The Emperor Xiaochang could no longer recall what happened afterward.
All he knew was that when he heard the Ji family's sons had all perished in Luoyi, he understood that no one would ever again offer him such a grand salute. Yet, he never expected to witness and experience it personally in his lifetime.
And it was a young girl who had delivered this shock to him.
After pondering for a moment, Emperor Xiaochang suddenly rose.
Consort Xi, who had just fallen asleep, was startled. "Your Majesty..."
Emperor Xiaochang waved his hand, pressing Consort Xi back into the covers before getting up on his own and calling out, "Feng Gu."
Feng Gu arrived at the sound, standing at the door and softly asking, "What is Your Majesty's command?"
"Change clothes. To the Imperial Study."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Consort Xi was stunned, watching the Emperor move seamlessly from changing clothes to departure.
Only when the Emperor had vanished from sight did Consort Xi finally react. "Guards! Guards!"
Yun Han, who was on night watch, hurried in. "Your Ladyship."
Consort Xi gritted her teeth. "I want to know who it was the Emperor left in such a hurry for. Go find out for me!"
Having served in this palace for over a decade, Yun Han naturally understood that for their mistress, the Emperor's favor was her lifeline. The fact that he had left her alone in the palace in the dead of night was something that had never happened before.
Seeing Consort Xi's eyes reddened with anger, Yun Han quickly turned to make inquiries.
Inside the slightly swaying carriage, Ji Zizhao listened to the Fourth Prince's analysis and did not argue, implicitly agreeing.
The Emperor's apprehension towards the Ji family had long been ingrained in his bones; otherwise, why would he have let the Second Prince wield the banner back then?
The tragic deaths of all the Ji family's sons would indeed pain the Emperor.
However, if the Ji family were to once again possess the capability to threaten imperial power, the Emperor would still show no mercy.
On the contrary, he would intensify his efforts and suppress them fiercely.
Ji Zizhao's bow, seemingly a plea for peace, was merely a way to use the Emperor's guilt over the Ji family to dispel his own doubts.
To treat an illness, one must find the right remedy.
A heart ailment requires a heart medicine.
The Emperor's suspicions would naturally be best cured when he himself resolved them.
"A kowtow followed by a unique bow, I have had the fortune to witness it once." Xie Jinglan's deep black eyes flowed like starlight. It was precisely because he had seen it that he could guess Ji Zizhao's intention today.
"Coincidentally, this humble subject has also seen it once."
That was when her grandfather had just been enfeoffed as the General Who Guards the Nation. He had performed this ritual when receiving the imperial decree.
Kneeling among the crowd with her mother, Ji Zizhao had happened to see it and kept it in mind.
Xie Jinglan was stunned for a moment.
To have seen it only once yet remember it and know how to utilize it...
Truly remarkable.
Returning to his senses, Xie Jinglan smiled faintly. "I thought you would hate."
Whom she hated was self-evident.
Ji Zizhao did not deny it. "He did not kill Bo Ren, but Bo Ren died because of him. Whether intentional or not, he is the murderer who took the lives of all the Ji family's sons. However, the prosperity of Yu Lin and the peace of the capital are also his contributions. To say I hate would be too strong, but forgiveness will never come."
Xie Jinglan looked at the tensed little face opposite him, his admiration sincere. "The Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is indeed as intelligent as ice and snow."
Ji Zizhao shook her head. She dared not be arrogant before this black-hearted individual. "In terms of scheming and astuteness, this humble subject admits she is inferior to Your Highness the Fourth Prince."
Xie Jinglan raised an eyebrow and smiled lazily and casually. "What do you mean by that?"
"Today, I indeed stole the spotlight. But in return, I have personally plunged the Ji family into the abyss. A Ji family with only the title of Marquis will surely be mocked and ostracized by everyone in the capital. Although that was not my intention, it is inevitable that some will stab the Ji family in the back when they are in distress. Your Highness the Fourth Prince is indeed not favored by the Emperor, but you are a legitimate prince. With you personally backing me, is that not also a warning to those with ulterior motives?"
In fact, upon seeing the Fourth Prince, Ji Zizhao understood why her carriage had vanished into thin air.
Xie Jinglan did not deny it. "If one wants to play the hero saving the damsel, the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family's carriage was indeed rather conspicuous."
"Actually, Your Highness the Fourth Prince did not need to do this at all. Your purpose of warning has been achieved, but such a rash act among the young ladies today will inevitably lead to further speculation about our relationship, and it will also make this humble subject feel..."
Ji Zizhao paused, the remaining words caught between her lips.
It was not that she did not know how to say them, but rather that even she felt those words were too presumptuous.
A gust of cold wind blew through the carriage window, nearly toppling the candlestick on the low table.
Ji Zizhao instinctively reached out to protect the candlestick, but another hand simultaneously reached for it.
The long fingers with well-defined joints gently enveloped Ji Zizhao's hand on the back of her hand, and waves of warmth flowed from that warm palm into her body.
Ji Zizhao looked up in a daze, only to meet those deep, dark eyes like a fathomless pool.
Almost instantly, Ji Zizhao felt her beating heart thunder in her ears.
When she came to her senses, Ji Zizhao instinctively withdrew her arm, but her wrist was grasped by those slender fingers.
Ji Zizhao was surprised again, but ultimately said nothing.
The man opposite her had clear eyes and a serene demeanor. His every word and action exuded a carefree and gentle grace.
Such a person, Ji Zizhao could not possibly associate with the term rogue.
Under Ji Zizhao's silent gaze, Xie Jinglan slowly moved her hand away from the low table, and then, lifting his other hand to shield the candlestick to prevent the flame from scorching her skin, he gently released her wrist.
Ji Zizhao: "..." Su Dan Novel Network
Indeed, he did not say anything inappropriate; otherwise, she would be the one embarrassed.
After tidying everything, Xie Jinglan suddenly raised his eyes to look at Ji Zizhao and said, "My actions today were indeed to make people speculate further about our relationship. I also hope that you will believe I am infatuated with you."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
She wondered if it was too late to curse him a scoundrel right now!
"Since the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is my person, of course, I must protect her. Similarly, since I stand with the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family, I naturally hope that the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family will be responsible to me to the end." Otherwise, if he went to such lengths, showing strong pursuit and protection, and she ended up falling for someone else, wouldn't he appear pathetic?
Although Ji Zizhao understood the Fourth Prince's intentions and truly had no intention of remarrying, for some reason, she really wanted to slap this man across the face.
Can't he speak properly?
Why must he be so ambiguous!
Xie Jinglan saw her silent grumbling and smiled innocently, "The atmosphere that should be created still needs to be created."