Ji Zizhao remembered she had only met Xue Xiaochun once and didn't think there was any conflict to discuss.
But now Xue Xiaochun looked at Ji Zizhao as if she were a sworn enemy, her eyes bloodshot, teeth bared and claws flailing. "In the end, you're just an abandoned woman! A nobody! If you hadn't been born into the Ji family, people like you would have been drowned in pig cages long ago!"
Xue Xiaochun shouted hoarsely, attracting the attention of the Ji family guards, who came running.
Zhang Ji, who always respected the eldest young lady the most, was incensed to hear someone speaking disrespectfully to her.
"Uncle Ji!" Ji Zizhao called out to Zhang Ji, shaking her head gently.
Xue Xiaochun was insignificant on her own, but behind her was the entire Xue family.
If she were to injure Xue Xiaochun in front of the Ji family's gates today, regardless of the reason, it would be a slap in the face to the Xue family.
In a place like the imperial city, the powerful valued their reputation above all else.
No matter how incompetent Xue Xiaochun was, she was still General Xue's daughter.
If General Xue truly didn't care about this daughter, Madam Xue would never have shown such respect to a concubine.
Being able to personally arrange her daughter's wedding was not something every concubine could achieve.
The Seventh Prince was in need of capable people, and it would not be worth causing a rift with the Xue family over a mere Xue Xiaochun.
Moreover, Ji Zizhao was curious about the reason for Xue Xiaochun's insults.
The sound of hooves approached, and a slender figure dismounted. It was Xue Yinuo, who, holding her horsewhip, strode quickly to Ji Zizhao's side.
"Zizhao, consider this my fault today. It's my mistake, please don't take it to heart." Xue Yinuo had rushed over upon hearing that Xue Xiaochun had run out, but she was still a step too late.
To be sweating from riding in the middle of winter was a testament to Xue Yinuo's sincerity.
Ji Zizhao smiled and draped the small cloak from her shoulders over Xue Yinuo's. "It's not a big deal, why would it be your fault? But if you really want to consider it your fault, you owe me a good meal someday."
When Xue Yinuo arrived, she had already heard Xue Xiaochun's scolding from the next street.
Yet, Ji Zizhao said nothing of it, even joking with her with a smile. Such composure and consideration moved Xue Yinuo deeply. "That's natural. I'll treat you to a good meal in a few days."
Seeing that Xue Yinuo still didn't want to explain the reason, Ji Zizhao exchanged a few more pleasantries and then turned to walk back into the mansion.
With the person safely delivered to Xue Yinuo, Ji Zizhao had no reason to stay any longer.
Most importantly, Ji Zizhao's upbringing prevented her from arguing with such an ill-bred person on the street.
Xue Xiaochun, seeing her legitimate elder sister chatting cheerfully with Ji Zizhao, was so angry that she began to curse again. "What is the Ji family now that the Xue family has to bow and scrape to them?"
Xue Yinuo turned back, her eyes blazing with anger. "Shut up!"
Xue Xiaochun stared at Ji Zizhao's retreating back. "Ji Zizhao, stop! Come back here!"
Given Xue Xiaochun's status, she wasn't even worthy of standing face-to-face with Ji Zizhao.
Why would Ji Zizhao stop?
Seeing this, Xue Xiaochun became even more enraged, throwing a tantrum and shouting.
Xue Yinuo was truly furious and slapped Xue Xiaochun directly.
Fu Bao, "..."
He couldn't help but feel that this illegitimate daughter of the Xue family should be thankful.
Fortunately, his young lady didn't mind, otherwise...
She might not even get to eat dumplings this year.
Ji Zizhao did mind; in fact, it was quite the opposite.
"Mo Hen."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Follow the Xue family young lady back to the Xue residence and observe."
She had returned Xue Xiaochun to Xue Yinuo intact, showing the Xue family due respect.
She couldn't interfere with the Xue family's domestic affairs, but she had to retaliate for the slap to her face.
If she allowed Xue Xiaochun to insult her today, wouldn't everyone dare to step all over her in the future?
However, to retaliate, it was crucial to understand what had happened.
Xue Xiaochun was practically dragged back to the Xue family by Xue Yinuo.
Concubine Xue, who had already heard the news, embraced her daughter upon their return and wailed, even complaining to General Xue that Madam Xue deliberately wanted to find a bad match for her daughter, otherwise why would she have invited the Ji family's eldest young lady on that particular day?
Faced with Concubine Xue's accusations, Madam Xue was speechless.
Although Xue Yongnian believed in Ji Zizhao's character and knew she wouldn't speak nonsense, his heart was still uneasy now that his daughter had been abruptly jilted.
Xue Yinuo was going mad with anger. She clenched her horsewhip tightly, and if her mother hadn't held her back, she would have whipped Concubine Xue as well. "The name Ji Zizhao is my bottom line! You can cause trouble however you wish, but if you dare to speak ill of Ji Zizhao in front of me again, I will settle the score with you and your mother!"
Seeing Xue Yinuo's eyes reddened with anger, Concubine Xue dared not confront her directly and could only continue to weep while holding her daughter.
To appease Xue Xiaochun, General Xue visited Concubine Xue's courtyard that night.
Upon hearing this, Madam Xue was so angered that she took to her bed.
Ji Zizhao was stunned for several seconds after hearing the news.
She truly hadn't expected to be branded with such a grave accusation simply by visiting the Xue family once.
She suspected that the scumbag himself was guilty and had staged this act of shifting blame.
The concubine of the Xue family, in her attempt to gain favor, had also dragged Madam Xue into it.
Mo Hen inquired, "Currently, the Xue family concubine insists that Madam Xue deliberately prevented Xue Xiaochun from marrying well by inviting my lady to sow discord. Will my lady be visiting the Xue family tomorrow?"
The Xue family concubine had indeed been scheming, but that wasn't the root of the problem.
Even if Ji Zizhao went, how could she convince anyone without evidence?
Moreover, this matter also involved Madam Xue and could not be taken lightly.
Ji Zizhao carefully instructed Mo Hen with an address. "Tomorrow, you will personally go there and make sure to find the person and bring them to Uncle Gang to be cared for. If asked, just say that a fated person had a request."
To catch the thief, catch the king; to cure a disease, find its cause.
To return the slap Xue Xiaochun had given her, she couldn't be hasty.
As soon as Mo Hen left the room, sounds of fighting erupted in the courtyard.
And then...
Tao Hua, whom Ji Zizhao had been thinking of, was brought into the room.
Upon seeing Ji Zizhao, Tao Hua couldn't help but complain, "Are you sure you missed me, or do you want me dead?"
Ji Zizhao smiled and pointed to the flower stool opposite, gesturing for him to sit down and talk. She personally poured tea and pushed it towards him.
Tao Hua knew that if Ji Zizhao wanted to poison him, he wouldn't be able to escape even if he didn't breathe. He simply gave up and picked up the teacup, drinking heartily.
"I've called you here to give you a chance to kill me."
"Pfft—!"
Tao Hua, who had just taken a mouthful of tea, instantly scattered it like a celestial maiden.
Wiping his tea-soaked chin in astonishment, he looked at the woman opposite him, who remained calm and composed. All that remained in Tao Hua's mind was a single thought...
This woman is crazy!