The carriage drove towards the imperial palace, silent within.
Ji Renran, watching Ji Zizhao, who had been engrossed in a medical book since boarding the carriage, secretly tightened her grip on her handkerchief.
Considering the women heading to the imperial hunting grounds today, all resplendent in dazzling attire, it was starkly different from Ji Zizhao's somber official uniform. Did she truly feel so calm?
Impossible. How could Ji Zizhao, of all women in the imperial city, be so indifferent to comparison!
It was likely that all this calmness was merely a pretense.
At the palace gates, a number of imperial physicians were already gathered.
Ji Renran looked out through the carriage window, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Soon, the carriage came to a smooth halt before the palace gates.
Ji Zizhao alighted from the carriage, assisted by Fu Bao. The other imperial physicians saw her and walked over.
"Eldest Daughter of the Ji family has been on leave, truly making us envious."
"Honestly, I haven't had a moment's rest since I joined the Imperial Medical Academy."
"If you ask me, Director Zhang is too strict. After a much-needed leave, she should have rested for a few more days."
The imperial physicians stood before Ji Zizhao, chatting with smiles.
"The esteemed physicians do not know my elder sister well. My elder sister has always disliked idleness. Upon hearing that she would be accompanying His Majesty to the imperial hunting grounds, she rushed here without delay." Before Ji Zizhao could speak, Ji Renran descended from the carriage.
Information within the palace was always the most current, so the imperial physicians were well aware that this was the Fifth Prince's concubine, even without Ji Renran's introduction.
However, despite her status as a concubine, out of respect for the Fifth Prince's position, she was not someone they could afford to offend.
And this was precisely the effect Ji Renran desired.
Standing deliberately beside Ji Zizhao, she smiled at the imperial physicians and continued, "Although my elder sister's status is higher than all of you here, she is still your colleague. I hope you imperial physicians will take good care of my elder sister. Otherwise, if my elder sister suffers any injustice, the old madam of the Zhong family will surely be heartbroken."
The smiles on the imperial physicians' faces stiffened.
Was she using Ji Zizhao's status to make a point?
Yes, Ji Renran was indeed using Ji Zizhao's status.
As long as Ji Zizhao caused public outrage among the imperial physicians, she would not have a comfortable journey.
"I believe you are all aware of my relationship with the Fifth Prince. In the past, I was looked after by my elder sister in the household; now that I am out, I must look after her in turn."
Ji Renran was truly eloquent. Not only did she know how to use status to intimidate others, but she also left no room for criticism.
Even as a concubine, she belonged to the Fifth Prince. These people would have to be mad to accuse her of riding on the Fifth Prince's coattails, but Ji Zizhao was different. It was likely that everyone would now assume Ji Zizhao had spoken ill of these imperial physicians to her, prompting this "kind" reminder.
The atmosphere before the carriage suddenly became somewhat oppressive.
Even Ji Zizhao remained silent for a rare moment.
Ji Renran sneered inwardly. Seeing that her objective had been achieved, she turned and returned to the carriage, looking out from the carriage top, eagerly awaiting the scene of Ji Zizhao being ostracized by the crowd.
"If you ask me, Eldest Daughter of the Ji family's current status is indeed different, but even so, she is still willing to serve in the palace. This sense of responsibility alone is not something everyone possesses."
"Eldest Daughter of the Ji family, rest assured, although the journey from the imperial palace to the hunting grounds may be a bit bumpy, if we depart now, we should arrive by evening at the latest, so you shouldn't be too fatigued."
"By the way, we were discussing a prescription some time ago and felt something was missing. Eldest Daughter of the Ji family has returned at just the right time, why not offer us some advice?"
Ji Renran watched as the imperial physicians not only did not ostracize Ji Zizhao but also treated her with no difference in attitude. Most infuriatingly, these imperial physicians were discussing medicinal herbs and other things she didn't understand, leaving her with no way to interject!
Why was this happening?
How could this be!
The imperial physicians, engrossed in their casual conversation with Ji Zizhao, did not notice Ji Renran's slightly pale complexion.
Or rather, even if Ji Renran's face had turned transparently pale, what did it matter to them?
It was true that Ji Renran was the Fifth Prince's concubine, but she belonged to the Fifth Prince, not them. Sudan Novel Network
But Ji Zizhao was different.
Yes, Ji Zizhao's status was rising, making others envious and jealous, but her character was well-known to everyone in the Imperial Medical Academy. The scene where Ji Zizhao had angrily rebuked Zou Hansheng earlier had made all the imperial physicians present feel exceptionally pleased.
Therefore, as Ji Zizhao's status grew, they were even happier.
Imagine having someone in the future who could contend with Imperial Physician Zou; their lives could only improve.
As for Ji Renran...
Even if she became the Fifth Prince's official consort, she still couldn't interfere with their well-being!
Who, after all, would dare to dictate terms within the palace?
Ji Zizhao, smiling and discussing the prescription with the imperial physicians, knew that this situation would disappoint Ji Renran again.
Or rather, Ji Zizhao had long anticipated this outcome.
People sought their own benefit. When their interests aligned, their bond was unbreakable.
This was also why Ji Zizhao had remained silent earlier.
Knowing the outcome, why waste breath?
Ji Renran trembled with anger, but seeing the growing crowd at the palace gates, she could only give up.
Precisely at the hour of Mao, Emperor Xiaochang's carriage, escorted by the Imperial Guards, departed the palace gates. Following closely were the carriages of the Empress and Noble Consort Xi, then other consorts, followed by princes and ministers, and finally the young ladies. The carriages of the imperial physicians came last.
As there were imperial physicians stationed at the hunting grounds year-round, only a few accompanied them this time.
Jiang Guangcheng and Zou Hansheng were absent; only Zou Li squeezed into a cramped carriage with a few other imperial physicians.
Ji Zizhao knew that Zou Li would not rest easy leaving her master alone in the imperial palace.
It was clear that he himself did not want to miss the opportunity to earn merit before the Emperor with his son, and he was also concerned that his master might try to win over other imperial consorts during his absence from the palace; his calculations were indeed deep.
However, Zou Li alone could not arrange for an imperial physician of equal standing to be excluded from accompanying the imperial chariot; there must have been Noble Consort Xi's involvement.
And Noble Consort Xi's haste indicated that she could not wait for the Fifth Prince to ascend the throne.
Ji Zizhao frowned slightly, sensing that the winter hunt would likely not be peaceful.
"Screech—!"
With a sound of wooden wheels grinding against the ground, the moving carriage suddenly stopped.