Such scolding, truly leaving no room for face.
As soon as these words were uttered, the Zou family's rear garden became utterly silent.
Zhong Xinyi was frantic. Looking at her brother, she said, "Brother, how could you speak to the Eldest Miss Ji like this? If it weren't for the Eldest Miss Ji today, I fear..."
Before Zhong Xinyi could finish, Ji Renran spoke with a wronged tone, "Everything that happened today is my fault. It was I who spoke too much and caused the Eldest Miss Zhong and Eldest Young Master Zhong to argue."
Zhong Xinyi knitted her brows and looked at Ji Renran beside her. If Ji Renran's words just now were unintentional, then what about now?
What could have been resolved with a few words was instead becoming more entangled.
Seeing Ji Renran's pitiable appearance, Zhong Xinyi truly felt a surge of nausea.
Everything that happened on the boat today had been too sudden. She couldn't be sure if someone had truly pushed her.
But she could firmly believe that it was the Eldest Miss Ji who had saved her.
Yet, what was Ji Renran doing now?
Even if Zhong Xinyi wasn't certain that Ji Renran was behind today's events, she definitely no longer intended to associate with Ji Renran.
Otherwise, she truly feared she wouldn't know how she died!
Zhong Shaowen and his sister had never argued since they were young.
With matters escalating to this point, Zhong Shaowen naturally didn't believe it was entirely Ji Renran's fault.
Naturally, he placed all the blame on Ji Zizhao.
It was a pity that Ji Zizhao wouldn't give him the chance to do so.
Ji Zizhao raised her eyes and looked indifferently at the enraged Zhong Shaowen. Her face had completely turned cold.
Despite the scorching sun, her gaze chilled one's heart.
Even Zhong Shaowen felt an urge to retreat.
However, Ji Zizhao had no intention of letting him off, "Eldest Young Master Zhong, you are truly impressive in defending Sister Renran."
Zhong Shaowen bristled, "Do you dare say you didn't block your younger brother and sister from returning?"
Ji Zizhao didn't deny it. Instead, she looked at Ji Renran and said, "After Sister Renran and the others left, Grandmother suffered a stroke and fell ill. The entire Ji family is now worried about Grandmother's condition. How could I possibly have had the time to block Sister Renran from returning home?"
Ji Renran: "..."
Grandmother had a stroke?
When did that happen!
But regardless of when it happened, everyone's gaze towards Ji Renran began to turn strange.
From beginning to end, Ji Renran had repeatedly claimed that Ji Zizhao had blocked the door, preventing them from returning.
But what was the outcome?
She, who constantly claimed to be filial and miss her grandmother, didn't even know when her own grandmother had fallen ill?
Ji Renran bit her lip, "Eldest Sister, why have you never sent word to the Tong family about Grandmother falling ill?"
Ji Zizhao found this amusing, "Sister Renran is the one Grandmother dotes on the most. If you haven't received news from Grandmother, shouldn't you have returned home to visit her immediately? Why are you asking me to send you the news now?"
At this point, Ji Renran's complexion could no longer be described as merely unsightly. She hurriedly added, "Eldest Sister always didn't want me to return, so I didn't dare to defy Eldest Sister's wishes."
Ji Zizhao raised an eyebrow, "When Sister Renran left, she didn't bid me farewell. Later, when the Second Madam took Brother Zongyou away overnight, I was the last to know. I thought Sister Renran was accustomed to this solitary life and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to interfere. Otherwise, if someone were to accuse me of deliberately monitoring Sister Renran, who would I seek redress from?"
Everyone listening to these words began to sense something amiss.
It was one thing for Ji Renran to leave without a word, showing no respect for her elder sister.
But then the Second Madam had also left with Ji Zongyou in the dead of night.
If they hadn't done something they felt guilty about, would they have needed to sneak away in the middle of the night?
From beginning to end, it was Ji Renran doing all the talking, while Ji Zizhao remained silent, yet she was still assumed to have done something wrong.
But what was the outcome?
No one could say what Ji Zizhao had done wrong.
Especially Zhong Xinyi, whose gaze towards Ji Renran had become one of pure disgust.
Originally, she felt that Ji Renran wasn't as innocent as she portrayed, particularly after her behavior in the palace.
However, she thought that since they knew each other, it wouldn't be good to truly fall out.
Who would have known...
Ji Renran lowered her head, no longer daring to meet everyone's gaze.
How could she have known about her grandmother's stroke?
No wonder the Tong family had sent the letter so long ago, and there was no reaction from Grandmother's side.
However, at this moment, Ji Renran truly didn't want to go back.
Grandmother had suffered a stroke, and her brother was the only heir of the Ji family. If she returned now, wouldn't she have to attend to Grandmother?
How could her mother agree!
How could her brother agree!
The thought of facing dual resentment from her mother and brother made Ji Renran want to retreat, "I didn't expect Grandmother to be so seriously ill. Eldest Sister, please rest assured, I will definitely return and explain this matter to Mother. At that time..."
As long as she could stall for time, she could then think of a solution with her mother.
Alas, Ji Zizhao gave her no such opportunity, "Sister Renran also said that Grandmother is gravely ill. If that's the case, you should hurry back with the Second Madam. Grandmother is short of people to care for her, and Brother Zongyou is the only heir of the Ji family. This is the time to show filial piety."
It wasn't a matter of whether you wanted to return now.
It was that you couldn't *not* return.
Besides, Ji Zizhao couldn't truly keep blocking people outside the door forever.
After all, only by letting them back in could she torment them more thoroughly.
Ji Renran: "..."
She was being completely led by the nose by Ji Zizhao!
Seeing that the commotion had reached its peak, Zou Hansheng spoke, "Everyone has been standing for a while and must be thirsty. I've ordered superior Biluochun tea to be prepared in the main hall. Why don't everyone go to the main hall to cool off?"
Ultimately, the Zou family was hosting. It was difficult for anyone present to refuse.
Zhong Shaowen still wanted to speak, but Zhong Xinyi grabbed his sleeve tightly, pulling him along without a word.
Seeing this, the others also followed towards the main hall. Su Dan Novel Network
After everyone had entered the front hall, the awkward atmosphere finally began to ease.
However, when it came to Ji Zizhao, no one voluntarily approached her.
What to say?
That Eldest Miss Ji's words were like daggers, piercing to the heart.
Was it worth approaching her and offering oneself up as a target?
As for Ji Renran, everyone unconsciously began to distance themselves from her.
Everyone wasn't foolish. After what had just happened, anyone could see that Ji Renran wasn't as innocent as she seemed.
For a time, everyone's attention turned to Zhong Xinyi.
As someone who had been treated like a younger sister by the young masters of wealthy families since childhood, it was natural for them to care about her.
Ji Renran, who had always been adept at mingling at banquets, couldn't stand this. She could only approach Zhong Xinyi, hoping that Zhong Xinyi would help her connect with the other wealthy young men.
Zhong Xinyi: "..."
Why did she seem like such an easy mark?
Under Ji Renran's pleading gaze, Zhong Xinyi simply sat down next to Ji Zizhao. Not only did she thank Ji Zizhao for saving her life, but she also chatted happily with her.