"Your grand-aunts have something to say, please say it directly. If it delays our journey to the palace, I'm afraid neither of you will be able to bear the consequences," Ji Zizhao interjected, stopping them. She had no time for their insincere words.
The two old women were momentarily choked back.
If it were any other young lady, she would have been overjoyed. But Ji Zizhao...
She remained calm and composed, unfazed by their words. It was as if she were deaf!
Ji Zizhao waited for a while, but since neither grand-aunt spoke, she turned to leave.
This time, the third grand-aunt could not stand it. She stood up and reprimanded her, "What kind of attitude is this? Our Ji family has strict rules. How could we raise someone like you who knows no manners? Not only do you not greet your elders warmly, but you are now putting on airs and walking away as you please!"
The second grand-aunt sighed, looking at the third grand-aunt, "Sister Zizhao has truly changed. She now possesses the demeanor of someone in charge. I just wonder if my elder sister-in-law will be able to handle her in the future."
The third grand-aunt pursed her lips and frowned.
Nanny Xu quickly stepped forward with a smile, "Second Grand-aunt, you worry too much. Our eldest young lady has always respected you. She has been extremely concerned about your health during this period and has sent people to inquire about your well-being daily."
The third grand-aunt knew Nanny Xu would not deceive her, and her discomfort began to ease.
The second grand-aunt glared at Nanny Xu, about to retort, when the third grand-aunt directly walked over and tugged at her sleeve, "Second sister-in-law, stop dawdling. If we delay any longer, Sister Zizhao will be gone!"
The second grand-aunt took a glance. Indeed, Ji Zizhao had already stepped over the threshold.
When the two old women were at the mansion, they had heard about Ji Zizhao's difficult nature. They had not expected her to be so unresponsive, neither yielding to force nor persuasion!
Seeing that Ji Zizhao was truly leaving, they quickly stood up and chased after her, "We heard that Sister Zizhao is going to the palace. We were afraid the imperial palace is too vast and Sister Zizhao might not be able to adapt, so we wanted to accompany you."
"Sister Zizhao is now the person in charge of this General's Manor... Marquis's Manor, she represents the entire Ji family's image. If anything unfortunate were to happen in the palace, it would bring shame upon the entire Ji family."
Ji Zizhao knew very well that these two grand-aunts were not good-hearted people.
However, before she could speak, she heard her grandmother's voice, "It is normal for my two sisters-in-law to be concerned. Zizhao, you shall accompany your grand-aunts to the palace." The words were definitive, with no room for negotiation.
Ji Zizhao would not publicly shame her grandmother. "If that is the case, please, grand-aunts."
Upon hearing this, the third and second grand-aunts breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
As they watched Ji Zizhao leave with the two old women, Nanny Xu began to massage the third grand-aunt's shoulders, "Didn't I tell you, Old Madam? Sister Zizhao has always been very filial to you."
The third grand-aunt closed her eyes, not answering. The words of her second sister-in-law echoed in her ears.
Now that Sister Zizhao was the person in charge of the Ji family, giving away the seal of authority was easy, but taking it back would be incredibly difficult. Therefore, she planned to have Zizhao wear that vermilion hairpin to the palace beforehand. Later, Renran would stroll around the streets wearing the same hairpin, and someone would surely recognize it.
At that time, Renran would simply reveal her identity as a member of the Ji family and claim to be in the imperial city searching for her father. She would then intervene to mediate the matter. By then, no matter how surprised and unwilling Zizhao and her eldest daughter-in-law were, they would have to accept Renran into the family.
After all, Renran's brother was now the only male heir in the Ji family.
"Why didn't I see that vermilion hairpin on Zizhao just now?" The third grand-aunt suddenly opened her eyes.
Nanny Xu smiled and said, "The eldest young lady said the hairpin is too precious to wear beforehand. She will wear it when she enters the palace. Right now, she is probably treasuring it in her sleeve."
The third grand-aunt thought for a moment. It seemed she had seen Ji Zizhao holding her sleeve.
With that, she was completely reassured.
Ji Zizhao was indeed clutching something in her hand.
However, it was not the vermilion hairpin, but a silver hairpin.
The second and third grand-aunts, who had accompanied Ji Zizhao to the manor gates, were so afraid that Ji Zizhao would change her mind that they eagerly rushed into the carriage.
Ji Zizhao called Lianju to her side and instructed, "Go and fetch Yongmei. Your two grand-aunts will need someone to attend to them on the journey."
Inside the carriage, the two old women heard this and smirked smugly.
While they were congratulating themselves, they did not hear Ji Zizhao quietly instruct Lianju again, "Go and investigate what exactly happened to the two grand-uncles."
Lianju took her orders and left.
Just then, the Fifth Prince, accompanied by Luohong, walked out, followed by servants from the Fifth Prince's mansion, carrying and holding various clothing and items in large bundles.
Upon seeing Ji Zizhao, Xie Jingzhou immediately walked over, "Zizhao, why haven't you entered the palace yet?"
Ji Zizhao did not hide anything, "My two grand-aunts also want to visit the palace. I have asked someone to call Yongmei to accompany us, so as not to neglect them."
Xie Jingzhou happened to appear at this time, wanting to remind Ji Zizhao and find an opportunity for her to take Yongmei to the palace. Hearing Ji Zizhao's words, although he was somewhat surprised, he did not stop her. He simply said with concern and reluctance, "I need to return to my mansion to change before I can go to the palace. Zizhao, you must be extremely careful once you are inside. I will find you after I arrive, alright?"
Ji Zizhao nodded, tacitly agreeing to the Fifth Prince's request.
Seeing Ji Zizhao's obedience, Xie Jingzhou breathed a sigh of relief. After some insincere pleasantries, and urged by Luohong, he reluctantly watched Ji Zizhao board the carriage.
This scene was deeply observed by the second and third grand-aunts.
When Ji Zizhao was rumored to have initiated a divorce, it wasn't like this.
Weren't they saying the Fifth Prince didn't fancy Zizhao, hence he had taken a concubine before she even entered the household?
How come it seemed now that the Fifth Prince doted on Zizhao?
Both the second and third grand-aunts had granddaughters. Seeing another family's granddaughter cherished by a prince, how could they remain calm?
They were consumed by envy and jealousy!
Fortunately, the second and third grand-aunts knew the purpose of their visit. They quickly suppressed their displeasure. As long as they could successfully accompany Zizhao to the palace this time and escape unscathed, why would they worry about not finding a good marriage for their own daughters?
A short while later, Yongmei ran out of the mansion with a joyful expression.
"I will help Madam onto the carriage."
Ji Zizhao did not refuse. However, as she was boarding the carriage, she happened to notice several people furtively standing not far away, observing the scene.