The tragic death of Ziqiao sent shivers of fear through the Ji family's servants, leaving them all in a state of panic. No one had expected the usually quiet eldest young lady to be so decisive and ruthless in her actions. Recalling their past condescension towards her, the household members were now filled with dread and unease. Previously, who among the Ji family didn't secretly chuckle when the eldest young lady was mentioned? Now, the mere thought of her instilled a mixture of fear and apprehension in everyone.
While the Ji family servants prayed that the eldest young lady would not seek retribution for past grievances, they also redoubled their efforts in their duties, hoping that their diligent work would earn her forgiveness. It was undeniable that Ziqiao's fate that day had completely reshaped the Ji family's perception of their eldest young lady.
Madame Zhao, ever since hearing of Ziqiao's abduction, had been living in constant anxiety within her mansion. Upon learning that Ziqiao had been beaten to death by the Ji family, she collapsed onto her chair, her body covered in a cold sweat.
"Mother, why are you so alarmed? Ziqiao's death is a good thing. This way, the Ji family will never know the truth," Zhao Liang said, taking a sip of tea and trying to nonchalantly comfort her.
Madame Zhao frowned, looking at her son. Her heart pounded erratically. The Ji family had gone to such lengths to abduct Ziqiao; it couldn't have been a simple matter of beating her to death. Had Ziqiao confessed everything she knew? If that were the case, the Ji family should have come to their door by now! The more she thought about it, the more restless Madame Zhao became. She quickly instructed Granny Sun, who was by her side, "Go to the main gate and see if Qingyu has returned. If he has, bring him to me immediately."
Granny Sun nodded and turned to leave the main hall. However, she returned shortly after, her face deathly pale. "Madam, something terrible has happened! Qingyu has returned, but he brought Ziqiao back with him, in a bundle. I took another look; Ziqiao is likely long dead."
Madame Zhao gasped, nearly losing consciousness on the spot. Zhao Liang steadied his mother. "Why would they carry a dead person back?" he berated. Granny Sun looked innocent. "This servant does not know."
Madame Zhao clutched her son's hand. "Before your father finishes his court session, we must go and see." Zhao Liang, also fearful of his father witnessing such a gruesome scene and subsequently being held accountable, quickly helped his mother out of the courtyard.
Under the blazing sun, a pungent, foul odor emanated from the Zhao mansion's gate. Ziqiao's disfigured body lay like a pool of blood and gore at the foot of the steps, fresh blood continuously seeping from her mangled flesh and flowing downwards. Madame Zhao had already been informed of Ziqiao's death, but seeing her appearance firsthand still caused her to gasp in shock. Zhao Liang's complexion was no better; he was drenched in sweat despite the sweltering heat of midsummer. A living person had been reduced to a mass of conjoined flesh – how could anyone not be horrified?
Madame Zhao forced herself not to look at Ziqiao below the steps and glared at Qingyu. "How did you handle this? Why did you bring a servant from the Ji family back?"
Qingyu, covered in blood, knelt on the ground, utterly terrified. "Madam, you wrong me! It was the Ji family's eldest young lady who said that since Ziqiao was a concubine of our household, she should return to her roots even in death." The thought of the Ji family's eldest young lady, who seemed to kill without batting an eye, made Qingyu tremble like a sieve on his knees.
Madame Zhao felt utterly disgusted. She could only turn to her son and say through gritted teeth, "This is all your doing! I told you Ziqiao was a troublemaker, someone to be avoided. But you, seeing someone throwing themselves at you, you had no idea of your limits!" Zhao Liang had initially relied on Ziqiao to help conceal Ji Ziyan's unconsciousness. Later, when Ziqiao persistently approached him, he went along with it. Who would have thought that before he could even taste the fruit, she would be reduced to a bloody pulp? The mere thought of Ziqiao's past advances made Zhao Liang feel nauseous. "What could I do? Didn't you, Mother, say we had to keep everyone quiet? And didn't you say we should keep a servant of Ji Ziyan to throw this dirty water back onto the Ji family later?"
Madame Zhao's chest heaved with anger. Fearing her son might speak carelessly again, she quickly ordered someone to dispose of Ziqiao's corpse in the mass grave outside the city. Then, she walked to her son and whispered, "No matter what, to prevent any further complications, bring Ji Ziyan back as soon as possible." Zhao Liang reluctantly nodded. "Mother, don't worry. I'll send word to the Third Madam of the Ji family later."
Ziqiao's death quickly spread throughout the Ji family. However, with the Old Madam's tacit approval, no one else in the household dared to comment. Third Madam Yin Wenying, who was tending to Ji Ziyan in Yan Yuan, had not yet had time to process the news when a servant informed her that someone from the Zhao family had arrived. Fearing she might neglect the Zhao family's guests, Third Madam Yin Wenying quickly followed the servant out of the courtyard.
Ji Ziyan, leaning against her bed, her dazed, hollow eyes began to moisten with a reddish hue. Ever since she married into the Zhao family, Ziqiao had been restless. However, she had tolerated it, considering Ziqiao her dowry servant, unwilling to have internal strife that would make the Zhao family laugh. She never imagined that her tolerance would only embolden Ziqiao's ambition. She would never forget the day she begged Ziqiao on her knees to deliver a message to her family. After Ziqiao had agreed, she had immediately informed Zhao Liang. The result... Ji Ziyan closed her eyes, unable to bear the memory, her chest heaving uncontrollably. Now, her eldest sister had purified their household. Yet, she had to jump back into a fiery pit before she could even express her gratitude. Perhaps... this was her fate.
After meeting with the people from the Zhao family, Third Madam Yin Wenying pondered for a while before heading to Yun Yuan. First Madam Lin Wanyun, who was busy organizing household accounts, heard of her sister-in-law's arrival and quickly put down her work to go to the main hall. "Why has Third Sister-in-law come?" First Madam Lin Wanyun warmly invited Third Madam Yin Wenying to sit. Third Madam Yin Wenying smiled somewhat awkwardly. "I have something I'd like to ask Sister-in-law's help with." First Madam Lin Wanyun quickly dismissed the servants in the room before saying, "Please, Third Sister-in-law, speak freely. If I can help, I will not refuse."
Third Madam Yin Wenying immediately recounted the Zhao family's visit. "Sister-in-law, you know the situation our family is in right now. If Ziyan stays, it might not be a dead end, but how will a woman who has been cast out by her in-laws live her life?" First Madam Lin Wanyun, being a mother herself, understood. "Third Sister-in-law wants Ziyan to return, which is a good idea." Third Madam Yin Wenying sighed. "I want to send Ziyan back, but I'm afraid Zizhao will find out..." First Madam Lin Wanyun finally understood the reason for Third Madam Yin Wenying's visit. "Third Sister-in-law, you are Ziyan's mother. Your choice is your own. I will handle Zizhao. Don't worry." "Then I will trouble Sister-in-law." "We are family; there's no need for formalities." With her sister-in-law's assurance, Third Madam Yin Wenying finally breathed a sigh of relief.