The area in front of the Ji family's ancestral graves was silent, everyone waiting for Ji Zizhao's instructions. Though they remained quiet, their resolute eyes signaled their readiness at any moment. It was as if Ji Zizhao had only to say the word to charge into the Ji family and avenge her mother, and they would dare to tear the Ji family apart.
After an unknown period, Ji Zizhao slowly opened her eyes, her voice hoarse and unrecognizable. "Bury Mother back."
Everyone was taken aback by her words.
Zhang Ji was the first to speak, "The evidence is right before our eyes. How can Eldest Daughter let those beasts who killed Eldest Madam off the hook?"
Ji Zizhao shook her head. She had no intention of letting anyone off the hook. Her mother was dead, and while the Ji family was not entirely blameless, there were still those unrelated to the matter. The Ji family was protected by her grandfather, father, and uncles throughout their lives; how could she truly let the Ji family be utterly destroyed overnight?
Revenge was necessary. But revenge also required strategy. While seeking justice for her mother, she absolutely could not let the Ji family completely fall apart. Ji Zizhao had promised the Ji men before their memorial tablets that she would revitalize the Ji family! Of course, this revitalization would have nothing to do with that branch, or Ji Rujun...
With a plan formed in her mind, Ji Zizhao became even calmer. "This matter will not be let go. But whether it is the Jin family or the Ji family, seeking retribution for those stained with blood is not something that can be settled with a few words. We have accounts to settle, and they must be settled slowly and clearly."
Seeing that Ji Zizhao had a plan, the others said no more. Wang Can and the others, following the matriarch's orders, re-sealed and buried the coffin of Eldest Daughter Ji. Once everything was in order, Ji Zizhao had Lian Ju retrieve the remains of the Ji men from their satchels. One by one, the complete remains of the Ji men were re-interred in positions designated for cenotaphs, according to Ji Zizhao's instructions. Ji Zizhao, Zhang Ji, Qing Zhu, and Lian Ju each paid their respects by kowtowing to the Ji men. An hour later, everyone, carrying torches, began their descent down the mountain. Ji Zizhao recalled hearing the city's residents mention that the day after tomorrow was the day for the Ji family's new matriarch's banquet, and her plan became even clearer.
Upon returning to the Xuan Yi Pavilion, Ji Zizhao instructed Lian Ju, "Go and confirm if the Ji family is indeed holding a banquet the day after tomorrow, and also inquire about who has been invited to this banquet."
Then, Ji Zizhao turned to Qing Zhu and said, "Go and investigate Ji Zongyou's whereabouts."
Qing Zhu was taken aback by the name.
Ji Zizhao paused, her voice growing colder, "Now, he should be the only male heir of the Ji family."
The Ji family had now been posthumously honored as marquises, and according to the kingdom's regulations, a marquisate was hereditary. Given their greed and arrogance, Ji Zongyou would undoubtedly be swaggering through the imperial city under the guise of the young marquis of the Ji family, and it should not be difficult to find him.
Suddenly, a soft yet distinct knock sounded from downstairs. Everyone on the second floor froze, becoming even more vigilant. It was common knowledge that the four major medical halls in the imperial city closed at night and no longer accepted patients. At this hour, who would be knocking on their door? It was well past the second watch of the night.
"You all stay here, I'll go down and see." Xin Biyu, after a moment of silence, turned and went downstairs. Those upstairs held their breath, listening to the movements below. Anyone who would seek them out now, unless it was the Ji family who knew the matriarch had returned to Yulin early, was unlikely. Although Sun Zhiting and the others were eager to vent their frustrations on some insignificant member of the Ji family, they feared it would expose the matriarch's identity. Not to mention that the matriarch disliked flaunting wealth, and given the behavior of the new matriarch, who held a banquet as soon as she arrived, if she truly knew the matriarch's identity, she would undoubtedly try to leech off her relentlessly from then on.
While they were contemplating this, they saw Xin Biyu return. "Matriarch, someone has brought you a food basket," Xin Biyu said, placing the basket on the table. The food basket had four tiers. Unlike the usual woven bamboo, this basket was carved from fruitwood, lacquered in black, and adorned with gold inlay. The exquisite patterns carved upon it were lifelike.
Ji Zizhao gently caressed the food basket, feeling its warmth. "Did the person who delivered this say anything else?"
Xin Biyu shook his head. "They didn't say much else, only left a message: 'A doctor cannot heal themselves, one cannot save others but oneself. All suffering is inevitable, only self-salvation remains.'"
Such warm yet chilling words were reminiscent of the filling of a certain "black glutinous rice ball." She hadn't expected him to be so well-informed, knowing she had returned to Yulin so early. He was likely worried that she would be too ruthless in her revenge and put herself in danger, hence sending someone to remind her. After all, the Seventh Prince's situation had only just begun to improve, and if she were to perish along with her enemies, he would lose an ally. Cool, sharp, and penetrating. It was the taste of that black-hearted glutinous rice ball.
Upon seeing the food basket, Sun Zhiting suddenly remembered that the matriarch had likely not eaten. Glancing at the sky outside, which was beginning to lighten, Sun Zhiting signaled to the others. They quickly withdrew from the account room, allowing the matriarch to eat and rest. As they left, the room returned to its quiet state.
Ji Zizhao opened the food basket. The first tier contained exquisite and appetizing small dishes, the second tier had various pastries and bread, and further down, there was even wine. The final tier held a letter. Ji Zizhao opened it; it was simple, written in black ink on white paper. "Eat more, sleep well."
Ji Zizhao: "..." It was truly thoughtful of him. However, the journey through the night had indeed exhausted her. After a simple meal, she took the food out and had Xin Bi warm it for Qing Zhu and Lian Ju. Ji Zizhao returned to the account room and lay down, still clothed, on the wooden bed where Chen Gang often napped.
When Ji Zizhao opened her eyes again, the sky was already bright. Lian Ju, who had been guarding the door, heard the movement and quickly pushed it open. "Miss." Ji Zizhao hummed in response. "How is the investigation?"
Lian Ju stepped forward a few paces and lowered her voice. "The Ji family banquet is indeed tomorrow. The guests invited are quite varied: the wife of the Sun family from the south of the city, the concubine of the Yan family from the north of the city, and some scattered invitations. I've checked carefully; they are all well-known shopkeepers in the imperial city."
Ji Zizhao listened intently to Lian Ju, her eyes flickering. These people, though they had a foothold in the imperial city, were not truly of high society. However, given their current strength, they likely couldn't even reach the edges of these people. Thinking of the rumors from the city residents, Ji Zizhao knew that it seemed they had indeed attached themselves to a powerful patron.