Yi Ye Bao Fu

Chapter 299 Smashing the Main Courtyard in Rage

Rumors in the imperial city lingered. The Ji family, outwardly calm, remained the subject of public gossip. Days passed without word from the main courtyard to Ji Zizhao. Ji Ziyan, fearing the grandmother would simply gloss over the matter, came to Zhaoyuan to express her indignation. "Grandmother is truly going too far. I never imagined she could be so openly biased." Seeing her elder sister, who had visibly thinned since her return, Ji Ziyan felt a surge of anger. Regardless of who was involved, the grandmother's excuse of illness to evade the issue was disheartening. Ji Zizhao patted her third sister's shoulder. "The more so, the more interesting it becomes." Ji Zizhao had deliberately escalated the situation for two reasons. First, to inform the court that the Ji family harbored no male heirs in secret. Second, to make sure all the common people were aware of the truth. Now, even if Ji Zizhao didn't watch, the entire imperial city was. How could the grandmother possibly sweep this under the rug? However, through the current situation, Ji Zizhao had identified some hidden problems. Seeing her elder sister suddenly smile, Ji Ziyan feared she was unwell from brooding. "Elder sister, don't scare me." Ji Zizhao shook her head. "I just thought of something quite intriguing. Eldest Aunt is Grandmother's biological daughter, so Grandmother's favoritism is understandable. Ji Zongyou and Ji Renran were raised in secret by Grandmother, so the debt of nurture is also understandable. But Gu Peilan is an outsider." Ji Ziyan's eyes widened as if she understood. Their grandmother was indeed biased, but she had never possessed a soft, compassionate heart typical of women. Regardless of who was involved, if the grandmother wanted to resolve the issue, she could simply push out Gu Peilan, who had no relation, to take the blame! Unless... Grandmother didn't intend to deal with Gu Peilan, but couldn't! Ji Zizhao knew well that Gu Peilan must have found a powerful patron. Seeing that her third sister had understood, she paused and said, "This matter still requires your careful attention." Thinking of the rumors circulating in the city about Gu Peilan's prominent family, Ji Zizhao felt uneasy. After all, with Gu Peilan's capabilities, how could she possibly have befriended the true influential figures of the imperial city? Third sister had been the daughter-in-law of Grand Tutor Zhao, and the women she associated with were all of comparable status. For such inside information, it was more convenient to approach through the back door. Preparedness was essential for peace of mind. "Don't worry, elder sister. The Liu family from the east of the city just sent flower viewing invitations. I will inquire thoroughly then." Ji Ziyan had come to see her elder sister, only to be comforted and to have the situation clearly analyzed. She felt a pang of guilt and resolved to handle the matter impeccably. After sitting for a while longer, Ji Ziyan rose to leave. Not long after Ji Ziyan departed, a commotion erupted in the front courtyard. Ji Zizhao summoned Shuiling to investigate. "Go and see what has happened." Shuiling went quickly and returned even faster, her face full of anxiety. "Miss, something has happened!" Ji Zizhao frowned slightly, hearing Shuiling continue, "The gatekeepers at the front courtyard said the Fourth Miss has returned and is... is smashing the main courtyard..." Before Shuiling could finish, Ji Zizhao stood up and headed towards the main courtyard. Shuiling, terrified, grabbed a cloak draped nearby and hurried after her mistress. In the main courtyard, chaos reigned. Ji Zibi had left the imperial city before the New Year to transport medicinal herbs. She was supposed to arrive back at the end of the year, but a heavy snowstorm had blocked the roads, delaying her for over half a month. She had only just managed to return. Upon entering the city, she heard the rumors circulating. Thinking of the despicable actions her grandmother and others had taken against her elder sister, how could Ji Zibi tolerate it? As Ji Zizhao entered the main courtyard, she heard the earth-shattering cries of the servants. All of them had injuries, kneeling on the ground in disarray, their heads bowed in fear. In the main hall, Ji Zibi had Gu Peilan by the throat, her face contorted with rage. "Are you the one who infiltrated the Ji family?" Gu Peilan was terrified, her face purple, unable to speak. She had heard that the second daughter of the Ji family was reckless, but she never knew that the fourth daughter was also so formidable. Sitting nearby, Ji Ruyun berated Ji Zibi for her lack of decorum. "This is outrageous! Mother is ill in bed, and you juniors are one after another causing trouble! Have you learned all your rules in the dog's belly?" Ji Ruyun didn't wish Gu Peilan well, but she hadn't expected Gu Peilan to die. If Gu Peilan died, whom would she hold accountable for Lin Wanyun's affairs? Ji Zibi heard the scolding and actually released her grip. Gu Peilan fell heavily to the ground, her bones nearly breaking. Ji Ruyun, seeing this, became even more self-righteous in her scolding. "Look at what you've all become! This household has no discipline at all..." Before she could finish, a kick flew towards her. Ji Ruyun, completely unprepared, was sent flying along with her stool, landing on the ground. The maids in the room rushed to help her. "Eldest Aunt..." The younger daughters of the Ji family, except for Ji Zizhao who refused to practice martial arts, were all skilled in combat. Now, with Ji Zibi's kick, Ji Ruyun felt her vision darken, her internal organs twisting. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could make a sound, she was in so much pain that she vomited. Ji Zibi stood still, watching with a cold gaze. Gu Peilan seized the opportunity to cry out, "Murder! Fourth Miss Ji is trying to murder me!" Ji Zibi turned towards Gu Peilan and kicked her again in the stomach. Ji Renran, who had been tending to the old madam in the inner room, rushed out. Seeing her mother being beaten, she rushed forward, embracing her mother and tearfully looked at Ji Zibi. "I heard Fourth Sister had returned and was happy. I never expected Fourth Sister to start hitting people as soon as she entered. What kind of logic is that? Aren't you afraid Grandmother will blame you!" Ji Renran thought that by invoking the grandmother's authority, Ji Zibi would have to stop, no matter what. Furthermore, she was different from others. She had been attending to the grandmother during this time, and all the servants in the Ji family respected and looked up to her. Ji Zibi coldly regarded the unfamiliar face before her. After a moment, she raised her foot again. However, she did not step away but instead stomped on Gu Peilan's stomach again. Gu Peilan cried out in pain and fainted. Ji Renran stared at Ji Zibi in disbelief. How dare she?! The maids in the room, seeing that even Renran, who held the most favor with the old madam, was powerless, felt as if doomsday had arrived. Suddenly, the heavy door curtain was violently thrown open, and a gust of cold wind swept in. Ji Zibi turned her cold gaze back. When she saw the figure at the door, thinner than in her memory, the sharpness in her eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a gaze filled with unshed tears. She was still the elder sister in her heart, yet she was thinner and colder. Although her expression remained calm and composed, her dark eyes hid a piercing sharpness.