When Luo Hong heard Ji Zizhao's voice, the jealousy in her heart instantly surged to its peak.
However, Xie Jingzhou on the bed had already lain down, his brows furrowed and his face weak and uncomfortable. Only when Luo Hong looked at him did the threatening glint in his eyes make her tremble.
Luo Hong dared not harbor any doubt. Under Xie Jingzhou's silent command, she walked to the door.
Opening the room door, the night in the courtyard was deep.
"May I ask what brings the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family here so late at night?" Luo Hong, even though she knew she couldn't stop her Highness from seeing Ji Zizhao, still wanted to ask out of pique.
However, Ji Zizhao acted as if she hadn't heard her, and strode in directly.
Xie Jingzhou, lying on the bed, watched Ji Zizhao rush towards him headlong. Her fair face seemed even more like exquisite jade under the candlelight, but her usually calm eyes were now burning with a furious anger.
Anger?
Xie Jingzhou was taken aback.
Before he could even figure it out, he saw Ji Zizhao speak and question him, "Today, in front of the palace gates, Madam Zhao, the Grand Tutor's wife, along with the Vice Censor-in-Chief's wife, led people to surround me. In my astonishment, I learned that Grand Tutor Zhao and the Vice Censor-in-Chief's wife were helping the Second Prince vent his anger! This shows that the two of them have a connection with the Second Prince, and even more so..."
At this point, Ji Zizhao paused. When she spoke again, her whole body began to tremble uncontrollably, "While they were entangled with me, they actually said that the Fifth Prince would never abandon their two families to their fate. Could it be that the Fifth Prince was also involved in the Luo Yi incident?"
Xie Jingzhou was genuinely unaware of Madam Zhao and Madam Vice Censor-in-Chief surrounding Ji Zizhao.
However, he was somewhat familiar with those two madams.
Given their shallow schemes and impulsive nature, it was not surprising that they would do something like this.
But Xie Jingzhou had never expected Ji Zizhao to question him directly instead of investigating secretly and gathering evidence.
"Zizhao, you, please don't misunderstand. With my personality, none of my imperial brothers are willing to be with me. Only my Second Brother considers me worthy. I have been by my Second Brother's side and have met Madam Zhao and Madam Vice Censor-in-Chief a few times. Now that my Second Brother is in trouble, I genuinely wish to save him, but, but I truly, truly don't have the ability..." Xie Jingzhou's eyes were full of earnestness, as if he were afraid of Ji Zizhao's misunderstanding. He was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead, and his already pale complexion grew even whiter.
At this moment, he looked as wronged as a wounded little beast, so harmless that one couldn't help but feel pity.
Seeing this, the anger in Ji Zizhao's eyes wavered for a moment.
After a moment of silence, she gritted her teeth again and asked, "If it's just a superficial acquaintance, how could the Sun and Zhao families be so sure that the Fifth Prince would lend them a hand?"
Xie Jingzhou caught the wavering look in Ji Zizhao's eyes and put on an even more pitiable expression, "When my Second Brother was in trouble, they came to me, wanting me to help them plead with Father Emperor. But, but I really didn't dare... but I was worried about my Second Brother, so, so I cried out in distress..."
With his explanation, the Zhao and Sun families mistook his tears for pity for the Second Prince, which would then justify their certainty that he could help them escape danger.
Ji Zizhao looked at the Fifth Prince, who was gazing at her pitifully, seeming hesitant to speak. She wanted to question him further but felt she lacked justification, yet believing him too rashly also seemed wrong.
Torn, Ji Zizhao turned and left.
Luo Hong watched Ji Zizhao, who came and went as she pleased, and couldn't help but speak, "Is this how the Ji family is raised? Questioning a reigning prince is one thing, but now she doesn't even know how to bow and bid farewell when leaving!"
Ji Zizhao looked up at Luo Hong, remaining silent.
Luo Hong was smug, believing she had gained the upper hand and rendered Ji Zizhao speechless. But when she looked at Ji Zizhao again with the victor's demeanor, the smile that hadn't yet reached her lips vanished completely.
Ji Zizhao bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes red, appearing both aggrieved and helpless. She had even bitten her lower lip until it bled slightly.
Luo Hong was stunned on the spot, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Ji Zizhao...
Was crying?
Someone who had threatened her that very morning was now shedding tears?
How could this be!
But whether Luo Hong believed it or not, Ji Zizhao's tears were indeed rolling down her face.
Xie Jingzhou, lying on the bed, seemed anxious to know what was wrong with Ji Zizhao. However, due to his weakness, in his haste, he even rolled off the bed and onto the floor.
"Bang—!" A dull thud echoed.
It startled the dazed Luo Hong.
Seeing her Highness fall to the ground in a sorry state, even though Luo Hong knew Xie Jingzhou was faking it, concern still surfaced in her eyes. She hurried towards the bed.
"Your Highness..."
But the moment Luo Hong took a step, Ji Zizhao had already rushed to Xie Jingzhou's side, supporting him with great force.
"How is Fifth Prince? Are you injured anywhere?"
Luo Hong, "..."
Had Ji Zizhao been possessed by a ghost!
Xie Jingzhou, however, was delighted by Ji Zizhao's concern. He inadvertently gripped Ji Zizhao's arm, seemingly to steady himself, but in reality, he was testing the sincerity of Ji Zizhao's emotional fluctuations.
Only when he felt the arm supporting him trembling with great effort did Xie Jingzhou set his suspicions aside and plead sorrowfully, "I know the matters concerning the Ji family have made you like a startled bird. If you truly don't believe me, then spread the news of today's events. When Father Emperor hears of it, he will investigate carefully. Zizhao, I'm doing this only to put your mind at ease, do you understand?"
Ji Zizhao did not respond to Xie Jingzhou's heartfelt confession. She even tried to pull her hand away.
Xie Jingzhou caught the struggle in Ji Zizhao's eyes. How could he be willing to give up halfway at this point.
He tightened his grip on her hand again and said with deep affection, "Zizhao, I know you're still angry about being demoted to a concubine, but, but I had no choice. You know that everything about me is managed by my mother. But believe me, I will cherish you dearly and give you what you desire. As long as you agree to return with me, alright?"
Ji Zizhao looked at her hand being held tightly, remaining silent.
Xie Jingzhou was not in a hurry, for he could clearly feel that Ji Zizhao's slight tremor was gradually subsiding under his comfort.
Knowing human hearts, how could he not understand that this was a sign of trust.
Luo Hong looked at their tightly clasped hands not far away, wishing she could tear Ji Zizhao apart.
Bitch!
Just then, Ji Zizhao, who had been immersed in the beautiful future Xie Jingzhou was weaving, suddenly looked up in Luo Hong's direction.