Faced with everyone's gaze, Ji Renran could only claim she had accidentally sprained her ankle.
The governess leading the way saw this and quickly called out to the other young ladies to continue on their way.
The young ladies were entering the palace for a good future, and naturally, they didn't want to waste time on others' affairs.
Xue Yinuo stared intently at Ji Renran, not daring to blink.
Seeing this, Xu Meiqing whispered, "We are here to be chosen as consorts, can you please mind your demeanor?"
Xue Yinuo's gaze remained fixed on Ji Renran, "Who knows if she will cause any more trouble."
Xu Meiqing listened with helplessness and turned to Zhong Xinyi, "Miss Ji Renran just said in front of everyone that she sprained it herself. So many of us heard it. How can she twist things around? Don't you agree, Xinyi?"
Zhong Xinyi also said softly, "Meiqing is right. Ji Renran, after all, knows what's important."
Although Xue Yinuo was still unconvinced, she couldn't resist the persuasion of the two people beside her and had to let it go.
Palace servants who had been waiting at the gate of Fengyi Palace, upon seeing the governess lead the young ladies over, hurried forward. They then took the young ladies from the governess and continued to lead them inside. After these eunuchs led the young ladies into the courtyard, palace maids serving inside took over the guidance.
Along the way, the number of people leading the way had changed several times, which truly shocked the young ladies.
When they finally reached the interior of Fengyi Palace, the young ladies were even more captivated by its splendor and spaciousness.
In the main hall, Empress Zhong, along with the consorts who were to select consorts for the princes, sat upright.
The young ladies entered the main hall and stood obediently on the reflective, finely woven square bricks.
"Your humble subject pays her respects to Her Majesty the Empress, to Noble Consort Xi, and to the ladies of all palaces."
The uniform voices were crisp and pleasant, as melodious as a yellow oriole.
As the voices fell, the young ladies also knelt on the ground, scattered.
This movement was not particularly synchronized, but Ji Renran, who was clearly more than a beat behind everyone else, was extremely conspicuous.
Empress Zhong, who sat in the main seat, would have to be blind not to see it.
However, before Empress Zhong could speak, Noble Consort Xi, seated below, frowned and said, "Entering Fengyi Palace means abiding by its rules. Is such insolence before Her Majesty the Empress a sign of disrespect?"
The young ladies kneeling on the ground stiffened, their breaths held in fear.
Hearing about it was one thing, but seeing it with their own eyes was another.
This statement, seemingly directed at Ji Renran, if listened to carefully, subtly implied that the Empress was haughty and rigid.
As expected of someone who could rival the Empress in status...
Noble Consort Xi truly dared to speak her mind!
Ji Renran knelt on the ground with a *thud* and quickly looked at the Empress, pleading, "It is all my fault. I saw my elder sister on duty in the palace just now and intended to greet her. I did not expect to displease her. I am incompetent and did not manage to hold onto my elder sister's sleeve, which is how I accidentally sprained my ankle."
A nearby consort became curious, "Is your elder sister also among those being considered for selection?"
Ji Renran quickly shook her head in alarm, tears glistening in her eyes, trembling slightly. "Your humble subject is Ji Renran of the Ji family. My elder sister is an official working in the palace."
The surname Ji, and working in the Imperial Hospital...
With such specific details, there was no need to guess who it was.
Xue Yinuo raised an eyebrow and looked at Xu Meiqing. What had she said? This Ji Renran was endless trouble!
Xu Meiqing truly felt as if she was about to split open, realizing that Ji Renran dared to bring the matter before the Empress.
Zhong Xinyi was also quite flustered, wishing she could chew and swallow back everything she had just said.
Empress Zhong looked at Ji Renran and said, "So, you were pushed down by the eldest daughter of the Ji family?"
"It was my carelessness. Everything is my fault. If Your Majesty wishes to blame someone, blame me. It has nothing to do with my elder sister." Ji Renran denied it quickly, but tears rolled down her cheeks one by one as she spoke, her almond-shaped eyes filled with fear and sorrow.
This appearance made it seem as if she had been threatened by Ji Zizhao.
Noble Consort Xi smiled and said, "I did not expect the eldest daughter of the Ji family to wield such influence in her household. Even I am ashamed of myself. However, I have heard that Her Majesty the Empress and the eldest daughter of the Ji family converse with great pleasure. I wonder if the eldest daughter of the Ji family's conduct and speech are directly taught by Her Majesty the Empress?"
Empress Zhong sat steadily on her throne, her smile widening at this remark. "If we are to speak of sharp tongues and harsh words, then in this palace, Noble Consort Xi would be second, and I would be too humble to claim first."
Noble Consort Xi dared to imply that Empress Zhong and Ji Zizhao were birds of a feather.
Empress Zhong dared to smile and accuse Noble Consort Xi of being arrogant and overbearing.
The more familiar people are, the more they know where to strike the most painful blow.
The consorts present were all withdrawn.
When immortals fight, who dares to intervene?
If it weren't for the matter of selecting consorts for their sons, they would have wished to disappear into the earth.
Noble Consort Xi had encountered a soft nail and did not wish to lose face in front of the young ladies. She then spoke again, "This young lady's portrait was kept in Huaqing Palace. Since I summoned her, it would be wrong to let her be injured. May I ask if Her Majesty the Empress could provide a place for her to rest?"
Empress Zhong decided to grant this favor. "Naturally. Noble Consort Xi, please rest assured."
Seeing this, Noble Consort Xi gave a look to the attendant Zhang Mama beside her.
Zhang Mama immediately went to Ji Renran's side.
She was helped up, but stood right under the Empress's nose.
Zhi Nan felt her chest tighten. What was this for? Was she afraid the Empress would thwart this plan?
Empress Zhong remained calm, sitting on a chair carved with a soaring phoenix, drinking tea and chatting. She even took the time to inquire about the preferences of each young lady for the attending consorts.
Meanwhile, Ji Renran stood for half an hour, her foot aching terribly but daring not to complain.
By the time the Empress rose to leave, her clothes were soaked in sweat.
Noble Consort Xi swept a nonchalant glance at Ji Renran and then walked towards the side hall.
The other consorts respectfully saw off the two important figures and then hurried towards other side halls.
The remaining young ladies were led by palace maids to the Spring Garden within Fengyi Palace.
It was said to be a place for the young ladies to rest, but in reality, it was for the princes to observe them better.
The young ladies, of course, did not know that the eligible princes had already been invited to various side halls of Fengyi Palace.
Xie Jingzhou, who was pacing back and forth in a side hall, stood up as soon as he saw his mother enter. "Is the matter settled?"
Noble Consort Xi looked at her son's anxious expression and frowned, scolding, "Look at your unpromising self."
Xie Jingzhou lowered his head, feigning a wronged expression at his mother's reprimand.
Seeing her son's obedient demeanor, Noble Consort Xi's anger subsided considerably.
Her son had told her about the Four Great Medical Halls a while ago, and she had not forgotten about it.
It was precisely for this reason that she was willing to change her mind and let Ji Zizhao return.
If the Four Great Medical Halls were indeed related to Ji Zizhao, even in the slightest way, their position in the imperial city and their development speed in collaboration with the court would be indispensable to her son's future ascent.
"I can get Ji Zizhao for you, but don't forget what you promised me. The Prime Minister's daughter is someone I specifically kept a portrait of. She is wearing a lake blue dress today. Go to the window and look carefully. From now on, you will be proper husband and wife."
Even if Noble Consort Xi tacitly allowed Ji Zizhao's return, she would never grant her the position of the principal wife.
Xie Jingzhou was indifferent. As long as Ji Zizhao could help him in his plans, it didn't matter whether she was a wife or a concubine.
Noble Consort Xi was very pleased with her son's obedience and waved to Zhang Mama beside her. "Tell Yunhan to tell Ji Renran to perform well later. And... find an opportunity later to summon Zuo Xiuhua. I have something for her to do."
As long as she took action, there would be no failure.
No matter what, today, she had to tie Ji Zizhao and her son together.
At that time, if Ji Zizhao fell into her hands, letting her be a concubine would be her mercy.