Lin Wanyun had long since lost the patience to engage with the Fifth Prince’s feigned sincerity. "This humble subject's status is lowly and cannot bear His Highness's kowtow. The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet will surely be a grand affair for the Ji family and Zhao'er, but His Highness has arrived a bit late. Zhao'er entered the palace an hour ago."
Xie Jingzhou froze, his shock almost escaping his eyes.
Luohong also knitted her brows in disbelief, wanting to say a few words to help Xie Jingzhou inquire, but Lin Wanyun had already turned and walked back into the mansion.
Just as the main gate closed, Luohong saw Yong Mei being dragged by her feet by a servant.
Luohong had no idea where Yong Mei was being dragged, but the injuries on Yong Mei’s body made Luohong’s heart turn cold. Especially when she saw the long bloodstain Yong Mei’s passing had left on the bluestone, even Luohong, who prided herself on having seen it all, was so frightened that she stumbled back a few steps.
Xie Jingzhou had also seen Yong Mei’s miserable state. It was precisely for this reason that he dared not linger any longer and quickly got into the carriage, accompanied by Luohong.
In the carriage, Xie Jingzhou’s brow furrowed. "Investigate carefully why Yong Mei is being punished. If it’s about other matters, forget it. But if it's because Yong Mei exposed something and the Ji family is severely punishing her, then this person is no longer needed."
Luohong, standing by the carriage, nodded in agreement.
Xie Jingzhou wanted to say more but then realized the gazes around him were becoming increasingly piercing.
Looking over, the common people gathered outside the Ji family mansion were all looking at Xie Jingzhou with mockery.
Xie Jingzhou had never cared about the eyes of others. In fact, the more others mocked him and looked down on him, the more he felt smug and secretly pleased.
All his weakness was a pretense. The more others believed it, the more it proved how well he was disguised.
However, at this moment, Xie Jingzhou found the upturned corners of the common people’s lips so stinging, making him restless.
After all, these mocking faces were not acknowledging the perfection of his disguise, but silently stating that he was like a pile of dog feces, disdained by the eldest daughter of the Ji family!
She even refused to go to the palace with him!
This kind of superimposed mockery stimulated Xie Jingzhou to the point where he could barely contain the hidden ferocity within him.
Under the amused gaze of the common people, Xie Jingzhou, like he was fleeing, left the Ji family’s mansion in his carriage, heading towards the palace.
Meanwhile, Ji Zizhao, guided by palace attendants, had already entered the imperial palace.
This was Ji Zizhao’s first time entering the imperial palace. Whether it was the tiled roofs of the glazed tiles or the purple pillars and golden beams, everything was extravagantly magnificent and dazzling.
Led by the palace attendants, Ji Zizhao stepped on the intricately crafted bluestone tiles and arrived at Kanghe Hall, where the banquet was held.
The hall was brightly lit, and many members of the royal family and nobility were already chatting inside.
As Ji Zizhao had come alone, her entrance into the hall immediately attracted many eyes.
The Sheng Imperial City never lacked beauties. Whether it was the renowned courtesans of the pleasure quarters or the young ladies of official families meticulously trained from childhood, they were all beautiful sights in the Sheng Imperial City. However, Ji Zizhao’s face shattered everyone’s perception of beauty.
Ji Zizhao’s beauty was neither charming nor demurely elegant. Instead, she exuded a cool aura that further enhanced her naturally spirited features, making her appear cold as ice and as fragrant as a noble orchid.
The ministers all looked at her, their hearts wondering if she was a newly favored concubine.
"Just a faceless good-for-nothing, and she has the audacity to show her face in such a grand occasion!" a stern rebuke rang out. Grand Tutor Zhao, holding a wine cup, glared at Ji Zizhao with eyes spitting fire.
The crowd listened to his words and was startled, turning their heads in unison towards Grand Tutor Zhao.
Though they didn't know who this person was, they thought:
Grand Tutor Zhao, are you seeing things? If this face is considered faceless, then what are others supposed to be?
Ji Zizhao did not want to waste time on insignificant people. The imperial palace was different from the outside; proper etiquette had to be observed. She did not wish to miss this rare opportunity to gather information in the palace by engaging in a verbal spat with Grand Tutor Zhao for a moment's satisfaction.
However, some people were clearly determined to make things difficult for her. Before Ji Zizhao could be seated, Grand Tutor Zhao blocked her path.
"All those attending the Empress Dowager's birthday are of royal blood. By what status does the eldest daughter of the Ji family stand here? Is she a discarded wife cast out by the Fifth Prince?" Grand Tutor Zhao’s eyes were filled with mockery, the corners of his lips curled high.
At this point, everyone in the hall knew Ji Zizhao's identity.
After all, Ji Zizhao's notorious annulment of marriage had been known throughout the city.
However, no one had expected that the eldest daughter, who had barely stepped out of the Ji family mansion since childhood, possessed such a captivating face.
Ji Zizhao looked up, and as she met Grand Tutor Zhao's gaze, she smiled instead of getting angry. "I wonder if Young Master Zhao enjoyed his stay in prison?"
Grand Tutor Zhao trembled with anger, his chest heaving. "Ji Zizhao, don't be too arrogant! What is your Ji family, to dare speak to me so disrespectfully?"
A mocking curve appeared on Ji Zizhao's lips. "I can't compare to the arrogance of Young Master Zhao, who dared to lay hands on his wife. Is this the family tradition of the Zhao family? If so, then my Ji family is truly inferior."
Grand Tutor Zhao: "..."
Did this dead girl's mouth have knives in it!
Looking at the beautiful face before him, Grand Tutor Zhao wished he could tear her apart with his own hands!
But as much as he wished, Grand Tutor Zhao dared not even speak further, let alone lay a hand on her. If he let Ji Zizhao continue, wouldn't all the ministers present know that his son was imprisoned for beating his wife?
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly and, under Grand Tutor Zhao's furious gaze, took her seat.
At this banquet, there were few female guests. Once Ji Zizhao's identity was revealed, the wives of officials present all kept their distance from her.
After all, the Ji family was currently in a sensitive position, and it was necessary to avoid suspicion.
Not long after, the princes entered, accompanied by attendants.
Royal princes were never unattractive. The several princes, regardless of their age, all possessed a distinct charm from afar, truly the crème de la crème.
Xie Jingzhou entered with his imperial brothers and immediately spotted Ji Zizhao sitting in a corner.
He should have been sitting next to Ji Zizhao, but remembering how she stood him up today, he dared not approach rashly.
Although he did not believe that Ji Zizhao truly possessed deep cunning, they were in the imperial palace now, with so many eyes watching. To avoid trouble and prevent any further incidents, Xie Jingzhou called a palace attendant to his side and gave him a few careful instructions.