"Since you've put it that way, I have no concerns. I'll have someone pick you up early that day and bring you to my residence first, then I'll escort you to the Eighth Prince Consort's maternal family's manor together," Xu Meiqing agreed readily, having already planned the arrangements.
Ji Zizhao nodded. Though she had much to say, words were insufficient at the moment. To earn others' trust, one had to act in a way that didn't disappoint.
"Alright, you must be busy. I shouldn't stay too long." Xu Meiqing rose to take her leave. She hadn't forgotten that the Ji family had a concubine of the Fifth Prince.
Ji Zizhao understood Xu Meiqing's reservations, so she didn't personally escort her out, nor did she even assign anyone to do so. She let Xu Meiqing leave Zhaoyuan alone.
Xu Meiqing held her back straight, only letting out a heavy sigh of relief once she was in the carriage and had left the Ji estate.
Her nanny, filled with worry, looked at Xu Meiqing. "Miss, why are you sweating so profusely?"
This nanny had served Xu Meiqing since she was young, and Xu Meiqing hid nothing from her. She recounted the entire conversation she had just had with Ji Zizhao.
The nanny's hands trembled in shock, and her handkerchief dropped. "Miss agreed?"
Xu Meiqing nodded. "Of course, I had to agree."
"Miss has always been kind-hearted since childhood, but this matter cannot be done on a whim. With the Seventh Prince and Fourth Prince both away from the imperial city, it's uncertain if they will return in one piece. If the Fourth Prince Consort truly messes up, what will you do, Miss?"
"Marriage signifies taking a stand. Even if I don't stand with them today, I will have to side with someone tomorrow. The Sixth Prince's birth mother was merely an insignificant palace maid; even after ascending to the rank of concubine, she has no real standing in the palace."
Xu Meiqing felt helpless. She wasn't as fortunate as Ji Zizhao, with an empress mother-in-law who was a formidable force in the palace. Therefore, she had to find her own way to live the rest of her days well.
The nanny sighed, "What you say is true, but..."
Xu Meiqing smiled. "There's no 'but.' Just the name Ji Zizhao is worth risking everything for."
Or rather, she couldn't afford not to believe, even if she didn't want to.
She wasn't seeing Ji Zizhao's capabilities for the first time. Every encounter refreshed her understanding.
Even her father had lamented that it was a pity the eldest daughter of the Ji family was a woman. Had she been a man, she would undoubtedly have been a figure who commanded the world and turned the universe upside down.
Ji Zizhao, who was busy arranging matters within the estate, was unaware of Xu Meiqing's unwavering trust. However, she truly wasn't worried about the Seventh Prince's side. Even if Xie Jinglan didn't return, given his resourcefulness, he would surely find a way to pave the path to Tonglin for the Seventh Prince.
This trust was deeply rooted and unquestionable.
It was akin to how he also trusted that she would defend the imperial city and await the Seventh Prince's triumphant return.
A few days passed in the blink of an eye. On the day of the Eighth Prince Consort's maternal family's banquet, Ji Zizhao specifically woke up early. By the time Jianqiu had finished attending to her grooming and dressing, it was only the third quarter of the Yin hour.
Wet Nurse He, seeing her young lady up so early, felt a pang of concern. "The banquet at the Eighth Prince Consort's maternal family's is around the Chen hour. Miss should have slept a bit longer."
"The Eighth Prince Consort's maternal family is treating me with such respect; I must arrive early to show them due courtesy. If I keep others waiting, won't it solidify the perception that I am arrogant?"
The best way to silence gossip was through action.
While speaking, Ji Zizhao had already finished her breakfast. Since Xu Meiqing would be coming to pick up Mohen later, she only took Jianqiu with her as she left the courtyard.
The servants in the estate were already awake, and the sounds of conversations could be heard from various courtyards. Only Ji Renran's courtyard remained quiet. She likely knew she wasn't qualified to attend such an occasion and would rather hide to avoid becoming a laughingstock.
As Ji Zizhao stepped out of the door with Jianqiu, she saw Zhang Ji bowing obsequiously to someone. Upon closer inspection, both of them were startled.
Baihe?
"Aunt Baihe, why are you here?" Ji Zizhao regained her composure and stepped forward to greet her.
Baihe appeared natural and unpretentious, which was why even the most difficult-to-please Wet Nurse Dai praised her so highly. Seeing Ji Zizhao's demeanor, Baihe felt a sense of warmth and comfort. "The Empress knew the Fourth Prince Consort was attending the banquet today and specially sent me to accompany you."
"Thank you for your trouble, Mother Empress," Ji Zizhao said with a smile, inviting Baihe into the carriage. In her heart, she knew the Empress would not have sent Baihe out of the palace solely for this reason.
As expected, once they were seated in the carriage, Baihe lowered her voice. "The Empress instructed the Fourth Prince Consort to be cautious of the Eighth Prince Consort at today's banquet."
Ji Zizhao was not surprised by this.
If it weren't for the Eighth Prince Consort's tacit approval, how could the Eighth Prince have sent people to her courtyard?
She suspected the Empress had also sensed that the Eighth Prince Consort was not entirely loyal and had thus specially reminded her.
However, there was one thing Ji Zizhao couldn't quite understand. The Empress had played a significant role in the Eighth Prince Consort's smooth marriage to the Eighth Prince. Under normal circumstances, the Eighth Prince Consort shouldn't have so easily switched allegiance.
Unless...
There was a reason the Eighth Prince Consort couldn't refuse.
"Did Mother Empress have any other instructions?" Ji Zizhao didn't want to dwell on the Eighth Prince Consort. Regardless of the reason, if she stood on the opposite side, she was an enemy.
Baihe paused and then continued, "The Empress also said that the Fourth Prince Consort should act as she sees fit today. Whatever the outcome, the Empress will bear it for you."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Indeed, she was still the same Empress who fiercely protected her own.
However, with the Seventh Prince and Fourth Prince both in Tonglin, and the Empress confined to the inner palace, it was difficult for her to gather news from the outside. It was precisely because of this that the Empress had to place all her bets on her.
With this thought, Ji Zizhao glanced at Jianqiu.
Jianqiu understood and relayed the information Ji Zizhao had gathered over the past period to Baihe.
When the Empress first entered the palace, it was Jianqiu who acted as the representative for the former Empress Dowager. Thus, both were somewhat familiar with Jianqiu. Furthermore, Jianqiu had already learned about Zhi Nan from her lady. To avoid upsetting Baihe, she hadn't mentioned Zhi Nan's name at all.
Baihe was taken aback by the severity of the situation. She quickly composed herself and said, "Fourth Prince Consort, please rest assured. Upon returning to the palace, I will report to the Empress immediately."
"Then I shall trouble you, Aunt Baihe," Ji Zizhao said with a smile. The reason she had Jianqiu explain the situation was to ensure the Empress was prepared beforehand and wouldn't be caught off guard.
As they were speaking, the carriage stopped outside the Eighth Prince Consort's maternal family's residence.
The gatekeeper, spotting the Ji family's crest on the carriage, hurried inside to inform his masters.
The Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and his wife: "..."
They hadn't even had breakfast, and the Fourth Prince Consort had already arrived?
The Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and his wife practically ran to the entrance. However, when they looked up, they saw Baihe assisting Ji Zizhao out of the carriage.
Even a servant by the Empress's side was afforded respect by others. How could someone be assisting anyone other than the Empress?
This striking sight completely stunned the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and his wife.