As the Third Madam, Yin Wenying's words fell, the entire Zhaoyuan fell into a deathly silence.
Granny He, who had heard the scolding, along with Jian Qiu and others, came out with somber faces. Shui Ling clenched her fists, on the verge of tears. How could the Third Madam say such excessive things?
The Fourth Madam, Xiao Jing Shu, also did not expect such words to come from her third sister-in-law's mouth. She gasped, her face also turning serious. "Third sister-in-law, what you said is too much!"
The Third Madam, Yin Wenying, her eyes flickered uneasily, but she still stuck her neck out and said, "What I said is the truth."
"What is the truth? The truth is that when the Ji family men passed away, it was Sister Zhao who shouldered everything! What was the Ji family like back then? Does Third sister-in-law need me to tell you? Yet, in such a devastated Ji family, those from the branch families still wanted to take a piece of the pie! If not for Sister Zhao, our Ji family might have had several so-called male heirs forced upon us by now!"
"Fourth sister-in-law, you, you..."
Facing the Fourth Madam's accusatory glare, the Third Madam Yin Wenying was indeed flustered.
This was so unlike the Fourth sister-in-law she knew.
Indeed, the Fourth Madam Xiao Jing Shu had always been a person who disliked attention and preferred not to speak.
Over the years, she had grown accustomed to observing from the sidelines and maintaining her own safety within the manor.
So why was she so angry now?
It was because Sister Zhao was worth it!
She was worth it to the point that she couldn't control herself from wanting to pull the Third Madam's hair!
"Since Sister Zhao took charge of this household, the doubts and public opinion from the outside world have never stopped, but how have we been living within the manor? Don't you know, Third sister-in-law? If it weren't for Sister Zhao, how could Sister Mo have joined the army as she wished? My rebellious daughter would have probably run away from home by now! As for Sister Yun, she would probably still be entangled with the Zhao family!"
The Fourth Madam Xiao Jing Shu was so angry, her palms itched as if they were infested with worms. She only wished the person in front of her wasn't her own sister-in-law, so she could slap her soundly and be done with it!
"Anyone can say these words today! But you cannot say them, I cannot say them, the Ji family members cannot say them! Because no matter who in this manor, who dares to say they haven't been taken care of by Sister Zhao?"
The Fourth Madam's glaring eyes terrified the Third Madam Yin Wenying.
It was just an argument, but what was with the killing intent emanating from her eyes?
Looking around, everyone was looking at her with cold expressions. Even though the sun was shining brightly, the Third Madam Yin Wenying felt a chilling wind.
"If you don't want me to speak, then stop interfering in my daughter Ziyun's affairs from now on!" The Third Madam Yin Wenying spoke fiercely, but she didn't even have the courage to look at Ji Zizhao. She turned and fled from the courtyard as if escaping.
The Fourth Madam Xiao Jing Shu watched her third sister-in-law's retreating back, her chest aching with anger. "Sister Zhao, please don't be angry. Since she doesn't want you to interfere with Yun'er's affairs, then simply don't. Let's see what kind of mess she can create in the end!"
Ji Zizhao listened to these words and smiled faintly. "Fourth Aunt, don't worry, I'm not angry."
The Fourth Madam was stunned to see Ji Zizhao still able to smile. "Good child, if you're angry, say it. Don't bottle it up and make yourself sick."
Ji Zizhao, "..."
She really wasn't angry.
The Third Aunt had always been like this. When she had intervened in her third sister's marriage, she had already anticipated this. So, everything that was happening now was unfolding as she had envisioned. What was there to be angry about?
As for her third sister, she would naturally see it through.
She hadn't intervened in her third sister's marriage back then because of the Third Aunt's resolute attitude, which had nearly ruined her third sister's life. How could she now stand by and watch her third sister repeat the same mistake?
The word "repeat the same mistake" would never appear in her, Ji Zizhao's, life.
After seeing off the Fourth Aunt, Ji Zizhao called Fu Bao to her. "Go and keep an eye on my third sister. As soon as she meets with Han Xian, inform me immediately."
Fu Bao nodded and turned to leave the courtyard.
Meanwhile, the Third Madam Yin Wenying returned to her own courtyard.
Sitting on a round stool, she thought about what she had just said. It was false to say she wasn't upset.
"Granny, come and keep me company," the Third Madam Yin Wenying called over the granny who had always served her, and recounted everything that had happened in Zhaoyuan.
Granny, "..."
Why did she suddenly have the urge to get up and leave?
The Third Madam Yin Wenying looked at the granny's expression and asked, "Does Granny also think I was wrong?"
The granny sighed with mixed emotions. "Madam, this old servant knows you are concerned about Third Miss's marriage, but you cannot speak about Eldest Miss like that!"
What Eldest Miss had sacrificed for the Ji family was evident to everyone in the Ji family. If Eldest Miss truly sought wealth and status, she would have left with the Yang family long ago. Why would she still be worrying about this manor?
The Third Madam Yin Wenying felt flustered. "But the words have already been spoken, how can they be taken back?"
The granny thought for a moment. "Eldest Miss is decisive, but she is not unreasonable. Madam, you should take some time to personally go and talk to Eldest Miss. I'm sure she will put it behind her."
The Third Madam Yin Wenying nodded. "It seems that's the only way..."
As the mistress and servant were talking, a maid's report suddenly sounded from outside the door. "Third Madam, Eldest Miss is here."
The Third Madam Yin Wenying's body went limp, and she directly fell off the stool onto the ground, her face contorted.
It hurt!
The granny was also in a panic. "Madam, what should we do?"
The Third Madam Yin Wenying, "..."
Since she had come to her door, what else could be done?
The Third Madam Yin Wenying had always been someone who couldn't keep things to herself. Since she realized her mistake, she decided to go all out. She walked out and looked at Ji Zizhao, saying, "Sister Zhao, I know I spoke too harshly today. You can do whatever you want, and I promise not to say a word."
Ji Zizhao smiled and said, "Would Third Aunt be willing to take a walk with me?"
The Third Madam Yin Wenying, "..."
A walk?
Where to?
Was she planning to find a secluded place to scold her?
Thinking thus, the Third Madam Yin Wenying did indeed follow Ji Zizhao out of the courtyard. But in the blink of an eye, they had walked over a hundred paces, and Ji Zizhao still hadn't spoken. The Third Madam Yin Wenying's heart began to race...
Thinking again of Ji Zizhao's capable methods, the Third Madam Yin Wenying started to break out in a cold sweat.
Ji Zizhao seemed not to notice her third aunt's appearance as if she were facing an execution. She took another turn and led her into the manor's small garden.