As the sun climbed higher, more and more guests arrived at the Zhong family's residence.
Zhong Xinyi, busy with greeting visitors, had her trusted嬷嬷 escort Ji Zizhao and Xue Yinuo to the backyard.
The Zhong family's backyard was already bustling with excitement, with many young ladies from the main city gathered together.
The moment Ji Zizhao and Xue Yinuo entered, they heard Xue Xiaochun surrounded by a group of young ladies.
Normally, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children in the main city was very clear, and they each had their own social circles.
In a situation like today, Xue Xiaochun should have been excluded. Su Dan novel network
Xue Yinuo, curious, approached them, wanting to hear what Xue Xiaochun was discussing with the other young ladies.
As it turned out, Xue Xiaochun was telling everyone, "You all don't know, Ji Zizhao has a very good relationship with our family, and she often tries to please us. Although I don't know why, since Ji Zizhao is showing goodwill, our Xue family can't refuse. Just like today, I didn't want to come, but my姨娘 told me not to lose face for Ji Zizhao, so I came."
Xue Yinuo: "..."
Why did she come to eavesdrop!
Looking at Xue Xiaochun, who was showing off while claiming how difficult it was for her, Xue Yinuo wished she could kick her out of the Zhong family and send her back to the Xue family.
"In that case, it must have been difficult for Miss Xue Xiaochun," Ji Zizhao said, walking to Xue Yinuo's side. She then pulled Xue Yinuo behind her, thinking that dealing with someone like Xue Xiaochun didn't require any effort.
Xue Xiaochun only wanted to avoid being ignored, so she tried to use Ji Zizhao's name to win people over. She never expected to be caught by Ji Zizhao herself.
Xue Xiaochun was not foolish; she knew that her presence here was due to Ji Zizhao.
However, with so many people watching, if she backed down now, wouldn't she become a laughingstock?
"Didn't you send someone to deliver invitations to me and my姨娘?" Xue Xiaochun was confident that even with her Xue family's reputation, Ji Zizhao would not dare to fall out with them completely.
"The invitations were indeed sent by me, but I never forced anyone. If Miss Xue Xiaochun dislikes it, you can leave directly. I, Ji Zizhao, will never stop you."
Ji Zizhao invited Xue Xiaochun with the intention of fishing.
Now that the fish had taken the bait, Ji Zizhao would not indulge Xue Xiaochun.
Xue Xiaochun was shocked. She never expected Ji Zizhao to speak like this, "Then why did you send me an invitation!"
Ji Zizhao smiled and said, "I sent an invitation to Miss Xue Xiaochun out of consideration for you being Yinuo's sister. Yinuo always speaks highly of you, so I took note of it. But now, it seems Miss Xiaochun is completely different from the person Yinuo described."
This time, it was Xue Yinuo's turn to be shocked.
She never imagined that Ji Zizhao could praise her while refuting someone.
From the moment they entered the Zhong family's gates, Xue Xiaochun and her姨娘 had been causing trouble in various ways. Of course, the guests present would not criticize the mother and daughter, because in the eyes of the ladies and legitimate daughters of the main city, the shame brought by an illegitimate child was due to the improper upbringing of the legitimate family.
Just moments ago, the young ladies present had all been silently mocking Xue Yinuo in their hearts.
What a disgrace for a legitimate daughter to be embarrassed by an illegitimate one.
But now, with Ji Zizhao's words, the young ladies present could no longer laugh.
They were all legitimate daughters too. Look at Miss Xue, the elder daughter of the Xue family; she constantly found opportunities to bring her illegitimate sister out to see the world. Yet, when they looked at themselves, they had always disliked and disdained the illegitimate daughters in their households.
In contrast, the difference in upbringing and cultivation was evident.
Even Xue Yinuo felt that her own character had been elevated by Ji Zizhao's words.
Xue Xiaochun knew perfectly well that things were not as Ji Zizhao described. However, the fact remained that she was standing in the Zhong family. Even if she argued until she was blue in the face, no one would believe her.
This scene left the young gentlemen watching from not too far away utterly stunned.
Initially, they had wanted to see for themselves with Zhong Shaowen, whether the Ji family's eldest daughter, who was said to have extraordinary character, talent, demeanor, and appearance, was truly an immortal descended to earth. Instead, they had stumbled upon this scene.
If they hadn't witnessed it with their own eyes, who would have believed that Xue Yinuo, who had already become a laughingstock, had been completely transformed with just a few words and the assistance of Ji Zizhao?
Zhong Shaowen smiled and said, "How about it? Didn't I tell you Ji Zizhao is amazing?"
Everyone present had indeed heard of Ji Zizhao's reputation.
However, rumors in the imperial city were always unreliable, and most people dismissed them as mere gossip.
To their surprise, seeing her today truly dazzled their eyes!
"This eldest daughter of the Ji family truly lives up to her reputation."
"I say, your Zhong family was quick to act. If I had known, I would have asked my father if he wanted to take in a goddaughter."
"Save it. Your family... would the eldest daughter of the Ji family even fancy you?"
Voices of flattery directed at Ji Zizhao constantly arose from the crowd.
Sun Lu, also standing in the crowd, his expression grew increasingly grim.
He had always known Xue Xiaochun was an idiot, otherwise, she wouldn't have been so easily manipulated by him.
But he hadn't expected her to be so foolish as to pave the way for others in public.
Sun Lu didn't care about Xue Xiaochun's life or death, but he couldn't let her be driven out of here, or he would be kicked out along with her.
Today was a rare opportunity to curry favor with the powerful, and Sun Lu was unwilling to miss it.
With this thought, Sun Lu stepped forward and bowed to Ji Zizhao, clasping his fists. "Xiaochun is simple-minded and speaks her mind. I hope the eldest daughter of the Ji family will be magnanimous and not hold it against her."
Sun Lu dared to show himself because he wasn't afraid of Ji Zizhao bringing up past grievances.
After all, Ji Zizhao had no proof. If she dared to bring it up, he would have an excuse to accuse her of framing him.
Sun Lu had accumulated some connections and a good reputation in the imperial city during this period, so he wasn't afraid of Ji Zizhao causing trouble.
Ji Zizhao was well aware of Sun Lu's little scheme.
However, dredging up the past and refuting him were not mutually exclusive. "Since Miss Xue Xiaochun is so wonderful, why did Young Master Sun break off your engagement with Miss Xue Xiaochun?"
Sun Lu's heart tightened. He quickly smiled and said, "It was just some misunderstanding. Speaking of which, I know I had some unpleasantness with the eldest daughter of the Ji family before. However, at that time, I was unaware of the eldest daughter of the Ji family's identity. If I offended you in any way, I hope the eldest daughter of the Ji family will forgive me."
Sun Lu's demeanor was remarkably humble.
Moreover, Sun Lu's words were intentionally ambiguous. If Ji Zizhao insisted on pursuing the matter, it would be her fault.