This dynasty was different from Ji Zizhao's era, where there was no concept of a third party. However, as Wen Hui fell ill, everyone assumed she was consumed by thoughts of Xie Jinglan. Calculating the timeline, Wen Hui and Xie Jinglan were destined to be lovers united, but now Ji Zizhao had appeared.
Rumors escalated within the palace. Empress Zhong's expression was grim upon hearing the news. "Suppress all the idle gossip in the palace. Issue my decree: whoever dares to speak carelessly again will face my wrath without mercy!"
Nanny Dai hesitated, "The palace is already rife with rumors. If Your Highness intervenes now, people might think you are deliberately showing favoritism to the Fourth Prince's Consort."
"Since I am intervening, it is precisely to let those with other intentions know that I am indeed favoring Ji Zizhao," Empress Zhong said with a cold smile. Did she really think she didn't know who started these rumors?
Previously, Wen Hui had no interest in the Fourth Prince, believing he had no future. Now, bedridden and consumed by thoughts, it undoubtedly meant that the war in Tonglin showed promise. As long as Tonglin won this battle, the Fourth Prince would be able to glean significant merit even if he was just picking up the pieces.
Such a person was cunning, but Empress Zhong despised them the most.
The Empress's methods were swift and decisive. Soon, all the rumors in the palace were suppressed. Although everyone outwardly dared not speak of it, behind her back, when they saw Ji Zizhao, their faces were filled with disgust and mockery.
Even the imperial physicians in the Taiyuan Hospital gradually distanced themselves from Ji Zizhao.
After all, in everyone's eyes, Ji Zizhao, the Fourth Prince's Consort, had snatched him away from Wen Hui.
"I thought she was favored by heaven, but it turns out she merely snatched love away." Zou Hansheng, ever since his sister's divorce, had grown even more resentful of the Ji family. Now that he had found an opportunity, he was naturally eager to mock her.
Ji Zizhao, who was drying medicinal herbs in the courtyard, heard him but didn't even look up. "If one can truly snatch love away, it is a skill. However, I doubt Imperial Physician Zou would understand, as he has yet to marry."
Zou Hansheng remained unmarried because his standards were too high. But now, hearing these words from Ji Zizhao's mouth, how could his face not darken? "Not everyone has the same penchant for 'going with the flow'!"
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly. "Rather than wasting time here speculating whether the grapes you cannot reach are sour or sweet, Imperial Physician Zou might as well try them himself. If I recall correctly, Imperial Physician Zou has long passed his capping ceremony age."
Zou Hansheng: ...
His face darkened further!
Other imperial physicians, peeking from inside the rooms, watched the spectacle with bated breath.
They recalled Ji Zizhao's audacity when she was a clerk, and now, bearing the title of Fourth Prince's Consort, her boldness had grown even greater!
To dare to openly mock the son of the Head Imperial Physician, it was unlikely another could be found in the entire Taiyuan Hospital!
"Ji Zizhao, you are utterly shameless!" Zou Hansheng trembled, his voice cracking as he shouted.
"I am honored by Imperial Physician Zou's praise, but Ji Zizhao dares not accept it," Ji Zizhao replied lightly.
Zou Hansheng: ...
Why was he so idle that he would come to Ji Zizhao to torment himself!
Compared to Zou Hansheng's burning anger, Ji Zizhao remained composed. Wen Hui's actions at this time could not be without reason. Combined with what Madam Wei had said before, it strongly suggested a hidden agenda.
If Ji Zizhao guessed correctly, Wen Hui intended to feign a departure.
However, the more this was the case, the less appropriate it was to alert the enemy. Once Wen Hui became vigilant, it would be even harder to catch her making another mistake.
Therefore, no matter how anxious Ji Zizhao was, she could only wait for Wen Hui's next move.
Unexpectedly, before Ji Zizhao could receive any news from Wen Hui, a war report arrived at the imperial court.
Tonglin had won!
In this battle of Tonglin, the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor had not only achieved a great victory, but the Seventh Prince had also risked his life to capture the Third Prince of Xirong as a hostage. Most crucially, this prince from Xirong was the one leading the troops to Xirong.
With the prince captured, the Xirong army, leaderless, surrendered obediently.
As the news reached the imperial palace, Emperor Xiaochang was overjoyed. In front of the assembled ministers, he unreservedly praised the Seventh Prince for his courage and strategy.
Consequently, the ministers who were still waiting to see which way the wind would blow immediately perked up, eagerly awaiting the Seventh Prince's return and already contemplating how to curry favor with him.
This news was naturally a severe blow to the ministers aligned with the Fifth Prince. The Emperor's undisguised praise for the Seventh Prince was clearly intended to bolster his influence.
Upon hearing this, Xie Jingzhou felt as if he had suffered a heavy blow. In the past, he would go to Huaqing Palace to vent his frustrations when something happened. This time, he simply confined himself to his residence.
Consort Xi's expression was, predictably, displeased. If Tonglin was a persistent concern for the Emperor, then the Seventh Prince was a miraculous cure. This victory not only won the Emperor's favor but also pacified the populace, and the Emperor would likely view the Seventh Prince with newfound respect.
Wasn't Xirong supposed to be a tough nut to crack?
How did it fall so easily?
Meanwhile, Ji Zizhao received a summons from the Empress and arrived at Fengyi Palace. Upon entering, Ji Zizhao respectfully paid her respects, "Your humble subject greets the Empress."
Empress Zhong looked at Ji Zizhao's calm, un joyous expression and knew she had already guessed something. However, some words still needed to be spoken. After Ji Zizhao was seated, she began, "Are you suspecting why the news from Tonglin this time does not mention the Fourth Prince?"
Ji Zizhao had just accepted a teacup from Nanny Dai. Hearing the Empress's question, her hand gripping the teacup tightened.
When Xie Jinglan went to Tonglin, it was because Yulin no longer offered him a place to stay. Now that Tonglin had achieved a great victory, it was likely that Xie Jinglan had already departed with his men.
Although Ji Zizhao had known this all along, hearing it directly still caused her heart to ache with a dull, intermittent pain.
She had intended to use Wen Hui to deceive the heavens for Xie Jinglan.
But ultimately, she was a step too late.
That farewell had indeed become their final parting.
"As you suspected, if it were according to the Fourth Prince's plans, leaving now would indeed be the best choice. Even if he had no fixed abode outside, it would still be better than returning to face the Emperor's continued suspicion and apprehension," Empress Zhong sighed, her eyes gradually reddening.
After a long moment of choked silence, Empress Zhong continued, "But the Fourth Prince did not leave..."