The fifth prince lingered at the Ji family's residence, clearly with a profitable agenda.
It was likely that among those who had fallen from grace due to the second prince, there were individuals holding concrete evidence against the fifth prince.
The fifth prince's continued presence was precisely to monitor the Ji family's every move.
However, with so many officials implicated, it was difficult to ascertain which one the fifth prince truly feared.
Therefore, the most efficient approach now was elimination.
"A single strong blow would reveal which snakes would scatter." Since the fifth prince was currently at the Ji family's, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the situation.
As the saying goes, there's no offense without retaliation.
Zhang Ji knew the eldest daughter was intelligent, but he never expected her to be so exceptionally so.
With a single sentence, she had diffused the current impasse.
Such intellect...
A pity she wasn't born a man!
Zhang Ji emerged from the Zhaoyuan with a heart full of emotions. As he was heading to the front courtyard, he saw Yongmei carrying a soup pot, a smile on her face, walking towards the guest wing.
However, before she could take a few steps, she encountered Madam Xu from the main courtyard coming her way.
Madam Xu had heard from Madam He that the eldest daughter had arranged for someone to prepare a calming and fortifying soup for the Old Madam. Fearing to disturb the Old Madam's rest, she had sent Madam Xu to intercept.
Now, seeing Yongmei holding the soup pot, Madam Xu naturally walked over without a word.
Yongmei, seeing Madam Xu blocking her path, paused, "May I ask what Madam Xu requires?"
Madam Xu glanced at the soup pot in Yongmei's hand and reached out to take it, "Just give me the soup pot."
Yongmei instinctively took a step back, clutching the soup pot, her eyes filled with surprise, "This soup pot is for the fifth prince."
Madam Xu was equally surprised by this statement.
Madam He had explicitly stated that the soup was prepared at the eldest daughter's behest for the Old Madam, which was why she had come to receive it.
But what was the current situation?
"You say that soup is for the fifth prince?"
"Precisely," Yongmei nodded affirmatively.
"Nonsense!" Madam Xu retorted angrily, having recovered from her shock.
Compared to Yongmei, Madam Xu naturally trusted Madam He more.
After all, she was the one who had served the eldest daughter for the longest time.
Convinced that Madam He had conveyed the message correctly, Madam Xu's gaze at Yongmei turned sharp, "How dare you! You dare to pocket soup meant for the Old Madam!"
Yongmei was stunned by the scolding, and in her agitation, blurted out, "That's not it, this is clearly a soup I stewed for the fifth prince..."
Madam Xu, being experienced, understood everything upon hearing Yongmei's words. She was just surprised by Yongmei's audacity.
Although the eldest daughter had agreed with the Emperor to return to the fifth prince's estate, they had not yet consummated their marriage.
Was Yongmei now infatuated with the fifth prince?
What a disloyal, lovesick creature!
Without another word, Madam Xu snatched the soup pot from Yongmei's hand and raised her arm, striking her across the face.
Yongmei fell to the ground, clutching her swollen cheek, tears of indignation streaming down her face, "How dare you snatch a soup meant for the fifth prince! I will definitely inform the fifth prince about this."
Madam Xu was so enraged she almost laughed, "What are you, to dare to address the fifth prince so casually? Don't forget you are in the Ji family! You are a member of the Ji family! Without the eldest daughter, someone of your lowly status is worse than a dog!"
The several matrons standing behind Madam Xu were also thoroughly incensed.
The eldest daughter had disregarded her own marriage for the sake of the Ji family, yet now there was a rat amongst those closest to her. How could they not feel disgusted?
Madam Xu, also indebted to the eldest daughter, naturally abhorred Yongmei's sordid intentions. "Guards! Lock this shameless wretch in the woodshed! Everything will await the eldest daughter's decision!"
Yongmei trembled all over, "You cannot take me, I am innocent, innocent..."
The matrons paid no heed to Yongmei's pleas, rolled up their sleeves, and dragged her towards the nearby woodshed.
Although Madam Xu looked down on Yongmei, she was, after all, one of the eldest daughter's attendants. After delivering the soup to the Old Madam, she personally went to the eldest daughter to explain the situation.
Ji Zizhao had instructed Madam He to inform Madam Xu precisely because she wanted to use Madam Xu to deal with Yongmei.
Now that Yongmei was locked in the woodshed, her ears could finally enjoy some peace.
Furthermore, even if the fifth prince learned of this, he wouldn't suspect her.
This way, she could fully indulge in her act.
Ji Zizhao, fully aware that Madam Xu's visit was not about money, still had Shuiling present her with a silver ingot as a reward.
There was no such thing as a free lunch.
The more Madam Xu sympathized with her plight, the more smoothly things would go for Ji Zizhao within the Ji family.
After Madam Xu left, her heart filled with joy, Ji Zizhao rose and headed towards the guest wing.
In the guest wing, Xie Jingzhou had already woken up.
Or rather, he had never truly fainted.
However, as he lay on the bed, Xie Jingzhou's complexion was several times more grim than if he had actually lost consciousness.
He, who had once believed he had secretly crushed the Ji family to pieces, now had to feign unconsciousness to garner sympathy from the Ji family and thus stubbornly remain there.
Especially upon recalling the forced, reluctant expressions of the Ji family members who took him in, how could his own face look any better?
Luohong approached with a cup of tea. Seeing the fifth prince's somber expression, her heart ached. "The Ji family has the second prince as a scapegoat. Your Highness only needs to watch from the sidelines. Why do you have to make things so difficult for yourself?"
Xie Jingzhou furrowed his brows and pushed away the teacup Luohong offered, "If only this matter were as simple as you say."
The world saw the second brother fall, but they overlooked that he fell because of the Ji family.
No matter how arrogant and conceited the second brother was, he was still a prince. How could he be so easily brought down by a disgraced household?
First, the scheme to incite public hatred against the second brother, and then, releasing the citizens of Luoyi before the palace gates...
All the plans unfolded seamlessly, with every step meticulously calculated.
While the Ji family might not be a significant threat, the woman Ji Zizhao was not to be underestimated.
"Does Your Highness truly intend to stay at the Ji family's indefinitely? The entire capital now knows that Your Highness is eagerly residing at the Ji family's." Luohong felt an overwhelming sense of shame recalling the scrutinizing glances of the ministers visiting the Ji family earlier.
Those gazes clearly mocked her prince for demeaning himself by staying at the Ji family's, showing utter impotence.
And who else but the Ji family could have spread this news so quickly?
Even the seventh prince knew. Ostensibly, he had specifically brought clothes and supplies for His Highness, but everyone in the palace knew the seventh prince had always been at odds with their prince.
When they entered the palace in the future, how the seventh prince would ridicule him over this matter!
Xie Jingzhou naturally understood that Ji Zizhao was leveraging his influence.
But he didn't care.
"Tomorrow is the day the Ji family's men are to be buried. Take this opportunity to bring Ji Zizhao's maidservant over."
His father had ordered a thorough investigation into the defeat at Luoyi. Even he was uncertain if the Ji family's investigation would lead back to him.
Xie Jingzhou had not forgotten that someone held evidence of his secret communication with the second brother.
Therefore, he had to remain at the Ji family's.
By utilizing the unwavering loyalty of Ji Zizhao's maidservant towards him, he would obtain the information he needed and then act covertly, eradicating all traces and leaving no evidence.
As long as he eliminated the person holding evidence of his secret contact with the second brother, he would be innocent. At that point, he would merely wait for Ji Zizhao to obediently return to his side under his father's pressure.
Having a woman as intelligent as Ji Zizhao by his side would undoubtedly be like adding wings to a tiger.
Luohong knew she couldn't change her prince's mind and could only comply silently.
"Knock, knock, knock... knock, knock, knock..."
A series of knocks echoed.
Xie Jingzhou instantly turned his gaze defensively towards the door, his narrow eyes as sharp as knives.
Luohong sternly rebuked, "Who dares to disturb the fifth prince's rest with such boldness!"
The person outside the door, instead of showing fear or dread, calmly stated, "Ji Zizhao requests an audience with the fifth prince."