When she sensed that Ji Zizhao had completely calmed down, Xie Jinglan helped her sit on the couch.
Ji Zizhao, with the questions in her heart, asked softly, "What do those people want with the women they capture?"
Xie Jinglan didn't hide anything. "Throughout history, the daughters of convicted criminals were sent to the Imperial Entertainment Bureau to serve as official courtesans. This was originally nothing to object to. However, since my father ascended the throne, he has appointed wise and capable officials, and his governance has been meticulous. Although there are still corrupt officials in the court, their crimes do not extend to their children. Gradually, the Imperial Entertainment Bureau of Yulin became a mere formality."
Ji Zizhao listened in silence, neither agreeing nor objecting.
To the common people, the Emperor was a rare and wise ruler.
But she was not qualified to forgive and forget on behalf of the men of the Ji family.
Xie Jinglan saw the struggle in Ji Zizhao's eyes but didn't expose it. He simply lifted his robe, sat beside her, and gently pulled her into his embrace. "As I just said, there is no shortage of corrupt officials in the court. These people enjoy putting on a show and indulging in pleasure. Yulin has explicit regulations that officials are not allowed to frequent gambling houses and entertainment districts. Therefore, some people began to set their sights on the Imperial Entertainment Bureau."
"You mean those captured women were actually sent to the Imperial Entertainment Bureau?"
"Something like that."
For officials in various regions, it was incredibly simple to help someone change their name, erase their past, and make them disappear. Moreover, once these women were sent to the Imperial Entertainment Bureau, there were specific individuals responsible for their training. Under the lash of the whip, even the most determined resistance would turn into unconditional obedience.
Ji Zizhao felt a chill in her heart.
When Gaozu established the Imperial Entertainment Bureau, it was intended to warn the world with the daughters of convicted criminals. It was the existence of the Imperial Entertainment Bureau that made officials fear and dread it. Yet, this place, which should have served as a threat to court officials, had now become a den of iniquity and depravity, its unrestrained debauchery truly appalling!
Ji Zizhao narrowed her eyes. "No matter how powerful Consort Xi is, she could not possibly be in the palace and know the corrupt thoughts of the officials outside. The only person who could inform Consort Xi of the news and persuade her to involve the Liang family is only one person."
The Fifth Prince!
Xie Jingzhou!!
It was understandable for princes to vie for power, but resorting to such underhanded tactics showed how unhinged he was for his own interests.
If such a person truly became the Emperor of Yulin, how could the people find peace? How could the court officials find peace? How could the great rivers and mountains of Yulin find peace?!
"How I report this matter to my father is up to his decision. Your task now is to rest well. During this period, you should also avoid going to see the Empress too often." Xie Jinglan's words were clearly a reminder for Ji Zizhao to avoid suspicion.
Ji Zizhao nodded, but if given the choice, she would have preferred to exact her revenge herself.
However, the current situation was here. The temporary palace was not like the imperial city; there were too many eyes and ears. The matter had already become widely known, and it was not hard to imagine how many pairs of eyes were watching from the shadows. If Ji Zizhao made a move, those people would latch onto her relentlessly.
Fortunately, the Empress had the foresight to oust the Fifth Prince in advance. Now, all investigations were handed over to the Fourth Prince. No matter how much commotion occurred, no one would dare to speak out.
After all, it was the Emperor who had appointed the Fourth Prince, and questioning the Fourth Prince was tantamount to questioning the Emperor.
Xie Jinglan truly did not disappoint Ji Zizhao. In this incident, apart from the more than thirty innocent women who had not yet been sent away and were rescued, not a single person involved in the case survived. In the deep of night, the ministers in the temporary palace watched in terror as Huo Niangong led his men to carry away the bodies, one by one, into the palace.
The ministers loyal to the Fifth Prince naturally would not miss any opportunity to undermine the Fourth Prince. That very night, someone secretly sowed discord with the Emperor, insinuating that the Fourth Prince was cruel. Little did they expect that before their words could even be uttered, news broke that the magistrate had committed suicide in prison out of fear of punishment.
At this, everyone panicked.
No one had expected that the Fourth Prince, who always seemed to have no temper and no ambition, would be so decisive and swift.
For this reason, Emperor Xiaochang summoned the Fourth Prince to the palace overnight.
Xie Jinglan had been prepared for this. He not only held evidence of the fanatics' desperate resistance but also the suicide note of the magistrate.
Upon examination by Emperor Xiaochang, these pieces of evidence were all found to be genuine.
With this, even the faction of the Fifth Prince could only sheepishly shut their mouths.
Ji Zizhao, who had been accompanying her fourth sister for days, heard the news. Even without witnessing the unwilling faces of those officials, she could fully imagine their expressions of dislike for Xie Jinglan and their helplessness.
Or rather, even Ji Zizhao herself had not expected Xie Jinglan to possess such decisive and ruthless methods.
For several consecutive days, the temporary palace and its surroundings were silent.
Although the matter had come to a close, the ministers seemed to have been intimidated by the Fourth Prince's sudden display of power. Even ministers who previously couldn't be bothered to greet each other now had to bow their heads and act meekly when they encountered the Fourth Prince.
Although Emperor Xiaochang did not pursue the matter further, it did not mean he was unaware of the corrupt private interests of certain officials in the court. However, collusion among court officials was commonplace. If a thorough investigation were to continue, the snowball would only grow larger, leading to widespread instability within and outside the court.
To prioritize the overall situation, sometimes one had to feign ignorance.
Even the Emperor was no exception.
If the Emperor was not pursuing the matter, then naturally the others below would hold their breath. Even on the day of the New Year, the temporary palace celebrated in a low-key manner, devoid of the usual songs and dances, with only a simple banquet.
And at this simple banquet, the Empress still did not attend, citing her need for rest. Consort Xi also claimed to have a cold and was absent. However, Consort Xi's illness was announced with careful timing. Only after the Emperor ordered Consort Xi to host the New Year banquet for the female guests in place of the Empress did Consort Xi claim to be sick.
In this way, Zuo Xiuhua, as the future Fifth Prince's consort, naturally took on the responsibility.
Ji Zizhao arrived precisely on time. Many young ladies had already gathered inside.
Although it was the New Year, the young ladies of this era had learned to be modest. Each of them was dressed elegantly, and even their jewelry was kept to a minimum.
"The eldest daughter of the Ji family has arrived! Come in and warm yourself," Zuo Xiuhua said with a smile, walking over with the air of a hostess. She was followed by many young ladies who were trying to curry favor with her.
But when she looked at Ji Renran, she was sitting alone in a corner, with empty seats around her as if haunted. It was understandable. Among the young ladies present, whether they were already betrothed to princes or still unmarried, who would be willing to lower themselves to speak with someone who was already designated as a concubine?
Even Liang Lanyi, who was already confirmed to be the Eighth Prince's concubine, kept her distance from Ji Renran.
"Thank you, Fifth Prince's Consort." Ji Zizhao, who was observing the situation inside, slowly retracted her gaze as Ji Renran looked over. She then went to another seating area with Zuo Xiuhua.