The ladies of each household watched with trembling hearts.
This Ji Renran truly had a knack for turning the tables, using the matter of her being raised outside the household as a point of contention. Even if Zhao Jie'er had no intention of being provocative, she was being made to appear so.
Ji Zizhao, however, indifferently patted Ji Renran's hand, as if she hadn't understood the undertone of her words. "Miss Renran, there is no need to humiliate yourself. Learn where you are lacking, and a golden nugget will always shine. As for rotten wood, it will never be carved into anything beautiful."
Ji Renran's face stiffened.
She felt Ji Zizhao was scolding her, yet she could find no proof.
Ji Zizhao seized the opportunity to pull her hand away, stepped forward a few paces, and curtsied. "Your granddaughter pays her respects to Grandmother."
The old madam looked somewhat listless. Even though she forced herself to sit on the soft couch, her complexion was not good. "I presume you have also heard about your eldest aunt's affairs."
Ji Zizhao looked at her grandmother's dark circles under her eyes and felt no sympathy. "Granddaughter came in a hurry and was unaware of any trouble in the household. What happened to eldest aunt?"
The ladies of each household, "..."
Ji Renran, "..."
This was clearly rubbing salt into the old madam's wounds!
How could Ji Zizhao be so audacious!
Regardless of how Ji Ruyun died, she was still the daughter the old madam had doted on and raised. Now, to have the old madam speak of Ji Ruyun's death personally was tantamount to making the old madam relive the heartache and sorrow once more.
The old madam raised her head with a somber expression and looked at Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao stood in place with a calm expression, silent.
If not for Grandmother's deliberate cover-up, how could Mother have died so inexplicably?
The taste of tearing open a wound and adding salt was something one had to experience firsthand to truly understand how much it hurt.
Gu Peilan, who was kneeling on the ground, looked at Ji Zizhao's overbearing demeanor and couldn't help but speak, "Eldest Aunt's granddaughter felt so guilty about the death of the late Madam that she acted rashly. Now that the person is gone, why must Jie'er make the old madam grieve further?"
Ji Zizhao lowered her gaze slightly and swept her eyes over Gu Peilan from above. "Oh, you are here too."
Gu Peilan, "..."
Pretending to be blind.
"Eldest aunt's passing was sudden. I merely wanted to inquire about the cause. How is that causing trouble for Grandmother? Madam's words make me confused. Is there something else I don't know about this matter?" Today, standing here, Ji Zizhao had no intention of indulging even her grandmother, let alone Gu Peilan.
Gu Peilan felt a pang of guilt, and her complexion grew even more unsightly. "Since you know nothing, Miss Zhao, please speak with more kindness. Eldest Aunt is already gone. Miss Zhao's careless remarks, are you not afraid of some unclean spirits coming to find you tonight?"
Ji Zizhao raised an eyebrow. "There is a reason for every wrong, and a debt to be paid. Even if they come looking, they are unlikely to find me."
Gu Peilan, "..."
Why did her vision suddenly go black!
"Enough! Look at what a mess this household has become!" the old madam rebuked.
Seeing her grandmother's anger, Ji Renran quickly stepped forward and knelt on the ground. She appeared to be kneeling before the old madam, but one of her legs was slanted towards Ji Zizhao.
It looked more like she was kneeling to Ji Zizhao as well.
"Eldest sister, no one expected Eldest Aunt to be involved in the death of the late Madam. But whatever the reason, Eldest Aunt is now... is now gone... I beg Eldest sister not to pursue this further. Otherwise, I am truly afraid for Grandmother's health..."
Ji Renran not only spoke but also grabbed the hem of Ji Zizhao's skirt.
The gesture, while intended to beg for mercy, made it seem as if she were being coerced by Ji Zizhao.
The ladies of each household tensed up at this sight.
The deceased was Zhao Jie'er's birth mother. How could any daughter be at ease with such a hasty conclusion?
But looking at Ji Renran's demeanor, if Ji Zizhao continued to press, she would likely become the villain.
So be it!
Third Madam Yin Wenying looked at the two madams beside her. Even if everyone spoke ill of Zhao Jie'er, they had to stand by her side and not let anyone fool them easily.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan and Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu exchanged knowing glances and nodded.
As long as Zhao Jie'er insisted on investigating, they would stand with her.
Gu Peilan secretly observed the expressions of the madams of each household and slowly felt a sense of reassurance.
As long as Ji Zizhao refused to back down, she would offend the old madam.
Once the old madam completely favored them, how could they worry about regaining the power from Ji Zizhao's hands?
It was only a matter of time.
"Thud!"
A muffled sound suddenly broke the silence.
Ji Zizhao gathered her skirt and knelt on the ground. Her eyes turned red, and tears began to fall. "My mother's death has always been a heavy burden on your granddaughter's heart. But your granddaughter truly did not expect things to turn out this way. If your granddaughter had known Eldest Aunt would... your granddaughter would not have caused such a scene. Now that Eldest Aunt is gone, let this matter be put to rest with her."
Ji Renran's body stiffened, unable to believe that such a conciliatory statement came from Ji Zizhao's lips.
Gu Peilan was equally stunned, staring at the scene for a long time, unable to snap out of it.
Where was the promised estrangement between grandmother and granddaughter?
Where was the promised parting of ways?
If Ji Zizhao truly agreed to stop pursuing it, then she and her mother...
Pursue what!
Ji Zizhao's lips trembled, and her tears flowed more profusely. "Your granddaughter only wishes for Grandmother's well-being. Without Grandmother, for what purpose would your granddaughter labor to support this household? As for anything else... I ask for nothing."
As she spoke with emotion, Ji Zizhao slumped onto the old madam's lap.
Unlike Ji Renran, who always feigned weakness, Ji Zizhao had been strong and resolute since taking over the Ji family, swallowing her pain even when beaten.
It was precisely because of this strong demeanor that Ji Zizhao's current vulnerability was even more heartbreaking.
Seeing her pitiable appearance, the old madam couldn't help but stroke Ji Zizhao's hair. "Since it is all in the past, let it be truly in the past. The dead are dead, and the living must continue to live well. I know it has not been easy for you."
No matter how biased the old madam was, she could not deny Ji Zizhao's capabilities.
Without Miss Zhao, the Ji family would likely have been executed or exiled long ago.
Ji Zizhao nodded obediently. "Your granddaughter will listen to Grandmother."
This obedient and thoughtful demeanor enraged Gu Peilan, making her wish she could force Ji Zizhao to the ground and beat her.
Shameless woman, pretending to be pitiful!