The Zhong family matriarch had long suspected that the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family was difficult to deal with, but she had never imagined that in this verbal spar, her own Eldest Daughter would gain no advantage.
The Eldest Daughter of the Ji family was formidable.
Zhong Xinyi was filled with resentment, and even after leaving the courtyard, she stamped her feet in anger, "That Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is simply too overbearing. No wonder Renran wrote to me, sounding so pitiful and helpless. I imagine with such a sister suppressing her, she must be heartbroken."
The Zhong family matriarch listened, but felt extremely uncomfortable.
No wonder her own Eldest Daughter was so impulsive. It turned out that Miss Renran had written to complain. If this matter was unintentional, it would be one thing, but if it was truly intentional…
The Zhong family matriarch thought for a moment and said softly, "In today's matter, it is indeed Miss Renran who got there first. Our Zhong family has offended the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family because of this, so it is only reasonable for the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family to punish this old servant. We were in the wrong. However, for Miss Renran to write to the Eldest Daughter to complain seems rather inappropriate."
"Didn't Ji Zizhao run to her cousin to complain, and spout utter nonsense!"
"The Eldest Daughter of the Ji family's words may have been exaggerated, but it's not necessarily true that Miss Renran is complaining to the Eldest Daughter without any basis."
Regarding this matter, the old matriarch of the Zhong family wanted to thank the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family. If the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family hadn't gone to the Fourth Prince to complain, she wouldn't have thought of these things.
Zhong Xinyi, thinking back now, perhaps Renran's letter did exaggerate things a bit.
However, considering their past acquaintance, Zhong Xinyi naturally believed Ji Renran more. "Renran told us before that Ji Zizhao is not easy to get along with, has a bad temper and is very haughty. I saw it with my own eyes today. Matriarch, you don't need to speak for Ji Zizhao anymore."
The Zhong family matriarch sighed helplessly and could only shut her mouth.
Sitting in the carriage, Shuiling looked back at the Zhong family's gate with concern.
"Miss, will the Eldest Daughter of the Zhong family spread news of today's events?" Although their Eldest Daughter had no marital relations with the Fifth Prince, she was already divorced, a sensitive status. If the Eldest Daughter of the Zhong family were to publicize the fact that their Miss had met the Fourth Prince…
How could their Miss live her life afterwards!
Shuiling dared not inquire further about her Miss's relationship with the Fourth Prince, but she cared about her Miss's reputation.
Ji Zizhao leaned back on the soft couch, showing no hint of worry. "Don't worry, the Zhong family isn't that foolish."
With the Crown Prince not yet appointed, the princes were in a state of flux.
Even though the Fourth Prince was raised under the Empress's care, he would have developed some affection over the years.
As the Empress's maternal family, the Zhong family naturally had to stand with the Fourth Prince and the Seventh Prince.
If the Zhong family lacked even this degree of vigilance, how could they have survived in the imperial city for decades.
Furthermore…
The Fourth Prince dared to have the Eldest Daughter of the Zhong family invite her, which showed that the Zhong family was already very familiar with such matters.
Ji Zizhao slowly closed her eyes, seemingly resting, but her mind was churning with thoughts.
It was true that Ji Renran had written to complain, but looking at the earnest expression of the Eldest Daughter of the Zhong family, she was clearly not someone who could be incited to such a degree with just a few words.
It was likely that during the time Ji Renran had been back, she had been speaking ill of her outside quite a bit.
She curled her lips silently. Ji Zizhao actually thought this was not bad.
Villains should look like villains. That way, she wouldn't be soft-hearted when she had to deal with them.
Inside the Ji family, it was still quiet.
Not long after Ji Zizhao returned to her courtyard, she heard news from the main courtyard that the Old Madam had woken up.
Soon, everyone had gathered in the Old Madam's courtyard.
By the time Ji Zizhao entered the courtyard, people from all the branches had already assembled.
Before long, Ji Renran walked out, looking at everyone with an apologetic expression, "Grandmother has just woken up. Her spirit is good, but her body is still weak. The doctor said she needs to rest. I accept your well wishes on behalf of Grandmother. Everyone should go back and rest early."
At this moment, Ji Renran had long since shed the embarrassment and humiliation she felt returning from the Zhong family.
Standing proudly on the steps, a faint smile hinted at arrogance and pride.
If one didn't know the truth, one would think that Ji Renran was the one in charge of the Ji family.
As everyone walked back, the Third Madam, Yin Wenying, knitted her brows and snorted, "Relying on the Old Madam's favor, she thinks she can fly to the heavens. She's really gotten out of hand."
The Second Madam, Yu Fenglan, also felt uncomfortable. "No wonder the Old Madam indulges them. Whether they are crippled or not, there's still a male heir to support them."
If her Zilu were still alive, and her elder sister-in-law's Zihe were still alive, how could others dare to be so arrogant.
The Fourth Madam, Xiao Jingshu, glanced at the silent Zhaojie'er and sighed softly, but said nothing.
Ji Ziyan and Ji Zibi walked to their Eldest Sister's side and silently held her slightly cool hand.
Now that Grandmother's favoritism was so obvious, even if Eldest Sister said nothing, how could she not feel bad?
Ji Ziyan sighed, "With Eldest Uncle's mourning hall still in the courtyard, it's truly remarkable that these people can sit so steadily in the manor."
Ji Zibi knitted her brows, "If it weren't for fear of them twisting our words again, I'd really want to rush in and beat them soundly."
Ji Zizhao shook her head, "Even if they can sit still, Grandmother may not be able to."
If Grandmother could truly remain steady, she wouldn't have released the news of her recovery.
It was likely that Grandmother had already made a choice, but it would probably take a few more days for her to be completely heartless. Sudaian Xiaoshuo.
Ji Zizhao was not afraid of delays.
The longer the delay, the more Knife-like the pain in Grandmother's heart.
Those who had done bad deeds would become more and more uneasy.
So, why should she be in a hurry?
Ji Ziyan saw that her Eldest Sister was taking it philosophically and was secretly relieved. She then said, "I heard that Ji Zongyou has also recovered quite a bit, but all his eating and drinking, and his bodily functions, must be done in bed. The maids in the manor said a few days ago that even eating and drinking require someone to serve him. He's extremely pampered."
Ji Zibi was shocked. "Wasn't his leg just injured?"
There were many people with leg impairments in the imperial city. Even the sons of some noble families would have special wooden wheelchairs made to facilitate their daily movement. How could it be so difficult for that illegitimate son?
"People are not the same. I also heard that several of the maids serving Ji Zongyou have been taken in as concubines by him. The courtyard is now truly a mess." If such a person were to inherit the estate in the future, Ji Ziyan could not imagine what the Ji family would become.
"If they don't provoke you, you don't need to step forward. As for those people… the more resilient their lives, the better." Ji Zizhao patted her two younger sisters' hands again before heading towards Zhaoyuan.
Ji Ziyan looked at her fourth sister, "What does Eldest Sister mean by that?"
Ji Zibi also shook her head, "I'm not sure, but since Eldest Sister said so, she must have a plan in mind."
In fact, Ji Zizhao's last sentence was quite explicit.
After all, only if their lives were more resilient could they withstand more punishment.
If Ji Zizhao hadn't even started the 'abuse' and they had already surrendered without a fight, that would be boring.
Upon returning to Zhaoyuan, Ji Zizhao immediately began writing a letter.
She suspected that the Fourth Prince had already sent a letter to the Seventh Prince, so she had to prepare in advance.
After a while, Ji Zizhao called Lian Ju to her side. "Go to the Four Great Medical Halls and deliver this letter to Uncle Sun."
Lian Ju carefully put the letter away and was about to turn to leave.
Just then, Qingzhu pushed aside the curtain and entered. "Miss, there's news."