In dreams, Ji Zizhao clearly saw the pity in her uncles' eyes, the protectiveness of her grandfather, and the sadness of her father.
Alas, in the blink of an eye, things had changed irrevocably.
Ji Zizhao knew that no one would ever call her Xiao Zhao again...
She opened her eyes again; the sky had darkened, and her pillow was soaked.
Ji Zizhao got up and walked to the window. The northwest direction outside the city was still a fiery red. In a corner of the courtyard, Yongmei was still kneeling alone, quietly.
Exhausted, hungry, and sleepy, she swayed with the wind, as if she could faint at any moment.
In the past, she could be carefree and go with the flow because her grandfather, father, and even her uncles shielded her from the storms of the outside world. Now that these dear ones were long gone, if she could not clear their names in this treacherous era where people devoured each other, and help the Ji family regain its footing, how could she repay their indulgence and leniency?
Since the Fifth Prince wanted to escalate matters, it wouldn't be bad to grant him his wish.
Ji Zizhao had made up her mind.
She had Xinlan accept the invitation from Yongmei, and then Ji Zizhao ordered Qingzhu to follow Yongmei. Before long, Qingzhu reported back that Yongmei had passed the message through the back door to a young servant from the Fifth Prince's mansion who had been waiting in the dark. It was likely that the Fifth Prince would receive the news soon.
Ji Zizhao sat in silence, her heart steady.
She rather hoped the Fifth Prince would get the news quickly, because the longer he gloated tonight, the more painful his downfall would be tomorrow.
The Empress Dowager's birthday arrived. Early in the morning, Lin Wanyun came to the Zhaoyuan. Ji Zizhao looked at her mother, who entered hastily, and smiled knowingly. Her mother had been in the Ji family for so many years and already had her own spies and intelligence channels. Even if Grandmother could deceive others, she could never deceive her mother.
This was why she needed her mother to become strong and stand by her side.
Taking the Ji family's seal of authority did not mean she was the true head of the household. It would still take some time to fully grasp control of the Ji family.
And during this period, with her mother's help in coordinating from within, things would be twice as effective as her struggling alone.
Seeing that her daughter had not yet tidied herself, Lin Wanyun intended to swallow her concerns. But before she could change the subject, her daughter spoke first, "I have to go to the palace today."
Lin Wanyun quickly sat down in front of her daughter. "You're really planning to go to the palace? I think it would be better to feign illness. Our Ji family is not what it used to be, but fortunately, the Second Prince has not yet returned. As long as the Emperor considers the Ji family's past contributions, he will surely grant your request."
Her mother's suggestion was indeed prudent, but it was not what Ji Zizhao wanted.
Going to the palace to slap the Fifth Prince's face was secondary. The main purpose was to gauge the current sentiment towards the Ji family in the imperial court. Ji Zizhao was more eager to know who was gloating at the Ji family's downfall and who still remembered old favors.
To re-establish the Ji family in the imperial city, she had to understand all the hidden dangers.
Illness arrives like a landslide; recovery is like drawing silk thread.
Only by proceeding systematically and administering the right treatment could the illness be cured.
"Since the Fifth Prince has made such a commotion that it's known throughout the city, it's impossible for me to feign illness as I wish. I've already considered this, Mother, so please don't worry. Rather, after I enter the palace, I'll need your help to manage things here at the mansion."
Lin Wanyun now felt she had been blind to be deceived by the Fifth Prince's timid exterior. "But if you go to the palace like this, who knows what those people inside will say about you!"
"Mother, don't worry, I can handle it."
Or rather, Ji Zizhao didn't take it to heart at all.
Having lived in the imperial city for so many years, the gossip about her had only increased. She had endured the discussions and ridicule of the entire city. Now, a few people's disdain and contempt in the palace were nothing to her.
Seeing that her daughter's mind was made up, Lin Wanyun knew that further objections would be futile. She called Xinlan in and then summoned two maids from her own courtyard with exquisite skills to help Ji Zizhao change her clothes and style her hair. Since she was going to the palace, regardless of how others might mock her, she couldn't let her daughter appear shabby.
Ji Zizhao's features were somewhat heroic, and she exuded a faint aura of aloofness. Dressed in a clear, mist-shrouded plum blossom and hundred-water silk dress, she was not dazzling but perfectly complemented her demeanor. The cuffs were embroidered with delicate golden butterflies, and the lapels were adorned with intricate lotus patterns, making her appear like an ethereal orchid, unapproachable.
Her fair face had soft lines, and her delicate eyebrows, bright eyes, and rosy lips gave the impression of a celestial being, as if she were untouched by worldly affairs.
Lin Wanyun nodded with satisfaction. She was about to continue adorning Ji Zizhao's ears and neck with jewelry when Ji Zizhao refused.
She was not going to the palace today to outshine everyone.
"Miss looks so beautiful today," Yongmei suddenly lifted the curtain and walked in.
Ji Zizhao glanced at Yongmei indifferently and remained silent.
As if not noticing Ji Zizhao's coldness, Yongmei found an excuse to walk over to Lin Wanyun, playfully holding her arm and smiling. "Indeed, the Grand Madam's touch is extraordinary. It's amazing how much effort I put into learning hairstyling from the governesses in the manor, but I'm still not as skilled as the people in Grand Madam's courtyard."
These words not only praised Lin Wanyun but also included the maids in Lin Wanyun's courtyard.
"Look at Yongmei's sweet talk, she's getting more eloquent by the day," Lin Wanyun knew that Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju had grown up with her daughter, and she found Yongmei particularly pleasing.
Ji Zizhao watched all this calmly, her eyes also taking in Yongmei's uplifted lips.
Yongmei's arrival at this moment was likely to keep an eye on her. She was probably going to send news to the Fifth Prince's side as soon as she entered the palace.
However, Yongmei was indeed clever, knowing to stand by her mother's side to threaten her.
Her mother had already felt immense guilt about the matter of trying to arrange her marriage with the Fifth Prince. If she were to expose Yongmei's intentions in front of her mother, her mother would likely be even more heartbroken.
Yongmei, of course, did not realize that all her thoughts were under Ji Zizhao's control. Now using the Grand Madam as a shield, she instinctively knew that Ji Zizhao was filial and would never defy the Grand Madam's wishes. Therefore, if Ji Zizhao insisted on going to the palace, she would secretly instigate the Grand Madam to detain her.
After all, Miss Luohong had sent someone with a message: no matter what, Ji Zizhao had to be delayed until the hour of You (5-7 PM).
Yongmei's thinking was correct. Ji Zizhao would naturally not add to her mother's pain.
But Yongmei didn't know that no one could ever threaten Ji Zizhao.
As if nothing had happened, Ji Zizhao turned and looked in the mirror, then beckoned to Shuiling. "I still think Mother is right. My ears look a bit empty without any adornment. Go and get me that pair of white jade earrings from the drawer of my vanity."