The ladies of the Ji family stared at the completely unconscious Fifth Prince lying on the ground, their surprise bordering on speechlessness.
The people of the Imperial City all said the Fifth Prince was timid and cowardly, but no one expected him to be so frail. Could he have some hidden illness? Otherwise, why would he faint so suddenly?
Holding the unconscious Fifth Prince, Luo Hong glared at the Ji family women, "What are you all standing around for! If anything truly happens to the Fifth Prince, none of you will escape blame!"
Although the Eldest Madam, Lin Wanyun, didn't want her daughter to have any further entanglement with the Fifth Prince, he was still a prince. If anything were to happen to him, no one in the Ji family could bear the consequences.
Helplessly, the Eldest Madam, Lin Wanyun, ordered the household servants to first settle the Fifth Prince in the Ji family's guest courtyard, and then to send someone to fetch a doctor.
Chen Gang, who was agonizing in the Xuan Yi Pavilion over how to present this month's ledger to his shopkeeper, heard that the Ji family had sent someone to find a doctor for a house call.
Without a second thought, Chen Gang grabbed his medicine box and intercepted the Ji family's errand boy, "I'll go."
The Ji family's errand boy was stunned for a good while before he managed to speak, "The Four Great Medical Halls don't usually make house calls..."
Everyone in the Imperial City knew how busy the Four Great Medical Halls were, with patients queuing up almost every day. Moreover, the Great Medical Halls always prioritized the common folk, so even for house calls, they would have to queue with the public...
Before the Ji family's errand boy could finish speaking, Chen Gang had already squeezed into the Ji family's carriage with his medicine box. "Business hasn't been good lately."
The Ji family's errand boy silently glanced at the Xuan Yi Pavilion, which was bustling with people, and wordlessly turned the horse around.
A short while later, Chen Gang entered the Ji family's residence with his medicine box.
Chen Gang had only come because he heard the Ji family was seeking medical attention and didn't know who was unconscious. He treated the person as an ordinary patient, and seeing that there was nothing serious, he quickly prescribed some calming medicine before leaving the courtyard, stealthily making his way towards the Zhao Yuan.
The Ji family members breathed a sigh of relief at the Fifth Prince's safe recovery.
However, in the blink of an eye, it was already dark, and there was no sign of the Fifth Prince leaving. The Eldest Madam, Lin Wanyun, using the excuse of preparing dinner, sent a嬷嬷 to the guest courtyard.
Soon after, the嬷嬷 returned to the Yun Yuan, "Eldest Madam, the Fifth Prince's attendant, Miss Luo Hong, said that the Fifth Prince has just woken up but is still weak and needs some light food."
The Eldest Madam, Lin Wanyun, was startled.
She had intended to probe the Fifth Prince, to see when he would leave. Now, however, he had even dictated what he wanted for dinner. It seemed he didn't intend to leave tonight.
Although the Fifth Prince was betrothed to Zhao'er, the ceremony hadn't been completed. If this were to spread, what would become of her daughter's reputation?
The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became. The Eldest Madam, Lin Wanyun, quickly got up and went to the Zhao Yuan.
In the Zhao Yuan, Ji Zizhao had just finished washing up.
Assisted by Xin Lan and Yong Mei, she sat before the bronze mirror as they dried her wet hair.
The person reflected in the bronze mirror had a fair complexion and soft features. Her delicate eyebrows were faint without any makeup, but her dark eyes were as deep as water and as sharp as a knife.
The thought of the Fifth Prince still staying in the guest courtyard caused a cold glint to flash in her dark eyes.
Those who faint from excitement often exhibit symptoms such as a pale complexion, purplish lips, sweating, and convulsions.
However, the Fifth Prince who had fainted in Luo Hong's arms that day had a rosy complexion.
Ji Zizhao was not surprised by the Fifth Prince's continued stay. In fact, she had known all along that the Fifth Prince was putting on this act simply to find an excuse to stay at the Ji family's residence.
Therefore, seeing her mother rush in, Ji Zizhao remained calm. "The Fifth Prince is only temporarily staying in the guest courtyard due to his unconsciousness. It is all above board. What worries do you have, Mother?"
The Eldest Madam, Lin Wanyun, sighed heavily. "That may be so, but one cannot prevent rumors from spreading."
Ji Zizhao rose and gently took her mother's arm, smiling faintly. "If something is white, it cannot be blackened. The eyes of the Imperial City's people are discerning, and they will not spread false rumors. You have been working very hard lately, Mother. You should rest well."
"I can only rest easy once your grandfather, father, and uncles have been sent off," the Eldest Madam, Lin Wanyun, said, gently stroking her daughter's slightly dry hair, a hint of unspeakable sorrow clouding her brow.
The Ji family had escaped a disaster, but the mourning hall in the courtyard remained deserted.
Red and white events are the two most important matters to the people of Yulin. Funerals, in particular, emphasize continuity and prosperity. Yet, very few people came to offer incense to the men of the Ji family.
The day after tomorrow was the day the men of the Ji family would be buried in the ancestral grave. The Ji family's residence was deserted and ignored. How could she face the men of the Ji family? And how would she face her husband when she met him in the afterlife?
"Mother, why are your hands so cold?" Ji Zizhao said, taking her mother's hand and gently placing it against her cheek, transferring her warmth to her mother.
Ji Zizhao had been taciturn since childhood, and had never displayed such a pampered and affectionate demeanor.
Seeing her daughter's uncharacteristic behavior, the Eldest Madam, Lin Wanyun's heart was instantly warmed. "You, child, were like an adult when you were little. Now that you've grown up, you've become childlike again."
Seeing a faint smile on her mother's face, Ji Zizhao smiled too.
The Eldest Madam, Lin Wanyun knew that her daughter had also been exhausted by the recent events concerning the Ji family. Not wanting to burden her daughter further with funeral matters, she sat for a short while longer before rising to leave.
However, just because the Eldest Madam, Lin Wanyun, didn't speak about it, didn't mean Ji Zizhao was truly unaware.
Ji Zizhao did not believe in any of the superstitions about the afterlife, but to appease her mother and to ensure the men of the Ji family were properly buried, she had to intervene.
She sent Xin Lan and Yong Mei out of the room, then called Qing Zhu to her side. "Spread the news that the Fifth Prince is staying at the Ji family's residence. The sooner, the better."
Qing Zhu acknowledged the order and left.
Ji Zizhao then took out the ledger that Chen Gang had delivered during the day and sat behind her desk, examining it carefully.
At Xu Shi, the major shops in the Imperial City had long since closed. However, the small vendors on the streets still had smoke rising from their stoves. Many citizens, having finished their drinks, were gathered in twos and threes around various small stalls, eating hot wontons and drinking warming hangover soup.
Someone must have started the rumor: the Fifth Prince had gone to the Ji family to pay respects to the heroic spirits of the Ji family, and had fainted from emotional distress. The kind-hearted Ji family, disregarding the boundaries between men and women, had allowed the Fifth Prince to stay overnight. Soon, the citizens sitting at the stalls knew about the matter.