As dusk settled, the carriage, which had been traveling relentlessly, finally arrived at the winter hunting lodge.
This lodge was situated in a forest preserve east of the Imperial City. Its secluded location, surrounded by natural high mountains and dense woods, had made it a royal hunting ground since the time of Emperor Gaozu.
At the foot of the mountain, nestled beside the forest, was a densely populated town. As the imperial procession entered the town, the sounds of various hawkers filled the air. However, for the safety of the Emperor, Empress, and the imperial consorts, the Imperial Guards bypassed the town and took a smaller mountain path.
Seated within the carriage, Ji Zizhao reached out and pushed open the window, gazing into the distance. She could vaguely see a few commoners being jostled by a group of people. Upon closer inspection, she dimly made out that the jostlers were burly men, all armed with blunt objects like clubs.
"What are you looking at so intently?" Empress Zhong inquired with curiosity.
Ji Zizhao turned her head, lowered her gaze, and softly asked, "Does Your Ladyship know what kind of people live in this town?"
Empress Zhong replied, "Although the court has requisitioned the forest, they've only claimed a small portion. The wild game in this area is particularly famous, and the townspeople make their living from it. To prevent anyone from accidentally or intentionally intruding upon the royal hunting grounds, the Emperor has stationed a local official here to oversee the forest."
If what the Empress said was true, the townspeople should have been well-fed and living in peace and prosperity.
However, recalling the scene she had just witnessed, Ji Zizhao felt that the situation here might not be as peaceful as the Empress described. But when she looked out the carriage window again, the shadowy figures in the town had already vanished.
The procession continued its slow journey for another half hour or so, finally reaching the mountaintop.
As everyone alighted from their carriages, they beheld the magnificent, resplendent lodge in the distance, and nearby, a series of continuous, closely packed courtyards. These were all encircled by natural woods. Even in the midst of a snow-covered season, the towering evergreen pines gave one the illusion of being in the height of summer.
The imperial consorts and princes who had accompanied them were all arranged to stay in the lodge along with the Emperor.
Ministers and their families were led to the surrounding smaller courtyards according to their official ranks.
The designated imperial consorts, being future daughters-in-law of the royal family, were housed in courtyards closest to the lodge.
As Ji Renran, an officially recognized concubine of the Fifth Prince, was expected to share a courtyard with his future principal consort, she followed Zuo Xiuhua to the courtyard entrance. However, Zuo Xiuhua directly entered the courtyard, slammed the door shut, and left Ji Renran outside.
Those who were being escorted to their respective courtyards heard the commotion and turned to look.
Ji Renran felt the gazes fall upon her, her small face flushed with shame and indignation. She could only look pleadingly at Ji Zizhao, who was not far away.
Xue Yinuo saw this and nearly rolled up her sleeves to start a fight.
Didn't this person have any shame?
Who was it that shamelessly insisted on becoming the Fifth Prince's concubine in the first place?
And now, after suffering a minor slight, she expected someone to stand up for her?
Did she truly believe that everyone owed her something!
Xu Meiqing frowned.
To openly seek help from Ji Zizhao in front of everyone was clearly putting her on the spot.
If Ji Zizhao refused to help, wouldn't she be considered a cold-blooded and heartless elder sister?
Ji Zizhao understood Ji Renran's ulterior motives, but she had no time to indulge her. "Her Ladyship the Empress is feeling unwell and has specifically instructed this subordinate to accompany her to the lodge. I beg your pardon for taking my leave."
This was said to the other ministers present.
Who would dare disobey the Empress's decree?
The ministers immediately indicated that not only was it permissible to leave first, but they wouldn't even object if she ran.
Ji Zizhao gave a slight nod, then turned and departed.
As for Ji Renran...
She did not even spare her a glance.
Ji Renran watched Ji Zizhao's retreating back, filled with anger and shock.
Ji Zizhao was merely a petty clerk, how could she possibly be so highly regarded by the Empress?!
She refused to believe it!
Yet, she had no choice but to believe...
Because Ji Zizhao was indeed being escorted without hindrance into the lodge under everyone's gaze.
What everyone did not see was that outside the Empress's lodge, she was personally greeted by Granny Dai. Once Ji Zizhao entered, she was seated with the Empress, sharing freshly brewed white fungus and red date soup.
Midway through their meal, Zhong Xinyi entered, led by a palace attendant.
In front of the Empress, Zhong Xinyi, who was usually natural and cheerful, became unusually reserved. Even when kneeling to pay her respects, she was trembling, "Niece, niece, greets, greets, aunt, aunt."
Empress Zhong seemed accustomed to this. She instructed a palace attendant to prepare another bowl of white fungus and red dates and invited Zhong Xinyi to sit with them.
Zhong Xinyi cautiously sat beside Ji Zizhao, lowering her head to drink the soup, not daring to make a sound, only wishing for her aunt to dismiss her soon so she could disappear from here.
Unfortunately, Empress Zhong, concerned that Ji Zizhao might not eat well alone, specifically instructed Granny Dai to have the small kitchen prepare more dishes. She then smiled at Ji Zizhao and said, "I have also sent word to the Fourth Prince. He will be joining us for a meal later."
Zhong Xinyi, who was in the process of swallowing bird's nest soup, nearly choked upon hearing this.
Ji Zizhao looked at Zhong Xinyi's resigned expression and suddenly felt that the Empress's decision might be the right one. With such an uninhibited nature, even if she were to marry the Seventh Prince and enjoy great honor in the future, she was destined not to live her life freely and happily.
A little later, the palace attendants set the meal on the table.
Ji Zizhao and Zhong Xinyi followed Empress Zhong to the flower hall, but they waited and waited, and Xie Jinglan never arrived.
Empress Zhong waved to Granny Dai, "Go and urge the Fourth Prince."
To her surprise, Granny Dai returned quickly.
"The people at the Fourth Prince's lodge said that the Fourth Prince just left his residence and appeared to be heading towards the town." Granny Dai dared not voice the rest of what she heard: that the Fourth Prince was in such a hurry to meet a certain woman...
Empress Zhong was stunned. She never expected that the usually calm Fourth Prince would also act on impulse.
After all, in her impression, only the Seventh Prince was capable of such a scoundrelly act of leaving without a word.
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly. "Perhaps the Fourth Prince has something urgent. Your Ladyship has been traveling all day; waiting any longer would not be good for your health."
Empress Zhong was quite pleased with Ji Zizhao's sensible demeanor. She smiled and said, "It's the Fourth Prince's loss if he doesn't come. We'll eat our meal. Only by eating well can we sleep soundly."
Ji Zizhao picked up her chopsticks to serve the Empress, but Zhong Xinyi suddenly snatched them away.
Ji Zizhao raised an eyebrow. Aren't you afraid of the Empress anymore?
Zhong Xinyi quickly shook her head. "You've been stood up by my fourth cousin. Even if I'm scared, I have to stand up for myself. I know you're not feeling good right now. It's okay, you just sit and eat, I'll do the serving!"
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Is she perhaps overthinking things?