The news that the new main wife had moved to the west courtyard quickly spread throughout the Ji family.
Ji Renran, who was waiting for news in her own room, felt a tightness in her chest.
She knew Ji Zizhao wouldn't be so kind!
Thinking of having to move to Zhaoyuan and live with Ji Zizhao, Ji Renran was so scared she couldn't even stand.
Her mother just wanted to live in Yunyuan, and Ji Zizhao could devise such a disgusting method to deal with her. If she truly moved to Zhaoyuan, how could Ji Zizhao let her go?
The mere thought of facing Ji Zizhao, who was as unyielding as stone, made Ji Renran feel extremely uncomfortable.
Madam Song noticed the sky had already darkened, and Miss Renran still showed no intention of getting up to leave. She admired the eldest daughter's methods but also looked down on Miss Renran.
This was just the beginning of their skirmish, and she was already terrified to this extent by the eldest daughter…
Alas!
Ji Renran could naturally see the disappointment in Madam Song's eyes. However, she was not foolish. Even if she was worried about Madam Song secretly passing messages to the Fifth Prince, she wouldn't gamble with herself.
Taking advantage of the darkness, Ji Renran ordered Madam Song to pack their belongings and leave the main courtyard with her. Then, she shamefully walked towards her mother's courtyard.
Gu Peilan was both disappointed and relieved when she heard Ji Renran was moving in.
The mother and daughter, who had relied on each other, looked at each other in silence, and even the air between them felt awkward.
Even their combined efforts couldn't defeat Ji Zizhao. They lost the first round in terms of seniority and the second round in terms of courtyards. It wasn't just their awkward gazes now; they themselves felt embarrassed.
Fortunately, there were two small courtyards in the west side, making it quite spacious to live in.
However, with Ji Renran also moving into the west courtyard, the Ji family was in an uproar.
The servants had initially thought that with the addition of new members from the eldest branch, they would at least be on par with the eldest daughter. After all, she was the new main wife, and both Miss Renran and Young Master Zongyou were considered legitimate offspring.
But now, not only were they not on par, but the mother and daughter duo had been neatly confined to the west courtyard in the first round…
Indeed, the eldest daughter would always be the eldest daughter.
Ji Ziyan and Ji Zibi, who were sitting in Zhaoyuan, listened to Madam He's report and looked at their eldest sister, who had achieved a double kill with such ease. Other than inwardly giving her a thumbs-up, they were speechless.
It was difficult for them, as they had been worried about their eldest sister and had come specifically to comfort her.
Now, it seemed they were too naive.
"I hope they will know when to retreat," Ji Ziyan said, feeling deeply uncomfortable at the thought of the chaotic situation with Ji Zongyou.
The men of the Ji family had generations of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness, yet how could such a scoundrel have been raised?
Ji Zibi clenched her fist and said, "If they don't know when to retreat, we'll just beat them until they do."
Ji Ziyan was speechless. "Fourth Sister, have you been possessed by the Second Sister?"
Ji Zibi replied, "If the Second Sister were here, they probably would have seen blood before they even spoke. Compared to the Second Sister, my temper is quite mild."
Ji Ziyan thought of her second sister's temper and couldn't help but smile. What she said was indeed true.
It seemed that her nerves had been too tense recently. Now, sitting with her eldest sister, Ji Zibi felt a rare sense of relaxation, and her words began to flow more freely.
Although Ji Zizhao had been looking at the bills from the four major medical halls, she was also listening to Ji Zibi and Ji Ziyan's idle chat.
The room was warm, and the atmosphere was warm too.
Occasional light laughter emanated from the room, and even Madam He, standing outside, smiled.
It had been a long time since the Ji family had enjoyed such peaceful days.
When the sky had completely darkened, Ji Zibi and Ji Ziyan got up to leave.
However, Ji Zizhao called Ji Zibi back and said, "The medicinal supplies for the county medical halls have been entrusted to the four major medical halls by the court. Here is the list. Take a look first. It is estimated that the supplies will be loaded onto carts within these two days. You will personally escort them to Luoyi County. Remember, you must not appear in public. I will write a letter to Chen Gang to meet you there."
Not only were there imperial officials in Luoyi County, but the Fifth Prince was also there. It was absolutely crucial to prevent them from knowing about the Ji family's connection with the four major medical halls.
However, this shipment was related to the court, and Ji Zizhao was unwilling to entrust it to anyone else.
Ji Zibi took the list and said, "Eldest Sister, don't worry, I will be careful."
Upon hearing about the list, Ji Ziyan suddenly remembered, "The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching. In previous years, we just had a meal at home. What do you think we should do this year, Eldest Sister?"
"Now that you are in charge of the household, why do you still need to ask me? You decide," Ji Zizhao replied. The Ji family was being managed very well by their third sister, and Ji Zizhao did not want to interfere further.
Teaching someone to fish is better than giving them a fish.
Only in this way could her younger sisters truly become independent.
Ji Ziyan nodded. Since her eldest sister trusted her, she had to prove herself even more.
Madam He saw off the third and fourth young ladies and returned to the room. Seeing that no one else was around, she quietly asked, "Regarding the Yang family, does Young Lady really not plan to send a message?"
"My maternal grandparents are old. If anything were to happen to them due to worry, I would truly be ashamed to pay respects to my mother. Let's wait a little longer. If there's a suitable opportunity in the future, it won't be too late," Ji Zizhao said. Her mother's affairs were already set in stone, so why cause those who were alive to grieve further?
Madam He nodded but still did not leave.
Seeing Madam He's hesitant expression, Ji Zizhao smiled gently. "If the west courtyard comes to demand people, tell them it's my order. The people in Yunyuan must look after Mother's belongings and cannot be moved. As for Xinlan... if she doesn't want to stay in Yunyuan, I can send her to Third Sister's place."
Madam He smiled and said, "The people in Yunyuan will surely be overjoyed to hear this news."
After all, they were all people who had served the late main wife. If they were taken by the west courtyard, their lives would not be good. As for Xinlan…
Madam He sighed in her heart. Even though that girl had foolishly done something wrong to the young lady, the young lady still cared about her.
That evening, Madam He went to the west courtyard and specifically relayed the young lady's intentions to Xinlan.
Xinlan was surprised that her young lady still cared about her and felt a pang of emotion.
However, she still refused her young lady's kindness. "It was I who wronged the young lady back then, almost causing a great disaster for you. Now, I truly don't want to go anywhere. I just want to help the young lady guard this Yunyuan."
If she couldn't even do this small thing, then she truly wouldn't deserve to be the young lady's person.
Madam He knew Xinlan was kind-hearted. If not, she wouldn't have been manipulated by Yongmei in the first place. As it turned out, Yongmei died quickly, leaving Xinlan to atone for her here.
When Ji Zizhao learned this news, she simply instructed Madam He, "Whatever the west courtyard needs, send it from our courtyard. Also, please trouble Madam He to find a suitable candidate. After all, Xinlan is of marriageable age."
In this era, servants like Xinlan, who were sold into the manor with a death contract from a young age, could not leave the manor. Even if they did, they would not have the ability to support themselves.
They basically married and had children within the manor or became concubines to the young masters.
Xinlan had a pure heart. Ji Zizhao could not say whether she blamed her or forgave her for what happened back then.
After all, they had been master and servant. Ji Zizhao could arrange everything for Xinlan, but she would never let Xinlan return to her side.
She had said that she was never a good person.
And certainly not a benevolent woman.