Old Madam Ji was serious, intending to hire a lawyer and issue a statement.
She would sever ties with Ji Dechun's family of four and expel them from the Ji family.
Ji Dechun and Zhao Xinning, mother and daughter-in-law, turned ashen.
For years, they had been idle, without legitimate professions.
But as long as they were part of the Ji family, they received a substantial monthly allowance, able to buy whatever they pleased.
Moreover, they could leverage the Ji family's influence to act arrogantly outside.
Out of respect for the Ji family's name, people would treat them with deference.
If they were expelled from the Ji family, not only would their finances become precarious, but their social standing would also plummet.
Therefore, Old Madam Ji's decision stunned the three of them into silence, leaving them unsure of what to do.
"Grandmother, please calm your anger. Eldest Sister-in-law is so outstanding; naturally, no other woman can replace her.
Eldest Sister-in-law is the only suitable candidate, the only one worthy of Eldest Brother and the position of the Ji family's matriarch.
Harmony in the family brings prosperity. Tomorrow is Eldest Brother's auspicious day; it's inauspicious to bring lawyers now.
Mother, I know you want to play a joke with Eldest Sister-in-law to enhance your relationship.
We are all family; how can you really slap her?
Eldest Sister-in-law doesn't know your temperament and took it seriously. Hurry up and apologize to Eldest Sister-in-law."
At this moment, Ji Shigong, who had been silent since entering, suddenly spoke. Addressing Ming Yue as "Eldest Sister-in-law" repeatedly, he directly acknowledged her identity and attributed Zhao Xinning's actions to a joke with Ming Yue.
He had no choice. Initially, he hadn't paid much attention to Ming Yue.
She was merely a woman bought by Old Madam Ji for good luck, a country bumpkin obsessed with money, not worth his notice.
Before entering, he had considered it a mere farce. Even if Zhao Xinning drove Ming Yue away, it wouldn't matter.
At worst, they would find someone else to participate in tomorrow's wedding. Anyway, the invited guests were all influential figures.
They were all prominent people in the capital; no one knew Ming Yue, so they wouldn't discover the bride had been changed.
However, seeing Zhao Xinning slapped by Old Madam Ji, he realized this Ming Yue was unusually important to his grandmother.
So he remained silent, fearing that a careless word might anger the old lady.
But upon hearing Old Madam Ji intended to sever ties with them and expel their family of four from the Ji family, he could no longer stay silent.
When he returned to the Ji family years ago, he asked to work at Ji Corporation under the guise of studying.
To his surprise, Ji Shiyou flatly refused, telling him bluntly not to think he was part of the Ji family just because he had returned.
Ji Corporation had nothing to do with him; he wouldn't even be given the job of a cleaner.
Unable to enter Ji Corporation, he had started a small company over the years, but he truly lacked talent for business.
If not for his identity as the second young master of the Ji family, the business world would have given him some face; his company would have long since gone bankrupt.
If he were truly severed from the Ji family, he would become worthless, and his company would immediately go bankrupt.
Moreover, with Ji Shiyou's life hanging by a thread, he was the sole heir to Ji Corporation.
To be expelled from the Ji family at this juncture would mean losing a golden opportunity.
Therefore, he had to stop Old Madam Ji at all costs; their family absolutely could not be driven out.
"Ming Yue, you are the mistress of the Ji family; you have the final say."
Old Madam Ji was somewhat satisfied with Ji Shigong's attitude. Thinking of her grandson's wedding tomorrow, she realized it wasn't appropriate to expel them at such a time.
Those unaware might think Ming Yue was malicious and narrow-minded, unable to tolerate others.
So her demeanor softened, but she still handed the decision to Ming Yue, intending to make everyone respect her from then on.
"Grandmother, Second Brother is right. Tomorrow is an auspicious wedding day; we shouldn't be calling lawyers now.
You are venerable and wise. Your earlier method was excellent. Why not, as you suggested, have Aunt Zhao slap herself ten times?
Let this matter be settled. As Second Brother said, harmony in the family brings prosperity.
As the mistress, I should be magnanimous. If I suffer some grievance, I won't pursue it further. Do you think that's acceptable?"
Ming Yue had been watching the drama unfold and hadn't expected Old Madam Ji to involve her. However, she found it quite amusing.
So she immediately got into character, acting with impressive conviction.
"Good child, I knew you were sensible. You've suffered grievances.
You've sacrificed so much for this family; Grandmother knows it all."
This was the first time Ming Yue had called her Grandmother. The old lady was touched, holding Ming Yue's hand with eyes full of affection.
"..."
Watching the two of them on the sofa, displaying deep affection between grandmother and granddaughter, everyone was at a loss for words.
How had that country bumpkin suffered any grievances? How had she sacrificed too much?
"Mother. I..."
Hearing that she still had to slap herself, Zhao Xinning tried to protest but was immediately stopped by Ji Shigong.
With his back to the old lady and Ming Yue, he gave her a look and pressed down hard on her hand.
Zhao Xinning understood her son's intention: to endure and go along with Ming Yue's wishes.
Angering the old lady further at this moment would be detrimental, leading to their expulsion from the Ji family.
Impatience leads to the ruin of great plans. Thinking of Ji Shiyou's imminent death, if she didn't endure, her son would lose the inheritance of the Ji family.
Zhao Xinning hardened her heart, telling herself she was on a film set; it was no big deal.
"Slap! Mother, it's my fault!"
"Ming Yue, please forgive me! Slap!"
"Slap, slap, slap..."
One had to admit, Zhao Xinning was a professional and disciplined actress, truly feeling and reacting.
She slapped herself with both hands, sparing no effort, each slap landing squarely on her face.
Coupled with her dramatic lines, her performance was nuanced, vivid, and layered.
"Oh dear, Aunt Zhao, what are you doing?
Why did you start hitting yourself before I finished speaking? You have no sense of humor.
Just as Second Brother said, I was only trying to play a joke. Why did you take it seriously?
We are all family; I just wanted to improve our relationship. How could I let you really slap yourself?
Hurry and stop. Anyone who sees this might think I'm some kind of malevolent person!
Grandmother, you must vouch for me. This slap has nothing to do with me."
Ming Yue acted as if she had just discovered what was happening, hurriedly telling Zhao Xinning to stop. She claimed she was just joking.
She not only chided Zhao Xinning for not listening to her finish but also repeated Ji Shigong's earlier excuse verbatim.
She sneered inwardly. She wasn't a saint. She had initially intended to leave and not bother with this.
Now, it seemed she would be staying in the Ji family for a few more days, so she might as well collect some interest and have some fun.
"Grandmother will vouch for you. How could such a kind child like you be malicious?
As long as you're not angry anymore, that's good. Come upstairs with Grandmother; she has some jewelry to give you."
The old lady didn't even look at Zhao Xinning. She took Ming Yue's hand and went upstairs to choose jewelry.
"Phew! I almost got kicked out. Scared me to death.
From now on, I'm not getting involved in your affairs anymore.
No, I need to go out for a drink to calm my nerves."
Ji Dechun let out a long sigh. He had been terrified moments ago. If they were truly expelled from the Ji family,
he didn't care about the Ji family status, but the money for his daily extravagant lifestyle would disappear.
"Ming Yue, I will never forgive you!"
Zhao Xinning's face, already swollen from her own slaps, was contorted with rage. A joke? Why didn't she say it was a joke earlier?
She had already slapped herself more than twenty times before being told it was a joke. She was clearly being toyed with.
And that old hag, for some unknown reason, was protecting this country bumpkin so fiercely.
"Mother, don't be angry. I absolutely will not let her have an easy time."
Ji Shigong looked towards the third floor and said sinisterly.