In the main hall of the Ji Residence, Ji Quan stood in the doorway. Though he was only a thin, short old man, he blocked the entire residence like an enormous male lion.
Madam Ji slumped in a chair, her hair and hairpins disheveled, repeatedly wiping her tears with a silk handkerchief while a maid gently massaged her shoulders.
The Ji Residence's eldest young master stood beside his mother in Academy Student robes, his expression dark as he coldly watched the second sister he normally doted on most.
The second young master was absent. The youngest, Ji Can, was only thirteen, yet already taller than Ji Quan. His left hand gripped his scabbard and his right held his sword hilt. Slightly bent at the waist, he stared at his second sister like a vicious wolf hunting prey, as though he might draw his sword and slash at any moment.
Ji Yue, the Ji Household's second daughter, was over twenty-six. Dressed in a plain, pale blue ruqun, she had a round face, narrow eyes, and dignified features. She stood in the main hall with her chest out and head high, looking calmly at her father.
"I will take the Beginner Scholar Examination on the fifteenth of the third month!" As Ji Yue spoke, her spine straightened a little more.
"Second Sister," Ji Can said resentfully, "tell me honestly: how has Father always treated you?"
"With every care and affection," Ji Yue said.
"After your husband died in battle, who was the first to bring you home so your in-laws couldn't humiliate you?"
"Father."
"Then what made you so utterly defiant and turned you into an unfilial daughter?" Flames of anger flickered in Ji Can's eyes.
Ji Yue replied fearlessly, "Taking the Licentiate examination doesn't make me unfilial. Even if I become