The atmosphere in the main hall finally eased with the help of Granny Xu and Granny Tong.
Ji Renran was also chatting happily with Wang Jifu, who was sitting beside her. In the blink of an eye, their arms were linked, clearly showing they were as close as sisters.
Ji Zizhao, while sipping her tea, observed the situation in the main hall.
If the Tong family's visit was truly to support Gu Peilan, they should have taken the opportunity to leave when the grannies were smoothing things over.
Now, seeing that neither Wang Jifu nor Granny Tong seemed in a hurry to leave…
It was likely they still had other intentions.
The Old Madam's eyes crinkled with delight as she saw Wang Jifu and Ji Renran getting along so well.
While the Ji family had been granted a marquis title, they lacked real power and were merely an empty shell.
Her only grandson would eventually inherit the title, and with the Tong family's support, it would be a magnificent embellishment, a finishing touch to their prosperity.
Gu Peilan, noticing the increasing smile on the Old Madam's face, subtly signaled Granny Tong.
After a moment's thought, Granny Tong smiled at the Old Madam and said, "Although our Miss Jifu was not raised in the mansion from childhood, she is our Old Madam's darling and our Second Master's treasure. Our Old Madam always says that Madam Ji is knowledgeable and her connections in the imperial city are unparalleled. Now that Miss Jifu has reached marriageable age, our Old Madam hopes that Madam Ji can keep an eye out for suitable matches."
These words had the Old Madam beaming, her eyes curving with joy. "It's kind of Old Madam Tong to think so highly of me. However, I haven't been feeling well lately and haven't been out much, so I fear I may not be able to live up to Old Madam Tong's expectations."
Granny Tong smiled. "Our Old Madam was right. Madam Ji is indeed modest. However, not everyone is worthy of a marriage alliance with our Tong family. If all the families in the imperial city were like the Ji family, with a wise and understanding Madam Ji presiding, my madam wouldn't have to worry so much about Jifu's marriage."
These words were quite telling.
The madams of each branch exchanged glances, their minds racing with speculation.
If the Tong family wants to forge a marriage alliance in the imperial city, why are they fawning over our Old Madam so intently?
Ji Zizhao scoffed inwardly.
What else could it be? The Tong family naturally wants to marry into the Ji family.
Indeed, after a moment of consideration, the Old Madam said, "If we speak of suitability, Miss Jifu of the Tong family is about the same age as my grandson. However, my grandson has not yet inherited the title, so I fear it would be a disservice to Miss Tong."
The Old Madam's calculations were shrewd. Her grandson would be the legitimate heir, and while the Tong family seemed superior to the Ji family now, that might not be the case in the future. If the position of main wife were to be fixed now, the Old Madam felt it would be a loss.
"Madam Ji, you worry too much. Our madam said that if we are fortunate enough to form a marriage alliance with the Ji family, our madam is willing to let Miss Jifu be a secondary wife."
A secondary wife meant a concubine.
If that were the case, once Ji Zongyou inherited the title of heir, the Tong family would have no standing to object if he wished to marry a woman from a prestigious family as his main wife.
These words truly struck a chord with the Old Madam.
Ji Zizhao, seeing her grandmother's beaming face, knew that the Tong family had come prepared.
It seemed that the earlier spat was merely an appetizer.
This marriage alliance was the main event.
The news of the discord between Ji Zizhao and Gu Peilan had likely already been conveyed to the Tong family by the Fifth Prince.
When the Tong family put forward Wang Jifu to confront her earlier, it was clearly to assure Gu Peilan that once she entered the family, she could help Gu Peilan deal with her.
Gu Peilan was naturally overjoyed. It was a rare opportunity to have the Tong family willingly send someone to become a concubine to help her and to create a resemblance to her son.
Ji Renran also grew even closer to Wang Jifu, and they even made plans to go out together in a few days.
The Tong family's move was indeed masterful.
Neither the Old Madam nor Gu Peilan could find a reason to refuse, and they would even owe the Tong family a favor.
However, Ji Zizhao wondered if this was the Fifth Prince's doing or the Tong family's own initiative.
Regardless of the reason, Ji Zizhao could not stand by and watch the Tong family plant an informant within the Ji household.
Ji Zongyou was a lustful fool. If he were truly deceived by Wang Jifu, he would undoubtedly be manipulated by the Tong family, and the one who would ultimately benefit from controlling the Ji family would be the Fifth Prince, lurking in the background.
Although Ji Zizhao couldn't understand why the Fifth Prince was still fixated on the Ji family, she was not about to be taken advantage of if he was targeting her.
She had been worried about finding an opportunity to sow discord between Gu Peilan and the Tong family, but instead, the Tong family had walked right into her trap.
Ji Zizhao now found the Tong family much more agreeable.
As agreeable as a fat sheep delivered to her doorstep.
With a plan in mind, Ji Zizhao shifted her body and looked at her grandmother on the couch.
While the madams of each branch hadn't thought as deeply as Ji Zizhao, the mere thought of the Tong family entering the Ji household gave them a headache. With such a boisterous personality, what good days would they have once she arrived?
Seeing Ji Zizhao move, the hearts of the madams of each branch also stirred.
Sister Zhao is worth ten. They were in for another good show!
"Forming a marriage alliance with the Tong family is indeed a joyous occasion. However, I wonder about the maternal family of this Miss Jifu of the Tong family, and how many relatives she has."
The Old Madam had expected Sister Zhao to object, given her obvious discord with the remarried wife.
Now, hearing that Ji Zizhao not only did not object but was also considering things so thoughtfully, she smiled at Wang Jifu and said, "Look at me, I was so carried away with happiness. Thanks to Sister Zhao for the reminder."
It was natural to inquire about the immediate family members. If there were any with ill repute, the Old Madam certainly wouldn't want the Ji family to suffer any disgrace.
Granny Tong quickly replied with a smile, "Our Miss Jifu is unfortunate. Her mother passed away at birth, and she has been living outside the mansion, cared for by Second Master, all these years."
"It's quite unusual for a young lady to be raised outside the mansion. I fear her upbringing in terms of etiquette may have been neglected," Ji Zizhao suddenly turned and looked at Granny Tong.
Granny Tong's heart skipped a beat at Ji Zizhao's sudden accusation.
She had initially thought that the eldest daughter of the Ji family would use Miss Jifu's background to her advantage, but she hadn't expected her to directly target Miss Jifu.
The daughters of noble families in the imperial city were taught piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, and etiquette from childhood.
Even the choice of teachers invited to instruct them had significant implications.
Miss Jifu, having been sent away from home since childhood, would naturally have been neglected in terms of etiquette.
"Don't look down on people! Even if I haven't learned piano, chess, calligraphy, or painting, I understand medicine and herbs. What can someone like you, who has never even left her courtyard before, compare to me? What right do you have to look down on me!" Wang Jifu glared fiercely at Ji Zizhao.
Granny Tong was not well acquainted with Miss Jifu and was unaware that she also understood medicine and herbs. She figured that very few young ladies in the imperial city knew about such things, and thus she quickly chimed in, "Exactly! Our Miss Jifu understands medicine and herbs, and after she marries in, she will definitely serve the Old Madam well and take good care of her health."