"Eldest Daughter..."
Ji Zizhao stopped and turned back, seeing the man running towards her.
Just now in the courtyard, Ji Zizhao hadn't seen the man's appearance clearly. Now, examining him closely, he had thick eyebrows and large eyes, with taut facial lines. Though not as handsome as Xie Jinglan and Xie Jingqi, he possessed a masculine fortitude.
The man was very measured, stopping three steps away from Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao raised an eyebrow, "Something wrong?"
The man spoke, "The Eldest Daughter's actions in the courtyard just now were clearly a case of killing the chicken to warn the monkey. Since you intended to warn me, I assumed the Eldest Daughter would have something else to say to me."
Ji Zizhao smiled upon hearing this. He was quite sharp.
"Then what do you think I would say to you?"
"I know that with my current status, I am not worthy of the Third Miss. But I will do my utmost to stay by the Third Miss's side. Even if we cannot marry, I only ask that the Eldest Daughter not drive me away from the Ji family." The man's words sounded like a plea, but there was no trace of subservience.
Ji Zizhao nodded and continued walking forward.
The man was startled, "Eldest Daughter..."
"Since you already know what I wish to say, there is no need for me to waste further words. Go back and rest. You have to rise early tomorrow. Our Ji family never keeps useless people." Ji Zizhao said, her steps unceasing.
The man watched Ji Zizhao's receding back, remaining lost in thought for a long while.
This Eldest Daughter seemed different from what he had heard...
Ji Zizhao possessed thoughts that surpassed her era, so she certainly wouldn't resort to breaking up a happy couple.
However, entrusting her third sister to him right now was something Ji Zizhao absolutely could not do.
Returning to her courtyard, Ji Zizhao summoned Mo Hen. "Go and investigate the background of the man in the mansion. It doesn't matter if it takes a little time. The more detailed, the better."
This man's eyes were clear, and his demeanor was quite proper. He not only didn't resemble a street thug but also gave her a sense of déjà vu.
Ji Zizhao felt as though she had seen this man somewhere before, but she couldn't recall where.
Ji Zizhao was indeed worried, but since she had plenty of time, and to preempt any issues from her third aunt, she threw Fu Bao out to monitor the man's every move.
However, the man truly seemed determined to live out his days at the Ji family. After finishing his daily tasks, he would quietly stay in the servants' courtyard. Unless Ji Ziyun found an excuse to visit him, he always remained disciplined and never overstepped. Su Dan Novel Network
Sometimes, when Ji Ziyun was troubled by domestic trivialities, she would seek the man's opinion. The man would only offer brief advice and never pry for other information. At times, if Ji Ziyun lingered for too long, the man would urge her to leave.
"Such a good man, let alone the Third Miss, even if I were a woman, I would want to marry him." Fu Bao was truly moved to tears. This man was considerate and mindful, always thinking of the Third Miss. This kind of meticulous thoughtfulness was something even he found difficult to achieve.
Ji Zizhao was somewhat surprised by these words. Fu Bao had spent some years in the palace and later followed the Second Prince to establish his own residence. He had seen many people and things, and it was rare for him to praise someone so highly.
However, the same situation was viewed entirely differently by others.
Initially, Ji Renran had only secured a position as a concubine to the Fifth Prince, which naturally left Gu Peilan feeling somewhat disgraced. But now, learning that Ji Ziyun intended to find a husband of no standing, her sense of superiority returned.
Especially in front of the Old Madam, Gu Peilan spoke without reservation, "That person's origins are unknown, and he carries an air of ill repute. I don't know how he managed to deceive Sister Yun with flowery words. Even if Sister Yun is divorced, she shouldn't degrade herself like this."
The Old Madam frowned displeasedly. It was difficult not to feel disgusted. "With him, he is not worthy of entering the Ji family's door at all."
Gu Peilan smiled, "Old Madam, please calm your anger. There's no need to be upset over such a person. When Sister Ran marries into the Fifth Prince's mansion in the future, she will surely be filial to the Old Madam."
Although the Old Madam did not speak, her gaze clearly softened when she looked at Ji Renran, who was sitting beside her.
People are always prone to comparison.
It was true that Ji Renran was a concubine to the Fifth Prince, but compared to Ji Ziyun, who wanted to find a live-in son-in-law, the Old Madam naturally found Ji Renran more pleasing to the eye.
Third Madam, Yin Wenying, was so infuriated that she couldn't help but see that Gu Peilan was stepping on her daughter to elevate her own. But the moment she thought of the man still living in the servants' quarters, Third Madam Yin Wenying did not wish to speak, nor did she want to argue over such a man.
"Mistress of the main house, these words you speak. Once Sister Ran marries into the Fifth Prince's mansion, even if she has the heart to be filial to her grandmother, it will be beyond her reach. I haven't heard of any concubine who can freely visit her maternal home after getting married," Ji Zizhao said with a smile as she entered.
She had overheard Gu Peilan's words in the courtyard earlier.
It was understandable that Ji Zizhao's third aunt was unwilling to argue due to her disagreement with her third sister.
However, since she had heard it, there was no reason to let others use her sister as a stepping stone.
Gu Peilan's smile froze. She wanted to explain to the Old Madam again, but the Old Madam had already understood the implication and no longer looked at her.
Gu Peilan: "..."
Damn Ji Zizhao, still so infuriating that one's teeth itched!
As if she hadn't seen Gu Peilan's indignant glare, Ji Zizhao respectfully paid her respects to her grandmother and exchanged a few pleasantries before turning to leave the main hall.
Shui Ling saw her young lady come out and quickly walked over, lowering her voice, "Miss, Aunt Jianqiu sent someone to convey a message that Steward Zhang requests an audience."
"Where is he now?"
"He is waiting in Zhaoyuan."
Ji Zizhao nodded and quickly led Shui Ling towards her own courtyard.
Zhang Ji, who had been waiting in the courtyard, knew that Zhaoyuan was entirely staffed by the Eldest Daughter's people. As soon as he saw the Eldest Daughter return, he presented the information he had gathered over the past few days in detail.
Although Zhang Ji was a guard of the Ji family, he had some connections in the capital over the years. Although the alley where Ji Ziyun had her accident was somewhat secluded, someone had still seen it. "I was afraid of making any mistakes, so I specifically paid people to buy more information. I've confirmed it was the Jiang family that acted. However, the Jiang family's madam is quite clever. She didn't dispatch any servants from her own household but hired a group of gamblers from Temple Street who are easily swayed by money."
Ji Zizhao listened to Zhang Ji finish his account, and a surge of anger welled up in her heart.
The Jiang family?
How bold of them!