Ji Renran had already leaned on the Fifth Prince. Since the Fifth Prince wanted the Ji family to inherit the title for generations, Ji Renran certainly wouldn't miss this opportunity to enter the palace. Moreover, if Ji Zongyou became the heir, Ji Renran's own standing would also rise.
Therefore, no matter what, Ji Renran would absolutely not miss this chance to secure the hereditary title for Ji Zongyou.
How could Ji Renran not be angry facing the exclusion from Xue Yinuo and Xu Meiqing?
She was going crazy with anger.
But she had to stay calm and not fall into disarray.
The main event of the day was yet to come. If anything were to happen now, it would be detrimental to her mother's plan.
The entrance to the Huatang Palace courtyard became lively again. From afar, more young ladies were seen entering.
As soon as Jin Xueyan entered, she looked around. Seeing Ji Renran sitting there, she walked over without a second thought. However, upon closer inspection, she saw Ji Zizhao was also present, and Jin Xueyan's expression turned sour.
Without any hesitation, Jin Xueyan stepped forward and grabbed Ji Renran's hand, saying, "I never expected that even after entering the palace, you still wouldn't let up on making things difficult for Cousin Renran. Ji Zizhao, how can your heart be so cruel? Cousin Renran, let's go, there's no need to endure this insult here!"
The "you" here naturally referred to Ji Zizhao.
Looking at the hands clasped between Jin Xueyan and Ji Renran, Ji Zizhao was not surprised.
Ji Renran's greatest skill was her ability to win people over with her pitiable face. Coupled with Jin Xueyan's existing animosity towards her, it would probably take no effort for Ji Renran to sow discord between Jin Xueyan and herself.
However, to be falsely accused without reason, Ji Zizhao didn't have the patience to indulge her. "Cousin Xueyan is also a young lady from a Marquis's estate. Don't you know that one should speak with evidence? To slander me so openly, perhaps I didn't hit you hard enough last time, which is why Cousin Xueyan has forgotten so quickly?"
These words stunned both Xue Yinuo and Xu Meiqing.
From the sound of it, Ji Zizhao had actually hit a young lady from the Xuanping Marquis's estate?
Truly remarkable!
Jin Xueyan's past was exposed, and her face turned dark. "Ji Zizhao, stop acting so high and mighty! If you hadn't caused my mother's death, how would I be so helpless now? I'm beaten by you, a wretch, and no one will support me!"
Hearing this, Ji Renran's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself not to speak.
It was not convenient for her to trouble Ji Zizhao now, but if someone else was willing to confront Ji Zizhao, she would naturally be happy to watch from the sidelines.
"If I am a wretch, then what are you, Cousin Xueyan? Cousin Xueyan, don't forget that I still have to respectfully call your mother 'Aunt.' Although it is not appropriate to discuss family matters in the palace now, if Cousin Xueyan insists on reminiscing about the past, I don't mind reminiscing with Cousin Xueyan. Renran sister was also present when Aunt died, and I believe Renran sister is equally qualified to recall the memories together."
Letting Jin Xueyan run wild and bite, but wanting to watch from a distance yourself?
I don't have that kind of patience to indulge your bad habits.
Ji Renran: "..."
This Ji Zizhao was utterly outrageous!
She hadn't said anything, so why was she being dragged into this?
However, considering Jin Xueyan's temperament, Ji Renran truly dared not continue to make a scene with her.
How her aunt had died, no one knew better than Ji Renran.
Although she was sure that a dead person was buried and there was no evidence, Ji Zizhao was cunning. Who could guarantee that if the matter were truly laid bare, Ji Zizhao wouldn't notice something?
If Ji Zizhao were to incite this fool Jin Xueyan to relentlessly accuse her...
Just thinking about that scene sent shivers of cold sweat down Ji Renran's spine.
"Today is a grand occasion to enter the palace, Cousin Xueyan. Please don't cause any more trouble. It wouldn't be good if outsiders were to laugh. I just saw that the pear blossoms over there are beautiful, why don't Cousin Xueyan and I go and take a look?" As Ji Renran spoke, she pulled Jin Xueyan away before the latter could struggle.
Ji Zizhao watched Ji Renran's hurried retreating figure and couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly.
She had long suspected that her paternal aunt's death was not simple. Now, it seemed that Ji Renran was clearly guilty and trying to hide it.
However, regarding her mother's death, neither her paternal aunt nor Ji Renran could be absolved.
It was now a dog-eat-dog situation, and Ji Zizhao, even if she knew the truth, wouldn't say much.
She only hoped that one day when Jin Xueyan learned the truth, she wouldn't die of anger.
Zhong Xinyi, who had returned from Fengyi Palace earlier, saw everything that had just happened.
She had to admit, it was quite a shock.
They were all young ladies from the imperial city, and she had seen all sorts of schemes in the inner courtyards.
It was precisely because of this that she clearly understood that Ji Renran had clearly stood by and watched, letting Jin Xueyan come forward to stir up trouble.
Zhong Xinyi certainly didn't want to believe that the person who was always by her side, constantly coaxing her, harbored such malicious intentions. She suspected that something she didn't know must have happened, forcing Renran to take such drastic measures.
After all, she had personally experienced how formidable Ji Zizhao was.
However, while comforting herself, when Ji Zizhao looked in her direction, Zhong Xinyi first froze, then instinctively flashed a faint smile.
Ji Zizhao also didn't expect Zhong Xinyi to smile at her. She also nodded slightly before looking away.
Xue Yinuo, in any case, never expected that Ji Zizhao would be conspired against by her cousin and sister together. Looking at Ji Zizhao, who was so frail that she looked like she could be blown over by the wind, she felt immense pity. "I think we should just become sworn sisters quickly."
This way, when others bullied Ji Zizhao, she could step forward to protect her.
Xu Meiqing: "..."
Are you ever going to get over this sworn sister thing?
The courtyard of Huatang Palace was already filled with people.
The entire courtyard consequently became lively.
After another half an hour, a palace servant entered the courtyard. "All the young ladies from the various estates are invited to the front hall. The banquet is about to begin."
Upon hearing this, the young ladies chatting in the courtyard secretly tidied their clothes.
Looking around, there were at least thirty to fifty young ladies in the courtyard. Even though they consciously lined up and left the Huatang Palace courtyard with the palace servants, walking along the palace road, they formed a beautiful and spectacular sight.
Ji Zizhao, Xue Yinuo, and Xu Meiqing were not people who liked to be in the spotlight. Compared to those young ladies who were vying for positions at the front, they naturally chose to stay at the end of the line.
Thus, when they arrived at the hall, the young ladies in front were already being led into the main hall by the palace servants. Ji Zizhao and the other two were still standing on the steps, feeling the cool breeze.
However, as the young ladies entered one by one, no one came to attend to Ji Zizhao.
Soon, even Xue Yinuo and Xu Meiqing, who were standing behind Ji Zizhao, were invited into the main hall by the palace servants. Only Ji Zizhao remained standing in place.
There were too many people earlier, so it wasn't noticeable.
But now, with Ji Zizhao alone outside the spacious hall, she was incredibly conspicuous.