Tao Hua almost fainted from anger upon hearing this.
Was this woman doing it on purpose, taking advantage of him even while acting righteously?
The man's face was a dark cloud as he turned around. He froze for a moment upon seeing Ji Zizhao, and then said coldly, "Judging by this young lady's attire, she is not of vulgar origin. I didn't expect her to be so unreasonable. It was clearly your younger brother who ran into me first!"
Ji Zizhao sized up the man not far away, noting that his speech suggested some level of education.
But the more educated such a person was, the less forgivable they became.
Knowledge was meant to build one's erudition and refinement, not to provide justification for acting shamelessly.
"Even if my younger brother ran into you first, my brother is so young, and how old are you, sir? You, a grown man, failed to avoid him, yet you are now arguing unreasonably. Is this the refinement of a scholar?" Ji Zizhao spoke, subtly glancing at Tao Hua, who was on the ground.
Tao Hua, who had been clinging to the man's leg and secretly watching the spectacle, met Ji Zizhao's gaze.
Tao Hua: "..."
What else could he do?
Continue crying.
The man stared blankly at Ji Zizhao, his face turning dark.
This was the first time he had encountered someone so righteous and yet so unreasonable.
Seeing the man's ashen face, Ji Zizhao sneered inwardly, "If this gentleman believes he is in the right, then why not report it to the authorities? The magistrates will decide what happened."
Use the right medicine for the illness, and the right knife for the beast.
If this man could stand on the highest moral ground and physically assault a weak woman, why couldn't she treat him in kind?
Upon hearing this, the man's expression grew even uglier.
He was merely a Xiucai who had just passed the provincial examination. How would he dare cause trouble in the capital?
Moreover, looking at the woman's attire, he couldn't be certain of her identity. If the matter were to escalate to the yamen, he feared he would be at a disadvantage.
"It's not a major issue. Frankly, I wasn't paying attention to this young master," the man said, his eyes showing an apology as he courteously offered his regrets.
Seeing that the man had admitted fault, Tao Hua rubbed his nose, attempting to get up.
However, he heard Ji Zizhao continue, "Since this gentleman admits he was wrong, then he should compensate us."
The man: "..."
Wasn't this over yet?
Tao Hua, who had been about to rise, sank back onto the ground.
The man's chest began to ache with anger. "Young lady, you are pushing your luck too far!"
Ji Zizhao stood calmly, her voice as cool and piercing as the wind, "As the gentleman has seen, my younger brother is still young and growing. If he were truly injured anywhere, it would surely affect his future. Perhaps in your eyes, it is a trivial matter, but if my brother were to suffer any long-term consequences because of this, who would I turn to for redress?"
Tao Hua: "..."
If looks could kill, he would have wanted to tear Ji Zizhao to shreds right now!
If you're going to act righteously, then act righteously; why curse me?
Tao Hua's face flickered between green and white.
The man's complexion was no better.
In broad daylight, under the clear sky, who would look good after being mugged?
The most crucial point was this!
Even knowing they were being robbed, they had to willingly hand over their money.
The man was truly at his wit's end. He could only toss the silver pouch from his sleeve at Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao looked at the silver pouch that landed at her feet, showing no displeasure. She bent down to pick it up and, in front of the man, opened it and carefully counted the contents.
After she had finished counting the money, Ji Zizhao looked up. Seeing that the man was still there, she smiled and said, "I didn't expect this gentleman to be so responsible. Even after paying compensation, you are unwilling to leave. If that's the case, perhaps you would be willing to accompany my brother and me to one of the four great medical halls for a consultation. If the subsequent treatment fees are insufficient, it would be convenient to have you here."
The man: "..."
He was stiff to the point of cracking.
At this moment, Tao Hua even began to feel a little sympathy for the man.
Seriously, just leave quickly.
With a woman like Ji Zizhao, you truly couldn't reason with her...
The man was genuinely stifled, and genuinely afraid.
Even though he was from the countryside, he knew that medical treatment in the capital's medical halls was not a small expense.
"I suddenly remembered I have some urgent matters. Since the young lady is anxious to take her brother for treatment, I shall not disturb you further." Having said that, the man turned and left directly, without even looking at the woman kneeling beside him, as if she were a complete stranger.
Seeing the man leave, Ji Zizhao did not stop him. Instead, she walked to the woman who was slumped on the ground.
Squatting down, Ji Zizhao handed the silver pouch to her, "Though I don't know what ties you have with him, if he no longer has feelings for you, the only thing you can do is grit your teeth and stand up."
The woman, who had been lowering her head as if dead, trembled slightly as she looked at the hand extended before her.
Seeing that the woman was still conscious, Ji Zizhao clasped her hand and made sure she held the silver pouch. She then asked Fu Bao to retrieve the liniment for bruises and contusions from the carriage and gave it to the woman as well.
The woman clutched the items in her hand and once again assumed the dazed appearance from before, as if she had fallen asleep.
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly and turned towards the carriage.
Just as Ji Zizhao was about to board the carriage, a faint voice called out from behind her, "Thank you."
Ji Zizhao stopped and turned around, nodding slightly at the woman.
Under Ji Zizhao's gaze, the woman slowly managed to support her aching body and limped towards a nearby alley.
Tao Hua, following behind Ji Zizhao, couldn't help but complain, "I never would have thought you had such a compassionate heart. But there are countless women like her everywhere. How many times can you truly be compassionate?"
Ji Zizhao, however, replied, "The world is as it is, and it cannot be changed. But no matter the circumstances, it is no reason to refuse help to someone in dire need. You should be grateful for my pity towards all living things, including livestock, otherwise, do you think you would still be standing here talking to me now?"
Tao Hua glared furiously, "You damned woman, who are you calling livestock?!"
Ji Zizhao completely ignored Tao Hua's murderous gaze and looked ahead, then said, "We are not far from Lion Street now. Since you are still residing in the Fourth Prince's manor, to avoid suspicion, you should just walk back on your own."
With that, Ji Zizhao boarded the carriage and instructed Fu Bao to continue driving.
Tao Hua was left standing in the cold wind, utterly bewildered.
With unfinished matters at home, Ji Zizhao naturally did not want to waste any more time outside. Su Dan Novel Network.
However, Ji Zizhao did not expect that as soon as she stepped through the gates of the Ji family mansion, she would be stopped by Mama Song.
"Your humble servant greets the eldest young lady. The Old Madam has urgent matters to discuss with the eldest young lady. Please quickly accompany your humble servant to the main courtyard." Mama Song blocked Ji Zizhao's path with a smiling face, with no one else around.