Ji Zizhao, accompanied by Nanny He and Jian Qiu, reached the doorway and saw two unfamiliar nannies standing on the steps.
It was immediately apparent they were not from the Ji family.
Nanny He glanced at the two elder nannies and understood why her young lady had brought her along.
The host family truly had a grand presence, to have hired fierce guards at their gate for a marriage proposal. What were they trying to achieve? Did they intend to take by force!
As soon as the two nannies at the gate spotted the newcomers, they moved to block Ji Zizhao's path.
"May I know who you are? Could you please state your name?"
"Our madam is currently in conversation inside and cannot be disturbed."
Listen to those words! Anyone would think this Ji family had changed its name.
Nanny He stepped forward, puffing out her chest. "I've served in the Ji family for decades. I've never heard of any place my young lady cannot enter. Who is your madam, to be able to do as she pleases here in our Ji family's home?"
The two nannies were taken aback by Nanny He's blunt retort. One of them quickly recovered. "How can you speak to me like that, you servant? Our madam is here to propose marriage. She will be the one in charge of this household in the future, and even you will have to call her mother-in-law. What are you showing off for?"
Nanny He let out a cold laugh. "I am a servant, and are you not? At best, you are lowly beings waiting to be blown by the north wind outside the door. Why are you acting like a big shot in front of me!"
"You..."
"I'm perfectly fine, thank you. You don't need to worry about me."
When it came to arguing, Nanny He had never been at a disadvantage.
Ji Zizhao rarely moved around the manor in the past, but the servants in the courtyard were never treated harshly. Those around her were allowed to grow according to their own personalities, and not one of them was timid or hesitant.
Seeing Nanny He arguing fiercely with the nannies opposite, Ji Zizhao simply lifted the hem of her skirt and ascended the steps.
Another nanny saw this and quickly tried to stop her.
Before she could even speak, Jian Qiu blocked her path. "Is this how your mistress teaches you manners, to be so bossy in someone else's home? If that's truly the case, I might as well step outside and inquire, to see which family's rules are so unreasonable, and perhaps ask the citizens of this city to judge."
The nanny was pushed back a step by the sharp retort. In just one sentence, Jian Qiu threatened to escalate the matter publicly. If this were to spread, the entire city would know their madam was arrogant and overbearing! What good would come to them, the servants, if their mistress's reputation was ruined?
Looking at Jian Qiu, who was smiling serenely, the nanny felt a pang of fear. She had initially thought this woman would be easy to deal with, but her words were even more venomous!
The people inside the room, who were engaged in conversation, all heard the commotion at the door.
Zou Siyan frowned impatiently, looking in the direction of the entrance. "This Ji family truly lacks elders to guide them. Even the servants here have no manners."
Gu Peilan's smile faltered upon hearing this.
The Zou family madam held her daughter's hand, warning her with a frown, then said to Gu Peilan, "My daughter has been spoiled since childhood and doesn't know how to speak properly. I hope the First Madam of the Ji family won't take offense."
This address of "First Madam of the Ji family" was exactly what Gu Peilan desired. Gu Peilan, who dreamed of legitimately becoming the First Madam of the Ji family, quickly smiled and replied, "We'll all be family in the future, so there's no need to stand on ceremony. Moreover, the Second Daughter of the Zou family is naturally innocent and straightforward. That kind of genuine character is precisely what I like."
The Zou family madam nodded with a smile, then looked towards the door. "I am indeed curious as to who is causing such a disturbance late at night."
Gu Peilan immediately stood up. "I'll go out personally to see who dares to be so bold."
"Didn't the remarried First Madam personally send someone to invite me? Why is it now that my people are causing trouble?" Before Gu Peilan could take a step, Ji Zizhao entered the room.
On the soft couch inside, a madam and a young lady were seated on either side. Gu Peilan, the hostess, had to sit somewhat awkwardly on a flower stool opposite them.
Not seeing Ji Renran, Ji Zizhao felt a pang of disappointment. Whether she dealt with one or two, the outcome was the same. She had come with the intention of causing trouble and did not want to let anyone off. However, she mused, for matters that didn't bring direct benefit, Ji Renran would at most have her nannies make a scene to suppress her, and perhaps secretly watch her suffer. Such methods, of smiling while hiding a knife and stabbing from behind, were more in line with Ji Renran's usual style.
Upon seeing Ji Zizhao, Gu Peilan thought that Nanny Song, sent by the Fifth Prince, was indeed capable; she had managed to bring her here.
"Zijie'er, now that you're here, please sit. We were just talking about you." In front of her guests, Gu Peilan personally walked over to greet Ji Zizhao with utmost warmth and consideration.
Ji Zizhao remained standing, looking towards the direction of the Zou madam and asking coldly, "May I ask who this is..."
The Zou family madam, who had been named, straightened her posture. As she looked up, her heart sank.
A simple, plain long dress accentuated her fair skin and delicate bones. Standing there, she exuded an elegant aura that could not be ignored. Her refined features, rosy lips and white teeth, truly made her a beauty.
Back when the Zou family hosted a banquet, the Zou family madam had secretly inquired. At the time, she had heard from the household servants that the eldest daughter of the Ji family was a beauty. However, the Zou family madam had not believed it. If she were truly so beautiful, why would she have stayed hidden at home since childhood? And why would she have been divorced from the Fifth Prince for no apparent reason? Now, it seemed, the eldest daughter of the Ji family was even more stunning than she had imagined.
Gu Peilan watched the admiration in the Zou family madam's eyes and felt a considerable unease. When she had first met her own daughter, the Zou family madam had praised her beauty, but not to the point of being so stunned she couldn't respond.
"This is the Zou family madam. I believe Zijie'er must have heard of her," Gu Peilan said intentionally.
Ji Zizhao, upon hearing this, indeed looked towards the Zou family madam. Her dark eyes were deep and bright, lacking any trace of feigned arrogance. Yet, the calm and self-possession that seemed to have been tempered by time still prevented anyone from treating her lightly.
As their eyes met, the Zou family madam adopted an even more superior posture. In this imperial city, the surname Zou was rare. Coupled with the fact that the eldest daughter of the Ji family and her husband and son all served in the palace, it was likely she could quickly ascertain her identity.
"I haven't heard of her," Ji Zizhao said. Having spoken, she casually withdrew her gaze. Her natural lack of any excessive expression made it seem as though she had just heard the commonest of names, like a cat or a dog.
Zou family madam, ...
Her face burned with embarrassment!