Ji Zizhao stopped but did not move. "Since Grandmother summoned me, why did Aunt Xu not come?"
Song Momo's eyes flickered before she spoke again, "Aunt Xu is currently attending to the Old Madam. The Old Madam's summons for the eldest young lady is rather urgent, hence she sent this old servant."
Ji Zizhao replied, "If that is the case, I shall return to my courtyard to change clothes first."
With that, she indeed turned and walked towards Zhaoyuan.
Song Momo was genuinely surprised that Ji Zizhao left as she said. She hurried after her, her expression turning sour. "The Old Madam is waiting in the main courtyard for the eldest young lady, yet she delays like this… Is that appropriate?"
"How long does it take to change an outfit? If Grandmother truly had something urgent, she should have sent Aunt Xu directly, not taken a roundabout way by having Song Momo go to the main courtyard to relay the message, and then have Song Momo intercept me here."
Aunt Xu was a dowry maid accompanying Grandmother and her most trusted confidante. If Grandmother truly had matters requiring urgency, why would she not utilize Aunt Xu? Ji Zizhao never fought a battle without certainty and therefore would not rashly proceed.
Song Momo followed Ji Zizhao, her chest heaving with anger. She had never expected the eldest young lady to be so unyielding. She had thought that by using the Old Madam's name to pressure her, the young lady would obediently comply. Instead, now she had no choice but to follow the young lady into Zhaoyuan.
Upon hearing footsteps, Jian Qiu emerged from the house. She was slightly surprised to see Song Momo but quickly smiled and bowed to Ji Zizhao. "Your servant greets Miss."
Ji Zizhao nodded and instructed, "Grandmother has summoned me to the main courtyard. Quickly prepare a change of clothes for me."
A flicker of surprise crossed Jian Qiu's eyes before she lifted the curtain. "Miss, please have some tea while your servant prepares your attire."
Seeing Ji Zizhao step over the threshold, Song Momo followed intending to enter. However, Jian Qiu blocked her way. "This is Miss's private chamber; it is inconvenient for outsiders to enter."
Song Momo retorted, "I am here on the Old Madam's orders to escort the eldest young lady to the main courtyard."
Jian Qiu's smile remained unchanged. She called for Shui Ling and said, "Song Momo has heard, my Miss needs to change her clothes. I know the wind is cold outside. If that is the case, please accompany Shui Ling to the flower hall, and Shui Ling will pour you some tea to warm you up."
The words were so smooth that no fault could be found. Even Song Momo, who had intended to pick a fight, had to grittingly follow Shui Ling away.
Seeing Song Momo leave, Jian Qiu lifted the curtain and entered the room. Inside, Ji Zizhao was standing by the window, watching Song Momo's departing figure. Hearing Jian Qiu's footsteps, she softly inquired, "Has anything happened in the mansion today?"
Jian Qiu walked to Ji Zizhao's side and shook her head. "No major events, but I heard the newly wed First Madam just took Miss Renran to see the Old Madam. Your servant feared something might be amiss, so I sent Aunt He to inquire at the main courtyard. She should be back soon." Su Dan Novel Network.
The imperial selection of consorts had caused such a significant event. Even if there was no news from the palace, didn't Ji Renran have some inkling of it? However, the more Ji Zizhao thought about it, the less she believed her grandmother knew about this matter. This was evident from the expressions of the servants in the mansion. If Grandmother were furious, the servants would also be on tenterhooks. But Ji Zizhao had seen no signs of apprehension from the servants she encountered.
As Ji Zizhao was pondering, Aunt He entered, bringing with her the chill of the wind. Upon seeing her young lady, Aunt He hurried over. "Your servant just inquired at the main courtyard. There is no significant news, but it is quite lively at the Old Madam's residence. One could hear laughter and merriment from the courtyard. As your servant left, I saw the madams from each branch heading to the main courtyard as well."
Ji Zizhao mused that it seemed her grandmother truly did not know what had transpired in the palace. But with such a major event occurring in the palace, even if Ji Renran intended to conceal it, how long could she keep it hidden? Or did Ji Renran harbor some other scheme to turn the tide? Song Momo waiting for her at the mansion gates was merely to prevent her from having the time to inquire for news at Zhaoyuan. From this, it seemed Ji Renran intended to catch them off guard.
"Jian Qiu, go and make me a pot of tea," Ji Zizhao turned and sat on a flower stool in the inner hall.
Jian Qiu was taken aback. "But what about Song Momo…"
"Let her wait." Only by wearing down her patience would that which was hidden in the depths reveal itself. Jian Qiu soon smiled in understanding. "Miss is wise."
Soon, tea and pastries were laid out on the table. Ji Zizhao truly began drinking tea and eating pastries, casually picking up a medical text to read. Those who read never noticed how quickly time flew.
Meanwhile, Song Momo next door began to grow impatient. In the blink of an eye, the tea had been finished, yet there was still no movement from the eldest young lady's side. Coincidentally, when Shui Ling entered to refill the tea, Song Momo said with a sullen face, "How much time has passed? The eldest young lady's airs are becoming too grand. This old servant is insignificant and doesn't mind waiting, but the Old Madam is also waiting. If the Old Madam mistakenly believes the eldest young lady is intentionally showing disrespect by delaying, it wouldn't be good, would it?"
If Jian Qiu and Aunt He had heard this, they might have engaged in some polite verbal fencing with Song Momo. But Shui Ling, who had once been in the Zhao family and had faced death without fear, was certainly not going to indulge Song Momo now. "Song Momo, I don't know who you're speaking to. Our Miss has been busy all day, and upon returning, she needs to change and wash up, which naturally takes time. If Song Momo is truly in a hurry, she should have sent word to Zhaoyuan in advance, not block the mansion gates. Anyone unaware might think Song Momo was trying to abduct my Miss somewhere."
Song Momo's anger flared, and she stood up abruptly. "How dare you speak like that?"
"I speak to Song Momo as Song Momo speaks to me. I see Song Momo is full of anger; this tea is likely unpalatable. I shall take it away then." Shui Ling didn't even glance at Song Momo as she picked up the teapot and teacups from the table and turned to leave.
Song Momo's blood pressure soared with rage. Since arriving at the Ji family, Miss Renran had always shown her some respect. When had she ever endured such treatment? This eldest young lady truly had an impressive demeanor! Song Momo was certainly not foolish enough to use the Fifth Prince to pressure Ji Zizhao, but she did not believe the Old Madam couldn't discipline Ji Zizhao!
Jian Qiu, seeing Song Momo storm off in a rage, quickly returned to the room. "Miss, your servant suspects Song Momo is going to complain."