Third Madam Yin Wenying, always cunning and resourceful, said, "As long as Eldest Sister-in-law is not present when the imperial decree is read, that's all that matters. The Emperor will grant the Ji family time to react, whether he intends to kill or punish. Once the palace attendants leave, we can all plead with the Old Madam. No matter what, we must get Eldest Sister-in-law a letter of divorce!"
First Madam Lin Wanyun stared in stunned silence at her sisters-in-law, who were eagerly offering solutions, and after a long pause, she finally managed to ask, "You, you are..."
Second Madam Yu Fenglan held First Madam Lin Wanyun's hand and said, "The Ji family is in decline, and everyone will inevitably be implicated. In truth, we wish we could leave too, but a married daughter is like spilled water. Not only will our maiden families not help us get a letter of divorce, but even if the Old Madam truly gave us one, our families probably wouldn't take us back."
Third Madam Yin Wenying chimed in, "Second Sister-in-law is right. Now that Eldest Sister-in-law's maiden family is willing to speak up for her, this is something we could only dream of. Eldest Sister-in-law, you must hold on. Rest assured, we will definitely persuade the Old Madam to grant you the letter of divorce."
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu, always the most composed, stated, "Once Eldest Sister-in-law gets the letter of divorce, she should quickly take Sister Zhao and leave the imperial city, never to return."
First Madam Lin Wanyun looked at her sisters-in-law before her, tears streaming down her face.
The other madams' hearts also felt heavy, but even with tears welling up in their eyes, they smiled and nodded firmly at First Madam Lin Wanyun.
In the past, they had all considered their own interests, and they certainly didn't believe that Sister Zhao could truly carry the Ji family. But ever since Sister Zhao returned, everyone had inexplicably arrived at this point. Though they never spoke of it, they knew in their hearts that all of this was Sister Zhao's doing.
Not to mention Fourth Miss Ji Zibii, who had been working closely with Ji Zizhao, or Third Miss Ji Ziyan, who owed her life to Ji Zizhao. Even Second Miss Ji Zixiu, who had the hottest temper, had learned to be calm during this time.
These things...
Even if no one spoke of them, they were real.
Now that the Ji family was on the verge of collapse, the madams had come to terms with it. Since they had no other path, why not let those who could survive continue to live?
Most importantly!
Whether it was Eldest Sister-in-law or Sister Zhao, they were both worth it.
This unspoken understanding surprised even the madams themselves. In their hearts, they had unconsciously placed Ji Zizhao among their family.
First Madam Lin Wanyun looked at the determined backs of her sisters-in-law as they departed, her eyes full of tears. She wept uncontrollably.
Yang Lang crouched down and put an arm around his sister's shoulders, his throat also constricted.
It was at this moment that Ji Zizhao stepped through the door.
First Madam Lin Wanyun looked at her daughter, whose expression was calm, and asked with a trembling voice, "Zhao'er, am I being too selfish?"
Ji Zizhao walked to her mother's side, helped her to a chair, and said in a voice as gentle as a feather stroking the heart, "Mother has worked tirelessly for the Ji family all these years, never asking for any reward, nor feeling any hardship. Mother's maiden family merely married into the Ji family; they did not sell themselves to the Ji family, so there was no need to die for the Ji family. Now, Mother only wishes for me to live. What wrong is there in that?"
Although First Madam Lin Wanyun didn't fully grasp the meaning of her words, this comfort was more precious than gold to her at this moment.
Yang Lang listened with relief. He hadn't expected Ji Zizhao's thoughts to echo his mother's open-mindedness so perfectly. This way, he could be completely at ease. Otherwise, even if he managed to save his sister and niece, they might spend the rest of their lives in regret.
"Since everything has been said openly, it's good. Zizhao, go back and pack your things now. After we receive your mother's letter of divorce, your maternal uncle will take you and leave the imperial city immediately for Bianjing."
Ji Zizhao heard this but remained standing still.
Yang Lang was taken aback. "Zizhao, you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ji Zizhao gathered her skirt and knelt on the ground.
In the front courtyard, the eunuch from the imperial palace stood impatiently with guards lined up.
As the female members of the Ji family slowly approached, the eunuch didn't even bother to feign politeness. He opened his mouth and reprimanded them, "Hurry up! To see the imperial decree is to see the Emperor. How dare your Ji family keep His Majesty waiting?"
The Ji family's female members dared not say anything more and all knelt on the ground.
The Old Madam, supported by Madam Xu, knelt at the very front, too terrified to lift her head.
The eunuch unfurled the imperial decree in his hand, his sharp voice piercing and clear. "By the Mandate of Heaven, We the Emperor decree: The male members of the Ji family, in their arrogance and presumption, have betrayed Our trust and the nation's faith. It has now been confirmed that the battle in Luoyi was caused by the reckless actions of the Ji family's men. We are greatly angered. However, considering the Ji family's many years of service to Yu Lin, We cannot bear to exterminate the entire clan. While capital punishment may be spared, lesser crimes cannot escape punishment. Henceforth, the person in charge of the Ji family shall be ordered to commit suicide to atone for their crimes! The remaining female members of the Ji family shall be immediately conscripted into military service as prostitutes! They shall be forever forbidden from setting foot in the imperial city. Respect this decree!"
The Ji family's female members kneeling on the ground stiffened, their ears ringing.
They knew that they could not escape this punishment. They had even prepared themselves to die!
But now, the Emperor ordered them to join the army as military prostitutes. The thought of being among their former fathers-in-law and husbands' subordinates in the army, the thought of the Ji family's men once fighting in the army to protect their homeland, caused the Ji family's women such anguish that it felt like their chests were being ripped apart with every breath!
They were all entering the army, but they were to become prostitutes to be violated and ravaged!
Such disgrace...
Even in the netherworld, the men of the Ji family would not be able to rest in peace!
Third Madam Yin Wenying pulled Third Miss Ji Ziyan's hand, her eyes streaming with tears. "If only I had kept you with the Zhao family from the beginning. At least... that would still have been a way to live!"
How could Third Madam Yin Wenying not feel heartbroken when the daughter she had meticulously raised since childhood was destined to become a plaything for men?
Second Madam Yu Fenglan looked at her daughter, who was kneeling with a straight posture. "Zixiu, it is your mother's fault. If I had let you join the army with your father back then, perhaps none of this would have happened now. It is my fault..."
Among all the young daughters of the Ji family, only Ji Zixiu possessed exceptional martial talent. Ji family's Second Master had repeatedly wanted Ji Zixiu to join him in the army. Second Madam Yu Fenglan, however, had been heartbroken that her daughter was too young and didn't want her to suffer among a group of men.
Later, Second Madam Yu Fenglan even threatened to kill herself to completely dissuade Ji family's Second Master.
Even now, Second Madam Yu Fenglan could still recall her husband's words: "The daughters of the Ji family are no different from the men. Just as men can stand tall and strong, so can daughters. My daughter's whip skills are superb; only by joining the army can she display her talents and shine completely! Although serving in the army is hard, it is better than being dependent on men and becoming their plaything!"
At that time, Second Madam Yu Fenglan, holding a pair of scissors to her neck, could never have imagined that her husband's words would become a prophecy.
Recalling the past, and looking at the present...
Second Madam Yu Fenglan could no longer hold back her sobs, crying out in misery.
Second Miss Ji Zixiu looked at her mother, who was weeping uncontrollably, her eyes dry and devoid of tears.
She slowly stood up, her straight posture facing the sun.
The eunuch shrieked and reprimanded, "The imperial decree has not yet been received, and your Ji family has the audacity to rise first!"
Ji Zixiu heard this, but instead of showing any fear, she drew the nine-section whip from her embrace.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan was startled and cried out, "Zixiu, what are you trying to do?"