The harsh conditions left Zhang Pozi stunned, staring at Madam San Yin Wenying with disbelief, as if to ask how much silver the Ji family possessed to raise daughters so lavishly.
Madam San Yin Wenying was equally baffled. When had her own daughter become so delicate? Was the third sister mentioned by Zhao Jie'er not the same person as the daughter born from her womb?
Only a few people were seated in the private room. Apart from Ji Ziyun, who was suppressing a smile, the others clearly looked as if they had indigestion.
"What does Eldest Daughter Ji mean by this? If you don't want to acknowledge this marriage with our Lu family, just say so. Why make things so difficult? Is this the sincerity of the Ji family!" the Lu family matriarch, having recovered her senses, glared at Ji Zizhao.
"The Lu family offers ten thousand taels of silver for this marriage proposal, so generous. This is surely the demeanor of a merchant family. I also heard the matchmaker praising the Lu family outside the door. The Ji family marrying off their daughter with great sincerity is why we are here today. However, I believe the Lu family, being so prosperous, will certainly not be short of my third sister's daily necessities."
The Lu family matriarch was dumbfounded! This was the first time she had heard someone justify extortion so eloquently! What's more, Ji Zizhao spoke with a gentle gaze and a smile, praising the Lu family's might and wealth. Even if the Lu family matriarch wanted to accuse Ji Zizhao of blackmail, she couldn't bring herself to do so.
Unable to vent her fury, the Lu family matriarch could only glare at Zhang Pozi. Zhang Pozi felt both guilty and wronged under her gaze. She hadn't expected that a few simple compliments about the Lu family would become ammunition for Eldest Daughter Ji.
"If Third Miss Ji is a good person, our Lu family will naturally not mistreat her," the Lu family matriarch said, looking at Ji Zizhao again amidst her anger. Once Ji Ziyun was married into the Lu family, she would be one of them. When the doors were closed, she would have plenty of ways to torment her. Could Ji Zizhao still shamelessly seek justice then? Of course not. Even if Ji Zizhao were shameless enough, she would still find ways to tarnish Ji Ziyun's reputation!
Ji Zizhao had always assumed that women confined to the inner courtyards possessed some degree of cunning. But looking at the Lu family matriarch now, she seemed rather unintelligent. Did she truly not see through her schemes? Of course, Ji Zizhao wouldn't be angry even if she saw through them. Instead, her smile became even more amiable. "As her elder sister, I know my third sister's character well. In terms of temperament, my third sister can certainly be described as gentle and virtuous. In terms of conduct, my third sister is also perceptive. If anyone still cannot get along with my third sister, then they can only look for the reason within themselves."
The Lu family matriarch was so angered by these words that she almost fainted on the spot! You claim your sister is perfect, and anyone who can't get along with her is at fault? This implied that if Ji Ziyun were to stumble in the Lu family, it would still be someone else's fault for being in the wrong place.
Facing the Lu family matriarch's angry and vexed demeanor, Ji Zizhao paused and added, "Even though I am not yet married, my status is that of the Fourth Prince's Consort, appointed by the Emperor. As long as the Emperor does not revoke my title, I will remain the Fourth Prince's Consort. I cherish and dote on my sister. If anyone dares to harbor ill intentions towards my sister, I will personally come to seek justice."
The Lu family matriarch's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Looking at Ji Zizhao's expression, although her smile remained, her dark eyes held no trace of amusement, only a chilling coldness. It was true that the Fourth Prince had been sent to Tonglin by the Emperor, and those who had once been close to him were also subtly neglected by the Emperor. However, upon reflection, the Ji family remained the Ji family, unchanged. The Lu family matriarch had dared to look down on the Ji family, partly due to rumors from the capital. But Ji Zizhao was right; the Emperor had not truly targeted the Ji family. The Emperor's heart was unfathomable. If the Emperor truly had no intention of stripping Ji Zizhao of her title as the Fourth Prince's Consort, then even if the Fourth Prince never returned, the title of Fourth Prince's Consort would remain hers forever! The Lu family matriarch then recalled the gifts the Empress had sent to the Ji family a few days prior...
"I see no sincerity from Eldest Daughter Ji. Since that is the case, this marriage proposal is off!" With a dark expression, she looked at Ji Zizhao. Despite her desire to please Madam Jiang, she no longer dared to target Ji Ziyun.
"If the groom's family breaks the engagement, the bride's family is not required to return the betrothal gifts," Ji Zizhao replied calmly. It was necessary to teach those who were restless a lesson, so they would not dare to scheme against the Ji family in the future.
The Lu family matriarch was speechless! So, they couldn't back out? Why was Ji Zizhao so detestable! The Lu family matriarch truly couldn't understand what had gone wrong to make her target the Ji family. Even if she desperately wanted to please Madam Jiang, she couldn't possibly marry a "prodigy" into the family. If Ji Zizhao were to truly become the Fourth Prince's Consort, she couldn't even imagine life then. Therefore, even though the Lu family matriarch didn't want to leave, she had to walk out with a darkened face. Was she expected to stay for the New Year?
Seeing the Lu family matriarch and Zhang Pozi leave, Madam San Yin Wenying breathed a sigh of relief. However, she still maintained a stern face towards Ji Zizhao. "Zhao Jie'er, I know why you did this today, but I advise you to give up. My daughter will never marry a son-in-law who lives with his wife's family. Even if the Lu family doesn't work out today, there are plenty of other families in the capital. I will surely marry Zi Yun off!" After speaking, Madam San Yin Wenying pulled Ji Ziyun and walked out.
Ji Ziyun looked at her elder sister with an apologetic and worried expression. "Eldest Sister..."
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Eldest Sister is here." Looking at that smile, even Ji Ziyun's flustered heart instantly calmed down, just as it always did whenever she encountered danger in the past. Seeing her elder sister smile always brought her a sense of peace.
Madam San Yin Wenying acted decisively. That very day, she found several more matchmakers, not worrying about Ji Zizhao at all. After all, Ji Zizhao was to report for duty at the palace and wouldn't have much time to keep an eye on her. Little did she know, although Ji Zizhao was not entirely free, she still had enough time to cause trouble for her.