Ji Zizhao's voice soon came from inside the house, "Grandmother, is your health unwell that Madam Xu hurried over?"
Hearing this, Ji Renran's heart leaped.
Madam Xu was also taken aback.
How was this different from what they had said upon arrival?
Clearly, the eldest daughter was worried about the old madam's health, so...
Madam Xu, being a shrewd person, glanced at Miss Renran beside her and understood everything.
It was likely that the eldest daughter did not want to get into a lawsuit with Miss Renran and was deliberately finding an excuse to withdraw.
Thinking this, Madam Xu raised her head and said, "Eldest Daughter is right. For some reason, the old madam's appetite hasn't been very good today. I am worried about the old madam's health, so I specifically asked Eldest Daughter to come and see."
Inside the house, Jian Qiu and Nanny He exchanged a silent glance upon hearing this.
Indeed, she was someone who had thrived in the old madam's presence for so many years; she certainly had some depth.
No wonder the young lady had always been reluctant to fall out with Madam Xu; this person was indeed very useful.
Just as Ji Renran was thinking that Madam Xu's arrival was too coincidental, the curtain in front of her was lifted.
Ji Zizhao walked directly towards Madam Xu, her dark eyes that did not deviate from their path completely ignoring Ji Renran beside her.
Ji Renran naturally could not let this opportunity slip by. She quickly stepped forward and said urgently, "I heard that brother is seriously ill in the main courtyard and cries out about soreness all day. I beg Eldest Sister to be merciful and let brother rest for a few days first, and only then can he attend to Grandmother's illness..."
Hearing this, Jian Qiu's eyebrows in the room were twisted into a tight knot.
"This Miss Renran is truly audacious. If the young lady does not agree, it would be ignoring familial affection. But with the word 'mercy' pressing down, if the young lady agrees, what will happen?"
The word "mercy" was only to be used by the Emperor!
Shui Ling rolled up her sleeves and was about to rush out, "I must go and ask what on earth Miss Renran's intentions are, to want to harm my young lady like this!"
Nanny He grabbed her and stopped her, "With the young lady present, how can you be so unruly?"
Shui Ling could only helplessly gaze out the window again with great urgency.
In the courtyard, Ji Renran not only spoke but also bent her knees pitifully, making a gesture as if to kneel on the ground.
Ji Zizhao stepped forward and grabbed Ji Renran's arm in advance, forcing Ji Renran, who was already about to kneel, to stand straight again amidst the pain of her wrist being pulled.
"Renran, you should have also heard Madam Xu's words. Grandmother's health is important. Other matters can be discussed later."
"But..."
"Could it be that in Renran's heart, Grandmother's health is not actually that important?"
Ji Renran's face turned pale, and her body trembled.
She could have such thoughts, but she absolutely could not voice them.
Grandmother was her only pillar of support in the Ji family. What would she do if she lost Grandmother?
Madam Xu looked at Ji Renran, who was biting her lip, and felt so relieved that she wanted to burst into song.
During this time, the recently remarried First Madam had not spared any effort in her words to her to get Young Master Zongyou away from the main courtyard. Even Miss Renran had pleaded with her, both softly and sternly, several times.
Yet now, in front of the eldest daughter, Miss Renran could not even utter a word.
Ji Zizhao had no time to admire Ji Renran's weak and pitiful appearance. She led Madam Xu directly out of the courtyard.
Looking at Ji Zizhao's retreating back, Ji Renran felt her breath become difficult.
The plan she had racked her brains for had completely failed to be put into action.
How could she not be angry!
She was almost bursting with anger!!
But no matter how angry she was, Ji Renran could only leave Zhaoyuan dejectedly, with no other recourse.
Ji Renran, filled with anger, went directly to Gu Peilan's courtyard. As soon as she entered, she said with a dark face, "Grandmother is unwell today, and Ji Zizhao was called away by Madam Xu. My brother's matter will have to be discussed another day. Ultimately, it is Ji Zizhao who has too good a fate."
Although she said this, Ji Renran did not believe that what happened today was truly a coincidence.
However, at the moment, she could only comfort herself this way. She feared that if she thought any deeper, she would truly die of anger on the spot.
At best, one could punch cotton.
But look at her, she didn't even have a chance to throw a punch!
Gu Peilan was not angry. She calmly comforted her, "Ji Zizhao cannot have such good luck forever. Don't worry, I have already sent someone to call Miss Yan to the main courtyard."
Ji Renran was stunned, "Mother, what do you intend to do?"
Gu Peilan endured the pain and said, "Not everyone can remain as composed as Ji Zizhao."
Ji Renran thought for a moment and understood her mother's intentions. She felt extremely uneasy.
It was likely that her mother had already heard that she had gained nothing at Zhaoyuan. Not only was her mother not considering her feelings, but she had also used her to delay Ji Zizhao at the first opportunity...
In her mother's heart, was her brother truly that important?
Ji Zizhao walked towards the main courtyard with Madam Xu. Along the way, Madam Xu spoke incessantly of Gu Peilan's shortcomings.
Ji Zizhao understood that Madam Xu was showing her loyalty.
"I naturally understand Madam Xu's intentions and appreciate Madam Xu's diligent care for Grandmother. In the future, if Madam Xu needs anything, you can come directly to Zhaoyuan to find me."
Madam Xu was Grandmother's person; this was beyond doubt.
But apart from Grandmother, it was enough that Madam Xu leaned towards her side.
Madam Xu breathed a sigh of relief, her heart finally at ease. "The remarried First Madam has invited the Third Miss to the main courtyard to discuss matters. I have a feeling it is not entirely appropriate, so even if Eldest Daughter did not send for me, I would have sought Eldest Daughter out."
Inappropriate?
Of course, it was inappropriate!
Ji Zizhao frowned deeply, her heart also leaping.
If Gu Peilan truly had matters to discuss with her third sister, she could have invited her to her own courtyard or gone to her directly.
Why, then, would she specifically summon the third sister to the main courtyard?
"Madam Xu, do you recall when this happened?"
"About a quarter of an hour ago. I imagine Third Miss should have arrived at the main courtyard by now."
A quarter of an hour ago...
Ji Zizhao quickened her pace, wishing she could grow wings and fly to the main courtyard.
She had deliberately trapped Ji Zongyou in the main courtyard precisely so that Grandmother would see Ji Zongyou's arrogance and selfishness.
Only then, in her disappointment, would Grandmother detain Ji Zongyou in the main courtyard.
And the longer Ji Zongyou stayed, the more heartbroken Grandmother would become.
When Grandmother was completely disillusioned with Ji Zongyou, Ji Zongyou would be completely abandoned.
Gu Peilan inviting the third sister was a pretense; the true intention was to have Ji Zongyou anger the third sister, causing her to lose control and attack Ji Zongyou.
If Grandmother were to feel pity for Ji Zongyou again, she would naturally protect and indulge him once more.
After all, Ji Zongyou was raised with Grandmother's doting love. The effort, money, and time Grandmother had invested had long since forged an unbreakable bond.
Ji Zizhao clenched her hands under her sleeves, her steps quickening once more.
If Grandmother released Ji Zongyou now, everything she had done would be in vain!
Madam Xu saw the worried look on the Eldest Daughter's face and also quickened her pace towards the main courtyard.