The wife of the Wei family stood frozen, feeling the ache in her arm and the sharp pain in her backside. It was impossible not to feel a pang of fear.
She couldn't understand what Ji Zizhao ate to grow up with such strength.
"The Fourth Prince Consort and this humble woman's youngest daughter are sisters-in-law. Yet, you treat this humble woman in such a manner. Does the Fourth Prince Consort truly not fear the consequences if this matter spreads?" Which imperial daughter-in-law wouldn't care about her reputation and chastity? Madam Wei didn't believe Ji Zizhao was entirely fearless.
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly, "Precisely because I am sisters-in-law with the Eighth Prince Consort, I have tolerated Madam Wei's trespass into my courtyard and her shouting here."
Want to argue?
Then let's have a good argument.
Madam Wei sat down on the ground and refused to get up. "This humble woman came today merely to implore the Fourth Prince Consort to show leniency towards my youngest daughter out of consideration for their past sisterly affection. Yet, the Fourth Prince Consort's words are cold and her sentences are harsh. This is clearly trying to push my daughter to her death!"
Jian Qiu looked at Madam Wei's persistent, unreasonable behavior and felt she had seen it all.
Back then, her lady nearly met with disaster at the Wei family's residence. If not for her lady's exceptional intelligence, she would have been framed by the Eighth Prince Consort and had nowhere to turn. Yet, this Madam Wei not only barged in without reason, but never once asked about her lady's well-being or offered an apology. Instead, she shamelessly pressured her lady to help the Eighth Prince Consort, labeling her as heartless for not doing so…
This kind of thuggish logic was more detestable than actual bandits!
"When Madam Wei was in the main hall just now, I sent someone to tell her that I was feeling unwell today. Yet, Madam Wei still disregarded my condition and barged into my courtyard. If not for my consideration of my sisterly relationship with the Eighth Prince Consort, do you think Madam Wei would be sitting here so comfortably in my courtyard?" Ji Zizhao said lightly.
Madam Wei gritted her teeth, just about to speak, when she heard Ji Zizhao pause and continue, "Madam Wei perhaps forgets, I am the Fourth Prince Consort by the Emperor's decree, which is why I am sisters-in-law with the Eighth Prince Consort. Madam Wei, do you know the crime for trespassing into a Prince Consort's courtyard?"
Madam Wei had never considered facing consequences and was momentarily stunned. Gritting her teeth, she said again, "The Fourth Prince Consort is indeed eloquent. Since the Fourth Prince Consort is unwilling to help, this humble woman will now go and kneel outside the Ji family's gates. I believe the Fourth Prince Consort will eventually change her mind!"
As Madam Wei spoke, she got up and headed towards the courtyard exit.
Now, as long as she could save her daughter, what did it matter if she lost face?
Those in Zhaoyuan were dumbfounded. If Madam Wei truly went and knelt outside the Ji family gates and the common folk saw it, wouldn't they say their lady was bullying others with her status?
"My lady, do you need this subordinate to knock her unconscious and take her away?" Mohen, who had been napping in the side room, emerged.
Ji Zizhao said, "Even if we knock her unconscious now, she will come back to make trouble once she wakes up."
Shui Ling was incensed. "Are we just going to let her be so unreasonable?"
"If Madam Wei wants to incite the common folk to support her, she must first see if she has the ability to do so."
There were many who wanted to slander the Ji family. Who did she think she was?
Ji Zizhao chuckled coldly, her plan already forming in her mind.
As soon as Madam Wei stepped out of the Ji family's entrance, she knelt on the steps. Such an action naturally attracted the attention of many passersby. As the crowd of onlookers grew, the corners of Madam Wei's lips curved into a smile of assured victory. She wanted to see what Ji Zizhao could possibly say this time!
Just as Madam Wei was thinking this, she saw Ji Zizhao walk out. To Madam Wei's surprise, Ji Zizhao truly said nothing. She simply had her servants bring out a chair and sat by the door, occasionally covering her lips with a handkerchief and coughing lightly, appearing to be in ill health.
Ji Zizhao indeed didn't pretend to be weak, but feigning frailty was well within her capabilities. Being naturally slender and proficient in medicine, any movement she made could precisely convey her current discomfort, her suffering, and the possibility of her fainting at any moment.
In contrast, this made the already robust Madam Wei appear even more burly, like a cow.
Madam Wei: "..."
Shameless seductress, pretending to be sick!
Seeing this, the surrounding common folk understood. Madam Wei's visit at this time was undoubtedly to ask the Fourth Prince Consort to intercede for the Eighth Prince Consort. While a mother's love was understandable, it was not right to push the Fourth Prince Consort so relentlessly when she was so sickly. Su Dan Novel Network
Furthermore, the common folk had heard that the Fourth Prince Consort was the victim in that incident.
Seeing the common folk looking at her with doubt, Madam Wei began to panic. As if by fate, Ji Zizhao spoke again at this moment, "Since I left the Wei family last time, my health has been poor. Madam Wei's unannounced visit today is indeed my poor hospitality. However, the Eighth Prince Consort's matter was decided by the Emperor himself. No matter how much Madam Wei implores, I am simply unable to assist..."
As soon as she finished speaking, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed again.
This time, the common folk understood even better.
The Fourth Prince Consort was clearly scared sick at the Wei family's residence back then! Yet, look at Madam Wei. Without so much as a greeting, she barged into someone's residence. Not only did she not inquire about the Fourth Prince Consort's health, but she also forced the Fourth Prince Consort to beg for the Eighth Prince Consort.
Regardless of what the Eighth Prince Consort had done wrong, who dared to defy the Emperor's decree?
What was Madam Wei thinking, to put the Fourth Prince Consort in such a difficult position?
Why didn't the Wei family just ascend to heaven!
Enduring the common folk's resentful and mocking gazes, Madam Wei's chest heaved with anger, and her vision darkened.
She never expected the Fourth Prince Consort to not only feign illness but also to play the victim!
The surrounding common folk, having understood Madam Wei's intentions, naturally wouldn't stand there and abet her. In a short while, they dispersed.
Madam Wei was filled with anger and hatred, but could only reluctantly get up and leave.
If she stayed, would she wait for the Fourth Prince Consort to keep slandering her?
"Madam Wei wants me to help the Eighth Prince Consort. It's not impossible, actually." Ji Zizhao's voice suddenly sounded from behind her.
Madam Wei turned around in shock, looking at Ji Zizhao, feeling as if she had misheard.
Facing Madam Wei's suspicious gaze, Ji Zizhao unhurriedly stood up and smiled, "I suppose after all this commotion, Madam Wei has calmed down. Perhaps we could talk elsewhere?"
With that, she made a gesture of invitation.
Madam Wei: "..."
She suddenly felt like she was facing a wolf paying new year's greetings…
What new mischief was this Fourth Prince Consort planning now?!