Gu Peilan remained silent, not daring to speak, facing the direct confrontation from the Old Madam of the Zhong family.
To tease the Old Madam so fiercely, if she dared to open her mouth, wouldn't she be utterly defeated?
Madam Yang sat to the side, watching. It was impossible not to be astonished.
This Old Madam of the Zhong family was truly bold in her words.
When Ji Zizhao entered, she saw her grandmother's face, green with anger from the confrontation.
"Your granddaughter pays her respects to Grandmother, greets Aunt, and Ji Zizhao greets the Old Madam of the Zhong family." As if completely unaware, Ji Zizhao took a few steps forward and bowed in greeting.
The Old Madam of the Zhong family did not speak, studying Ji Zizhao closely.
She was indeed good-looking, with the heroic spirit of the Ji family men in her eyes.
However, due to her displeasure with the Old Madam, the Old Madam of the Zhong family held no hope for Ji Zizhao at this moment.
It was Madam Yang, on the other hand, who excitedly stood up upon seeing Ji Zizhao, "Is it really Zizhao?"
Madam Yang pulled Ji Zizhao to examine her from head to toe, and as she looked, her eyes reddened.
She had heard from her husband and knew that Zizhao had not had an easy time in the Ji family. Seeing her now, thin as paper, how could she not feel heartache?
Seeing this, Gu Peilan softly said, "I didn't expect Madam Yang to be so sentimental. If someone didn't know, seeing this scene, they might think that Sister Zhao has suffered some injustice at home."
This statement was too obviously trying to pick a fight.
The Old Madam immediately frowned, clearly displeased.
Madam Yang was not one to shy away from trouble, but she found Gu Peilan very perplexing.
She genuinely did not know this woman's identity and was also puzzled. Normally, since she had been here for so long, why hadn't she seen her husband's younger sister yet?
Because she didn't know her identity, Madam Yang found it difficult to say anything.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the main hall became somewhat awkward.
The Old Madam of the Zhong family had no time for other families' trivial matters and prepared to take her leave.
Just then, Ji Zizhao's voice rang out.
"It is Zizhao's filial impiety. Aunt traveled a long distance and was not personally welcomed. Aunt, please don't cry, otherwise, if Uncle finds out when we return, he will surely blame me for not taking good care of Aunt." Ji Zizhao gently wiped the moist corners of Madam Yang's eyes, not forgetting to flash a playful smile.
This simple sentence immediately relieved Madam Yang's embarrassment.
Most importantly, the Ji family had no room to find fault with her words.
The Old Madam of the Zhong family, who had just started to stand up, instinctively sat back down.
This Ji Zizhao seemed rather interesting.
Seeing that she could not find fault, the Old Madam looked at the Old Madam of the Zhong family and said, "Sister Zhao is here, so speak if you have something to say."
When the Old Madam of the Zhong family came, she did indeed have something to say, but after observing the current atmosphere of the Ji family, she hesitated whether to voice her intentions.
After all, that matter was not a trivial one.
Seeing the Old Madam of the Zhong family remain silent, the Old Madam frowned displeasuredly and urged, "You yourself said you wanted to find Sister Zhao, but now you are silent. Is this kind of going back on your word the family tradition of your Zhong family?"
These words were quite harsh.
The Old Madam of the Zhong family's expression also darkened.
"Last time I went to the Zhong family to take my granddaughter's pulse, I heard Xin Yi mention the heroic spirit of the Old General of the Zhong family, and I was greatly impressed. I also understood that the reason Old General Zhong could bravely fight on the battlefield was inseparable from the efforts of his virtuous wife, the Old Madam of the Zhong family. When I was in a good mood that day, I did say that I would personally visit the Old Madam of the Zhong family when I had the time. Unfortunately... I have been too busy, causing the Old Madam of the Zhong family to personally visit her juniors. It is my fault."
Ji Zizhao smiled appropriately, directly dissolving the Old Madam of the Zhong family's sentiment.
Even for the sake of Ji Zizhao's words, the Old Madam of the Zhong family found it difficult to argue further with the Old Madam.
The Old Madam of the Zhong family looked at the young yet remarkably mature and steady woman before her, a flicker of astonishment in her eyes.
Her words, though worldly and seasoned, sounded inexplicably pleasant coming from Ji Zizhao's mouth.
Ji Zizhao truly did not know what discord existed between her grandmother and the Old Madam of the Zhong family.
However, a guest was a guest, and in front of her, she had to preserve the Old Madam of the Zhong family's dignity.
Otherwise, how would she face the Zhong family in the future?
Whether it was Zhong Xinyi, the Fourth Prince, or the Seventh Prince, since they had shown her kindness, she had to reciprocate with thoughtfulness.
Gu Peilan, seeing Ji Zizhao's skill in navigating the situation, was furious. "How can Sister Zhao be so disrespectful? Where is it appropriate for a junior to interrupt elders?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Yang frowned displeasedly at Gu Peilan.
The logic was correct, but coming from her mouth, it sounded so unpleasant.
And who exactly are you? The person standing beside the Old Madam of the in-laws should be her husband's younger sister, shouldn't she?
Madam Yang certainly would not allow anyone to trouble her niece in front of her. Before she could speak, Ji Zizhao smiled and said again, "The current First Madam speaks well, but since the Old Madam of the Zhong family has come specifically for me today, why should I remain silent? If word were to get out, I would be accused of my Ji family not knowing how to entertain guests."
"Sister Zhao is indeed eloquent."
"The current First Madam has been living alone with Sister Renran and Brother Zongyou all these years, so it's understandable that you've been too busy to manage everything, and have inevitably overlooked some rules. However, if you pretend to know what you don't, you will make a laughingstock of the Old Madam of the Zhong family."
Gu Peilan, ...
If she weren't holding on, she would have fainted on the spot!
The Old Madam was already displeased with Gu Peilan's dullness. Now, after hearing Ji Zizhao's words, let alone helping Gu Peilan, she didn't even want to look at her.
She was even more inclined to believe that the eldest branch of the family had always been thoughtful and articulate. If the eldest branch were still around, perhaps today would have been a different scene.
Madam Yang showed no expression.
She was too shocked to have any expression!
What did she mean by "current First Madam"?
Shouldn't the First Madam of the Ji family be her sister-in-law?!
The Old Madam of the Zhong family watched quietly and suddenly said with a smile, "I've long heard that the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is remarkable, and seeing her today indeed makes one look at her with new admiration. Since that is the case, I will be straightforward. I have come today to find the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family because our Zhong family wishes to acknowledge the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family as an adopted granddaughter."
This statement hit everyone present quite hard.
Even Madam Yang, whose thoughts were still on Gu Peilan, trembled.
After all, the Zhong family was extremely renowned in the imperial city.
They were the maternal family of the current Empress, and had been conferred the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Valor by the Emperor himself!
Even when the Ji family was once prosperous, they could not compare to the Zhong family.
Ji Zizhao was also surprised. She truly hadn't expected this.