Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Having Lu Zhan Wrapped Around Her Finger

"It’s nothing, don’t worry." Zhi Wan offered a comforting word, then said to Ouyang Zhenzhu, "You just sit here for a bit. I’ll go have a look."

"Let me go with you," Ouyang Zhenzhu said immediately.

"There’s no need." Zhi Wan shook her head, refusing.

"But..." Ouyang Zhenzhu was still worried.

"It’ll be fine. Old Madam Wei is my aunt’s mother. She probably won’t make things too difficult for me," Zhi Wan said.

That’s what she said, but she knew her aunt’s relationship with Old Madam Wei had never been particularly close. Her aunt didn’t much care for dealing with her maternal family, either.

Besides, she had just slapped Wei Jinyi. Now that Old Madam Wei was summoning her, it was likely to demand an explanation on Wei Jinyi’s behalf.

She took Shuang’er and left the private room.

"This way, Miss." Nanny Wang made a welcoming gesture. She looked respectful, but her eyes, when they looked at Zhi Wan, held unconcealed contempt.

Zhi Wan paid her no mind, leading Shuang’er and Jiang Shi toward the private room next door.

When they reached the door, Jiang Shi was stopped.

"It’s all ladies inside. It’s not proper for you to enter, so just stay here," Nanny Wang said.

Zhi Wan nodded at Jiang Shi. "Just wait for me here."

"If anything happens, Miss, call for me at once," Jiang Shi said, a bit concerned.

Hearing this, Nanny Wang grew annoyed. "It’s just an elder wishing to see a junior. What could possibly happen?"

SHING! Jiang Shi drew his sword and said unhurriedly, "My master, the Princely Heir, ordered me to protect the Miss. If anyone dares to harm her, no matter who they are, I have permission to strike first and report later."

Nanny Wang was startled by the sight of him drawing his sword. Hearing his words, she paled and said, "You insolent slave! I will report this to my Old Madam."

"Nanny Wang, weren’t we going in? It’s not good to keep Old Madam waiting, is it?" Zhi Wan reminded her coolly.

Nanny Wang shot Jiang Shi a resentful glare before leading Zhi Wan and Shuang’er inside.

Old Madam Wei sat in the center, flanked by Second Madam Wei, Lady Tao, and her daughter, Wei Jinxiu. Wei Jinyi sat on Old Madam Wei’s other side. There were a few other unfamiliar faces, presumably also members of the Wei Family.

Zhi Wan discreetly scanned the room before stepping forward to curtsy. "This junior greets Old Madam Wei and Second Madam Wei."

Old Madam Wei’s face was grim. She sized Zhi Wan up, then snorted coldly and launched her attack, "You certainly have your methods, don’t you? To have my grandson so completely bewitched."

’So she’s not here to get justice for Wei Jinyi?’

She straightened up and said, "I don’t understand what you mean, Old Madam. As for my marriage to my cousin, he was the one who proactively sought to marry me. I had no need to resort to any methods."

Seeing her self-righteous expression, Old Madam Wei’s face darkened. "Are you saying that Jinzhi insisted on marrying you?"

"You could say that," Zhi Wan said lightly. "If you have any doubts, Old Madam, you can wait for my cousin to return and ask him directly. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave." With that, she gave a small curtsy and turned to walk out the door.

"Such insolence! Did I say you could leave?" Old Madam Wei slammed her hand on the table and roared.

Zhi Wan stopped and said patiently, "I treat others with the sincerity they show me. But you did not invite me here for a pleasant conversation, Old Madam. That being the case, I see no reason to stay and listen to your slander."

Old Madam Wei’s face was ashen. "You sharp-tongued little slut! Is this how Wei Minghui taught you?"

"How my aunt taught me is none of your concern. After all, I haven’t eaten a single grain of your Wei Family’s rice," Zhi Wan said coolly, her patience clearly wearing thin.

’She never even took Old Madam Lu seriously, let alone this Old Madam Wei.’

She all but said that Old Madam Wei had no right to discipline her.

Old Madam Wei understood her underlying meaning. Her chest heaved with anger. "This is utter rebellion! You, an orphan with no family, dare to speak to me like this?"

"I am Jinzhi’s maternal grandmother! If you are so disrespectful toward me, aren’t you afraid Jinzhi will refuse to marry you?"

Hearing the threat in her words, Zhi Wan found it amusing. "You’re welcome to try."

"Zhi Wan, you’re too arrogant! My grandmother is our cousin’s own maternal grandmother! If you speak to her like this, Aunt and Cousin will surely not let you off!" Wei Jinyi could no longer sit still and accused her furiously.

The others also looked at Zhi Wan, shocked by her behavior today.

In the past, though this orphan had been doted on by Wei Minghui, she had always been cautious and careful in her dealings with people. She would never have dared to talk back to an elder like this. Why was she so different today?

Zhi Wan naturally noticed the others sizing her up, but she ignored them. She looked at Wei Jinyi and said unhurriedly, "Is your face no longer hurting, Miss Wei?"

Wei Jinyi glared at her in anger and raised a hand to cover her left cheek.

Second Madam Wei, Lady Tao, who had been silent until now, stood up, eagerly took Zhi Wan’s hand, and said with a smile, "Wan’er, don’t mind her. Your grandmother has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Don’t blame her for her harsh words. Deep down, she’s very concerned about you."

Zhi Wan glanced at her.

’Compared to the Wei Family’s first aunt, Lady Xu, this second aunt, Lady Tao, has always been a smooth and sophisticated operator.’

’But does she even believe her own words?’

"Come, sit down." Lady Tao pulled Zhi Wan by the hand to a seat at the table. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Big Sister Zhi Wan, these pastries are delicious. You should try one." Wei Jinxiu immediately brought over a plate of snacks and placed it in front of Zhi Wan.

Meeting the little girl’s curious gaze, Zhi Wan paused. "Thank you."

Wei Jinxiu shook her head, her big eyes twinkling with curiosity. She pushed the plate a little closer to her. "Go on, eat."

Zhi Wan could see the little girl meant no harm, and it was hard to refuse such hospitality, so she picked one up. "You have some too."

"Mhm." Wei Jinxiu grinned, revealing faint dimples. She also took a pastry and looked at Zhi Wan. "Big Sister Zhi Wan, you’re so pretty. You and Cousin are a perfect match."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan’s smile became more genuine. "You’re very cute too."

Seeing the two of them eating pastries and chatting as if no one else was there, Wei Jinyi nearly shredded the handkerchief in her hands.

’That little brat Wei Jinxiu, whose side is she on anyway?’

Seeing the two getting along so well, Lady Tao said with a smile, "We went to the temple to offer incense today. On the way back, these girls were clamoring about being thirsty, so we came in to rest our feet and have some tea. We never expected to run into you."

"I didn’t expect it either," Zhi Wan said lightly.

Lady Tao paused, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to her, gesturing for her to go apologize to Old Madam Wei. "We’re all family. It’s normal to bicker a little. But as juniors, we should be the first to yield to our elders. Go on, now."

’It was clearly Old Madam Wei who was throwing her weight around as an elder and insulted me first. Why should I be the one to apologize to her?’

’I don’t think I did anything wrong.’

’Besides, this Old Madam Wei is just as muddled as Old Madam Lu, and she isn’t good to Aunt either.’

With this in mind, she took the teacup and had a sip. The pastry had made her thirsty.

After finishing the tea, she said lightly, "Second Madam, you’re mistaken. If bickering is normal, then why must I be the one to apologize?"

Lady Tao looked at her in surprise, as if she never expected her to say such a thing.

After a long moment, she said resentfully, "You’re the junior, after all. Juniors must be filial to and obey their elders."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan said sarcastically, "Having you, Second Madam, to be filial to and obey Old Madam Wei is more than enough. There’s no need for an outsider to join in."

Wei Jinxiu nodded vigorously. "Big Sister Zhi Wan is right! It’s enough to have you, Mother, to respect and obey Grandmother."

Lady Tao was speechless with anger.

’This little girl, doesn’t she know who her real family is?’