She wanted the citizens of the imperial city to know the truth hidden beneath the blood of Luoyi's ten thousand soldiers. Su Dan novel network.
Nanny Xu approached hesitantly, "Eldest Miss, the Old Madam has not yet awoken."
Ji Zizhao glanced back at her pale-faced grandmother and said softly, "Please trouble Nanny Xu to help grandmother to rest in the courtyard. Grandmother is old, the Emperor will surely be understanding."
Nanny Xu nodded and quickly called for servants to carry the Old Madam to the back courtyard.
Zhang Ji seized the opportunity to walk to Ji Zizhao's side. "Eldest Miss, whatever you intend to do, do it with boldness. I, Zhang Ji, will lead all of the Ji family's guards to escort you."
Ji Zizhao felt a warmth in her heart and instructed in a low voice, "Uncle Ji, please have the guards follow behind. Once we reach the palace gates, blend in with the crowd facing the gates. As soon as you hear Fourth Miss's horse hooves, immediately clear the path."
Zhang Ji did not know Ji Zizhao's plan, but he understood that she would not willingly allow the Ji family to be unjustly accused. "Eldest Miss, rest assured. Zhang Ji will not fail your trust."
Ji Zixiu suddenly stepped in front of Ji Zizhao. "Do you truly intend to lead everyone in the Ji family to their deaths?"
Ji Ziyan quickly came forward and grabbed her second sister's arm. "Second Sister, please do not hurt Eldest Sister's feelings. If it weren't for Eldest Sister's mediation just now, we would likely already be on our way to exile."
Ji Xixiu was impulsive but not unreasonable. Hearing this, she surprisingly fell silent. Ji Zizhao, however, inquired, "Are all your injuries healed?"
Ji Xixiu nodded reluctantly. Ji Zizhao paused and then said, "Since you are healed, grip your whip tightly. Do you not have pent-up resentment? I will let you vent it thoroughly shortly."
Ji Xixiu's eyes widened in disbelief. "Really?"
"Naturally."
She was currently stopping the members of the Ji family because there were still things to be done. Once everything was settled and the Second Prince's crimes were exposed, it would be the time for the Ji family to rise again!
Ji Xixiu looked at the light in her elder sister's eyes and felt a surge of strength. As if afraid of keeping them waiting too long, she quickly went into the courtyard and, with the servants, helped her mother, whose legs were weak.
"Mother, I'll support you."
Second Madam Yu Fenglan: "..." We are going to be judged, and you are this enthusiastic?
Before long, the female members of the Ji family, however unwilling, managed to stand up. Ji Zizhao again instructed Ji Ziyan, "Bring Grandfather's military handbook. Remember not to hold it in your hand, just keep it in your sleeve."
Ji Ziyan nodded and quickly called for Shui Huan to go back and retrieve it.
Once everything was prepared, Ji Zizhao was the first to step out of the Ji family's threshold. First Madam Lin Wanyun, followed by the other female members of the Ji family, walked out with heavy hearts.
Yang Lang, standing under the corridor, watched the slender figure walking at the forefront, his eyes welling up with tears. Just moments ago, he had had the opportunity to lead his sister and niece away from this hardship. However, his niece had knelt before him and said with profound sincerity, "I know Uncle cherishes me and Mother. My brother is dead, and my father is gone. How can I not wish to take Mother away from this chaos? But I carry the blood of the Yang family, and equally, the blood of the Ji family! Treacherous officials hold sway, and petty men prosper! The men of the Ji family die with grievances, their souls in the underworld! The remaining women of the Ji family are left with no recourse from heaven or earth! If I, lacking ability, wish to uphold righteousness for the Ji family, how can I face grandfather's love and father's teachings? While the women of the Ji family may have their faults, those who wish to impose these sins upon them are the ones who deserve punishment! I implore Uncle to depart safely. I only wish to advance and retreat with the entire Ji family!"
Yang Lang was a scholar. Countless times he had taught his students that one must live uprightly, face death with courage, and possess flesh and blood to be complete. Therefore, when he witnessed someone truly sacrificing themselves in the face of life and death, he was equally shaken and moved! The Ji family was indeed a military family of centuries, teaching even the women who were supposed to be subservient to the men so well. At this moment, Yang Lang's eyes were filled with tears, watching his niece's unyielding back with both heartache and relief.
The entire Ji family, under the guard of the soldiers, walked slowly and heavily towards the imperial palace. The commoners, seeing this, followed in large numbers. In an instant, the streets of Yulin's main city became a sea of people. Facing such a grand undertaking, the news quickly spread throughout the city.
Ji Zibi, standing inside the Xuan Yi Pavilion, watched her elder sister leading the Ji family's women forward with a determined stride. Her face turned pale with anxiety, and she nearly rushed out. Ji Zizhao glanced sideways and, in the silence, gave her fourth sister a firm look. The situation had escalated to this point, and it was beyond recovery. The refugees from Luoyi in the four medical halls were the only solution. Therefore, there could be no mistakes!
Chen Gang grabbed Ji Zibi, blocking her with his body, fearing attracting further attention. Ji Zibi stood behind Chen Gang, so angry that tears streamed down her face. The refugees from Luoyi standing in the medical hall had personally witnessed the Ji family's women being ordered to the palace gates to await judgment, yet what were they doing? Some avoided their gaze, others tightly pressed their lips... and even worse! Some simply ignored the entire scene!
Ji Zibi clenched her fists under her sleeves, her body trembling uncontrollably. Was it possible to expect these ungrateful refugees to speak up for the Ji family?
Chen Gang softly persuaded, "Fourth Miss, the mistress said it could be done, so it must be done. You must believe in the mistress."
Ji Zibi suppressed the urge to draw her sword and kill all these unappreciative refugees. She nodded fiercely. Yes, she could not trust these refugees, and she could not trust anyone in this world, but she had to trust her elder sister, who had never disappointed her. As long as Eldest Sister said it could be done, it would be done!