Compared to the busy Tong family, Ji Zizhao was rather leisurely.
Every day, she would dry some medicinal herbs in the manor, and in the afternoon, when the sun was good, she would lean by the window and read medical books. Her days were peaceful and pleasant.
Not long after, the court announced the date of the first imperial examination.
At the same time, the Tong family's flower-viewing banquet was also approaching.
Originally, for banquets of this kind, which were held countless times each year by various families, the female relatives of each household were already tired. Unless they were truly close friends, they would generally send someone to politely decline.
It was now the height of summer, and all the ladies and female relatives were accustomed to living in comfort within their manors. Who would want to brave the scorching sun to admire flowers?
However, things were different now. The Tong family's daughter was the new main wife of the Ji family. Who in the imperial city did not know that the eldest daughter of the Ji family was at odds with this new main wife from the Tong family? It was rumored that the new main wife was still staying at her maternal home.
The sun was indeed strong, but facing the sun to watch a spectacle was not an everyday occurrence.
On the day of the banquet, the Tong family was indeed filled with guests.
The old madam of the Tong family personally led Ji Renran to greet the guests and even took the initiative to introduce them.
Ji Renran knew how to conduct herself and was very sweet-tongued. In a short while, she was already chatting with many young ladies.
Gu Peilan watched from a distance, her heart filled with joy.
If things continued at this pace, all they needed was for Ji Zizhao to come to them voluntarily.
Just as she was thinking, a young servant from the gate came to report, "Old Madam, someone from the Ji family has arrived."
The old madam of the Tong family nodded, "Please invite them in."
As the servant left, the garden, which had been filled with laughter, instantly fell silent.
Everyone eagerly gazed towards the direction of the garden archway, awaiting the main event of the day.
After a short while, a slender figure, led by a maid, entered the archway.
However, before everyone could get a clear look, Gu Peilan and Ji Renran's faces changed color.
Others might not know, but they knew that this person was not Ji Zizhao at all.
It was Jian Qiu, Ji Zizhao's attendant!
The old madam of the Tong family also saw the person clearly, and her face darkened. "What does the eldest young lady of the Ji family mean by this?"
Jian Qiu gave a slight bow before straightening up and saying, "Our young lady is busy preparing for the imperial medical examination and truly cannot spare the time. She has specially sent this servant to express her apologies to the old madam of the Tong family."
The old madam of the Tong family's arm, which was being supported by Ji Renran, tightened. Mindful of the guests present, she wanted to say something but feared losing etiquette. A surge of anger clogged her chest, making her expression extremely unpleasant.
Ji Renran, supporting the old madam of the Tong family, also felt a pang upon hearing Jian Qiu's words.
What right did the Ji family have to contend with the Tong family now?
How dare Ji Zizhao refuse to come as she pleased!
"Grandmother sent the invitation days ago. If Eldest Sister was truly unable to attend, she should have sent someone to inform us in advance. Now that the guests have arrived and everyone is waiting for Eldest Sister, regardless of any reason, Eldest Sister should not have acted this way," Ji Renran was genuinely anxious. If Ji Zizhao did not come, how would she, her mother, and her brother return to the Ji family?
Jian Qiu, sensing Ji Renran's intention to incite public resentment, naturally could not let her succeed. "Miss Renran, your words... Today, the Tong family is hosting a banquet. This servant has heard that many noble ladies and renowned young ladies from the imperial city have received invitations. Now that the Tong family is staging such an event for our young lady, even if the Tong family is well-intentioned, our young lady cannot ask the guests present to accompany her."
In plain terms, you should bear the consequences of offending people yourselves.
Our young lady is busy and has no time to take the blame for you.
Ji Renran's face turned from pale to paler. Ji Zizhao not coming but sending Jian Qiu was simply one more difficult person than the other.
Gu Peilan, seeing Jian Qiu's aggressive demeanor from not far away, quickly stepped forward and said, "I heard that Sister Zhao is participating in some imperial examination. My mother was also kind enough to want to cheer Sister Zhao on in advance. If Sister Zhao is unappreciative, that's one thing, but why send a servant here to put on airs?"
Ji Zizhao's absence had caused everyone to strain their backs.
But it didn't matter. As long as they could insist that Jian Qiu was being disrespectful, she would then lead her daughter and son back to the Ji family. At that time, even if they couldn't gain any advantage over Ji Zizhao, would the Ji family really drive them out?
"The new main wife also says this servant's status is humble. If that is the case, how would I dare to put on airs in the Tong family? The imperial examination is an event approved by the Emperor. Our young lady must focus on her preparation. If her concentration is diverted by attending this banquet today, and the Emperor blames her, I fear the new main wife would not be able to bear the responsibility."
Jian Qiu, of course, knew Gu Peilan's intentions, so she gave Gu Peilan no opportunity to continue to entangle. After speaking, she bowed to the old madam of the Tong family and then turned to leave.
Gu Peilan gritted her teeth in anger, her molars aching.
The guests present watched this scene with great disappointment.
They had eagerly rushed over precisely to watch the spectacle, but the eldest young lady of the Ji family simply ignored the Tong family.
As a result, after Jian Qiu's departure, many guests also found excuses to withdraw from the flower-viewing banquet.
The sun was so strong, why bother with flowers and banquets? Wasn't it more pleasant to go home and have a servant fan them with a cool breeze?
Seeing more and more people taking their leave, the old madam of the Tong family, despite knowing what was happening, could not outwardly ask them to stay.
Jian Qiu had already torn her face off. If she were to beg these people to stay now, her old face would truly fall to the ground and never be picked up again.
However, the old madam of the Tong family did not need to hide anything from Ji Renran. She suddenly flung away the arm Ji Renran was supporting and, suppressing her anger, said, "There are other guests in the courtyard. Remember not to neglect them."
With that, she turned and left first.
The sun overhead grew hotter and hotter, searing their scalps and making their bodies sticky.
But whether it was Ji Renran or Gu Peilan, no matter how unwilling they were, they had to continue to force smiles in the courtyard.
What else could they do?
If they offended the Tong family at this time, would they and their daughter really be driven out into the streets?
When Jian Qiu returned, Ji Ziyan was also in Zhaoyuan.
After listening to Jian Qiu's account, Ji Ziyan was disgusted. "The Tong family is truly shameless. They would resort to such threats and coercion. It was right for Eldest Sister not to go. Since they chose to leave themselves back then, now they have to come back and apologize on their own."
Ji Zizhao certainly did not believe that the Tong family had willingly done all this.
She suspected that the Fifth Prince had pressured the Tong family, and even if the Tong family was a million times unwilling, they had to devise strategies for Gu Peilan.
Ji Zizhao felt nauseated just thinking about the Fifth Prince.
Similarly, Ji Renran was no good either.
Since this pair of scoundrels wanted to continue playing their games, she would accompany them.