The words were out thanks to Ji Ziyan, but Gu Peilan remained unfazed.
Half of the household's management power belonged to the Old Madam, which was why she dared to speak so boldly.
The Old Madam also spoke, "Since Madam Tong is the matriarch of the Ji family, she should naturally manage the Ji household. She did manage it before, and now I'm simply returning the management to her. It's not a major issue."
Her words were meant to elicit Ji Zizhao's tacit approval.
The current Old Madam feared Ji Zizhao and thus wanted to relinquish her authority.
This way, Gu Peilan, who held her power, would continue to assist her.
And she, in turn, wouldn't feel completely sidelined by Ji Zizhao.
Logically, Ji Zizhao wouldn't bother with household affairs.
However, on the last occasion, Gu Peilan had taken advantage of her managerial position to empty the Ji family's coffers.
Now that the matter was brought up again, if Ji Zizhao couldn't extract something from Gu Peilan, how could she let it go?
With a plan forming in her mind, Ji Zizhao smiled faintly, "It is indeed reasonable for the new First Madam to want to manage household affairs."
Upon hearing this, Gu Peilan felt something was amiss.
Having been tricked by Ji Zizhao so many times, her sudden agreement made her uneasy.
Ji Renran was also on high alert, "Does Eldest Sister truly mean it?"
Ji Zizhao raised an eyebrow at Ji Renran, "Didn't Sister Renran deliberately make things clear earlier, hoping I would vaguely agree? Now that I have agreed, why is Sister Renran unhappy?"
Ji Renran: "..."
Having been bitten too many times, she had developed a lingering fear.
The Old Madam also hadn't expected Ji Zizhao to agree so readily. Eager to finalize the matter, she quickly said, "Since that's the case, then this matter is..."
"It's still too early to decide."
The interrupting voice resounded, causing Gu Peilan and Ji Renran's hearts to lurch.
Following the sound, they saw it was Ji Zizhao again!
Gu Peilan: "..."
Ji Renran: "..."
They knew Ji Zizhao wouldn't be so kind!
Ji Renran sniffled, looking pitiful and wronged, "Does Eldest Sister intend to go back on her word?"
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly, "Once words are spoken, how can I retract them?"
Gu Peilan couldn't stand it, "Then why did Sister Zhao even interrupt the Old Madam?"
Ji Zizhao spoke with a look of helplessness, "The Ji family's household expenses are supported by the profits from the businesses belonging to the dowries of the various aunts. Now, the new First Madam is to manage half of it without any justification. Even if the Ji family doesn't say anything, it wouldn't sound good if it got out."
Others brought their dowries, yet you entered empty-handed, and now you want to flaunt your authority using your sisters-in-law's dowries? Even a con artist wouldn't be as shameless as you.
These words instantly enlightened the ladies present.
"Frankly, it's not that we disagree with the new First Madam managing household affairs. The crux of the matter is that the new First Madam herself has no dowry. How can she manage the Ji family's money?" Third Madam Yin Wenying said, nudging the Second Madam beside her.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan also added, "Our dowries were all truly given by our maiden families. It's only right that we contribute money to the household each month. But why should the new First Madam contribute nothing, and yet use the money we give?"
Gu Peilan was assailed by the barrage of accusations from the Third and Second Madams, making it difficult for her to stand steady.
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu pondered for a moment before saying, "It's not impossible for the new First Madam to manage household affairs. But it's always inappropriate to contribute nothing. We are all daughters-in-law. If there's an imbalance, it wouldn't be good, wouldn't you agree, Old Madam?"
Indeed, the Fourth Madam was the most formidable.
Bypassing Gu Peilan, she directly stirred up trouble for the Old Madam.
The Old Madam hadn't thought much of it initially, but upon hearing this...
It seemed to make sense.
In the past, Gu Peilan had two children and no support, so she had to give her whatever she wanted.
But now, Gu Peilan was relying on the connection between Sister Ran and the Fifth Prince, and had the Tong family's backing.
To put it bluntly, Gu Peilan now belonged to the Tong family.
The Old Madam naturally wanted the family's finances to be as robust as possible, so she could live more comfortably.
Seeing her grandmother waver, Ji Zizhao added more fuel to the fire, "Speaking of which, the new First Madam has been back for some time. It was the Ji family's fault before for letting the new First Madam live outside. But now that the Ji family has accepted the new First Madam, and allowed Sister Renran and Brother Zongyou to return to the family fold, if the Tong family truly approves of this marriage, they wouldn't fail to show their support."
Gu Peilan's heart pounded with anxiety, "Show what kind of support?"
Third Madam Yin Wenying stood up and affectionately linked arms with Gu Peilan, "Naturally, it's the dowry. Eldest Sister, please don't be humble. The Tong family is prosperous and influential, they wouldn't mistreat Eldest Sister. It's also a good chance for us sisters-in-law to see the Tong family's strength."
Second Madam Yu Fenglan also smiled, "Exactly, we'll just wait and see."
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu didn't forget to add a final jab, "Once the dowry arrives, Eldest Sister managing household affairs will be only natural."
Gu Peilan: "..."
How did things turn out like this!
Ji Renran's expression darkened. Seeing that her grandmother hadn't spoken, her face grew even more grim.
Last time she wrote to the Fifth Prince about arranging a marriage for Ji Zizhao, the Fifth Prince hadn't replied.
She didn't know what had displeased the Fifth Prince.
Initially, she had hoped that by having her mother manage household affairs this time, the Fifth Prince would recognize her capability.
But she hadn't expected...
That it would actually drag the Tong family into this.
The thought of this matter escalating to the Fifth Prince made Ji Renran's head ache just thinking about it.
The main hall was in an uproar, with every madam smiling but harboring daggers, leaving Gu Peilan with no room to defend herself.
Ji Zizhao simply crossed her sleeves and sat to the side, quietly watching the spectacle.
Didn't the Fifth Prince like to support Ji Renran?
Didn't the Tong family want to help Gu Peilan?
Then this time, they shouldn't hold back.
It was time to contribute money and effort.
Gu Peilan, worn down by her sisters-in-law's persistent badgering, had no choice but to reluctantly agree.
Ji Renran was furious that her mother was so easily swayed. When everyone left the main courtyard, her face, still livid, hadn't recovered.
"Eldest Sister." Ji Ziyan caught up with Ji Zizhao, who was walking ahead.
Ji Zizhao stopped at the sound and looked at her third sister with a smile.
Ji Ziyan walked beside Ji Zizhao, accompanying her on the way back, "Eldest Sister, do you think the Tong family will provide a dowry?"
Ji Zizhao chuckled, "Whether they provide one or not isn't important."
For now, by dangling the household management before Gu Peilan, Gu Peilan would have to approach the Tong family for a dowry, no matter how difficult it was.
But the Tong family hadn't given birth to Gu Peilan, so they naturally wouldn't be willing.
This way, Gu Peilan would have to ask Ji Renran to speak to the Fifth Prince.
If the Fifth Prince didn't want to discard Ji Renran as a pawn, he would naturally have to willingly play the fool.