Ji Zizhao had just reached the doorway with Shuiling when she saw Ji Renran, supported by Fudong, getting into a carriage. The carriage, bearing the Zhong family's insignia, drove away right before Ji Zizhao's eyes.
Shuiling looked displeased. "Where is Miss Renran going?" she asked Fudong.
Fudong was startled by the question, but considering that for now, the main courtyard deferred to Miss Renran, she replied, "I heard that the eldest daughter of the Zhong family invited the second legitimate daughter for a reunion."
The Ji family's descendants had their lineage clearly established. If Gu Peilan were to return to the Ji family with the status of the primary wife, Ji Renran would indeed be considered a legitimate daughter. However, it was unexpected that the main courtyard would include her legitimacy in the generation order, forcibly creating a position for Ji Renran. The second legitimate daughter... it was truly disgusting.
Ji Zizhao's expression darkened, and she looked coldly at Fudong. With just a glance, Fudong's legs went weak, and she immediately knelt on the ground.
Shuiling, hearing this, was also incensed. However, she was not in a position to comment on the seniority of the masters. She coldly asked, "Did the person accompanying the eldest daughter of the Zhong family personally invite Miss Renran?"
Fudong shook her head. She hadn't heard the accompanying governess say that. But everyone in the main courtyard knew that the second legitimate daughter was kind, beautiful, and well-liked. Since her return to the main courtyard, the invitations from other young ladies in the imperial city had never ceased. Now that the eldest daughter of the Zhong family invited the second legitimate daughter to visit, what was so strange about it? In Fudong's eyes, the eldest daughter was clearly looking for trouble. But she dared not say it. Seeing the eldest daughter's ice-cold eyes, she could only think of her own misfortune. She feared that if the eldest daughter's jealousy of the second legitimate daughter failed, she would take her anger out on her.
Shuiling looked at Fudong's expression, waiting to be punished and yet defiant, and almost stomped her foot in anger. What was this! Did they really think their young lady was inexperienced?
"Shuiling," Ji Zizhao said, having been silent, and then turned to descend the steps.
Shuiling was startled and quickly followed. "Doesn't Miss intend to seek justice?"
Ji Zizhao glanced at her mother's mourning hall and then walked inside. "It is not yet time."
In a mansion, seeing off the master was the duty of a servant. But which servant from which courtyard would not quickly return to their own courtyard after seeing off their master? If someone hadn't specifically instructed her, how could Fudong have stayed by the mansion's entrance? This was clearly someone deliberately trying to provoke her anger by using a servant. If she truly punished Fudong, the reputation of being sharp-tongued and petty would be solidified. At that time, it would be convenient for someone to use this opportunity to win people over. This Ji Renran was indeed smarter and calmer than her mother.
Shuiling was not foolish either. After careful consideration and recalling how everyone in the main courtyard had been praising Miss Renran's kindness, thoughtfulness, and gentle nature in recent days, she began to understand. However, the thought that someone dared to use her young lady made her furious. "Should Miss just endure it?"
Endure? Ji Zizhao did not have such good patience. "The people in the front courtyard have been taking care of mother's mourning hall for several days, which is a meritorious deed. Go and reward them with some silver. Consider it as treating them to tea and snacks." Even if Ji Renran could win people over in the main courtyard, she didn't have the authority to make the Zhong family lose face for her. All in all, this matter was probably a misunderstanding. However, some misunderstandings were not beautiful. They were quite painful when they slapped you in the face.
Shuiling couldn't fathom her young lady's thoughts and could only follow her instructions. Among the servants in the Ji family mansion, the front courtyard had the most. Including the gatekeepers, guards, and cleaning staff, there were dozens of people. Upon hearing there was silver, they all swarmed over. Fudong, kneeling at the entrance, looked at the bustling front courtyard with disdain. She thought that the eldest daughter was just finding an excuse to step down, and in the end, she was still overshadowed by the second legitimate daughter. What use was it to reward silver? The eldest daughter of the Zhong family was a noble from the imperial city, second to none. No matter what the eldest daughter did, she would not be as glorious as the second legitimate daughter...
"Tap, tap, tap... tap, tap, tap..." The sound of horses' hooves, approaching from afar, rang out clearly. The carriage bearing the Zhong family's insignia returned. The crisp sound of hooves attracted the attention of the servants in the front courtyard. Fudong almost crawled up from the ground and, seeing the Zhong family carriage stop at the entrance, was almost moved to tears of joy. "Did the second legitimate daughter leave something behind?" Fudong rushed to the carriage, her voice ringing out loudly. She deliberately wanted everyone to know that the eldest daughter of the Zhong family had invited the second legitimate daughter to visit. At this, the servants in the front courtyard also gazed expectantly.
In the mourning hall, Ji Zizhao, who had just paid respects to her mother and offered incense, also heard the commotion. Shuiling said worriedly, "Miss, let's go out later." If they went out now, wouldn't it be obvious that they were being outshone by Miss Renran?
However, Ji Zizhao seemed not to hear Shuiling's words. She stepped out of the mourning hall and happened to see Ji Renran alighting from the carriage. Compared to Ji Zizhao's composure, Ji Renran's expression was indescribably unpleasant. Especially when she saw the many eyes watching from the front courtyard, her flushed face seemed about to drip with water. The Ji family had been in turmoil recently, and everyone knew that the eldest daughter and the newly returned Miss Renran were at odds. Just as they were pondering that the eldest daughter might have been outshone this time, they saw the governess accompanying the eldest daughter of the Zhong family hurry up the steps.
"It is all this old servant's fault. This old servant misunderstood my young lady's meaning. My young lady sent an invitation to the eldest daughter of the Ji family. I beg the eldest daughter of the Ji family to forgive me." Before leaving, her young lady had only said to invite the young lady from the Ji family's main branch. The governess was actually a bit uncertain, but seeing Miss Renran voluntarily arrive, and thinking that Miss Renran knew her young lady privately, she assumed it was Miss Renran she was looking for. As a result... As soon as Miss Renran entered the Zhong family's gate, she was driven out. This was quite a scene. The governess also felt extremely embarrassed.
With the truth revealed, the courtyard erupted. Although the people in the front courtyard did not intend to favor the eldest daughter, they had accepted the eldest daughter's silver, and at this moment, even they themselves did not realize that their hearts had begun to lean towards her. When the Zhong family came to pick up someone, who were they really picking up? Didn't you have any idea? You were clearly picking up the eldest daughter, but you eagerly got into the carriage, and now that you've been driven back, you can still stand tall with a thick skin? How could your face be so thick?
Ji Renran was so stared at by the gazes from the front courtyard that she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. Fudong was also dumbfounded, completely disbelieving what she heard. Seeing Ji Zizhao approaching, Ji Renran forced a smile and said, "It was all my foolishness. I accidentally stole my elder sister's spotlight. I hope elder sister will not blame me."
Ji Zizhao glanced at her. "The Ji family has never had such a shameless person. Blame is not an issue; surprise, however, is."
Ji Renran: "..." Was her mouth poisoned? Why was it so suffocating! Seeing Ji Renran being retorted, Fudong lowered her head and showed no intention of speaking this time. She had embarrassed herself completely, so what could she say?
Shuiling had no intention of letting Fudong off. "If you want to climb higher, you must keep your eyes sharp. Being a disgrace is a minor matter. One day, even your life might be lost."
Fudong: "..." The people around the eldest daughter are all poisonous!
The Zhong family's governess, seeing Ji Zizhao approach, smiled and personally welcomed her. After Ji Zizhao and Shuiling got into the carriage, the Zhong family governess put away the footstool and intended to sit on the carriage board. But as soon as she sat down, she heard Ji Zizhao's voice say unhurriedly, "The governess is old and prone to forgetfulness. Fortunately, the spring breeze is invigorating and best for slow walks to refresh people like the governess." The Zhong family governess understood. The eldest daughter of the Ji family was indirectly punishing her for picking the wrong person. Unwillingly, she jumped down from the carriage board. Thinking of the distance from the Ji family to the Zhong family, the governess's legs felt weak just thinking about it. She turned to look at Ji Renran at the Ji family's entrance, her gaze becoming more ferocious. She would definitely settle this score with Ji Renran.