Imperial city noblewomen, while not as revered as those within the palace, were still pampered from birth, unaccustomed to even the slightest stumble. How could they possibly fall flat on their faces?
Many noblewomen tumbled awkwardly, their shame erupting into tears on the spot.
The other noblewomen, feeling both pain and indignation, saw someone crying and their own eyes began to well up.
Within moments, half the people in the room had fallen, their eyes red-rimmed as they sat on the floor…
This spectacular scene darkened Concubine Xi’s complexion.
Zuo Xiuhua was so stunned she forgot her pain, staring blankly at the unfolding events.
She had only intended to bump into Ji Zizhao, so why had everyone else fallen?
Concubine Xi knew Zuo Xiuhua’s little scheme. Had Ji Zizhao bumped into her instead, she would have had the right to severely punish Ji Zizhao for insubordination. But Ji Zizhao had fallen in the other direction.
Similarly, Concubine Xi understood that Zuo Xiuhua hadn’t messed up; Ji Zizhao was simply too cunning. However, in front of so many people, she still needed someone to take responsibility.
“What on earth happened here?” Concubine Xi feigned ignorance, looking at Zuo Xiuhua.
Zuo Xiuhua snapped back to attention and instantly understood Concubine Xi’s intention.
This was clearly an attempt to pin all the blame on Ji Zizhao!
With Concubine Xi presiding, if Concubine Xi didn’t ask, Ji Zizhao would have to bottle up any explanation she had.
So, if she spoke up and claimed to know nothing about Ji Zizhao’s unexplained fall, Concubine Xi’s methods would surely ensure Ji Zizhao bore the blame to the very end.
With this thought, Zuo Xiuhua felt reassured and began, “Your Ladyship Concubine Xi, please calm your anger. This humble daughter also doesn’t know why the Ji family…”
“Although I don’t know why Miss Zuo unexpectedly bumped into me, it is indeed my fault for colliding with you all,” a voice interrupted Zuo Xiuhua, speaking before she could.
Zhong Xinyi certainly didn’t blame Ji Zizhao. “It’s alright, it’s not a serious injury.”
Xu Meiqing also smiled, “Exactly, you don’t need to blame yourself so much.”
Xue Yinuo, always tough, said, “We’re not made of paper, we fell, we fell.”
The other noblewomen who had felt wronged moments before could no longer cry.
Not only could they not cry, but like the others, they had to show understanding and forgiveness towards Ji Zizhao.
Otherwise, wouldn't they be admitting they were made of paper?
Furthermore, Ji Zizhao was the adopted granddaughter of the Zhong family. While they might gossip behind her back, no one dared confront her directly.
“Your pulse is rather fine, like a thin thread. My lady, are your hands and feet feeling hot while you sleep?” Ji Zizhao looked at a noblewoman, seemingly forgetting that this was the very person who had led the gossip about her in the courtyard earlier.
The noblewoman was startled. “How did you know?”
“Yin deficiency leads to insufficient Jin and blood. Yin deficiency causes Jin and blood to be insufficient, manifesting as a fine pulse. Thus, the blood and fluids in the blood vessels are insufficient and not full. Besides hot palms and soles, there may also be irritability, hot flashes, night sweats, and sore lower back and knees. I recently formulated a batch of Baihe Gujin Wan in the Imperial Hospital and will have someone deliver it to you later.”
The noblewoman was stunned, feeling both ashamed and grateful.
Actually, she hadn’t intended to oppose Ji Zizhao. She had arrived early and heard Miss Zuo mention that Concubine Xi greatly disliked the eldest daughter of the Ji family, and she had done it to please Concubine Xi…
Thinking back now, she felt utterly mortified.
Seeing this, the other noblewomen’s eyes lit up, and they eagerly extended their wrists for Ji Zizhao to take their pulses.
Ji Zizhao, who had intended to check everyone’s injuries, of course did not refuse.
For those whose physical discomfort she detected, she patiently urged and warned them. As for the bumps and bruises from their fall, regardless of severity, she meticulously treated them and personally applied medicated ointment for bruises and sprains.
Xing Jiqiu, “…”
This actually worked?
Considering the scornful expressions of these noblewomen towards Ji Zizhao just moments ago, and now seeing them naturally resolving to reform and calling themselves sisters with Ji Zizhao without shame…
If Xing Jiqiu hadn’t managed to restrain herself, she would have definitely given Ji Zizhao a big thumbs-up!
In the main hall, the scene of Ji Zizhao apologizing to the noblewomen nearly blinded Zuo Xiuhua.
Without Concubine Xi’s permission, Ji Zizhao couldn’t explain anything to her, but no one said Ji Zizhao couldn’t explain to others!
Concubine Xi, who had also been outmaneuvered,’s expression darkened further.
Good Ji Zizhao, daring to curry favor right in front of her!
Very good!!
Seeing Concubine Xi’s changing expression, Zuo Xiuhua immediately knelt and wailed, “This humble daughter merely wished to offer tea to Your Ladyship Concubine Xi and was somehow tripped, causing me to lose my balance. I implore Your Ladyship Concubine Xi to deliver justice for me!”
This was an attempt to frame Ji Zizhao for deliberately harming her.
Ji Zizhao, hearing this, was not afraid and also knelt before Concubine Xi, saying, “Everything that happened just now was sudden, and it is understandable that Your Ladyship Concubine Xi could not see clearly. However, whether it happened or not, this humble minister believes it will not escape the eyes of the crowd.”
Zuo Xiuhua was the designated Princess Consort for the Fifth Prince, so Concubine Xi would naturally side with her.
Therefore, Ji Zizhao deftly removed Concubine Xi from the situation, letting others speak.
If it were moments ago, no one would have been willing to testify for Ji Zizhao.
But now, who among the fallen noblewomen had not had their pulse taken by Ji Zizhao? Who had not been treated by her? Especially those who had rashly gossiped in the courtyard, they already felt a sense of guilt and now it was time to repay Ji Zizhao.
Thus, without hesitation, everyone spoke up, stating they had not seen Ji Zizhao trip Zuo Xiuhua.
Zuo Xiuhua was both anxious and angry, her entire body trembling. “Eldest Miss Ji is clearly twisting facts and confusing right and wrong!”
Ji Zizhao looked at Zuo Xiuhua’s state and knew she had exhausted all her tricks.
However, before she could speak, Xing Jiqiu said, “Miss Zuo, rather than wasting your energy here denying everything, you should be grateful that Eldest Miss Ji fell towards the other side and not towards Your Ladyship Concubine Xi. If Your Ladyship Concubine Xi had been injured, let alone Miss Zuo, how would the Zuo family bear the consequences?”
Zuo Xiuhua, “…”
So, in other words, she should thank Ji Zizhao?!
Ji Zizhao was surprised that Xing Jiqiu had spoken up and looked over at her.
After all, she had seen the resentment in Xing Jiqiu’s heart at the Empress’s residence yesterday.
Their eyes met, and Xing Jiqiu smiled gently at her.
Yesterday, her resentment stemmed from the belief that she could surpass Ji Zizhao.
But now, it seemed she had to admit her inferiority.
Otherwise, if it were Zuo Xiuhua today, it might be her tomorrow.