Regarding the Empress's judgment in choosing people, Xie Jingqi had long given up hope. For two consecutive years of the junior selection, his mother had chosen very bookish individuals for his fourth brother. He couldn't even follow their conversations, let alone understand them. The thought of his fourth brother having to live with such walking encyclopedias made him feel genuinely sorry for him.
Therefore, when his mother brought up the junior selection just now, Xie Jingqi had already prepared in his mind how to help his fourth brother navigate the situation. He never expected his mother to directly name Ji Zizhao.
"Mother, have your eyes been blessed this year?" Xie Jingqi, full of preparedness but with nowhere to apply it, could only give Empress Zhong a thumbs-up. "Mother, your discernment is truly excellent. I never realized my mistake before."
Empress Zhong gave her youngest son a dismissive glance. "The people chosen for your fourth brother before were also handpicked."
Though these two sons were not her biological children, she had raised them herself. In essence, they were both unfortunate children without birth mothers, and in her heart, they were as good as her own. Every year, Empress Zhong's most important concern was her fourth son's marriage, but he had always been reluctant to agree. Just as Empress Zhong was about to give up, Ji Zizhao appeared.
"Although the Ji family's current situation is completely unworthy of your fourth brother, fortunately, Ji Zizhao herself is ambitious, and your fourth brother also likes her. Since that's the case, I won't forcibly stop it."
Xie Jingqi was displeased upon hearing this. "Mother, I don't like these words. My fourth brother is marrying a wife, not acquiring a mansion to keep. Why would he need family status?"
Empress Zhong: "..."
If she hadn't raised him herself, she would have thrown him out to feed the dogs right now.
Seeing the Empress's anger, Xie Jingqi dared not joke further. He eagerly looked at his fourth brother, his mind already dreaming of what it would be like to attend his fourth brother's wedding. Empress Zhong also looked at her eldest son. Although her expression was calm, her hands, clutching a handkerchief, were trembling uncontrollably. No one knew how excited she was at this moment.
However, under the dual gaze of Empress Zhong and Xie Jingqi, Xie Jinglan said calmly, "Your mother's kindness is appreciated, but I still have no plans to marry."
Empress Zhong's heart trembled, and the handkerchief in her hand almost fell to the ground.
Xie Jingqi, who was about to explode, stood up in shock. "Fourth brother, do you know what you're saying? That's Ji Zizhao! Didn't you always say Ji Zizhao was good in every way?"
Xie Jinglan smiled faintly. "She is indeed very good."
Xie Jingqi was furious. "If she's so good, why don't you marry her?"
"Being good doesn't mean I have to possess her. Moreover, she is not a woman who needs to rely on a man. If she had truly agreed to my proposal at the teahouse back then, I would have nodded without hesitation now." He admitted that he was indeed moved by Ji Zizhao. But now, he couldn't give her much; a stable reliance was perhaps his limit. Most importantly, he himself didn't know how long he could be her support. Therefore, if Ji Zizhao nodded, he would do his best to give her everything while he lived. But if Ji Zizhao refused, he would not force it any further.
Xie Jingqi stared in astonishment at the gentle face opposite him. Truly, if this weren't his fourth brother, he would have punched him long ago.
Empress Zhong calmed down very quickly, even regaining her usual composure instantly. Regarding Xie Jinglan's refusal, Empress Zhong did not continue to pressure him. After a pause, she said again, "Today, I received portraits of young ladies from various palaces. Coincidentally, I happened to browse through the ones sent by Consort Xi. Not only did Consort Xi select the daughters of high-ranking officials, but I also did not find the portrait of the eldest daughter of the Ji family among the returned ones."
Not finding it meant it had been kept by Consort Xi. And if it was kept, it meant Consort Xi might arrange for Ji Zizhao to marry the fifth prince. Xie Jinglan, who was about to lift his teacup, paused, and a few drops of tea spilled out.
Xie Jingqi couldn't believe it. "Didn't Ji Zizhao already marry Xie Jingzhou once? And even though they divorced, how could she still..."
Empress Zhong calmly interrupted Xie Jingqi. "You mentioned it was a divorce. Moreover, Ji Zizhao never even entered the fifth prince's mansion. She neither paid respects to heaven and earth nor consummated the marriage, so it wasn't a true marriage. Now that Ji Zizhao is at the peak of her brilliance, it's only natural for Consort Xi to see her capabilities and want to keep her by the fifth prince's side to assist him."
Xie Jingqi: "..." He had never met such a shameless person! "Ji Zizhao's abilities are evident to everyone now. Such a capable woman is naturally treasured by everyone. Now that Consort Xi has kept her portrait, other palaces have not made a move. Do you really think Consort Xi is the only one who would keep Ji Zizhao's portrait?"
When the princes were still young, those in the harem had eagerly watched the position of the crown prince. Now that the princes were about to marry, who wouldn't try their best to fight for that throne? "I have held them above them for so many years. Don't they all wish to be surpassed by newcomers? But as long as I live for one day, they can forget about riding on my neck. Since the fourth son has no intention for Ji Zizhao, then let the seventh son marry her. It's the same."
Xie Jingqi was stunned. "Mother, are you crazy?"
Empress Zhong smiled coldly. "Being crazy is better than living a life of dependence."
"I like Ji Zizhao, but it's only a familial affection."
"Having feelings is good. Perhaps once she is married into the family, that will change."
This could change? Xie Jingqi: "..." Faced with his mother's erratic thinking, he was truly at his wit's end! Helplessly, Xie Jingqi looked at Xie Jinglan opposite him, staring intently. He really didn't know what to do if he didn't look at his fourth brother now.
Xie Jinglan gently sipped his tea, then put down the teacup and rose to take his leave. "Son has matters to attend to, so I will not disturb Mother."
Xie Jingqi also stood up, looking at the Empress. "Mother, there are limits to how much you can pit your son against. Are you truly afraid that lightning won't strike me when there's thunder and rain?" With that, he hurriedly ran out to chase after his fourth brother.
Zhinan watched the two princes leave one after another, then walked in and said softly, "Her Majesty the Empress loves the Fourth Prince so dearly, why must she be so insistent?"
Empress Zhong looked at the empty doorway, her eyes slightly reddening. "Everyone is selfish. Even if I am the mother of the nation, who says I deserve to be selfless? Zhinan, I don't want much. I just want the fourth son to live well under my watchful eye." Other princes married to expand their influence. But her son's marriage was a matter of survival.