Ji Renran, naturally, intended to cast blame upon Ji Zizhao.
If it were the Ji Zizhao of the past, it would have been fine; perhaps she wouldn't have cared about her reputation.
But the current Ji Zizhao was slated to enter the imperial court for a position. Once her reputation was tarnished, what future could she hope for?
Therefore, Ji Zizhao would certainly not dare to let this matter spread.
This way, she could threaten Ji Zizhao, using it as a condition to bring her mother and brother back to the estate.
Watching Zhong Xinyi being handed over to the Zou family's maid and then turning to walk back, Ji Renran couldn't help but feel a secret thrill.
If Ji Zizhao had obediently agreed to her return to the estate, she wouldn't have resorted to this tactic.
In a way, it was Ji Zizhao's own doing.
Ji Zizhao observed the expressions on everyone's faces and sensed that something was amiss.
A sidelong glance at Ji Renran's barely concealed schadenfreude told her everything she needed to know.
The eldest daughter of the Zhong family had just had an incident, and without a doubt, Ji Zizhao knew what awaited her.
Indeed, before Ji Zizhao could even stand steady before the crowd, she saw Zhong Shaowen striding towards her.
"Ji Zizhao, you are simply too wicked! To have plotted against my sister in such a manner!" Zhong Shaowen halted abruptly, glaring at Ji Zizhao with eyes blazing. If she weren't a woman, he would have resorted to fists long ago.
Ji Zizhao frowned, calmly surveying the crowd behind him.
Seeing everyone looking at her as if she were their mortal enemy, Ji Zizhao understood.
Jiang Guangcheng walked over at this moment and stood by Ji Zizhao's side, advising, "None of us were present just now, and we don't know exactly what happened. Perhaps Young Master Zhong should first hear what Miss Ji has to say before making a judgment."
Zou Hansheng, hearing this, spoke up, "Weren't Miss Renran's words just now clear enough? Is Young Master Jiang of the Jiang family deliberately shielding her, perhaps with some other intentions?"
Jiang Guangcheng stiffened. He wanted to speak but dared not.
It was one thing for him, a man, but for Miss Ji, a young lady, her reputation could not be sullied.
Hearing this, Ji Zizhao turned to look at Ji Renran not far away. "The situation just happened suddenly, and I was also quite confused. Since Sister Renran remembers it clearly, perhaps you could tell us. I happen to be very curious as well, about what exactly happened."
Ji Renran did not want to face Ji Zizhao at this moment, but now that Ji Zizhao had called her out by name, she couldn't remain silent any longer.
Trembling, she walked over, her slender figure appearing as if it could be blown away by the wind at any moment.
Tears still streaked her pale, sallow face, truly embodying the picture of pitiable helplessness.
Facing Ji Zizhao's inquiry, Ji Renran could only grit her teeth and repeat what she had just said.
Hearing this, the others felt that Ji Zizhao was doomed this time.
Unexpectedly, Ji Zizhao said unhurriedly, "Where is the evidence?"
The crowd, "..."
Wasn't the evidence clear enough!
"Sister Renran said that when she opened her eyes, she saw me administering aid to the eldest daughter of the Zhong family. Forgive my lack of learning, but I was unaware that saving someone could also be a crime."
Since Ji Renran could speak ambiguously, she could pick apart every word.
Come on.
Let's see who is afraid.
Zhong Shaowen was furious. "Ji Zizhao, you are simply quibbling!"
Ji Zizhao glanced at him indifferently. "Excuse me, you just said... and who might you be again?"
Zhong Shaowen, "..."
Is this woman poisonous?!
Zou Hansheng knitted his brows and said, "If I understand Miss Renran correctly, everyone on the boat was facing mortal danger. Yet Miss Ji, disregarding her own life, administered aid to the eldest daughter of the Zhong family. If this is not a case of a guilty conscience, then what is it?"
"It was indeed a matter of life and death, and I did indeed risk my life to save the eldest daughter of the Zhong family. I thought this was merely basic common sense when facing danger. I didn't expect it to be considered such a luxury in the mouth of Young Master Zou. Is saving someone from dire straits not the fundamental duty of a physician?"
These words left Zou Hansheng utterly speechless.
Ji Zizhao paid no mind to whether Zou Hansheng could save face.
Since he dared to step forward, why shouldn't she dare to retort?
A group of physicians standing not far away listened and felt ashamed of their own inferiority.
Ji Zizhao then looked towards Ji Renran again, smiling lightly. "Let the yamen decide. Physicians diagnose illnesses, and officials examine evidence. If Sister Renran suspects my intentions were impure, she is welcome to report it to the authorities, and let them decide."
Ji Zizhao knew perfectly well why Ji Renran wanted to smear her name.
She simply wanted to find a reason to threaten her and return to the Ji family.
Everything was nothing more than a frame-up. How would Ji Renran dare to stand before the court?
Ji Renran's face turned from pale to a sickly green, filled with both anger and hatred.
Of course, she dared not.
The investigation by the authorities required evidence, and by then, she might also get herself into trouble. Su Dan Novel Network.
Ji Renran truly did not expect that a group of people standing here were no match for a single Ji Zizhao!
When Zhong Xinyi returned, she saw the tense atmosphere in the garden.
As she moved closer, she heard her brother furiously berating the eldest daughter of the Ji family, "While there's no evidence that you did this today, don't think this is the end of it! A person who can drive her own sister and brother out of the family, what else is she capable of!"
Zhong Xinyi's heart sank, and she quickly walked over. "Brother, what are you doing?"
Seeing that his sister was unharmed, Zhong Shaowen breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't be afraid, Xinyi. With your brother here, no one can bully you in the slightest!"
"Brother, it's not like that. Actually..."
Zhong Xinyi wanted to say that she was truly grateful to Ji Zizhao.
If Ji Zizhao hadn't intervened today, she feared...
But before she could finish, Ji Renran walked over and interrupted, "It's good that the eldest daughter of the Zhong family is unharmed. I was so scared to death. Fortunately, Heaven has favored you."
Zhong Xinyi nodded perfunctorily, then spoke again, "Brother, I fear you've misunderstood something. Today, I should be thanking the eldest daughter of the Ji family."
Ji Renran did not expect Zhong Xinyi to speak up for Ji Zizhao. After a moment's thought, she also said, "The eldest daughter of the Zhong family is always kind and benevolent. Renran truly admires her from afar. It's just a pity that the eldest daughter of the Zhong family has to bear all hardships in silence."
Zhong Xinyi, "..."
What was that supposed to mean?
Zhong Shaowen took it to mean that his sister was willing to suffer in silence rather than escalate the situation. He then said to Ji Zizhao, "A woman with a venomous heart like yours, how can you be a physician? Ji Zizhao, you just wait! I will ensure you are expelled from the Imperial Hospital just as you entered!"