In an alley of the Zhao family mansion, Ji Zixiu held a nine-section whip, her movements unceasing.
The nine-section whip, made of python skin, was heavy and cumbersome. Though it moved like lightning in Ji Zixiu's hands, the person being beaten felt as though they were being pressed to the ground and trampled, their internal organs aching with dull pain.
By the time Grand Tutor Zhao reached the alley, the Zhao family's guards were already lying on the ground.
Looking at Zhao Liang, who was slumped on the ground, utterly devoid of the strength to retaliate, his face crisscrossed with whip marks, his robes torn into rags, Grand Tutor Zhao's eyes blazed with fury. He roared, "Who dares to be so audacious! To strike my son so brutally in broad daylight, are you not afraid of being executed along with your entire clan!"
Though the Grand Tutor held no real power, he was favored by the Emperor and had been granted a noble title.
A Grand Tutor, the glory of his entire lineage, favored for three generations, with blessings upon his descendants.
Grand Tutor Zhao had only one son in his life, Zhao Liang. When Grand Tutor Zhao breathed his last, Zhao Liang would inherit the title of Grand Tutor. This was why Zhao Liang lived a decadent life in Sheng Huang City, and why the citizens of Sheng Huang City dared not provoke him.
Upon hearing that it would bring calamity upon her entire clan, Ji Zixiu finally stopped her whip.
Grand Tutor Zhao hurried to Zhao Liang's side. Looking at his son, who was beaten so severely from head to toe that even his own father could barely recognize him, he had no idea how to help him up.
Zhao Liang, sprawled on the ground in a pathetic state, still twisted the truth. "Second Miss Ji rushed in front of me without a word, raising her whip and insisting on snatching my wife. I pleaded with her kindly, and yet, Second Miss Ji struck even harder. Father, Second Miss Ji is trying to beat me to death to snatch my wife!"
Ji Zixiu's hands clenched the nine-section whip in anger. "Zhao Liang, if you dare to speak nonsense again, believe it or not, I'll whip your mouth into shreds!"
"Second Miss Ji is truly full of authority. I wonder if Second Miss Ji's actions against my son stem from dissatisfaction with my Zhao family, or dissatisfaction with His Majesty the Emperor? Second Miss Ji, do not forget that my Zhao family's noble title was personally bestowed by the Emperor!" Grand Tutor Zhao turned around and glared at Ji Zixiu not far away.
"It was your Zhao family who bullied us excessively first!"
"The Zhao family promised to give the Ji family a satisfactory explanation. It was your Ji family's eldest daughter who was unreasonably demanding, forcibly trying to take away our Zhao family's daughter-in-law. In light of this, I would like to ask how our Zhao family has bullied your Ji family?"
"You..."
Ji Zixiu was indeed hot-tempered, but she was never good at such intricate maneuvering. Now, with just a few words from Grand Tutor Zhao, she was rendered speechless.
The surrounding passersby, drawn by the commotion, gathered to watch.
Hearing Grand Tutor Zhao's account and seeing that the Second Miss of the Ji family could not refute it, they immediately began to criticize her for being unfeeling and willful.
Ji Zixiu, already seething with rage, heard their words and raised her whip towards the crowd behind her.
"Ji Zixiu! Do not be disrespectful!"
A clear, cold voice suddenly rang out from not far away.
Everyone turned to look and saw Ji Zizhao walking over alone.
Upon seeing Ji Zizhao stopping her, Ji Zixiu's anger flared.
Normally, this useless wretch was content with his own mediocrity. Did he now intend to drag her down with him?
Ji Zixiu's rebellious thoughts immediately took over her mind, and the whip she had raised high descended towards the crowd.
Grand Tutor Zhao saw this, and a triumphant smile spread across his face.
As long as the Ji family publicly beat the citizens of Sheng Huang City today, they would be completely on the defensive. At that point, their Zhao family would not need to lift a finger; the citizens of Sheng Huang City would collectively condemn the Ji family.
"Crack!"
The whip cracked.
The surrounding citizens closed their eyes in fear.
After a long moment, there were no screams from the crowd.
The citizens opened their eyes in surprise and saw a hand tightly gripping Ji Zixiu's whip. Looking up further...
They saw Ji Zizhao's face, as somber as still water.
Ji Zizhao's arm, holding the whip, was already torn and bleeding. Yet, even so, her fair fingers still gripped the whip tightly.
Whether a subject or a ruler, the most important thing was public sentiment.
If public sentiment was lost, there would be no hope of recovery.
The Ji family was currently in a precarious situation. Public sentiment was more precious than any rare treasure to the Ji family. Therefore, even if Ji Zizhao had to sacrifice this arm, she could not let that whip fall upon the citizens!
Ji Zixiu was angry, but she never intended to harm her elder sister. Seeing the deep, bone-revealing whip marks on her slender wrist, she was completely stunned.
Grand Tutor Zhao, though he resented Ji Zizhao's meddling, seized the opportunity to speak. "The Ji family truly has great airs, daring to whip innocent citizens! Does the Ji family, dissatisfied with having bullied our Zhao family, now intend to take their anger out on the citizens of Sheng Huang City!"
The surrounding citizens, hearing this, glared furiously at Ji Zixiu.
Only then did Ji Zixiu, catching up to the situation, realize that she seemed to have done something wrong amidst their angry gazes.
Ji Zizhao suddenly tightened her grip on the whip, then pulled Ji Zixiu to her side. She stepped forward, completely shielding Ji Zixiu behind her, and then looked up at Grand Tutor Zhao. "My third sister was severely injured at the Zhao family's residence and lost her child. Even now, she remains unconscious in the carriage. The Zhao family has not only failed to truthfully disclose any reasons but has also slandered me, accusing me of pushing my third sister into the pond. All the men of the Ji family have died on the battlefield, and our Ji family has yet to recover from its grief. Yet, the Zhao family wishes to bully our Ji family's orphans and widows, deeming us foolish and incapable of managing affairs!"
Ji Zizhao's eyes gleamed, her face filled with sorrow. Her powerful words were each a blade piercing the heart, filled with grief.
Though merely a slender young girl, she stood there like a sharp sword, chilling people to the bone.
Grand Tutor Zhao had berated Ji Zixiu because he knew of her straightforward nature and her inability to explain herself. But now, Ji Zizhao's words clearly explained the cause and effect.
Grand Tutor Zhao's face stiffened. He looked at Ji Zizhao, who still maintained a stern expression. "The eldest Miss of the Ji family truly has a silver tongue, attempting to absolve the second Miss of the Ji family's misdeed of whipping the citizens with just a few words."
Ji Zizhao had to admit that Zhao Hongtao had his skills, which had allowed him to hold the position of Grand Tutor for so many years.
However, to incite public anger, one had to see if she would cooperate.
"My third sister is severely injured and unconscious. Due to the Zhao family's obstruction, she could not return to the Ji family to receive treatment promptly. My second sister's impatience led her to commit an error, which is indeed wrong. However, if not for the Zhao family's obstruction, this would not have happened. Now, my Ji family is left with only orphans and widows, living in fear. My second sister merely does not wish to lose anyone else in the Ji family."
As Ji Zizhao spoke, she turned to the surrounding citizens, her words earnest and without any attempt to shirk responsibility. "My second sister acted impulsively today, and I will certainly punish her severely upon our return. If any citizens were frightened by this, I, Ji Zizhao, am willing to atone for my sister's mistake. I implore the citizens to allow me to quickly take my third sister back to our residence for treatment. The Ji family thanks you all in advance."
As she spoke, Ji Zizhao slowly bowed to the citizens.
Regardless of what the citizens of Sheng Huang City might say about Ji Zizhao, as the eldest daughter of the Ji family, she was indeed from a military household. There were many royal nobles in Sheng Huang City, but which of them could sincerely bow and apologize to the common people?
Blood still flowed from Ji Zizhao's wrist, yet she remained bowed, not looking up.
Seeing this, how could the citizens not be moved!
The third Miss of the Ji family was seriously injured and unconscious, having lost her child. The second Miss of the Ji family, acting rashly in her desperation, was understandable. Moreover, the eldest Miss of the Ji family was sincerely apologizing. Why should they quibble with two young women?
The anger in the citizens' eyes gradually subsided. Some even spoke out, "The injuries of the third Miss of the Ji family are urgent. Eldest Miss Ji should quickly take the third Miss back for treatment."
Upon hearing this, Ji Zizhao bowed again before pulling Ji Zixiu away.
Grand Tutor Zhao attempted to step forward to stop them, but the citizens blocked his path one after another, their faces filled with righteous indignation.
Their meaning was clear: if he wanted to pursue the eldest Miss of the Ji family, he would have to step over them first!
Grand Tutor Zhao: "..."
It was an understatement to say his head ached.