When Tang Di and Huo Nian Gong arrived at the Imperial City, the banquet for the Empress's marriage to ward off misfortune at the temporary palace had already concluded.
With the intention that everyone in the city should know, Tang Di announced their names, along with Huo Nian Gong's, as soon as they knocked on the Ji family's door.
Although Tang Di and Huo Nian Gong held no substantive official positions, everyone in the Imperial City knew they were close confidants of the Fourth Prince. While the Emperor might not have valued the Fourth Prince, and other princes might have looked down upon him, a prince was still a prince. To disrespect them would be to show contempt for the royal family.
The people gathered at the Ji residence could no longer sit still. They hurried to the entrance, and even the Old Madam, who usually feigned death within the manor, was helped out by Granny Xu.
Upon stepping out, Gu Peilan enthusiastically invited Tang Di and Huo Nian Gong inside. "Two esteemed guests have arrived in haste. No matter how urgent your business, you must first have a cup of tea."
Tang Di had heard earlier about the discord between this new wife and Ji Zizhao. There was no need for him to be polite now. He bypassed Gu Peilan and looked at the others at the door, asking, "Is the Third Miss of the Ji family here?"
Ji Ziyun quickly stepped forward. "This humble girl is."
At this, Tang Di's face showed a hint of a smile. "The Fourth Miss of the Ji family has arrived at the temporary palace. This is a letter of safe passage from the Eldest Miss of the Ji family, entrusted to our Prince for the Third Miss of the Ji family."
Ji Ziyun looked at the letter before her, somewhat bewildered.
She had secretly discussed with her Fourth Sister, using the Eldest Sister's name to pressure the new wife. But she hadn't intended to truly alarm her Eldest Sister!
However, with her Eldest Sister's backing now, Ji Ziyun breathed a sigh of relief. Now, how could the new wife interfere with sending off Madam Yang?
"We trouble you two," Ji Ziyun said, bowing gracefully after accepting the letter.
"Third Miss Ji need not be so polite. Since her arrival at the temporary palace, the Empress's health has been diligently cared for by the Eldest Miss of the Ji family. Our Prince is well aware of this." Tang Di dared not expose the engagement between the Eldest Miss of the Ji family and his master at this moment. However, having invoked the Empress, he was not afraid that the Ji family would belittle the Eldest Miss of the Ji family any further.
Ji Ziyun, understanding that Tang Di was enhancing her Eldest Sister's reputation, became even more enthusiastic towards Tang Di.
Gu Peilan watched the scene of pleasantries at the manor gate, her eyes stinging with pain. But no matter how angry she was, what could she do? Her own son had been moved out by the Ji family, and her daughter was merely a betrothed concubine to the Fifth Prince. If she offended Ji Zizhao again, the three of them – mother and daughters – would truly be ruined.
With this thought, after Tang Di and Huo Nian Gong left, Gu Peilan walked over to the Old Madam. "My original intention to lightly send off Madam Yang was also for the consideration of our Ji family. After all, our family is not as wealthy now. If we were to put on airs and pretend to be richer than we are, it would be our household members who would suffer in the end, wouldn't it?" Su Dan Novel Network
Ji Ziyun looked at Gu Peilan. "Madam Yang has traveled a great distance to visit Eldest Sister. If the Ji family disregards basic etiquette, then we will truly be looked down upon by others. Or does the new wife simply not care if the Ji family is looked down upon?"
"Sister Zizhao is making such a grand fuss, all to send off Madam Yang again. Since that is the case, I cannot possibly stop her." Gu Peilan's face showed a hint of grievance, but inwardly she was filled with hatred.
The Old Madam was still counting on the Ji family's reputation to bolster her own image, so she would not contradict herself. However, it was true that she felt the sting of the cost. Looking at Ji Ziyun, she instructed, "Leave this matter to you. Remember to strike a balance."
With the Old Madam's word, everything else became easier.
Moreover, Ji Ziyun had already made some plans. As soon as she returned to the manor, she began sending people out with her list to purchase items in the city. From gifts for Madam Yang's younger relatives to见面礼 for elders, everything was meticulously prepared. Finally, she had Shui Huan go to the carriage rental shop to hire a carriage. By the time everything was done, it was already dark.
The next morning, Madam Yang, who had intended to travel light and return home, was astonished.
Ji Ziyun personally helped Madam Yang into the carriage. "Eldest Sister will likely be staying at the temporary palace for some time longer and cannot personally see you off, Madam Yang. I hope you will not blame her. Everything in this carriage is a token of the Ji family's sincere regards. I hope Madam Yang will not find it lacking."
During this time, Madam Yang was aware that the Ji family had differing opinions on sending her off. However, as they were relatives by marriage, she could not intervene and pretended to be unaware. She had not expected such a generous gift in the end, which showed Ji Ziyun's thoughtfulness.
"Zizhao is fortunate to have sisters like you," Madam Yang said with a smile. Such sisterly affection was not found in every household.
Ji Ziyun smiled without speaking. In fact, she wished she could say that having an Eldest Sister like hers was a blessing, not only for them but for the entire Ji family.
To show their respect, Ji Ziyun personally escorted Madam Yang to the city gate and watched until the carriage carrying Madam Yang had left the city. Only then did she return to her own carriage. Just then, she saw several women walking towards them in pairs.
"I truly never imagined that the Eldest Miss of the Ji family would have connections with the Jiang family."
"You never know a person's heart just by their face. I said, how could a young lady like her get to serve in the palace just like that? It turns out she was fawning over the Jiang family."
"In my opinion, the people who serve in the palace from now on should have their character thoroughly checked. Thinking of how Madam Jiang wept bitterly at Xu Ji's place, it's truly..."
Inside the carriage, Ji Ziyun's face darkened.
Her Eldest Sister's ability to serve in the palace was based entirely on her own genuine talent and merit. What did it have to do with the Jiang family?
The more she thought about it, the more indignant she became. Ji Ziyun immediately ordered the coachman, "To Xu Ji!"
She wanted to see for herself why Madam Jiang was slandering her Eldest Sister.
The coachman, also indignant on behalf of his Eldest Miss, heard the Third Miss's command and quickly flicked the reins, galloping towards Xu Ji like a gust of wind.
At that moment, Xu Ji was in an uproar. In a private room on the second floor, many prominent merchant wives from the Imperial City were gathered.
Surrounded by these merchant wives was Madam Jiang.
Today was the day the Jiang family was arranging a marriage. Logically speaking, regardless of how Jiang Guang Sheng managed to serve in the palace, since the Jiang family were merchants in the Imperial City, those proposing marriage would primarily be from merchant families, adhering to the principle of equal standing.
However, Madam Jiang was unwilling for her son to marry a merchant's daughter. She tearfully complained to the crowd, "I never imagined that the Eldest Miss of the Ji family would be so ungrateful! Ever since she entered the palace, she has distanced herself from my son. It is difficult to understand, considering how wholeheartedly my son tried to help the Eldest Miss of the Ji family. Our Jiang family also poured our hearts into it!"