Ji Zizhao tossed the note in her hand into the candle stand and let out a cold laugh.
She had underestimated Gu Peilan and her daughter; she hadn't expected them to be so troublesome.
As the old saying went, dogs and scoundrels always stuck together.
"I didn't expect the Fifth Prince to be involved in this. Does Madam plan to confront him directly?" Qing Zhu frowned in disgust at the thought of that hypocritical man.
Ji Zizhao was in no hurry. "No need to alert the snake for now."
Neither the Tong family nor the Fifth Prince could be eradicated with a few words.
Since they wanted to play, she would play along with them wholeheartedly.
No wonder the Fourth Prince, that black-hearted fox, had sent the Fifth Prince away. He probably wanted to use this opportunity to sow discord between Gu Peilan and the Tong family.
Once a rift appeared between the Tong family and Gu Peilan, even if the Tong family dared not abandon Gu Peilan under the Fifth Prince's pressure, they would no longer be as devoted to her.
In the long run, this would also deepen the rift between the Tong family and the Fifth Prince.
One had to admit that a black-hearted fox was the most terrifying.
Without lifting a finger, he intended to sever one of the Fifth Prince's hidden arms.
Having figured everything out, Ji Zizhao picked up her brush that very night to write a letter. Even if she had to stabilize the Tong family and Gu Peilan for now, she had no intention of letting the Fifth Prince rest easy.
Since he was going out to gain experience, he should naturally go all out and benefit the common people.
After finishing the letter, Ji Zizhao called Lian Ju into the room and personally instructed her to deliver the letter to Chen Gang.
Lian Ju nodded and, with the letter tucked away, galloped out of the city that night.
Meanwhile, Ji Renran also received a message from the Fifth Prince.
The messenger was Nanny Song, who had accompanied Ji Renran back to the Ji family.
This woman had lived in seclusion deep within the Fifth Prince's mansion. The Fifth Prince, not trusting her to manage alone in the Ji family or lack advice, had sent Nanny Song to her.
Ji Renran had not expected that the Fifth Prince, who seemed somewhat timid, would be such a gentle person. Out of a desire to please him, she trusted Nanny Song implicitly.
Now, Nanny Song massaged Ji Renran's shoulders and carefully said, "His Highness the Fifth Prince said that he will be traveling to the counties near Luoyi during this time and is truly worried he won't be able to take care of Miss Renran as much as he'd like. But the thought that Miss Renran is still not rightfully recognized pains him greatly."
Ji Renran's heart trembled, and her cheeks flushed inexplicably. "Thank His Highness for his concern."
Which royal son was not high and mighty, looking down upon everyone?
When Ji Renran first met the Fifth Prince, she was prepared to be looked down upon.
To her surprise, the Fifth Prince was so gentle and solicitous towards her, showing her such care.
Ji Renran was just an ordinary woman, naturally hoping to find a gentle reliance. However, she also knew that to marry the Fifth Prince, she had to establish herself firmly in the Ji family.
"His Highness said that it is his duty to care for Miss Renran, and that Miss Renran returning to the Ji family is also helping His Highness. In the end, it was that heartless eldest daughter who divorced him, making him a laughingstock. Unlike Miss Renran, who always thinks of His Highness."
These words struck a chord with Ji Renran.
They were both daughters of their father; why should Ji Zizhao be the one to marry the Fifth Prince?
What was most detestable was that Ji Zizhao was so ungrateful, bullying the timid Fifth Prince and refusing to be a concubine, choosing divorce instead.
Of course, Ji Renran never intended to replace Ji Zizhao as the Fifth Prince's concubine.
If she were to marry, she would be the Fifth Prince's consort.
At that time, she wanted to see Ji Zizhao's expression.
Dreams were beautiful, but reality still lay before them.
Ji Renran knew that as long as the matter of Lin Wanyun was not resolved, she could not be a recognized daughter of the Ji family.
After a long silence, Ji Renran finally spoke, "Please trouble Nanny Song to call my eldest aunt and my mother here."
Nanny Song saw that Ji Renran had an idea and nodded, saying no more.
As Nanny Song's footsteps faded, the room became extremely quiet.
Ji Renran rose and walked towards the inner room, a silent smile curling her lips.
Don't say she was cruel; she just wanted to reclaim what was rightfully hers.
Ji Ruyun arrived quickly, her expression still unpleasant as she entered. "Why are you calling me over so late for no reason? Do you think you're already a daughter of the Ji family and starting to put on airs? I advise you not to forget that without me, you're nothing but a creature that cannot see the light of day."
The smile on Ji Renran's face faltered. "Eldest Aunt, how can you say that? We are family, after all."
Ji Ruyun eyed Ji Renran, her contempt evident. "Who is family with you? Don't flatter yourself. You're just a bastard. I only agreed to help you back then because I pitied you. If I had known you were so useless, I wouldn't have bothered with you."
"My mother and I never expected Eldest Sister to dare return with a coffin."
"Ji Zizhao that little slut is arrogant, but aren't you and your mother useless? You let that little slut Ji Zizhao step all over you, and you didn't even dare to make a peep. To put it bluntly, you're not even as good as a little slut."
Ji Renran clenched her fists within her sleeves, her entire body tensing.
The one thing she hated most was hearing that she was inferior to Ji Zizhao.
However, Ji Ruyun, accustomed to her arrogance in the Ji family, did not notice Ji Renran's ashen face. "To tell you the truth, the Jin family has sent word, asking me to return these past few days. You invited them then, and you killed them. This matter has nothing to do with me, and I'm tired of dealing with you all."
Ji Ruyun was not lying. Jin Xueyan had indeed sent someone to urge her return.
During Ji Ruyun's absence from the Jin residence, the concubines in the mansion had become unruly, constantly indulging in pleasures with Jin Qianyu, creating a scene of revelry daily.
However, these words were like a thunderclap to Gu Peilan, who had just entered.
"How can Eldest Aunt leave at this time? We are in the same boat. We haven't figured out a solution for Lin Wanyun's matter yet. How can Eldest Aunt withdraw?" Gu Peilan, upon entering, grasped Ji Ruyun's hand.
The Old Madam was feigning unconsciousness and illness, clearly intending to stand by and watch.
If Ji Ruyun also abandoned them now, what would become of them, a mother and child?
"You invited Lin Wanyun to the Jin family back then, and you stood to gain. Now that something has happened, you want to wash your hands of it. How can Eldest Aunt do this!"
"I intended to benefit from you and decided to help. Who told you you were so useless? You had the courage to kill but not the ability to cover it up."
Ji Ruyun tried to shake off Gu Peilan's hand, but Gu Peilan held on tightly.
"Eldest Aunt, you cannot leave, absolutely cannot leave."
"Oh! You dare to block my way now? I'm telling you, move aside. Otherwise, if we really tear down the facade, I'll personally tell Ji Zizhao exactly how Lin Wanyun died!" Ji Ruyun said, pushing Gu Peilan away and attempting to leave.
Lin Wanyun's death concerned Ji Zongyou's entire life. How could Gu Peilan let Ji Ruyun leave like this?
She took a few quick steps and hugged Ji Ruyun's waist, forcefully dragging her back.
Ji Ruyun felt both pain and anger, raising her hand to slap Gu Peilan.
Ji Renran watched the two of them struggle, and her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
If Ji Zizhao dared to break her brother's legs on the day she returned, rendering him unable to walk for life, how could she have been so placid during this time?
Originally, Ji Renran hadn't thought much of it.
But now, it was truly terrifying to ponder.
Did Ji Zizhao deliberately delay things just to witness them tearing each other apart today?
Did she want them to end up in a state of mutual animosity!
It was as if, right now, Ji Zizhao could cause her mother and eldest aunt to quarrel and fight without any effort.
Thinking about it, Ji Renran felt goosebumps erupt all over her body.