The old madam’s body stiffened, disbelief warring with the fact that her granddaughter dared to speak to her in such a tone.
"He's merely a servant, what right does he have to make you draw swords against your own brother! To disrespect your grandmother with your words! If all this is truly because of that servant, then his death is deserved!"
Deserved?
What was truly deserved!
Ji Zizhao clenched her fists hidden within her sleeves, feeling something roaring within her chest. "To Grandmother, Xinlan is just a servant. But if one day, someone were to cause Grandmother's Xu Mama to die with unresolved grievances, or to be left unclothed, would Grandmother still be able to utter such words?"
Ji Zizhao certainly wouldn't lecture her grandmother about servants being human.
She possessed memories of freedom and equality from a past life, but the people living in this corrupt era did not.
In their perception, a servant's life was as cheap as an ant's, perhaps less valuable than a noble's pet.
This was a tragedy of the era.
And more so, a blinkered vision of the times!
If Ji Zizhao wanted her grandmother to care, she had to touch upon her grandmother's pain points.
Indeed, upon hearing these words, the old madam shuddered all over.
Xu Mama was so terrified she dared not even lift her head, wishing she could simply cease to exist.
Both the old madam and Xu Mama understood the implied threat in Ji Zizhao's words.
However, unlike Xu Mama's panic, the old madam felt a surge of anger, her voice hoarse. "You audacious girl! You dare to threaten even me, your grandmother? When the late master left instructions to hand over control of the Ji family to you, if he had known you would be such an ungrateful wretch, he would surely have taken his own life rather than agree to let you lead the Ji family!"
This was an attempt to firmly brand Ji Zizhao with labels of disrespect and unfilial conduct!
The old madam believed that by forcefully suppressing Ji Zizhao with the principles of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness, Ji Zizhao would have no choice but to admit her mistakes.
But the old madam failed to realize that Ji Zizhao had been waiting for these very words.
"When the news of the deaths of Grandfather, Father, and Uncles reached us, what did Grandmother do? Grandmother didn't mourn the injustice and tragedy of the Ji men's deaths. Grandmother's concern was how to maintain ties with the other side, so that she could continue her pampered life should the Ji family fall!"
Ji Zizhao looked at her white-haired grandmother, speaking each word with a resounding clarity that pierced the heart.
She was preserving a shred of respect because she understood the bond of blood.
But if her grandmother showed no regard, then for her to cling to that respect would be utterly foolish.
"Grandmother only knows that the current parasite in the Ji family is the only male heir. But does Grandmother remember that the Ji men who died tragically outside were Grandmother's husband and Grandmother's sons! If Grandfather had known Grandmother was such a heartless and disloyal person, would he still have married you?"
The moment the old madam married the late master, she knew she was not the man's true love.
From that moment on, the old madam only plotted for herself.
Whether it was towards the late master or her sons, she was accustomed to demanding and taking for granted her own selfish interests, believing that the late master owed her everything!
"Am I not also an ordinary woman, who desires to be cherished and loved? It was your grandfather who severed all my fantasies! Furthermore, whether it was your father or your uncles, they were my sons. Their unconditional giving to me was their obligation!" Recalling the past, the old madam's heart seethed with hatred.
She hated the man who married her while his heart belonged to another.
And she hated the Ji family even more!
Only Ji Zongyou was different; he had grown up outside the Ji family, and she had personally raised him.
The moment Ji Zizhao saw the Empress Dowager, she knew that the person residing in her grandfather's heart was indeed the Empress Dowager.
But both the Empress Dowager and her grandfather understood clearly that the burdens on their shoulders did not permit them the luxury of indulging in romantic affections.
"Grandmother's feelings for Grandfather are not for me to comment on. However, the consistent indulgence and obvious favoritism shown by Grandfather to Grandmother over the years, I have seen with my own eyes. Grandfather may not have been able to give Grandmother what she truly desired, but he always sought to compensate Grandmother in other ways!"
The old madam trembled, her heart wracked with pain.
Xu Mama, supporting the old madam who was visibly weakening, felt immense distress as well.
She had often advised the old madam to let go, but the old madam had never listened.
Ji Zizhao knew that trying to make someone as deeply selfish as her grandmother realize her mistakes was likely impossible, even until death. She turned directly and ordered Lian Ju to set fire to Helu Courtyard.
The old madam watched the flames rise and, in a rage, raised her walking stick to strike Ji Zizhao. "You wicked creature! Wicked creature! Do you wish to anger me to death before you are satisfied! Let me tell you, I will protect Zongyou! If you wish to lay a hand on him, you must first strike me down with a knife!"
Ji Zizhao stood her ground, neither dodging nor flinching.
The thought of actually striking her grandmother with a knife was something she could not and would not do.
If she were to truly turn her weapon on her grandmother, what would be the difference between her and that parasitic beast?
"If Grandmother wishes to favor that beast, then keep that beast well hidden. I, Ji Zizhao, swear to the heavens today, as long as I, Ji Zizhao, live, I will surely make that beast wish he had never been born!"
Amidst the inferno, Ji Zizhao looked at her grandmother, her voice resolute and devoid of fear. With her words, she turned and left Helu Courtyard with Lian Ju and Qing Zhu.
Outside Helu Courtyard, the wives from various branches who had rushed over stood in silent contemplation.
However, their hearts were filled with a sense of relief.
Because Sister Zhao had spoken the words they all dared not utter.
Over the years, the old madam's selfish demeanor had disgusted everyone to the bone.
Ji Ziyan and Ji Zibì stepped forward, catching up to their elder sister, silently accompanying her as she departed.
The old madam, scorched inside and out by the raging fire of Helu Courtyard, was struck by the sight of the bodies scattered on the ground.
Supported by Xu Mama, she walked silently towards the main courtyard, Ji Zizhao's every word echoing in her ears.
The old madam still didn't believe she had done anything wrong. She hated the Ji family, but she had kept a grandson to bring honor to the Ji family. What was wrong with that?
However, Ji Zizhao was an anomaly, capable of orchestrating a coup and demanding divorce. If things didn't go her way today, who knew what astonishing actions she might take.
Xu Mama helped the old madam back to the main courtyard. As soon as they entered, they heard unspeakable sounds emanating from within. Seeing the legitimate wife personally guarding the entrance, Xu Mama understood everything.
The old madam's expression darkened as she listened to the sounds.
Gu Peilan saw the old madam enter and quickly came forward with a smile. "Old Madam, you're finally back. Your daughter-in-law was truly worried that Sister Zhao would disrespect you. Speaking of which, Sister Zhao today was simply terrifying. She didn't even regard you, her grandmother, and caused such a commotion in the Ji family. I was worried she would frighten Zongyou too much. Fortunately, the maids in your courtyard were capable and managed to soothe Zongyou's panic..."
"Slap—!"
Before she could finish speaking, a sharp crack abruptly interrupted her.
The old madam slapped Gu Peilan heavily across the face. "Even if Sister Zhao were to disrespect me, she would never do something as disgraceful as sullying my courtyard!"