"Miss, your maidservant..."
Xin Lan naturally did not want to believe that her young lady would be heartless. She wanted to speak again to inquire, but was sharply interrupted by Ji Zizhao, "When did you start being so impudent?"
The unquestionable tone made Xin Lan tremble all over.
Ji Ziyan knew that Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju had followed their eldest sister since childhood. Even if Yong Mei had been presumptuous, she could only tactfully remind her, "Eldest sister has been too tired lately. If you are sensible, don't add to eldest sister's worries."
Xin Lan tearfully got up and went to boil water with a wronged heart.
Ji Zizhao only looked at the booklet before her, paying no mind to Xin Lan's self-inflicted grievances.
In just one day and two nights, there were thirty to forty officials who came to pay respects to the heroic spirits of the Ji family. Even if no one came to pay respects tonight, such a grand incense offering would be enough for the men of the Ji family to have a glorious funeral.
Of course, Ji Zizhao knew this in her heart.
The reason why ministers were so eager to come was not only because of the Fifth Prince, but also because of the Fourth Prince's prior arrival to pay respects and his subsequent efforts to fan the flames.
The Fourth Prince's goodwill was particularly obvious, but Ji Zizhao had no intention of cooperating with him for the time being.
Especially since his identity was that of royalty.
The booklet also made perfect arrangements for the funeral procession tomorrow. It was clear that Ji Ziyan had truly put her heart into managing the household affairs.
Ji Zizhao closed the booklet with satisfaction, then looked up and said, "Third sister is indeed thoughtful and thorough." Su Dan Novel Network
Ji Ziyan lowered her head guiltily, her gaze drifting somewhat uncertainly, "Eldest sister's praise is undeserved. I only wish to contribute to the Ji family and alleviate some of eldest sister's burden. That way, even if eldest sister were to leave the Ji family one day, I could still support half of the Ji family."
Hearing this, Ji Zizhao understood that her third sister likely knew about her meeting with the Fifth Prince.
Now that the Fifth Prince was staying at the Ji residence and the household affairs were managed by the third sister, Ji Zizhao would not give the Fifth Prince any opportunity to exploit the situation. She truthfully told him everything she suspected.
Ji Ziyan, "..."
It would not be an exaggeration to say she was stunned.
"So, eldest sister means that you sought out the Fifth Prince tonight entirely to gather information?" Even with her carefulness, Ji Ziyan could never have imagined that after the Second Prince's departure, the Fifth Prince would now appear.
Ji Zizhao held her third sister's trembling hand, "This is all based on speculation, with no concrete evidence yet. However, third sister must remember to guard against the Fifth Prince. This person is by no means as timid and weak as he appears."
Ji Ziyan tried her best to digest her eldest sister's warning, her eyes reddening slightly, "Eldest sister, please rest assured, I will be extra careful. It is just difficult for eldest sister to be attacked from all sides."
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly.
In reality, it was not as difficult as she said.
If the Fifth Prince had no other recourse, he would not have taken such a great risk to stay at the Ji residence.
It was clear that the Second Prince's downfall had left him isolated and helpless.
Furthermore, although she had not figured out who the Fifth Prince feared tonight, it had not been a wasted trip.
At the very least, a silent rift had formed between the Fifth Prince and Luo Hong.
Ji Ziyan thought for a moment, about to say something more, but then Xin Lan entered. Knowing that the matter was not to be publicized, she said a few more words, urging her eldest sister to rest early, and then got up to leave.
Ji Zizhao looked at the teacup, which contained no tea leaves, and placed it back on the table gently.
Xin Lan, knowing she had made a mistake, quickly knelt on the ground, "Miss, your maidservant did not mean to. Your maidservant was just worried about Yong Mei..."
Whether it was Xin Lan or Yong Mei, they had both grown up by Ji Zizhao's side. How could she not understand Xin Lan's worry?
Today's incident was intentional on her part to make Madam Xu misunderstand Yong Mei. However, she did not expect Yong Mei's audacity to grow. In order to get Xin Lan to plead for her, she even dared to sow discord.
Otherwise, how would Xin Lan have such great resentment?
The more this was the case, the less likely Ji Zizhao was to release Yong Mei.
"The confinement of Yong Mei was ordered by Madam Xu. This matter may have already alerted grandmother. If grandmother does not order her release, I can do nothing. If you are truly worried about Yong Mei, then go and look after her first." Yong Mei was the Fifth Prince's spy. Now that the Fifth Prince was still at the Ji residence, he would inevitably try to contact Yong Mei. Since she had used Madam Xu's hand to have her confined, and now using grandmother's name to suppress this matter, only then could Yong Mei be deceived.
And only by deceiving Yong Mei could the Fifth Prince be deceived.
She still needed to placate the Fifth Prince now and absolutely could not fall out with him.
Otherwise, everything she had done today would be in vain.
As soon as Xin Lan heard about the old madam, she dared not plead further. However, as she left the courtyard, she still wanted to go to the main courtyard unwillingly, perhaps the old madam's mood and health had improved, and then she could comfort Yong Mei by saying that she would be free in a few days.
As a result, as soon as Xin Lan reached the entrance of the main courtyard, she heard the sound of a teacup shattering inside.
Xin Lan was so startled that she dared not linger. She quickly turned and ran away.
However, the old madam, who was sitting in the room at this moment, did not feel any better because of Xin Lan's departure. Instead, she glared at a bejeweled woman sitting not far away with murderous intent.
Countless people were now paying respects to the men of the Ji family, and the Ji family's main gate was wide open. It was not surprising that the woman could have slipped in.
But the old madam never expected this woman to be so bold as to dare to sit so brazenly before her. "Do you know that if you are discovered, all these years of patience will be wasted!"
The "other side" that the old madam always mentioned to Madam Xu was actually a real entity.
Even the woman sitting here at this moment was from that side.
However, besides the old madam and Madam Xu, no one knew the identity of the people from that side.
And no one would ever know that the woman sitting here now was the concubine of the old madam's eldest son... that is, Ji Zizhao's father's outside concubine!
Many years ago, Ji Zizhao's father was unexpectedly seriously wounded at the border. Fortunately, this woman passed by and rescued him.
Ji Zizhao's father somehow became involved with this woman. However, Ji Zizhao's father was not like other men in Yulin who favored multiple wives and concubines. He felt that this matter was unfair to his wife and daughter. After his injuries healed, he left all his silver and quietly departed.
He did not expect that four months later, this woman, with a bulging belly, would find her way to the imperial city.
The reason was simple: she was pregnant.
Fortunately, when this woman came looking, all the female members of the Ji family happened to be on a pilgrimage to the mountains to pray for blessings.