The Empress Dowager looked at her youngest daughter, who knelt before her, her entire body taut. With a loving gesture, she raised her hand and stroked the top of her hair. "The Empress carried a child for ten months, only to give birth to a stillborn. If it weren't for me adopting the seventh and fourth princes to her, she would have gone mad long ago."
Ji Zizhao lowered her head in silence.
She could tell that the Empress Dowager was implying that the palace servant who had just spoken was not acting on the Empress's orders.
Or, it could be understood that the Empress Dowager and the Empress were aligned. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager would not have taken the seventh and fourth princes as her own due to the Empress's grief over losing her child.
The fact that the palace servant so brazenly used the Empress's name to frame her showed an audacious spirit.
Was it someone hidden behind the palace servant who presumed the Empress Dowager would die soon, leaving her defenseless even if she knew she was being framed?
If the Empress Dowager died, and the Empress was deposed, Ji family would certainly hate the Empress.
Or, if the Ji family became more extreme, they might beat the "Wen Deng Drum" before the palace gates to plead for justice from the Emperor, thereby implicating the Empress as well...
The Empress Dowager dies!
The Empress is deposed!
She is executed!
Who was so bold as to conspire against both the Empress Dowager and the Empress for their own gain?
Ji Zizhao's fingers turned ice cold. She swallowed, suppressing the turmoil within her heart.
She could not continue to ponder this matter, or else everything she knew in Yulin would be utterly overturned!
And as she was now, she was not yet capable of confronting it.
"The struggles and dangers within these red walls are no less than those outside. Whether you rise or fall, or resist, you must act according to your own choices. However, the moment I learned of Zhengyong's death, my heart died with him. After leaving the palace this time, think carefully about how you will proceed. I do not have much time left to protect the Ji family." Sudian Novel Network
The Empress Dowager pulled Ji Zizhao up from the ground, her gaze towards Ji Zizhao growing even more benevolent and reluctant.
She knew she shouldn't expose such a young child to darkness so early, but life was this cruel. She hoped that her early warning would make the young daughter before her vigilant, so that she could depart to meet Zhengyong with peace of mind.
She just wondered if Zhengyong would disdain her now, so old, weak, and frail.
As Ji Zizhao walked out of Renshou Palace, she looked up at the bright moon in the sky, her dark eyes as calm as still water.
She vividly recalled that when her grandfather and grandmother quarreled, her grandmother had let slip that her grandfather had married her only as a second choice.
At the time, not to mention Ji Zizhao, but everyone in the Ji family had dismissed her grandmother's words as mere angry outbursts.
Who knew that it was actually a slip of the tongue?
The moonlight was bright, and the night deepened.
"Eldest Daughter of the Ji family, please wait." A soft call echoed from behind her.
Ji Zizhao stopped and turned, seeing Jian Qiu walking towards her with a smile.
"The Empress Dowager said she is old and only remembered what she had promised the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family until she was about to leave. She immediately sent this servant to bring it to you," Jian Qiu said, pressing a piece of paper into Ji Zizhao's hand.
Seeing that no one was around, Jian Qiu stepped forward and lowered her voice, reminding her, "The Empress Dowager also said that people are sentimental. As long as the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family can understand, she will surely be able to protect her life in times of crisis."
Ji Zizhao did not detect the scent of ink on the paper, which clearly indicated that the note had not been written recently.
Although the Empress Dowager was old, her mind was very clear, and she would not have forgotten such an important matter.
Ji Zizhao looked at Jian Qiu again. This person had delicate features and exuded a steady aura, truly a reliable person. "Thank you for making this trip, Aunt Jian Qiu. Please tell the Empress Dowager that Ji Zizhao has noted it and will not fail her trust."
Jian Qiu was stunned by these words.
She hadn't said anything extra, so where did these words from the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family come from?
Ji Zizhao did not explain further. Instead, she carefully put away the note and walked towards the palace gate.
Jian Qiu returned to Renshou Palace with a look of confusion and conveyed Ji Zizhao's words to the Empress Dowager without alteration.
The Empress Dowager smiled knowingly, held Jian Qiu's hand, and sighed deeply. "With this, I can depart with peace of mind."
The Empress Dowager was also taking a gamble. If Ji Zizhao did not understand her intentions, even if she forced it, Ji Zizhao might not truly do as she wished.
She never expected Ji Zizhao to grasp it immediately; she was truly exceptionally astute.
Ji Zizhao naturally understood the Empress Dowager's intentions.
That such an important note was not handed to her directly, but deliberately sent by Jian Qiu, clearly indicated that she was being reminded that Jian Qiu was a trustworthy person.
In plain terms, the Empress Dowager wanted Ji Zizhao to protect Jian Qiu.
Regardless of what entangled the Empress Dowager and her grandfather, for the Ji family, the Empress Dowager was a benefactor.
Grief is worse than a dead heart, and sorrow is more profound than silence.
A person's heart is already dead; even if their life is saved, it is merely prolonging their suffering.
Ji Zizhao was not helpless against the poison within the Empress Dowager, but Ji Zizhao could not defy the Empress Dowager's wishes and remove the poison to extend her life. Therefore, she would certainly comply with the Empress Dowager's final request.
At the palace entrance, several shadowy figures could be seen in the distance.
Xie Jingzhou was pulling several princes, pleading with a dejected look, "Later, when Zizhao comes out, I hope my imperial brothers will speak a few words for me. As long as Zizhao is willing to return to the Fifth Prince's residence with me, I will repay the kindness of my imperial brothers tenfold in the future."
Xie Jingzhou's expression was sincere, and his tone was humble, as if losing Ji Zizhao meant death.
"Fifth Imperial Brother, do not worry. When that Eldest Daughter of the Ji family comes out, we will certainly help persuade her."
"The Ji family is already halfway to the grave. If Fifth Brother does not disdain Ji Zizhao's status, she should be deeply grateful. Such ingratitude is truly a waste of Fifth Brother's deep affection."
"When the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family comes out later, I shall see what she has to be so proud of."
Although the princes present were not on the best terms with the Fifth Prince, they were brothers nonetheless. Seeing the Fifth Prince pleading so desperately for a woman, there was some indignation.
"Then I shall trouble my imperial brothers," Xie Jingzhou bowed and pleaded, his face full of gratitude.
However, in their blind spots, a calculating gleam flickered in his eyes, devoid of warmth.
Ji Zizhao was merely a woman. Even if she possessed some small cleverness, she had ultimately not seen much of the world. As long as the princes present spoke coldly and threatened her, she would not obediently return with him as his secondary consort?
Even if Ji Zizhao could withstand the princes' onslaught, she would be branded with the reputation of being spoiled and arrogant. Even if she was unwilling in her heart, once such a bad reputation clung to her, he could rightfully give her a letter of divorce.
A good-for-nothing with a notorious reputation, cast out of her husband's household, would find it impossible to remarry!
In such a desperate situation, whether Ji Zizhao was willing or not, she would have to return to the Fifth Prince's residence with him.