As Madam Tong watched Ji Zizhao and Ji Zixiu board the carriage, she turned around.
Her gaze swept past the wet nurse still standing on the steps, and Madam Tong impatiently instructed, "There are only a few days left before entering the palace. You must properly teach Ren Ran the rules."
The wet nurse lowered her head and nodded heavily, her usual imperiousness gone. "Rest assured, Madam."
Whenever Ji Ren Ran saw this wet nurse, she was reminded of what Jian Qiu had just said.
Thinking that Ji Zizhao had someone who had served the former Empress Dowager as her tutor, yet she herself had to endure the moods of an old servant from the laundry yard all day, Ji Ren Ran felt utterly indignant!
Gu Peilan, fearing Ji Ren Ran would say something inappropriate, quickly whispered, "No matter how humble her status, she did come from the palace. Learn the palace rules from her diligently. Once you enter the palace and display your brilliance, who will care who taught you?"
Although Ji Ren Ran understood this logic, the thought that even the wet nurse by her side was overshadowed by Ji Zizhao made her heart feel stifled. "Mother, why is Ji Zizhao's life so fortunate!"
She truly hated her.
Gu Peilan lowered her voice and said, "When your brother becomes the heir of the Ji family, that will be our time to show our might. So, you must remember to assist well once you enter the palace. When we finally hold our heads high, it will not be too late to step on Ji Zizhao."
Ji Ren Ran nodded. For now, it seemed that was the only way.
The carriage carrying Ji Zizhao traveled smoothly towards the Ji family mansion.
Ji Zixiu sat obediently by her side, prepared to be scolded by her elder sister.
Yet, as they neared the Ji family mansion, her elder sister still hadn't uttered a word of reprimand.
This...
Ji Zixiu became even more flustered.
"Eldest Sister, I know I was impulsive today. You can scold me or punish me however you wish." But could she please stop giving her the silent treatment? Facing her elder sister's uncharacteristic behavior, Ji Zixiu felt utterly uncertain.
This statement startled Jian Qiu.
Everyone knew that the second young lady of the Ji family had a temper as sharp and unyielding as a whip.
Even the most audacious young masters in the imperial city dared not challenge the second young lady of the Ji family.
Therefore, even witnessing it firsthand, Jian Qiu could hardly believe that the second young lady, whom the audacious young masters of the imperial city feared, was so docile in front of Princess Ronghe.
Indeed...
There's always someone to keep you in check.
Ji Zizhao slightly raised her eyes and looked at her second sister's nervous demeanor. "Why should I punish you?"
Ji Zixiu took the initiative to admit her mistake. "I know I shouldn't have caused trouble at the Tong family's residence. Regardless, they had already entered our Ji family's gate. It was an internal family matter, yet I made it public, giving outsiders something to gossip about."
But she couldn't control herself...
So, while she said this, if she had to do it all over again, Ji Zixiu would not only go to their door with her whip again, but she would also strike harder and cause more of a scene.
How dare they bully her elder sister? She would whip them to death!
Ji Zizhao observed Ji Zixiu's seemingly apologetic but inwardly indignant expression and instead smiled. "You weren't wrong to do what you did today. Even I, your elder sister, had to let you take the lead. In the end, it means I haven't done well enough."
"That's not true, Eldest Sister. I just wanted to help you vent your anger."
"I naturally understand that my dear second sister pities me and cannot bear to see me suffer even the slightest bit. However, many things are not simply a matter of fairness that you alone understand. You need everyone to understand for it to be truly effective. When everyone can stand in your shoes and consider things from your perspective, even if you kill someone, it will be seen as retribution for an evil person, rather than you abusing your power and being unreasonable."
Ji Zixiu was utterly shocked, her worldview shattered. "Can... can it really be like this?"
Ji Zizhao earnestly taught, "Therefore, when facing a situation, it's not that you cannot resort to force, but rather it depends on how you can ensure your own safety after throwing a punch."
Ji Zixiu nodded, genuinely and seriously pondering her elder sister's words.
However, she would have to think carefully about how to achieve this.
Jian Qiu: "..."
This was the first time she had ever heard such instruction.
Given the second young lady of the Ji family's disposition, ordinary teachings might prove counterproductive.
It seemed Princess Ronghe understood this, which was why she had transformed complex and obscure principles into common, easily understandable words. On the surface, she seemed to be agreeing with the second young lady of the Ji family, but in essence, her words conveyed profound wisdom.
Looking again at Ji Zizhao's calm and placid face, Jian Qiu suddenly recalled the words of the former Empress Dowager.
"The eldest young lady of the Ji family, though seemingly tactful, is in fact meticulous in her thoughts. Her ideas are unconventional and unburdened by worldly norms. If such a mind were a man's, he would undoubtedly achieve greatness and draw universal admiration. It is a pity she is a woman. Fortunately, she is a woman."
In Zhaoyuan.
The madams from the various rooms were seated around a round table.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan was naturally the most uneasy.
They were having dinner in the mansion when a palace servant delivered a message saying that the second young lady of the Ji family had taken a post intended for Miss Ren Ran to the Tong family.
Everyone knew Xiu Jie'er's temper.
There was bound to be trouble.
"Second Sister-in-law, there's no need to worry so much. With Zhao Jie'er there, everything will surely be fine."
"Second Sister listens to Eldest Sister the most. Second Aunt, please don't worry too much."
"With Eldest Sister taking charge, she will surely bring Second Sister back safely."
As the people in the room were offering comfort, they saw Ji Zixiu and Ji Zizhao re-enter, looking rather crestfallen.
Second Madam Yin Wenying shot up from her stool. After a quick glance around to confirm her daughter was unharmed, she grabbed Ji Zixiu's ear. "The moment you return, you cause the entire family to worry themselves sick. I thought joining the army would make you more sensible, but you've become even more lawless!"
Ji Zixiu winced in pain. "Mother, please be gentle, gentler..."
"Very good, you know how to feel pain! If it weren't for your Eldest Sister stepping in today, you'd be in much more pain! What kind of family is the Tong family, that you can just barge in and cause trouble? Do you really think the imperial city is your backyard, and every family allows you to throw tantrums?" Second Madam Yu Fenglan looked at her daughter, who was tanned darker than a salted fish. While she was indeed worried, if she didn't vent her frustration now, she would suffocate.
Ji Zizhao smiled. "Second Aunt, please calm down. It's good that Second Sister is back safely."
"Zhao Jie'er, don't speak up for her. This time, I will definitely discipline her wild temper!" Second Madam Yu Fenglan was truly determined. She grabbed Ji Zixiu's ear and walked out.
Ji Zixiu, gritting her teeth, looked helplessly at the people in the room and was miserably dragged away by Second Madam.
Ji Ziyan and Ji Zibi, seeing their second sister's appearance, couldn't help but smile.
Third Madam Yin Wenying and Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu, seeing that the person had finally returned safely, also rose to take their leave.
After seeing everyone off, Ji Zizhao, along with Jian Qiu and Fu Bao, went to the main courtyard.
After all, those who came from the palace needed to greet their grandmother.