Yi Ye Bao Fu

Chapter 315 Knowing When to Stop is a Skill

The wives of each household had not expected things to turn out this way.

They had all prepared themselves to brave the world with Zhao Jie'er, only for Zhao Jie'er to proactively retreat.

While it might not have yielded good results to continue clashing with the Old Madam, achieving such a graceful withdrawal truly required skill.

Everyone living in this world harbors regrets and unwillingness.

How many are like Zhao Jie'er, truly able to let go of what they can and hold onto what they can't?

However, now that Zhao Jie'er had spoken, the wives of each household naturally had to stand with her.

The Third Madam, Yin Wenying, a woman of considerable intelligence, immediately spoke up, "The Old Madam's wishes are naturally Zhao Jie'er's wishes. Since this is the case, we will certainly do our utmost to assist with the eldest granddaughter-in-law's funeral."

The Second Madam, Yu Fenglan, watching the Third Madam's fickle nature, felt a surge of resentment.

The Third Madam, Yin Wenying, felt no shame but rather pride. Now that Zhao Jie'er had spoken, there was no need for them to maintain their stiff demeanor. Regardless, this funeral would eventually fall to them, so it was better to be proactive and demonstrate their resolve to stand with Zhao Jie'er.

The Fourth Madam, Xiao Jingzhu, though she also disapproved of the Third Madam Yin Wenying's tendency to drift with the wind, acknowledged that the situation was indeed as it was. Naturally, she had to voice her support.

Amidst the wives' varied pronouncements, the atmosphere in the main courtyard finally eased. Not only was Ji Ruijun's funeral arranged, but Lin Wanyun's funeral was also meticulously planned.

The Old Madam, observing the proactive demeanor of each household, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

No matter what, life must go on.

Supported by her grandmother, Ji Zizhao rose. She had intended to sit in a lower seat, but the Old Madam pulled her directly to sit beside her.

Seeing Ji Zizhao occupy the prime spot, Ji Renran, despite her ability to maintain a facade, could not help but darken her expression.

Ji Zizhao, as if oblivious to their subtle cues, sat up straight, appearing perfectly composed.

Her grandmother had always been selfish, prioritizing her own survival above all else. It was precisely because of this that she had not grieved or distressed over the deaths of the Ji family men, focusing solely on her own interests.

But no matter how heartless her grandmother was, she was still her grandmother.

Ji Zizhao, fully aware that Gu Peilan and her daughter intended to win over her grandmother, certainly would not grant them their wish.

She knew that Ji Ruijun's death was not a simple matter.

However, regardless of the reason, someone had paid the price for her mother's life.

Though unwilling, she had to know when to stop.

Moreover, as long as Gu Peilan and her daughter were alive, they could truly understand what it meant to wish for death.

"You two rise as well. From now on, you are family, and we must all live in harmony," the Old Madam said, looking at Gu Peilan and Ji Renran who were kneeling on the ground, finally letting out a sigh.

Her silence did not mean she was unaware.

But the Old Madam knew in her heart that she was biased towards this side.

Ji Renran, seeing her grandmother relent and cease further accusations, finally felt at ease. She quickly helped her mother up and sat immediately below the Old Madam.

The wives of each household could not help but frown as Gu Peilan sat herself down.

That position was once occupied by the First Madam.

Gu Peilan naturally noticed the glances from the wives of each household, but she had not only deliberately chosen to sit there, but she also actively addressed the Old Madam, saying, "Since we are family, we should not speak as outsiders. I, for one, am content, as long as I have the opportunity to serve by the Old Madam's side and fulfill my filial duty to my husband. However, Renran and Zongyou are not getting any younger and cannot continue to live in a state of confusion..."

Her words clearly meant that it was time to grant them an official status.

In fact, even before Ji Zizhao's return, Gu Peilan had already begun to publicize her status.

However, before Gu Peilan could solidify her position as the First Madam of the Ji family, Ji Zizhao returned carrying a coffin.

Now, Gu Peilan was determined to have the Ji family officially recognize her.

The Old Madam naturally would not allow her grandchildren to lack status. Without a second thought, she said, "You are the eldest daughter-in-law, and your seniority cannot change. Now that Lin's line has ended, you will take her place. As for Zongyou, he already has two elder brothers, so he will be the youngest young master of the household. As for Renran... you are the First Madam's daughter, so she will be a legitimate daughter. Her seniority will be determined by age and entered into the family tree."

Gu Peilan and Ji Renran, though they had anticipated this, could not help but feel excited upon hearing it.

The First Madam of the Ji family, the legitimate daughter of the Ji family, the young master of the Ji family...

Any one of these three statuses was enough to allow them to establish themselves in the imperial city.

However, compared to Gu Peilan's self-satisfaction, Ji Renran quietly glanced at Ji Zizhao.

Though said quietly, everyone in the room saw it.

This made Ji Renran's fear of Ji Zizhao and her hesitation to nod in agreement even more apparent.

The wives of each household were disgusted.

The Old Madam had spoken, and they should have gratefully accepted their status. Why were they looking at Zhao Jie'er now? It was clearly an attempt to sow discord between the Old Madam and Zhao Jie'er!

As expected, the Old Madam frowned and turned to her side, "Does Zhao Jie'er have any objections?"

Ji Zizhao smiled faintly, "Your granddaughter would not dare to defy your wishes, Grandmother. I will personally send someone to inform my maternal grandfather later. Such joyous news should be shared with our elders to make them happy as well."

Where was Ji Zizhao's maternal grandfather?

The Prefect of Bianjing!

While this was joyous news for others, it meant the death of a daughter for the Yang family.

Even if the Old Madam did not intend to benefit from the Yang family, she did not intend to completely sever ties with them.

"Zhao Jie'er, how can you make things difficult for the Old Madam?" Gu Peilan quickly interjected, fanning the flames.

Lin Wanyun had been dead for so long, and the Ji family had not informed the Yang family, the implications were obvious. Now, Ji Zizhao wanting to inform the Yang family was nothing short of a threat.

Most importantly, she genuinely could not afford to offend the Yang family at the moment.

Seeing her grandmother's expression darken, Ji Zizhao proactively linked her arm around her grandmother's, speaking intimately, "Granddaughter naturally knows your intentions, Grandmother. You do not wish for my maternal grandfather to worry about my mother's affairs. However, this is a significant matter to be entered into the family tree. If my maternal grandfather were to find out later, he might suspect you of favoritism."

Upon hearing that Ji Zizhao was considering her feelings, the Old Madam's displeasure dissipated considerably.

"Granddaughter knows that Grandmother has always wished for the Ji family to be harmonious. In truth, Grandmother should have been enjoying her retirement by now, yet you are worrying for us juniors. If granddaughter does not proactively assist Grandmother in her considerations, would she not be an unfilial grandchild?" Ji Zizhao looked at her grandmother beside her, her eyes filled with self-reproach and concern.

Her grandmother was selfish, but she did not see herself that way.

Having the Ji family's descendants acknowledge their lineage was for the good of the entire Ji family. Even her deceased husband and her sons should be grateful for this.

Therefore, Ji Zizhao's words now struck the perfect chord.

The Old Madam looked at her granddaughter sitting beside her and suddenly found her much more pleasing to the eye, "Then, according to Zhao Jie'er's wishes, how should this matter be handled?"

Gu Peilan, "..."

Ji Renran, "..."

A sense of foreboding permeated their very beings.

The shadow of Ji Zizhao's oppression once again loomed!