Ji Zizhao's sensitivity to scents far surpassed that of anyone else's nose.
The last time the Ji family had an assassin incident, Ji Zizhao had remembered Xie Jinglan's scent. Today, as she stood by the Zhao family's entrance, she caught the same scent emanating from a carriage that bore no nameplate.
Observing the carriage's hidden, understated luxury, it was not difficult for Ji Zizhao to deduce Xie Jinglan's identity.
Upon hearing the title of the Fourth Prince, everyone in the courtyard was so terrified that they knelt on the ground.
Ma Jingbo and a group of dandies looked at the house before them, then at Xie Jinglan beside them, their expressions frozen in shock.
Did this eldest daughter of the Ji family possess X-ray vision?
Lu Yong sidled up to Zhao Liang and whispered, "I say, is your house soundproof or what..."
Otherwise, how would the eldest daughter of the Ji family know the Fourth Prince was here?
Zhao Liang ignored Lu Yong's words, his dark eyes fixed on the house, his fists clenched tightly beneath his sleeves.
Xie Jinglan had not expected to be so easily exposed. He stepped forward, looked in the direction of the house, and said, "This is a matter between the Ji and Zhao families. If the royal family interferes, it will only stir up more trouble."
Xie Jinglan admired this eldest daughter of the Ji family, but he did not wish to become embroiled in their affairs.
Ji Zizhao showed no surprise. Her clear, cool voice soon emanated from within the house, "Your Highness is of noble status, and Ji Zizhao would not dare to trouble the Fourth Prince rashly. However, the current Emperor's grace is vast, admired by all, he governs diligently and loves his people as his own children. If something like today's events occurs under your very nose, and should the Emperor one day inquire, it would be known that the Fourth Prince did not offer assistance, which might lead to punishment for Your Highness."
With this string of seemingly complimentary yet subtly critical words, Xie Jinglan was pushed directly into the spotlight.
A flicker of a smile crossed Xie Jinglan's dark eyes.
This eldest daughter of the Ji family truly had a sharp tongue.
Xie Jinglan knew clearly that Ji Zizhao dared to make such a scene because she held the winning hand. However, to make the Zhao family speechless now, she needed a sharp blade that the Zhao family would fear to resist.
And he...
He had clearly become the blade Ji Zizhao wielded against the Zhao family.
"Go to the palace and request an imperial physician on duty to come out of the palace. If my father asks, tell him the truth," Xie Jinglan softly instructed Tang Di, who was accompanying him.
Grand Tutor Zhao had not expected the Fourth Prince to be involved and hurried out to offer polite apologies.
Madam Zhao, still kneeling in the house, felt a wave of dizziness, truly unable to stand up this time.
Now, not only were her legs weak, but her entire body trembled uncontrollably.
If an imperial physician from the palace were to come and examine her, the injuries on Ji Ziyan's body would likely be difficult to conceal!
In that case...
How would she explain Ji Ziyan's injuries and today's events?
Cold sweat beaded on Madam Zhao's forehead, her mind racing to figure out how to deceive them later.
Ji Zizhao turned to look at her third sister, who was still unconscious behind her, her eyes filled with pain.
To be able to openly take her back to the Ji family, she needed a reason that would leave the Zhao family with nothing to say.
Although Ji Zizhao had used silver needles to seal the acupoints and slow the spread of Ji Ziyan's injuries, she still felt worried and self-reproaching.
*Just hold on a little longer, Ziyan...*
*Your elder sister will take you home soon.*
As Tang Di entered the palace, the matter between the Ji and Zhao families quickly reached Emperor Xiaochang's ears.
"Luo Yi has been defeated, and the Ji family's women not only fail to learn to endure their lives in obscurity but are so ostentatious. Do they truly believe my benevolence has no limits!" Emperor Xiaochang's face was ashen, his hands slamming heavily on the desk before him.
Feng Gu knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger..."
Emperor Xiaochang's chest heaved, his eyes closed as he suppressed his intense rage.
The Second Prince had not yet arrived at the imperial city with his military dispatches. If he were to target and ostracize the Ji family now, his image as a benevolent ruler in the hearts of the people would be greatly diminished.
Therefore...
He had to wait!
Less than half an hour later, Imperial Physician Huang, who was on duty at the Imperial Hospital, hurried to the Zhao residence.
Ji Zizhao, who had been sitting by the bed, stood up and made way for Imperial Physician Huang.
Imperial Physician Huang busied himself opening his medical kit and carefully examined Ji Ziyan. After a while, he stood up and truthfully informed the people in the room, "The Great Madam of the Zhao family appears to have been knocked unconscious from being beaten. Subsequently, she was thrown into a pond. Although she is soaked, she did not inhale water into her lungs because she was already unconscious... As for the child in the Great Madam of the Zhao family's womb, it is likely that it was lost several days ago. Although it is a miscarriage, it should not be neglected. The Zhao family should still tend to the Great Madam's wounds carefully and nourish her well."
Grand Tutor Zhao, who was standing in the courtyard, felt his legs go weak. If not for the need to maintain his dignity, he would have collapsed long ago.
Others' words could be disregarded, but the imperial physician's words had to be believed!
Not to mention that the imperial physician had no reason to favor the Ji family and lie for them. Even if that were the case, he wouldn't dare to question the imperial physician now, wouldn't that be tantamount to questioning the Fourth Prince as well?
Qing Zhu returned at this very moment.
Though she didn't know what had happened, upon seeing her unconscious third sister on the bed, her entire body tensed.
With things having escalated to this point, Ji Zizhao saw no need to linger any longer. She turned to Qing Zhu and said, "Carry third sister onto the carriage. We are returning to the Ji family now."
Madam Zhao, still kneeling on the ground and contemplating her words, was stunned.
After a woman married into her husband's family, what right did she have to leave whenever she pleased, especially after such an incident? "I understand that today's events have made the eldest daughter of the Ji family unhappy, and I deeply regret it and am utterly shocked. I promise that I will investigate this matter thoroughly and provide the eldest daughter of the Ji family with an explanation. However, Ziyan is already a member of my Zhao family. How can the eldest daughter of the Ji family take her away?"
Hearing this, Ji Zizhao wished she could rush forward and slap Madam Zhao to death for her words!
Seeing that Ji Ziyan's injuries could no longer be concealed, she was now being vague about the false accusations against her, shifting responsibility, and clearing herself first. She probably intended to find a few scapegoats to take the blame later, and that would be considered her explanation to the Ji family.
"My third sister married into your Zhao family because your Zhao family repeatedly came to our door to propose. Since ancient times, a woman follows her husband after marriage. My Ji family does not expect your Zhao family to treat my third sister as your own, but my Ji family's daughter is not to be so cruelly abused and mistreated by someone with no blood relation! If Madam Zhao still has the leisure, perhaps you should think about how to resolve this matter elegantly, rather than standing in my way and spewing these nauseating platitudes!"
"You..." Madam Zhao was both furious and panicked, not knowing what to say next.
Ji Zizhao's words were sharp and left no room for politeness. "If the Zhao family dares to obstruct me again, do not blame the Ji family for disregarding our kinship. Once this reaches the Fengtian Prefecture, if the Zhao family cannot provide a definitive explanation for today's events, then the first person to be arrested will be Madam Zhao!"
Upon hearing that she might be sent to prison, Madam Zhao completely panicked.
Ji Zizhao then instructed Qing Zhu again, "Take third sister and return to the manor."