The food brought from the small kitchen was exquisite and varied.
There were thin-skinned, large-filled shrimp wontons, golden-yellow egg pancakes, various delicate side dishes, all complemented by a bowl of fragrant and pleasant almond tea. Just looking at it made one's appetite stir.
Ji Zizhao had no appetite, so she pushed all the food towards Xie Jinglan.
However, while Xie Jinglan was eating, she dared not relax her vigilance. She meticulously cautioned and informed him about what he could eat and what he should avoid.
Xie Jinglan was indeed good-natured. If Ji Zizhao told him not to eat something, he wouldn't touch it. If she told him to eat something, he accepted it all, displaying a submissive air as if he were dependent on others.
After they had eaten, the sky began to show signs of dawn.
Xie Jinglan tidied his clothes and then got up to take his leave. He was out of the room and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Ji Zizhao, taking advantage of the remaining time, quickly lay down on the bed in her clothes and rested for a while.
However, the bed was filled with his scent, which made her sleep restlessly.
She opened her eyes precisely at Chen Shi, first stretched her muscles in the courtyard, and then began to learn the various rules and etiquette of the palace with Jian Qiu.
The Ji family had now revealed the matter of the illegitimate child. Although the Emperor had not yet expressed his stance, he could not possibly be unaware of it.
Given the Emperor's apprehension towards the Ji family, a visit to the palace this time might well be a test.
The imperial family was like this; everyone was trying to guess the Emperor's thoughts. Since the Emperor was already suspicious of the Ji family again, it was hard to guarantee that someone wouldn't seize the opportunity to trip her up and curry favor with the Emperor.
Therefore, Ji Zizhao must not make any mistakes during this visit to the palace.
Jian Qiu had not expected Ji Zizhao to have such patience, genuinely and diligently learning the rules.
Even the most tedious rules did not elicit a single complaint from Ji Zizhao.
And so she studied for a full seven days.
During this period, Ji Zixiu had been confined to the courtyard to temper her disposition, showing that the second madam had truly made up her mind.
The main courtyard had been in constant contact with the Tong family.
Old Madam was so eager to please the Tong family that even though the Madams of each branch felt inferior, none dared to utter a word of protest to Old Madam.
Especially with the impending imperial banquet, if the Emperor truly granted a noble title to the Ji family, Gu Peilan's status would indeed be unassailable. At that point, let alone them, the Madams, even the authority held by Sister Zhao might be snatched away.
The Madams of the various branches of the Ji family had never before so fervently wished that the Emperor would not bestow a noble title upon the Ji family.
For these women in the inner court, honor was not as important as stability.
Upon receiving the letter from the head of the household, Chen Gang, along with other shopkeepers, began to prepare to take over the medical clinics and pharmacies in Luoyi County.
Ji Zizhao's price had already been generous, and furthermore, she had allowed the imperial court to take a one percent profit.
In this way, when profits were made, the imperial court would receive money, and if there were losses, the imperial court would not be involved at all. Faced with such great temptation, the Minister of Revenue immediately completed the transfer of the contract that very day.
When Ji Zizhao learned of this news, she specifically went out to meet with the managers of the four major medical clinics.
If the medical clinics and pharmacies were not accepted by the local populace, then they should find a way to make them accepted.
"I've looked at the account books, and actually, the initial income from the pharmacies and medical clinics in Luoyi County was not low. However, deeply ingrained beliefs made the local people treat seeking medical treatment as a one-time transaction. In that case, we will establish a long-term win-win system at the local medical clinics and pharmacies."
In plain terms, it was to set up a redemption activity.
"From now on, all commoners who visit the medical clinic for treatment or the pharmacy for medication will have their records kept. Once they reach a certain number of visits, they will be given medicinal herbs equivalent to the number of visits. Additionally, the pharmacy will be notified to purchase these medicinal herbs at the price of that year."
The four shopkeepers standing in a line had their eyes light up upon hearing this.
In essence, it was giving discounts to commoners who sought medical treatment and bought medicinal herbs. This kind of practice was quite common among merchants in the capital city. However, the cleverness of the head of the household lay in allowing the commoners to see tangible benefits and also to see money.
Now that medicinal fields were being cultivated in Luoyi County, the commoners naturally understood the value of medicinal herbs.
The head of the household was indeed the head of the household; they were certainly different from these people who only knew how to take pulses and treat illnesses all day long.
Seeing that the shopkeepers understood, Ji Zizhao added, "This time, I will have to trouble Uncle Gang to make a personal trip."
Chen Gang had always been the one handling matters in Luoyi County, so having him go there would yield twice the results with half the effort.
Chen Gang nodded and said, "Don't worry, madam. I'll leave in a few days."
Ji Zizhao also asked Chen Gang to inquire in advance about what medicinal herbs were still lacking at the Luoyi medical clinic and to have a list drawn up. After returning to the manor, she called her fourth sister to her side and said, "Once the list is ready, you will accompany Uncle Gang on a trip, and then travel to other counties along the way."
As long as the imperial court tasted the benefits from the medical clinics and pharmacies in Luoyi County, other counties would also set up pharmacies and medical clinics. It was always necessary to grasp the situation first to be prepared.
Three days later, Chen Gang had Qing Zhu deliver the list drawn up by the Luoyi County pharmacy.
That evening, Ji Zibiao boarded the carriage bound for Luoyi County with Chen Gang.
Once everything was settled, the day of the imperial banquet arrived.
Early in the morning, everyone in the Zhaoyuan courtyard was up and about.
As soon as Ji Zizhao opened her eyes, Shui Ling was already waiting by the side with water for washing her face.
After Ji Zizhao finished washing up, Jian Qiu took charge of applying makeup and styling her hair, while Granny He personally inspected the clothes and jewelry her young lady would wear to the palace.
She had to be neither ostentatious nor undignified.
When Granny He finished inspecting the clothes and jewelry and entered the room, she saw Ji Zizhao's three thousand strands of black hair being styled into a "Zhui Ma Bin" by Jian Qiu.
Granny He could not help but exclaim, "As expected, Jian Qiu is skilled."
Her young lady's features possessed a bit more heroic spirit than those of the young ladies in the capital. While she usually appeared uniquely beautiful, she had to be too conspicuous when entering the palace.
"Today, the Emperor is hosting a banquet to welcome the Seventh Prince and the Fifth Prince. It is likely that the consorts in the inner palace will also make an appearance. In front of the consorts, it is best for a young lady who has not yet come of age, like yourself, to be as low-key and modest as possible," Jian Qiu said, looking at the exquisite and clear features in the bronze mirror. She actually felt a little regretful.
Given her young lady's beauty, if she chose a different hairstyle and makeup, she would undoubtedly be able to outshine all others.
There were three thousand beauties in the imperial palace, but not everyone could see the Emperor every day. Now that there was a rare opportunity to dine at the same table as the Emperor, no one would want to be overshadowed by others.
Ji Zizhao knew Jian Qiu's intentions and smiled, saying, "Aunt Jian Qiu has worked hard."
Jian Qiu smiled and shook her head. She then lightly applied rouge to Ji Zizhao's face and whispered, "For this trip to the palace, Madam is an invited guest. As servants, we naturally cannot accompany you. However, Madam, please rest assured. I have already made arrangements within the palace, and no servant will dare to make things difficult for Madam lightly."