As the surrounding crowd dispersed, a figure in a simple, plain colored silk dress caught Ji Zizhao's eye. A sky-blue brocade sash adorned her waist, and a vividly colored short jacket highlighted her skin, which was as smooth as congealed fat. While her appearance was not strikingly beautiful, her inherent elegance and refinement were unmatched.
Their eyes met. The woman smiled slightly and spoke first, "If it were anyone else, they would have been furious at the provocation just now. Only the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family remained calm. This truly earns my admiration. I have long heard of the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family's reputation, and seeing you now indeed makes me respect you even more."
It was clear that the entire incident had been instigated by Liang Lanyi, who was being unreasonable. Faced with her friend being beaten and herself being disrespected, it would be difficult for anyone to remain composed. Yet, Ji Zizhao had been calm and collected throughout, her dark eyes serene, observing the situation as if she were a mere bystander.
Many in the crowd had been whispering that Ji Zizhao was disingenuous and cold-blooded, otherwise, how could she have watched her friend get hurt without reacting? However, those people didn't understand that Ji Zizhao's so-called forbearance was not about yielding. Ji Zizhao would never yield. Not for the daughter of a mere prefect, let alone the daughter of a first-rank minister of the court, Ji Zizhao never feared anyone.
It was just that the current situation was too peculiar. While immediate retaliation might be the quickest way to vent anger, it would only embolden the other party. There were many ways to achieve satisfaction, and a more measured approach would be more prudent. Seeing Liang Lanyi walking further ahead, Ji Zizhao nodded slightly to the woman, then, with Zhong Xinyi, left the scene of discord.
Along the way, Zhong Xinyi asked curiously, "That woman who spoke just now, she's quite eloquent, praising you like a celestial being."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Even now, you have time to care about others?
"Her praise was false; the truth was that she wanted to tell us who exactly you bumped into."
"Nonsense. If she really wanted to tell us who that Liang Lanyi was, she could have said it directly. Why all the roundabout talk?"
Roundabout talk? Ji Zizhao didn't think so. Although the crowd had dispersed, the onlookers hadn't gone far. It wouldn't be difficult for anyone intent on eavesdropping to do so. Although the woman had revealed Liang Lanyi's identity, to others, it would only be vague speculation. Especially the woman's intentional praise at the end, which clearly aimed to appear admiring of her and thus sought to get close to her. In this way, even if someone were listening intently, they would only assume that the woman spoke to her merely to curry favor.
But who was that woman trying to avoid? Ji Zizhao recalled carefully. There were many people in the crowd, but there was only one intended imperial consort. Zuo Xiuhua, the Fifth Prince's Consort. But even if she were acting under the Fifth Prince's Consort's orders, how would a mere daughter of a prefect dare to strike the Empress's niece? Ji Zizhao looked again at Liang Lanyi, who was walking ahead with such arrogance, and narrowed her eyes slightly.
Zhong Xinyi followed Ji Zizhao's gaze and asked doubtfully, "What are you looking at?"
Ji Zizhao examined Liang Lanyi again and said softly, "Seeing what she intends to do."
Zhong Xinyi scoffed, "Do you need to look to know? Isn't it obvious she wants to run to my aunt to lodge a complaint?"
At this moment, Ji Zizhao suddenly realized how wise and brilliant the Empress's decision was. Zhong Xinyi was indeed of noble birth, the only daughter of the Zhong family, and marrying the Seventh Prince would ensure the Zhong family's succession to the Empress's position. However, with Zhong Xinyi's temperament, surviving in the imperial palace would be extremely difficult. Therefore, the Empress had to make a choice, preferring to find the most suitable match for the Seventh Prince rather than the most compatible. It was better to gamble on securing the Seventh Prince's position firmly than to risk Zhong Xinyi's tragic death in the palace.
Ji Zizhao stopped and took a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve. She opened it gently, and a faint medicinal fragrance wafted out. Zhong Xinyi didn't ask any further questions; she knew it was ointment for her wound. Ji Zizhao took some and applied it to Zhong Xinyi's injured area, carefully instructing, "When you see the Empress later, absolutely do not argue with Liang Lanyi. Remember this, no matter how Liang Lanyi twists the facts or distorts the truth, you just admit fault for riding a horse in the temporary palace."
Zhong Xinyi indignantly replied, "Why should we indulge her like this!"
Ji Zizhao looked into her eyes and said word by word, "Xinyi, trust me."
Zhong Xinyi met Ji Zizhao's gaze, and her anger instantly vanished. Although she was extremely unwilling, she nodded in pain, "Alright."
Ji Zizhao smiled and then continued walking with Zhong Xinyi. However, as they walked, Zhong Xinyi began to feel something was wrong. Shouldn't the blood-invigorating ointment applied to the face feel cool? Why was she not feeling any coolness now, but rather her face was hurting more and more?
Ji Zizhao looked at Zhong Xinyi's pained grimace and smiled without speaking. It was right that it hurt. Only if Zhong Xinyi hurt now could the instigator hurt more later!
Just as Mama Dai, accompanied by palace servants, was cleaning the courtyard, she spotted Ji Zizhao from afar and hurried out to greet her, "Why has the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family come at this hour?" Before Ji Zizhao could speak, Liang Lanyi interjected, "I request an audience with the Empress. I trouble this嬷嬷 to announce it." Liang Lanyi was adept at handling people and quickly removed a bracelet from her wrist. However, Mama Dai didn't even glance at it. She looked at Ji Zizhao and Zhong Xinyi, and seeing Zhong Xinyi's flushed face, her heart gave a jolt.
Ji Zizhao smiled and said, "Earlier in the temporary palace, Xinyi and this Miss Liang Lanyi of the Liang family had some misunderstanding. I didn't want to trouble the Empress over such a trivial matter, but this Miss Liang Lanyi insisted on crying out for the Empress to judge. Seeing that Miss Zhong was injured, I could only accompany her."
Mama Dai was a shrewd person. She immediately understood that the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family had not only informed the Empress that someone had deliberately come to cause trouble but had also clearly identified the troublemaker. Although she knew the Empress was not busy, Mama Dai still had them wait outside before going in to convey the message.
Liang Lanyi turned to Zhong Xinyi, her challenge evident. Zhong Xinyi: "..." Can this person be any more annoying? Ji Zizhao quickly grabbed Zhong Xinyi's wrist and shook her head gently. Zhong Xinyi: "?" What did that mean? Ji Zizhao winked subtly. Did you forget what I told you earlier? Play the victim! Zhong Xinyi: "..." Oh, she remembered. Let her prepare first.