The heavy redwood cane creaked the bones in Ji Zizhao's shoulder as it pressed down.
Ji Zizhao stood straight, her knees unbent.
She knew her previous actions regarding the silver hairpin were reckless and had alerted the enemy, but at the time, it concerned her third sister, and she had no extra time to measure or consider.
Now that her grandmother wished to test her, she would let her grandmother test her.
Frankly, she had to endure this blow.
Only by doing so could she first appease her grandmother's anxieties.
Her grandmother was the eldest in the Ji family. Even if she did nothing, as long as her grandmother stabilized the hearts of the Ji family, the people would not panic.
Now that the Second Prince had entered the palace to see the Emperor with the military edict, the Ji family was about to face a storm. At this time, Ji Zizhao absolutely could not give her grandmother any reason to leave them and abandon the entire Ji family!
The Old Madam stared at Ji Zizhao for a long time. Seeing that she had no intention of speaking, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Perhaps she had overthought the matter of the silver hairpin.
Zhaojie'er should not know its hidden meaning.
Lian Ju, worried about her young lady, temporarily paid no mind to the partially dragged First Granddaughter.
Ji Ruyun simply sat on the ground and watched with cold eyes. Seeing Yang Lang's face change drastically because Ji Zizhao was being beaten, she felt extremely smug. She knew her mother would not ignore her.
The Old Madam was, of course, unwilling for the heir of the Xuanping Marquis Manor to be in trouble.
Although she had already secured a way out for herself, no one would ever complain about having too many options.
Even for the sake of being able to rely on the Xuanping Marquis Manor, where her daughter resided, the Old Madam could not stand by and do nothing.
Seeing that Ji Zizhao remained silent and did not speak, the Old Madam assumed she was frightened. She then looked up at Yang Lang, "A man's promise is worth a thousand gold. I hope that Master Yang will not go back on his word."
Yang Lang nodded slightly, "A teacher does not lie. However, Yang Lang hopes that after the matter is settled, Madam Ji will agree to one thing for me."
The Old Madam pondered. Yang Lang's request was likely that she would not trouble Zhaojie'er in the future. Although she did not make deals with juniors, Yang Lang did not live in the Ji family for long. After he left, how would he know if she troubled Zhaojie'er or not?
Thinking this, the Old Madam nodded, "As long as Master Yang keeps his word, this old woman will grant your wish."
Yang Lang nodded. Without waiting for the Old Madam to leave, he went around to the desk and began to grind ink.
Ji Zizhao looked at her uncle, who was writing furiously, her dark eyes filled with shadow.
Someone like Young Master Jin, who would do anything for money, would not learn his lesson unless he felt pain.
However, since her uncle had spoken, she could not openly refuse his goodwill.
How could she avoid disappointing her uncle while still ensuring Young Master Jin suffered a good lesson…
She really needed to think carefully.
Before long, Yang Lang finished writing the letter and personally handed it to the Old Madam, "Please have Madam Ji send someone to deliver this letter to my father."
The Old Madam seemed a little uneasy. She personally opened and read it, then smiled and nodded, "Since the Yang family and the Ji family are one family, I will not say things between two households. It is getting late, Master Yang should rest early."
Assisted by Ji Ruyun and Jin Xueyan, the grandmother and granddaughters turned and left, looking as if it was natural for the Yang family to help them, without even a word of thanks.
As Jin Xueyan was about to leave, she turned back to Ji Zizhao and made a face, "You good-for-nothing, you deserve to be beaten."
The Old Madam was still counting on Ji Zizhao to use her authority to shield the Ji family from danger, so she would not push things too far. She pulled Jin Xueyan's hand and coaxed, "Haven't you said enough? You must be thirsty. Go sit with your maternal grandmother and ask Nanny Xu to make you some tea."
Ji Ruyun deliberately raised her voice and sneered, "Yan'er, be good. Your maternal grandmother is right. There's no need to waste time on people who are not worth it. You are the daughter of the Xuanping Marquis heir. After your father inherits the title, you will be a princess. How can mere trash be compared to you?"
Lian Ju clenched her fists, her killing intent growing stronger.
Ji Zizhao raised her hand and placed it on Lian Ju's shoulder, shaking her head gently.
Jin Xueyan, aside from her sharp tongue, had no other remarkable qualities. This was evident from their encounter at the Grand Tutor's manor. Spending energy on such a person was a waste of her time.
And now, she did not have that much time to squander.
Yang Lang, who had been heartbroken all along, saw his niece enduring such hardship, and his heart ached even more.
"Zizhao, don't worry. Your uncle will surely let you live a good life. It's getting late, you should go back and rest." Yang Lang's gaze was steady, and his resolve hardened.
Ji Zizhao nodded, "Uncle, you should rest early too."
With that, she left the room with Lian Ju.
Yang Lang looked at his niece's lonely back, only hoping that the person the Ji family sent to his father would hurry, hurry.
This way, he could rescue his sister and niece from the inferno sooner.
However, Yang Lang, who was full of hope, had no idea that his beloved niece had no intention of letting his letter reach the Yang family.
As soon as she walked out of Chun Yuan, Ji Zizhao quietly ordered Lian Ju, "Quickly go and intercept the person sent to deliver the letter to my maternal grandfather. Retrieve the letter, but do not kill anyone."
From the Ji family to the city gate, it would take half an hour even by carriage.
It had only been the time it took for one stick of incense to burn since her grandmother returned to the main courtyard. Even if they sent someone to Bianjing immediately, given the speed of the guards in the main courtyard, they could not have possibly reached the city gate by now.
Therefore, Lian Ju had a full chance of success in intercepting the person and seizing the letter without alerting the city gate guards.
Ji Zizhao slightly quickened her pace towards Zhao Yuan.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw Qing Zhu waiting at the entrance.
"Miss, this subordinate saw Shui Huan finish applying medicine to the second young lady before returning." Su Dan Novel Network.
Ji Zizhao nodded. Qing Zhu's return meant that her second sister's injuries were not serious, and it seemed Zhang Ji had held back his strength.
"Qing Zhu, you go to the Xuan Yi Pavilion now and inform Chen Gang to bring people to the palace to file a complaint."
The Second Prince had only recently entered the palace. The Emperor would not be asleep at this hour, so it would not be considered disturbing the Emperor if Chen Gang and the others went to the palace.
Although the four major medical halls were not under the jurisdiction of the court, due to their prestige in the imperial city, the Emperor had granted them imperial tokens to enter the palace and had announced to the world that the four major medical halls could directly see the Emperor in any difficulty.
The Emperor's actions were intended to prove his benevolence and compassion to the people, and his care for them. In that case…
Now was the time to make good use of this opportunity.
Chen Gang and the other medical hall proprietors had been with Ji Zizhao for some time and had developed a great understanding, needing no further explanation to grasp their lady's intentions.
Furthermore, Chen Gang and the other proprietors were all physicians who adhered to the principle of treating people with compassion. That heir of the Xuanping Marquis Manor, in his audacious pursuit of wealth, disregarded human lives. Such a villain not only escaped retribution but also received aid from all sides when in distress…
Was there no law?
The four infuriated proprietors got into the carriage without a word and headed straight for the imperial palace.