The courtyard, packed to capacity, was as silent as if not a single crow were cawing.
The various madams of the manor, after their initial surprise, were genuinely and heartily delighted. After all, compared to a concubine like Ji Renran, Ji Zizhao was the Fourth Prince's lawfully wedded Consort!
Ji Zibi had heard from her second sister early on that their eldest sister had a history with the Fourth Prince. Now, upon hearing that her eldest sister had become the Fourth Prince's Consort, she was simply happy from the bottom of her heart, without much astonishment.
Unlike Ji Ziyun, who was completely unaware, she was truly moved to tears by the news.
As soon as the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree left, the Jiang and Tong families found themselves rather superfluous.
Madam Jiang looked at everything before her in a daze, feeling as if the world were spinning.
Were the royals blind? Why did they set their sights on Ji Zizhao?
Jiang Guangsheng's expression was also exceedingly grim. He had known that Ji Zizhao and the Fourth Prince had conspired to escape the Fifth Prince's control. At the time, he had merely thought that Ji Zizhao, at best, could only become a concubine, just like Ji Renran.
Who would have thought…
Ji Zizhao had become the rightful Fourth Prince's Consort!
The old madam of the Tong family's complexion wasn't much better. Looking at the adored Ji Zizhao, she repeatedly questioned herself: why had she come to the Ji family? Why had she opposed Ji Zizhao? Why was she standing here?!
Even though the Tong family supported the Fifth Prince, Ji Zizhao was a consort betrothed by imperial decree. She would be a future royal consort. Regardless of which consort, she was someone the Tong family could not afford to offend directly.
And now, she had personally offended her to death.
"Who was it just now that said they wanted to report to the authorities?" Third Madam Yin Wenying asked, sneering at the Jiang and Tong families, feeling an extraordinary surge of satisfaction.
The three individuals, lost in their own despair, flinched at these words.
"A misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding…" Old Madam Tong plastered a smile on her face, truly deserving of having to force a smile at her age.
"Some time ago, I had a small disagreement with the Third Miss of the Ji family. It was my foolishness. I hope Third Miss Ji can be magnanimous. If Third Miss Ji wishes to see a physician, my Jiang family is willing to hire renowned doctors from the capital with a heavy sum. As for nourishing medicinal herbs… Third Miss Ji, rest assured, my Jiang family will cover it all." Madam Jiang even took the initiative to approach Ji Ziyun. At this moment, face and pride meant nothing compared to her life.
If it were before, the Jiang family could indeed cause trouble for the Ji family.
But now, the imperial decree for the marriage had been issued, which was tantamount to announcing to the world that Ji Zizhao was the Fourth Prince's Consort. If the Jiang family were to send a royal consort to the yamen, it would be equivalent to defying the imperial family.
No matter how wealthy the Jiang family was, they were merely merchants. What were they compared to the imperial family?
Madam Jiang, who had been so audacious moments ago, was now as humble as could be.
Ji Ziyun had personally experienced Madam Jiang's unreasonable highhandedness. Now, seeing her fawning over her, she knew without asking that her eldest sister must have intervened.
"If Madam Jiang has nothing else, please leave," Ji Ziyun said. While she was grateful to her eldest sister, it did not mean she had to accept Madam Jiang's apology. If she later discovered that the Jiang family dared to spread rumors again, she would still stand up to defend her eldest sister.
"Third Miss Ji is magnanimous. Magnanimous…" Madam Jiang breathed a sigh of relief, as if a great burden had been lifted.
Seeing his mother like this, Jiang Guangsheng felt a pang in his heart. He walked up to Ji Zizhao and said, "Eldest Sister Ji, must you truly humiliate my mother like this?"
Ji Zizhao cast a cold glance at Jiang Guangsheng. "Madam Jiang was the one who struck first. Later, it was Madam Jiang who caused trouble at the Ji residence. If this is considered the Ji family humiliating the Jiang family, then the Jiang family truly has good upbringing. With such robber-like thinking, my Ji family is inferior."
"Eldest Sister Ji, you…"
"My connection with Clerk Jiang is still shallow. In the future, Clerk Jiang should address me as Eldest Miss Ji."
With a single sentence, she immediately drew a line between them.
Jiang Guangsheng, a physician of great skill, filial and upright, never sought exorbitant profits, and possessed a heart that cared for the common people—truly rare. However, he also harbored deeply ingrained, rigid views.
Ji Zizhao acknowledged that his core nature was not bad, but she did not wish to engage with him further.
Jiang Guangsheng's heart was inexplicably pricked. Just as he wanted to speak again, Madam Jiang grabbed his sleeve and hurriedly led him toward the main gate of the Ji residence.
As for Old Madam Tong, she followed closely behind.
Once the outsiders left, the main courtyard became lively once more.
The madams from various courtyards continuously offered auspicious congratulations. "I knew our Zhaojie would be capable. I never expected it to come true! She is the Main Consort of a Prince! So many people wish for such a joyous occasion!"
Even the Old Madam held Ji Zizhao's hand and readily agreed to help with the dowry.
However, Ji Zizhao looked at the Old Madam with some apology. "Thank you for your concern regarding the Jiang family's affairs, Grandmother. Fortunately, Han Xian offered assistance that day, otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
The Old Madam was in a good mood now, and her gaze towards Han Xian was noticeably more favorable.
After all, Han Xian had been helping to protect the Ji family just moments ago.
Ji Zizhao paused before continuing, "Han Xian is a person who has rendered great service to the Ji family. Since he wishes to remain in the manor, it is not appropriate for him to continue without a proper position. Granddaughter knows Grandmother has always been one to reward the deserving and punish the wicked, and I believe Grandmother already has a plan in mind."
Ji Ziyun and Han Xian were both stunned by these words.
They could not fail to recognize such overt attempts to curry favor, but they had not expected it.
The Old Madam also understood Ji Zizhao's meaning. However, she had been away from managing the household matters for a long time and truly did not know how to arrange things. "How does Zhaojie think Han Xian should be arranged?"
"Granddaughter believes it would be good for Han Xian to initially assist the steward as a minor manager. If he performs well, he can be promoted later," Ji Zizhao said with a light smile, which completely delighted the Old Madam.
"Then so be it." The Old Madam knew that Ji Zizhao had a plan in mind once she spoke. Since she could not refuse Ji Zizhao anyway, it was better to grant a favor.
Han Xian had never expected the Eldest Miss to personally speak up for his promotion. He was stunned for a long moment before kneeling on one knee, "Han Xian will surely not betray the trust of the Old Madam and the Eldest Miss!"
Seeing this scene, if Ji Ziyun still did not understand her eldest sister's intentions, she would be truly foolish.
She suddenly recalled what her eldest sister had said a few days ago, that she would help her achieve the happiness she desired.
Originally, she had thought her eldest sister was merely comforting her, but she hadn't realized her eldest sister had kept it in her heart all along.
The other madams thought highly of Han Xian. Although his background was somewhat humble, since he had stayed in the manor, he had been diligent, spoke little, and most importantly, was good to Ziyun.
Only Third Madam Yin Wenying looked at all this in astonishment, feeling as if dark clouds were gathering above her head.