Ji Yinli's expression changed constantly, sometimes turning ashen, sometimes pale.

Gu Qinlian sneered sarcastically, "Stop your hypocrisy! I know exactly what kind of person you are. Don't try to use me to wash away your bad reputation! Since you've done such a despicable thing, don't try to build a virtuous image for yourself!"

Ji Yinli's sore spot was hit, and his expression changed like a revolving lantern, changing from one moment to the next.

Gu Qinlian felt increasingly annoyed and summoned her maid to walk towards the Gu family home.

Ji Yinli looked back at the Ji family, then at Gu Qinlian, and finally gritted his teeth and followed behind her.

The decline of the Ji family was laid bare before my eyes.

Several women around Madam Ji were brutally beaten by the angry mob, while the men took the opportunity to scale the courtyard wall and escape. Fortunately, the mob did not harm the children, but they were still terrified. The children of the eldest branch of the Ji family were so frightened that they were delirious and cried incessantly.

"Granny Zhang said that Old Madam Ji's injuries are quite serious, and she has coughed up blood."

"The faces of the First Madam and the Second Madam were already swollen and distended from being slapped."

Gu Qinlan chuckled, her voice full of sarcasm.

She never expected the Ji family to be in such a bad situation than she had anticipated.

She pondered to herself whether Gu Qinlian and Ji Yinli could withstand the test of the next autumn imperial examination; it was truly an unknown.

At dawn the next day, Hongye brought shocking news.

Madam Ji has passed away.

Gu Qinlan was somewhat surprised, but it also seemed to be within her expectations.

After all, Gu Qinlian had already secretly poisoned Madam Ji, and yesterday she was beaten severely. She was shocked, angry, and terrified. Under such multiple blows, this outcome was not surprising.

Gu Qinlan calmly instructed, "Find a way to let Ji Yinli know the secret hidden in Old Madam Ji's quilt."

Hongye nodded in agreement: "This servant will instruct Granny Zhang to handle it, but I cannot guarantee when it will be completed."

After all, the Ji family was in chaos, and the family members were filled with anxiety, so finding a suitable opportunity was not easy.

Gu Qinlan nodded slightly: "Let her do her best. In short, we must expose this matter to Ji Yinli so that Gu Qinlian cannot get rid of suspicion."

She was filled with anticipation, eager to see the intense, life-or-death struggle between Gu Qinlian and Ji Yinli.

"Prepare some funeral gifts. My sister's mother-in-law has passed away, and as her older sister, I should go to pay my respects."

The funeral for Madam Ji was very meager.

After all, the Ji family had declined, and none of its sons had amounted to anything. Coupled with the difficult times, past relationships with the Ji family were now difficult to maintain, and those who wanted to come and pay their respects were unable to do so.

As for the prominent families of Jindu, they were all adept at changing their allegiance to the times. Knowing that the Ji family had lost the support of the people, they only sent their stewards, and were reluctant to send even their official stewards.

Even the Gu family only sent a housekeeper, while Madam Song, as the actual mother-in-law, was absent on the grounds of being unwell.

The Ji family members were both angry and helpless, daring to be angry but not daring to speak out.

Therefore, when Gu Qinlan appeared at the Ji family's mourning hall, the entire Ji family was greatly shocked.

"Mrs. Zheng?"

Dressed in plain clothes, Gu Qinlan walked to the front of the mourning hall, gazed at the memorial tablet, and couldn't help but feel a sense of pleasure.

Madam Ji, in my previous life I perished, while you lived a long and peaceful life. I never imagined that in this life, you would leave us so soon.

He died a worthy death!

A sinister smile even crept onto Gu Qinlan's lips.

Seeing the Ji family members standing there in a daze, Gu Qinlan asked in confusion, "What? Didn't you prepare incense?"

According to custom, those who come to pay their respects are required to offer incense to the deceased.

The incense should be lit by the filial son and handed to the person offering the incense.

However, the Ji family did not react at all.

Madam Ji, her face grim, demanded, "Madam Zheng, what brings you here? Are you here to laugh at the Ji family? If it weren't for you, my mother-in-law wouldn't have suffered such misfortune! How dare you show your face here! Get out of here, my mother-in-law doesn't want to see you!"

Gu Qinlan smiled dismissively: "Madam Ji, you are mistaken. It was you who insisted on borrowing grain that day, disregarding the lives of the people in the city. I merely sent someone to mediate, hoping they would be accommodating and lend you the grain. Everything that happened afterward has nothing to do with me. Besides, your entire family is safe and sound, except for Old Madam Ji, who unfortunately died. In particular, the three men of your Ji family were completely unharmed. You failed to protect Old Madam Ji yourselves, yet you blame me, an outsider. It's truly laughable."

These words made the men of the Ji family feel ashamed and embarrassed.

However, the eldest son of the Ji family respectfully lit the incense and solemnly handed it to Gu Qinlan.

Gu Qinlan accepted the incense and bowed deeply before the memorial tablet of Old Madam Ji, thinking to herself: Old Madam Ji, please wait a little longer for your filial sons and daughters-in-law. They will soon come to the underworld to reunite with you.

The moment she deftly inserted the incense sticks into the incense burner, a faint fragrance filled the air.

The sons and daughters-in-law of the Ji family all knelt down to Gu Qinlan to express their gratitude.

Gu Qinlan accepted their respects, then turned to Gu Qinlian and said, "Qinlian, this is my first time visiting your home. Would you mind showing me around?"

Gu Qinlian was unwilling.

However, Ji Yinli kept shoving her from behind.

Left with no other choice, Gu Qinlian reluctantly got up and walked out with a face full of displeasure.

Stepping out of the courtyard, Gu Qinlian turned around abruptly, glaring at Gu Qinlan: "What is your purpose in coming here? You don't go to any of the wealthy and powerful families in the entire capital, but you insist on coming to our house. What exactly are you up to?"

Gu Qinlan smiled and replied, "Of course, it's to see you make a fool of yourself. My dear sister, I've heard you've been having a rough time lately, how could I, as your older sister, not care about you?"

Gu Qinlian's face turned ashen: "If you want to see me make a fool of myself, you'll have to wait until the next life! You'd better mind your own business first."

She recalled that it was during this period that Zheng Dinglian almost lost his life on the battlefield and returned covered in wounds.

Gu Qinlan, however, didn't care at all: "What do I have to worry about? If the general returns safely, we will spend our time together; if he unfortunately dies, I will stay at the Duan Prince's mansion. At worst, I can still establish my own household with my generous dowry. In any case, my life will be better than yours."

These words hit the nail on the head.

Gu Qinlian's face turned even uglier with anger.

But then she thought about what she had done before, and her mood calmed down a little.

Now that the wicked mother-in-law is gone, as long as she can get through this difficult time of refugee siege, she can be reborn.

But Gu Qinlan's situation was completely different.

After Zheng Dinglian was injured, his personality changed drastically, turning him into a madman. At that time, Gu Qinlan will surely suffer greatly, unable to live or die!

She secretly awaited Gu Qinlan's tragic end.

Gu Qinlian felt a little relieved: "If you are really alright, then go back to your Duanwang Mansion. Our Ji family's place is too small to accommodate you."