In the main hall.
Madam Ren was at a loss for what to do, only looking at her mother-in-law with hopeful eyes.
Old Madam Ren's head was splitting with pain.
Because she knew in her heart that no matter how tough she appeared before Ji Zizhao now, she had to admit that what Ji Zizhao said was the undeniable truth.
Ren Jun was different from the officials in the court. He not only personally involved himself in the defeat at Luoyi but also betrayed the Ji family and defected to the Second Prince.
Everyone had their own selfish interests and biases, and even the Emperor himself was no exception.
Therefore, Ren Jun was clearly being set up to be the scapegoat for the Second Prince.
Ji Zizhao had no time to linger and watch the Ren family hesitate. She added a strong dose of medicine, "As for Ren Jun, although my Ji family will never forgive him, we will never seek revenge. The members of the Ren family are innocent, and there is no need for them to perish for Ren Jun alone. However, I suspect I am being overly solicitous. If Old Madam Ren is unwilling, then please leave."
Ji Zizhao walked towards the door without a care, just as she had said. Her actions towards the Ren family were merely to clear her conscience, not because she genuinely missed the years of friendship Ren Jun had with the Ji family.
Madam Ren was already terrified, and now she could no longer keep her composure. "Old Madam, say something!"
The last shred of Old Madam Ren's defense crumbled. She closed her eyes and, with all her might drained, asked, "If I can truly persuade my grandson to speak, will the Ji family truly guarantee the safety of my entire family?"
Ji Zizhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. When she turned back, she remained poised and said, "The people of the Ji family never lie."
Old Madam Ren nodded heavily.
Things had reached this point, so... there was nothing else to be done.
Seeing her mother-in-law speak, Madam Ren, though relieved, couldn't stop her tears from flowing. Even with all her heart aching for her son, she had to harden her resolve, lest her entire family perish.
Seeing Old Madam Ren relent, Ji Zizhao quickly told Qing Zhu to prepare the carriage.
Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Ren family, accompanied by Ji Zizhao, left the Ji residence.
The young servants of the Ji residence looked at the somber Old Madam Ren, then at Madam Ren, who was weeping uncontrollably and could only walk with the support of the Ren family's servants, and were stunned.
It had only been such a short while. The Ren family, who had been so arrogant just moments ago, now looked as if they had lost their closest kin. The eldest daughter's methods were truly…
Astonishing!
Soon, the news that the eldest daughter had settled the Ren family spread throughout the entire Ji residence.
The wives of various branches were all gathered in the Cloud Courtyard. Originally, they had been worried that those two shrewish women from the Ren family might bully Sister Zhao. Now, upon hearing the news, they all got up to bid farewell to their eldest sister-in-law and returned to their own courtyards with peace of mind.
Only the younger daughters of the Ji family were quite surprised to hear of this.
Ji Zixiu was particularly perplexed. "If Eldest Sister wanted to deal with that old hag and that young hag, she could have just notified them at the door. Wouldn't it be easier for me to whip them until their faces were bruised and swollen?"
Ji Ziyan shook her head. "Eldest Sister always handles matters with a plan. Bringing the Ren family into the mansion like this, I'm afraid it's not just about venting anger."
Ji Zibi waved her hand. "If you ask me, we're all worrying for nothing. Eldest Sister is not someone we need to worry about. I say, we should just quietly do what Eldest Sister has instructed."
Ji Ziyan and Ji Zixiu exchanged a look and nodded silently.
What she said was right. Their eldest sister was no longer the useless waste that everyone once looked down upon.
While everyone in the Ji residence breathed a sigh of relief, Ji Zizhao had already brought the Ren family to the Dali Temple.
The vermilion-colored buildings stood on the northern outskirts of the imperial city. The two stone lions at the gate were majestic and awe-inspiring. The Ren family had been detained here for several days, yet they were still oppressed by the stern atmosphere.
Qing Zhu stepped onto the stairs first and handed her young lady's token to the guard at the gate. "My young lady is the eldest daughter of the Ji family. She wishes to see the condemned official Ren Jun. Please inform them."
The Ji family was currently in a position of great influence, so the guard dared not slack. He quickly went inside to report.
A short while later, the Minister of the Dali Temple himself came out to greet them. "Eldest Daughter of the Ji family."
Ji Zizhao lowered her gaze slightly and bowed first. "I have always heard that Ren Jun has made no progress, so I thought I would come and see for myself. I hope I have not disturbed your work on the case."
The Minister of the Dali Temple dared not accept such praise. The Ji family was currently the fire in the hearts of the people. Even if she had disturbed them, it would not be considered a disturbance. "Eldest Daughter of the Ji family, you are too humble. The Dali Temple generally conducts trials at midnight. It is quite peaceful at the Dali Temple prison now. Eldest Daughter of the Ji family, please come in."
Ji Zizhao nodded slightly and led the Ren family inside.
The Minister of the Dali Temple glanced at the Ren family members trailing behind without saying a word. It was clear that the Ren family had come to beg for mercy from the Ji family. He just didn't know how the Ren family had the audacity to utter the word "begging." If his own son had committed such an ungrateful act, he would have died of shame.
The Dali Temple prison was located in the deepest part of the Dali Temple courtyard. As the group approached the entrance, they heard a commotion from within.
Before the Minister of the Dali Temple could even inquire carefully, a prison guard ran out in a panic. "My lord, it's bad news! A mortal has committed suicide to avoid punishment!"
The Minister of the Dali Temple's heart skipped a beat. "Who?"
The prison guard swallowed and said, "It's Ren Jun."
Upon hearing this, the Minister of the Dali Temple's head spun. He motioned for Ji Zizhao to proceed inside and said to the prison guard, "What are you standing around for? Lead the way!"
When Madam Ren heard this news, it was like a bolt from the blue. She collapsed to the ground, unable to even cry.
Old Madam Ren clutched her cane, feeling dizzy. However, she was much calmer than her daughter-in-law. Forcing back her grief, she followed behind Ji Zizhao.
The prisoners held in the Dali Temple prison were those involved in colluding with the Second Prince and the defeat at Luoyi. Now, as they watched the eldest daughter of the Ji family approaching rapidly in the company of the Minister of the Dali Temple, they peered through the iron bars of their cells and watched in silence.
The men of the Ji family fought for the people, not for fame. They had thought that by following the Second Prince, they were abandoning the darkness for the light and would finally be promoted and prosper. Yet now, the Ji family was rising against the tide, and they, who had betrayed the men of the Ji family, were imprisoned.
Looking at the eldest daughter of the Ji family, whom even the Minister of the Dali Temple had to show respect, how could they not regret their choices?
If they had followed the men of the Ji family to the death, they would have been martyrs, honored even in death.
But now, look at them – cast out of their families, imprisoned, a truly tragic sight.
Grand Tutor Zhao and Sun Yunxiao, seeing Ji Zizhao approaching from a distance, cowered in the shadows, wishing they could disappear into the ground. The one they had once despised as a useless waste now stood straighter than them. How could they possibly have any face?