Ji Zizhao, seeing that Madam Wei had gotten her wish, paid no mind to Consort Xi's thoughts and calmly stepped out of the Imperial Study.
Once outside the courtyard of the Imperial Study, she intended to explain the matter of the Eighth Prince's Consort to the Empress. However, Empress Zhong smiled and said, "It's not too late to discuss it when we get back."
Ji Zizhao nodded, her previously opened mouth closing again.
Yet, upon returning to Fengyi Palace, before Ji Zizhao could speak, Empress Zhong took her hand and said, "The Wei family has indeed been of great help in this matter. It is only reasonable for you to owe them a favor. Speaking of which, the Eighth Prince's Consort is not a bad person, just a bit foolish."
If she were truly wicked, she wouldn't have allowed herself to be manipulated by the Eighth Prince.
Ji Zizhao was warmed by the Empress's understanding and reason, but she still frowned. "His Majesty has not punished Princess Wenhui."
Empress Zhong patted her hand. "Pulling one string can affect the whole. His Majesty always looks at the bigger picture. But you can rest assured, since His Majesty has seen Wenhui's vile tactics, no matter how much he considers the overall situation, he will have to let down his guard against the Fourth Prince."
"Since Princess Wenhui wasn't punished, Consort Xi won't be implicated either." This incident was indeed stirred up by Wenhui, but Consort Xi was the one who fanned the flames the most. Although Ji Zizhao's objective had been achieved, she was still somewhat unwilling that those who committed wrong were not punished accordingly.
Empress Zhong sneered, "Matters in the palace have always been like this. Who can truly tell right from wrong? With the Fourth and Seventh Princes not yet returned, there is already such turmoil. When the Seventh Prince returns this time, it is likely to be chaotic. The road ahead is still long; we will walk it together."
It doesn't matter who cries the hardest; what matters is who has the last laugh.
Ji Zizhao truly admired the Empress's magnanimity and composure. Seeing that it was getting late and such an incident had occurred in the palace, Ji Zizhao felt it inappropriate to linger and rose to take her leave.
Not long after, Wenhui woke up under the stimulation of silver needles by the imperial physician. Although Emperor Xiaochang did not send her to the Ministry of Punishment, he personally interrogated her before the throne.
Facing the Emperor's might, with nowhere to hide, Wenhui could only weep to the Emperor, claiming that after being rejected by the Fourth Prince, she felt he had changed, which led to her suspicion.
If these words had been spoken earlier, Emperor Xiaochang might have believed them to some extent. But now, considering Wenhui's despicable tactics, it was Emperor Xiaochang's benevolence that he did not directly order Wenhui's execution.
Ultimately, Wenhui was confined to her own chambers by imperial decree. Emperor Xiaochang did not explicitly punish Wenhui, but it was clear to everyone that even after this matter passed, Wenhui's standing in the Emperor's heart would be far from what it was.
And at the same time as Wenhui was confined to her chambers, news spread through the palace that the Emperor had ordered people to be dispatched out of the city to escort the Seventh Prince back in triumph. This time, the Imperial Guards were sent, all riding on magnificent steeds, ensuring that the speed of the Seventh Prince and his entourage returning to the capital would be accelerated.
Ji Zizhao heard this news just as she finished washing up.
In the deep of the night, the courtyard was quiet.
She stood by the window, feeling the cool night breeze that already carried a hint of chill.
Wenhui did not expose Consort Xi in the end. It was unexpected, yet within reason. But did Wenhui truly not hate Consort Xi, who had blocked her only escape route?
How could that be?
It was just that Wenhui couldn't. Since the Emperor no longer believed her reasons for suspecting Xie Jinglan, what good would it do if Wenhui exposed Consort Xi? Wenhui knew very well that since the Emperor had not punished her, he would not punish Consort Xi either.
Moreover, Consort Xi was the Emperor's confidante, and her favor for many years was not without reason. Even if Wenhui could cause Consort Xi to fall out of favor for a while, with Consort Xi's methods, she would sooner or later rise again.
And when that day came, it would be truly disastrous for Wenhui.
Ji Zizhao gazed at the bright moon outside the window, her hand on the window frame tightening with each passing moment. She surmised that Xie Jinglan was likely still unconscious. After all, Tao Hua and Fourth Sister were there. If anything happened to Xie Jinglan, Fourth Sister or Tao Hua would inform her immediately.
The absence of news was, in fact, the best news.
"Miss, Miss Zhong, the eldest daughter of the Zhong family, requests an audience." Outside the door, Jian Qiu's voice suddenly sounded.
Zhong Xinyi?
Ji Zizhao quickly composed herself. "Please let her in."
Zhong Xinyi arrived quickly and, upon entering, looked at Ji Zizhao and inquired, "What exactly happened in the palace?"
Ji Zizhao knew that despite the commotion in the palace, it was a family disgrace to the Emperor, and such matters could not be publicized. Thinking that the matter had been resolved, she omitted many details and simply said, "The Fourth Prince was seriously injured, but fortunately, His Majesty has already sent people to escort him. He should be returning to the capital soon."
Zhong Xinyi's eyes widened. "Even after all this, you can still be so calm?"
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly. "His Majesty has sent people to escort him. Counting the travel time, they should arrive within these few days at the earliest. I have already prepared the medicine chest and can go into the palace for consultation at any time."
"And what else?"
"Also, perhaps I need to take some time to rest to ensure I have full energy to cope." Ji Zizhao thought that since the Emperor had sent people to escort him, he would not change his mind at the last minute. Moreover, with Wenhui's guilt evident, even if the Emperor had not completely let go of his suspicion of Xie Jinglan, he would, as the Empress had said, reduce some of his doubts.
As for Xie Jinglan...
Ji Zizhao thought for a moment and then added, "Although the arrow in his chest is difficult to remove, it is not entirely hopeless. It simply requires..."
Before she could finish speaking, Zhong Xinyi, who was standing in front of her, suddenly lunged towards her.
Ji Zizhao, "..."
Talking is talking, why the physical contact?
"Zizhao, I know you are calm and composed. Even Grandmother and Grandfather often praise you in the manor. But you are also human. You should get angry when you need to, and cry when you need to be sad. I know you are actually the most worried about Fourth Cousin. You can say it out loud, or even show it..." Zhong Xinyi embraced Ji Zizhao, her voice becoming choked with sobs as she spoke.
Zhong Xinyi didn't understand much, but she also knew that the Emperor had always disliked Fourth Cousin. The fact that he was now sending people to escort him must have been due to Ji Zizhao doing something behind the scenes. Yet, she was so worried, but didn't even have time for a moment of sadness.
Everyone said that Miss Ji, the eldest daughter of the Ji family, was unflustered in times of crisis, strong and reserved. But a person who lives without even time to grieve is the most pitiable!