Rumors flew within the imperial city, spreading like wildfire from person to person, far more thrilling than any storyteller's tale.
Just as the common folk hadn't quite processed the news, another explosive piece of information followed.
It was rumored that the eldest daughter of the Ji family had returned to the imperial city precisely because she had received news of the death of the Ji family's eldest madam, and had come back to uncover the truth for her mother. Further whispers suggested that the eldest madam of the Ji family had visited the Jin family before her death, and had been carried out of the Jin family's residence, lifeless.
Upon hearing this, the citizens of the imperial city erupted even further.
The situation was truly boiling over.
The common folk initially thought the eldest daughter of the Ji family was disrespectful and ruthless in her methods.
But now, it had escalated into a murder case, even involving sisters-in-law and sisters-in-law…
With such a messy entanglement, some citizens began to question whether the concubine who had entered the family later was entirely innocent.
For a time, two opposing streams of rumors crisscrossed the imperial city.
Indeed, one wave of gossip was higher than the next.
Soon, these rumors reached the Ji family.
At this moment, ladies had been invited to attend a banquet at the Ji family's residence. They had intended to get acquainted with the new eldest madam of the Ji family, but before they had even settled in, they heard this.
The guests filling the courtyard were in an awkward position, unsure whether to stay or go.
Ji Zizhao descended from her carriage amidst the flying rumors throughout the city.
Accompanying Ji Zizhao back to the Ji family were not only the madams from various branches, but also the coffin of Lin Wanyun.
As the madams from the various branches directed servants to lift a lacquered red coffin from the carriage, the guests in the courtyard were stunned to the point of numbness.
Hosting guests, with a coffin arriving at the doorstep.
What kind of household hosted guests like this?
But the crucial point was that the eldest daughter of the Ji family was now a county princess ennobled by the Emperor, so it was not their place to argue.
Fortunately, at this moment, Ji Renran also alighted from her carriage.
The guests present thought that they had been invited by the eldest madam of the Ji family, and as long as the eldest madam returned, things would be fine.
However, under the pleading gazes of the guests, they saw Ji Renran first order someone to lift the unconscious Gu Peilan from the carriage, and then, have the twice-as-unconscious Ji Zongyou carried down.
The guests: "…"
This was not a banquet to attend, but an event to be shocked.
Although the guests did not know what had happened, they knew they could no longer stay at the Ji family.
The eldest daughter of the Ji family had returned, and had already incapacitated two people. If they didn't leave, were they waiting to be incapacitated as well?
Almost instantly, all the guests in the courtyard vanished without a trace.
Ji Ziyan watched the guests scatter like birds and beasts, a cold sneer spreading across her face.
Especially when she thought of the terrified gazes with which they had looked at her elder sister, like they were seeing a monstrous flood, she found it even more amusing.
Since they were all there to curry favor with that side, what good could they be? It was good that they were scared.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan, always a thoughtful person, walked up to Ji Zizhao and choked back a sob, "Zhaojie'er, elder sister-in-law has returned like this. We must have proper ceremonies. Since no rites were performed before, why don't I simply have people set up a mourning hall? Now that she's back, let's give elder sister-in-law a proper send-off."
Ji Zizhao was already thinking along these lines, so she nodded and said, "Then I will trouble Second Aunt."
Her voice, exhausted, was so hoarse it was difficult to distinguish whether she was male or female.
Yet, even so, Ji Zizhao stood upright, showing no sign of weariness.
This Ji Zizhao moved the ladies present to pity her.
From the death of all the men in the Ji family, to clearing the Ji family's name, and then single-handedly rushing to Luoyi…
Even though Zhaojie'er said she wasn't tired, they felt exhausted just watching her.
Back then, when they had entered this household, which of them hadn't had their own difficulties? It was always elder sister-in-law who stepped forward to support and resolve them.
Now that elder sister-in-law was gone, how could they face their consciences if they didn't take good care of Zhaojie'er?
Hearing the Second Madam's suggestion, the Third Madam and Fourth Madam also came to help. The madams, like herding chickens and ducks, shooed Ji Zizhao towards the back courtyard, wanting her to rest.
Ji Zizhao was truly tired, and with the days ahead likely to be tumultuous, she did not refuse.
He Ma Ma was busy directing the maids in the courtyard to clean when she suddenly heard footsteps approaching from a distance.
He Ma Ma straightened up with a look of caution, only to see a familiar figure.
Upon closer inspection, He Ma Ma's eyes immediately reddened, "Miss!"
Shui Ling, standing nearby, looked up at the sound. Upon seeing the figure clearly, she rushed over, tears of excitement welling up, "It really is Miss returning!"
Dressed in a white robe with her long hair tied up, anyone else would have praised her for her heroic and valiant demeanor.
But He Ma Ma was filled with concern. Her small, palm-sized face had lost all its flesh, and the robe she wore was too large, making the eldest daughter look as though she had no flesh at all.
"Heaven has blessed us! Miss has returned safely. Please go in and rest, and leave the rest to this old servant."
After seeing Ji Zizhao into the room, He Ma Ma became even more busy, ordering people to boil hot water while sending a list of simple dishes to the small kitchen. By the time all this was done, an hour had passed.
Lian Ju and Qing Zhu returned to Zhaoyuan, one keeping watch while the other rested, taking turns.
It seemed as though everyone had returned to their previous lives, but no one dared to mention the eldest madam.
Ji Zizhao was truly exhausted. After eating and bathing, every part of her body ached.
He Ma Ma, watching the preoccupied eldest daughter, her eyes remained red with worry.
Lian Ju, standing outside the window, waited until her lady had finished eating before lifting the curtain and entering. "Miss has been back for half a day, and there has been no movement from the main courtyard. Even the eldest aunt has sent no word. Should I personally invite the eldest aunt back?"
Upon mentioning the eldest aunt, He Ma Ma understood everything.
However, thinking that her lady had just returned, He Ma Ma couldn't help but frown and reprimand, "Why speak of this and trouble Miss?"
Ji Zizhao looked at He Ma Ma and shook her head gently. "What is bound to happen has already happened. What can escaping reality solve? He Ma Ma, there's no need to be so cautious. I can bear it."
He Ma Ma wanted to say something but finally sighed.
Judging by her demeanor, her lady probably knew everything.
Ji Zizhao then said to Lian Ju, "I will sleep for a while later. You should rest too. What is destined to come will come. No one can escape it, it's only a matter of time."
Seeing her lady speak like this, Lian Ju finally nodded and walked out.