"My Lady," Lady Lin Wanyun exclaimed, startled, as Ji Zizhao appeared. "What brings you here?"
Ji Zizhao settled obediently by her mother's side, leaning her head onto her mother's lap. "I'm leaving tomorrow, and I suddenly missed you."
Even with the memories from her previous life, the family who loved her in this one was real.
Lady Lin Wanyun sighed, stroking Ji Zizhao's lustrous black hair. "My child, you've always been different. In the past, I worried you were ill with some strange ailment. Later, I realized, as long as my daughter could live well, I desired nothing more."
"It's my fault for making Mother worry." At that time, she hadn't even figured out how to face this era, and had naturally kept her distance from those who loved her.
Fortunately, they were willing to wait for her.
"It's only natural for a mother to worry about her daughter. However, you must be extremely careful when you go to Luoyi..." Lady Lin Wanyun's voice caught. "If, if there is truly no other choice, then stay there... at least you'll be alive. Mother only wants you to live, do you understand?"
Ji Zizhao nodded. "Mother must also take care of herself. If matters at home become too complicated, Mother must discuss them with Third Sister. Do not take risks alone."
Lady Lin Wanyun's hand paused on Ji Zizhao's head. After a long moment, she said, "I will be safe here, don't worry. Mother will wait for your return."
Ji Zizhao couldn't say too much, and seeing her mother agree, she left it at that. Su Dan novel network.
After chatting with her mother for a while longer, Ji Zizhao left Cloud Courtyard.
Before she reached Bright Courtyard, she saw Zhang Ji approaching. "Eldest Young Lady."
Ji Zizhao gestured for them to talk as they walked. "I'm departing for Luoyi tomorrow. I'll be taking Qingzhu and Lianju with me. The Ji family will have to rely entirely on Uncle Ji here."
Zhang Ji nodded. "Eldest Young Lady, rest assured, I will protect the Ji family."
Ji Zizhao trusted Zhang Ji, but she still had to give instructions. "Uncle Ji, please take special care of Mother."
The ambition over there was obvious.
She feared that after she left, the other party would still be coveting the Ji family.
There were too many things that were inconvenient to explain. She could only instruct Zhang Ji to stay by her mother's side at all times to prevent desperate measures.
Zhang Ji didn't fully understand what his young lady was worried about, but he diligently agreed.
Qingzhu was already waiting at the entrance of Bright Courtyard. Seeing her mistress approach, she said nothing and followed silently into the room. Only when they were alone did she take out a letter from her embrace.
The envelope was blank, with no signature.
Ji Zizhao already knew who the letter was from.
Indeed, upon opening it, Jian Qiu's handwriting greeted her eyes.
Jian Qiu informed her in the letter that she needed to remain in the palace for some time longer. After Ji Zizhao returned from Luoyi, she would personally leave the palace to follow her.
Ji Zizhao understood that Jian Qiu feared she might never return.
Jian Qiu had always been loyal to the Empress Dowager, and serving by her side was likely to fulfill the Empress Dowager's dying wish.
If she were to truly remain in Luoyi, Jian Qiu would have no reason to leave the palace.
However, Jian Qiu also shared a piece of news with Ji Zizhao.
This time, when going to Luoyi, the Emperor had not assigned any of the renowned young generals who had once commanded armies.
Instead, he had entrusted the entire matter to a newly appointed young general to lead the escort.
Ji Zizhao read the last word of the letter before tossing it into the candlestick.
Yu Lin had no shortage of experienced young generals, yet the Emperor had assigned this task to an inexperienced new one.
In this way, even if conflicts arose with the Turks, the losses would only be of inexperienced rookies.
It was clear that the Emperor intended to minimize the losses.
If that was the case...
Ji Zizhao rose and walked to the cabinet in the inner room.
She gently opened the topmost drawer, and a faint scent of blood wafted out.
Reaching in, she took out a snakeskin bag stained with blood and carefully tucked it into her chest.
Qingzhu watched her mistress's actions, a sense of dread creeping in.
This item had never been taken out by her mistress since it was given to her by the Old Master.
"Qingzhu, go and call Lianju back. The army departs tomorrow, and you will accompany me to Luoyi."
Qingzhu quickly took her orders and hurried out.
The early winter wind had blown all night, and even as dawn broke, it showed no signs of stopping.
As the hour of Yin arrived, sounds echoed from the various courtyards of the Ji family.
Just as Ji Ziyan rose, Shui Huan reported, "Miss, the other Madams have also risen."
Ji Ziyan knew that her paternal aunts and uncles were there to see off her eldest sister, so she instructed, "Arrange for the main kitchen to prepare some delicious food. Breakfast today needn't be so frugal."
Ji Ziyan thought of how late she had been busy yesterday and hadn't had a chance to talk with her eldest sister. She quickly changed her clothes and headed towards Bright Courtyard.
However, as she entered Bright Courtyard, she shook her head in disbelief.
This, how could this be possible...
Before long, the Madams from the various households gathered in the front hall of the main courtyard.
Unexpectedly, the Old Madam, who usually kept to herself, had also risen early.
"Don't look so glum later, it's inauspicious," the Old Madam instructed.
For the first time, the Old Madam felt a trace of reluctance for her granddaughter, Ji Zizhao. After all, many people had claimed to want to show her filial piety over the years, but only Zhaojie'er had truly done so.
If Zhaojie'er truly didn't return, who would continue to show her filial piety?
The other Madams forced a smile upon hearing this.
As a result, Ji Ziyan rushed in, her eyes immediately reddening as she looked at the elders in the room.
Third Madam Yin Wenying walked over with concern. "Why are you crying so early in the morning? Did something happen?"
Ji Ziyan nodded, then quickly shook her head.
Third Madam Yin Wenying grew more anxious. "My heavens, tell me what's going on!"
Ji Ziyan choked back sobs for a long time before saying with a tearful voice, "Eldest Sister has already left!"
Left?!
As these words were spoken, those in the front hall were startled.
The Old Madam blurted out, "When did she leave?"
Ji Ziyan shook her head. "I don't know. When I arrived at Bright Courtyard, Nanny He said Eldest Sister had already left."
Upon hearing this, the Old Madam sighed heavily.
The other Madams all turned to look at Lady Lin.
Lady Lin Wanyun forced back the sorrow spreading through her heart. "She's gone, she's gone. Let's continue eating."
The meal that followed was unusually silent.
Never before had they felt such reluctance for Ji Zizhao.
They even felt such fear...
Ji Zizhao might truly never return!