Ji Zizhao did not deliberately inquire about the reason for Xie Jinglan's poisoning.
Xie Jinglan would not take the initiative to mention it either.
Leaning against the soft couch, Xie Jinglan was enveloped by Ji Zizhao's scent. Although it wasn't the usual scent of rouge and powder from women, it carried a unique medicinal fragrance that inexplicably made him feel at ease.
"Have you heard about entering the palace?"
In response to Xie Jinglan's sudden question, Ji Zizhao nodded before saying, "Please trouble the Fourth Prince to thank the Empress on my behalf."
As soon as the invitation to the palace banquet arrived, Jian Qiu and Fu Bao had already left the palace.
Such a coincidental occurrence, if Ji Zizhao truly believed it was a coincidence, she would be a fool.
Although she didn't know why the Empress was so concerned about her affairs, Ji Zizhao intended to remember this favor.
Xie Jinglan chuckled and said, "My mother, though she did not give birth to me and Xiao Qi, raised us with great kindness. Since you are supporting Xiao Qi, Mother will naturally treat you with special consideration."
This meant that Ji Zizhao should not feel any psychological pressure.
Ji Zizhao naturally knew that the Empress wouldn't be so idle as to investigate her. Therefore, if the Empress knew she was secretly supporting the Seventh Prince, it must have been told by the Fourth Prince.
Upon realizing that the Fourth Prince had intervened, Ji Zizhao felt no more psychological pressure.
He was the one who dragged her onto this boat, so wasn't it only right for him to help her maintain her standing with the Empress now?
Xie Jinglan looked at the girl whose expression was gradually becoming more righteous and felt a helpless urge to laugh.
Oh, she felt immensely grateful for the Empress's help, but she considered his efforts on her behalf to be within reason. What kind of logic was this?
"A few days ago, Minister Tong brought up the matters of the Tong family and the Ji family in court, specifically hoping that His Majesty would revoke the Ji family's hereditary noble title. This matter has indeed been suppressed by General Xue and the Minister of Revenue, but my Fifth Brother has remained completely silent throughout."
Ji Zizhao frowned slightly. "What did Minister Tong say afterward?"
Xie Jinglan shook his head. "There has been no further news."
This was indeed strange.
Logically, Ji Zizhao had stepped forward to involve the Second Prince, thus ruining the Fifth Prince's plans. The Fifth Prince should have hated her intensely. Furthermore, if the Ji family could not retain its hereditary title, the Fifth Prince should have been pleased.
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao and slowly added, "My Fifth Brother's ambition is enough to swallow everything."
With these words, what else could Ji Zizhao not understand?
As fellow princes, the Fourth Prince understood the Fifth Prince even better.
Since the Fourth Prince said so, there was only one possible conclusion.
The Fifth Prince was not unaware of Minister Tong's attempt to instigate the Emperor to revoke the Ji family's hereditary title. Rather, upon learning that the matter had been suppressed by General Xue and the Minister of Revenue, he decided to go with the flow.
Although she was now divorced from the Fifth Prince, Gu Peilan was already his person.
Once Ji Zongyou successfully inherited the hereditary title and became the heir, the Fifth Prince would undoubtedly benefit from it.
Upon understanding this, Ji Zizhao's heart turned cold.
To make the Ji family once again a puppet controlled by others...
He was dreaming too big!
However, since the Fifth Prince wanted to play, she would play along with him wholeheartedly.
Eventually, there would be a clear winner.
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao's increasingly profound dark eyes and knew she understood.
It was truly difficult to imagine how a household like the Ji family, which revered martial arts above all else, could have produced such a mature and scheming young woman.
"When is the Imperial Academy's assessment this year?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, it should be after the Dragon Boat Festival."
Ji Zizhao nodded, her plan already clear in her mind. "For this trip to the palace, I will certainly not fulfill the Fifth Prince's wishes, but the Ji family will not decline because of this. I hope the Fourth Prince will trust me."
If her actions to thwart the Fifth Prince's malicious intentions disappointed the Fourth Prince, it would be a case of trying to catch a reflected moon in a puddle – all in vain.
Everything she was planning now revolved around the Seventh Prince. If the Fourth Prince were to exclude the Ji family at this juncture, then all her efforts would truly be in vain.
Ultimately, she did not yet have the standing to negotiate on equal terms with the man before her.
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao's nervousness and sincerity as she spoke, knowing she meant it.
But when had she begun to perceive him as someone ungrateful and ready to abandon allies once their purpose was served?
Seeing the girl still waiting for his reply, Xie Jinglan raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "It doesn't matter what happens to the Ji family. I have always been interested in you, from beginning to end."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
What was wrong with this man? Why did he have to speak so ambiguously?
Xie Jinglan seemed not to notice and looked at her steadily, continuing, "Ji Zizhao, the only one I want is you."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Even more ambiguous!
Ji Zizhao felt the need to remind him, "Please, Fourth Prince, speak clearly. Although I am divorced and unconcerned with reputation, it seems you have not yet married."
Xie Jinglan looked at the rigid Ji Zizhao, who was almost like an old woman, and his eyes were filled with an unfading tenderness. "Who in the imperial city doesn't know of my admiration for the eldest daughter of the Ji family? As an admirer, shouldn't one have the self-awareness of an admirer?"
Ji Zizhao let out a dry laugh, utterly speechless.
Truly, this man wouldn't know how to speak properly unless he got a good beating.
Xie Jinglan's蛊毒 (gu poison) had been removed, but his body was so weak that he could barely lift his arm. Throughout the entire night, Ji Zizhao personally brought him tea and water, and even went out to instruct the kitchen to prepare some light meals.
Xie Jinglan sat quietly on the couch, watching Ji Zizhao busily moving about.
After a long while, he suddenly smiled.
From childhood to adulthood, Xie Jinglan had never truly pursued anything.
Everything had been forced by circumstances, and he had no choice but to act.
But now, he suddenly felt that if time could truly stop at this moment, it would be quite good.
No deceit, no scheming.
Only her retreating figure, busy for his sake.
This life is too long, dull, and tedious. If one can find someone willing to share the storms and support each other through thick and thin, then this journey through the world would not have been in vain.
But what if...
He didn't even have that right?
Fearing that the person delivering food from the kitchen might encounter the Fourth Prince, Ji Zizhao went to guard the door and draped her cloak over Lian Ju. The spring breeze was not harsh, but prolonged exposure was still detrimental.
The kitchen staff delivering food saw the eldest daughter personally standing at the door. They assumed they were late and were terrified. If it weren't for the reward money the eldest daughter conspicuously placed in his hand, he genuinely feared he wouldn't see tomorrow's sun.
Ever since the incident with Xin Lan, how many people in the Ji household dared to breathe heavily in front of the eldest daughter?
Xie Jinglan heard the commotion outside from the servants and chuckled dryly.
A person who never wore sharpness on her face or lips, yet could instill such fear in the household servants – this was the true power of Ji Zizhao.