The madams of each household were standing by, utterly confused.
The moment they saw Ji Zizhao, their eyes reddened intensely.
Ji Ziyan, supporting her mother and standing aside, hurried over the moment she saw her eldest sister. "Eldest Sister..."
There were too many words she wanted to say, and she didn't know where to begin.
Ji Zizhao took her third sister's hand, her voice steady. "Don't worry, I'm here for everything."
Ji Ziyan nodded vigorously, tears falling uncontrollably.
Truly, now that eldest sister was back, the Ji family had its backbone once more.
The madams of each household, seeing that Ji Zizhao appeared to be in good spirits, breathed a collective sigh of relief and walked over.
Second Madam Yu Fenglan scrutinized Ji Zizhao from head to toe. "I heard those Turks were difficult to deal with. They must have troubled Sister Zhao quite a bit, right?"
Third Madam Yin Wenying, however, said, "No matter what, it's good that you're back. You worried us to death."
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu also sighed, "You look much thinner. Come to Fourth Aunt's courtyard tonight. Fourth Aunt will cook something delicious for you."
Even if Ji Zizhao didn't say it, the madams present knew it clearly.
Sister Zhao returned to the imperial city but did not go to the manor or enter the gates. Instead, she rushed directly to the ancestral graves...
She must have already known the news of the eldest wife's passing.
The madams all felt heartache and regret, but none dared to mention it in front of Ji Zizhao.
It would be no different from carving flesh from Ji Zizhao's body.
While the reunion here was lively, the scene over there was cold and bleak.
Even the watching commoners, if they were not completely foolish, could see the underlying tension.
They had thought the remarried eldest wife of the Ji family would be immensely glorious, but it turned out to be nothing of the sort.
Compared to the eldest daughter of the Ji family...
There was simply no comparison.
Gu Peilan, listening to the chattering behind her, gritted her teeth in hatred.
Ever since she entered the Ji family, she had tried in countless ways to appease these younger siblings, but what was the result...
She couldn't even compare to a single strand of Ji Zizhao's hair.
Ji Renran also felt a deep sense of discomfort. They were both daughters of the Ji family, yet look at Ji Zizhao, and then look at herself.
However, Ji Renran knew better than to stand there in a daze.
She tugged at her mother's sleeve and subtly exchanged a glance with Ji Renran.
Don't forget, Ji Zizhao came to the ancestral graves with the intention of digging them up.
Gu Peilan forced herself to gather her strength and, with Ji Renran, turned to face Ji Zizhao and called out, "Sister Zhao..."
Before her voice had even fallen, Gu Peilan and Ji Renran knelt on the ground.
They put so much force into it that dust was kicked up from the ground.
"For years, we mother and daughter endured hardships outside, wishing only not to disturb the Ji family's existing peace. As long as the Ji family is well, Eldest Madam is well, and Sister Zhao is well, I will be content. We are a family after all, and my heart has always held Eldest Madam and Sister Zhao..."
As Gu Peilan spoke, her eyes became quite tearful.
"Alas, fate plays cruel tricks. Eldest Master has only just passed, and Eldest Madam has followed... I know Sister Zhao cannot accept this immediately, but please rest assured, Sister Zhao. From now on, I will certainly treat you as my own daughter, and Renran and Zongyou will treat you as their elder sister."
What they said truly moved listeners to tears and saddened those who heard it.
Looking at Ji Renran kneeling beside her, large tears also streamed down her face. "I know Eldest Sister has deep affection for the deceased Eldest Madam, but the dead are to be respected. How can we disturb the deceased Eldest Madam's peace? Please, Eldest Sister, be merciful and allow the departed Eldest Madam to rest in peace."
These words were truly skillfully crafted.
Third Madam Yin Wenying nudged Second Madam Yu Fenglan with her elbow.
"You taste it, you really taste it."
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingshu also understood.
These mother and daughter had deliberately lowered their postures, yet every word they spoke was a stab to the heart.
Before Sister Zhao could even open the coffin, various accusations had already been levied.
Although opening a coffin was not entirely proper, with so many commoners watching, these words undoubtedly pushed Sister Zhao into a precarious position.
Ji Ziyan frowned with concern.
Eldest Sister had not seen her eldest aunt for the last time. It was understandable that she wanted to open the coffin.
But listen to what these mother and daughter were saying.
Third Madam Yin Wenying, having already experienced Ji Zizhao's capabilities, gestured to her daughter to be at ease.
Sister Zhao's methods were not something just anyone could handle.
"When I left, Mother was fine. It's only been a few months, and upon my return, we are separated by life and death. Now, I merely wish to open the coffin for a sacrifice. Is this small request also a violation of propriety?" Ji Zizhao stood calmly.
Ji Renran continued to lower her stance. "Eldest Sister's filial piety moves heaven and earth. However, if the deceased Eldest Madam's eternal rest is disturbed in this manner... Eldest Sister might end up doing more harm than good with her good intentions."
Ji Zizhao's expression turned slightly cold. "I didn't expect you to be so considerate. In that case, I must ask: when my mother died, did we have a wake at home for three days? And was there anyone to see her off and perform the rites during the funeral?"
Lin Wanyun had died in haste, and those with guilty consciences were many. Naturally, these processes were simplified.
However, Ji Renran dared not say these things and merely said with tears, "Eldest Sister, please calm your anger. When my mother, brother, and I entered the manor, the deceased Eldest Madam had already been buried."
Ji Renran was not unattractive, after all, she was half of the Ji family bloodline.
Now, putting on a pitiful appearance, she looked truly pathetic, eliciting pity from anyone who saw her.
If one didn't know the truth, they would think Ji Zizhao was forcing someone into a difficult situation.
Hearing this, Ji Zizhao's expression grew even colder. "Since you entered the family after me, what right do you have to point fingers at me? Do you perhaps wish to seize power as soon as you've entered?"
Ji Renran nearly collapsed to the ground.
After their encounter at the restaurant last time, she had known that Ji Zizhao was not someone easy to deal with.
She had never expected that compared to now, Ji Zizhao back then seemed much more approachable.
Gu Peilan, seeing Ji Zizhao's determination to open the coffin, felt a surge of guilt.
But no matter how she thought about it, she couldn't believe that Ji Zizhao truly knew how Lin Wanyun had died.
Having fixed her mind on this point, Gu Peilan calmed down. Seeing her daughter crying so hard, she found a reason to speak. "The deceased Eldest Madam's affairs have nothing to do with us. Why must Sister Zhao be so aggressive here? Do you truly wish to add another coffin to the ancestral graves before you are satisfied?"
So, they had dropped all pretense.
All the stoicism she had learned from enduring hardships outside for years was merely this.
"How amusing. Since you entered the family after my mother, who has certified your identity? Now that my father and mother are both buried, a concubine has inexplicably appeared. What proof do you have of your status?"
Ji Zizhao looked coldly at Gu Peilan, as if trying to see through her heart.
Gu Peilan was entirely focused on how to manipulate the situation at the ancestral graves and had never expected Ji Zizhao to deviate so completely from convention.
Faced with Ji Zizhao's relentless pressure, she was momentarily frozen...
Completely stunned.