Madam He was clearly taken aback by the remark.
The Zhong family’s recognition of a godchild was no small affair; it was no exaggeration to say that the imperial capital’s prominent families would gather that day.
Madam He could understand the invitation to the eldest daughter of the Xue family.
But Xue Xiaochun and Madam Xue…
Were they not perhaps of insufficient standing?
Madam He felt that their presence would lower the status of her young lady.
Seeing that her young lady was not hesitant, Madam He could only quickly leave the estate to carry out the instructions.
After Madam He left, Ji Zizhao summoned Xueying to her side. "Follow Madam He carefully, and observe the reactions of Madam Xue and Xue Xiaochun closely."
Ji Zizhao understood perfectly what it meant for Madam Xue and Xue Xiaochun to attend such an important occasion.
However, if she wanted to catch a big fish, she had to cast the bait first.
Xueying, unable to fathom her young lady’s intentions, went directly to Madam Xue’s courtyard upon arriving at the Xue estate.
Just then, the Xue family’s madam entered the courtyard.
Upon hearing the commotion, Madam Xue was so startled that she dropped her chopsticks.
Clearly, she was excessively frightened.
Xue Yongnian, who was dining with Madam Xue, saw this and could only comfort her with concern.
"There, there, no need to be so flustered. I will be with you no matter what happens." Ever since Xiaochun’s engagement was broken, she had been like a startled bird. Although she was merely a concubine, he would not have allowed her into his home and to bear children if he hadn’t loved her.
Seeing this, Madam Xue naturally leaned into Xue Yongnian’s embrace.
The Xue family madam saw this very scene as she entered.
Xue Yongnian felt nothing improper about it. In the past, he had been too mindful of his principal wife's face and feelings, hence maintaining a distance and coldness towards Madam Xue. But he truly hadn't expected his wife to do something so excessive, deliberately calling the eldest daughter of the Ji family on the day of Xiaochun’s engagement.
If Ji Zizhao hadn't been present that day, Sun Lu would not have unilaterally broken off the engagement.
Madam Xue and Xiaochun would not now be in such a state of panic and sorrow…
Xue Yongnian did not blame Ji Zizhao, but he still harbored some resentment towards his wife.
Lost in his own assumptions, Xue Yongnian naturally did not notice the corner of Madam Xue’s lips curling into a sly smile.
The Xue family madam did see it, but to avoid unnecessary disputes, she chose to ignore it. "Ji family has just sent word. In a few days, the Zhong family will recognize the eldest daughter of the Ji family as a god-grandchild and has invited Madam Xue to attend the banquet with Xue Xiaochun."
Xue Yongnian frowned and instinctively wanted to refuse.
After all, it was the Zhong family hosting, and it would be quite inappropriate for his concubine to represent them.
However, Madam Xue spoke first, "I did not expect the eldest daughter of the Ji family to be so compassionate towards me and Xiaochun. Perhaps the eldest daughter of the Ji family is still bothered by Xiaochun's broken engagement. While it is not proper for me and Xiaochun to attend, it is difficult to refuse the eldest daughter of the Ji family's kind intentions."
This statement clearly implied that the Xue family madam cared less about Xue Xiaochun than an outsider.
If it had been in the past, Xue Yongnian might not have paid it much mind, but with recent events, he couldn't help but doubt his wife's intentions.
Seeing that Xue Yongnian was swayed, Madam Xue further embraced Xue Yongnian’s neck and acted coquettishly.
Xue Yongnian finally had to nod, agreeing to Madam Xue bringing Xue Xiaochun to the banquet.
The Xue family madam had no idea how she managed to walk out of the courtyard, feeling an intense coldness in her heart.
Indeed, no woman could remain calm and composed when faced with her husband's favoritism and suspicion.
Xue Yinuo was so enraged upon learning that Xue Xiaochun would accompany her to the Zhong family that she nearly set Xue Xiaochun's courtyard ablaze.
Similarly, Xue Xiaochun was also quite furious upon hearing the news.
"What does Ji Zizhao mean? Is she trying to show off to me?"
Madam Xue smiled and said, "Even if she is showing off, so what? She flaunts her things, and we gain ours."
Xue Xiaochun was startled, "What does Auntie mean…?"
"Think about it. The Zhong family is hosting a banquet, and all the prominent families of the imperial capital will be attending. These are people we could never hope to curry favor with in our lifetime. Now such a good opportunity is presented to us, what are you still hesitating about?"
"But I only like Sun Lu…"
"If that is the case, you can bring Sun Lu along that day. He would not miss such a good opportunity to meet influential people. If Sun Lu truly meets a benefactor, he will surely thank you. By then, your relationship with him will naturally progress smoothly, won't it?"
In fact, even if Xue Xiaochun hadn't said it, Madam Xue had intended to have Sun Lu attend.
After all, a son-in-law who was so respectful and obedient to her was hard to find.
Xue Xiaochun was moved by Madam Xue’s words and secretly left the estate that evening to find Sun Lu.
Sun Lu was quite surprised when he heard Xue Xiaochun's intentions.
Being able to meet influential people was naturally good. If he truly became successful, he would look down on Xue Xiaochun, let alone Xue Yinuo, if they stood before him.
But for now, Sun Lu certainly would not let Xue Xiaochun see through him.
"Xiaochun, I never expected you to think so much for me. I truly…" As Sun Lu spoke, he pulled Xue Xiaochun onto the bed behind him.
Xue Xiaochun was still a bit shy, but considering they were not strangers to such acts, she half-heartedly embraced Sun Lu.
Inside, the room was filled with passion.
Outside, Xueying watched with waves of nausea.
When Ji Zizhao heard the news, she was also astonished.
She had not expected Xue Xiaochun to be so bold as to commit such a shameful act.
No wonder Xue Xiaochun was so infatuated with Sun Lu; there was indeed such a connection.
"Young lady, if you don't want Sun Lu to appear that day, I have plenty of ways." For Xueying, making someone disappear temporarily, let alone permanently, was as easy as flipping a hand.
Ji Zizhao shook her head, "If Sun Lu doesn't come, I will be troubled."
After all, the fish she intended to catch was Sun Lu.
Ji Zizhao could already imagine how terrible Xue Yinuo's situation would be just thinking about it.
Yet, even so, Xue Yinuo had never once complained to her.
Since Xue Yinuo trusted her so much, she naturally couldn't let Xue Yinuo down.
Now, all was ready, and only the east wind was needed.
Ji Zizhao was simply waiting for the day at the Zhong family to tear the masks off Sun Lu and Madam Xue.
Finally finishing her tasks, it was already late at night.
Ji Zizhao supported her tired body as she walked towards the inner room, but as she passed by the door, she heard a faint knocking.
"Knock, knock, knock…"
After three even knocks, there was no further sound from outside.
This demonstrated the visitor's good upbringing.
However, having one's boudoir door knocked on in the middle of the night felt incredibly strange, no matter how one thought about it.
If it were someone else, they might have been scared to death.
But Ji Zizhao remained very calm.
After all, to be able to evade Xueying and Mo Hen, and to possess such manners as to knock before entering…
In this world, there was only one person who could and had the ability to do such a thing.