Not long after, palace attendants from the imperial court arrived at Fengyi Palace.
"Reporting to Empress, His Majesty summons the Empress and the Fourth Prince Consort to the Imperial Study."
Regarding the Emperor's sudden summons, Ji Zizhao and Empress Zhong knew exactly what was going on, but they still had to feign surprise. Empress Zhong, in particular, seemed genuinely startled, nearly dropping the teacup in her hand.
Seeing how well Empress Zhong played her part, Ji Zizhao could only sigh, thinking that life was indeed like a play, all about acting.
The distance from Fengyi Palace to the Imperial Study was not far, about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. In about that much time, Ji Zizhao and Empress Zhong entered the doors of the Imperial Study.
From afar, Ji Zizhao saw Madam Wei, accompanied by a wet nurse, kneeling on the ground.
"Does the Fourth Prince Consort recognize this person?" From the dragon throne, Emperor Xiaochang's voice suddenly sounded, heavy and somber.
Empress Zhong couldn't help but furrow her brows. The Emperor's perceptiveness was still so keen.
Ji Zizhao unhurriedly withdrew her gaze and then performed a bow. "Replying to Your Majesty, some time ago, the Eighth Prince Consort's maternal family hosted a banquet. This subject, along with other Prince Consorts, attended and met Madam Wei at the Wei residence."
Emperor Xiaochang looked at Ji Zizhao expressionlessly for a long moment before speaking again. "It was only a chance encounter, yet you remember it to this day."
"If it were truly only a chance encounter, this subject would not dare to be certain. However, when we were at the Wei residence, a rather unpleasant incident occurred. At the time, Madam Wei, protective of her daughter, stepped forward and argued with this subject, which is why this subject has a slight impression of Madam Wei."
Facing the Emperor's questioning, Ji Zizhao answered fluently, word by word.
The Emperor's suspicion was evident from how Xie Jinglan had not gained his trust over the years. The more one faced a suspicious person, the more earnestly one had to speak. What happened at the Wei residence that day was witnessed by all the Prince Consorts who attended the banquet. Ji Zizhao was merely speaking the truth and was not afraid of further investigation by the Emperor.
Emperor Xiaochang certainly remembered what had happened at the Wei residence. He had merely asked casually, as Madam Wei's visit to the palace was too coincidental. Seeing Ji Zizhao's calm and composed demeanor now, his suspicion lessened slightly.
However, outwardly, Emperor Xiaochang did not show any sign of relief. Instead, he looked at Ji Zizhao with a somber expression and said again, "Ji Zizhao, do you know what the crime of deceiving the sovereign entails?"
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Threatening from the start, this was indeed the style of the Son of Heaven.
"Deceiving His Majesty is an unforgivable crime, punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's clan. This Empress has always treated you well, Fourth Prince Consort. But if you dare commit such a deceptive act, this Empress will be the first to not forgive you!" Empress Zhong looked at Ji Zizhao with feigned shock and distance, as if Ji Zizhao had committed some heinous crime.
Upon hearing the Empress's words, the Emperor seemed to suddenly recall her presence. "Fenggu, grant her a seat."
Fenggu quickly brought a chair from the outer hall and respectfully placed it behind Empress Zhong.
Empress Zhong sat on the chair, her heart also settling down. Only by showing the Emperor her upright stance could she better help the Fourth Prince and Ji Zizhao later.
"This subject dares not deceive Your Majesty in any way," Ji Zizhao said, kneeling on the ground with utmost sincerity.
"How dare you speak nonsense before His Majesty!" Empress Zhong said coldly, looking at Ji Zizhao. Su Dan Novel Network
Ji Zizhao seemed to be intimidated by the Empress's authority, trembling even more violently. "Your Majesty, this subject truly dares not deceive His Majesty in any way."
"It seems you will not speak the truth until you feel pain." Empress Zhong wanted to call for someone to administer punishment, but she hesitated before the Emperor. After much thought, she stood up herself, walked to Ji Zizhao, and raised her hand, delivering a sharp slap.
"Slap—!"
This slap stunned everyone present.
Since the Fourth Prince Consort entered the palace, everyone had seen how much Empress had doted on her. Even the Emperor was well aware of the Empress's favoritism towards Ji Zizhao. Now, to strike her so readily...
"Empress, there is no need to be angered. Be careful not to harm your health." Emperor Xiaochang spoke these words, his eyes clearly holding little suspicion left.
It was obvious that Empress Zhong had used her actions to dispel the Emperor's wariness.
Madam Wei watched everything unfolding before her with trepidation, her heart trembling like an earthquake. The Empress, to maintain her position in the harem, indeed possessed extraordinary methods. However, the more skilled one was, the harder their thoughts were to fathom.
But looking at the Fourth Prince Consort, who had not exchanged any words with the Empress since entering, yet they could perform such a flawless act together, it was no wonder the Eighth Prince had exhausted himself trying to compete.
After Empress Zhong resumed her seat, Emperor Xiaochang looked at Ji Zizhao and said, "I wish to hear what that palace maid has to say."
The palace maid's mouth had already been sewn shut. Now the Emperor wanted to hear her speak, clearly intending to use Ji Zizhao to remove the stitches from her mouth.
Empress Zhong looked at the Emperor, who found so many reasons to remove a few stitches, and could only sneer in her heart.
A scumbag always had plenty of excuses.
Ji Zizhao understood that the Emperor was entrusting this matter to her, naturally concerned about keeping family matters private. Thus, she respectfully said, "This subject will do her utmost."
Emperor Xiaochang nodded and gestured to Fenggu. "Bring the person here."
Fenggu quickly turned and walked towards the door. It was likely that preparations had been made beforehand. In just a moment, he brought the palace maid into the Imperial Study.
The palace maid immediately saw her mother standing beside Madam Wei and couldn't stop her tears from flowing.
The wet nurse beside Madam Wei looked at her daughter, who was in such a pathetic state, her mouth sewn shut. Her eyes turned red with heartache, but she suppressed any sounds of distress.
Empress Zhong was not unmoved by this scene. A good young girl, who was meant to find a good husband after leaving the palace, was now reduced to this.
Wen Hui...
How could she be so cruel!
As the palace maid was forced to kneel on the ground, Ji Zizhao stood up and walked over. She carefully examined the dense stitching on the maid's lips before beginning to remove the stitches.
Because the stitches were uneven in depth, no matter how careful Ji Zizhao was, by the time the threads were completely removed, the maid's mouth was already a bloody mess.
Even Fenggu found the scene difficult to watch.
Ji Zizhao then carefully examined the maid's teeth and lips before turning back to the Emperor. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the stitches have been removed. However, this palace maid is still unable to speak."
Emperor Xiaochang's heart tightened. He frowned and asked, "Why?"