In the pavilion, a group of young ladies, led by Jin Xueyan, were chatting animatedly.
The people in the courtyard seemed to be gathered in small groups, but everyone's eyes were darting towards the pavilion.
With such an interesting spectacle unfolding, no one present was willing to miss out.
Moreover, upon seeing Ji Zizhao's face, the crowd felt an unspeakable jealousy. Now, they naturally wished for Ji Zizhao to be miserable, even hoping she would cry uncontrollably and lose her composure, so as to compensate for their envy and admiration of her face.
Ji Zizhao looked at the chatting crowd in the pavilion but did not turn to leave. Instead, she found a corner and sat down, as if oblivious to everything, gazing at the scenery around the pavilion.
This situation caused a chill to run down the spines of the ladies in the pavilion.
She could still sit there?
This eldest daughter of the Ji family was not only a pushover but also an audacious and thick-skinned pushover.
It was unclear which lady spoke first, "A while ago, my mother specially went to Jin Ding Zhai to craft a set of jewelry for me. It will be ready in a few days. It only cost a small sum of around three thousand taels, so it probably won't be very valuable. My mother also said I could just wear it around casually."
Three thousand taels was enough for an ordinary family in Sheng Huang City to live for ten years.
Ji Zizhao looked at the proud young lady; she recognized her.
The daughter of Zuo Qinghua, the Left Remonstrance Official of the Hanlin Academy.
A few years ago, Ji Zizhao had learned from Xin Lan that Zuo Qinghua was arrogant and unrealistic, unable to properly assess her position. She had actually set her sights on the position of daughter-in-law in the Vice Censor-in-Chief's family, and had dismissed her childhood sweetheart, her cousin.
It was heard that Zuo Qinghua, to show her deep affection for the Vice Censor-in-Chief's family, had thrown away all the betrothal gifts on the day her cousin personally came to propose. She had even kicked her cousin, with whom she had grown up, out of the house, leaving no room for sentimentality.
As a result, the Vice Censor-in-Chief's mansion had not even given Zuo Qinghua a second glance.
Sun Tang, a wealthy second-generation heir who was well-versed in dealing with women, naturally looked down on Zuo Qinghua.
The idle chatter in the pavilion continued, "For people of our status, three thousand taels is sufficient. My mother used to have jewelry made for me that was only worth a few hundred taels, saying that she would have better pieces made as dowry when I got married."
Zuo Qinghua glanced at another young lady, pointedly remarking, "If it were in the past, I couldn't understand your mother's actions. We were all raised with a silver spoon in our mouths, how could we lower our status? But now, anyone can sit with us. In that case, jewelry worth a few hundred taels is also elegant."
This statement clearly implied that Ji Zizhao was not even worth a few hundred taels.
Jin Xueyan listened with a beaming smile and, at the same time, did not forget to show off her own wealth, "Jewelry is nothing. You all don't know that someone sent my mother a box of deer antler velvet recently."
As soon as deer antler velvet was mentioned, the eyes of the ladies in the pavilion lit up.
Sheng Huang City was located in the central part of Yulin. The journey to the distant north alone took half a year round trip. Moreover, deer antler velvet was already very expensive in the northern regions where it was produced. Transporting it to Sheng Huang City, its price was unimaginable.
Jin Xueyan smiled proudly, "The deer antler velvet in that box were all top-grade blood slices, each one almost as big as my palm. Even the box containing the deer antler velvet was inlaid with gems."
Everyone was filled with envy.
Jin Xueyan then cast a glance at Ji Zizhao in the corner, "I'm afraid some people don't even know what deer antler velvet is."
The other young ladies chuckled softly at her words.
Ji Zizhao calmly looked at Jin Xueyan and asked curiously, "What does deer antler velvet taste like, Cousin Xueyan? Do you know?"
Jin Xueyan was stunned for a moment, then quickly replied, "It tastes like that. I didn't treat it as a delicacy when I had it, so I didn't really savor the taste. If you want to know, you can taste it yourself. But I think, with you... you probably won't even see deer antler velvet in this lifetime."
"Cousin Xueyan is right. I haven't tasted deer antler velvet before, but I did give my aunt a box."
"You, what did you say?"
"Didn't Aunt tell Cousin Xueyan that I hadn't seen my aunt for many years and sent her a box of deer antler velvet as a token of my affection? However, I don't know when the box of deer antler velvet I sent was inlaid with gems. Furthermore..."
Ji Zizhao looked at Jin Xueyan with a troubled and curious expression, and said, "Before the deer antler velvet could reach the Jin residence, it was robbed on the way, and even my maid was hit on the head. How did Cousin Xueyan see that deer antler velvet?"
Jin Xueyan suddenly felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
Her mother had mentioned the robbery of the deer antler velvet when she returned last time. At that time, she had felt it was a pity, but she had never imagined that the deer antler velvet was sent by Ji Zizhao!
Ji Zizhao looked at Jin Xueyan's extremely awkward expression, her eyes deep.
She was now the person in charge of the Ji family, and every word and action represented the Ji family. If she let Jin Xueyan off the hook today, wouldn't anyone dare to step on her head in the future?
Although the Ji family had been reclusive for many years, it was true that she was not a pushover.
Jin Xueyan saw that the eyes in the pavilion were all focused on her, and she gritted her teeth, "Do you think you are the only one who sends gifts to my family? I tell you, there are many people who send precious things to my family. The deer antler velvet I mentioned is definitely not that box you sent!"
Ji Zizhao nodded with understanding, not arguing, but kindly reminded, "Deer antler velvet has a sweet, salty, and warm medicinal property. It has the effect of tonifying kidney yang, enriching essence and blood, strengthening tendons and bones, regulating Chong and Ren meridians, and treating soft bones and joints, bleeding and vaginal discharge. I wonder what discomfort Cousin Xueyan is experiencing that you are thinking of taking deer antler velvet to nourish yourself?"
Jin Xueyan froze again, her mouth half-open and unable to close.
She was a young lady who had not yet left her maiden chamber. If others knew she was unwell, how would she find a husband?
Most importantly!
She hadn't even understood any of the ailments Ji Zizhao mentioned!
"I already said it's not the same box of deer antler velvet. Why is the eldest daughter of the Ji family being so aggressive? I heard that the eldest daughter of the Ji family is now in charge of the Ji family. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at if this spreads?" Zuo Qinghua had always had a good relationship with Jin Xueyan and naturally stepped forward to help.
Ji Zizhao glanced at Zuo Qinghua indifferently, then said to Jin Xueyan, "Cousin Xueyan's maid is quite formidable."
Jin Xueyan, "..."
Zuo Qinghua, "..."
You are the maid!
Zuo Qinghua's face turned dark, and her eyes seemed to be able to spew fire, "I am Zuo Qinghua, the daughter of the Left Remonstrance Official of the Hanlin Academy! The eldest daughter of the Ji family should broaden her horizons more when she has time."
Ji Zizhao seemed to recall something, "If I remember correctly, the Left Remonstrance Official of the Hanlin Academy is a fourth-rank official, with a monthly salary of one hundred and five taels and a grain stipend of one hundred and five hu. Yet, Miss Zuo speaks of jewelry worth three thousand taels, to be worn casually... Are the officials of the Hanlin Academy all so rich?"
Zuo Qinghua was taken aback.
Ji Zizhao continued, "The monthly salary of a prince is only five thousand taels. Miss Zuo's set of jewelry alone costs more than half a month's salary of a prince. The Zuo family is truly astonishing."
Since she was being aggressive, Ji Zizhao naturally had to show her strength.