In the Zhaoyuan courtyard, Shui Ling was tidying up with the maids when she saw Madam Wei rush in.
Shui Ling had secretly met Madam Wei in the front courtyard earlier. Seeing her storm into the courtyard now, she quickly moved to block her path. However, before Shui Ling could speak, Madam Wei knelt down with a *plop* in front of the house.
This sudden kneeling startled even Shui Ling.
"Fourth Prince Consort, this humble woman implores you to be magnanimous and save my daughter. My daughter is also innocent in this matter. Since you are favored by the Empress, you must have a kind heart and a broad mind. I beg the Fourth Prince Consort to be magnanimous and spare my daughter..."
If Madam Wei had simply barged in and caused trouble, Shui Ling would not have tolerated it and would have chased her away. But now, Madam Wei knelt down immediately and begged. Shui Ling didn't know what to do.
Jian Qiu, who was inside the room, heard Granny He's tearful pleas, and her expression soured. "What is Madam Wei doing? Our young lady is also a victim in the matter of the Eighth Prince Consort. If she continues to make such a fuss, people will think that our young lady is the one who caused trouble for the Eighth Prince Consort."
"Perhaps Madam Wei *wants* people to think that," Jian Qiu frowned.
She was rejected at the door but still wouldn't give up. She sneaked into the courtyard and started crying, making a scene, even threatening to hang herself. What was she trying to achieve?
This was clearly an attempt to frame Ji Zizhao as heartless and unjust!
The common folk didn't know the specifics of what had happened, but everyone knew that Ji Zizhao was present at the scene when the incident occurred. Now, Madam Wei's words made people wonder if the Eighth Prince Consort's demotion was related to Ji Zizhao.
Jian Qiu paused and added, "Madam Wei is quite clever to bring up the Empress. Her words have reached this point, that if our young lady refuses to help, not only will she be seen as unfeeling and cruel, but even the Empress might be seen as blind and unable to discern people."
This was clearly forcing Ji Zizhao to help the Eighth Prince Consort, if only for the Empress's reputation!
Granny He's eyes widened. How shameless could Madam Wei be?
Ji Zizhao, on the other hand, smiled. "Madam Wei is quite clever. If the Eighth Prince Consort had half of Madam Wei's shrewdness, she wouldn't have been sold and still be counting the money for others."
Granny He was taken aback. "Young lady, aren't you angry?"
Ji Zizhao shook her head. "What is there to be angry about?"
Or rather, if she were truly angry, she would have fallen into Madam Wei's trap.
Madam Wei dared to come and make a scene without regard for her reputation, so she clearly wasn't concerned about losing face. If Ji Zizhao angrily drove her away, Madam Wei would undoubtedly spread the word.
And at that time, the ignorant common folk would naturally sympathize with the weaker party.
Once the matter escalated, Madam Wei could directly bypass Ji Zizhao and go to the palace gates to play the victim.
In plain terms, Ji Zizhao was merely a stepping stone for Madam Wei.
Granny He: "..."
This was no longer a matter of shamelessness, but outright depravity!
"Fourth Prince Consort, I know you are inside. Please help my daughter..."
The crying pleas of Madam Wei continued in the courtyard.
Ji Zizhao knew very well that once public sentiment was stirred, even if the Emperor didn't want to get involved, he would have to be lenient with the Eighth Prince Consort, as imperial power relied heavily on the people.
The Eighth Prince Consort was not deserving of death, but Ji Zizhao would not agree to Madam Wei's unorthodox methods to save her.
She slowly rose, patted the creases on her skirt, and walked out.
Jian Qiu and Granny He quickly followed.
Madam Wei, who was still kneeling in the courtyard, saw Ji Zizhao emerge with her attendants. A glint flashed in her tear-filled eyes as she shouted, "This humble woman knows the Fourth Prince Consort is still angry. I am willing to compensate for my daughter's mistakes. I beg the Fourth Prince Consort to overlook this matter and spare my daughter this time..."
As she spoke, she immediately stood up and lunged towards the steps outside the house.
Everything happened too suddenly, stunning everyone in the courtyard!
While such a collision might not be fatal, it was enough to cause a bloody head.
"Quickly, come and help stop her!" Jian Qiu reacted and hurriedly called for people in the courtyard to help. If Madam Wei left with a bloody head and was seen by the public, what would people think of her young lady?
Would her young lady ever be able to live a normal life again!
However, Madam Wei was already running, and the incident happened so abruptly that by the time people in the courtyard regained their senses, it was already too late.
Madam Wei watched as the steps in front of her grew closer, her excited eyes flashing with brilliance.
As long as she was injured at the Ji family's residence, the Ji family would have no way to explain themselves. At that time, whatever she said, the public would believe it.
Thinking of Ji Zizhao's cold indifference after her daughter's incident, Madam Wei wished she could immediately tell all the citizens how cold-blooded and heartless Ji Zizhao truly was.
A pair of feet suddenly appeared in Madam Wei's vision.
Madam Wei was startled and looked up to see Ji Zizhao standing in front of her like a ghost.
Before Madam Wei could figure out how Ji Zizhao had appeared before her so quickly, she saw Ji Zizhao grab her arm. Madam Wei tried to struggle but was no match for Ji Zizhao's strength.
With a twisting pain spreading through her body, Madam Wei, who had intended to crash into the steps, spun around in place with Ji Zizhao's force and was then thrown out, dizzy.
*Thump!*
Another muffled sound echoed.
This time, Madam Wei didn't hit the steps...
Madam Wei sat down on the ground with a *thump*, so dizzy she couldn't tell north from south.
Shui Ling looked at Madam Wei's disoriented state. If the occasion were different, she would have burst into laughter.
After a long while, Madam Wei recovered and began to wail again, "If the Fourth Prince Consort is angry, let it all fall on this humble woman. I am willing to repay the Fourth Prince Consort a hundredfold, a thousandfold, for my daughter, as long as the Fourth Prince Consort is appeased..."
As Madam Wei spoke, she clearly intended to get up and crash into the steps again.
However, as soon as Madam Wei moved, Ji Zizhao spoke, "Madam Wei's maternal love is truly moving. Unfortunately, the people in my Zhaoyuan are timid and cannot bear to see bloodshed. If Madam Wei truly wishes to continue, I will consider it a form of exercise for both of us."
In short, if you dare to crash, I dare to keep spinning you around.
Ji Zizhao was certainly not tired.
But whether Madam Wei's arms ached or her backside hurt was another matter.