The main courtyard of the Ji family remained brightly lit late into the night.
The Old Madam sat on a soft couch, her brow furrowed, her expression grim.
If it weren't for what she'd learned from Madame Gu, she wouldn't have known that Third Miss Zhao had such audacity, daring to use the main kitchen's marker to go out on her own. That marker controlled everyone's provisions; how could Third Miss Zhao be so selfish?
Gu Peilan sat beside her, subtly observing the Old Madam's expression.
Indeed, her visit was timely. Even if Ji Zizhao held power, so what? The Old Madam had managed the household for so long; how could she allow someone to overstep their authority? Now, Nanny Xu had already gone to Zhao Yuan to fetch someone, and it seemed a good show was about to unfold.
As Gu Peilan pondered this, she saw Nanny Xu enter.
However, upon seeing no sign of Ji Zizhao behind Nanny Xu, Gu Peilan let out a disappointed hum. "I'm afraid Third Miss Zhao knew she'd done wrong and dared not come to beg the Old Madam's forgiveness."
The anger that had been suppressed in the Old Madam's heart instantly ignited.
To do wrong and not come to beg forgiveness, it was simply lawless!
Seeing this, Nanny Xu quickly stepped forward and said softly, "Old Madam, please calm your anger. The people at Zhao Yuan said the Eldest Miss was already asleep, and this old servant thought that since the Old Madam has always doted on the Eldest Miss, she wouldn't want to disturb her."
This was a veiled compliment to the Old Madam's kindness.
As people age, regardless of their actions, they always wish to be seen as benevolent.
Gu Peilan, however, sneered, "Even if the Old Madam is kind, does that mean the Eldest Miss can openly overstep her bounds? In my opinion, this is simply showing no regard for the Old Madam, and it's hard on the Old Madam for doting on her."
Nanny Xu had received benefits from Ji Zizhao. In her heart, she valued the Old Madam more and would never reveal the Old Madam's secrets. However, when facing others, Nanny Xu naturally favored the Eldest Miss.
"In this old servant's humble opinion, the Eldest Miss's taking the marker was likely due to some urgent matter. The people at Zhao Yuan also said that the Eldest Miss went straight to bed upon her return. It's likely that the capital has been unstable recently, and the Eldest Miss was worried about the Second Miss, who is far away in Luoyi, so she went out to gather information."
The Old Madam hadn't considered when Ji Zixiu would return. But with the capital under martial law, Ji Zixiu couldn't return, and neither could the Seventh Prince who was abroad. The palace's welcoming banquet was postponed, and her grandson's hereditary succession would have to wait.
Thinking this, the Old Madam's anger subsided.
If Third Miss Zhao had indeed been working on this matter, it was somewhat understandable.
After all, her grandson's hereditary succession was the most important thing.
Gu Peilan cast a displeased glance at Nanny Xu and also fell silent.
She also wished for her son to successfully become the heir. Only then could she and her daughter stand firmer in the Ji family.
"The new Madam is in trouble, trouble!" the maid attending Gu Peilan's side rushed in, her face as pale as paper, forgetting even to greet them.
Gu Peilan immediately noticed the displeasure on the Old Madam's face and quickly kicked at the maid, "You ill-mannered thing, shouting like this, what kind of decorum is this!"
The maid knelt, clutching her stomach, and said without daring to look up, "Your servant was sent by the new Madam to deliver a late-night snack to Young Master Zongyou. But I saw a disheveled maid lying in Young Master Zongyou's courtyard. I heard that Young Master Zongyou threw her out. Your servant thinks that person is on the verge of death..."
Gu Peilan thought it was nothing serious, "It's just a servant, why are you panicking?"
The maid trembled, then thought for a moment and said, "Your servant recognizes that maid, it's... it's Xinlan..."
The Old Madam, who had initially not wanted to concern herself with the matter, instantly changed her expression. "Are you sure you saw clearly?"
The maid hurriedly kowtowed, "Your servant is certain, it is absolutely Xinlan."
Hearing this, Nanny Xu trembled, let alone the Old Madam's face turning completely dark.
Since Ji Zongyou returned to the Ji family, he had been restless. The Old Madam doted on her grandson and indulged him. They were just a few servants in the manor; how could she possibly care?
However, she had never expected him to be so brazen as to not spare even someone close to Third Miss Zhao.
Nanny Xu also felt a heavy weight in her heart.
She knew the Eldest Miss's temper well. She might be quiet, but when she acted, it would surely shake the heavens!
If the Eldest Miss were to find out about this, what would happen?!
Gu Peilan looked at the Old Madam's expression and felt uneasy. "It's just a servant..."
The Old Madam, enraged, slapped the table in front of her, making the teacups tremble. "That Xinlan grew up with Third Miss Zhao. Even after being sent to Yun Yuan, they are connected by blood and bone!"
How could the Old Madam not understand Ji Zizhao's protective nature? If it weren't for her temperament, she wouldn't have risked her own life to protect the Ji family back then.
At that time, the Old Madam was relieved.
Now, the Old Madam felt it was fatal.
She already had a strained relationship with one granddaughter, and now, due to Madame Gu's family, she was estranged from the other. If this incident were to cause further trouble, even she wouldn't know how to resolve it!
Gu Peilan, having married in later, didn't understand these relationships. Hearing the Old Madam's words now, her heart skipped a beat, and her mind raced with anxiety.
The last time Ji Zizhao was enraged, she had broken her son's legs. If Ji Zizhao found another excuse to be angry this time, would her son even survive?
"Zongyou can't even stand up now, and he just wants a few days of leisurely life. Why is it so difficult? Old Madam, you must help your daughter-in-law think of a solution. If you don't step in, Third Miss Zhao, who already dislikes us, will surely kill Zongyou!" Gu Peilan lunged forward, collapsing at the Old Madam's feet, and cried until her voice was hoarse, clutching the Old Madam's leg.
Nanny Xu sighed inwardly at Gu Peilan's desperate plea.
Young Master Zongyou had long been spoiled beyond measure and was so selfish that he only cared about himself. Otherwise, how could he have done such a monstrous deed?
The Old Madam felt dizzy from Gu Peilan's shaking and her chest felt heavy.
Since marrying into the Ji family, she had seen three generations. But thinking of her sons in the past, and then looking at her grandsons, weren't they all striving to bring her endless glory?
Back then, there were many filial people, and the Old Madam took it for granted, never truly caring about anyone.
And then...
Now, it was her most beloved grandson who was so ill-behaved!
But the matter had already occurred, and the Old Madam couldn't abandon him.
Madame Gu was right; he was her only grandson, and she had to protect him.
Suppressing the anger in her chest, the Old Madam lowered her gaze to Gu Peilan at her feet. "While Third Miss Zhao is asleep, why don't you hurry and send the person back to Yun Yuan? Have the people at Helu Yuan keep their mouths shut. Tomorrow, go to the main kitchen and cause a scene, insist on Third Miss Zhao's misuse of the marker, so that Third Miss Zhao has no time to concern herself with anything else. When Xinlan is completely beyond help, claim she died of illness."
Gu Peilan's eyes lit up, and she nodded quickly, rising. "Your daughter-in-law understands, your daughter-in-law will attend to it now."