At the funeral, the Ji Family knew they were in the wrong for offending the Song Family. They immediately sent a steward with a cartload of gifts as an apology on the same day, but Madam Song, taking charge, sent everything back, not accepting a single candy. This news of the steward returning empty-handed infuriated Song Ci.
The current Lord of Anle, who is the elder brother of Princess Consort Ji, was in a panic and rushed to find his sister.
"Better not get on Prime Minister Song's bad side," he cautioned. "He might speak ill of us in front of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and then this small dukedom of ours might be confiscated."
Princess Consort Ji, feeling unwell, was reclining on a beauty couch. Upon suddenly hearing that Madam Ji had passed, she turned pale with fright, her soul not fully at ease. Consequently, she did not go to the Ji Family to offer condolences.
