The same thing Fu Bao could understand, was because he knew Ji Zi Zhao's character.
But Jiang Guang Sheng truly did not understand, and could not comprehend it at all.
Jiang Guang Sheng, his heart full of pent-up frustration with nowhere to vent, ducked into a small tavern. Not being a good drinker to begin with, after a pot of wine, he only felt a bit dizzy and more dejected.
It was Madam Jiang, the eldest lady of the Jiang family, waiting for her son at home, who saw him enter, drowning his sorrows in wine.
Madam Jiang was terrified seeing her son stagger with every step. She quickly asked a mama by her side to prepare a sobering soup.
Madam Jiang doted on this youngest son immensely. When the sobering soup was brought, she personally fed it to her son. Seeing his complexion improve considerably, she cautiously inquired what had happened.
Jiang Guang Sheng had been cared for by his mother in every minute detail since childhood. He was accustomed to telling his mother everything. Now, with his heart full of vexation, he recounted the story of being rejected by Ji Zi Zhao that day.
After listening carefully, Madam Jiang felt utterly uncomfortable.
She could not fathom that her son had taken a liking to a divorced woman.
Their Jiang family was wealthy and influential, but what did the Ji family have?
Even if everyone in the city knew that Ji Zi Zhao was supporting a household with difficulty, it had nothing to do with the Jiang family.
His daughter-in-law did not need to show her face in public.
Looking at her son's mournful face, Madam Jiang deliberately said, "The name of the eldest daughter of the Ji family is truly renowned. Originally, I wondered who would be fortunate enough to marry the eldest daughter of the Ji family. I never expected my son to have such discerning taste."
Jiang Guang Sheng was stunned. "Mother, do you truly think so?"
Madam Jiang smiled. "Why would Mother lie to you? If that eldest daughter of the Ji family truly agreed, I would send someone to the Ji family to propose marriage tomorrow. Although marrying the eldest daughter of the Ji family while she is still in mourning would be inauspicious, I believe my son's judgment of people is absolutely correct."
Jiang Guang Sheng's eyes welled up with gratitude, his hands trembling as he held his mother's.
He knew, his mother was the most enlightened mother in the world.
But upon careful consideration, he could not smile again. "Even if I like her, what does it matter? She does not favor me."
Madam Jiang of course knew that Ji Zi Zhao was unwilling, otherwise she would not have said such a thing.
A divorced, tainted woman would never step into her Jiang family's gate in this lifetime!
"The eldest daughter of the Ji family is now famous throughout the capital. It is only natural for her to have some pride. To put it bluntly, it is all my fault for not giving birth to you in a family of emperors and generals. Otherwise, my son would not be so distressed now." As Madam Jiang spoke, she began to shed tears.
Jiang Guang Sheng immediately felt concerned. "Mother, what are you doing?"
Madam Jiang quickly wiped away her tears, not wanting her son to worry, and smiled. "Mother just feels she has wronged you."
Seeing his mother like this, how could Jiang Guang Sheng not feel heartache?
Amidst his heartache, he naturally blamed Ji Zi Zhao entirely. "It was my own recklessness. I originally thought she was an extraordinary woman, but I didn't expect her to be equally arrogant, aiming to climb higher. Mother, you don't need to blame yourself for such a woman; she's not worth it."
Madam Jiang secretly observed her son's expression. Seeing that her son's mood had truly shifted from dejection to anger, she pulled his hand and said, "Don't worry, with our Jiang family's status in the capital, finding a good marriage is not difficult. During this time, Mother will carefully look for suitable candidates for you. Women often regret their decisions. Only when you live well will she possibly turn back and humbly apologize to you."
Jiang Guang Sheng looked at his mother in surprise.
In his heart, he did hope that Ji Zi Zhao would change her mind. "Is it really possible?"
Madam Jiang smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, just trust Mother."
Jiang Guang Sheng naturally trusted his mother.
Upon reflection, he also felt that his mother's words were reasonable.
For a man like him, having multiple wives and concubines was normal. Moreover, given Ji Zi Zhao's status, it was impossible for her to marry into the Jiang family as the principal wife. Thus, without much thought, he agreed to his mother's proposal.
When Madam Jiang saw her son agree, her heart was greatly relieved.
How could her son marry a divorced woman? Wouldn't that be a laughing stock?
For years, she had been solely focused on selecting suitable wives for her son, neglecting his own preferences. Fortunately, Ji Zi Zhao was sensible, which saved her a lot of trouble.
As Madam Jiang walked out of her son's room, she began to meticulously plan. It was time to quickly arrange a marriage for her son. As for that Ji Zi Zhao, there was no way she would ever be allowed to pay respects and serve tea.
Just after You Shi, the first snow began to fall.
The young ladies who had entered the palace had all returned to their residences, but Ji Ren Ran was still conspicuously absent.
Gu Pei Lan, thinking that her daughter had secretly betrothed herself to the Fifth Prince, had no worries.
While everyone was gathered in the courtyard for dinner, she proactively suggested to the Old Madam, "Ren Ran was painted by Hua Qing Palace during this visit to the palace. She hasn't returned yet, so the matter is likely settled. Ren Ran will be the Fifth Prince's Consort in the future, and she must properly honor the Old Madam."
The Old Madam, who always sought to rise higher, was naturally pleased and beaming from Gu Pei Lan's flattery.
The ladies from the other branches, seeing Gu Pei Lan's smug demeanor, lost their appetites for the meal.
The imperial decree had not even been proclaimed, yet she was already acting so boastful. If the matter truly succeeded, wouldn't she soar to the heavens?
Gu Pei Lan took the others' reactions as jealousy. She put on a great show in front of the Old Madam, who was so charmed that she readily agreed to provide half of Ji Ren Ran's dowry.
The ladies from the other branches were speechless.
What was the point of eating? They were all full from watching!
A perfectly good meal was ruined.
Ji Zi Yan felt something was not right. After everyone dispersed, she went directly to her elder sister's courtyard.
"Eldest Sister, do you think something happened in the palace?"
When she married into the Zhao family, she had accompanied her mother-in-law to the palace once.
The palace had numerous, intricate rules and regulations. Everything emphasized propriety.
Even the Empress had to abide by the rules.
Even if Noble Consort Xi was powerful, she would never dare to keep a young lady from outside the palace on a whim.
Ji Zi Zhao knew that Gu Pei Lan's confidence likely stemmed from a prior guarantee from the Fifth Prince, otherwise Ji Ren Ran would not have dared to be so reckless.
"Everyone else was allowed to return, but only Ji Ren Ran was kept in the palace. If Noble Consort Xi truly cherished her so much, wouldn't she understand the principle of being a target?"
Ji Zi Yan was astonished. "Eldest Sister, you mean... something really happened in the palace?"
"We just need to wait and see." Ji Zi Zhao looked at her third sister. In fact, she felt a sense of relief.
Since taking charge of the household affairs, her third sister had become increasingly steady and handled matters with prudence and care.
Thus, she could gradually entrust all matters of the household with peace of mind.
Ji Zi Yan knew that her elder sister did not want her to be too involved, so she wisely did not ask further questions.