Ji Zizhao's thoughts were correct. To outwardly display great amends to the Ji family, the Emperor, after the Dali Temple's investigation, sent the names of the implicated officials to the Ji family.
It was through this investigation that Emperor Xiaochang realized that the Second Prince, who outwardly appeared amiable towards him, his father, had established such extensive connections and held such deep influence within the court. From the imperial examinations to military training, the Second Prince was involved in everything.
While Emperor Xiaochang had no particular favoritism towards the Second Prince, he had fulfilled his duties as a father over the years. Yet, while he doted on the Second Prince as a son, the prince had been secretly coveting his father's dragon throne.
The Emperor Xiaochang, accustomed to his high and mighty status, could not withstand such a shock and fell ill in the palace.
At Xushi, the night was deep.
Ji Zizhao emerged from the guest courtyard, wiping the tears from her eyes with a blank expression. She glanced at the list in Qing Zhu's hand under the moonlight and shook her head gently.
Qing Zhu crossed out a few more names on the list and said indignantly, "Your subordinate has heard that many ministers have confessed to private meetings with the Second and Fifth Princes in recent days. Sun Yunxiao, who was formerly the Deputy Censor-in-Chief, even admitted that the Fifth Prince was involved in the plot that led to the defeat at Luoyi. Yet, the Emperor not only did not summon the Fifth Prince to the palace for questioning but also pretended not to know anything. The imperial family is indeed selfish."
Ji Zizhao did not disagree, but this outcome was within her expectations. "The Fifth Prince's ability to hide so deeply is not only because he is smarter than the Second Prince but also because the ministers involved with him are more influential. Perhaps the Emperor has already reviewed Sun Yunxiao's confession, but what the Emperor saw is not the same as what we have discovered."
Moreover, the Fifth Prince was a master of acting, portraying weakness and timidity to perfection.
To those who had already decided that the Fifth Prince was a cowardly and useless individual, any confession from Sun Yunxiao or the testimony of other soldiers would appear incredibly pale and powerless without any concrete evidence.
Simply put, to reveal the Fifth Prince's true nature, substantial evidence was required.
There was no need to rush.
They had to remain calm and proceed slowly.
On the tenth day after the mourning for the men of the Ji family, the Emperor's imperial decree of vindication was finally delivered to the Ji family mansion.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: General Ji Zhengyong, who guarded the nation, was upright and benevolent, loyal and meritorious, revered and honored. The men of the Ji family, as young generals of Yu Lin, were all devoted and sincere, leaving behind strict teachings. Their achievements can serve as a model for the future, the foundation for progress. Their virtue can inspire future generations and leave behind plans for governance. Now, by imperial grace, the former General Ji Zhengyong, who guarded the nation, is posthumously ennobled as 'Marquis Jingting', and all other sons shall be generously rewarded in accordance with general regulations. By Imperial Command—!"
As the eunuch delivering the imperial decree's booming voice echoed outside the Ji family gate, accompanying guards, under orders, removed the plaque of the Ji family General's Mansion and replaced it with a brand-new, gilded plaque of Marquis Jingting. The generous rewards bestowed by the Emperor upon the men of the Ji family were then arranged one by one in the courtyards of the Ji family by the palace servants, who entered with practiced efficiency.
The women of the Ji family, with tear-reddened eyes, watched the plaque proudly displayed at the entrance of the mansion, their chests aching with sorrow.
Ji Zizhao signaled to the wet nurse He beside her to give the eunuch delivering the decree a bag of silver fragments. There was no hint of condescension in her eyes. "Thank you for making this trip, Eunuch. Would you like to come in for a cup of tea before you leave?"
The eunuch delivering the decree weighed the heavy silver bag and was surprised that the eldest daughter of the Ji family was so thoughtful. His attitude towards Ji Zizhao became respectful. "This servant must hurry back to the palace to report, so I shall not trouble the eldest daughter of the Ji family."
Ji Zizhao understood and did not insist. She personally escorted the eunuch to the gate and then, without forgetting, took out several silver notes from her sleeve and handed them over. "Eunuch, you are so young yet receive such a fine errand as delivering imperial decrees. I suppose you have someone looking after you in the palace."
The implication of her words was clear: these silver notes were to show gratitude to those in the palace who were looking after him.
The eunuch delivering the decree was overwhelmed with gratitude.
While they, the eunuchs, appeared grand, they were actually looked down upon by those from noble families. However, this eldest daughter of the Ji family not only treated him with courtesy throughout but was also so meticulous and considerate that every action warmed his heart.
"Eunuch Qi, what are you looking at?" a few young eunuchs who had finished moving things asked in confusion.
The eunuch delivering the decree pointed at their noses and instructed them, "If you have the opportunity to see the eldest daughter of the Ji family in the palace again, you must be smart and greet her properly and take good care of her. Such a person is by no means someone we can afford to offend."
Having served in the palace, he had seen all sorts of people, but the demeanor and bearing of the eldest daughter of the Ji family were even superior to those of the princesses who were always so proud of themselves.
It was a pity...
That such a person was born a woman.
Ji Zixiu watched the eunuch delivering the decree walk away with admiration and did not understand why her elder sister had been so polite to a eunuch. "Now that we are a Marquis's mansion, why must Eldest Sister behave like this?"
Ji Zizhao patiently instructed, "Being elevated to a Marquis, although still a subject, our status and position are far higher than that of an ordinary subject. The Ji family will undoubtedly be present at court banquets in the future. Building good relationships with those in the palace in advance is preparation for any eventuality. People may have different ranks, but their hearts should not be bound by status. One must first learn how to treat others sincerely, and then others will reciprocate."
Ji Zixiu grumbled impatiently, "So much nagging."
Despite her words, she still kept her elder sister's advice in mind.
With a single imperial decree, their grievances were redressed.
Although the Ji family had no male heirs, the title of Marquis's mansion was sufficient to protect the women of the Ji family.
The passing citizens rejoiced for the Ji family.
Unexpectedly, a sound of extremely discordant wailing suddenly rang out from outside the Ji family's gate.
A large group had arrived, numbering over a dozen maids and nannies, all kneeling on the steps outside the Ji family gate, completely blocking the entrance.
The woman leading them wailed and kowtowed, "We implore the Ji family to save my son! We implore the Ji family to consider that my son served under the old General Ji since he was young, and beg you to clear his name at the Dali Temple!"
The young daughters of the Ji family frowned, clearly not recognizing the woman.
However, the First Madam, Lin Wanyun, her face darkened, stepped forward and said, "Ren Jun was indeed promoted by my father-in-law, and my father-in-law even taught him everything he knew, so that he could stand tall. However, my father-in-law never taught Ren Jun to distort black and white or betray his friends. Now, Ren Jun has no connection whatsoever with my Ji family. Madam Ren would be wise to take care of herself and leave quickly."
The women of the Ji family realized then that this was Ren Jun's family.
Thinking of Ren Jun's willingness to act as the Second Prince's lackey at the city gate that day, the women of the Ji family wished they could rush to Ren Jun and tear a piece of flesh from him.
How could such a family have the audacity to beg the Ji family for mercy!