The lanterns at the Zhao family's residence were still brightly lit at the stroke of Hai Shi.
Zhao Liang paced back and forth in the main hall, impatience etched on his face. "Why have they taken so long?"
The Zhao family matriarch glanced at the master seated beside her and reminded him pointedly, "The Ji family's estate is quite far from ours, and Zi Yan has only just recovered. They are bound to be delayed on the journey."
Zhao Liang, who had been at a pleasure house until dawn the previous day, was both tired and groggy. He failed to grasp the matriarch's subtle hint and continued angrily, "She's getting too much of an attitude. Mother, when she returns, I will make her..."
"Enough, enough. Your father is still here. Don't speak such nonsense."
Zhao Liang startled and turned around, only then noticing his father's somber and displeased expression.
Realizing he had spoken out of turn, Zhao Liang quickly went to his father's side to explain. "Son merely feels the Ji family doesn't show Father the proper respect. Otherwise, how could they bear to make Father sit here in the middle of the night? Son is merely concerned for Father."
Grand Tutor Zhao, unaware of the truth behind Ji Ziyan's collapse, saw his son's sincere demeanor and harbored his own resentment. "I suspect the Ji family's arrogance will not last for many more days. Once the Second Prince arrives at the imperial city with the military dispatch, the Ji family will face the grave charge of treason and execution!"
Zhao Liang paused, "The military dispatch has not yet been delivered. The people of the imperial city are all speculating whether the truth recorded on the dispatch truly reflects the Ji family's unilateral actions that led to the defeat at Luoyi. Father speaks so confidently, could it be that you know some inside information?"
Grand Tutor Zhao realized he had spoken too freely and quickly changed the subject. "Your father is merely speculating. Otherwise, Sun Tang would not have dared to speak as he did in his military report. Your father knows you have long been weary of Ji Ziyan. Wait a while longer, and once the Ji family is definitively condemned, your mother will arrange a new betrothal for you."
Grand Tutor Zhao's words were true; Zhao Liang had long been tired of Ji Ziyan.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Liang's mind was filled with images of graceful ladies, and he had no inclination to ponder the Luoyi military situation.
A young servant from the gate, looking rather distressed, stood at the entrance.
Grand Tutor Zhao frowned and inquired, "Has the Eldest Young Madam returned?"
The servant shook his head, unable to meet his gaze. "Someone is at our Zhao family's doorstep, inciting rumors and causing trouble, claiming that the Eldest Young Madam is being mistreated by our Zhao family, and that the Eldest Young Master treats her worse than dirt..."
Zhao Liang, already guilty, immediately stood up upon hearing this. "I will go and see."
Grand Tutor Zhao also rose.
The Zhao matriarch, however, quickly took his hand and advised, "It is merely ignorant commoners spreading rumors. Such a trivial matter requires the Grand Tutor's personal attention?"
"But..."
"Doesn't Master always say Liang'er is growing up and should handle some matters on his own? In my opinion, let Liang'er handle the affairs outside. It is late, and Master has court tomorrow. I shall help Master with his ablutions first."
The Zhao matriarch naturally could not allow Grand Tutor Zhao to know that her son was dissolute and a mere good-for-nothing who vented his frustrations by beating women. Although Grand Tutor Zhao had only one son, no one knew if Grand Tutor Zhao, upon becoming thoroughly disappointed with Zhao Liang, might bring other women into the household to have another son.
Only by Zhao Liang inheriting the position of Grand Tutor could she become a respected Grand Madam.
Therefore, beyond concealing and protecting, the Zhao matriarch could not afford any risks.
Grand Tutor Zhao had initially thought that since Ji Ziyan had met with misfortune in the Zhao family, and the Ji family had not yet been convicted, being too cold towards them might reveal something amiss. However, since the Ji family was proving so arrogant, he saw no need to lower his own standing.
The street outside the Zhao family's residence was shrouded in darkness.
A warm breeze rustled by, occasionally carrying whispers of conversation.
"I heard the Zhao family is a veritable den of iniquity. They appear respectable on the surface, but are rotten within. The Third Miss of the Ji family's injuries were all inflicted by the Zhao family."
"Is that true?"
"Of course, it's true! I have relatives working for the Ji family, and this is what the Third Miss said herself after waking up. She even tearfully pleaded with the Third Madam of the Ji family not to send her back to the Zhao family, saying the Eldest Young Master of the Zhao family is a wolf in human skin!"
"If that's the case, then the Zhao family is worse than beasts!"
"Isn't it? That carriage we saw just now, is evidence that the Zhao family forcibly took the Third Miss of the Ji family. One can only imagine how she is weeping inside that carriage right now, alas..."
The Zhao family's servants stood by the mansion's gate, their hearts filled with trepidation. They looked at their Eldest Young Master with a degree of surprise.
Of course, they did not believe those words to be true. However, the person who spoke earlier had claimed it was the Eldest Young Madam's words...
Zhao Liang clenched his fists, consumed by rage.
Although he had not seen the speaker, he had clearly heard every word!
He had thought that the slut Ji Ziyan would learn her lesson after nearly dying. Now it seemed he had not been harsh enough. If he had known this slut was so loose-lipped, he should have beaten her to death back then!
The Zhao matriarch, after helping Grand Tutor Zhao prepare for bed, had not heard everything Zhao Liang had, but she had caught snippets. Coincidentally, just as she had taken a step to stand by the door, she saw a carriage bearing the Zhao family's insignia pull up at the bottom of the steps.
Seeing the slender figure of Ji Ziyan step out of the carriage, the Zhao matriarch stood firm on the steps, not moving at all.
Ji Ziyan raised her eyes to look at her indifferent mother-in-law, then shifted her gaze to her husband.
Their eyes met. The blazing fury in Zhao Liang's eyes was palpable.
Ji Ziyan instinctively took a step back.
Zhao Liang was surprised that Ji Ziyan not only did not rush forward to bow her head and admit fault but actually retreated. Losing all patience, he strode down the steps, grabbed Ji Ziyan's wrist, and dragged her towards the steps.
The servants at the Zhao family's gate watched with hearts pounding.
Could the rumors just now be true?
The Zhao matriarch let out a cold snort. "If word of what happened today gets out, none of you will live to see tomorrow!"
Hearing this, the Zhao servants immediately lowered their heads in fear.
Meanwhile, Zhao Liang had already dragged Ji Ziyan up the steps.
Ji Ziyan was already weak from illness and could not withstand such a forceful tug. Her vision darkened, and she collapsed onto the steps.
However, Zhao Liang, who was accustomed to beating and kicking Ji Ziyan, showed no trace of pity.
"Don't play dead as soon as you return! I warn you, Ji Ziyan, it is our Zhao family's benevolence that allows you to return. Otherwise, we would have divorced you long ago!" Zhao Liang tightened his grip, intending to drag Ji Ziyan up from the ground and force her to follow him.
Ji Ziyan silently lowered her head. Her eyes, long since dry, could not shed another tear.