In the seventeenth year of Xiaochang, on the twentieth day of the tenth month, the men of the Ji family were laid to rest.
Just past the hour of the rat, the lamps in each branch of the Ji family were lit.
Lanterns, white as snow, were hung high one after another at the entrances of the various courtyards, exuding an oppressive aura that made it difficult to breathe.
The maids in each courtyard, apart from those attending their mistresses for washing and changing into mourning clothes, along with the young servants, led by the head stewardess of the main courtyard, silently and orderly carried and held various paper effigies and objects required for the funeral, positioning themselves in the front courtyard of the Ji family.
Half an hour later, the female members of the Ji family arrived at the mansion's entrance.
Beneath their hempen mourning attire were their swollen eyes and uncontrollable trembling.
The First Madam, Lin Wanyun, exchanged a silent glance with Ji Zizhao before addressing the stewardess, "Take the headcount."
The head stewardess of the main courtyard silently checked the numbers, then ordered the gatekeeper to open the mansion gates.
The early autumn weather carried a hint of chill, and the gatekeeper prepared himself to be swept by the autumn wind as he opened the gate.
However, as both grand doors were fully opened, the anticipated chill did not arrive.
The gatekeeper cautiously peered out, his eyes widening in surprise.
The street, which should have been empty, was now filled with citizens.
Among them were refugees who had journeyed from Luoyi and had been cared for by the Four Great Medical Halls, as well as locals born and raised within the Imperial City, and even people who had rushed overnight from neighboring cities.
But no matter where they came from, their purpose today was singular...
To bid farewell to the men of the Ji family!
To bid farewell to the heroes who lived only to protect the lands of Yulin!
The dense crowd choked the entire street, leaving no room to move. The gatekeeper curiously craned his neck further, looking into the distance, only to see that the street from end to end was packed with citizens.
The dark mass of people extended towards the outskirts of the city, seemingly without end.
"The men of the Ji family lived on the battlefield and died for Yulin. We merely wish to offer our humble sentiments..."
"We wish to see once more the heroes who once protected us, and we humbly request the eldest daughter of the Ji family's permission."
"The men of the Ji family have fought countless battles for the nation throughout their lives. We have lost count of how many farewells we have witnessed and how many welcomes we have offered. This time... we shall personally escort the men of the Ji family, even if it is... a journey with no return!"
The citizens on the street spoke in hushed tones, their words differing but their intent unified.
Yulin had lost the men of the Ji family, but the men of the Ji family would forever live on in their hearts.
The Ji family's female members, already filled with sorrow, could no longer contain themselves and covered their mouths as they wept.
Ji Zizhao's throat tightened, and her eyes burned with a sharp pain.
Grandfather, Father, Uncles, and the brothers who had long since passed...
Do you see? Do you hear?
Your blood was not shed in vain. Even if you could not warm the hearts of the corrupt officials in court, you have instilled your spirit deep within the hearts and bones of Yulin's people.
Ji Zizhao forcefully suppressed the lump in her throat and stepped forward from among the Ji family's female members, her voice choked with sobs, "To live as a hero among men! To die as a legend among ghosts! My grandfather often said that the Ji family, entrusted by the Yulin imperial family, was obligated to protect this land for Yulin! Therefore, over the years, my grandfather and all the men of my Ji family have never lorded our favor over the common people! But today, I, Ji Zizhao, on behalf of the female members of the Ji family, thank the people of Yulin for their ardent sincerity in this cold autumn! It is the Ji family's good fortune to be born in Yulin! And it is the Ji family's honor to have been able to protect a peaceful Yulin for its people!"
These words, so clear and resonant, were heard by every citizen on the street.
Her resolute pronouncements seemed to hook everyone's heartstrings.
The citizens listened, tears streaming down their faces, their chests swelling with emotion.
Most of the citizens present had already witnessed the courage of the eldest daughter of the Ji family, while those who had come from other cities had only heard of her reputation.
Now, listening to these resolute and powerful words, the citizens from other cities were utterly amazed.
Such humble yet grateful and powerful words, one would be hard-pressed to hear from ordinary men!
So this was the eldest daughter of the Ji family!
So her fame was truly deserved!
Under the gaze of all the citizens, Ji Zizhao took the lead and stepped out of the threshold, standing within the sight of the citizens on the street. She silently bowed, offering her deepest gratitude to all the citizens present that day.
Seeing this, the citizens quickly followed suit, bowing in return.
The female members of the Ji family hastily followed, bowing alongside Ji Zizhao.
Tears fell one by one onto the ground, onto the tips of their shoes, carrying their unspoken pain and overwhelming shock.
When they first saw these citizens, their instinct was to panic.
Even the First Madam, Lin Wanyun, unconsciously tightened her grip on her handkerchief.
No matter how they were, they were merely women confined to their residences. How could they possibly handle such a scene?
But their elder sister, their niece, remained calm and composed in the face of adversity.
The Ji family truly could not afford to lose Ji Zizhao now!
In a nearby alley, a carriage was quietly parked.
Xie Jinglan, seated inside the carriage, had intended to peruse his book but paused, his fingertip hovering over the page, upon hearing Ji Zizhao's voice.
Her speech not only articulated the Ji family's beliefs and resolve but also expressed gratitude to all the citizens.
Her words, seemingly born of emotion, were actually all-encompassing, leaving no room for criticism, and even managed to subtly praise the Emperor, his father, in the palace.
Tsk, tsk, tsk...
This eldest daughter of the Ji family was becoming more and more remarkable.
Tang Di, outside the carriage, was deeply moved by her words. Thinking of how often Huo Nian Gong had interacted with the eldest daughter of the Ji family, he leaned over and subtly asked, "What is the eldest daughter of the Ji family really like?"
Huo Nian Gong summarized in one word: "Human."
Tang Di: "..."
You should just shut up, okay?
"Make way, make way..."
A group of people suddenly pushed their way through the crowd.
Tang Di recognized these people. He returned to the carriage window and said, "Your Highness, those are people from a branch of the Ji family."
Xie Jinglan lowered his gaze for a moment, then reached out and lifted the carriage curtain.
Under the leadership of the Second Master of the Ji family, Ji Zixiu, who had visited the Ji family before, and the fourth daughter of the Ji family, Ji Ziling, were walking towards the Ji family's residence.
The previously silent crowd began to stir as the Second Master of the Ji family pushed through.
Huo Nian Gong, seeing this, quietly asked, "Your Highness, shall we depart now?"
Xie Jinglan retracted his gaze and lowered it slightly. "No need. Let's wait and see."
The Ji family branch's arrival at this moment suggested that some unexpected development might occur.