Ji Zizhao saving Gu Peilan and her two children was not for them to live in comfort.
Even if she picked up a copper coin within Ji family territory, Ji Zizhao would find a way to get it back. Much less for them to attempt to leverage the Ji family name to bully others.
Not even in their wildest dreams.
"Your granddaughter believes it would be best to set this matter aside for now. Once Mother's situation has passed, it will be no later for Grandmother to have them entered into the family registry. By then, even if people from Mother's maternal side inquire, the matter will be settled. Grandfather will surely know that Grandmother has considered Mother's feelings." Ji Zizhao advised softly, truly acting like a filial granddaughter who was concerned about the Old Madam's worries.
The madams of each branch looked at Ji Zizhao, who was so demure, and then thought of the Ji Zizhao who had furiously refuted the Second Prince at the palace gates to uphold the Ji family's honor. They felt it was as if they were looking at two different people.
Perhaps this was what was meant by being able to bend and stretch.
Thinking of their own carefree daughters, the madams of each branch wished they could immediately pry open their daughters' heads and borrow some of Zhaojie's brains to stuff in.
How could Ji Renran not see that Ji Zizhao was trying to stall? But every word Ji Zizhao spoke was in line with the Old Madam's wishes and from the Old Madam's perspective. What could she do even if she knew?
The Old Madam was truly appeased by Ji Zizhao, her mood clearing like the sky after rain. She took Ji Zizhao's hand and said, "It's good of you to be so considerate, child. After all, you haven't had a proper rest since you returned. You should take these few days to rest well within the manor."
Ji Zizhao knew that her grandmother had agreed. She smiled and nodded, "Your granddaughter will naturally obey Grandmother's command."
Seeing Ji Zizhao so sensible and obedient, the Old Madam felt even more pleased.
Gu Peilan was, after all, raised outside the family and was a newcomer.
Now that Ji Zizhao was so obedient, it was undoubtedly boosting her standing and elevating her status within the Ji family.
The Old Madam cared most about appearances, so how could she not be happy?
As for Gu Peilan's status, the Old Madam knew she couldn't rush things.
When the Seventh Prince returned to the imperial city, the Emperor would surely bestow rewards upon him, and it would not be difficult for Zhaojie either.
When she then had Zhaojie enter the palace to receive the reward, she could propose the matter of hereditary succession to the Emperor, and everything would fall into place naturally.
Once her grandson became the young Marquis of the Ji family, what difficulty would there be in Gu Peilan and her daughter being entered into the family registry?
Even if the Yang family were to cause trouble again, the Ji family would have confidence.
Seeing the Old Madam's expression soften, the madams of each branch quickly chimed in with flattery and agreement.
The sounds of laughter and joy in the main hall were heard all the way to the courtyards.
Gu Peilan was bewildered, "If we can't be entered into the family registry, how will people in the manor address us?"
Ji Zizhao turned her head slightly, looking at Gu Peilan, and said with a smile, "Since the people of the imperial city all know you are the second wife, the primary lady, why not continue to be addressed as such for now? Sister Renran can continue to be addressed as Miss Renran, and Brother Zongyou as Young Master Zongyou."
The madams of each branch heard this and quickly nodded, "This is indeed for the best."
Gu Peilan: "..."
For the best? What a joke!
The other young ladies in the manor were addressed according to their generation. Now, her daughter was "Miss Renran," and there was "Young Master Zongyou." Thinking of "second wife," Gu Peilan felt she could barely breathe.
Were these the titles for normal people?
The more Gu Peilan thought about it, the angrier she became, and she couldn't help but want to speak up.
At this critical moment, Ji Renran tightly grabbed her mother's sleeve.
Now that Grandmother had been brainwashed by Ji Zizhao, any further argument would only make Grandmother angry that they were ungrateful.
However, Ji Renran was unwilling to simply concede defeat.
"Regarding the family registry, Brother and I are not in a hurry. Mother has also said recently that we should let things happen naturally. We have returned to integrate with everyone and must not cause trouble for anyone. It's just that Grandmother is old and cannot withstand arguments. Mother and I should not disturb Grandmother too often."
During this period, except for Ji Zongyou, who was arranged to live in Helu Courtyard, where the young masters of the previous generation had resided, upon his return to the Ji family, Gu Peilan and Ji Renran had been living in the main courtyard.
The courtyards of each branch of the Ji family were arranged according to seniority. Gu Peilan, even as the second wife, had to live in Lin Wanyun's courtyard.
Ji Renran, being of the primary branch, naturally had to share Zhaoyuan with Ji Zizhao.
The other madams were about to vomit from disgust.
As expected, there was more to come. This mother and daughter pair had no intention of being law-abiding.
Ji Renran looked pitifully at the Old Madam, ignoring the strange glances around her.
Since she hadn't secured her generational status, she would at least try to secure a courtyard first. Su Dan Fiction Network.
If Ji Zizhao would not let her and her mother have an easy time, then Ji Renran naturally could not let Ji Zizhao have a smooth one either.
The Old Madam, who doted on Ji Renran, thought for a moment and then looked at Ji Zizhao, saying, "Yun Courtyard has been empty, and the staff is sufficient. It would be suitable for Madam Gu to move in. As for Sister Ran... I wonder if Sister Zizhao's Zhaoyuan is convenient?"
Ji Renran was stunned upon hearing this.
She never expected that her grandmother, who had always been aloof and commanding towards her, would speak to Ji Zizhao in a tone of negotiation.
However, compared to the greatly stimulated Ji Renran, the madams of each branch found this to be perfectly normal.
While the Old Madam held high seniority, Sister Zizhao was the one in charge of the Ji family. It was precisely because of the Old Madam's seniority that, according to Ji family rules, she would not even have the right to negotiate with Zizhao.
Ji Renran clenched her hands under her sleeves, fearing that her plan would fail.
Unexpectedly, Ji Zizhao smiled and nodded, "Since Grandmother has spoken thus, let it be arranged. I will return to Zhaoyuan now and have someone tidy up the adjacent room."
Ji Renran was stunned again.
Had Ji Zizhao agreed?
But why did she feel no happiness at all, but rather intense fear?
Just then, Ji Zizhao rose to take her leave. As she passed by Ji Renran, she hooked her lips inadvertently.
Ji Renran: "..."
It only made her...
More afraid!
Seeing that Ji Zizhao had left, the madams of each branch also rose and took their leave.
Gu Peilan had wanted to say something to the Old Madam, but the Old Madam waved her hand first.
Seeing this, Ji Renran quickly helped her mother and followed behind the crowd.
Once everyone in the room had left, Granny Xu helped the Old Madam up, saying, "Old Madam, you've worked hard. The family is finally harmonious and beautiful."
Harmonious and beautiful?
The Old Madam couldn't tell if she was smiling or sighing, "I hope so."
Granny Xu quickly comforted her, "Old Madam dotes on the eldest daughter, and the eldest daughter knows it. Since the eldest daughter is willing to let bygones be bygones, isn't she also repaying Old Madam for not pursuing the matter of Young Master Zongyou being beaten?"
Thinking of Ji Zongyou's broken leg, the Old Madam couldn't help but feel heartache. "Who would have thought that Sister Zizhao could be so ruthless? Even someone with blood ties from the same branch could be treated so brutally. It must be that Lin's death had crossed that child's bottom line. If I had been more aggressive, how could we have reached this situation today?"
It was precisely Ji Zongyou's broken legs that had awakened the Old Madam. Ji Zizhao appeared quiet and demure, but in reality, she was a ruthless person.
With the Ji family's power still in Ji Zizhao's hands, the Old Madam could only remain silent, no matter how much she cared.
Ultimately, she was afraid that if Ji Zizhao truly went mad, she wouldn't be able to control even herself.