The second and third masters of the Ji family exchanged glances. Seeing that the old madam did not change her expression despite their grandson's wild words, she instead sat calmly on her chair, sipping tea, and let the two younger juniors continue their veiled insults.
It seemed impossible to send their grandsons over for adoption.
The two masters of the Ji family had always cared about their reputation. Since the matter had not been resolved, they naturally wanted to show off a bit.
Thus…
They would leave with their heads held high.
Ji Zixiu was perceptive. Seeing his grandfather's leisurely demeanor, and in an attempt to please him, he spoke even more recklessly, "I heard that Cousin Zizhao was originally supposed to marry the Fifth Prince as his primary consort. She only returned because she was demoted to a secondary concubine and couldn't bear it. In my opinion, Cousin Zizhao shouldn't bother with the sedan chair anymore. Otherwise, if she wants to return to the Fifth Prince's mansion, she might only be considered a concubine…"
"Swish—!"
A nine-section whip whistled through the air, its tip aimed directly at Ji Zixiu.
Ji Zixiu, who had been rambling incessantly, was so unprepared that he didn't even know how the whip had arrived.
By the time he reacted, his face was already covered in blood, and three of his teeth had been knocked out!
The sudden turn of events left everyone present stunned.
The First Madam, Lin Wanyun, was the first to react. She quickly pulled Ji Zixiu to her side, "Before the old madam, Xiu'er, you mustn't act out."
Ji Zixiu looked at his grandmother, who was seated in the main position, "These two juniors are spewing filth within our Ji family mansion. Grandmother is kind and remembers old ties, but I cannot stand by and watch someone disrespect Grandmother!"
The old madam had not expected Xiu'er, who usually had the foulest temper, to be so considerate of her. The scolding that was about to come out of her mouth turned into, "You child, even if you are filial, you mustn't be impolite. Hurry and apologize to your two grand-uncles."
Seeing his grandson's face brutally beaten, the Ji family's second master immediately rebuked, "How could Xiu'er be so harsh on my grandson? Can this be resolved with just an apology?"
The old madam could hear that the Ji family's second master was still trying to find a reason to send someone over. Thinking that Xiu'er was responsible for today's events anyway, she simply remained silent. Su Dan Novel Network.
The First Madam, Lin Wanyun, blocked Ji Zixiu's path and looked at the Ji family's second master, "Uncle, what do you want?"
Although the Ji family's second master was heartbroken for his grandson, he did not forget to seize the opportunity. "As long as you agree to let my Zixiu be adopted, this matter will be dropped."
Ji Zixiu did not expect his elder sister's method to actually work. Now that Grandmother was no longer involved, she could be even more bold. "Dream on! I'm telling you! Even if everyone in our mansion dies, it will never be your turn to lay claim to them!"
The Ji family's second master glared, "So young, yet so unreasonable!"
The Ji family's third master's temper also flared, "This is simply the behavior of a shrew!"
Ji Zixiu looked at the two uncles, his lips almost reaching his ears.
From childhood, she hated most when people reasoned with her.
Now, it was perfect. Someone was willing to argue with her directly, and she could wake up laughing in her dreams.
It's just a fight, right?
Bring it on, grandma!
"Slap slap slap—Slap slap slap—!"
"Help, help—!!"
In the main hall, Ji Zixiu swung her whip with all her might.
Wherever it went, it was like a fierce wind sweeping away fallen leaves. The two masters of the Ji family were so scared they were about to die. As for Ji Zixiu and Ji Ziliang, they were even worse off. They had no chance to fight back and could only lie on the ground, enduring the whip falling like a torrential rain.
The two masters of the Ji family originally wanted to pull their grandsons, but as soon as their hands stretched out, they were whipped back.
The two masters of the Ji family, in their helplessness, could only curl up on their chairs, not daring to move. They could only watch their grandsons cry their eyes out.
The old madam was also startled by Ji Zixiu. She called out a few times, wanting to stop her, but Ji Zixiu, who only had her elder sister's support in mind, directly ignored her.
In desperation, the old madam could only shrink behind the First Madam, Lin Wanyun.
Ji Zixiu and Ji Ziliang wailed on the ground, tears streaming down their faces.
Their bodies covered in welts, their bottoms were thoroughly beaten.
Ji Zizhao, who had been standing in the corridor, waited until the two younger cousins were too exhausted to cry any longer. Then, she tidied her skirt and gracefully walked into the main hall.
"Second sister, are you not stopping?"
As soon as Ji Zixiu heard her elder sister's voice, she immediately stopped.
The two masters of the Ji family rushed to their grandsons, each holding their bruised and battered grandsons, their eyes red and their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
The Ji family's second master stood up first and glared at Ji Zixiu, "We were afraid your mansion would become extinct, so we kindly brought our grandsons to be adopted. Instead, you treat us with swords and spears?"
Ji Zizhao calmly stood in front of Ji Zixiu and then scanned the two Ji family masters. "Ji Zizhao greets you two grand-uncles. It seems I am a little late. I did not realize you two grand-uncles wanted your grandsons to be adopted into our mansion."
The Ji family's third master swallowed. He had already been provoked by Ji Zixiu. "When elder brother was alive, he never neglected us. But now that elder brother has just passed away, people from your mansion have tried to kill my grandsons. I will not let this matter go. I will make sure the entire imperial city knows your family's true colors!"
"I didn't expect you two grand-uncles to be so concerned for our mansion. However, to become a man of the General's mansion, one must train in martial arts from childhood, wield a saber at five, enter the military camp for tempering at seven, and go on campaigns to spill blood on the battlefield at ten. But now, the two cousins cannot even evade a few whips from my second sister. How can they become men of my General's mansion?" Ji Zizhao's expression was calm, and her words were sharp, directly pointing out that Ji Zixiu and Ji Ziliang were nothing but two useless individuals.
The Ji family's third master was not very learned. Although he knew Ji Zizhao's words were harsh, he racked his brain but could not come up with a retort.
The Ji family's second master clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, "How can a junior contradict an elder?"
Ji Zizhao smiled indifferently. "Ji Zizhao is untalented. I have just taken over the Ji family's authority seal. By relationship, I should call you two grand-uncles. However, by seniority, before the authority seal, there are no other considerations. When you two grand-uncles see me, you should kowtow and greet me."
The Ji family's second master was so angry his chest felt tight. "You…"
Ji Zizhao then looked at Ji Zixiu and Ji Ziliang, who were lying on the ground. "We in the General's mansion will accept the intentions of you two grand-uncles. If you two cousins do not mind, and wish to stay here or even be adopted, it is not impossible."
The Ji family's second and third masters exchanged glances. Could such a good thing really happen?
Ji Zixiu anxiously tugged at her elder sister's sleeve. "Elder sister, those two useless guys…"
Ji Zizhao sharply interrupted, "Remember what you promised me. Keep watching."
Ji Zixiu was taken aback and reluctantly let go.
The old madam looked at Ji Zizhao's retreating figure with a chilling gaze, her fingers tightening on the armrest.
If Zhaojie truly dared to agree, she could no longer stand by and do nothing.
Neither those two youngsters nor Zhaojie could be allowed to live any longer.
She had already chosen a successor for the sole male heir of the Ji family. No one would compete with her!
The First Madam, Lin Wanyun, felt a chill run down her spine from the old madam's gaze, but she forced herself to remain calm and stood by.