Compared to the abundant breakfast at Zhaoyuan, the guest courtyard where Madam Yang resided was even more extravagant.
As early as this morning, there was even crystal pork knuckle on the table.
Setting aside whether Madam Yang could eat such greasy food, she was quite taken aback.
Just for breakfast, there were dozens of dishes. Even if they were mining gold, they wouldn't dare to be so wasteful, would they?
When Ji Zizhao arrived, she saw Madam Yang staring at the table full of food, unsure of where to begin.
Seeing Ji Zizhao enter, Madam Yang quickly went to greet her, "Why didn't you sleep in more?"
"My aunt is visiting, so I naturally had to come see you first," Ji Zizhao said, then glanced at the round table in the inner hall and curved her lips silently.
It was just as she had thought.
Madam Yang followed Ji Zizhao's gaze, then pulled her aside and whispered, "Zizhao, tell your aunt the truth, has something happened to the Ji family?"
Something like, they've thrown caution to the wind, with no regard for tomorrow?
Otherwise, who would eat like this!
Ji Zizhao looked at her aunt's worried expression and felt a warmth in her heart.
If others were treated with such deference, they would likely be so happy they'd forget to go home.
But her aunt wasn't happy; instead, she was filled with worry from Ji Zizhao's perspective.
Meeting Madam Yang's worried gaze, Ji Zizhao didn't hide anything, honestly revealing Gu Peilan's identity and her mother's death.
Of course, Ji Zizhao didn't tell her aunt that her mother's death was related to Gu Peilan.
Even so, it made Madam Yang's eyes widen in shock.
She was furious.
"No wonder, I was curious yesterday why it wasn't my aunt standing beside Old Madam Ji. So, so... it's truly awful. I never realized she was such a usurper!" Madam Yang said, pacing back and forth, clearly very angered.
When her husband returned to the Yang family, he had spoken of Zizhao's difficult situation. But at that time, at least his sister was still around and could help Zizhao somewhat.
Now, to think his sister had...
If her husband and parents-in-law knew, they would be heartbroken.
"Zizhao, don't worry about this. I will definitely have your maternal grandfather and grandmother seek justice for you!"
Zizhao's personality was such that she was never valued by the Ji family since childhood. Now that her parents were gone, one could imagine how hard it must be for her to live in the Ji family.
Madam Yang wished she could sprout wings and fly back to the Yang family to deliver the news.
Looking at Ji Zizhao again, Madam Yang's eyes were red, "Zizhao, it'll be alright. Your father-in-law and mother-in-law love your aunt so much, even if it's out of love for her, they won't stand by and watch you suffer here."
Especially her mother-in-law, her affection for her sister-in-law was obvious.
Otherwise, her mother-in-law wouldn't have insisted so strongly back then for her sister-in-law to take her own surname.
Ji Zizhao held her aunt's hand, feeling moved. However, she hadn't come today to complain. Seeing Madam Yang's reddened eyes, she said, "Please, Aunt, do not tell my maternal grandparents about this matter."
Madam Yang, "..."
Had this child been bullied into foolishness?
Ji Zizhao smiled, "It's not that I'm suffering. My aunts are very good to me."
"But even if they are good, it's not the same. Old Madam Ji is muddled. What about your future marriage prospects? Do you really intend to live alone and die in the Ji family?"
"No, I'll be leaving the Ji family in a while."
"Leaving the Ji family? Where will you go?"
"The Fourth Prince's residence."
Madam Yang, "..."
It felt like she had heard a huge piece of gossip!
Ji Zizhao going to the Fourth Prince's residence couldn't possibly be for a casual visit.
What else could she be doing there?
Madam Yang, being an experienced woman, instantly understood.
When her husband returned last time, he had mentioned that Zizhao was mature and steady, capable of great things.
But Madam Yang couldn't fathom, even if she racked her brains, that this child had managed to arrange her own marriage!
And to a prince at that...
The more Madam Yang thought about it, the more uneasy she became, and tears finally streamed down her face. "How much suffering have you endured to achieve this?"
If her parents were still alive, why would they let a child go through so much trouble?
"Marriage is a joyous occasion. Aunt, please don't cry anymore. If you hurt your eyes, your uncle will be heartbroken when he sees them," Ji Zizhao took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her aunt's eyes.
Madam Yang, who had been feeling heartbroken, couldn't help but smile through her tears at these words.
It was only at this moment that she realized Ji Zizhao was truly too mature.
Thinking of her own disappointing daughter, she wished she could put her back in the womb and start all over.
They both had the same head, so why was the gap so huge?
Ji Zizhao chatted with her aunt for a while longer before getting up to leave.
Jian Qiu watched as her young lady walked out and quickly followed, "Miss, do you really not want to remind Madam Yang?"
The matter of the new Madam actively trying to befriend them...
It felt like a weasel visiting a chicken on New Year's Eve.
"No need, this is sufficient."
Although Ji Zizhao had only hinted at things today, her aunt would already have her own thoughts.
Gu Peilan, knowing that one must be indebted for favors received, had subtly let her aunt taste the benefits first. Then, when she needed to ask for something, even if her aunt was reluctant, she would have to give a symbolic nod.
But that was only when her aunt was completely unaware.
Although Ji Zizhao didn't interact with her aunt often and might still feel a bit distant, from their conversation, it was clear that her aunt was a very protective person.
Given this, how could her aunt have a good impression of Gu Peilan after learning that she had stepped over her mother's corpse to enter the family?
Now, her aunt was likely disgusted with Gu Peilan, so Gu Peilan's invitation was simply walking into a trap.
"Even if my mother's death is not related to the Yang family, my aunt will still feel somewhat indebted. If I were to remind my aunt of the new Madam's ulterior motives, my aunt would only think that she not only failed to help me but almost became someone else's bait. In that case... my aunt would likely feel even more distressed."
"So, Miss only hinted at it?"
"Only by hinting at it will my aunt feel that she has made amends for her guilt by stepping forward for me. And only when my aunt feels better can she help me conceal things from my maternal grandparents."
The internal divisions within the Ji family were already quite evident.
Furthermore, it involved the struggle for power among the princes.
Ji Zizhao certainly didn't want to drag the Yang family into it.
Otherwise, given the Fifth Prince's insidious nature, who knew what harm he might inflict upon the Yang family.
Jian Qiu looked at her young lady walking ahead, feeling both heartache and admiration.
What they called "scheming to the fullest" probably wouldn't be more than this.