Xie Jingqi had no idea what his fourth brother was thinking. Since the decision was made, he said directly, "I will personally mention this to Father Emperor tomorrow."
"Impossible."
In unison, the two words startled Xie Jingqi.
Xie Jingqi looked at his fourth brother, then at Ji Zizhao sitting beside him. Did they have to be so united?
Was this the so-called unity of husband and wife, whose strength could break any metal?
Ji Zizhao also felt she had been too abrupt. She quickly stood up to apologize.
Xie Jinglan, however, raised his hand to signal her to sit down. He then looked at his younger brother again and said, "The battle of Tonglin is a coveted prize for all the princes in the palace. If you stand out alone, you will become a target."
In plain terms, everyone else was in hiding, and you were the only one standing boldly before Father Emperor, wagging your tail. How could those who were working in the shadows tolerate you? At that time, all sorts of insidious schemes would likely be directed at you. After you went through three moves and six styles, let alone going to Tonglin, your life would probably have been calculated away long ago.
Xie Jingqi hadn't expected that going to war would involve so many considerations. "Then what do you suggest we do?"
Xie Jinglan deliberated, "We still need to find a reason for Father Emperor to openly choose you to go to Tonglin."
As long as the Emperor on the dragon throne nodded and approved, even if others had ulterior motives, they could only hold them back.
Ji Zizhao spoke up, "I do have a method, perhaps we can try it."
Xie Jingqi turned to look at the woman sitting quietly behind him, "Really?"
Ji Zizhao smiled, "Since His Highness is going to the front lines to fight, I naturally must protect His Highness."
Xie Jingqi had absolute, unconditional faith in Ji Zizhao's words.
This feeling was like when they were in Luoyi; no matter what kind of predicament they faced, as long as Ji Zizhao was there, it could be turned around.
"It's a bother that you came here voluntarily today. It seems you already had a plan," Xie Jinglan said with a smile, pointing to the chair in front of him and gesturing for Ji Zizhao to come and sit.
Ji Zizhao stood up and walked to the opposite side of the Fourth Prince's desk, and after sitting down, she said, "It's quite coincidental. I actually came today for Old General Zhong, but upon hearing the conversation between His Highness the Fourth Prince and His Highness the Seventh Prince, I realized I could kill two birds with one stone."
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao's serious expression and personally poured her tea, pushing it towards her.
He had also heard about the Zhong family's grandfather raising military funds, but he hadn't expected the matter to escalate to such an extent that even Ji Zizhao was alerted.
"What do you think?" Xie Jinglan had intended to discuss the Zhong family's grandfather's military funds after he had persuaded his foolish younger brother. But Ji Zizhao arrived at this very moment.
Ji Zizhao organized her thoughts and then said, "It's not impossible to raise military funds from the common people, but we need to change the method. As long as we find a way that the people cannot refuse, even if someone wants to take advantage of the chaos, they will have the heart but not the courage."
"So, what does Miss Ji mean?"
"Play on emotions and apply direct pressure."
People's hearts are made of flesh and blood. As long as the wind blows in the right direction, there is no emotion that cannot be stirred up.
As long as the people's emotions were high, it would be impossible for the merchants in the imperial city to continue to contribute nothing.
The Emperor feared the hearts of the people, and the merchants feared their power.
If they truly offended the people of the city too much, no matter how large their businesses, they would have to close down.
Therefore, Ji Zizhao gambled that the merchants would not dare to truly go against the people's will.
Xie Jinglan smiled as he listened. "Miss Ji is truly a savior in times of need."
Ji Zizhao knew that dealing with someone like the Fourth Prince didn't require many words.
Just like now, she had only said the beginning, and he had already understood her meaning.
"As for His Highness, he can wait a while. Once the military funds are raised, Old General Zhong only needs to spread the word that this fundraising was planned by His Highness. By then, even if there are many doubts in the court, they will not be able to stop His Highness from going to Tonglin."
Xie Jinglan looked at the girl sitting opposite him, her expression calm, yet her mind was calculating everything. For a moment, he was in a daze.
What was most lacking now?
Of course, it was money!
So Ji Zizhao wanted to raise military funds in the name of the seventh prince. As long as the money was in hand, not only would it suppress all the restless hearts in the court, but it would also shut the Emperor's mouth.
In the room illuminated by the setting sun, Ji Zizhao sat with a calm demeanor.
She smiled faintly, her eyes sparkling.
Xie Jinglan's gaze gradually became lost, his deep black eyes reflecting the slender figure.
Ji Zizhao looked into the Fourth Prince's eyes, her breathing becoming slightly unstable.
It was as if something was struggling to break free from those dark eyes.
Suddenly, a heavy breath sounded in the room.
As Xie Jinglan regained his senses, he followed Ji Zizhao's gaze.
The result was seeing Xie Jingqi, who was sitting beside Ji Zizhao, asleep on the table?!
Just then, Tang Di's voice came from outside the door, "Your Highness, someone from the Zhong family is asking if they can stay for dinner."
Xie Jingqi, who had been sleeping soundly, jolted awake. It took him a while to realize that the sun had already set outside.
Xie Jinglan couldn't help but laugh. "You should stay for dinner before leaving."
Xie Jingqi quickly got up. "No, Ji Zizhao said so much, she must be hungry. Let Ji Zizhao stay and eat with Fourth Brother. I have something else to attend to and will leave now."
As if he were joking, it was a rare opportunity for Fourth Brother and Ji Zizhao to be alone, so he naturally had to make a quick getaway.
Xie Jinglan hadn't intended for Ji Zizhao to stay for dinner. He instinctively wanted Tang Di to escort her out properly, but then he heard Ji Zizhao's voice.
"Then I shall trouble you."
Xie Jinglan looked back in surprise and saw Ji Zizhao speaking to Tang Di at the door, completely excluding him.
Xie Jinglan: "..."
Oh, today seemed to be full of surprises.
Upon hearing that Miss Ji was willing to stay for dinner, Tang Di quickly asked the Zhong family's servant to prepare an extra set of chopsticks and bowls.
The Zhong family's servant was very quick. In no time, the dishes were laid out on the table.
Four dishes and one soup, a combination of meat and vegetables.
Ji Zizhao looked at the dishes in front of her, but then asked Tang Di, "Is there any wine?"
Tang Di: "..."
What was going on? He hadn't heard that Miss Ji was fond of drinking.
Since Ji Zizhao had decided to stay, there were many things she wanted to explain to the Fourth Prince.
Similarly, she wanted to hear the truth she desired from the Fourth Prince's mouth.
Wine, with its sweet, bitter, and pungent taste, was warm in nature.
It was meant to enhance the mood.
Xie Jinglan raised his eyebrows, expressing surprise again, but he did not stop her. He said to Tang Di outside the door, "Prepare some wine."
Tang Di received the instruction and quickly made arrangements.
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao and said, "You seem to be in a good mood today."
Ji Zizhao said, "The serious matters are finished. It's always time to discuss personal matters. However, discussing personal matters with Your Highness the Fourth Prince without wine to liven things up would be rather uninteresting."
Xie Jinglan smiled noncommittally. It seemed this girl wanted to pry information from him.
Just then, the door was opened. However, when Xie Jinglan saw the wine jar in Tang Di's hands, he began to frown.
Ji Zizhao looked at the round, plump wine jar and was also startled.
Was he planning to drink someone to death?