Ji Zizhao's expression remained unchanged as she knelt on the ground, kowtowed to her father, and offered incense before rising to ask, "What has happened?"
Zhang Ji knelt on one knee, adopting an attitude of seeking punishment. "The second young lady suddenly found me just now, saying she had violated the family rules and asked me to cane her. If I refused, she would strike herself. I had no choice but to send someone to cane her twelve times."
Rash, impulsive, and disregardful of consequences, twelve canings.
This was the Ji family's house rule.
Ji Zixiu's temper was a bit fiery, but she was not unreasonable. Now that she could proactively go to Zhang Ji to accept punishment, it meant she acknowledged her mistake. Was this not also a form of growing up?
The path of growing up has never had shortcuts; only through suffering can one gain depth.
"Qing Zhu, go to Zhaoyuan and fetch a bottle of Hemostasis and Blood Circulation Dew to send to my second sister."
"Yes."
Qing Zhu received the order and left.
Ji Zizhao then turned to head to her grandfather's mourning hall.
When the Second Prince handed a torn sleeve of the Ji family's old master to the First Madam, Lin Wanyun, the female members of the Ji family clearly saw it. Therefore, no clothing was placed in the Ji family's old master's coffin.
Ji Zizhao took out the blood-stained sleeve she had kept in her embrace, smoothed out its creases, and gently placed it into the coffin before slowly kneeling on the ground.
Taking the incense from the subordinate guarding the mourning hall, Ji Zizhao closed her eyes and meditated.
The Ji family's deep-seated enmity, Ji Zizhao remembered it in her heart and etched it into her bones. If this revenge is not repaid, she will not rest until death!
Standing outside the mourning hall, Zhang Ji looked at the slender and upright figure. It was impossible not to worry. Seeing the eldest young lady emerge, he quickly stepped forward. "Eldest young lady, at this time, the Second Prince has likely entered the palace. Do we need to do anything?"
The Second Prince entering the palace meant he would surely present the military report to the Emperor for review. Given the Emperor's attention to the Battle of Luoyi, if any unfavorable information regarding the Ji family was recorded in the military report, the Ji family would likely face punishment tomorrow.
Ji Zizhao said calmly, "Then we shall wait for the Emperor's decree of punishment."
Zhang Ji was utterly bewildered.
Punishment has already been decreed. What else can be done besides accepting death?
Slightly narrowing her eyes, she looked up at the dark night sky.
Revenge is like treating an illness.
It is not about speed but timing.
Haste makes waste; rushing blindly leads to destruction.
Cannot be impatient.
Xin Lan suddenly ran from the backyard. "Miss, the eldest aunt has gone to Chunyuan to cause trouble. She insists that Master Yang use the Yang family's banner to go to the palace to plead for the Marquis of Xuanping's heir."
Among Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju, Xin Lan had the best temper, yet she was now extremely exasperated.
Master Yang had ridden all the way to accompany the Ji family in mourning. As a member of the Ji family, the eldest aunt not only failed to actively thank Master Yang for his support but now went to make trouble before him.
What kind of behavior was this?
Ji Zizhao's gaze gradually deepened.
She had thought her aunt had gone to cause trouble for her grandmother in her usual quiet manner, but it turned out she had inquired about her uncle's whereabouts.
Ji Rujun's self-righteousness and selfishness were all habits cultivated by everyone in the Ji family.
It was a pity, however, that she never intended to indulge anyone. Su Dan Novel Network.
Ji Zizhao made up her mind and walked directly towards the backyard.
The guest rooms of the Ji family were all situated on the more secluded western side. The Ji family servants were accustomed to rising early and intended not to disturb the guests' peace. However, this now became a place for Ji Rujun to act recklessly.
As Ji Zizhao stepped into Chunyuan, she heard Ji Rujun's voice from inside the room.
"Brother-in-law, you have also seen that the Ji family is about to collapse. If you save the Marquis of Xuanping's heir now, you will be accumulating merit for the Ji family. The Marquis of Xuanping's household has always been just and grateful. If the Emperor severely punishes the Ji family in the future, it will be impossible for the Marquis of Xuanping's household to plead for the First Madam."
Inside the room, Ji Rujun sat at the main seat with an air of entitlement, dominating the scene.
Master Yang, the Prefect of Bianjing, held military power and commanded Bianjing. Although this Yang Lang was merely a humble scholar, even if the Emperor considered the face of Master Yang, he would show exceptional leniency to Jin Qianyu.
Yang Lang, deeply influenced by his mother's teachings, disdained such sycophantic behavior from a young age. Now, faced with Ji Rujun's proposal, his brows were furrowed tightly. "The wife of the Marquis of Xuanping's heir places too high a value on the Yang family. My father is merely a local official in Bianjing. Even if my father goes to the palace, he must follow the rules. I am just a commoner, how can I be worthy of meeting His Majesty?"
Ji Rujun did not expect Yang Lang to be so obtuse, and her expression also darkened. "Is Master Yang feigning ignorance or truly ignorant? The First Madam is of my Ji family. If the Ji family is indeed severely punished by the Emperor, the First Madam will surely be implicated. Are the people of the Yang family so heartless that they can turn a blind eye even to watching their own sister be beheaded or even become a prostitute?"
Yang Lang's face turned black, and he clenched his hands beneath his sleeves. "I request that the eldest aunt of the Ji family speak with caution."
The Emperor's verdict is one thing, but what do you mean by cursing my sister like this?
Ji Rujun let out a cold laugh. "Master Yang fancies himself a great scholar of Bianjing, yet he does not understand the principles of filial piety first, respecting parents above, and caring for siblings below. Such cold-blooded heartlessness, he is not even worthy of being called a human!"
Yang Lang had been taught by his mother from a young age that heaven does not tolerate deceit, women and children should not be bullied, and the old and weak should not be insulted. Therefore, even though he was trembling with suppressed anger, he refused to lash out verbally.
Ji Rujun could see Yang Lang's extreme restraint, and precisely because of this, she became even more unrestrained with her words, using the First Madam Lin Wanyun as a target, as if wishing to hurl all abusive language at her.
The Marquis of Xuanping's household was her only fallback. If Jin Qianyu were to encounter any trouble, she would force the Yang family to intervene on her behalf.
Ji Zizhao looked at Ji Rujun's self-righteous expression and knew she had always been a selfish person, but she never expected her to be so disgusting for her own selfish gain.
"I heard my aunt had returned and had not seen her. I did not expect to find her here," Ji Zizhao said, stepping over the threshold with a faint smile.
Upon seeing Ji Zizhao, Ji Rujun's anger flared. "What do you want from me?"
Ji Zizhao's smile remained. "I wish to ask my aunt a question."
Ji Rujun knitted her brows. "What?"
Ji Zizhao calmly stated, "Upon returning to the Ji family, my aunt did not visit my father or uncles, nor did she offer kowtows and incense to my grandfather. Now, she is here harassing my maternal uncle. May I ask if my aunt is worthy of being human?"
The servants guarding Chunyuan: "..."
My goodness!
She starts cursing right away. Is she that brazen?!