Summoned by Consort Xi, Ji Zizhao naturally had no choice but to comply.
Under everyone's gazes, Ji Zizhao walked step by step from the rearmost seat, with whispers erupting all around.
"She's just a mere clerk, what right does she have to be at Consort Xi's banquet?"
"Keep your voice down, she's the adopted granddaughter of the Zhong family now."
"Adopted granddaughter is a nice way of putting it; in reality, she's just an outsider with no blood relation."
Xue Yinuo's brows furrowed at the remarks. Xu Meiqing and Zhong Xinyi also looked displeased, but no one dared to act presumptuously before Consort Xi. They could only clench their handkerchiefs and do nothing else.
As the whispers intensified, more eyes fell upon Ji Zizhao.
Consort Xi was quite pleased with the questioning and murmurs around her. However, when she turned her attention to Ji Zizhao, her satisfaction waned.
Why was Ji Zizhao showing no reaction? Was she deaf?!
"Your subject greets the esteemed Consort Xi," Ji Zizhao said, kneeling respectfully on the ground. Her demeanor was so nonchalant and natural, as if she had heard nothing.
Consort Xi frowned slightly. Of course, she knew Ji Zizhao couldn't hear, "I've heard that the eldest daughter of the Ji family once treated Miss Zhong, and later became the Zhong family's adopted granddaughter. Miss Ji is so fortunate; even I envy her a little."
This remark clearly implied that Ji Zizhao's connection with the Zhong family was merely an act of charity. In plain terms, her title as an adopted granddaughter was acquired cheaply.
While the attendees were unaware that Ji Zizhao was the designated fourth prince's consort, they had all heard of her close association with the Empress, and that the Zhong family was the Empress's maternal family. Although being favored by the Empress was a blessing, who would dare mention it in the presence of Consort Xi?
Even Zhong Xinyi held her breath for Ji Zizhao, sensing the difficulty of the situation.
Ji Zizhao had not expected Consort Xi to be lenient when she decided to attend. Hearing the remark, she remained unfazed. "If we speak of being protected, who in this entire imperial palace doesn't know of the Emperor's fondness for Consort Xi? Even this subject must learn from Consort Xi. How can Consort Xi envy this subject?"
Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent as if struck by lightning. Ji Zizhao dared to imply that Consort Xi relied on her beauty to charm the Emperor? Was she mad?
Everyone stared wide-eyed, glancing at each other, then at Consort Xi...
"Ji Zizhao, you have a wicked tongue!" Consort Xi's face turned ashen. She slammed her palm onto the wooden table beside her, making the teacups rattle noisily.
Seeing this, the other young ladies, terrified, immediately knelt on the ground, begging Consort Xi for leniency.
Consort Xi glared fiercely at Ji Zizhao, wishing she could kick her out.
Ji Zizhao, however, calmly continued, "Consort Xi, please calm your anger. This subject merely spoke the truth. Consort Xi is of unparalleled beauty, captivating the nation. It is only natural for the Emperor to favor you. As the saying goes, love the country more than the beauty. With Consort Xi's charm, who wouldn't be captivated?"
Consort Xi: "..."
She certainly didn't believe Ji Zizhao's praise was genuine, but seeing Ji Zizhao's smiling face, she couldn't find any flaw. Consort Xi knew from birth that she was beautiful. However, maintaining the Emperor's favor for so long was not solely due to her looks. But of course, Consort Xi couldn't openly say these things. Staring at Ji Zizhao's pleasant smile, Consort Xi was filled with rage yet unable to vent it!
Xue Yinuo and the others were accustomed to Ji Zizhao's astonishing pronouncements, which, more importantly, left no room for retaliation even if they were shocking.
However, Xing Jiqiu was utterly dumbfounded. If Consort Xi were to punish Ji Zizhao, she would not only be demeaning her own beauty but also questioning the Emperor's judgment. If, on the other hand, Consort Xi acquiesced to Ji Zizhao's words, wouldn't it be tantamount to admitting she was using her beauty maliciously? Seeing Consort Xi's face contort with suppressed fury, Xing Jiqiu finally had to admit that Ji Zizhao's favor with the Empress was indeed well-deserved. In this very moment, it was likely that Ji Zizhao was the first person capable of making Consort Xi, who had dominated the harem for decades, doubt her life while still having to endure it!
Zuo Xiuhua, seated closest to Consort Xi, quickly interjected, "Consort Xi's beauty is indeed extraordinary; this subject envies you greatly."
Hearing this, Consort Xi's expression softened considerably. She looked at the kneeling ladies and said, "I was merely chatting with the eldest daughter of the Ji family. You may all rise."
Despite her words, her eyes no longer spared a glance at Ji Zizhao. Ji Zizhao rose with the others, her expression serene. She truly wished Consort Xi would be harsher and completely ignore her, relegating her to a corner.
Just then, a palace servant entered with tea. Zuo Xiuhua, who was next to Consort Xi, personally took a teacup from the tray. She appeared to be heading towards Consort Xi, but as Ji Zizhao turned to leave, Zuo Xiuhua deliberately stumbled, bumping into Ji Zizhao, and then sent herself and the tea flying towards Consort Xi.
Everything happened too suddenly; everyone's eyes widened in shock, unable to react. If that cup of tea had indeed landed on Consort Xi, Ji Zizhao would have found herself unable to explain herself! Ji Zizhao had not expected Zuo Xiuhua to dare such a dangerous act just to curry favor with Consort Xi. In her desperation, she grabbed Zuo Xiuhua's arm and pulled with all her might towards herself.
Zuo Xiuhua had completely lost her balance and did not anticipate Ji Zizhao suddenly grabbing her. With no room to struggle, she could only watch as she fell towards Ji Zizhao. As Zuo Xiuhua crashed into Ji Zizhao, Ji Zizhao, leveraging Zuo Xiuhua's momentum, sent her tumbling towards the whispering young ladies.
Xing Jiqiu, quick-witted, immediately understood Ji Zizhao's intention. She subtly pushed the young lady beside her, causing a chain reaction of collisions with Ji Zizhao's group. Seeing this, Xu Meiqing joined in, kicking the young lady who had slandered Ji Zizhao and tumbling into the crowd herself. Zhong Xinyi also reacted, feigning a fall towards the throng.
Ji Renran, seeing Zhong Xinyi's move, quickly grabbed her hand, but before she could pull her away, Xue Yinuo, from the side, shoved her flying. She was literally thrown, crashing onto a chair opposite, so painfully that Ji Renran almost fainted. Xue Yinuo, however, paid no mind to Ji Renran's plight and, with Zhong Xinyi, lunged towards the dense crowd.
In an instant, the hall descended into chaos, a scene of utter pandemonium.
Mama Zhang was terrified and quickly called for palace servants to assist.