Yi Ye Bao Fu quickly passed, and Ji Ziyan remained unconscious.
The next morning, Zhao Liang appeared at the entrance of the Ji family manor.
His clothes were wrinkled, his hair unkempt, and a stubble of a beard had begun to sprout on his chin.
Amidst the hushed whispers of the passing commoners, Zhao Liang knelt upright at the Ji family's gate, loudly denouncing the eldest daughter of the Ji family for being heartless and expressing his wish to meet the Ji family's old madam.
In the main hall, the daughters-in-law from each branch were paying their morning and evening respects to the old madam.
Upon hearing the eunuch report that the eldest son of the Zhao family was kneeling at the Ji family's gate, they all paused in surprise.
The old madam felt gratified by the Zhao family's apparent respect but feigned difficulty, saying, "The current authority in the Ji family lies with Sister Zhao. For the young master of the Zhao family to openly seek an audience with me, an old woman, is rather presumptuous."
The eunuch truthfully relayed, "Old Madam, the eldest son of the Zhao family said that regardless of who holds power in the Ji family, in his heart, he has always revered the Old Madam as his superior."
Ever since the men of the Ji family had fallen in the battlefield, the old madam had not felt such a sense of superiority for a long time. Although she had relinquished control of the Ji family, she still harbored vanity, wishing for everyone to continue looking up to her and to hold her in awe.
It had to be said that Zhao Liang's words had deeply touched the old madam's heart.
The third madam, Yin Wenying, quickly rose and walked to the old madam's side, saying, "It appears the Zhao family still holds the Old Madam in high regard. With the eldest son of the Zhao family showing such filial piety, how can the Old Madam bear to break the child's heart?"
The old madam, seizing the opportunity, waved her hand at the eunuch, "Go and invite the eldest son of the Zhao family in."
The first madam, Lin Wanyun, knew that with the Zhao family's arrival, Zhao'er, the current head of the Ji family, would have to appear. However, she truly did not want her daughter to be further entangled in the Ji family's trivial matters, and she frowned in distress.
The fourth madam, Xiao Jingshu, quietly sidled up to her elder sister-in-law and prompted, "I know what Elder Sister-in-law is thinking, but Sister Yan is, after all, brought back by Sister Zhao. Now that the Zhao family has come, Sister Zhao should be present."
Who knew what the Zhao family intended to discuss? If Ji Zizhao were not present, wouldn't they be able to twist black into white at will?
Upon realizing this, the first madam, Lin Wanyun, stood up.
The old madam casually remarked to the wet nurse Xu behind her, "I heard that Sister Zhao has been diligently caring for Sister Yan. It is indeed difficult for this child to be so devoted. Go and inform Sister Zhao to continue accompanying Sister Yan by her side. She need not come to pay her respects to me today."
It was evident that the old madam was directly barring Ji Zizhao from her presence.
Just as Zhao Liang entered with the eunuch, the first madam, Lin Wanyun, seeing this, could only sit back down.
"Zhao Liang is here to kowtow and beg forgiveness from the Old Madam of the Ji family!" As soon as Zhao Liang entered, he knelt before everyone.
Such an attitude truly surprised everyone.
Even the old madam opened her half-closed eyes and said, "What is this, eldest son of the Zhao family? Hurry and rise to speak."
Zhao Liang remained motionless on his knees, "The coma of Ziyan has been investigated. It was Shui Huan, Ziyan's personal maid, who was responsible. Actually, Shui Huan had hinted to me, intentionally or unintentionally, a while ago that she wished to become my concubine. However, my heart was solely with Ziyan, so I paid it no mind. I never imagined Shui Huan would harbor murderous intent towards Ziyan. While I was away and Ziyan was asleep, she beat Ziyan severely. By the time my mother and I rushed over, it was already too late."
The old madam's face flushed with anger, "Preposterous! What a shameless servant!"
The first madam, Lin Wanyun, looked doubtfully at the third madam, Yin Wenying, "If I recall correctly, Shui Huan grew up by Sister Yan's side since childhood. Third Sister-in-law always praised Shui Huan for her most steady and protective nature."
The third madam, Yin Wenying, nodded, "That is true, but..."
Before the third madam, Yin Wenying, could finish her sentence, Zhao Liang turned to her, "Mother-in-law, you may not know, but Ziyan is already with child. It was because of that Shui Huan... Ziyan nearly lost both her life and the baby's!"
The third madam, Yin Wenying, was so shocked that she stood up abruptly, "You, what did you say!"
"It is all my fault. I failed to protect Ziyan, causing her to suffer such grievances. I never expected that Shui Huan, with her malicious intent still lingering, would use Ziyan's recovery as an excuse to prevent anyone from approaching her room. However, Shui Huan intended to delay until my father's birthday before framing the eldest daughter of the Ji family." Zhao Liang's eyes were filled with pain and indignation, and he repeatedly kowtowed to the third madam, Yin Wenying.
The third madam, Yin Wenying, felt her vision darken. Fortunately, the second madam, Yu Fenglan, supported her in time.
Looking at the tearful Zhao Liang, the third madam, Yin Wenying, felt she had grievances but no way to express them.
While she certainly doted on her daughter, Zhao Liang's demeanor today, coupled with his repeated address of "Mother-in-law," made it difficult for her to blame him. Moreover, Ji Ziyan was a member of the Zhao family and would eventually return there.
"The fault does not lie with you. Young Master Zhao, why do you blame yourself so much?" The third madam, Yin Wenying, had always hoped her daughter would return to the Zhao family, and at this moment, she wished to pacify the situation.
Furthermore, Zhao Liang's actions today had truly filled her with relief.
Zhao Liang remained kneeling on the ground, his red eyes filled with determination and regret, "I know I have wronged Ziyan, and I have also wronged the Old Madam and Mother-in-law for trusting me. This time, I am willing to kneel here indefinitely at the Ji family. I hope heaven, in consideration of my sincerity, will allow Ziyan to return safely with me to the Zhao family."
The first madam, Lin Wanyun, felt that letting Ji Ziyan return to the Zhao family so hastily was not appropriate.
Life was at stake; how could they simply take her away based on a few words from the Zhao family?
However, before the first madam, Lin Wanyun, could speak, the third madam, Yin Wenying, quickly interjected, "I never expected Young Master Zhao to care so much for my Ziyan. In this unforeseen calamity, no one wishes for such things, but I implore the Zhao family to never let the lowly individual who harmed my daughter go unpunished. Only then will I be at ease."
Zhao Liang nodded with a pained expression, "Mother-in-law, please be assured, Shui Huan has already been beaten to death."
The third madam, Yin Wenying, nodded with satisfaction before turning to the old madam, "What does the Old Madam think?"
The old madam did not wish to waste any more energy on the Ji family's trivial matters. Today, it was Zhao Liang who had elevated her status, which was why she had deigned to meet him. Now, seeing her third daughter-in-law's clear stance, the old madam intended to grant a favor. "The Zhao family and the Ji family have always had a good relationship. Their bond should not be ruined over a trivial matter. Currently, Sister Yan is still recuperating. Once she has recovered, I will personally see her sent back to the Zhao family manor."
"Thank you, Old Madam of the Ji family, for your magnanimity! In the future, your humble son-in-law will surely cherish Ziyan dearly." Zhao Liang suppressed his inner joy, kowtowed again, and then signaled the eunuch waiting outside the door to bring in the prepared gifts. Each person from the old madam to the fourth madam received a gift.
The third madam, Yin Wenying, finally straightened her back, and even the smile on her face became brighter.
See how understanding and reasonable her son-in-law was.
Indeed, it was the right decision to marry her daughter to the Zhao family.
Zhao Liang lingered in the Ji family for a short while longer before rising to take his leave.
The third madam, Yin Wenying, took it upon herself to escort him out.
The old madam swept her gaze across the other daughters-in-law in the room and said as if giving an order, "It is difficult for Sister Zhao to manage this household. Today's events need not be mentioned to Sister Zhao. Let Sister Zhao also have some peace."
The daughters-in-law in the room rose and curtsied, all nodding in agreement.