Yi Ye Bao Fu

Chapter 445 Endless Mischief

In the Zhaoyuan courtyard, Jianqiu and the others had clearly received the news, their clothes and adornments already prepared.

Ji Zizhao changed her attire and left the courtyard. By the time she arrived at the main courtyard, the main hall was already bustling.

As she entered, Ji Zizhao saw Ji Renran sitting beside their grandmother, chatting about something that made the old madam beam with smiles. Gu Peilan was also chiming in, as if she had completely forgotten why Ji Zongyou had nearly lost his life.

The madams from each branch of the family were seated around according to seniority, their smiles looking extremely awkward.

Upon seeing Ji Zizhao enter, the previously lively atmosphere instantly solidified.

However, the madams from each branch's eyes lit up when they saw Ji Zizhao arrive.

"Your granddaughter pays respects to Grandmother. It is truly happy news that Grandmother has recovered." Ji Zizhao stepped forward a few paces and proactively greeted her grandmother.

The old madam looked at Ji Zizhao, her nerves taut, the wrinkles on her face smoothing out considerably.

Ji Renran seemed to sense the old madam's nervousness and quickly said with a smile, "Grandmother was just fine a moment ago, what's wrong now? Is she perhaps blaming Eldest Sister for being late?"

Only a fool wouldn't understand such deliberate provocation.

Third Madam Yin Wenying cursed Ji Renran as a little bitch, wishing only for the old madam and Zizhao to fall out.

Second Madam Yu Fenglan and Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu, hearing these words, couldn't help but sit up straighter, their minds already pondering how to extricate Zizhao later.

But just as everyone was lost in thought, the old madam looked at Ji Zizhao and said, "Get up. I know it's not suitable for you to be working in the palace, so you must take care of yourself. You've been working hard coming to the main courtyard these past few days."

This statement shocked the entire hall.

Ji Renran's hand, clutching her handkerchief, tightened, the veins on the back of her hand pulsing faintly.

She had never expected her grandmother's attitude towards Ji Zizhao to improve so noticeably.

Gu Peilan’s face darkened, clearly unhappy as well.

The madams from each branch exchanged glances, equally astonished.

The old madam had lived in this manor for decades, when had she ever shown concern for the children in the manor?

Back then, upon hearing that Zihe and Ji Zhaolu had died in battle, she had merely frowned slightly.

And now…

Was she possessed by a ghost?!

"It is my granddaughter's fault for causing Grandmother worry. In the future, your granddaughter will diligently come to pay respects to Grandmother." Ji Zizhao stood up with a smile and, under the old madam's gaze, sat on the old madam's other side.

Ji Zizhao was not surprised by the old madam's attitude at all.

Her voluntary renunciation of the Ji family's noble title had not only cut off Ji Zongyou's only way forward but also crushed the old madam's hope.

It is only in darkness that one can grasp the last glimmer of light.

Therefore, she had entered the Imperial Academy of Medicine, forcing the old madam to attach importance to and rely on her.

As for Ji Zongyou's matter…

The old madam herself could not escape her predicament, so where would she have the time to be angry with her?

The old madam's doting on Ji Renran was merely an attempt to compensate for her cruelty towards Ji Zongyou.

Thus, just as the old madam could weigh the pros and cons and dote on Ji Renran, she would also give Ji Zizhao face.

To put it plainly, a selfish person like the old madam only loved herself.

Indeed, the old madam showed a rare smile looking at Ji Zizhao, saying, "You are such a filial child."

Ji Zizhao also smiled slightly, "It is proper to be filial to Grandmother."

Now, whether out of guilt or dependence, the old madam had no choice but to be pleasant to Ji Zizhao.

Ji Zizhao was very satisfied with this outcome.

Since she couldn't make the old madam genuinely treat the people in the manor, it was better to simply pressure her into showing favor proactively.

Seeing without saying is still being good friends.

The old madam truly hadn't expected Ji Zizhao to treat her the same as before, and her heart felt greatly relieved.

She wanted to blame Ji Zizhao for renouncing the Ji family's noble title, but the current Ji Zizhao had instead become the honor of the Ji family. She also wanted to scold Ji Zizhao for treating Ji Zongyou that way, but the one who truly pushed Ji Zongyou to a dead end was herself.

This feeling was like having one's strings pulled.

The old madam had no choice but to make concessions.

However, such a harmonious scene was extremely grating to Ji Renran and Gu Peilan.

Ji Renran forced a smile and said to the old madam, "Speaking of which, Eldest Sister arrived at just the right time. Grandmother was just discussing the household management matters of the manor."

Upon hearing this, the other madams became tense.

Ji Ziyan, seated beside Third Madam, proactively stood up and said, "I feel there is something not quite right about this matter."

Ji Renran smiled sweetly at Ji Ziyan and said, "Third Sister, it's normal to have concerns, but since Eldest Sister is here, we should see Eldest Sister's opinion."

Ji Ziyan frowned, wanting to say something more.

Unexpectedly, Ji Renran didn't wait for her to speak, looking at Ji Zizhao and smiling again, "Grandmother has already agreed, and this is for the good of the manor. I believe Eldest Sister will surely agree, won't she?"

The few madams listening almost rolled their eyes.

First, they used the old madam to suppress her, and then they used the excuse of the manor's well-being, as if Zizhao would be unfilial to the old madam and uncaring of the manor if she didn't agree.

This was clearly forcing Zizhao to agree!

Ji Zizhao didn't rush to answer but instead asked, "Since this is the manor's matter, in what capacity did Sister Renran bring it up?"

Ji Renran: "..."

Gu Peilan, seeing her daughter being challenged, became displeased, "Ran'er also had good intentions, why must Zizhao be so aggressive?"

Ji Zizhao's expression turned cold, "Good intentions must be used in the right place. Household management is not a trifle. Since it is a major family matter to be discussed, one must maintain a proper attitude. If anyone can arbitrarily make decisions, this household would have descended into chaos long ago."

You mother and daughter clearly set a trap for me, and you expect me to eagerly jump in?

You're thinking too highly of yourselves.

Ji Renran's face turned pale, and she pitifully hugged her grandmother's arm, "I also know that Eldest Sister's work in the palace is not easy, so I wanted to share some of the burden for Eldest Sister. It is my fault, all my fault. Grandmother, please don't be angry with Eldest Sister."

The old madam naturally felt pained seeing her granddaughter distressed. However, when she looked at Ji Zizhao, her confidence was clearly lacking, "Ran'er indeed had good intentions, Zizhao, please don't take it to heart."

Ji Renran heard this, and her face turned even paler.

She had never imagined that the old madam would not scold Ji Zizhao.

The old madam would naturally not scold Ji Zizhao!

Things were different now; the honor of the entire Ji family rested on Ji Zizhao's shoulders. If the old madam wanted to continue living in comfort and abundance, she could not possibly fall out with Ji Zizhao.

Moreover, this stroke had made the old madam understand that Ji Zizhao's medical skills were not to be trifled with.

In this case, the old madam had even less reason to offend her deeply.

Otherwise, who would she turn to if she fell ill again?

Ji Zizhao watched Ji Renran's disappointed and shocked expression, and inwardly sneered.

The old madam still favored Ji Renran, it was true, but under the calculus of self-interest, the old madam's selfishness was gradually revealing itself.

Therefore, never treat today as yesterday.

Otherwise, the only one who would be disappointed would be yourself.

Seeing that her Eldest Sister had slowed down the pace, Ji Ziyan quickly seized the opportunity to say, "Eldest Sister, the remarried First Madam said she wants to continue managing half of the household's affairs."

Ji Zizhao: "..."

The ways Gu Peilan and her daughter caused trouble were truly endless.