The commoners had come to see off the men of the Ji family today. What should have been a scene of heartfelt gratitude was thoroughly ruined by the second master of the Ji family, leaving them filled with anger. If murder were not a crime, they would have already dismembered the second master of the Ji family. All the men of the Ji family were dead, and yet a branch family shamelessly licked blood from a steamed bun here? Had they no shame?
Ji Ziling was clever and knew that they would be the ones to suffer if they stayed. She quickly pulled her grandfather away, "We truly only wanted to break a brazier for the Ji family's eldest uncle. We never imagined it would cause so many misunderstandings. Today's funeral is of utmost importance. Grandfather, let's leave for now. Granddaughter knows you are worried about the old madam, but no matter what, we cannot delay the funeral. After today, granddaughter will accompany you to personally apologize."
The second master's face turned pale, and he was speechless. He only knew to drag his grandson and quickly leave. The trio, who had arrived with so much arrogance, now departed in utter disgrace.
Ji Zixiu had been so excited yesterday about being able to break a brazier for the Ji family's general's mansion that he hadn't slept a wink, even envisioning his future prosperous life. "Grandfather, what exactly is going on?" Ji Zixiu gnashed his teeth, unwilling to give up.
The second master was already full of resentment. Hearing his grandson question him, his temper flared, "What right do you have to speak to me in that tone? Don't forget, without me, you wouldn't have even been able to enter the Ji family's general's mansion today. Ultimately, it's your own incompetence. If you had endured those few lashes back then, why would I be here suffering such disgrace with you!" Ji Zixiu felt wronged by his grandfather's scolding but dared not speak.
Just then, the third master of the Ji family, along with his grandson Ji Ziliang, squeezed through the crowd. Bad news travels fast, good news never leaves the house. Before the third master could even reach the Ji family's main gate, he heard the commoners whispering about the Ji family's affairs. Seeing his second brother now, how could he control his anger?
"Good for you, you schemer! Yesterday, when I discussed this with you, you said we'd come together at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM). Yet, you brought your grandson here early! I even called you my second brother, but I see you truly deserve to be kicked out of the Ji family!" The third master's voice was naturally loud, and with this outburst, he drew the attention of the commoners on the street.
It was at this moment that the commoners realized the second master of the Ji family was far more shameless than they had imagined, having plotted since last night. Truly, there was no end to shamelessness.
The second master felt a sting from the commoners' gazes and stepped forward, trying to stop his brother, "We can discuss this later..." However, the third master was not to be stopped. Pushing the second master aside, he continued to rant, "You're doing such disgusting things, and you don't want anyone to talk about it? Oh, I remember now, what did you say to me yesterday? You said no matter what, the old madam of the Ji family was just senile, and that Ji Zizhao of the Ji family was either a good-for-nothing or just a little girl. As long as we rushed to break the brazier, our grandsons would be able to gain favor under the Ji family's general's mansion..." Su Dan Novel Network.
The second master was already overwhelmed with shame, and now his last shred of dignity was torn apart by his brother. Enraged, he collapsed straight to the ground. Seeing this, Ji Ziliang sneered, "Serves you right!" Ji Zixiu, already upset, his eyes turned red upon hearing this and he shoved Ji Ziliang. Ji Ziliang did not expect Ji Zixiu to dare to lay hands on him. By the time he reacted, his body had already crashed backward.
"Waaah, waah, waah!" Suddenly, a loud child's cry erupted in the crowd. Under Ji Zixiu's shove, Ji Ziliang had knocked over a three-year-old child. The child's face scraped against the ground, tearing off half the skin.
"Thump, thump... Thump, thump..." The sound of horse hooves approached from afar. Xie Jingqi had been woken up from his bed by Tang Di, the fourth brother's attendant, half an hour ago. Although Xie Jingqi looked down on Ji Zizhao, he had always admired the old general of the Ji family. Hearing from Tang Di that today was the grand funeral day for the old general, he had ridden out without even washing his face. Along the way, he heard about the shameless schemes of the Ji family's branch family. Now, he personally witnessed the Ji family's branch family bullying a child in the street.
The seventh prince was known for his fiery temper in the imperial city, and he would not stand idly by at this sight. How dare they cause trouble on the day of the funeral of someone he revered? If they were tired of living, they should just say so!
"Guards!" With a wave of his hand, Xie Jingqi signaled the two guards who followed him. "Causing a disturbance in the street, disrupting order in the imperial city, and even attempting to prevent the spirits of the Ji family's men from departing, send all these people to Fengtian Prefecture!" The guards, without question, grabbed Ji Ziliang and Ji Zixiu and led them away. Seeing this, the third master's eyes rolled in desperation. The commoners, witnessing this, all silently praised their good fortune. Soon, the news of the seventh prince's intervention spread from one end of the street to the other.
When Ji Zizhao walked out from the back courtyard, she heard the female members of the Ji family discussing the matter. Seeing her elder sister, Ji Ziyan quickly walked over and explained the whole story, then asked, "Eldest sister, should we personally go and thank the seventh prince?"
Ji Zizhao found the seventh prince's appearance both expected and unexpected. Since the fourth prince had proposed an alliance with her in secret, he would not miss any opportunity to show goodwill. Therefore, Ji Zizhao was certain that this matter had passed through the fourth prince's hands. As for why the seventh prince had appeared twice, Ji Zizhao truly had no mood to consider it at the moment. After all, she had never intended to ally with anyone from the royal family.
"Since the seventh prince only intervened and did not personally come to our door, it shows he does not wish to escalate the matter. Time is short, our priority is the funeral." Ji Ziyan nodded and quickly instructed a servant to clear the way. Ji Zizhao then walked to her mother's side and tightly held her arm.
With the cry of "Lift the coffin!" the cenotaph that had been placed in the Ji family's front courtyard for many days was carried out by the servants. Although it was a cenotaph, it was still a memento. Seeing them carried out of the mansion one by one, how could the female members of the Ji family bear it? The commoners on the street were all moved, and amidst the weeping of the Ji family's women, they silently lowered their heads, clearing a path towards the city gate.