Under the candlelight, a stranger's man's face gradually emerged.
Ji Zizhao had long thought that this face was not Xie Jinglan's true appearance, but when she truly saw the face that had been hidden in the dark, she was still surprised.
The Yu Lin imperial family had no ugly men; this was something all the people of Yu Lin knew.
Even though the current emperor was already over fifty, his face could still reveal traces of past refinement and handsomeness.
But compared to the face in front of her, it could be said to be dim and lose its luster.
Ji Zizhao had read a sentence before: "Zong is a handsome and elegant youth, raising his cup and looking up at the sky, bright as a jade tree before the wind." At that time, she simply didn't believe that a living person could have such talent. But now, the man sitting opposite her perfectly validated it.
Xie Jinglan silently drank his tea, letting Ji Zizhao scrutinize him. His slender fingers toyed with the teacup. Before the tea cooled, he raised his head and drank it down. The Adam's apple that rolled down his fair neck, along with his profile that could be described as divinely crafted, created a beauty that dared not be gazed upon directly.
Ji Zizhao looked at this face, which blurred the lines between male and female, and couldn't help but think to herself that it was a good thing he was born male. If he were a woman, who knew how many emperors would neglect their morning court.
"When you see this face, you see the First Prince of Xi Rong... more accurately, the face of the current Emperor of Xi Rong," Xie Jinglan put down his teacup, a barely perceptible coldness and resistance flashing in his lowered eyes.
Ji Zizhao's heart tightened.
Her guess was correct; Xie Jinglan and the Emperor of Xi Rong were indeed brothers.
Ji Zizhao caught the resistance in his eyes and thought that the past trauma must have been deeply ingrained for Xie Jinglan. This pain might not be heart-wrenching, but it would forever be etched in his bones.
"As expected, one cannot judge a book by its cover," Ji Zizhao looked at Xie Jinglan's face and genuinely couldn't imagine how such a captivating face could be associated with such cruel deeds.
"When my mother first saw this face, her expression was the same as yours."
Ji Zizhao knew that the Empress Xie Jinglan spoke of was undoubtedly the Empress she knew well.
Because she saw a trace of warmth in his eyes.
"The Empress is a good person, and a capable mother," Ji Zizhao truly admired the Empress. Knowing Xie Jinglan's identity, she still brought him to her side and raised him with great care.
Such love was not something everyone possessed.
Xie Jinglan seemed surprised that Ji Zizhao would suddenly mention the Empress. A hint of shallow surprise appeared in his eyes, which were like black mist, and after a long pause, he smiled and said, "I thought you would ask me what my name is."
"Didn't I already know your name?"
Xie Jinglan raised an eyebrow slightly. He didn't remember telling her.
Ji Zizhao, however, said, "Xie Jinglan, the Fourth Prince of Yu Lin, and also my future husband."
Xie Jinglan was stunned for a moment, then laughed dumbfoundedly, "Can I assume you're trying to cheer me up?"
Ji Zizhao did not deny it, "As long as you're happy."
The black mist in Xie Jinglan's eyes dissipated completely at this moment. He had forgotten that this girl was most skilled at observation and insight. He sensed that her awareness of his inner loathing had already fallen into her eyes. Her saying his name was Xie Jinglan, that he was the Fourth Prince of Yu Lin, was all affirming his existence, his worth.
So, he still had a reason to exist.
"The moment I opened my eyes, I was the Fourth Prince of Yu Lin. The hostage of Xi Rong had already died in that great fire. I hid it from everyone, but I couldn't hide it from my mother. It was just that I never expected my mother to take both Little Seven and me into Fengyi Palace in the end," Xie Jinglan couldn't fathom the Empress's thoughts, but he clearly saw the Empress's affection for him over the years. This was one of the reasons he wanted to support Little Seven's ascension to the throne.
"If the Emperor orders the summoning of imperial physicians to be dispatched to Tong Lin, I will request to go," Ji Zizhao said after composing herself. She was not in a hurry, but that didn't mean she wasn't truly concerned.
Since the poison was administered by an insider in the army targeting the Seventh Prince, it was unlikely to kill him instantly.
The best way to eliminate someone without anyone noticing was a slow and steady approach.
This was why Ji Zizhao had not been in a hurry upon hearing that the Seventh Prince had been poisoned.
However, now that the old general of the Zhong family had written to the Emperor for help, it was enough to show that the army physicians could only control the Seventh Prince's poison, but not cure it completely.
Now, the entire fortune of the Ji family was staked on the Seventh Prince. Let alone Ji Zizhao going to Tong Lin alone, she would even go to hell and back to bring the Seventh Prince back.
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao's determined gaze and smiled helplessly.
He was currently a hostage of Xi Rong, but this girl, knowing that Little Seven was poisoned by Xi Rong spies within the Yu Lin army, could still so sincerely express her feelings to him...
Was she truly not afraid that he was the mastermind behind everything?
This courage...
Most men wouldn't possess it.
"Aren't you afraid I'll interfere?"
"The hostage of Xi Rong might be, but the Fourth Prince of Yu Lin won't be."
Everything that needed to be said had been said, and Ji Zizhao saw no reason to linger. She got up and walked towards the door.
When she stood by the door, she looked at the closed door and spoke again, "No matter what your choice is, as long as you do not violate national justice, I will respect your decision."
This was Ji Zizhao's bottom line.
Huo Nian, standing by the door, heard these words and relaxed his grip on his sword.
Since the eldest daughter of the Ji family could say this, it proved she was on her master's side.
Tang Di truly envied him. Look at his master's luck; a wife like this was truly hard to find even with a lantern.
With her words clearly stated, Ji Zizhao felt completely relieved. She let out a long sigh and reached out to push the door.
Suddenly, a cool breeze swept from behind her!
Immediately, an arm with sleeves embroidered with azure bamboo wrapped around her, pulling her into the warm, beating chest behind her.
"What if I do violate it?" the familiar voice, with a lazy, casual tone, mixed with a slightly scorching breath, blew gently into Ji Zizhao's ear.
Ji Zizhao, however, did not hesitate, "Others might, but you... won't."
This trust was deeply rooted, needing no doubt.
Xie Jinglan lowered his head and smiled faintly, his shoulders shaking slightly. His slender chin rested in the hollow of Ji Zizhao's shoulder. His crystal-clear eyes curved like crescent moons, and his thin lips curved into a perfect arc.
Ji Zizhao, "..."
She had no idea what this person was laughing about.
The letter from the old general of the Zhong family could reach Xie Jinglan, which meant that others also suspected his identity. Not to mention how the letter reached Xie Jinglan, but how to handle this letter was a difficult problem. Sudan Novel Network
It was fortunate that he could still laugh.
How much courage did he have.