The commotion outside the Zhao family's residence continued.
Despite Grand Tutor Zhao's high position, his actual power was meager.
Given the immense scandal Zhao Liang had caused, the Grand Tutor, for the sake of his own reputation and the Zhao family's honor, had no choice but to have Fengtian Prefecture’s magistrate take Zhao Liang away.
Only after the storm subsided would the Grand Tutor find a way to have Zhao Liang released.
It was futile to expect Zhao Liang to confess his guilt, but he would certainly have to suffer some hardship.
Ji Zizhao understood that while the situation was unexpected, it was also within the realm of reason.
Collusion and mutual protection were the current methods of upholding justice in the imperial court.
The decay and corruption of the court were a testament to the emperor's incompetence. If her grandfather knew the current state of the court, so different from what he had supported and hoped for, how immensely disappointed he would be!
Inside the smooth-riding carriage, Ji Zizhao's voice suddenly rang out, "Uncle Ji."
Zhang Ji, who had been following the carriage, quickly stepped forward to the carriage window upon hearing the eldest young lady's call.
"Have someone spread the word about what happened at the Zhao residence tonight, as quickly as possible."
Zhang Ji received the command. "Yes."
Ji Zizhao gazed at the night scenery outside the window, her mind lost in thought.
Only by letting the citizens of the imperial city know the truth could the pressure on the Zhao family and Fengtian Prefecture be increased.
Moreover, if she calculated the days, the Second Prince was due to arrive at the imperial city soon.
Regardless of what awaited the Ji family, they needed to secure the people's support in advance to stand on more stable ground.
Ji Ziyan tightly clutched her mother's arm, the gradually fading noise from the Zhao residence feeling like a lifetime ago.
Third Madam Yin Wenying looked at her daughter beside her, utterly at a loss.
"Ziyan, while the Zhao family has gone too far, they are ultimately your in-laws. Why not take a step back once Zhao Liang truly realizes his mistake? Marriage is never smooth sailing; it's always full of bumps and scrapes," Third Madam Yin Wenying said softly, this being the best solution she could think of at the moment.
Ji Ziyan's body tensed. "Mother, you know the Zhao family is a devil's den, yet you want your daughter to return?"
Third Madam Yin Wenying looked somewhat abashed. "But you are already married into the Zhao family. If you don't go back, what can you do?"
"I will never step foot in the Zhao family's doors again in this lifetime. If Mother insists on making me go back, she might as well kill me now; it would be less painful."
"You..."
"Grandfather taught me from a young age that for the daughters of the Ji family, 'He who anticipates the event is prepared; he who does not is ruined! To be resolute and brave is called strength! Strength is the virtue of the living! Life itself is inherently unfair; how can one ask it not to contend? The daughters of the Ji family have practiced martial arts since childhood. Though we may not compete for the honor of outshining men, we prove that red lips are more formidable than virile men!'"
Ji Ziyan's tears flowed, yet her words were firm and resonant.
The events at the Zhao family today had shown her the resolve and composure of her eldest sister.
She did not aspire to share the heavy responsibility of the Ji family with her eldest sister, but she wished to brave the storms together with her!
How could Third Madam Yin Wenying not see the determination and fortitude in her daughter's eyes?
However...
"Once the Zhao family submits the divorce papers to Fengtian Prefecture’s magistrate, you will become an indelible stain on the Ji family. Even if I can tolerate it, how can the Old Madam stand idly by!"
The Old Madam had maintained the Ji family for half her life; how could she allow even a speck of dirt to be sullied on the Ji family's reputation.
"If Grandmother permits Third Sister to remain in the Ji family, will Third Aunt be willing to stop restraining Third Sister?" Ji Zizhao, who had been silent, suddenly asked softly.
Third Madam Yin Wenying was taken aback, then sighed deeply. "If the Old Madam agrees, what else can I say?"
Ji Zizhao continued in a calm voice, "Give me the divorce papers from the Zhao family. As for Grandmother... Third Aunt has already said that Grandmother has managed the Ji family for decades and naturally considers the overall picture and acts from a global perspective. But Grandmother is benevolent yet outwardly stern, with a kind heart. I will explain to Grandmother personally, and she will surely agree to Third Sister's divorce."
Third Madam Yin Wenying, thinking of the Old Madam's usual selfishness, did not quite believe it. "Really?"
Ji Zizhao nodded. "Zizhao never speaks falsehoods."
Even if Grandmother disagreed, she would find a way to make her agree.
Seeing Ji Zizhao agree so readily, Third Madam Yin Wenying dismissed it as bragging. However, she decided to take a gamble. If Ji Zizhao could truly persuade the Old Madam...
Then she would accept it.
Ji Ziyan looked at her eldest sister with reddened eyes. "Eldest Sister..."
Ji Zizhao glanced at the Ji family mansion outside the carriage window and then said, "Get a good night's sleep."
Ji Ziyan could no longer hold back her tears, biting her lip and nodding.
The next morning, the events at the Zhao family had spread throughout the city.
In Yulin, men were held in high esteem, and women's status was low, their words carrying little weight.
Especially in noble households, the vile acts of beating women were almost commonplace.
However, what the city's populace found unacceptable was that even if Zhao Liang beat women, how could he be so beastly as to disregard his own child? Such cruelty, capable of extinguishing an unborn child in the cradle, was not something a human could do!
In an instant, the entire city was moved.
Especially the men of the imperial city, who were even more agitated and indignant than the women.
One Zhao Liang had managed to enrage all the men of the flourishing imperial city.
If Zhao Liang were not brought to justice, would they not all have to pay for Zhao Liang's bestial actions?
The Zhao family madam, who was in a state of unease, almost certainly enduring the city's scolding, knocked on the Ji family's door.
The Ji family's Old Madam opened her eyes to hear about yesterday's events at the Zhao residence. Upon hearing that the Zhao family madam sought an audience, she guessed it was for reconciliation and instructed Madam Xu, her attendant, to invite her to the main courtyard.
As soon as the Zhao family madam entered the main hall, she knelt on the ground without regard for her status, weeping. "My son has committed such a foolish act; I am filled with guilt. But a marriage is forged over a century; must the Ji family's Old Madam truly watch such a rare bond be severed?"
The Old Madam sat on her chair, her expression gloomy, remaining silent.
She herself had not expected Zi'er to be so audacious and daring as to escalate matters to this extent with the Zhao family.
The Zhao family madam, gauging the Old Madam's thoughts, paused and then added, "I heard the Second Prince will arrive at the imperial city in a few days. At that time, His Majesty will surely punish the Ji family. My husband also said that as in-laws, our Zhao family would naturally offer full assistance to the Ji family, but if this relationship were to be broken..."
The Old Madam's hand, resting on her knees, suddenly tightened.
Although the Ji family had fallen, she had already made arrangements for a fallback and was not afraid.
But only if the Ji family did not fall could she continue to be the Ji family's Old Madam.
At that time, she could bring back those she wished to recall, solidify her position as the eldest grandson's matriarch, and then easily reclaim the reins of power from Zi'er.
If the Ji family fell, Ji Zizhao would bear the brunt.
If the Ji family did not fall, she could naturally regain control.
It was a win-win situation. Su Dan Novel Network.
Seeing the Old Madam's wavering expression, the Zhao family madam let out a sigh of relief.
No matter what Ji Zizhao intended, as long as the Ji family's Old Madam was persuaded, the Ji family would not only continue to depend on the Zhao family, but those who had sent her son to prison yesterday would have to find a way to release him today.
Madam Xu suddenly entered from outside, holding an exquisite eight-treasure box. "This was just sent by the eldest young lady, who said it was a token of filial piety for the Old Madam."
Upon hearing this, the Zhao family madam almost burst into laughter.
Did that slut Ji Zizhao really think a box of jewelry could outweigh the importance of her Zhao family?
The Old Madam initially disdained to even look at what was in the box. However, Madam Xu opened it before her. The Old Madam merely glanced inside, and her body instantly stiffened.
This, this is...