The old madam was even more delighted upon meeting the woman and learning from the doctor she had found that the woman was carrying twins.
Dragons and phoenixes were a heavenly gift in Yulin, a fortune even the emperor could not ask for.
How could the old madam, who had lost all her grandsons, not be moved?
The old madam first settled the woman outside the manor and specifically waited for her eldest son to return from the army for a private talk.
The old madam's intention was simple: to have the woman enter the household as a concubine and persuade the eldest daughter-in-law to accept her.
However, Ji Zizhao's father had promised his wife, Lin Wanyun, a lifelong commitment to only one woman. Now that he had already made a mistake, how could he have the face to take in a concubine? Furthermore, he had no memory of how he, in his seriously injured and delirious state, had had marital relations with that woman.
To put it plainly, Ji Zizhao's father felt nothing but gratitude for the woman's life-saving grace.
"Back then, my son, to get you to leave the imperial city, even knelt before me and offered his life to repay your life-saving grace. I secretly kept you in the imperial city, set up a manor for you, and gave you money so that even when you were outside, you could enjoy the wealth of a main wife. Now you intend to walk into my Ji family's door so openly. Are you planning to repay kindness with enmity!"
The old madam glared at the well-dressed woman not far away, "Gu Peilan, one must know when to be content!" Su Dan Novel Network
Gu Peilan, who had been verbally abused since she entered, was naturally filled with resentment and anger.
She had lived outside with her two children for years. In her youth, she had felt exceptionally free. With money to spend and no constraints of a prominent family, she had lived a carefree life. However, as she aged and her children grew up, she gradually realized the importance of status.
In this imperial city, if one lacked status and relied solely on money, whether it was for a son's marriage or a daughter's wedding, one could not expect to find a good match.
Moreover, the money the old madam gave her was not for unlimited spending.
But seeing the enraged old madam, Gu Peilan suppressed her inner anger and said in a conciliatory tone, "I am well aware of your kindness to me, old madam. However, the Ji family is currently without male heirs, and your grandchildren are nearing the age of marriage. Do you truly not wish for them to marry someone of equal standing, someone who can bring honor to you in the future?"
The old madam naturally wished for that, but she had already handed over the control of the Ji family!
Gu Peilan was a contingency plan the old madam had kept for herself. The old madam had always maintained contact with her. Originally, she had planned to go live there with Madam Xu once the Ji family had completely fallen. What was the harm in agreeing to their terms if it could ensure her future peace and prosperity?
But who could have predicted that the Ji family would escape such a dire fate?
If the Ji family had not collapsed, she could not have allowed Gu Peilan to appear with her children. Otherwise, how could she explain it to the rest of the Ji family?
Seeing the old madam waver, Gu Peilan's eyes turned red, and she seized the opportunity to cry, "Old madam, you don't know, Ren Ran, that child, has already thought of ending her life. If I hadn't discovered it in time today, I... I fear..."
Hearing this, the old madam felt heartache, but also immense anger.
"How have I treated you all these years? Don't you know? The matters of the Ji family are not something I can control now. Not only do you not understand me, but you threaten me with death? How can you behave this way!"
"Old madam, please calm down. Be careful not to anger yourself and harm your health," Madam Xu carefully supported the old madam, who was trembling on the couch.
Gu Peilan was inwardly surprised by the old madam's reaction.
When she heard that the control of the Ji family had been given to Ji Zizhao, she hadn't taken it seriously. She was just a young girl. But it was this girl, whom everyone had underestimated, who had brought the Ji family back from the brink.
Gu Peilan knew very well how much the old madam doted on her daughter. But now, the old madam, instead of allowing her to bring her children back, preferred to blame Ren Ran for being disobedient. It was clear that the old madam was somewhat afraid of Ji Zizhao.
Madam Xu, who disliked the "other side" mentioned by the old madam, truly pitied her and could only advise against her will, "Old madam, please do not be angry. Miss Ren Ran has always been sensible and filial. How could she threaten you? You must be overthinking things."
Gu Peilan knew that any forceful attempt to return now was impossible, so she took the opportunity to back down. "Madam Xu is right. Ren Ran has always been the most obedient to the old madam since she was a child. She would never make things difficult for you. It's just that the child desperately wishes to spend a long time by her grandmother's side, so she was momentarily distraught... sob sob sob..."
The thought of Ren Ran's sensible and obedient face immediately softened the old madam's heart.
After all, she had watched her grow up with love.
"You go back first and tell Ren Ran to take good care of herself. I will visit her when I have time," the old madam said, gesturing to Madam Xu.
Madam Xu, understanding the unspoken request, went to the inner room and took out a bag of silver to give to Gu Peilan.
Gu Peilan, suppressing her greed, pushed the silver back, her eyes red with tears, and said again, "Ren Ran said that Ji Zizhao is now in charge of the Ji family, so her grandmother must not be living comfortably. Before I left, I repeatedly told her not to accept any more money from the old madam, and to let the old madam live comfortably..."
As she spoke with emotion, Gu Peilan cried even harder. "Pity that child's wrist was cut so deeply. The doctor had to stitch it seventeen times. Now she eats and sleeps little, only wishing to be by her grandmother's side forever. As long as she breathes, she thinks of the old madam!"
Hearing this, the old madam's heart felt heavy.
Gu Peilan gritted her teeth and tore her gaze away from the silver, then hurried out of the room.
Only after walking out of the Ji family manor with her head bowed did Gu Peilan let out a sigh of relief and board her carriage.
Over the years, her son and daughter had not feigned filial piety before the old madam in vain.
Now, after hearing those words, how could the old madam possibly sit still?
Given how much the old madam doted on Ren Ran, she was probably already considering how to sneak out tomorrow, during the Ji family's funeral procession, to visit Ren Ran.
And this was exactly what Peilan wanted.
Since they wouldn't let her bring her children back, the Ji family should not expect to have peace.
Wasn't that Ji Zizhao very capable? Then let her busy herself with the funeral without the old madam's presence.
Gu Peilan gazed out the carriage window at the Ji family manor, which was gradually receding behind them, her gaze cold and fierce.
One day, she would be the mistress of this household!
Gu Peilan's thoughts were correct; the old madam was indeed unable to sit still.
Madam Xu was truly worried that the old madam would find a way to go there. She quickly said, "Old madam, tomorrow is the funeral procession for the old master and the other gentlemen. To put it bluntly, it's a final farewell. You absolutely cannot be absent."
The old madam was conflicted. After much deliberation, she said, "The dead are dead. Even if their remains are displayed in the courtyard now, it's just an honorary tomb. What difference is there from a final farewell? However, Ren Ran is so young. What if something happens to her?"
Madam Xu was speechless.
Were the young ladies within the household not granddaughters as well?
The old madam remained unmoved.
Although they were all granddaughters, the difference was that the one being raised outside cared more about her. Especially since her granddaughter was connected to her grandson. If this incident caused a rift between them, it would be too much.
She was old and would eventually pass on. How could she not have grandsons to see her off?
With an idea forming in her mind, the old madam softly instructed, "Go to the second and third sons' residences. Tell them that tomorrow, when the male heirs of the Ji family are being sent off, they must bring up the matter of no male heir to perform the ritual of smashing the pots. Remember, the more pitiable and touching you make it, the better."
Madam Xu had no choice but to nod and leave.