An hour later, Ji Zizhao left the palace. The carriage rumbled back to the Ji family residence. After a simple wash, Shui Ling hurried into the room.
"Miss, someone from the Wei family is here!"
Ji Zizhao paused her wiping motion. "The Wei family?"
Shui Ling nodded. "It's Madam Wei. She said she's here to visit Old Madam. She's already been invited to the main hall."
Jian Qiu frowned and looked at her young lady. She had accompanied her to the Wei family last time. How could she not understand the meaning behind Madam Wei's visit now?
It was precisely because she understood too well that she felt disgusted. "Madam Wei has quite the thick skin. Not only did she not visit after Miss had her accident, but now that she's finally here, she goes straight to Old Madam. This is clearly an attempt to use Old Madam to force Miss to plead for the Eighth Prince's Consort in front of Her Majesty the Empress."
Ji Zizhao felt a chill creep into her heart, and the veins on her hand gripping the handkerchief bulged.
At this point, the Eighth Prince's Consort had already crossed her bottom line. If she hadn't been prepared in advance, let alone her and the Ji family, even the Empress might have been caught in the net. Su Dan Novel Network
It was true that the Wei family was innocent, but who could blame them for raising such a useless daughter?
Wanting to take advantage of their innocence to gain something from her?
Heh...
Let's see if the Wei family has the capability!
Those in the room watched the cold smile that formed on their young lady's lips and felt their hair stand on end. How desperate must Madam Wei be to dare anger their young lady?
To be honest, Madam Wei's stepping into the Ji family's gates was an act of utter helplessness.
Initially, only the Eighth Prince was demoted. Her daughter hadn't married yet, so even if there was collateral damage, it wouldn't reach her. But her daughter was infatuated with the Eighth Prince and insisted on being with him.
Now, seeing her daughter about to become homeless with the Eighth Prince, how could Madam Wei not be anxious?
Madam Wei actually understood that it would be impossible to get Ji Zizhao to relent on this matter.
But fortunately, the elders of the Ji family were still alive. As long as she could win over the elders of the Ji family, with them applying pressure, even if Ji Zizhao was unwilling, she would have to agree to plead for her daughter.
Having come with the intention to appease, Madam Wei had already inquired about Old Madam's preferences in advance. Now, she piled all sorts of precious jewelry and fine fabrics in front of Old Madam, and then spoke some auspicious words that Old Madam loved to hear. She was confident that Old Madam would agree.
Most importantly, Madam Wei said to Old Madam, "I heard that your esteemed residence has a young master. Coincidentally, my husband has a distant niece who wishes to come to the imperial city. It so happens that the child is of marriageable age. If Old Madam Ji does not mind, I would like to become in-laws with the Ji family."
This statement truly hit Old Madam's soft spot.
Ji Zongyou had moved out, but Gu Peilan had mentioned more than once how unhappy Ji Zongyou was with Zou Siyan and hoped Old Madam would visit sometime.
Old Madam would naturally not waste more time on the hopeless Ji Zongyou, but that didn't mean she didn't want Ji Zongyou to do well.
If Ji Zongyou were to take the Eighth Prince's Consort's cousin as a concubine, she would naturally gain face. Moreover, the Wei family was a prominent household in the imperial city. Once they became in-laws, her future benefits would be endless.
Just as Gu Peilan entered to greet Old Madam, she immediately spoke up upon hearing that it would benefit her son. "Old Madam, considering the Wei family's sincerity, why not speak with Zhaojie'er? Zhaojie'er has always been filial and will naturally listen to your persuasion."
Old Madam already intended to do so and was about to ask Old Madam Xu to go to Zhaoyuan when Jian Qiu stepped into the room.
"Reporting to Old Madam, Eldest Young Lady claims to be unwell and has already gone to sleep. She cannot pay her respects to Old Madam today. I hope Old Madam will not blame her."
Old Madam: "..."
Even if Old Madam were foolish, she knew that Ji Zizhao chose to sleep now, not too early or too late, for a reason. This was clearly a message to silence her and dismiss her intention to send someone to invite her.
Gu Peilan was furious but dared not speak while looking at the silent Old Madam. She could only curse Ji Zizhao ten thousand times in her heart.
Madam Wei was utterly stunned.
Ji Zizhao was too audacious to even refuse an elder's request. Was she trying to reach the heavens?
However, she was unwilling to leave just like that. Recovering her senses, Madam Wei smiled at Jian Qiu. "It's quite a coincidence. Old Madam Ji was just about to send someone to invite Fourth Prince's Consort. Since you are a close attendant of Fourth Prince's Consort, please go again. The royal family has always valued rules. I believe Fourth Prince's Consort is definitely not someone who disrespects her elders."
Was she trying to use rules to her advantage?
Jian Qiu looked at Madam Wei with a half-smile. "Our Ji family is different from ordinary residences. Since the men in the family left early, the responsibility of managing the household naturally fell upon our Eldest Young Lady. If we are to discuss seniority in the Ji family, Madam Wei should have paid respects to our Eldest Young Lady first before sitting here to chat with Old Madam."
Madam Wei: "..."
So it was her fault?
However, Jian Qiu's words reminded Madam Wei, and she suddenly remembered that Ji Zizhao had long been the one in charge of the Ji family. She had forgotten this in her anxiety to save her daughter.
"If Old Madam has no other instructions, this servant will take her leave," Jian Qiu curtsied, then turned and walked out.
Old Madam's chest ached with anger, and she was unable to utter a single word.
Looking at Old Madam's darkened face, Old Madam Xu felt a sense of relief. Eldest Young Lady had been lenient by simply giving her the cold shoulder. If Eldest Young Lady had come out herself to argue, the experience would have been truly… exhilarating!
Madam Wei left with a face full of reluctance. It was clear that if she couldn't get through Old Madam, there was no point in staying. Was she going to stay for dinner?
"Madam Wei, please wait," Gu Peilan, who had just come out, suddenly called out to Madam Wei.
Madam Wei turned to look at Gu Peilan. "Is there something else?"
"Speaking of which, Zhaojie'er's residence is not far from the main courtyard. It's just a pity that Zhaojie'er is unwell today. I hope Madam Wei will understand." Gu Peilan seemed to be speaking on Ji Zizhao's behalf, but before Madam Wei left, she deliberately pointed in the direction of Zhaoyuan with her finger.
Madam Wei, who had intended to leave, fixed her gaze in the direction Gu Peilan pointed. Suddenly, she strode purposefully towards Zhaoyuan.