When at the palace gates, Jiang Guang Sheng had indeed spoken some outrageous words, but Ji Zi Zhao hadn't taken them to heart at the time. Coupled with the passage of time, if the name "Jiang" hadn't surfaced again, she would have likely forgotten the incident entirely.
Yet, what Ji Zi Zhao had dismissed so easily was apparently still bothering the Jiang family.
In truth, Ji Zi Zhao didn't care how the Jiang family treated her, but they had dared to lay a hand on her third sister, and that was unacceptable!
Zhang Ji hadn't expected that the person who had beaten the third young lady would have ties to the Jiang family. Seeing the gloomy expression on the eldest young lady's face, he knew this matter wouldn't be easily resolved. "If the eldest young lady wishes to exact revenge, it would be simple. While the Jiang family associates with some unsavory individuals, their own household lacks any true power. This matter can be handled by either Mo Hen or Xue Ying, who serve by your side."
Zhang Ji had never seen Mo Hen or Xue Ying in action, but he knew both of them had served the old master. The old master's judgment had always been sharp, and anyone personally trained by him couldn't possibly be incompetent.
Ji Zi Zhao knew Zhang Ji meant well, and she herself wished to remain calm. However, after several deep breaths, she found it impossible. "Uncle Ji, do you know any more specific details?"
Observing the eldest young lady's expression, Zhang Ji carefully replied, "I heard that the Jiang family matriarch was arranging a marriage for Jiang Guang Sheng that day. The third young lady overheard the rumors and went there. She didn't suffer any losses at the tea house, otherwise, she wouldn't have been ambushed in a sack afterward by the Jiang family matriarch's people..."
Ji Zi Zhao let out a cold smile. "Then I'll trouble Uncle Ji to let the Jiang family matriarch experience what it's like to be stuffed into a sack."
Zhang Ji's heart leaped. "Is the eldest young lady certain that Mo Hen and Xue Ying aren't needed?"
It wasn't that he feared getting involved; before he reformed under the old master, he had committed his share of cruel deeds. He was merely concerned that if this incident affected the eldest young lady's reputation, especially now that she served in the palace, it would be detrimental.
Ji Zi Zhao, however, stated, "I will treat them as they treated me."
Zhang Ji: "..."
Alright, he finally understood. The eldest young lady was truly angered this time.
With the eldest young lady's command, Zhang Ji carried out the task without hesitation. After ascertaining the Jiang family matriarch's movements that day, the following day, while the Jiang family matriarch was at a restaurant arranging a marriage for her son, he led the household guards to confront her.
Of course, Zhang Ji couldn't simply storm into the restaurant and start flipping tables.
If he had done so, he would likely have been arrested as a bandit by the authorities before he could even reach the Jiang family matriarch.
Having received the eldest young lady's instructions, Zhang Ji was determined to handle the matter perfectly. While waiting for the Jiang family matriarch downstairs, he meticulously reviewed all the details he had gathered. Once the Jiang family matriarch left the restaurant and entered an alley, he and his men surrounded her carriage.
The Jiang family matriarch, inside the carriage, almost fainted from fright upon seeing the sudden appearance of a group of people.
Zhang Ji certainly wouldn't let her faint. He kicked open the carriage door and pulled the Jiang family matriarch out.
"You, what do you want? You, if you want money, I have plenty. I beg you, please don't harm me. My Jiang family has abundant wealth, just name your price..." The Jiang family matriarch, now curled up on the ground, had lost all dignity from fear, displaying none of the ruthlessness she had shown when dispatching people to harm Ji Zi Yun that day.
Faced with such a cowardly Jiang family matriarch, the Ji family guards were utterly disgusted.
They were so cowardly themselves, yet they had plotted to trip up their third young lady from the shadows. It was like a toad trying to stick to someone's foot – it might not bite, but it was certainly nauseating!
Zhang Ji, looking at the Jiang family matriarch's pathetic state, couldn't even be bothered to speak. He proceeded strictly according to plan. "If the Jiang family matriarch is willing to kowtow to us, we might consider letting her off the hook."
The Jiang family matriarch, who had been trembling uncontrollably, paused. "..."
She found the words strangely familiar.
Thinking more carefully, the Jiang family matriarch's eyes widened. "You, you were sent by the Ji family!"
The Jiang family matriarch was so certain because the individuals she had hired that day, after causing trouble for Ji Zi Yun, had recounted the entire sequence of events. The Jiang family matriarch had listened with great interest, regretting only that she couldn't witness it herself, and therefore remembered it vividly.
Now that history was repeating itself, the Jiang family matriarch couldn't believe such a coincidence could exist!
Zhang Ji neither confirmed nor denied her statement. He simply crossed his arms and stared coldly at the Jiang family matriarch. "Since the Jiang family matriarch is a smart woman, do as I say. If you insist on being difficult, I don't mind..."
As he spoke, Zhang Ji took an iron bar from one of the guards.
The Jiang family matriarch, seeing the iron bar that was thicker than her arm, dared not argue further. She quickly said, "However much money the Ji family offered you, I'll pay double... no, triple! Just be lenient with me... The Ji family are merely a group of inauspicious women and children, how can they compare to our Jiang family?"
"Bang—!"
Zhang Ji forcefully slammed the iron bar he was holding onto the ground.
The Jiang family matriarch flinched in terror. In her heart, she deeply resented the Ji family, but outwardly, she slowly began to bend her body.
Zhang Ji didn't actually want the Jiang family matriarch to kowtow and apologize. He was only doing this because the eldest young lady had instructed him to treat them as they treated others. Seeing the Jiang family matriarch almost on the ground, he took out the pre-prepared sack and unceremoniously pulled it over her head.
The Ji family guards had all seen Ji Zi Yun being carried back to the Ji family. While they couldn't treat wounds, they were more than capable of returning the blows with the same force.
No one knew whose fist landed on the Jiang family matriarch first, but then, fists the size of sandbags rained down upon her from all directions.
"Ahhh... Ahhh..."
Trapped in the sack, the Jiang family matriarch's eyes saw stars from the pain. She let out heart-wrenching screams, and several times, she thought she was going to die.
After an unknown amount of time, the Jiang family matriarch was left alone in the alley, her body trembling.
The coachman, who had been completely terrified and stunned, quickly hoisted the Jiang family matriarch onto the carriage after Zhang Ji and his men left.
Soon, the Jiang family learned that their matriarch had been stuffed into a sack.
Jiang Guang Sheng, who was serving in the palace, received the news sent by his servant. Although he knew it was against regulations, he still bit the bullet and requested leave from Zou Li.
Fortunately, Zou Li, who had been intending to take Jiang Guang Sheng as his disciple, granted him leave without much difficulty.
Jiang Guang Sheng sped home by carriage. Even though he had prepared himself mentally, he was still stunned speechless upon entering his home and seeing his mother's condition on the bed.