On the steps, Madam Zhao felt her vision darken at the sight of the Fengtian Prefecture Governor in official attire.
Zhao Liang’s eyes widened, and he sat at the entrance of his mansion, unsure of what to do, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
Ji Zizhao descended the steps and stopped before the Fengtian Prefecture Governor. "What just happened, Your Excellency must have seen clearly. What was just said, Your Excellency must also have heard clearly. The Zhao family abused my Ji family's daughter first, and then attempted to harm my Ji family's grandson. I implore the Fengtian Prefecture Governor to investigate rigorously."
The Fengtian Prefecture Governor cast a sympathetic glance at Madam Zhao and her son.
It seemed that recently, whoever crossed the eldest young lady of the Ji family met an unfortunate end. The imposing gates of the Vice Censor-in-Chief's residence were still occasionally battered open, and now it was the Zhao family's turn.
With the evidence clear, the Fengtian Prefecture Governor had no choice but to speak sternly. "Guards! Bring Zhao Liang back and have him thoroughly interrogated!"
In an instant, several yamen runners surrounded Zhao Liang, leaving no room for escape.
Madam Zhao felt a wave of dizziness and ringing in her ears.
She had never imagined that the Ji family, whose power was seemingly gone, would dare to be so decisive, sending their own son-in-law to prison. This was a complete severing of ties with the Zhao family!
How dare the Ji family?
How dare the eldest young lady of the Ji family!
"Mother, save me, save me..." Zhao Liang's desperate plea rang out.
Madam Zhao quickly descended the steps, disregarding all decorum, and grabbed the Fengtian Prefecture Governor's sleeve. "Your Excellency, Your Excellency, my son's father is the current Grand Tutor! It is a small matter to arrest my son, but offending the current Grand Tutor is a grave offense!"
The Fengtian Prefecture Governor certainly did not wish to antagonize the Grand Tutor's mansion, but Zhao Liang had just so readily confessed his guilt. "It is not that I intentionally make things difficult, but the evidence is conclusive. I am merely acting under orders."
He feared even more that his own mansion's gates would be smashed open!
Madam Zhao was truly terrified. She knelt before the Fengtian Prefecture Governor. She had only this one son; if he were truly sent to prison, how would she live her life afterward?
Ji Zizhao walked up to a young servant of the Zhao family. "Go and inform Grand Tutor Zhao of this matter."
It was almost amusing how Grand Tutor Zhao had always believed his son to be a prodigy. When his grandfather was alive, he often heard Grand Tutor Zhao boasting about his son and belittling the younger generation of the Ji family, claiming they had no male heirs.
Now, whether Zhao Liang was a dragon or a phoenix was something Grand Tutor Zhao himself had to witness.
Third Madam Yin Wenying, seeing Madam Zhao finally defeated, felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction. She held her daughter close and whispered, "Ziyan, don't be afraid. Mother will take you home now."
Zhao Liang, seeing Ji Ziyan stand up with Third Madam Yin Wenying, became agitated, his eyes shining as if he had seen a lifeline.
"Ziyan, you can't leave, you can't leave! If you leave, how will I go on living? I know I was wrong, I was truly wrong. As long as you stay, I am willing to treat you well for the rest of my life. I swear I will never raise my voice at you again. Ziyan, I beg you, give me another chance."
At this moment, Zhao Liang lay on the ground, clutching Ji Ziyan's skirt, putting on a pitiable display.
Ji Ziyan looked at the tearful Zhao Liang, her heart churning with a bitter ache.
She had always been too soft-hearted, forgiving Zhao Liang time and time again. But a wolf was still a wolf; no matter how well it feigned, its sharp fangs would eventually be revealed.
"Mother, let's go." Ji Ziyan had nothing more to say to Zhao Liang.
Zhao Liang was shocked by Ji Ziyan's heartlessness. Their years of marital affection were disregarded so easily. Seeing Ji Ziyan about to leave, his fear turned into pure rage.
Third Madam Yin Wenying felt a shadow fall upon her peripheral vision. She turned her head in surprise and saw Zhao Liang glaring at her and her daughter with a malevolent expression.
Third Madam Yin Wenying had never seen such a repulsive side to Zhao Liang and was so frightened she couldn't move.
Zhao Liang gritted his teeth fiercely. "Ji Zizhao, you bitch! My father said your Ji family is about to fall! As soon as the Second Prince returns to the imperial city with the military dispatch, it will be the time for your Ji family to be punished! Bitch! Don't think you'll have it easy just because you've left our Zhao family! Ji Zizhao, I'll drag you down with me even if I die!"
As he spoke, Zhao Liang actually raised his fist.
Third Madam Yin Wenying was stunned and finally understood her daughter's suffering.
Just as Zhao Liang's fist was about to descend, Ji Ziyan suddenly stepped forward, shielding her mother. With quick hands, she caught Zhao Liang's descending fist, and with her other hand, she grabbed Zhao Liang's broken arm and twisted it forcefully!
All her movements were lightning-fast, flowing like water.
Zhao Liang cried out in pain, "Ahhh ahhh ahhh—!"
Ji Ziyan pushed the defenseless Zhao Liang away and helped her mother continue down the steps.
The daughters of the Ji family had practiced martial arts since childhood. She was not incapable of defeating Zhao Liang, but she had been enduring it for the sake of her mother and the Ji family.
Zhao Liang curled up on the ground, his chest heaving with pain, when suddenly a foot stepped on his injured shoulder.
"Ahhh ahhh—!"
The piercing pain returned, and Zhao Liang went limp on the ground.
Opening his eyes amidst the cold sweat, he saw Ji Zizhao standing beside him, her face ashen.
Ji Zizhao leaned down slightly, and under Zhao Liang's terrified gaze, her lips curved into a slight smile. "Those who bully my Ji family's daughters will be repaid a hundredfold. Those who insult and harm my Ji family will surely be sent to the netherworld."
Zhao Liang trembled all over, his entire body chilled by those frost-like black eyes.
Ji Zizhao withdrew her gaze and looked at the Fengtian Prefecture Governor, who was still being pestered by Madam Zhao. "Within the imperial city, under the Emperor's gaze, misdeeds will not be overlooked. If this matter escalates, it will be bad for everyone. Ji Zizhao hopes the Fengtian Prefecture Governor will handle this matter impartially."
The Fengtian Prefecture Governor quickly ordered the other yamen runners, "Are you standing around to freeze? Hurry and escort him away!"
The yamen runners, who had been hesitant to lay hands on Zhao Liang, immediately pinned him to the ground.
Across from the Zhao residence, Qingzhu had already prepared the carriage.
The Zhao residence remained lively, while Ji Zizhao and her companions boarded the carriage and departed.
As Grand Tutor Zhao walked out of his mansion, accompanied by a servant, his doorway was already in chaos.
Having already been informed by the servant, Grand Tutor Zhao strode quickly to Zhao Liang's side and, enraged, raised his hand and slapped him. "You irredeemable scoundrel! To do something so disgraceful! How am I supposed to show my face in the imperial city from now on!"
Zhao Liang, struck, curled up on the ground, not daring to lift his head in the face of his father's fury.
The Fengtian Prefecture Governor bowed deeply to Grand Tutor Zhao. "This subordinate greets Grand Tutor Zhao. This subordinate did not wish to oppose Grand Tutor Zhao, but today's events have been recorded. Grand Tutor Zhao, you understand..."
Grand Tutor Zhao's chest heaved with anger.
The Second Prince had not yet returned safely. As his close aide, he had to bide his time. "I trouble the Fengtian Prefecture Governor to handle this matter impartially."
If his son was imprisoned now, and the Second Prince returned with honor, his son might still have a chance. But if this matter truly escalated and angered the returning Second Prince, even he would likely suffer the consequences.
This was exactly what the Fengtian Prefecture Governor was waiting for. He bowed again and then, with the yamen runners, took Zhao Liang away.
Madam Zhao, in a frenzy, rushed to Grand Tutor Zhao's side, pleading, "My lord, how can you be so heartless? That is your son! If he is sent to prison..."
Grand Tutor Zhao, burning with rage, kicked Madam Zhao in the stomach. "Look at the son you raised! And you still have the audacity to weep before me? You are truly a failure in everything you do!"
With that, Grand Tutor Zhao turned and left.
Madam Zhao clutched her stomach and collapsed onto the cold ground, her face completely devoid of color.