Old Madam Xu, seeing the old madam sighing continuously, quickly said with a smile, "No matter what, it is all thanks to you, old madam, that this household is now in good order."
Hearing these words, the old madam's heart ached severely. She wanted to say something but ultimately said nothing. After hesitating for a long time, she was eventually helped into the inner room by Old Madam Xu.
This household's well-being was hardly her doing.
It was her daughter who paid for it with her life!
The old madam was indeed old, but she wasn't someone who could be easily fooled by a few words.
She knew her own daughter best. How could someone with such a strong will, who refused to be wronged, possibly commit suicide out of fear of punishment?
However, there were many things the old madam no longer wished to delve into.
Just as Madam Song, who was standing in the courtyard, saw the eldest daughter emerge, she quickly lowered her head, not daring to look directly.
Even standing in the courtyard, the conversation inside was faintly audible. Considering the eldest daughter's words just now and the current situation, Madam Song felt extremely uneasy.
This eldest daughter was truly extraordinary.
Madam He, who had followed with similar concern, walked towards her young lady.
Thinking that the old madam had agreed to let the remarried First Madam move into Yun Yuan, she proactively asked, "Miss, Yun Yuan contains all the belongings of the First Madam. Should this old servant personally lead people to organize them?"
Ji Zizhao replied, "No need. Leave them all there."
Only by leaving them would those with a guilty conscience be even more unsettled.
Madam He frowned. The thought of the First Madam's belongings being left to be spoiled made her feel a pang of sadness.
Ji Zizhao paused again and then said, "This matter still requires Madam He to personally make a trip..."
Madam He immediately perked up. After listening carefully, she understood her young lady's intentions and quickly agreed, "Miss, rest assured, this old servant knows what to do."
The madams from various branches walking behind watched the extremely thin Zhaojie'er in front and sighed with heartache.
None of them had expected the eldest grand-aunt to truly be involved in the First Sister-in-law's death. But thinking about it, it wasn't surprising. The eldest grand-aunt had always been one to argue her way out of anything. It was likely that she had a verbal conflict with the First Sister-in-law, which led to...
Although the eldest grand-aunt had offered her life in exchange, which child could bear to face their mother's killer? The madams of each branch were of one mind, and they immediately decided to arrange the eldest grand-aunt's funeral themselves, thus saving Zhaojie'er further distress.
Gu Peilan, looking at the sympathetic gazes the madams of each branch cast upon Ji Zizhao, was furious. "Things with no father or mother are easily able to garner sympathy."
Ji Renran tugged at her mother's sleeve, signaling her to speak softly. "Mother can curse here, but no one can hear her. It's just a waste of energy. I feel that Elder Sister wouldn't be so kind as to agree to us moving out of the main courtyard."
"What are you afraid of? No matter how capable Ji Zizhao is, she can't escape the old madam's grasp. The old madam herself saw Ji Zizhao nod in agreement just now. Where would it be her turn to go back on her word now? If you're worried, I'll go ahead and break the ice for you." Gu Peilan felt incredibly wronged today. The mere thought of usurping someone's place and living in the courtyard where Lin Wanyun once resided made her feel triumphant.
Ji Renran watched her mother's departing back and gently clutched the handkerchief in her hand.
She hoped she was just overthinking things.
Gu Peilan, accompanied by her people, packed up their belongings from the main courtyard and headed for Yun Yuan.
The people in Yun Yuan had already heard that the remarried First Madam would be moving in. Although they felt reluctant to part with the former First Madam, they dared not question the mistress's arrangements.
As Gu Peilan entered the courtyard, the servants inside all knelt down.
"Greetings to the remarried First Madam."
"Your servants pay respects to the remarried First Madam."
The servants of the Ji family were all purchased and trained from a young age, so their etiquette and rules were impeccable.
Although the title "remarried First Madam" still sounded harsh, Gu Peilan felt that it was all worth it as she looked at the kneeling servants.
She could finally live the life Lin Wanyun had lived.
No matter how much that little slut Ji Zizhao clamored, it couldn't change the fact that she was replacing Lin Wanyun.
Gu Peilan ascended the steps with her head held high. She intended to assume the airs of a madam and have the people in the courtyard help her tidy up the room. However, when she pushed open the door, she was utterly dumbfounded.
The furnishings in the room had not moved an inch!
Looking at the self-portrait of Lin Wanyun hanging on the wall, Gu Peilan felt her legs go weak, almost falling to the ground.
"Someone! What is going on? Are you all dead? Why haven't you asked Zhaojie'er to move her things!" Gu Peilan gripped the doorframe tightly and yelled towards the steps below.
Gu Peilan could recall how Lin Wanyun died even with her eyes closed.
Now, seeing the items Lin Wanyun had used in life was no different from seeing a ghost.
Just then, Madam He entered the courtyard. "This old servant greets the remarried First Madam. This old servant is from Zhao Yuan."
Upon hearing that she was from Ji Zizhao's side, Gu Peilan quickly supported herself and forced a smile to her lips. "Madam, are you here to move Zhaojie'er's belongings? I was just about to send someone to fetch them, I didn't expect you to arrive."
Madam He had served the Ji family her entire life and had met few people. She couldn't discern the nature of this remarried First Madam and didn't beat around the bush. "Remarried First Madam misunderstands. The eldest young lady said that nothing in Yun Yuan is to be moved."
Gu Peilan, "..."
No, no moving, what did that mean?
Gu Peilan continued to force a smile. "Does Zhaojie'er not want these things anymore?"
Madam He also smiled and said, "Remarried First Madam misunderstands. These things are the eldest young lady's only mementos of the deceased First Madam. How could she not want them? The eldest young lady felt that if some things were moved from their original place, they would lose their familiar scent. Therefore, it's best to leave them as they are. The eldest young lady also said that the remarried madam can live here as she pleases and can help look after the deceased First Madam's belongings."
In essence, these things couldn't be moved, couldn't be touched, not even a single hair could be disturbed.
Gu Peilan, "..."
No matter how much she forced it, she couldn't smile anymore.
She wanted Lin Wanyun's courtyard and Lin Wanyun's life, but she never intended to live as Lin Wanyun. Just looking at those things reminded her of Lin Wanyun's tragic death. How could she possibly live here?!
But there was nothing wrong with Madam He's words. If Gu Peilan forcefully threw out all of Lin Wanyun's belongings, wouldn't she be accused of being jealous enough to kill someone?
Gu Peilan wanted to become the second Lin Wanyun more than anything, but now she stood before the room that was within reach, unable to step forward. This feeling of fear mixed with unwillingness almost suffocated Gu Peilan.
She had never felt so wronged in her life!
But despite her unwillingness, Gu Peilan truly lacked the courage to live in a room filled with Lin Wanyun's belongings. She could only grit her teeth and say, "I wouldn't dare touch the deceased First Madam's belongings. Since Zhaojie'er is filial, I can move to another place, of course."
"The eldest young lady has already ordered for the western courtyard to be tidied up. This old servant will personally lead the way." Madam He turned with a smile and led the way.
Gu Peilan's face turned black with anger.
How could that little slut Ji Zizhao be so detestable!