Qing Zhu had not expected the Turkic soldiers to be so troublesome.
Just as she and the Second Young Lady were about to leave, a Turkic soldier rushed out. The axe he wielded was aimed at the corpses of the Ji family men. To protect their remains, the Second Young Lady was severely injured and, in the ensuing chaos, dropped her silver hairpin.
"There's no need to blame yourself for what has already passed," Ji Zi Zhao said, pulling up Qing Zhu, who was kneeling on the ground. She then turned to fetch her medicine box.
The wounds on the skin were manageable, but the severed bone was the most troublesome issue.
While today's events did not give the Turks any leverage, it did not mean they would give up entirely.
It was still best to proceed with caution.
"Lian Ju, dismantle the legs of the stool. They don't need to be too long, just about two inches each," Ji Zi Zhao instructed.
Lian Ju, without a word, walked directly to a stool in the hall.
To prevent her mistress from being distracted, Qing Zhu quietly left the inner room.
Ji Zi Zhao took the opportunity to remove Ji Zi Xiu's armor and began to staunch the bleeding and disinfect the wound.
She then opened her needle case and took out a bone needle, specially crafted by Chen Gang's men. Using the bone needle as a guide, she reconnected the broken bone, then stitched up the surrounding flesh. Finally, she used the wooden splints that Lian Ju had brought to immobilize Ji Zi Xiu's arm.
Setting the bone was not difficult; the challenge lay in waiting for the bone to heal, then tearing open the stitched flesh to remove the bone needle.
Ji Zi Xiu, lying on the bed, was already drenched in sweat from the pain. Her pale lips trembled as she whispered, "Big Sister, we… we must bring everyone back… home safely… Grandfather said, 'May the flowers be beautiful and the moon full, for a family reunion'…"
'May the flowers be beautiful and the moon full, for a family reunion.'
These were words their grandfather had spoken to them all during the Mid-Autumn Festival last year.
At that time, the Ji family had been prosperous, with many children and grandchildren. Yet, in just one year, they had been torn apart.
Ji Zi Zhao suppressed the flicker of pain in her eyes, carefully tucked her second sister in, and then turned to leave the inner room.
Qing Zhu, who had been waiting in the outer hall, spoke softly when she saw her mistress emerge, "The corpses of the Ji family men have all been sent to a pharmacy west of the city. Shopkeeper Chen is there with his men."
Chen Gang and his men had followed the Yu Lin army and entered the city with them.
"Go and inform Shopkeeper Chen that he must not show himself in Luo Yi for the time being. Once things calm down a bit, I will go and see him personally."
Given General Mu Man's calculations, he had likely already sent people to search the inn without a trace.
If the Ji family men's corpses were not found in the inn, he would surely suspect that there was someone assisting them within Luo Yi city.
Fortunately, the four major medical halls had sent doctors in advance. Even if Chen Gang and his men were temporarily unable to move about, it would not be a major issue.
As Qing Zhu departed, Ji Zi Zhao turned her gaze slightly towards the window.
In the dark night sky, the shadow of the moon appeared and disappeared intermittently.
The words her second sister had just spoken echoed in her ears, and Ji Zi Zhao whispered softly, "We will definitely go back safely."
News of the peace talks in Luo Yi city soon reached the Imperial City.
Emperor Xiao Chang let out a sigh of relief upon hearing that Yu Lin had achieved peace with the Turks at minimal cost.
However, upon learning that the Tenth Prince would accompany General Mu Man to the Turkic territory as a hostage for five years, he fell into a prolonged daze, a rare occurrence for him.
Soon, a royal decree announcing the peace talks with the Turks was posted throughout the Imperial City.
The Imperial City erupted in cheers and jubilation.
The Turks, who had been a thorn in Yu Lin's side for decades, were finally willing to make peace. This was momentous good news for everyone in Yu Lin.
News of this tremendous joy reached the Ji family, and the Second Mistress burst into tears.
Ever since Ji Zi Xiu had gone with the army to Luo Yi, the Second Mistress, Yu Feng Lan, had spent her days by the side of the First Mistress, Lin Wan Yun, reciting Buddhist scriptures and praying, hoping for her daughter's safe return.
Now that peace had been made with the Turks, did that mean her daughter was also safe?
In contrast to the Second Mistress's tears of joy, the First Mistress, Lin Wan Yun, remained deeply worried. She continued to go to the ancestral temple daily to burn incense and pray for the ancestors to protect her daughter and ensure her swift return.
One day, as the First Mistress Lin Wan Yun returned from the ancestral temple, she saw her old nurse entering with a letter.
"First Mistress, the First Eldest Aunt has sent someone with a letter, saying she has an urgent matter to discuss with you."
After speaking, the old nurse seemed to realize something was amiss and added in a low voice, "In my humble opinion, First Mistress could simply find an excuse to decline. The First Eldest Aunt has always been arrogant. If she calls it an urgent matter, it's likely just a polite way of saying she wants you to do her bidding like a servant."
The First Mistress Lin Wan Yun knew Ji Ru Yun's temperament well, but considering they were family, she tidied herself up briefly and hurried out with the letter.
Upon hearing that the First Mistress was going out, Zhang Ji quickly hitched the carriage himself and followed.
However, upon reaching the Jin residence, he had no reason to follow further and could only watch as the First Mistress entered the Jin family's gates alone.
Led by a maidservant, the First Mistress Lin Wan Yun was brought to the main courtyard of the Jin residence.
While called a main courtyard, it was surprisingly empty, with no extra servants in sight.
Ji Ru Yun, who was waiting in the flower hall, saw the First Mistress Lin Wan Yun and, for once, enthusiastically rose to greet her. "Sister-in-law arrived so quickly! Please, come in and let's talk."
Pulling the First Mistress Lin Wan Yun to sit beside her, Ji Ru Yun began to reminisce about past events.
The First Mistress Lin Wan Yun had no intention of indulging in pleasantries here. After listening to Ji Ru Yun's rambling for quite some time, she finally spoke, "There are still many matters to arrange at home. I wonder what business has compelled Jun Mei to seek me out specifically?"
Ji Ru Yun was taken aback by the First Mistress Lin Wan Yun's lack of tact. She hummed unhappily to herself, but dared not show any displeasure on her face. Instead, she enthusiastically clasped the First Mistress Lin Wan Yun's hand. "This matter… I don't quite know how to begin. Perhaps I should first introduce you to some guests."
The maidservant, understanding the situation, quickly left to fetch them.
A short while later, a Madam entered with a young woman.
It was Gu Pei Lan and Ji Ren Ran!
The First Mistress Lin Wan Yun's expression changed slightly upon seeing them, but she quickly regained her composure.
Ji Ru Yun then beckoned Gu Pei Lan and Ji Ren Ran over and said, as if with difficulty, "I have brought them here, but I cannot involve myself in your affairs. Ultimately, you will have to explain yourselves to Sister-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Ji Ren Ran stepped forward a few paces and knelt before the First Mistress Lin Wan Yun. "Greetings, First Mistress."
As she spoke, tears began to stream down her face.
She appeared truly pathetic and pitiable.
The First Mistress Lin Wan Yun calmly withdrew her leg. "I do not know this young lady. It would be more appropriate for her to address me as the First Mistress of the Ji family, or perhaps Aunt."
Ji Ren Ran was taken aback by the First Mistress Lin Wan Yun's harsh words, and her face paled slightly.
Gu Pei Lan quickly stepped forward, a mixture of grievance and solicitousness in her voice. "If others were to address you as such, it would indeed be unsuitable. However, for Ren Ran to do so is perfectly fitting. First Mistress, you may not know, but my Ren Ran is the daughter of the Ji family's Eldest Master!"