News suddenly arrived from the palace, startling everyone in the main hall.
Gu Peilan looked at her daughter, bewildered, wanting to ask what was happening.
Ji Renran's heart was also pounding, and she had no idea what had occurred.
Seeing her daughter's pale face, Gu Peilan felt a surge of panic.
However, after some thought, she wondered if perhaps the Fifth Prince, unable to bear seeing her daughter suffer, had intervened.
Ji Renran's heart sank further as she saw the hope spark in her mother's eyes.
The last time she was in the palace, Consort Xi had severely punished her, yet the Fifth Prince hadn't spoken a word in her defense.
Moreover, since returning to the manor, no matter how many messages Song Momo sent to the Fifth Prince, there had been no reply. How could he possibly send her some pleasant surprise now?
Ji Zizhao knew that Gu Peilan and Ji Renran were flustered, which was why they were hesitating.
But she had no time to show leniency.
Turning, Ji Zizhao smiled at her grandmother and said, "We must not keep people from the palace waiting. Why not invite them in directly? This will show the Ji family's respect for the Emperor."
Before the old madam could reply, Gu Peilan shrieked, "Absolutely not!"
Her wild flailing made it seem as if her tail had been stepped on.
The other ladies touched their chests, looking at Gu Peilan in confusion. Wasn't an envoy from the palace precisely what the First Branch had been hoping for? Why did she now seem to be facing a monstrous beast?
Gu Peilan, realizing her gaffe, quickly apologized to the old madam with a smile. "This daughter-in-law merely feels that people from the palace are very particular. We shouldn't break etiquette. This daughter-in-law will take Renran out, and as soon as we receive news, we will inform the old madam immediately."
Saying this, Gu Peilan pulled Ji Renran's hand and moved to leave.
However, Ji Zizhao spoke to her grandmother again, "It's true that the current madam of the First Branch is cautious, but someone from the palace arriving now is likely to deliver good news. Since it's good news, it should be celebrated harmoniously. Perhaps I can send Jian Qiu to invite them in? What do you think, Grandmother?"
The old madam naturally wished to hear the good news herself, so she nodded. "That would be best. Jian Qiu is indeed thoughtful."
"It's only what a granddaughter should do," Ji Zizhao smiled and quickly asked Mama Xu to go to her courtyard to find Jian Qiu.
Seeing this, Gu Peilan stepped forward to stop Mama Xu.
But as soon as she moved, something beside her toppled over.
Gu Peilan turned back and saw that Ji Renran, who had been perfectly fine, had collapsed onto the ground.
"Renran, what's wrong? Don't scare your mother!" Gu Peilan was genuinely terrified. She quickly bent down to support Ji Renran's limp body, no longer having time to stop Mama Xu.
Ji Renran slumped in her mother's arms, her teeth clenched, refusing to speak.
The ladies from the other branches exchanged glances. Was this person made of paper? How could she fall so suddenly?
"Jian Qiu, hurry and check on Ran'er!" The old madam now cherished Ji Renran like a precious gem and couldn't bear for anything to happen to her.
Ji Zizhao naturally couldn't let Ji Renran lie on the ground pretending to be dead. She lifted her skirt and walked to Ji Renran's side.
But before Ji Zizhao could speak, Ji Renran softly opened her eyes, took Ji Zizhao's hand, and said, "The other sisters in the manor have not yet found their partners. When I think of marrying first, my heart is filled with guilt. I beg my eldest sister to agree to handle this matter discreetly, and I will be content."
Ji Renran spoke with extreme pain, and judging by her expression, one would truly believe she was thinking of the other sisters in the manor.
The ladies from the other branches did not believe her words. If she truly wanted to be low-key, why had she been causing such a stir all this time?
The old madam, however, was touched by Ji Renran's filial piety. Fearing her granddaughter might fall ill from worry, she looked at Gu Peilan and said, "Why are you still standing there? Since it is Ran'er's wish, we will do as she says."
Upon hearing this, Gu Peilan pushed the Ji Renran in her arms towards Ji Zizhao and hurried out of the room.
Ji Renran clung tightly to Ji Zizhao's embrace. She didn't believe Ji Zizhao would actually push her away and chase after her mother. Seeing her mother receding further, her heart finally calmed down a bit.
As long as her mother could temporarily block the news, it wouldn't be too late for them to discuss countermeasures.
"Do you really think you can deceive heaven?" Ji Zizhao's voice suddenly sounded in her ear.
Ji Renran, who had been concocting a plan, trembled all over and instinctively looked at Ji Zizhao.
Their eyes met, and Ji Zizhao's dark pupils were deep and piercing.
It was as if, under that gaze, nothing could hide.
"Wh-what do you mean, eldest sister?" Ji Renran instinctively lowered her gaze.
"That day in the palace, you were willing to become the Fifth Prince's lackey to frame me, yet you couldn't even control your own life. Ji Renran, your probing is correct, because I do know everything."
Hearing this, Ji Renran's heart felt like it would leap out of her throat.
Ji Zizhao truly knew everything. If that was the case, had Ji Zizhao also participated in framing the Fifth Prince back then?
Ji Zizhao wouldn't answer Ji Renran's question. She merely wanted Ji Renran to know, "Since you chose to frame me back then, don't expect me to show you any mercy now. Today, let alone you, even if the Jade Emperor himself descended, I will ensure my grandmother knows everything she should know."
Facing such an aggressive Ji Zizhao, Ji Renran was completely defenseless.
If she opened her eyes now and admitted that Ji Zizhao knew the inside story, wouldn't her pretense of fainting be exposed?
This feeling of being threatened with a knife to the heart yet unable to retaliate was driving Ji Renran mad!
However, Ji Renran also knew that now was not the time to confront Ji Zizhao.
Thinking of her mother who had already left, Ji Renran still held some hope.
After all, the person from the palace had come to deliver a message only for her and her mother.
Ji Zizhao looked at Ji Renran's lingering hope and let out a cold laugh.
The outcome would soon be decided.
Before Gu Peilan could even reach the manor gate, she saw Jian Qiu leading the eunuch who had delivered the message towards the main courtyard.
Seeing this, Gu Peilan hurried forward to stop them. "Eunuch, please wait, wait..."
The eunuch was startled by Gu Peilan's demeanor. "Who is so ill-mannered? How audacious!"
Gu Peilan quickly explained, "I, I am the current madam of the First Branch of the Ji family, here to receive His Majesty's imperial decree."
The eunuch listened and glanced suspiciously at Jian Qiu beside him.
Jian Qiu smiled and said, "This lady is indeed the current madam."
The eunuch nodded, then said to Jian Qiu, "Ah, let's continue on our way."
Jian Qiu slightly inclined his head and, leading the eunuch, intended to proceed into the manor.
Gu Peilan, seeing that the eunuch had completely ignored her, realized that this person had likely been bribed by Jian Qiu.
Gritting her teeth, Gu Peilan stepped forward again and knelt before the eunuch. "Eunuch, if you are here to deliver a message to my daughter and me, why are you walking with other servants? Aren't you afraid His Majesty will investigate and hold you accountable!"