Xu Meiqing, seizing the moment after Xing Jiqiu finished speaking, quickly pulled Xue Yinuo and Zhong Xinyi to kneel on the ground.
Seeing this, the other young ladies followed suit.
Everyone remained silent, but this unified posture was undoubtedly a silent pressure on Noble Consort Xi.
They were all raised in their families from a young age, destined to bring glory to their clans, and none of them were fools. Their silence today did not mean they couldn't see through what was happening.
Although Zuo Xiuhua had framed Ji Zizhao and not them, if they couldn't get justice from Noble Consort Xi on this matter today, who knew if they might become the next Ji Zizhao in the future?
And by then, they might not be as fortunate as Ji Zizhao today.
Therefore, today they were determined to be united, so as not to become pawns in someone else's game.
A dense crowd knelt in the hall, uniformly and astonishingly so.
Mammy Zhang was so startled that she stumbled back a few steps, her eyes wide open.
Weren't these young ladies all pampered and accustomed to getting their way, each with her own peculiarities...
Yet, the eldest daughter of the Ji family had the ability to make them see eye to eye!
This capability was truly astonishing and enviable!!
Zuo Xiuhua had merely intended to use Ji Zizhao to gain favor with Noble Consort Xi. She had also long since decided that since this was Noble Consort Xi's territory, Noble Consort Xi would surely protect her even if something went wrong.
But now, that confidence, which allowed her to do as she pleased, had vanished like smoke.
Finally realizing fear, Zuo Xiuhua knelt on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
Noble Consort Xi's dark face was ashen, her slender nails digging into the huanghuali armrest beside her.
But no matter how much she hated it, what could she do?
If she couldn't satisfy the young ladies before her today, her reputation would be ruined once the news spread.
"Miss Zuo's actions were rash, but truly unintentional. However, if this matter is not addressed with a small punishment today, it may lead to disaster in the future. Mammy Zhang, quickly escort Miss Zuo back to her courtyard. From today onward, you are to copy the palace rules one hundred times and are not permitted to move freely within the temporary palace without my permission."
This punishment was both light and heavy.
After all, when it came to copying palace rules, who would know if Zuo Xiuhua truly did it unless Noble Consort Xi said so?
But regardless of whether Zuo Xiuhua copied them or not, it was unlikely she could move freely within the temporary palace.
The Emperor was in high spirits during this hunt and would likely not return to the palace until after the first month. These young ladies, accompanying him on behalf of their families, were all striving to seize this opportunity to gain honor for themselves and their families.
Once they caught the Emperor's attention, even just a single compliment from him, regardless of whether they became imperial daughters-in-law later, would be a lifelong benefit.
Ji Zizhao surmised that Noble Consort Xi, having seen Zuo Xiuhua's shortcomings, specifically confined her to prevent further trouble. However, this punishment also stripped Zuo Xiuhua of the chance to make an impression on the Emperor.
Zuo Xiuhua was on the verge of collapse. Even as she bit her lip fiercely, her throat couldn't help but choke back sobs.
But daring not to defy her future mother-in-law's command, she could only accept the punishment tearfully, "This humble subject obeys the teachings of Noble Consort Xi, Your Ladyship."
Noble Consort Xi gave Mammy Zhang a look.
Mammy Zhang, understanding immediately, hurried to Zuo Xiuhua's side and helped her out.
All movements were swift and concise. By the time everyone recovered, Zuo Xiuhua was nowhere to be seen in the hall.
Noble Consort Xi took the opportunity to summon the palace servants to bring in cups of sweetened date tea and place them before the young ladies.
With the main parties gone, no one dwelled on the recent events. Moreover, Noble Consort Xi's sweetened date tea was indeed delicious. The young ladies in the hall all narrowed their eyes as they drank. Noble Consort Xi took the opportunity to introduce the tea, and soon, the hall regained its former lively atmosphere.
Noble Consort Xi even arranged for Ji Zizhao to sit in a relatively forward chair, as a gesture of her benevolence.
However, in Ji Zizhao's opinion, this move was not much different from being under surveillance.
"Noble Consort Xi is indeed Noble Consort Xi. In the blink of an eye, it's as if nothing happened," Xu Meiqing muttered in a low voice.
Zhong Xinyi could relate most to this. "When I was little and visited my aunt in the palace, I saw Noble Consort Xi a few times in Fengyi Palace. I didn't notice it then, but now I feel that Noble Consort Xi's methods have always been like this; she never leaves any room for criticism."
Ji Zizhao was not surprised by this.
Noble Consort Xi had enjoyed imperial favor for years, and her beauty was undeniable. But relying on her looks alone wouldn't suffice to navigate the harem. After all, she was a rival to the Empress; how could she be a simple character?
However, Ji Zizhao felt something was odd about today's events.
Given Noble Consort Xi's composure, she shouldn't have taken such trivial matters seriously.
Yet, not only did Noble Consort Xi get involved, but she also tolerated Zuo Xiuhua's presumptuousness.
This was very wrong.
Thinking thus, Ji Zizhao couldn't help but glance at Noble Consort Xi. She saw Noble Consort Xi chatting animatedly with several young ladies below, her charming eyes full of smiles. On the surface, everything appeared normal, but the more normal it seemed, the more suspicious it made one feel.
Time passed quickly. Before they knew it, the sky outside had darkened.
Noble Consort Xi, who had spent the afternoon with the young ladies, showed no signs of fatigue and even invited them to stay for dinner.
Everyone rose and followed Noble Consort Xi to the flower hall.
Xing Jiqiu took the opportunity to approach Ji Zizhao, "What exactly does Noble Consort Xi want to do?"
Indeed, she was someone the Empress had taken a liking to. Her vigilance alone far surpassed that of others.
But faced with Xing Jiqiu's question, Ji Zizhao could only shake her head, "Let's be cautious."
Xing Jiqiu nodded and, upon entering the flower hall, deliberately sat beside Ji Zizhao as if by chance.
Noble Consort Xi had arranged a lavish dinner. Each table had eight dishes and one soup, with four meat and four vegetarian dishes. What was even more remarkable was that Noble Consort Xi also stayed to dine with the young ladies.
The young ladies were already hungry, but out of respect for Noble Consort Xi's presence, they could only eat slowly, minding their etiquette.
Ji Zizhao looked at the delicacies on the table and understood.
Each dish here had been carefully prepared, and the steamed lion's head, in particular, had taken considerable time and effort.
It was evident that Noble Consort Xi's invitation for them to dine had been planned well in advance.
As the sky outside grew darker, Noble Consort Xi still showed no intention of leaving the flower hall.
"Noble Consort Xi is clearly stalling for time," Xing Jiqiu whispered while taking a sip of tea.
Ji Zizhao nodded, the answer being a definite yes.
Xing Jiqiu couldn't understand, "But what is Noble Consort Xi's purpose in keeping all of us here?"
Ji Zizhao frowned slightly, her mind rapidly reviewing everyone and everything she had learned that day.
Gradually, an answer began to surface in her mind.
But before Ji Zizhao could speak, a palace servant hurried to the doorway, "Reporting to Noble Consort Xi, something has happened!"