In the Yan courtyard.
Considering her third sister's dignity, Ji Zizhao dismissed all the maids in the room.
Holding clean clothes, she walked to the bed. Ji Zizhao gently lifted the thin quilt covering her third sister and removed the clinging clothes. Even though her heart was prepared, upon seeing Ji Ziyan's body covered in scars, she couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine, her eyes about to burst with rage. The gaunt body was marred everywhere with bruises from beatings, burn marks from scalding, and contusions from severe injuries, all clearly visible.
Beneath the layers of scars, the original color of her skin was indistinguishable!
Ji Zizhao stood by the bed, her throat tight, her heart bleeding.
Among their group of young daughters, her third sister was the most sensible. She had never been rebellious from childhood to adulthood, living her life according to the teachings of their third aunt and uncle. Even though she was extremely reluctant to marry into the Zhao family, she eventually put on the red attire and left home according to her third aunt's wishes.
Ji Zizhao knew exactly how knowledgeable, sensible, and intelligent her third sister was.
It was precisely because of this that she hated so much now!
The Zhao family!!!
How could they lay hands on such an obedient and sensible Ji Ziyan!
Ji Zizhao wished she could rush to the Zhao family right now, tear them to shreds, drag out the person who had tortured her third sister to such an extent, drain their blood, and dig out their heart to see if the blood was black or red, and to see how cruel and detestable their heart was!
"Shui Huan, don't tell the family. Our uncles are all gone. The family is already heartbroken. How can I trouble them further at this time..."
Ji Ziyan, who was unconscious on the bed, her lips dry and cracked, moved slightly, murmuring unconsciously.
It seemed that even in her unconsciousness, she could not find peace. She furrowed her delicate brows and after a long while, choked out, "It's not the first time. I'll endure it, and it will pass..."
These few words revealed a lifetime of sorrow. Ji Zizhao's hands clenched, making cracking sounds, her insides burning!
The maids in the Yan courtyard waited for a long time, hearing no movement from inside the room. Worried, they tiptoed to look for a while, and finally, unable to rest assured, ran out of the courtyard to find other madams.
First Madam Lin Wanyun had rushed to the main courtyard five times in an hour but had not seen the old madam.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan pulled Third Madam Yin Wenying into her courtyard. Before they could say a few words, they heard a maid from the Yan courtyard report, "The eldest young lady is doing something in the room, she's sent all of us out into the courtyard."
Third Madam Yin Wenying, whose heart was already in a mess, how could she bear to hear this?
"Second sister-in-law, please wait. I'll go and see..." Before Third Madam Yin Wenying could finish speaking, she had already run out of the room.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan sighed and pulled up Ji Zixiu, who was sitting nearby eating pastries. "Eat, eat! Why is Yan'er unconscious? Finish telling me what's going on before you eat!"
Ji Zixiu, with her mouth full of pastries, said, "When I went there, it was already over. It seems the Zhao family hasn't given any explanation yet, but mother, don't worry, the eldest sister will definitely get justice."
Second Madam Yu Fenglan raised her eyebrows suspiciously. "You believe Zhaojie now? Why are you becoming more and more strange recently? I haven't asked you yet, what have you been fiddling with that medicine bottle in your room for these days? I see Zhaojie is not a fool, you should stay away from her."
She had only smelled that medicine bottle once, and she had been unconscious for a day and a night.
Ji Zixiu awkwardly dodged her gaze. "Oh, mother, don't bother about it. Anyway, the eldest sister won't harm me... and third sister. Mother, instead of interrogating me, you might as well go with second aunt to see third sister."
Second Madam Yu Fenglan gave her a sidelong glance. "Your third aunt has been concerned about face her whole life. Now that Yan'er has been carried back like this, it's such a disgraceful matter. If I go, I can only add to your third aunt's annoyance. I warn you to stay away from your third sister's courtyard, do you hear me?"
Ji Zixiu listened to her mother's words blankly.
No wonder as soon as she entered the Yan courtyard, her elder sister told her to go back and rest. Could it be that her elder sister already knew that her third aunt cared so much about face?
Third Madam Yin Wenying ran all the way back to the Yan courtyard, having already prepared her scolding. However, as soon as she rushed into the room, she was stunned again.
By the bed, Ji Ziyan was still unconscious, but her clothes had already been changed, and even her disheveled hair had been neatly combed.
Ji Zizhao held silver needles in her hand, methodically inserting them one by one into Ji Ziyan's body.
Her movements were fast, steady, and extremely careful.
As if afraid that the unconscious Ji Ziyan would feel pain, after inserting each needle, Ji Zizhao would use a paste made from the juice of hemp seeds and gently rub it on Ji Ziyan's skin.
With such meticulous care and attention, even Third Madam Yin Wenying, who did not understand medicine, could perceive Ji Zizhao's heartache and concern for Ji Ziyan.
Half an hour later, all the silver needles had been inserted, and Ji Zizhao's waist was already stiff.
Although Third Madam Yin Wenying had remained silent, she still held doubts about Ji Zizhao's medical skills. A little later, while Ji Zizhao was called to eat by First Madam Lin Wanyun, Third Madam Yin Wenying quickly asked her maid to go out and invite a doctor.
The elderly doctor who arrived was quite experienced. After carefully examining Ji Ziyan's injuries, he stroked his goatee and pondered for a long time. Suddenly, he bowed deeply to Third Madam Yin Wenying.
Third Madam Yin Wenying was so startled that she stepped back. "What, what are you doing?"
The old doctor trembled with excitement. "The third young lady's injuries are serious but not life-threatening. The silver needles on her body seem to have bypassed all the vital acupuncture points, but upon closer inspection, it is evident that all the needle placements are extremely precise. The seventy-seven forty-nine silver needles complement each other, enhancing each other's efficacy. It is truly marvelous! May I ask which master performed this? Can the Ji family's third lady introduce this old man to them?"
Third Madam Yin Wenying: "..."
She wanted to say something but couldn't say anything at all.
In the Yun courtyard.
First Madam Lin Wanyun put down her chopsticks and said earnestly, "Zha'er, let's just forget about Yan'er's matter."
Ji Zizhao slowly looked up. "Mother, what do you mean?"
"You brought Yan'er back without a word. Have you considered the old madam's opinion?" After being repeatedly refused by Madam Xu, First Madam Lin Wanyun realized the whole truth.
Ji Zizhao ate the last bite of steamed bean curd and gently put down her chopsticks. "Mother, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
She had always known what her grandmother was thinking, but she just didn't have the time to deal with it now.
First Madam Lin Wanyun knew that her daughter had always been determined since she was young. She got up and brought over a brocade box that had been prepared long ago, which contained a piece of high-quality jade.
"The Fifth Prince sent you so many things last time, we should naturally express our gratitude."
A cold glint flashed in Ji Zizhao's dark eyes. How could a scoundrel be worthy of such lustrous jade?