In the main hall of the central courtyard, the daughters-in-law of the Ji family were all present.
Following seniority, Lin Wanyun sat to the left of the Old Madam, followed by the other daughters-in-law of the Ji family in turn.
When Ji Zizhao entered, she saw Ji Ruyun seated beside the Old Madam. She wore a flowing, floor-length ancient-patterned skirt with double butterflies and cloud shapes, paired with a pale mist-like gauze embroidered with peonies on her arms. Her brows were raised high, her face etched with an air of arrogance.
The Ji Ruyun of the past was not easy to get along with, and her gaze today was particularly sharp.
Ji Zizhao stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings to Grandmother, greetings to Aunt."
Ji Ruyun casually appraised Ji Zizhao, her eyes clearly holding a hint of mockery. "I thought you were someone who wouldn't speak, but now you're主动 (zhǔdòng - proactive) willing to bow and greet. Truly, you think wearing a dragon robe makes you a prince." Su Dan Novel Network.
Ji Zizhao knew that Ji Ruyun had always disliked her, or rather, she disdained every young lady of the Ji family. However, the second young lady was too troublesome to provoke, the third young lady was beyond her reach, and the fourth young lady was not someone she could bother. Therefore, whenever she returned to the manor, she would only pick fault with Ji Zizhao.
The Ji Zizhao of the past would have been too lazy to argue, but now…
She was not in the mood to indulge anyone anymore.
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly, "Aunt speaks wisely. Since one is the head of the household, one should act like it."
Ji Ruyun snorted disdainfully and turned to chat with her mother about everyday matters.
As expected, she was still just that useless and incompetent good-for-nothing. It was quite the effort for her to rush back specifically.
Lin Wanyun, the eldest daughter-in-law, sitting beside them, clutched her handkerchief, feeling a pang of unease.
No matter what, Zha'er was now the head of the Ji family. How could the eldest aunt behave so unbecomingly as an elder?
Ji Zizhao found her way to her mother's side and sat down, a faint smile gracing her lips as she took her mother's hand.
A commoner may display momentary courage, a brute may vent momentary anger.
She had not come today to bicker with Ji Ruyun.
Lin Wanyun, the eldest daughter-in-law, seeing this, assumed Zha'er had swallowed her pride, and her heart ached all the more.
If Zha'er had obediently married the Fifth Prince, she would now be enjoying a life of comfort by his side.
Even if she were just a concubine…
The third daughter-in-law, Yin Wenying, and the second daughter-in-law, Yu Fenglan, looked at the silent Ji Zizhao and felt like laughing their heads off.
Xiao Jingshu, the fourth daughter-in-law, quietly observed the eldest young lady, who remained quiet, with a look of cautious curiosity.
Yesterday, she had received a letter from her daughter, imploring her not to join in the teasing and tormenting of the eldest young lady with the rest of the household, and stating that the eldest young lady was not someone the people in the manor could easily trouble.
Originally, she had been somewhat curious about this young lady who always stayed within her courtyard, thinking she might be quite formidable. But it turned out…
Perhaps she was nothing special after all.
In the room, two factions gradually formed.
Ji Ruyun chatted merrily with the Old Madam.
The others listened, feeling as though they were sitting on pins and needles.
After all, this eldest aunt, upon returning to her maiden home, only knew how to ask for things and money.
Just like now, Ji Ruyun, holding the Old Madam's hand, was acting spoiled, saying, "The shops under Xuanping Marquis's estate haven't been doing well lately. I don't know what's happened to the pharmacies in the imperial city; they've suddenly stopped buying medicinal herbs from the shops under Xuanping Marquis's estate. Mother, you know, if the estate isn't doing well, then I can't do well either…"
"You've spent a lot of money there over the years. When will this end?" the Old Madam sighed. How could she not know that her daughter, in her desire to gain importance in Xuanping Marquis's estate, had poured a significant amount of real gold and silver there over the years?
If it were the Ji family of the past, it would have been fine. She had only one daughter, so she had to dote on her.
But now the Ji family was in turmoil, and even she feared for her own safety.
Ji Ruyun was displeased upon hearing this. "Who am I trying to establish myself in Xuanping Marquis's estate for? Is it not for our Ji family? If the Ji family is truly convicted, will Xuanping Marquis's estate really stand idly by?"
If Xuanping Marquis wanted to help the Ji family, why would he wait until the Ji family was convicted?
However, these words were something the Old Madam could not explain to her spoiled daughter.
Just then, Xinlan entered with a red wooden box.
Ji Zizhao stood up, took the red wooden box, and opened it in front of everyone.
Inside were piles of whole velvet antler.
"This was specially brought back for me by Grandfather years ago when he went to Youzhou. Aunt, you've come in a hurry today, and I haven't had time to prepare anything. If Aunt doesn't mind, please accept this as a token of my filial piety."
The whole velvet antler, the tip of the deer antler, is the most nutritious part.
Even in the capital, such a thing was not common. Ordinary wealthy families would be content with a few slices.
But now…
It was a large box full!
Ji Ruyun's eyes widened as she looked at the velvet antler. However, not wanting to lose face in front of her juniors, she suppressed her desire and said, "It's just a pile of worthless things. Do you think everyone is like you, hiding in their courtyards all day and seeing nothing of the world?"
Ji Zizhao smiled and paid no mind. She handed the box to Xinlan and instructed, "Such a light item, I truly dare not trouble Aunt to take it back. Please deliver this velvet antler to Xuanping Marquis's estate personally."
Xinlan took the box and nodded, then left.
Ji Ruyun suppressed her internal joy and casually turned her gaze away, feigning indifference.
What Ji family head? In the end, wasn't she still trying to please her?
The second daughter-in-law, Yu Fenglan, and the third daughter-in-law, Yin Wenying, were so disgusted they didn't know how to express themselves.
They all knew this eldest young lady was a coward, but they never expected her to be so spineless.
Yin Wenying, the third daughter-in-law, even took the initiative to tease, "The eldest young lady got up early just to come and deliver velvet antler to the eldest aunt, right?"
With the gift presented, the show was about to begin.
Ji Zizhao, who had already intended to get to the point, simply followed Yin Wenying's words and smiled, "Of course not. It will soon be time to pay the official taxes. I plan to take advantage of this handover day to collect the official taxes."
The official taxes in Yulin encompassed not only merchants but all official government offices.
Yin Wenying, the second daughter-in-law, frowned. "The amount of official tax is the same every year. Why bring up such a small matter on the handover day?"
Yin Wenying, the third daughter-in-law, snorted, "She can't even distinguish between primary and secondary matters. Such a small issue needs to be brought up publicly. If outsiders knew the current head of the Ji family was so incompetent, wouldn't they laugh their heads off?"
Ji Zizhao smiled, her expression unchanged. "This year, I intend to hand over all the money on the Ji family's books. If Third Aunt considers all of this a trivial matter, then I will have someone go directly to Third Aunt's courtyard to settle the accounts shortly."
Yin Wenying, the third daughter-in-law…
Instantly…
She stood frozen like a wooden chicken.
Perhaps Ji Zizhao's words were too explosive, causing her to forget her anger even as she was being retorted.
The others in the main hall were also stunned.
Their eyes widened as if struck by lightning.
All the money handed over…
Then how were they supposed to live?!