The madams of each household, no matter how uneasy they were, knew that Ji Zizhao was working hard in the palace and should not be disturbed.
Therefore, this arduous and glorious task naturally fell upon Ji Ziyan.
Ji Ziyan sat in her elder sister's room, looking truly distressed.
Was she really going to bother her elder sister while she rested?
At this moment, Ji Ziyan sincerely wished she were as free as her second and fourth sisters, flying freely outside.
Ji Zizhao looked at her third sister's troubled expression and understood without her saying a word, "Are you here about Miss Renran's matter?"
Seeing that her elder sister had guessed it, Ji Ziyan could only steel herself and disturb her, "It's not that we in the family are worried without reason. Since the remarried First Madam brought her children into the household, we have always been at odds with her. If Miss Renran truly becomes the Fifth Prince's consort, the remarried First Madam will surely gain the upper hand."
Especially now that Gu Peilan only controlled half of the Ji family's household affairs. Given Gu Peilan's insatiable nature, who knew if she would take this opportunity to seize the other half of the household affairs as well.
Ji Zizhao chuckled, "I, however, do not think Miss Renran will become the Fifth Prince's consort."
Ji Ziyan was taken aback, "What does Eldest Sister mean by that?"
"No matter how submissive and timid the Fifth Prince may appear on the outside, he is the only son of Noble Consort Xi in the palace. Although Miss Renran is our family's legitimate daughter now, she is still far from being comparable to other influential families in the imperial city. Historically, imperial consorts choose fiancées for princes based on family power."
"But since an invitation was sent from the palace, doesn't that mean Noble Consort Xi kept Miss Renran's portrait?"
Given the Ji family's current standing, Noble Consort Xi would not consider them even if she were blind.
Yet, Noble Consort Xi had kept Ji Renran's portrait.
Thinking of the Fifth Prince's deliberate appearance today, Ji Zizhao felt as if it was all a pointed gesture.
As if it was aimed at her.
But what was strange was that she was not among the young ladies summoned to the palace this time.
"There's no rule stating that a young lady summoned to the palace this time will definitely be chosen. Many have been chosen as secondary consorts after entering the palace in previous years. So, please tell your aunts to relax. Miss Renran will certainly not become the Fifth Prince's consort."
Ji Zizhao couldn't fathom what Noble Consort Xi and the Fifth Prince were plotting, but she remained certain that Ji Renran's daydreams would remain just that.
However, she had to be extremely cautious with the young ladies entering the palace this time.
If she were to accidentally fall back into that hellhole of the Fifth Prince's mansion, just thinking about it made her stomach churn.
Seeing her elder sister say this, Ji Ziyan was relieved.
As she stood up to leave, Ji Zizhao called her back again, "Have you heard how the marriage arranged by the remarried First Madam is progressing?"
Ji Ziyan knew perfectly well who this marriage was being arranged for.
Indeed, Ji Ziyan said, "It's strange, the remarried First Madam is bustling with arrangements in the mansion, but she hasn't released any news. However, I have seen the remarried First Madam going out quite often these past few days."
This suggested that there should already be a candidate.
Ji Zizhao was not in a hurry. Anyone who married into the Ji family, no matter how Gu Peilan tried to hide it, would eventually reveal themselves.
Indeed, a few days later, the prospective family came to the mansion.
However, to everyone's surprise, this person turned out to be Madam Zou.
So...
The person marrying into the Ji family was Zou Siyan?!
The madams of each household had no particular reaction. Marriage was a matter of willingness on both sides. Since the young lady of the Zou family was willing to marry a eunuch, why should they worry?
However, Ji Zizhao was surprised when she heard the news.
She hadn't expected it to be the Zou family.
Now that the Fifth Prince controlled Ji Renran, he naturally wanted to know every detail of the Ji family.
And the marriage of Ji Zongyou was clearly an opportunity to plant an informant in the Ji family. How could the Fifth Prince, accustomed to lurking in the shadows and backstabbing, miss such an opportunity?
Ji Zizhao had suspected early on, when she was in the Imperial Academy, that Noble Consort Xi had an informant there.
Now, it seemed her guess was correct.
The engagement between the Zou family and the Ji family was set quickly. Within a few days, it was time for the betrothal gifts.
As the person in charge of the Ji family, Ji Zizhao had to attend personally.
However, due to Ji Zizhao's duties in the palace during the day, the betrothal ceremony had to be scheduled for the evening.
Gu Peilan, who had been impatiently waiting in the mansion, saw Ji Zizhao's carriage and immediately approached with a smiling face, "Sister Zizhao, why have you returned so early today? Seeing how diligently you are working for Zongyou, I, as his mother, feel ashamed."
Fubao was startled by Gu Peilan's beaming smile.
Had the remarried First Madam forgotten to take her medicine today, or taken the wrong one?
Ji Zizhao didn't have time to look at Gu Peilan's face full of hypocrisy, but the smile on her face served as a reminder.
A weasel wishing the chickens a Happy New Year meant ill intentions.
As expected, once Gu Peilan got into the carriage, she incessantly spoke ill of others to Ji Zizhao.
Her words clearly accused Zou Siyan of cursing Ji Zizhao, and subtly implied that Zou Siyan was disrespectful to Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao listened indifferently the entire time, remaining quite composed.
She had already kicked Zou Siyan out of the Ji family. It would be more unsettling if Zou Siyan still held her in high regard.
Seeing Ji Zizhao's consistently placid expression, Gu Peilan, unable to gauge Ji Zizhao's thoughts, became anxious and angry.
She had originally planned to leverage her daughter's selection into the palace to secure a good marriage for her son.
But unexpectedly, the Fifth Prince had specifically requested Zou Siyan to marry into the family.
Gu Peilan had met Zou Siyan before. She was pampered, disrespectful, and had a face that foretold the death of her husband.
Thinking of such a woman becoming her daughter-in-law, Gu Peilan couldn't sleep soundly.
But she could not, and dared not, refuse the Fifth Prince's wishes. However, Ji Zizhao could.
Therefore, Gu Peilan put all her effort into gossiping in front of Ji Zizhao.
However, Gu Peilan's petty schemes had long been seen through by Ji Zizhao.
So, when they arrived at the Zou family's residence, Ji Zizhao said only pleasant things, and chose her words carefully.
But the happier Ji Zizhao smiled, the more Gu Peilan and Madam Zou's faces darkened.
Gu Peilan did not want to marry Zou Siyan as her daughter-in-law; did Madam Zou want her daughter to marry a eunuch?
Yet, Ji Zizhao was determined to watch the show, and her smile grew even brighter.
Such a spectacle wasn't something that happened every year.
She naturally had to enjoy it to the fullest.
The marriage between the two families was finalized amidst Ji Zizhao's blooming smile.
Meanwhile, Ji Renran, still at the Ji residence, was silently shedding tears over a letter from the Fifth Prince.
She had read this letter several times, but each time she found it unbearable.
She truly hadn't expected things to turn out this way.
Nanny Song stood by, consoling her, "As long as Miss Renran handles this matter beautifully, not only will the Fifth Prince remember Miss Renran's kindness, but even Noble Consort Xi in the palace will not mistreat Miss Renran."
Ji Renran raised her tear-streaked face, "Is what Nanny says true?"
Nanny Song coaxed, "Of course it's true. This old servant also wishes Miss Renran well."
Hearing this, Ji Renran's tears gradually stopped, and she calmed down.
Yes, since things had already happened, what was the use of crying?
However, Nanny Song was right about one thing. If she helped Noble Consort Xi and the Fifth Prince handle this matter properly, even if she couldn't become the Fifth Prince's consort, she could at least become a secondary consort. SuDan Novel Network
Wasn't Noble Consort Xi afraid that if she mistreated her, she would reveal the matter?
She must have been afraid.
Thinking this, Ji Renran even began to feel a sense of smugness.
If the matter was successfully handled, Ji Zizhao would have to watch her and the Fifth Prince show off their affection for the rest of her life.
After all, the Fifth Prince still liked her.
As for Ji Zizhao, she was merely a means to appease Noble Consort Xi.