"His Majesty himself has praised her, so it's natural that your second sister's deeds were reported to the Emperor along with the war dispatches. I heard she made a great contribution this time. Your aunt can now look forward to becoming the mother of a deputy general." Ji Zizhao said with a smile. The battle of Tonglin was no ordinary one; it was now a matter of national concern. If the Seventh Prince truly won, it was certain that her second sister would be promoted to deputy general.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan happily clasped Ji Zizhao's hand. Though her lips curved upwards, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. "I thought our Ji family would never have a chance to make a name for itself again. I never imagined... This is good. Zimo has not disgraced the Ji family's bloodline. If I pass on one day, I will have the face to see your second uncle."
Ji Zizhao teased, "It's a good thing for second sister to be promoted. Second aunt should smile more. Otherwise, others might think I've bullied you."
Second Madam Yu Fenglan, who had been overcome with emotion, was brought to tears of laughter by Ji Zizhao's jest.
"Speaking of which, the person I should thank the most is you, Zhaojie. If it weren't for you, I would never have agreed to let Zimo join the army, even if it meant my death." Second Madam Yu Fenglan looked at Ji Zizhao before her. How fortunate their Ji family was to have a daughter like Zhaojie.
Ji Zizhao offered her a handkerchief. "We are family; there's no need for formality. If you continue to speak like this, Second Aunt, you'll make me feel like an outsider."
Seeing that Ji Zizhao did not take credit for herself, Second Madam Yu Fenglan knew that Zhaojie was not one to seek superficial praise. She secretly resolved that from now on, she would do everything in her power to help Ji Zizhao.
"It seems our Ji family has never known peace. I wonder what Old Madam was thinking when she insisted on acknowledging that family. Now, we can forget about bringing glory to our ancestors; instead, the Ji family's reputation has been tarnished repeatedly. Just recently, I saw the remarried First Madam secretly sending money to Ji Zongyou."
Gu Peilan was a daughter of the Tong family, but she had nothing of her own. To support her son, she had to use the Ji family's money.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan couldn't understand why the difference between them was so vast, even though they were all Ji family members. Zhaojie was wholeheartedly dedicated to the family, but what about that other family?
Just thinking about them made her furious.
Ji Zizhao was momentarily stunned before saying, "It seems Ji Zongyou is not doing well outside."
Second Madam Yu Fenglan lowered her voice. "Not doing well is an understatement. I secretly sent someone to investigate. After Ji Zongyou was sent away, he continued to be idle. Although he was useless, he didn't stop himself from 'chatting up girls' all day. As a result, the couple's arguments became a daily occurrence."
Zou Siyan had the temperament of a pampered young lady and naturally could not tolerate Ji Zongyou. Now that she had finally found a reason to escape, she had packed up and gone home.
Ji Zizhao had been busy with other matters and hadn't paid much attention to Gu Peilan's side. Hearing from her Second Aunt that Ji Zongyou was not doing well, she felt somewhat at ease.
However, this was far from enough.
"Second Aunt, if you have time recently, please visit Grandmother in the front courtyard more often."
"Zhaojie means..."
"Since His Majesty bestowed the marriage, our Ji family hasn't had good news for a long time. I believe Grandmother will be overjoyed to hear of second sister's impending promotion. With this happy news, Grandmother will have less time to concern herself with the fate of others."
Ji Zizhao was smiling, but her words sent a chill down Second Madam Yu Fenglan's spine.
Zou Siyan had returned to the Zou family some time ago, yet there had been no movement from the Zou family. What did this imply?
It was likely that the Zou family no longer wished for their daughter to continue this marriage.
However, the Zou family also valued their reputation. This prolonged stalemate clearly indicated that they had not yet found a legitimate reason for a divorce.
If the Ji family were to send someone to persuade the Zou family at this juncture, even if the Zou family was reluctant, they would still have to allow Zou Siyan to return to Ji Zongyou's side out of consideration for their reputation and face.
For Gu Peilan to successfully bring Zou Siyan back from the Zou family, her own influence would be insufficient. It would definitely require the Old Madam's intervention.
Ji Zizhao's request for her Second Aunt to keep the Grandmother occupied was precisely to block Ji Zongyou's path to reclaiming his wife.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan's eyes widened as she looked at Ji Zizhao. She never expected Ji Zizhao to so calmly and smilingly plot against Ji Zongyou down to his very bones.
If Ji Zongyou were truly divorced, it would be a disgrace to the Ji family. Even if Gu Peilan pleaded tirelessly, given the Old Madam's pride, she would absolutely not agree to let him remarry.
Therefore...
Zhaojie clearly intended for Ji Zongyou to live out his days alone!
This was truly ruthless!
But what if she wanted to join in the mischief?
"Zhaojie, don't worry. You can leave this small matter to Second Aunt." Second Madam Yu Fenglan readily agreed. Those sisters-in-law had witnessed the arrival of that family, treading on their eldest sister-in-law's corpse. Now, she would do it even if it was to avenge her eldest sister-in-law.
Ji Zizhao smiled at her Second Aunt, but her heart was ice-cold.
Her goal was indeed to have Zou Siyan divorce Ji Zongyou.
But her objective was more than just that...
Second Madam Yu Fenglan was a woman of action. That very day, she delivered the news of Ji Zimo's commendation by the Emperor to the Old Madam.
Concurrently, the news of Ji Zimo's meritorious service and the Emperor's praise spread throughout the imperial city. In an instant, matchmakers flocked to the Ji family with marriage proposals.
Gu Peilan, preoccupied with her son's affairs, had intended to find an opportunity for the Old Madam to go to the Zou family and bring Zou Siyan back. But now, the Old Madam spoke only of Ji Zimo and was busy entertaining matchmakers with Second Madam Yu Fenglan every day. She had no time to spare for Gu Peilan.
Seeing the prolonged silence from the Ji family, the Zou family sent a divorce letter to the yamen.
"Miss, this servant just saw the remarried First Madam heading to Miss Renran's courtyard. She's probably going there about Young Master Zongyou." Shuiling entered and reported, lifting the curtain.
"Even if she goes, it will be in vain. Ji Renran is far shrewder than our remarried First Madam," Ji Zizhao said indifferently.
The divorce letter from the Zou family had been sent to the yamen, but the Grandmother had shown no reaction upon learning of it. Ji Renran would not fail to notice such a clear attitude.
Ji Renran was indeed about to marry the Fifth Prince, but after marriage, she would rely on her maternal family. At this point, knowing that the Old Madam had lost all hope in Ji Zongyou, how could she dare to provoke the Old Madam's displeasure? Wouldn't that be like throwing stones into her own future path?
Therefore, when facing Gu Peilan, Ji Renran chose to stand by and watch.