In Fengyi Palace, Empress Zhong was also awakened by the clamor.
Helped by Zhi Nan, she walked to the outer hall and saw Xie Jinglan, who had just entered.
"I heard the Fifth Prince was severely injured by love and is in a coma?"
Xie Jinglan stepped forward a few paces and helped Empress Zhong sit on the soft couch. "Our Fifth Brother has always been a devoted person."
Empress Zhong found it interesting. The Consort Xi from Anxi Palace had always been extremely arrogant. If she learned that her son was so badly injured by a woman that he fell into a coma, even a celestial being descending to earth would surely intervene and not let her son suffer any loss.
"That eldest daughter of the Ji family is quite lucky." Empress Zhong looked at Xie Jinglan with a smile that was not a smile. It was obvious that her son wanted to help the young lady out of a difficult situation.
The Fifth Prince had always listened to Consort Xi. Once Consort Xi spoke, even if the Fifth Prince was unwilling, he would have to give the eldest daughter of the Ji family a letter of divorce or a letter of separation.
Empress Zhong seemed to recall that not long ago, there were rumors in the imperial city that the eldest daughter of the Ji family was seeking a separation.
Although Empress Zhong was not Xie Jinglan's biological empress, she had treated the Seventh Prince and Xie Jinglan as her own children over the years.
Seeing Empress Zhong tease him now, Xie Jinglan was not angry, but felt a hint of helplessness. "The eldest daughter of the Ji family has excellent medical skills. Your son also wants to win her over first, so that she can enter the palace to examine your health."
Empress Zhong smiled, but a bitter helplessness hung on the corners of her lips. "I understand the filial piety of you and Xiao Qi. However, my frail body is not something that can be cured overnight. But rest assured, before you and Xiao Qi's grand plan is settled, I will definitely shield you until the very end." Su Dan Novel Network
Xie Jinglan's heart ached. "Mother Empress..."
"Come, tell me, what's going on between you and that eldest daughter of the Ji family?" Empress Zhong interrupted with a smile. She knew her own son well; Xiao Si was never one to meddle in others' affairs.
Xie Jinglan: "..."
Zhi Nan, seeing the curious Empress, couldn't help but purse her lips and chuckle. Perhaps it was only in front of the Fourth Prince that the Empress could be as carefree as a child.
Compared to Fengyi Palace, the atmosphere in Anxi Palace was exceptionally heavy.
The palace servants of Anxi Palace had been on edge all night. As dawn broke, the Fifth Prince finally woke up faintly. However, before he could even catch his breath, he was severely scolded by Consort Xi. As a result, he left the palace in a carriage without even having breakfast.
Sitting in the carriage, Xie Jingzhou's face was exceptionally gloomy.
He knew how embarrassing he had been last night, but he did not agree with his mother's words.
Although he currently had no evidence to point to Ji Zizhao, he could confidently say that Ji Zizhao was definitely not the useless waste that others described.
On the path of vying for power, having a smart person by one's side meant one more chance of victory.
Moreover, the Ji family had not yet been convicted.
Therefore, no matter what, he would not give up on Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao learned of what happened in the palace while eating breakfast in the outer hall of Zhaoyuan.
Qing Zhu stood beside her and reported in a low voice, "The Second Prince has not made any moves. Zhang Ji sent word saying that the Fourth Prince's men are still keeping watch. However, I inquired yesterday and heard that the Emperor seemed to want to send people to investigate the reason for the Second Prince's delayed return, but was interrupted by the Fifth Prince's incident."
It seemed that Phoenix Mountain could not be delayed any longer.
Ji Zizhao quietly drank the pineapple and double-rice porridge in front of her, her mind already racing through countless thoughts.
Xie Jingzhou's ability to feign weakness was already honed to perfection. How could he have fainted so easily? He had likely fallen into a trap set by the Fourth Prince.
After all, the time of the Fourth Prince's return to the palace was too close to the time of Xie Jingzhou's coma.
Ji Zizhao was not surprised. Xie Jinglan had always had a treacherous nature. To stimulate the Fifth Prince into a coma and thus divert the Emperor's attention was a tactic befitting Xie Jinglan's usual style of being a "black-hearted candy."
However...
Although Xie Jingzhou served as a shield this time, since the Emperor had become suspicious, it was only a matter of time before he sent people to investigate. There were still four days left, and she hoped that no more unexpected problems would arise.
"Miss, there is something I don't know whether to say or not." Qing Zhu's voice rang out again. Ji Zizhao looked up and saw Qing Zhu looking very conflicted.
Ji Zizhao put down her chopsticks and said softly, "Qing Zhu, since when have you become so distant with me?"
Qing Zhu was stunned. Yes, she shouldn't be like this.
When the old general of the Ji family brought her back, it was for her to protect Miss and serve Miss. Although she also wished for the Ji family's well-being, in the final analysis, she only had Miss as her master.
Stabilizing her emotions, Qing Zhu moved a few steps closer to Ji Zizhao and said, "Last night, I personally saw the Old Madam leave the mansion accompanied by Madam Xu."
Ji Zizhao narrowed her eyes slightly.
She suspected her grandmother could no longer wait.
"Pay close attention to the main courtyard these few days, but do not follow too closely."
"Yes, Miss."
Qing Zhu nodded and left.
A moment later, Xin Lan lifted the curtain and walked in, her eyes red.
"Miss, Yong Mei cannot come to serve for the next few days. She specifically asked me to beg you not to expel her from Zhaoyuan." Xin Lan knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face. How loyal was Yong Mei to still be thinking of serving Miss when she couldn't even get out of bed.
Ji Zizhao looked at Xin Lan, who was sincerely pleading for Yong Mei, her expression as calm as ever.
The so-called loyalty was probably just fear of being expelled from Zhaoyuan and thus unable to accompany her to the Fifth Prince's mansion as a dowry bride.
"Let her recover from her injuries." Ji Zizhao did not want to speak further about a traitor.
Xin Lan kowtowed gratefully and quickly went to care for Yong Mei.
Shui Ling waited until Xin Lan was far away before whispering, "Madam Da beat Yong Mei so badly that her body is covered in wounds. I guess she knows her mistake this time."
Ji Zizhao curved her lips sarcastically.
If she truly knew her mistake, she would not be afraid of being expelled from Zhaoyuan.
Evil thoughts, like inner demons, once formed, would be pursued even at the cost of one's life.
Just like Yong Mei, even if she died, she might not be able to turn back.
After finishing breakfast, Ji Zizhao, as usual, changed Lian Ju's dressing. After a few days of recuperation, Lian Ju was no longer in mortal danger. Seeing Ji Zizhao arrive, she struggled to get up. Ji Zizhao, however, forcibly pressed her back onto the bed and ordered her to continue resting.
There were a total of eight arrows that pierced Lian Ju's body, three of which were aimed directly at her heart.
Although the wounds had scabbed over, her vital energy had been depleted. If she did not recuperate carefully now, she might suffer from more complications in her old age.
Lian Ju, who was born a death warrior, dared to defy even the orders of General Ji, but she dared not confront Miss. Facing the orders given by Miss, she could only lie on the bed feigning death.
Just as Ji Zizhao finished changing Lian Ju's dressing, she saw Shui Ling walking out with the clothes she had changed yesterday.
Ji Zizhao suddenly remembered the note given to her by Aunt Jian Qiu yesterday. She quickly searched through it. After dismissing Shui Ling, she entered the inner hall alone and opened it to read.
It was a palm-sized note with only two words...
Xin Rou.
Holding the note, Ji Zizhao clenched her fingers. She had not heard this name for many years.