Ji Zizhao intended to play to the max.
The relationship between her grandmother and Ji Zongyou, even if entirely based on mutual benefit, still involved some form of investment.
If there was an investment, then it was absurd to claim it was unaffected.
Ji Zizhao never intended to completely sever ties with her grandmother over a scoundrel. That was why she repeatedly pushed the boundaries, chipping away at Ji Zongyou little by little.
And the arrival of Zou Siyan was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
The constant clamor and insults were a deadly blow to her grandmother, who was always concerned with appearances.
However, these words had not yet reached her grandmother directly, so her grandmother could still suppress her anger.
But once those vulgarities, word for word, reached her grandmother's ears, could she still tolerate it?
Naturally, she could not.
And by then, without anyone needing to say much, her grandmother would know how to make her choice.
Ji Zizhao only needed to drop a few hints and then wait for the show to begin.
Just as the third sister left, Shuiling arrived with a post from the Xue family.
Ever since the incident in the palace, the young ladies of various families had been living cautiously within their residences.
But while others could endure it, for Xue Yinuo, time stretched out like years.
Since she was not allowed to go out, she decided to send out invitations and gather people at her home.
Ji Zizhao also wanted to know how Xue Yinuo and the others had been doing during this time, so she did not refuse. The next day, after her shift, she directly took a carriage to the Xue mansion.
The Xue family was incredibly welcoming to Ji Zizhao. Madam Xue had even personally waited at the entrance for a long time.
As Ji Zizhao alighted from the carriage, Madam Xue rushed forward, "It's all that girl Yinuo's mischief. Look, you've come without changing out of your official robes. You must have been troubled."
Ji Zizhao smiled and politely replied, "Madam Xue is too kind. I had nothing to do back at my residence anyway, so I might as well come and join the fun. It's also a chance to beg for a meal from Madam Xue."
Madam Xue was touched. After all, she was serving in the palace, and her words were so comforting.
As Ji Zizhao walked into the mansion with Madam Xue, she passed by the flower hall and noticed it was quite lively inside. She couldn't help but take an extra glance.
As a result of that glance, she froze.
Inside the flower hall, many people were seated. Among them, a young maiden was shyly gazing at the man sitting opposite her.
Ji Zizhao did not recognize the maiden, but she had seen the man before.
He was the scumbag who had beaten his wife on the street that day.
Madam Xue followed Ji Zizhao's gaze and smiled, explaining, "That's a child from one of the concubines in the household. She's of marriageable age. Normally, as the principal wife, I should be concerned, but Sister Chun is a determined girl, so I've entrusted this matter to her concubine."
In Yulin, it was common for men to have multiple wives and concubines, and Madam Xue's words were not meant to be subtle.
Ji Zizhao naturally understood the love-hate entanglements of women vying for a man's affection and did not inquire further.
At this moment, the man seated in the flower hall happened to see Ji Zizhao.
His originally gentle and smiling face showed a hint of shock and stiffness.
Concubine Xue noticed and gently asked, "Young Master Sun, are you feeling unwell?"
Sun Lu coughed and then recovered, smiling, "I just saw Madam Xue walking by. I wonder which distinguished guest is so important that Madam Xue herself has come to greet them."
Concubine Xue glanced towards the door and then smiled sheepishly, "It's the eldest daughter of the Ji family. The eldest daughter of the Ji family once saved our master by chance, and the first madam has always doted on her, afraid she might fall and get hurt."
Concubine Xue had always felt that the first madam spoiled Ji Zizhao too much. Even if she had saved the master's life, it was not necessary to this extent. Back then, the entire Xue family had eaten leftovers for a long time just to send vegetables to the Ji family.
Now, the first madam was neglecting her daughter's marriage prospects for Ji Zizhao's arrival.
Just thinking about it made Concubine Xue feel nauseous.
Sun Lu had not expected that the woman he met by chance that day had such a connection with the Xue family.
Thinking about his actions that day, how could Sun Lu not feel flustered?
Xue Xiaochun looked at Sun Lu, who was becoming increasingly uncomfortable, and was very worried. She quickly ran to Sun Lu's side, asking with concern, "What's wrong? You were fine just now. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Sun Lu looked at Xue Xiaochun in front of him and a plan suddenly formed in his mind. He took Xue Xiaochun's hand and sighed, "Xiaochun, I'm afraid I won't have the chance to marry you anymore..."
Ji Zizhao had no idea that in the blink of an eye, a major drama was unfolding in the Xue family's flower hall.
As she followed Madam Xue to Xue Yinuo's courtyard, Xu Meiqing and Zhong Xinyi had already arrived.
Upon seeing Ji Zizhao arrive, they all stood up to greet her. Su Dan Novel Network.
Madam Xue, seeing this, discreetly withdrew, leaving the space for the young ladies.
Ji Zizhao looked at the flushed faces of the people in the room and smiled, "What are you talking about so intensely?"
Xue Yinuo rolled her eyes. "What else? It's about what happened in the palace that day, of course."
Zhong Xinyi, recalling that day, still felt a lingering fear. "I wonder what exactly happened in the palace. The imperial decree for marriage has not yet been issued."
Xue Yinuo looked at Zhong Xinyi. "Isn't the Empress your aunt? Didn't she tell you anything?"
Zhong Xinyi shook her head. "I have to call the Empress aunt, but the palace isn't my family's property. I barely see my aunt once a year. I'm closer to my two elder cousins than my aunt."
Ji Zizhao was not surprised by Zhong Xinyi's ignorance.
Given the Fourth Prince's methods, even she and he, the direct parties involved, could be extricated cleanly.
As for the Zhong family, it was only natural that they were kept completely in the dark.
Xu Meiqing looked at Ji Zizhao, knowing that Ji Zizhao was likely aware of the matter.
However, she was not as gossipy as the other two. Since the matter was being kept strictly confidential by the palace, it was naturally safest for them not to know. She guessed that Ji Zizhao was keeping silent to protect them.
Thinking this, Xu Meiqing quickly changed the subject.
The group stayed at the Xue residence until after dinner, and then they each left in their carriages.
Xue Yinuo and Madam Xue were standing at the entrance watching the departing carriages when suddenly someone rushed out of the mansion.
The suddenness of it startled both mother and daughter.
When Madam Xue regained her senses, she saw that the person was Xue Xiaochun.
But before Madam Xue could ask what was happening, she heard Xue Xiaochun shouting hysterically, "Ji Zizhao, you stop right there! Come back and explain yourself!"
Madam Xue: "..."
Xue Yinuo: "..."
Had this person gone mad?