If Ji Zizhao had brought it up, she would have naturally spoken well of Wen Hui. If Ji Zizhao hadn't, Wen Hui, with her little schemes, would have found ways to play the victim in front of Xie Jinglan, perhaps even turning the tables on Ji Zizhao.
In short, this was clearly forcing Ji Zizhao to speak up for Wen Hui!
Whether Wen Hui’s plan had failed out of fear or she had a change of heart, Ji Zizhao didn't care. What was done was done. To seek a magic cure from her for her mistakes was simply laughable.
“I am not clear how long the war will last, but from what the Empress implies, His Majesty is greatly pleased with the Seventh Prince’s recovery. Otherwise, he would not have sent an additional ten thousand elite troops. With Marquis Zhongyong holding the fort at Tonglin, victory against the Western Rong is in sight.”
Wen Hui showed a hint of surprise. “If that’s the case, will the Seventh Prince and Fourth Imperial Brother be returning soon?”
Ji Zizhao sighed. “When the Seventh Prince returns, this palace will likely stir up trouble again.”
“What do you mean, Fourth Imperial Sister-in-law?”
“I imagine Princess Wen Hui knows that the Seventh Prince and the Fourth Imperial Prince were both raised by the Empress since childhood and are as close as brothers. Recently, rumors have spread in the imperial city that the Fourth Imperial Prince is not His Majesty’s biological son, nearly causing His Majesty to become estranged from him. It was one thing when the Seventh Prince was away, but if he learns of this matter upon his return, he will surely not let it go.”
Wen Hui inexplicably tightened her grip on her handkerchief. “But hasn’t this matter been cleared up?”
Ji Zizhao said softly, “Even if it is over for everyone else, as long as it is not over for the Seventh Prince, this matter will not end. Princess Wen Hui should know the Seventh Prince’s temperament.”
How could Wen Hui not know the Seventh Prince’s temperament? He was a veritable bully in the palace!
There were plenty of princes in the palace who grew up without a birth mother, but none lived like a ruffian. The truth was, His Majesty treated the Seventh Prince with special indulgence. Later, when the Seventh Prince was sent to the Empress, he thrived even more.
Recalling the Seventh Prince as a child, with his hands on his hips, fearlessly defying heaven and earth, Wen Hui felt a headache just thinking about it now!
“Princess Wen Hui may not know, but just now the Empress mentioned that the Seventh Prince seems to already know about the Fourth Imperial Prince’s affairs. I heard that his tone was not good when he wrote to His Majesty, making His Majesty’s heart pound. The Empress is also worried about how much trouble the Seventh Prince will stir up when he returns.”
“But, but the matter has already been investigated…”
“It can be investigated again. As long as the Seventh Prince is not satisfied, this matter will not be over. In the past, His Majesty might have indulged it, and there might have been some whispers in court, but now that the Seventh Prince returns with merits, what more can the ministers in court say?” Ji Zizhao maintained her smiling demeanor.
But Wen Hui could not even manage a smile; her palms were sweating.
After the Eighth Prince was demoted, there was no mention of him anywhere, in or out of the palace. Wen Hui had thought the matter was over. Now, Ji Zizhao told her it was far from over. How could Wen Hui still smile?
She felt like crying!
Wen Hui knew very well what she had done. Even with Consort Xi blocking the way, could Consort Xi truly be trusted? If the Seventh Prince made a fuss, Consort Xi might sacrifice the Eighth Prince first and then sell her out just as easily.
“I suddenly feel a bit tired, so I won’t disturb Fourth Imperial Sister-in-law any longer.” Wen Hui was now too flustered to continue strolling in the sun with Ji Zizhao.
“Princess Wen Hui, walk slowly.” Ji Zizhao still wore a full smile as she watched Wen Hui’s distraught retreating figure.
It had to be said that Wen Hui was not without a bit of cunning. She knew how to hide behind Consort Xi. Even if the Eighth Prince were to bite, he would have to bite Consort Xi first before implicating Wen Hui. Given the Eighth Prince’s schemes, he would have thought of it. Once Consort Xi was involved, Consort Sun would likely not have a good time either. That was why the Eighth Prince had swallowed everything.
However, whether Wen Hui could continuously hide behind Consort Xi and remain safe depended on whether Ji Zizhao agreed.
The more cautious one was, the more one had to lose. Sudannovel.com
Since that was the case, she had to be made to fear. Only then would she panic and reveal herself.
Fortunately, the Seventh Prince had a notorious reputation, which was enough to frighten Wen Hui.
As expected, for several consecutive days, Wen Hui could not be seen in the palace. When Ji Zizhao was on duty, she overheard imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Office saying that Princess Wen Hui suffered from deficiency, had nightmares for days, and was often dazed even during the day. The imperial physicians who treated her prescribed many calming remedies.
Ji Zizhao knew that Wen Hui was scared.
It was good that she was scared.
Once she was scared, she would try to find a way to put herself at ease.
And Ji Zizhao was waiting for this opportunity.
Meanwhile, news came from Tonglin again. Ten thousand elite troops had arrived at Tonglin. That same evening, the Seventh Prince personally led his troops to trap some of the Western Rong people outside Tonglin city, including the Second Prince of Western Rong.
With hostages, Tonglin had leverage to negotiate with the Western Rong.
Now, Han Jingyu and Ji Zimuo personally guarded the Western Rong hostages, working tirelessly.
Emperor Xiaochang was naturally overjoyed upon hearing the war report and directly issued an oral decree in court that he would heavily reward them upon their triumphant return. After the court session, Emperor Xiaochang summoned several important ministers to the Imperial Study. Before long, an imperial decree was issued, ordering the dispatch of medicine to Tonglin.
Upon hearing this, Ji Zizhao’s hand, holding the teacup, tightened.
Her second sister was indeed fighting for the country, and her abilities were undeniable. However, in Tonglin, with the elder General Zhong above and Han Jingyu below, according to reason, no matter how the war report was written, her second sister should not have been mentioned.
Yet, she was.
Besides Xie Jinglan, Ji Zizhao could not think of anyone else who could have done this.
Despite being in a precarious situation himself, he helped her second sister with her invitation, helping her comfort her family. This thoughtfulness was so precious. If she could see him again, Ji Zizhao would repay him a hundredfold. If she could not…
She would cherish it in her heart and never forget it.
Suppressing the ache in her heart, Ji Zizhao rose and went to her second aunt’s courtyard.
“Sister Zhao, why have you come at this hour?” Madam Yu Fenglan, the second wife, who was chanting Buddhist scriptures indoors, saw Ji Zizhao and quickly got up to pull her to sit on the Arhat bed.
Ji Zizhao looked at the Buddhist scriptures spread on the table and smiled. “Is Second Aunt praying for Second Sister again?”
Madam Yu Fenglan sighed. “She’s been gone for nearly half a year. I don’t know how she is. I am a useless mother. Besides chanting scriptures at home, I can’t help Zimuo with anything else.”
Ji Zizhao winked playfully. “Who says Second Aunt is useless? If not for Second Aunt’s devout chanting and prayers, how could Second Sister have been praised by His Majesty?”
“To be praised by His Majesty, that is…”
Before she could finish, Madam Yu Fenglan’s eyes widened. “Sister Zhao, what did you say? Zimuo was praised by His Majesty? Does that mean Zimuo has news?”