The two elders of the Ji family had come today with the purpose of sending people to the General's residence.
While their two grandsons were in a rather dire situation now, if they could be adopted, the beating would have been worth it.
The second master of the Ji family considered this approach to be a way to put an end to the conflict and, with his head held high, declared, "Our grandsons have never suffered any hardship in the residence since childhood. Even now, they require people to serve and feed them. Although my third brother and I endured this pain for the sake of our elder brother's past feelings and allowed our grandsons to be adopted, you absolutely cannot mistreat them here."
Ji Zixiu, who had been suppressing herself behind Ji Zizhao, finally couldn't hold back upon hearing this. "They even need to be fed to eat. Does your family raise grandsons or cripples?"
The third master of the Ji family was displeased. "What are you talking about!"
The second master of the Ji family, focused on the main matter, held back the third master of the Ji family and then looked at Ji Zizhao again, saying, "Since you, as the person in charge of the Ji family, have agreed to this matter, my third grand-uncle and I are naturally willing to trust you."
With that, the second master of the Ji family grabbed the third master of the Ji family and they left as if they were about to depart immediately, fearing that Ji Zizhao might go back on her word.
Ji Zizhao did not stop them but instead unhurriedly called out to the eunuch at the door, "Go and summon Captain Zhang. For the time being, let our two cousins learn martial arts from the guards. In a few days, they will be sent to the second young lady's courtyard, where she will teach them the Ji family's martial arts. After some time, I will personally inform Fengtian Prefecture, and the Prefect of Fengtian will report to His Majesty. With the current unrest in various countries, every able-bodied man in our General's residence will be sent to the battlefield to defend our home and country."
These words almost scared Ji Zixiu and Ji Ziliang, who were prostrate on the ground, into unconsciousness!
They realized that as long as they were here, they could not expect to live a good day. The thought of facing Ji Zixiu's whip again made them lose the courage to live. And the thought of going to war in the future...
"Grandfather, please take your grandson back! This grandson doesn't want to stay here!"
"Grandfather, didn't you tell your grandson that we were coming here to enjoy ourselves? But now, this grandson is afraid his life won't be saved if he stays here! Grandfather, please be kind and take your grandson with you..."
This time, Ji Zizhao didn't need to stop them. Ji Zixiu and Ji Ziliang both threw themselves at the feet of the two elders of the Ji family, clinging to their robes with all their might, refusing to let go.
The two elders of the Ji family had sent their grandsons to be adopted with the intention of them inheriting the General's residence. They had no intention of sending their descendants to their graves before them. Now, hearing Ji Zizhao's words, let alone their grandsons, even the thought of it sent shivers down their spines.
Looking at their grandsons crying bitterly, the third master and the second master of the Ji family were so angry that they grabbed their grandsons and walked out.
"Your General's residence is truly commendable! From now on, we go our separate ways!"
"Today you are so heartless, tomorrow even if you beg for food, don't expect to step on the steps of our residence!"
The meaning of these words was clear, indicating a clear severance of ties.
Although this was not the old madam's original intention, the most important thing was that the sole heir position of the Ji family was not usurped.
Thinking this, the old madam did not delve any deeper.
As for Ji Zizhao, she had not taken these words to heart at all.
Such unfeeling and unrighteous relatives were better off without.
Ji Zixiu had not listened to what the two elders of the Ji family had said. Her eyes were fixed on her elder sister, her mind full of her elder sister's recent words and actions.
As soon as they left the courtyard, Qingzhu walked up to meet them. "Miss, Madam Xu has brought Zi Qiao back and is at the mansion gate."
Ji Zizhao nodded and followed Qingzhu towards the mansion gate.
As they walked, Qingzhu said in a low voice, "The Fifth Prince has not contacted Yongmei for now."
Ji Zizhao was not surprised.
For the Fifth Prince to make Yongmei completely loyal to him, he had to first neglect her for a period of time. Only then, when he needed Yongmei again, would she be utterly devoted.
The royal family had always been skilled in the art of managing people.
The princes had been taught by tutors since childhood.
"Do you know how Madam Xu brought Zi Qiao back?" Ji Zizhao asked softly.
"Your subordinate was worried that Madam Xu might be plotting in secret with Zi Qiao, so I had Zhang Ji follow her discreetly. According to Zhang Ji's report, Madam Xu directly went to the Zhao family to snatch her. It was quite a coincidence that today was supposed to be the day Zi Qiao became the concubine of the eldest young master of the Zhao family, but Madam Xu disrupted it. When the Zhao family learned of Madam Xu's identity, they were likely wary of the old madam, so they did not put up much resistance and let Madam Xu bring her back."
Qingzhu's voice was cold, and her eyes flickered with deep disgust.
"Zi Qiao, on the other hand, has been resisting and struggling. On the way back, she even scratched Madam Xu's face, saying that she is now a member of the Zhao family and that our Ji family has no right to do anything to her."
Ji Zizhao clenched the handkerchief in her hand, her anger surging within her.
Even now, her third sister was still recuperating in bed, yet Zi Qiao only cared about stepping on her third sister's back to climb higher!
Such a disloyal and selfish ingrate was truly deserving of a thousand cuts!
At the gate of the Ji family mansion, Madam Xu was holding Zi Qiao's hand to prevent her from running away.
Zi Qiao was still struggling fiercely. "Mother, let go of me, let go of me! I am now the person of the eldest young master of the Zhao family. If you take me back like this, the eldest young master of the Zhao family will definitely come looking for me. Mother, don't worry, as long as I live a prosperous life in the Zhao family, I will definitely bring you there to enjoy your old age!"
Madam Xu was truly furious. She slapped Zi Qiao across the face.
If she had been half-believing what the eldest young lady had told her last night, then seeing her daughter's devotion to the Zhao family now, she couldn't help but believe it!
Noble families had strict rules, and who didn't value matches of equal standing?
Zi Qiao was merely a maidservant who accompanied the third young lady as part of her dowry. Unless the Zhao family highly valued the third young lady, they would take a maidservant by her side as a concubine. But now, the third young lady could barely stand up in the mansion, which indicated the Zhao family's attitude towards her.
And yet, at this very moment, Zi Qiao had become a concubine of the Zhao family...
If there was nothing going on behind this, even she, as a mother, wouldn't believe it!
Madam Xu was both angry and disappointed. She had been clever her whole life, yet she had given birth to such a muddled creature. "Zi Qiao, how could you be so foolish!"
Zi Qiao was stunned by Madam Xu's slap and couldn't understand her mother's good intentions. "You, you dare to hit me? I am now the concubine of the eldest young master of the Zhao family! Even the servants of the Zhao family have to be respectful to me. Don't think that just because you are my mother, you can do whatever you want!"
Madam Xu looked at her daughter, whose mind was clouded with greed, and finally hardened her heart, ordering the guards to restrain her.