As the saying goes, surviving a great disaster brings great fortune.
But the women of the Ji family could only weep their hearts out after narrowly escaping death.
In every mourning tent set up for the honorary tombs of the Ji family men, the women from each branch could be seen shedding tears.
Their cries reached the heavens, echoing in their ears.
Ji Zizhao looked up at the cold white silk hanging from the Ji mansion, a pang of sorrow spreading through her.
In a time of chaos, with treacherous officials in power, it was far from easy for the Ji family to find peace, even after escaping death.
The Fourth Prince had spoken truly; the incident with the Second Prince falling from grace would undoubtedly draw more hatred towards the Ji family. To find stability, the Ji family must re-establish itself and strive for strength.
Ji Zizhao blinked her red eyes, suppressing the myriad thoughts swirling in her heart as she stepped onto the stairs.
Xie Jinglan, with Huo Nian Gong, followed close behind, their steps steady.
Madam Lin Wanyun, the First Madam, looked up in surprise at the sudden appearance of the Fourth Prince and quickly stepped forward to ask, "Zha'er, why has the Fourth Prince come?"
Before Ji Zizhao could reply, Xie Jinglan spoke softly, "The Emperor is deeply saddened by the Ji family's plight. I have come specifically to pay respects to the heroic spirits of the Ji family. I hope the First Madam of the Ji family will permit this."
Although the Ji family still harbored reservations towards the royal family, he was, after all, the Fourth Prince. Madam Lin Wanyun sighed inwardly. Since they couldn't possibly turn the Fourth Prince away, she could only greet him with a smile.
"Your Highness, you are too kind. Please come in."
The Fourth Prince's arrival prompted the unmarried young daughters of the Ji family to retreat to the inner courtyards.
Ji Zizhao, having been divorced, was not obligated to leave. However, exhausted both in body and spirit, she had no desire to engage in polite pretense with that man of deep schemes. After offering a stick of incense to the departed men of the Ji family, she cited fatigue and went towards the inner courtyard.
The staff of Zhaoyuan were already waiting at the entrance. Seeing their young lady finally return, they breathed a sigh of relief, their eyes welling up with tears. Even Lianju and Qingzhu, who rarely showed their emotions, visibly relaxed.
Finally, Nanny He waved her hand, "Everyone disperse. Do not disturb the young lady's peace."
Seeing the paleness of their young lady's face, the staff dared not linger. Some began boiling water, others preparing tea. Their young lady must be utterly exhausted; they had to ensure she could relax with a bath and a cup of tea to relieve her fatigue.
Only after the courtyard had emptied did Nanny He whisper, "I heard the Old Madam has not yet woken. Should the young lady go and see her?"
"No need. Let Grandmother rest well. Have the servants refrain from disturbing her rest. It is not too late to inform Grandmother about the events at the palace gates later today," Ji Zizhao said expressionlessly as she entered the room.
Her grandmother was inherently selfish, having schemed for herself her entire life. Although she had long seen through her grandmother's self-serving nature, she had not expected her grandmother to show such a complete lack of responsibility today.
Her grandfather always said that filial piety was the foremost of all virtues.
"To provide for one's parents without regard for circumstances is the height of filial piety."
As members of the Ji family, they had always kept this in mind. For years, everyone in the Ji family, from top to bottom, had been extremely accommodating to their grandmother, wishing only to satisfy her in every way. If it hadn't been for Grandmother's coveting the Zhao family's wealth and coercing Third Aunt that year, why would Third Sister have had to live under the Zhao family's roof for so many years! If Grandmother hadn't issued a death order to Fourth Aunt that year, why would Fourth Sister have been forced out of the family!
Returning kindness for malevolence was indeed noble.
But Ji Zizhao was never a benevolent person.
By the time the Old Madam of the Ji family awoke, half an hour had passed.
The moment she opened her eyes, the Old Madam felt as if she had died once. She couldn't distinguish the time of day, whether it was day or night. The first thing she did upon sitting up was to command the people in the room, "What are you all standing around for? Pack your things quickly!"
The servants in the room were...
Utterly bewildered.
Seeing the stunned faces in the room, the Old Madam further assumed that the Ji family's women had been punished, or else why would the servants be so terrified?
Thinking thus, the Old Madam rushed down from her bed, not even taking the time to put on her shoes, and ordered, "Hurry! Hurry! Tell the coachman to harness the horses and move all the valuable things from the courtyard outside!"
The servants in the main courtyard finally reacted. The Old Madam was likely still worried about being implicated.
Just a while ago, the Eldest Daughter had sent someone to instruct them not to inform the Old Madam about the Ji family's vindication. At the time, the servants in the main courtyard had some resentment towards the Eldest Daughter for concealing such good news from the Old Madam. But now, seeing the Old Madam's flustered state, the servants felt that the Eldest Daughter had done the right thing.
Even without knowing the good news, the Old Madam was already in such a panic. If she were to be overwhelmed by both joy and sorrow and faint again, they could not bear that responsibility.
However, facing the Old Madam's unreasonable demands, the servants' actions were slow. After all, besides the Old Madam, even the beggars in the market street knew that the Ji family's fortunes had turned.
The Old Madam was in a desperate hurry. Seeing the servants in the room moving sluggishly, she finally rolled up her sleeves and joined in the frantic activity.
If it hadn't been for Ji Zizhao acting as a shield, helping her escape this ordeal, she would have been the one to die in place of the Ji family today. Now that the Ji family had fallen, what was the point of her staying? It was better to quickly secure her escape route.
Under the Old Madam's lead, the people in the main courtyard worked with great fervor.
After an incense stick's time, the Old Madam stood panting in the courtyard, looking at the valuable items piled up. She took a long breath, ready to exhale.
Unexpectedly, before she could exhale, Nanny Xu hurried over.
The Old Madam quickly waved her hand, "You've come at the perfect time. Come with me quickly."
Nanny Xu was astonished, "At the palace gates today, the Eldest Daughter remained calm in the face of danger and finally secured justice for our Ji family! The Second Prince's plot to frame the Ji family has now been confirmed by the Emperor, and our Ji family has safely escaped!"
The implication was clear: the Ji family was fine, so where was there to go?
The Old Madam's legs gave out, and her countless unspoken words coalesced into a sudden darkness before her eyes.
Relying on that useless person?
How could that be possible!
"Old Madam, you don't know. Today, the Eldest Daughter truly acted as the matriarch of our Ji family. Her demeanor... Even now, the citizens of the city are full of praise. I beg your pardon for speaking out of turn, Old Madam... The Eldest Daughter is truly not useless; she is our Ji family's benefactor!" Nanny Xu said meaningfully, trying to persuade the Old Madam. She couldn't understand why the Old Madam would look so far afield when, in the end, both hands were flesh.
The Old Madam looked at the mountain of items piled in the courtyard.
The breath she had been holding finally choked her, causing her to faint again.
"Old Madam?"
"Someone! Quickly, help the Old Madam inside!"
"Nanny Xu, are we still moving these things?"
"Our Ji family now holds their heads high! Quickly move these things back to where they came from."
The servants in the main courtyard busied themselves once more.
Fifteen minutes later, the Old Madam regained consciousness.
She slowly opened her eyes, looking at the items she had just worked her life away to move out, and then saw them being returned to their original places by the diligent servants. She felt neither joy nor sorrow.
The Ji family had indeed escaped danger, but how was she to explain things on the other side?