Ji Ziyun, having already concealed the truth from her mother to avoid worrying her eldest sister, readily offered a pre-rehearsed explanation, "It was nearing the end of the year, and the capital was in disarray. I suppose some people who couldn't afford to eat wanted to snatch some money for the New Year."
Ji Zizhao frowned. "Did you report it to the authorities?"
Ji Ziyun shook her head. "Life is becoming increasingly difficult in this era, and everyone is struggling. Moreover, I wasn't seriously injured. I let the matter go."
Seeing that her third sister's injuries were indeed not severe, Ji Zizhao did not press further.
However, Ji Ziyun could not fully relax.
Since her mother had gone to speak with her eldest sister, she was bound to mention her intention to remarry. Therefore, before Ji Zizhao could even ask, Ji Ziyun took the initiative, "Eldest Sister, have you heard everything?"
Ji Zizhao smiled. "You know our third aunt's temperament; she's always in a hurry and couldn't have explained things in much detail. If you're willing to elaborate, I'm all ears."
Looking at her elder sister's gentle and soft demeanor, Ji Ziyun felt her burden lighten considerably. How she wished her mother could be like her eldest sister.
"He truly saved my life, but I'm not marrying him merely to repay his kindness. Eldest Sister, you know I don't want to live a life where I have to constantly cater to others' moods. It just so happens that he is willing to marry into the Ji family..."
"Does he treat you well?"
Ji Ziyun paused, surprised that her eldest sister would ask such a question.
Ji Zizhao continued, "You are my sister. In my eyes, all external factors are secondary. The most important thing is whether you will be happy and content. Ziyun, I entrusted you with managing the Ji family's household affairs so that you would have a fulfilling life, not to burden you further. So, all you need to tell me is whether he treats you well."
Ji Ziyun's throat tightened, and she felt her vision blur as she looked at her eldest sister.
This was her eldest sister, always standing by her side, sheltering her from the storm.
"He is..." The simple word was enough to make Ji Ziyun break down in tears.
Ji Zizhao rose and gently wiped away the falling tears. "Since that is the case, cherish it well. As for third aunt, you can rest assured; Eldest Sister will handle everything."
Ji Ziyun nodded heavily and suddenly threw herself into her eldest sister's arms.
Ever since she decided to take in a live-in son-in-law, everyone in the household had vehemently objected. Even her aunts and uncles had subtly persuaded her against bringing shame upon the Ji family, as if her decision would make her a sinner.
But she truly just wanted to live her own life.
By the time Ji Zizhao returned to her own courtyard, the sky outside had long since darkened.
Inside, Shuiling was making the bed. Ji Zizhao, however, felt no hint of sleepiness. "Go and fetch Uncle Ji."
Shuiling nodded, picked up a lantern, and went out.
Ji Zizhao sat by the couch, picked up the warming pot on the table, and gently caressed it. The warmth in her palm could not reach her heart.
When her third sister spoke of being beaten, she dared not meet her eyes, clearly trying to evade something. Ji Zizhao did not press the issue further, not wanting to force her sister, but that did not mean she would overlook this matter.
Ji Zizhao became even more curious: who could make her third sister so tight-lipped?
When Zhang Ji entered, he saw his young lady lost in thought, her dark eyes seeming to pierce through the cold wind, making anyone who glanced at her dare not look a second time.
"Young Lady."
Ji Zizhao snapped back to attention and asked Zhang Ji, "Uncle Ji, did you hear about third sister being beaten?"
"I did hear... Is there something suspicious about it?" Zhang Ji recalled that when the third young lady was brought back, she had been unconscious. He had heard that the third young lady was beaten and had already prepared to lead guards out to seek retribution. However, when the third young lady woke up and insisted on not pursuing the matter, he did not interfere further.
"In the capital, under the Emperor's gaze, who would dare to rob in broad daylight and be tired of living? Every carriage belonging to our Ji family bears our emblem. Those who truly harbor ill intentions would only dare to engage in petty theft. Uncle Ji, in your years in the capital, have you ever heard of any official family members being robbed?"
Zhang Ji felt as though a bolt of lightning had struck him upon hearing these words.
"The capital is neither too big nor too small. If this matter occurred, there must be traces. I trouble Uncle Ji to investigate thoroughly and ascertain the reason for third sister's beating."
"Young Lady, rest assured, this is what I should do."
Zhang Ji took his orders and turned to leave, only to be called back by Ji Zizhao. "Uncle Ji, do you know where the person who brought third sister back is now?"
Zhang Ji faltered, clearly evasive. After a moment of silence, he replied, "He is living in the servants' quarters."
Ji Zizhao nodded and said nothing more, but Zhang Ji's expression had not escaped her notice. Stroking the warming pot in her hand, she headed out the door again.
Zhang Ji was loyal and upright, with a strong moral compass. It was incredibly difficult for any of the household's servants to earn his approval. Once, Granny Xu, who had served the grandmother, sought his assistance, but Zhang Ji maintained a strictly professional demeanor. Because of this, Granny Xu had often spoken ill of him to the grandmother.
Yet, just now, Zhang Ji had clearly been reluctant to tell Ji Zizhao where that man was.
It was an unspoken act of protection.
Ji Zizhao walked towards the courtyard where the servants resided. As she reached the entrance, she heard the sound of a broom sweeping.
In the light of the lantern hanging at the entrance, she saw a tall man with his head bowed, diligently sweeping the courtyard. The other servants were inside, gambling with silver.
Perhaps one of the servants, having lost money, angrily threw a teacup from the window lattice.
With a "crack," the teacup shattered at the man's feet.
The man did not look up and continued sweeping the floor in silence, meticulously cleaning up the broken pieces.
The servant who had lost the money was not about to let it go and immediately shifted his anger to the man, sneering, "The future third son-in-law is quite good-tempered, isn't he? No wonder you're willing to be a live-in son-in-law."
The other servants, upon hearing this, also looked out the window lattice and mocked the man incessantly.
"Do you really think you can be the Ji family's favored son-in-law just because you saved the third young lady?"
"If I were you, I would have left long ago. There's no need to act like a subordinate in the Ji family day after day. No matter how much you try, the Ji family will definitely not take a liking to you!"
"Pee on a mirror and see what you look like! The third young lady must have been blind to fancy someone like you!"
The jeers from inside the window lattice were incessant and piercing.
The man, who had remained silent, suddenly dropped his broom and looked at the last servant who had spoken. "Say that again!"