The Second and Third Masters of the Ji family came together because they had privately communicated.
Although their two families had established themselves independently over the years, they had benefited greatly from the Ji family's reputation as a General's manor. If the General's manor were to fall now, how would they continue to act so high and mighty?
Therefore, the two masters discussed it privately and made a decision. If the Emperor truly punished the General's manor, they would accept it. But if the Emperor truly cherished old ties, then the children they had placed in the General's manor would inherit everything.
By then, the General's manor would be theirs for the taking.
Of course, for fairness' sake, each of the two masters would send one child to the General's manor. As for who would ultimately inherit, that would be up to heaven.
The First Madam, Lin Wan Yun, her expression darkened, and her voice lost its softness. "The men of my Ji family died on the battlefield, their bones not yet cold, their flesh still warm. We acknowledge the intentions of you two uncles. As for other matters, it is not too late to discuss them later."
The Third Master of the Ji family frowned and rebuked, "Elders are present, where is it your turn, a junior, to be shouting? Don't think that just because you are the mistress of the house, your status is high. Everything you have now was given by the Ji family!"
The Second Master of the Ji family looked at the Old Madam. "This is a measure of consideration from my third brother and me. I trust that my eldest sister-in-law will understand, won't you?"
The Old Madam raised her drooping eyelids, her expression unreadable. "It is indeed improper for my husband's affairs to be a concern for you two junior uncles. However, I, this old woman, am still here, and the family's affairs can still be managed. As for your good intentions, I appreciate them."
The First Madam, Lin Wan Yun, was stunned. She had not expected the Old Madam, who had always stayed out of worldly affairs, to refuse so directly.
Outside the door, in the long corridor, Ji Zi Zhao was not surprised by her grandmother's refusal.
After all, this time, someone had crossed her grandmother's bottom line.
In the main hall, the faces of the two masters of the Ji family were displeased.
They never expected that a manor without even a man would dare to so sternly reject their goodwill!
Ji Zi Xiu and Ji Zi Liang had been pampered since childhood. They had never thought highly of the General's manor, and now that they were being sent back, they had lost face.
Ji Zi Xiu was the first to walk to the Second Master's side and said without hesitation, "Grandfather, we should just leave. How long can a manor without men last?"
Ji Zi Liang also looked at the Third Master and snorted coldly, "I heard that now everything here is managed by some incompetent fool. The people in the capital must be laughing their heads off, saying that even an incompetent can lead a whole manor."
"Grandfather, let's go. Let this dilapidated place collapse on its own."
"Yes, Grandfather, let's go too. I'm too disdainful to even look at a place run by an incompetent!"
The two grandchildren continuously spoke wildly in the main hall of the Ji family.
The First Madam, Lin Wan Yun, was so angry that she wished she could have these unrestrained people thrown out right now.
The Old Madam glanced at the First Madam, Lin Wan Yun. "If you compete with juniors, what difference are you from those two disrespectful children?"
The First Madam, Lin Wan Yun, was speechless.
Should she just endure it?
Endure?
Naturally impossible.
Ji Zi Zhao, standing in the corridor, her gaze turning cold, quietly instructed, "Xin Lan, inform the Second Young Lady about this."
Xin Lan nodded and ran off.
Ji Zi Xiu, who was in her own courtyard pondering how to extricate herself from Jiu Yu with a clear head, suddenly heard Xin Lan's report. Enraged, she grabbed her whip and leaped out of the window.
When her grandfather was alive, she hadn't seen other members of the Ji family visit. Now that the Ji family had no men, they were rushing over to take advantage?
They were too spoiled!
Ji Zi Zhao stood in the corridor for only a moment before seeing Ji Zi Xiu charging towards them.
Normally, Ji Zi Xiu would ignore Ji Zi Zhao if she saw her. But now, she instinctively stopped.
She remembered what her eldest sister had said: commoners have courage, but only those with both courage and strategy can go far.
Ji Zi Xiu stood awkwardly, her lips moving as if she wanted to ask Ji Zi Zhao what to do about the matter, but pride prevented her from speaking.
Ji Zi Zhao looked at her stubborn second sister with a comforting warmth.
Although still a bit reckless, at least she had listened to her words, otherwise, she wouldn't be standing before her now.
Ji Zi Zhao said softly, "Today, you are permitted to vent properly."
Ji Zi Xiu looked disbelieving. "I can vent in any way I want?"
Ji Zi Zhao nodded. "No matter how messy the situation, I will clean it up. So, you just vent. But after you've vented, you must carefully observe how I handle this matter. If you can understand it, I will continue to clean up your messes in the future."
Her third sister was intelligent, the most adaptable and possessing an exceptional memory among her sisters.
Therefore, as long as she followed her behind and worked steadily, within a few years, she would become calm, wise, and capable of handling matters independently.
"Later, when you face Grandmother, remember to be respectful. Make sure Grandmother knows that you respect her and consider her. As long as you remember this, you can be without scruples today."
Since the rescue from the Zhao family incident, Ji Zi Xiu had begun to trust her eldest sister. So, after Ji Zi Zhao finished speaking, she nodded as if granted a pardon. "Eldest Sister, rest assured, I will watch carefully later."
As she spoke, she clenched her whip tightly...
Sharpening her knives and preparing to slaughter the sheep.
In the main hall, the voices of Ji Zi Xiu and Ji Zi Liang could still be clearly heard.
"I was originally curious about what kind of manor could indulge an incompetent fool to wield power so arrogantly. Now that I see it, it truly is a decline in morality and a perversion of human nature. If even a sow can climb trees, then what is impossible?"
"This century-old General's manor is not solely the achievement of this single branch of the Ji family. We, the collateral branches, have also contributed. We don't seek wealth and status, yet now we are also ridiculed by the people of the capital, saying that our Ji family's power is held by a woman."
The First Madam, Lin Wan Yun, her face pale, had tried to reprimand them several times but was stopped by the Old Madam.
Even she did not know if, should the Ji family truly fall, they would still need to rely on these two collateral relatives. Therefore, as long as they were dissuaded from adopting their offspring, she would not fall out with them over other matters.
Moreover, it was good for the two collateral relatives to scold them. That way, even if Zi Zhao did anything too excessive in the future, it would represent her own actions and not the entire Ji family.
The First Madam, Lin Wan Yun, looked at the Old Madam's serene expression and understood her thoughts perfectly.
This family would be borne by Ji Zi Zhao, the Emperor's judgment would be faced by Ji Zi Zhao, but no matter what Ji Zi Zhao did, it would have nothing to do with the Ji family. What kind of logic was this?
The First Madam, Lin Wan Yun, could not believe that her mother-in-law, whom she had respected for half her life, could be so selfish!
It was true that her daughter had stayed out of worldly affairs in the past, but she had never owed the Ji family anything!