The Consort Xi, seated in her bedchamber, was lost in thought, gazing at the portrait of Ji Zizhao.
She couldn't recall ever keeping a portrait of Ji Zizhao.
Yun Han and Granny Zhang knelt on the ground, their hearts pounding with fear, doing their best to prove their innocence.
"Your Ladyship, please do not be angry. This servant carefully verified the portraits when delivering them; there is no way we could have been negligent."
"Your Ladyship, this old servant is truly wronged…"
Everyone in the bedchamber knew that Consort Xi held Ji Zizhao, the eldest daughter of the Ji family, in contempt.
They would have to be tired of living to be so careless.
Yet, the portrait of the eldest daughter of the Ji family had inexplicably remained with those of other young ladies.
Consort Xi's complexion was exceedingly grim, but she hadn't truly lost her mind. After staring at Ji Zizhao's portrait for a long time, she let out a cold, mocking laugh. "The Empress is becoming more capable. She can even reach out her hand to this palace."
Yun Han and Granny Zhang were stunned by her words, "Your Ladyship means… this was done by Her Majesty the Empress?"
"Besides her, who else could it be?"
The Ji family was now insignificant, but Ji Zizhao was no longer the pushover she once was.
Someone who could get into the Imperial Academy and was a direct disciple of Zhang Shuzhong, who wouldn't keep a close eye on her?
While the Imperial Academy might not achieve great things, its advantage lay in its proximity to the Emperor.
A position that allowed one to know the affairs of the inner palace and observe the Emperor's thoughts at any time…
This was not something that could be bought with money or power.
In comparison, Ji Zizhao had become a sought-after commodity.
With the selection of princes for marriage underway, the consorts of various palaces naturally wanted to betroth Ji Zizhao to their sons.
"The Empress knows I look down on Ji Zizhao and would not want the Fifth Prince to rekindle his affection. Therefore, she specifically placed Ji Zizhao's portrait here, in front of me. This way, without a single soldier, she can thwart the subtle intentions of other consorts."
Yun Han: "..."
Granny Zhang: "..."
Her Majesty the Empress was truly a master strategist!
When Xie Jingzhou entered, he saw his mother, the consort, examining Ji Zizhao's portrait.
The moment he saw Ji Zizhao's portrait, Xie Jingzhou's mood became inexplicably good. Even his greeting to Consort Xi was unusually respectful. "Your son greets Mother Consort."
Consort Xi waved her hand, signaling Yun Han and Granny Zhang to leave, before explaining the matter of the portrait.
Xie Jingzhou hadn't expected Ji Zizhao's portrait to be something his mother had kept. However, he didn't want to miss this opportunity. "Since the Empress has schemed against you, she surely believes you look down on Ji Zizhao. Why don't you surprise her and catch her off guard?"
Consort Xi could see her son's hidden intentions. "Are you perhaps still not over Ji Zizhao?"
Xie Jingzhou knew it was better to persuade her honestly than to hide it. "Your son has long known that Ji Zizhao is different from other young ladies in the capital. If she truly becomes an ally of the Empress, it would also be disadvantageous to you, Mother Consort. Why don't you let her stay by your son's side to assist him and care for you?"
If it were before, Consort Xi would certainly not have agreed.
But now, it was different. Ji Zizhao was the only young lady who could serve in the palace.
Consort Xi disliked Ji Zizhao, but she would never jeopardize her son's future.
"Many have entered the Imperial Academy over the years, but very few have managed to stay. You don't need to be so impatient. It will take some time for the Empress to compile the list of selected ladies for each palace, and then it needs to be reviewed by His Majesty. During this period, Ji Zizhao will have already entered service. Whether she is a fish eye or a pearl, we shall see."
It would take at least three to four months for the Empress to compile the list and submit it for the Emperor's decision.
During this time, it would be enough to determine if Ji Zizhao was worth her setting aside past grievances.
Ji Zizhao was unaware that her portrait had caused such a stir in the palace.
After the third round of examinations, the list of recruits for the Imperial Academy was released.
Ji Zizhao and Jiang Guangsheng were both appointed as officials, specifically tasked with treating ministers below the fifth rank and their family members.
Only Zou Hansheng was accepted as an Imperial Physician, qualified to attend to the consorts and concubines of the inner palace.
There were also over a dozen apprentices, responsible for tasks such as decocting medicines and sorting medicinal herbs within the Imperial Academy.
Upon the release of this list, the female members of the Ji family were all indignant on Ji Zizhao's behalf.
Their Zhen Jie'er ranked second in two rounds and first in one round; why was she only made an official?
For this reason, Ji Zixiu, who was in the army, specifically returned, saying she wanted to get to the bottom of things at the Zou family.
Before Ji Zixiu could approach them, a formal invitation from the Zou family arrived at the Ji residence.
The Zou family sent the invitation, naturally, to celebrate Zou Hansheng's success in becoming an Imperial Physician.
Ji Zixiu looked at the Zou family's invitation and almost exploded with rage. "How can the Zou family be so shameless!"
Ji Zizhao examined the invitation in her hand, appearing quite calm. "For this selection, only Zou Hansheng became an Imperial Physician. It is normal for the Zou family to host a banquet to celebrate with those who took the examination together."
Ji Zixiu frowned. "I think they just want to show off."
"Even if they are showing off, they have the capital to do so, don't they?"
Ji Zizhao disagreed with Zou Hansheng's character.
However, to be able to enter the palace and become an Imperial Physician required not only background but also strength.
Zou Li, alongside Zhang Shuzhong, was one of the two chief physicians of the Imperial Academy. Their composure and experience were imaginable.
How could such an old fox allow his son to go into the palace and be embarrassed?
"Since Elder Sister says so, are you going?"
Ji Zizhao flicked the invitation. "Of course, I must go. Otherwise, wouldn't people say we Ji family members are sore losers?"
"Elder Sister, you don't need to indulge them. If you truly don't want me to go, please refuse. " Ji Zixiu now wished her elder sister would agree to not go, so she would have a legitimate reason to storm over.
"Serving in the palace is different from serving in the army. Generals rely on their fists, and people rely on strategy. We appear to be taking a step back, but in reality, we are merely leaving ourselves a retreat." Ji Zizhao still remembered how to conduct herself in the hospital in her previous life. Although many years had passed, workplace tactics were fundamentally unchanging.
If others do not offend me, I will not offend them.
If they truly bully me, I will not indulge them either.
The weather in June was scorching and unbearable.
As soon as the sun appeared, it baked people into annoyance.
Yet, even so, on the day the Zou family hosted their banquet, no one dared to refuse.
When Ji Zizhao alighted from her carriage, the Zou family's entrance was already filled with carriages, a testament to the overflowing guests.
A servant who had been waiting at the entrance early took the invitation from Ji Zizhao and respectfully ushered her inside.
The Zou family, as expected of a prominent household, changed servants multiple times to guide guests into the mansion.
Ji Zizhao followed the maid through the Flower Gate, finally arriving at the back garden where the Zou family was hosting their banquet.