In the cold wind, under the overcast sky, Ji Zizhao stood alone.
She did not radiate brilliance, but rather an imposing aura.
This eldest sister was similar to the person in her memory, yet not entirely the same.
Ji Zibi's eyes felt an intense sting.
How could Grandmother involve outsiders and wound Eldest Sister's heart so deeply!
The fists hidden beneath her sleeves clenched tighter, wishing it were Grandmother lying inside the room.
How could Ji Zizhao not see the resentment and indignation in Ji Zibi's eyes.
However, now was not the time for reminiscing.
Stepping over the threshold, Ji Zizhao entered the room with steady steps and stood beside Fourth Sister.
Ji Renran and Ji Ruyun, uncharacteristically united, were now staring intently at Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zibi was unreasonable, but Ji Zizhao dared not be.
They wanted to see how Ji Zizhao would account for today's events.
To their surprise, Ji Zizhao, holding Fourth Sister's hand, turned to leave.
Ji Renran was stunned.
She was just leaving?
How dared Ji Zizhao!
"Eldest Sister, I know that since Mother brought us back, we have been an eyesore to you. You still refuse to allow the late First Madam to be buried, all to prevent us from finding peace. I had thought we were family, and if we were sincere enough, your anger would eventually subside. But I never expected this outcome. I truly didn't realize you hated us so much..."
Ji Renran, clutching her unconscious mother, wept as if her heart were breaking.
Although the death of Lin Wanyun had not yet been resolved, the public opinion in the imperial city was about to drown them.
They had expected a glorious return to acknowledge their ancestors, but now, neither she nor her mother could even hold their heads up.
Yesterday, she had gone out for some fresh air, but everyone she saw pointed and cursed her as shameless.
Now that Ji Zibi had come to their doorstep, Ji Renran would not miss this opportunity.
The weak always garnered sympathy.
Ji Zizhao understood that Ji Renran intended to step on Fourth Sister to clear her own name.
If it became known that the Ji family harbored murderous intent towards Gu Peilan's family, the citizens of the imperial city would surely declare the Ji family heartless.
Regardless of the cause of Mother's death, Gu Peilan's family was now irrevocably part of the Ji lineage.
Then, with the fermentation of public opinion, the rumors of Mother's death would be weakened...
Over time, the matter would be forgotten.
Ji Zibi's expression turned icy. Hearing these words, she wanted to step forward.
Even if she were foolish, she could tell she was being used as a pawn.
Her wrist tightened as Ji Zizhao took a step forward, "What you said is indeed eloquent, but the situation is not at all as Miss Renran imagines. Fourth Sister had no intention of harming Miss Renran's family."
Ji Renran did not accept this denial, "The facts are before us, Eldest Sister. Why must you console me?"
Ji Zizhao smiled and continued, "It's not consolation, it's that my Fourth Sister is ill."
Ji Renran was stunned, completely unable to grasp the meaning of these words.
Ji Ruyun, who had been silently observing, regained her senses and shrieked, "Ji Zizhao, don't spout nonsense here! Don't think you can get away with it by feigning illness!"
Lin Wanyun's death was something not only Ji Renran wanted to gloss over, but Ji Ruyun also did.
Since they were on the same side, she naturally had to support Ji Renran.
"Fourth Sister has been frail since childhood and rarely went out. I presume Great Aunt has heard of this."
Ji Ruyun reluctantly nodded. She did indeed know of this matter.
Seeing her nod, Ji Zizhao continued, "In fact, Fourth Sister does not have a serious illness. It's merely a condition from childhood where an excess of the heart and liver combined with insufficient spleen and kidney, encountering pathogenic heat. This heat invades the heart and liver, causing liver fire to rage, thus often clouding the mind and causing disturbances in dreams."
In simpler terms, sleepwalking.
In the vernacular of this place, it was called "meng xing."
Given Ji Zizhao's clear eyes and steady voice as she spoke, Ji Renran, though suspicious of being deceived, had no proof.
Helpless, Ji Renran could only look at Ji Ruyun.
Ji Ruyun: "..."
Why look at her? She wasn't made of the same flesh and blood. How would she know so much?
Just then, Fourth Madam, Xiao Jing Shu, entered.
Knowing her daughter had returned and caused a disturbance in the main courtyard, she had rushed over, almost losing a shoe.
Just as she was pondering how to find an excuse, Ji Zizhao's words reached her ears. Fourth Madam Xiao Jing Shu immediately nodded in agreement, "That's right, Sister Zhao is correct, it's somnambulism!"
Now that there were witnesses and evidence, Ji Zizhao had no reason to stay any longer. She pulled Fourth Sister and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Ji Ruyun's voice rang out again.
Ji Zizhao turned her head and heard Ji Ruyun say to the old nanny beside her, "Go and examine her carefully."
Sleepwalking was not an incurable disease in Yulin.
Everyone knew that during sleepwalking, the symptoms included a blank expression, mumbling, vacant eyes, and stiff limbs.
Fourth Madam Xiao Jing Shu watched the old nanny approach, her palms sweating.
This nanny was Great Aunt's personal wet nurse and was not easily fooled.
Ji Zizhao, however, flipped her wrist, a sliver of silver flashing between her fingers.
As the old nanny took Fourth Sister's hand, Ji Zizhao gently stroked Fourth Sister's back. The silver needle vanished in an instant. As the old nanny withdrew her hand, Ji Zizhao's fingers flashed with silver light, which then silently disappeared into her sleeve.
All movements were effortless and precise, like casting a shadow.
The old nanny observed Fourth Miss for a long while before shaking her head at Great Aunt.
Seeing Ji Zizhao leading Ji Zibi towards the door, what else could Ji Ruyun say?
She could say nothing at all!
Fourth Madam Xiao Jing Shu also looked surprised but had no time to inquire further. As long as it was passed off, that was enough.
However, standing at the entrance of the main house, Ji Zizhao suddenly stopped. Without turning her head, she said, "I've considered the Ji family's reputation, and I acknowledge the kindness the Ji family once showed me. If that kindness is entirely gone, then we shall be quits."
You give me a peach, I'll give you jade.
You repay blood debt with blood.
The old madam, lying in the inner room, trembled upon hearing these words.
How could she not know they were meant for her?
If this matter went to court, what face would the Ji family have left? How could they establish themselves in the imperial city?
The old madam thought Ji Zizhao dared not, but had not expected she was unwilling.
Considering how Ji Zizhao had once caused a scene at the palace gates to seek justice for the Ji family, how could the old madam not panic?
After all, she dared not gamble on this granddaughter's courage.
In the front room, as soon as Ji Zizhao left, Ji Ruyun, who was helped up by the old nanny, vented her anger on Ji Renran, "Hurry and tell your mother to stop pretending to be dead on the ground! Since it was her son who killed someone, have him come out and be punished!"
Only when this matter was over would the Ji family dare not slight her any further.
Ji Renran was furious at being scolded but did not want to escalate the situation. After having her mother carried away, she ran into the inner room while Ji Ruyun was away to complain to the old madam.
"Grandmother, please get well soon. The household is in disarray. I know my brother acted impulsively, but Eldest Sister is so unreasonable. If Brother were to apologize voluntarily, how could Eldest Sister let him off? Great Aunt's temper is bad, but she doesn't consider that if Brother were to meet misfortune, the Ji family would have no one to pass down the lineage!"
Ji Renran cried, tears streaming down her face.
The old madam's heart trembled.
Daughters were important, but they were not as important as inheriting the family line...
Fourth Madam Xiao Jing Shu followed Ji Zizhao out of the courtyard. Seeing that her daughter had no intention of returning with her, she did not stop her. She watched as her daughter followed Sister Zhao into Zhao Courtyard before turning to leave.
As long as Sister Zhao was watching, she would not make any more foolish mistakes.
Ji Zibi knew she had made a mistake. As soon as she entered, she knelt down, "Eldest Sister, I was reckless today."
Ji Zizhao quickly pulled her up and sat her on a soft couch, "I know you did it for my own good. Don't worry, even if Grandmother wants to gloss over this, she won't be able to."
Otherwise, she wouldn't have orchestrated such a grand scheme.
Seeing that Eldest Sister had a plan, Ji Zibi no longer dwelled on Eldest Sister's past wounds. After recounting the matter of procuring goods, she lowered her voice and said, "On my way back, I discovered something."