The old madam harbored no particular favoritism towards Ji Zizhao. Having always been indifferent to the adopted children of the Ji family, she hadn't even spared Ji Zizhao a proper glance in years.
Were it not for Ji Zizhao now holding the reins of the Ji family, the old madam would not have deigned to speak with her.
However, indifference aside, the old madam could not pretend to be ignorant of Ji Zizhao's actions.
Since Ji Zizhao took over the Ji family, the old madam had never inquired about her every move, yet how could she feign ignorance to the Ji family's transition from precarious instability to a firm foundation?
And all of this was Ji Zizhao's achievement!
Looking at her granddaughter, whom she had never doted on, capable of shouldering the Ji family, and then at her grandson, whom she had doted on since childhood, did the old madam's heart not ache?
It was aching to the point of near death!
Gu Peilan, struck by the old madam's slap, reeled and nearly collapsed onto the ground.
"Zongyou, my dear, please, no..."
Within the main hall, sounds of a blush-inducing nature still permeated the air.
Filled with a sense of grievance, Gu Peilan, looking at the old madam's dark expression, dared not say more and quickly turned to enter the main hall first.
Not long after, a disheveled maidservant emerged, kneeling on the ground, head bowed.
The old madam couldn't be bothered to glance at her and, with the support of wet nurse Xu, ascended the steps.
The main hall was in disarray, and the indescribable scent made wet nurse Xu frown.
The old madam, preoccupied with her thoughts, no longer dwelled on the matter. She looked at Gu Peilan and her son and said, "Later, you will take Zongyou to apologize to Sister Zhao. You are both of the main family. If you truly bow your heads, Sister Zhao will not dare to trouble you further."
Before Gu Peilan could react, Ji Zongyou retorted, "Why should I apologize to that slut!"
Hearing this address, the old madam frowned but ultimately did not correct him. "You have seen how Sister Zhao has stirred up trouble today. She has not even shown me, her grandmother, any regard, and will not easily let this matter pass. Going to apologize now will not diminish you; it is always better than remaining at this impasse."
Most importantly, the old madam feared that Ji Zizhao might do something further that she herself could not control.
Ji Zizhao's actions today truly frightened the old madam.
"She is merely a servant, and worth my bowing and apologizing? I will be the heir of this Ji family in the future! Even the high officials and noble families in the imperial city will have to show me some respect! What is a mere servant?" Ji Zongyou said defiantly, his face filled with disgust and hatred.
If not for that slut Ji Zizhao, he would not have lost his legs.
Now, he hadn't even settled accounts with Ji Zizhao, and he was being asked to apologize?!
The word "heir" made the old madam pause.
Seeing that there was still room for maneuver, Gu Peilan knelt before the old madam and pleaded, "Old Madam, look at Zongyou now. Where is his former brilliance? In the end, it was Sister Zhao who broke Zongyou's legs, forcing him to languish at home!"
Ji Zongyou, hearing his mother's words, also reacted and choked out, "Grandmother, when I first returned, Eldest Sister directly broke my legs. It's not that your grandson doesn't want to go, but he dares not go! Who knows what Eldest Sister will do to your grandson next?"
The old madam pondered and said, "With your grandmother here, she dares not."
Gu Peilan inwardly sneered. If you were truly respected by your grandmother, why would she cause such a scene?
However, Gu Peilan's words were tactful. "I heard that the Seventh Prince and others are on their way back to the city. Given Sister Zhao's meritorious service this time, it is likely that the Emperor will soon allow Zongyou to inherit the title. If something were to happen to Zongyou at this time, what then?"
The old madam's eyelids twitched, and her throat felt constricted.
She had indeed forgotten this.
Currently, making Ji Zongyou and Gu Peilan yield was because she feared Ji Zizhao would truly sever ties, leaving her with no support. But if her grandson truly inherited the title of heir, Ji Zizhao would have to relinquish her control.
For a man to be in charge, how could a woman hold power?
Therefore, at that time, it would not be a matter of whether Ji Zizhao wanted to, but she would have to hand it over!
Looking again at her grandson, whose legs were broken, the old madam's heart softened. "It seems that it will still be some time before the Seventh Prince and the others return. During this period, it is best that you do not stir up further trouble. Since Renran is staying at the Tong family for the time being, you and your son should also go there to stay for a while."
No matter how bold Sister Zhao was, she would not dare to cause trouble at the Tong family.
Gu Peilan and Ji Zongyou exchanged glances, and neither spoke further.
That evening, Gu Peilan, with Ji Zongyou, boarded a carriage heading to the Tong family.
When Ji Zizhao learned of this, she was still in Cloud Courtyard.
Wet nurse Xu, who came to deliver the message, bowed her head as low as possible. She truly felt too ashamed to face the eldest young lady. "The Tong family just sent word, saying that the Tong family's elderly master and madam miss their grandson. The old madam, pitying the Tong elders' longing for their grandson, has taken it upon herself to allow the remarried First Madam to take Young Master Zongyou to stay at the Tong family."
Ji Zizhi, who was accompanying her elder sister, almost exploded with anger upon hearing this.
Not only did her grandmother show favoritism to that side, but she also tried to pressure her elder sister using seniority.
Faced with such a foolish and unreasonable grandmother, even the usually understanding Ji Ziyan's expression turned grim.
Grandmother was truly going too far.
Ji Zizhao had long known that Gu Peilan would not easily admit defeat, and she was well aware of her grandmother's favoritism. Everything was proceeding as expected, and there was truly nothing to be angry about. "Thank you, wet nurse Xu. I understand."
Wet nurse Xu was so grateful that she didn't know what to say, as the eldest young lady had not made things difficult for her.
Of course, Ji Zizhao would not make things difficult for wet nurse Xu.
Wet nurse Xu was the old madam's dowry maid and was naturally loyal to her.
If wet nurse Xu were truly able to betray her grandmother and defect to her, then Ji Zizhao would have to reconsider.
After wet nurse Xu left, Ji Zizhi looked at her elder sister and said, "Grandmother's actions clearly show she is gambling that Eldest Sister would not dare cause trouble at the Tong family."
Ji Zizhao nodded. "Yes."
Indeed, she could not storm the Tong family with full force.
Doing so would not only trample on her grandmother's dignity but also earn her the sin of disgracing the Emperor's favor.
After all, she was still a county princess enfeoffed by the Emperor.
However, to expect her to simply back down and cease her efforts would be far too naive.
Ji Zizhao summoned Shui Ling into the room and carefully instructed her, "Spread the word that Ji Zongyou has gone to the Tong family for refuge. There is no need to explain the reason."
Shui Ling was adept at socializing and was nimble, making her the perfect choice to relay the message.
Ji Zizhi, who didn't understand intricate schemes, softly asked, "Third Sister, what does Eldest Sister mean by this?"
Ji Ziyan's eyes lit up. "Just wait and see the show."
As expected, elder sister was still the most formidable.