Every step Ji Zizhao took was meticulously planned.
From arranging for the Emperor to send escorts, to preparing the medicine chest, and conserving her strength...
Yet, she had left herself no time to rest.
Was she not human?!
"It's just the two of us now. You don't need to pretend anymore. If you want to cry, just cry. At worst, I'll cry with you..." Zhong Xinyi held Ji Zizhao tightly in her arms, wishing she could transfer all her warmth into her.
The warm embrace momentarily made Ji Zizhao lose herself, but she quickly smiled. "I haven't even cried yet, and you're already weeping?"
Zhong Xinyi was taken aback, then couldn't help but sob out, "I... I just got too invested..."
Ji Zizhao patted Zhong Xinyi's shoulder with a helpless sigh. She appreciated her good intentions, but she truly had no time for grief. Or rather, she carried the weight of everything, never allowing herself a moment to stop and breathe. Thus, she had grown accustomed to ignoring any feelings of sorrow long ago.
"Are you betrothed?" Ji Zizhao softly asked, her gaze falling on the love knot tied around Zhong Xinyi's wrist. She recalled that in Yulin, only women on the verge of marriage were given such bracelets by their mothers to ensure a happy marital life.
Zhong Xinyi: "..."
Was this really the time to discuss such matters?
Zhong Xinyi looked at Ji Zizhao with tear-blurred eyes. "My aunt sent word that the Seventh Prince's marriage has been decided, so there's no need to continue using me as a decoy."
"Which family's young master?" Ji Zizhao inquired.
"The third young master of the Zhang family from Xunyang," Zhong Xinyi sniffled.
Xunyang was not within the Imperial City but was a city quite close to the Emperor. Most of its residents made a living by forging iron. Ji Zizhao had indeed heard of the Zhang family. When her father was still alive, he had mentioned that the Zhang family of Xunyang had recruited many blacksmiths and had even engaged in trade with the court. At the time, most of the army's weaponry was supplied by the Zhang family.
Although Ji Zizhao didn't know the third young master of the Zhang family, considering the family's foundation, she smiled and said, "Those who do business with the court usually have excellent reputations. Although they are mere merchants, the Zhang family can at least be considered a prominent and prosperous one. They can at least ensure you will have food and clothing for life. It is indeed a good match."
She surmised that this must have been the Empress's idea. Adopting two princes was already a matter of great attention. The Seventh Prince aspired to ascend even higher. If the Zhong family were to choose a powerful official for Zhong Xinyi at this time, it might appear too conspicuous. Marrying Zhong Xinyi off to a merchant family would be a win-win situation.
"I saw the third young master of the Zhang family once when I was a child. He was quite reserved and didn't speak much. Later, on the day of the engagement, I saw him again with my grandmother. I didn't expect him to be as timid as he was back then. However, my grandmother said that marrying someone like him means you won't suffer," Zhong Xinyi said. She didn't quite understand the thoughts of the elders, but she found the third young master of the Zhang family rather uninteresting.
Ji Zizhao was truly exasperated.
An honest man is a more reliable man. She didn't even understand this simple logic. As expected of a young lady raised in a wealthy household.
However, she didn't want to say such things to Zhong Xinyi. Since her heart was pure, it was better to let her remain so. After all, with the Empress and the Marquis of Zhongyong's household as her backing, the Zhang family wouldn't dare to mistreat Zhong Xinyi.
Ji Zizhao reached out and wiped away the tears at the corner of Zhong Xinyi's eyes. "You're about to get married, yet you're weeping so much. Won't people laugh their heads off if this gets out?"
Zhong Xinyi replied, "It's just that I won't be able to stay in the Imperial City after I'm married. But don't worry, I'll still come back for festivals and holidays."
Ji Zizhao smiled and nodded. "Good. I'll be waiting for our little gatherings."
Seeing Ji Zizhao smile, Zhong Xinyi also smiled. After sitting for a short while longer, she got up to leave. But as she walked out of the courtyard, she suddenly remembered. Wasn't she here to visit Ji Zizhao? Why did the conversation end up being all about her?
However, seeing that Ji Zizhao truly didn't seem to need anyone's comfort, she didn't say anything further.
Ji Zizhao personally escorted Zhong Xinyi to the mansion gate and unexpectedly bumped into Ji Renran's carriage.
Ji Renran, who was just about to descend from her carriage, was startled to see Ji Zizhao and Zhong Xinyi. She promptly sat back into the carriage. "What a coincidence, meeting Eldest Sister and Miss Zhong here."
Zhong Xinyi, seeing Ji Renran not even bothering to step out of the carriage, felt her temper flare. So she had truly dropped all pretense and wasn't even trying to act anymore.
But before she could speak, Ji Zizhao spoke to her first. "It's getting late. You should head back soon, lest you worry your family unnecessarily."
Zhong Xinyi was, after all, a young lady of the Marquis of Zhongyong's household. If she were to get into an argument with someone at another's doorstep, it would not reflect well. Moreover, Zhong Xinyi was about to be married. It would not be worth it for any gossip to spread because of unnecessary people at this time.
Zhong Xinyi understood Ji Zizhao's intentions and smiled warmly. "You should head back soon too."
Ji Zizhao smiled and nodded. "Alright."
Ji Renran watched the two of them completely ignore her and felt her anger surge. She clenched her handkerchief in her hand. After a moment's thought, she looked at Ji Zizhao and smiled again. "The Fifth Prince said he misses me and specifically invited me to his manor. Although I am just an insignificant concubine, I am fortunate to have the Fifth Prince's affection. I wonder when Eldest Sister's Fourth Prince will return?"
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly. "The Fifth Prince is not yet married. No matter how good Sister Renran's relationship with the Fifth Prince is, it's best to exercise some restraint. Otherwise, if word gets out, people will say the Ji family lacks proper upbringing."
Ji Renran: "..."
Was that the same thing?
The smile Ji Renran had managed to paste on her face faltered again.
She had intended to mock Ji Zizhao for holding the position of Crown Princess in name only, but it had been twisted into this!
"Sister merely overheard the Fifth Prince mentioning that the Fourth Prince returned to the Imperial City with injuries. I heard they were quite serious. The Fifth Prince was greatly concerned, and I am also worried for Eldest Sister. What if you are left to an empty chamber for no reason?" Ji Renran looked at Ji Zizhao with a worried expression, but her words were sharp and grating.
The moment Zhong Xinyi thought about how Ji Renran used to twist facts with such an expression, speaking ill of Ji Zizhao, and almost led her astray, she felt like exploding.
Ji Zizhao, however, maintained a smile. "The Emperor has already ordered people to be sent to meet the Fourth Prince on his way back to the city. Other matters are beyond anyone else's concern. Sister Renran, instead of being concerned about what you shouldn't be, perhaps you should focus on how to manage the household and raise children once you are married."