The Ji family's planned banquet seemed to have stirred up quite a buzz, as the common folk on the streets were now all discussing it.
Qing Zhu frowned, stepping forward as if to order the people to shut up.
But Ji Zizhao grabbed her arm and stopped her. "The commoners speak carelessly, why must you take your anger out on them? This matter concerns the Ji family, and if anyone is to be held accountable, it won't be these ordinary citizens."
Qing Zhu looked at her young lady with concern. "This subordinate does not wish for my lady to hear these words."
Ji Zizhao shook her head slightly, her expression calm. "What is bound to happen has already happened. To feign deafness and blindness is merely self-deception. It's better to listen more while the opportunity presents itself, so we have a clearer understanding of the situation."
Ji Zizhao had only just returned to the Imperial City and knew very little about the Ji family's affairs.
There were no secrets in the Imperial City.
No matter how big or small an event, someone in the Imperial City would always be discussing it.
Ji Zizhao, with Qing Zhu in tow, strolled along the Imperial City's most bustling streets, listening to the hushed whispers of the surrounding populace.
They heard that the Ji family's newly wedded First Madam was no ordinary woman, and her maternal family was among the most influential in the Imperial City. The only reason she hadn't officially married into the Ji family all these years was because the Ji family had refused to grant her the status of the principal wife. Now, with the original First Madam gone, this new wife had brought her son and daughter to acknowledge their ancestors.
While these words didn't overtly disparage the Ji family, they clearly elevated the status of the new wife. When the Ji family was once glorious, this new wife hadn't even glanced their way. Now that the Ji family had fallen and was no longer as prominent, she was willing to return with her children.
Ji Zizhao smiled outwardly but felt a chill in her heart. They were indeed adept at praising themselves.
However, one point made Ji Zizhao ponder deeply. The status of that family was evident. If she were truly a relative of a high-ranking official, how could her grandmother have dared to hide her in a suburban courtyard for so many years? Yet, the commoners in the Imperial City spoke so confidently, suggesting that the matter might not be simple.
Qing Zhu accompanied Ji Zizhao from the beginning of the street to its end, yet she saw no intention for her young lady to return to their residence. "My lady, are you not planning to go back home?"
Ji Zizhao nodded. It wasn't time to return yet.
Qing Zhu looked at Ji Zizhao's robe, stained with blood. "Then where does my lady intend to go?"
Ji Zizhao had overheard the entire conversation between Tang Di and Qing Zhu outside the wooden hut that day. Since the Fourth Prince had encountered Zhang Ji, he wouldn't stand by and do nothing. However, sending him to the Ji family might be too conspicuous.
After careful consideration, Ji Zizhao said, "To Chen Gang's medical clinic."
People in the Imperial City preferred to seek medical attention early. Although there were still patients in the clinic, they were few and scattered.
As Ji Zizhao and Qing Zhu stepped into the Xuan Yi Pavilion, they saw Xin Bi, who was temporarily helping to look after the pharmacy. A young assistant at the pharmacy asked Ji Zizhao, "Are you here for a consultation or to get medicine?"
Xin Bi pushed the assistant aside and, suppressing his excitement, said, "This is a patient who made an appointment yesterday. Please come upstairs with me for a pulse diagnosis."
Ji Zizhao nodded slightly and walked upstairs with Qing Zhu.
Only when they reached the accounting room on the second floor did Xin Bi, filled with emotion, look at his employer. "My lady has finally returned safely! You must have had a difficult journey. How about I have someone bring you some food? Which restaurant's cuisine do you fancy? Qing Ya Zhai, or Tong Fu Lou?"
Ji Zizhao's stomach was empty, but she felt no malice. "May I ask if anyone from the Ji family's guards was sent here for treatment some time ago?"
Xin Bi nodded without hesitation. "Indeed, there was. However, they were sent to Miao Shou Zhai. Please wait a moment, my lady."
Qing Zhu watched Xin Bi hurry away, looking quite surprised. "My lady seems to trust the Fourth Prince."
Ji Zizhao paused upon hearing this. The reason she had guessed that Zhang Ji was at one of the four major medical clinics was because she understood the Fourth Prince's methods of operation. But as for trust... even Ji Zizhao herself hadn't expected it.
A short while later, Xin Bi returned, not only with Zhang Ji but also with Sun Zhitong and Wang Can. After all, their employer had returned, and they naturally rushed to see her.
The moment Zhang Ji saw his young lady, he knelt on the ground. "Zhang Ji has failed my young lady's entrustment. I will accept any punishment you deem fit." Although Zhang Ji had been recuperating at one of the four major medical clinics during this period, his injuries were severe. The bruises had subsided, but his internal injuries remained.
Ji Zizhao personally helped Zhang Ji up and motioned for him to sit beside her. "I know Uncle Ji did not act with intent. In that case, what punishment is there to speak of? Let us not dwell on the past."
Zhang Ji's eyes reddened. "That day, I accompanied the First Madam to the Jin residence and remained outside the door. I did not hear the First Madam's screams or cries for help, but I did hear a few shouts and curses from men." If the First Madam had cried out, he would have risked his life to rush in and protect her.
Ji Zizhao remained composed. "Does Uncle Ji know that the public is spreading rumors that my mother committed suicide due to excessive grief?"
"Preposterous! The First Madam was always composed. While she worried about my young lady, she would never be so reckless. Moreover, the First Madam's demeanor was normal when she went to the Jin family that day. She was even talking on the way about waiting for my young lady's return to personally cook her delicious meals." For a First Madam who cared so deeply for her daughter, how could she have given up hope without seeing her daughter return safely!
Everything was as Ji Zizhao had surmised. It seemed the problem lay with the Jin family.
"Does Uncle Ji know where my mother is now?"
Zhang Ji's voice faltered, and after a long pause, he said, "After I sent the letter, I was in a coma. When I woke up, I heard the Old Madam's orders that the First Madam had already been buried in the Ji family's ancestral graves."
Sun Zhitong pondered. "She was likely buried the day after the incident. I happened to pass by the Ji family's entrance that day and saw several servants hurriedly carrying a coffin out the back door."
Wang Can, unable to contain his temper, exclaimed, "This is outrageous! The First Madam was the principal wife of the Ji family, and the eldest wife at that. Even if she were to be buried, it should have been a grand funeral after three days of mourning at home, carried out through the main gate!"
Xin Bi's temper wasn't any better. "The Ji family treating the First Madam this way is worse than beasts!"
Sun Zhitong narrowed his eyes sinisterly. "My lady, how do you wish to exact revenge? If it's too much trouble, why not just poison them and send the entire Ji family to accompany the First Madam."
If she could, Ji Zizhao would have wanted to exchange her life for her mother's. But reason told her that even if she traded her life, her mother would still not return. The pain suppressed in her heart ripped and tore, making Ji Zizhao's face pale and her suffering unbearable.
Qing Zhu looked at her young lady, whose face was as white as paper, and quickly supported her. "My lady..."
Ji Zizhao waved her hand, signaling she was alright. "I just want to see my mother." Revenge must be sought, but nothing was more important than seeing her mother first.