Ji Renran numbly digested the Fifth Prince's words, and after a long while, she smiled through her tears.
Yes, how had she not thought of doing it this way?
Looking at the Fifth Prince before her, Ji Renran felt her heart melting. "Your Highness, rest assured, Renran will not disappoint you. I will definitely be a woman worthy of you."
Seeing the light flash in Ji Renran's eyes, Xie Jingzhou finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After painting a grand vision, Xie Jingzhou finally revealed his main concern. "You still need to keep a close eye on Ji Zizhao."
Ji Renran's heart skipped a beat, her hands trembling.
Even the Ji family was in decline now; what use was a single Ji Zizhao?
She never expected to hear Ji Zizhao's name from the Fifth Prince's lips.
"Miss Renran, you know, I treated Ji Zizhao so well, yet she was so heartless towards me. Now she's so close to Fourth Brother, making me a laughingstock of the entire city, but I just can't forget her..."
Xie Jingzhou, having calmed down, did not believe there was any real affection between Ji Zizhao and Fourth Brother.
In the end, it was Fourth Brother who used some means to force Ji Zizhao to stand on the same side as him.
If that were truly the case, then even Fourth Brother wouldn't stand by and watch Ji Zizhao push the Ji family to the brink of ruin. He suspected there was more to it that he didn't know.
But he wouldn't tell Ji Renran about such matters.
He would only make Ji Renran believe that he was a man of deep affection, hurt by Ji Zizhao. By evoking Ji Renran's pity, she would undoubtedly help him keep a close watch on Ji Zizhao's every move.
Indeed, Ji Renran was moved by the Fifth Prince's deep affection and loyalty. "It is Ji Zizhao who is ungrateful and has hurt Your Highness so much. Your Highness, rest assured, when I return, I will watch her closely for you and ensure she does nothing to hurt you behind your back."
"I knew Renran, you are kind-hearted. Stay well in the Ji family during this period, and I will find a way to bring you, your mother, and your brother back to the Ji family openly."
As gentle as Xie Jingzhou's eyes were, his calculations were just as deep.
It was a pity that Ji Renran, who was obediently nodding, could not see it at all.
She hated Ji Zizhao even more for not appreciating what she had, but she also had to thank Ji Zizhao, otherwise she wouldn't have met such a perfect Fifth Prince. Even if he was timid, as long as he was good to her, that was enough.
After seeing the Fifth Prince return to the Tong family, the Tong family's attitude towards her indeed changed greatly.
Ji Renran knew that all of this was due to the Fifth Prince's influence.
That afternoon, Ji Renran, familiar with the route, arrived at the temple street wearing a bamboo hat.
Just like the previous few days, she took out a bag of silver fragments and threw them at the beggars roaming the temple street.
"Continue spreading rumors about Ji Zizhao's insidious and cruel nature. Make sure to mention her unfairness to her younger siblings."
The more the Fifth Prince harbored lingering feelings for Ji Zizhao, the more she wanted to show him Ji Zizhao's true colors.
Only by completely crushing Ji Zizhao beneath her feet could the Fifth Prince know how good she truly was.
The beggars in the temple street would risk their lives for silver. Moreover, they had been spreading rumors for this young employer for some time and were now quite used to it.
In less than an hour, public opinion in the imperial city once again pushed Ji Zizhao to the forefront.
However, no one knew that along with the rumors, an imperial decree also arrived at the Ji family.
Ji Zizhao, who distinguished between public and private matters, exemplified the act of cutting off ties for the greater good, setting an example for all royal relatives and nobles in the imperial city. She was honored with the title of Eldest Daughter of the Ji family, exempting her from tedious formalities!
Ji Zixiu, who accompanied the army and achieved merit in the pacification of Luoyi, was brave and resourceful, loyal to the country, and was conferred the title of Valiant Officer!
The female members of the Ji family, kneeling in the courtyard to receive the decree, were stunned.
Just a moment ago, Sister Zhao had pleaded with the Emperor to waive the hereditary succession, and then, shortly after, the Emperor's honors arrived.
Whether it was Sister Zhao's title as Eldest Daughter of the Ji family or Sister Xiu's title of Valiant Officer, they were far more substantial and glorious than a hereditary position that relied on ancestral blessings!
Especially the Second Madam, Yu Fenglan, knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face, sobbing so much that she couldn't stand up.
Ji Zixiu quickly helped her up, "Mother, what are you doing? So many people are watching."
Second Madam Yu Fenglan glared at her with red eyes, "So you're ashamed of your own mother now that you're an official? Let me tell you, no matter how high you climb or how far you fly, you are still my daughter, a child of the Ji family. Your elder sister is still above you. If you dare to rebel, I will be the first to have your elder sister deal with you!"
Ji Zixiu, sprayed with her mother's saliva, could only say, "Whatever you say is right, Mother."
Second Madam Yu Fenglan nodded, "That's more like it. Visit your elder sister more often in the future and learn from her. Look how composed your elder sister is. You, on the other hand, are like a jumping monkey all day..."
Ji Ziyan watched her second sister's helpless expression and secretly giggled, covering her mouth with her sleeve.
The other female members of the Ji family also burst into laughter.
The eunuch who came to deliver the decree saw the Ji family's harmony and that no one was blaming or neglecting the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family. He couldn't help but feel that the rumors outside were unreliable.
Ji Zizhao walked over and signaled Jian Qiu to offer a reward. "Thank you, Your Excellency, for making this trip. Would you like to have a cup of tea before you leave?"
The little eunuch hastily declined Jian Qiu's silver pouch and bowed slightly, "Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is always praised by my Master. If I take money from Eldest Daughter of the Ji family, Master will spank my bottom."
Ji Zizhao asked curiously, "Who is your Master?"
The little eunuch quickly replied, "My Master is Duke Qi."
Ji Zizhao was truly surprised that Eunuch Qi was so influential that he had disciples everywhere.
However, since Eunuch Qi sent his disciple to deliver the decree instead of someone else, it clearly showed that he was afraid that if the Ji family had any disputes, outsiders would see and spread more bad rumors.
Since Duke Qi was thoughtful, Ji Zizhao naturally had to reciprocate.
"Take this money. As for how you divide it with Duke Qi when you return, I will not interfere. However, please help me convey a message to Duke Qi that Ji Zizhao appreciates his kindness." Ji Zizhao said, and then had Jian Qiu take out another silver pouch and hand it to the little eunuch.
The little eunuch was not expecting the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family to be so considerate and thoughtful. He nodded gratefully, "Eldest Daughter of the Ji family, please rest assured, I will deliver the message."
Ji Zizhao smiled lightly. "Jian Qiu, escort this Excellency."
As the eunuch delivering the decree departed, the content of the imperial decree spread throughout the imperial city.
The common people of the imperial city were not fools. They said that the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family suppressed her sisters, but if the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family had not stepped back at a critical moment, how could the Second Daughter of the Ji family have gained a military rank so quickly?
They were both sisters, yet the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family refused to protect her own sister...
Shouldn't one look for the reasons within themselves in such a situation?