Ji Zizhao had never been to the battlefield with her grandfather, but she had seen the font on this blueprint in the military journals her grandfather brought back. It was precisely because of this that a very bad premonition struck her heart.
"Miss, this is a Tiger Head Flag." Mo Hen, who had followed Old Master Ji around, was very familiar with the battle flags of various countries, knowing them by heart.
Ji Zizhao suppressed her thumping heart, which felt like a drum, and asked, "Where did this thing come from?"
Mo Hen replied truthfully, "As Miss instructed, I found the杂货街 (Zahuojie - Grocery Street) and inquired about the maid who was sent to the Eighth Prince Consort's mansion. It turns out she was once a beggar wandering on this street."
Ji Zizhao frowned slightly.
A beggar?
If something were to happen, wouldn't there be no one to prove it?
Mo Hen paused, then added, "That maid truly had no relatives. However, I learned that someone had seen the maid visit a blacksmith shop before leaving the 杂货街. Following the clue, I found this blueprint in that blacksmith shop and was told that the item was crafted by that maid before she left."
As Ji Zizhao listened, the veins on the back of her hand bulged.
Before Xie Jinglan left, a Tiger Head Flag had already appeared in the palace.
And why was Xie Jinglan suspected?
It was precisely because of that Tiger Head Flag!
Now that Xie Jinglan was gone, why would someone be making another Tiger Head Flag using the blueprint?
This was clearly an attempt to wipe out everyone connected to Xie Jinglan!
The maid who now held the Tiger Head Flag had been sent to the Eighth Prince Consort's side by the Eighth Prince. And this gathering of sisters-in-law was being held at the Eighth Prince Consort's maternal home. If someone were to follow the example of the palace assassins, appear with a Tiger Head Flag, and then falsely accuse her of instigation, what good would Ji Zizhao's eloquence do?
By then, she would be an accomplice to Xie Jinglan, the hostage from Xirong!
If anything were to happen to her, not only Xue Yongnian and the others but also the Empress would be implicated.
This move was truly ruthless!
With such a chain of events, Ji Zizhao knew without a doubt that this was Xie Jingzhou's doing.
"Where is the blacksmith who forged the Tiger Head Flag now?" Ji Zizhao inquired.
Mo Hen replied, "He is still in his shop, forging iron as usual."
Ji Zizhao nodded, "That's for the best. Take this blueprint and have the blacksmith craft an identical Tiger Head Flag according to it."
Mo Hen expressed some concern, "Miss, aren't you afraid the blacksmith will betray you?"
"This Tiger Head Flag is entirely inscribed with Xirong characters. Even if the blacksmith doesn't know what he's forging, he understands it's not something that can be openly displayed. He didn't report this to the court initially, clearly because he's a coward. Such a person, who can accept money to do someone's bidding, can just as easily accept ours," Ji Zizhao said with a cold laugh.
One Second Prince was gone, and now an Eighth Prince had appeared.
But it didn't matter much.
If the Eighth Prince was desperately helping Xie Jingzhou, she could dismantle that stage with her own hands!
She wanted to see how hard the Eighth Prince's forehead was, to dare to be a pawn for Xie Jingzhou.
However, Ji Zizhao knew in her heart that this was not something she could handle alone. After Mo Hen left, she summoned Shui Ling. "Go to the Xu family and invite the Sixth Prince Consort over for a visit."
Seeing the cold expression on her miss's face, Shui Ling dared not delay and ran out.
Xu Meiqing was surprised to hear that Ji Zizhao was inviting her over. However, seeing the anxious look on Shui Ling's face, she didn't dare to ask too much and quickly got into the carriage. She arrived at the Ji residence almost without stopping.
Upon entering and seeing Ji Zizhao sitting on the Luohan bed, she let out a sigh of relief. "You really scared me to death! I thought something had happened to you!"
Ji Zizhao smiled and pulled her to sit beside her. "I do indeed have something I need your help with."
Xu Meiqing felt as if she had misheard. "You actually need help? I thought someone like you, who can ascend to heaven and traverse the earth, who is omnipotent, would be looking down on everyone!"
Ji Zizhao did not hide anything and told Xu Meiqing everything she had learned. "On that day, the Eighth Prince Consort's maternal family is hosting a banquet. I'm afraid everyone's eyes will be on me, so I need to arrange for Mo Hen, who is by my side, to act as your maid in advance."
Only then could Mo Hen move freely within the Eighth Prince Consort's maternal home.
Xu Meiqing, who was drinking tea at that moment, sprayed the tea she was holding everywhere like a scattering of heavenly flowers.
"Cough, cough, cough... cough, cough, cough..."
Ji Zizhao quickly reached out to help her catch her breath. Since she had brought her here, she had to tell her the truth. This matter was of great importance, and if not handled well, it could involve herself. It was precisely because they were friends that she had to give her the choice.
After a while, Xu Meiqing recovered and said, "The Fourth Prince went to Tonglin because of this?"
Ji Zizhao nodded. "Now, those people are using the Xirong issue to their advantage, wanting to use the Emperor's hand to eradicate everyone who stands in their way."
Xu Meiqing was speechless.
This melon was so huge...
It almost choked her to death!
"You and the Seventh Prince Consort are to be married this time. You don't need to put too much pressure on yourself. If you don't agree, it's okay. I can discuss it with the Seventh Prince Consort again."
Although Ji Zizhao and Xing Jiqiu were not close, they were, after all, in the same boat.
However, Ji Zizhao had not said this, and how could Xu Meiqing not guess?
If Ji Zizhao really wanted to find the Seventh Prince Consort, she wouldn't be sitting here now.
"So, you've already figured out how to strike back?" Xu Meiqing asked.
Ji Zizhao nodded. "The Eighth Prince is working so hard for the Fifth Prince because he wants to secure his own position by riding the wave of supporting the Fifth Prince. This idea is good, but it depends on whether he has the ability. He has only recently allied himself with the Fifth Prince, and he's already helping him in such a vicious scheme. If such a person isn't rooted out, no one will have a good life in the future."
Furthermore, Xie Jingzhou was currently amassing many court officials. If they wanted to curb this momentum, this was an excellent opportunity.
Once the Eighth Prince fell, who would dare to easily take sides?
"That's true, but the Seventh Prince and the Fourth Prince are both not in the imperial city, and the Seventh Prince is still severely injured. If not for that, the Fifth Prince and the Eighth Prince wouldn't dare to be so arrogant. I'm afraid you can't fight against overwhelming odds!" Xu Meiqing reminded her worriedly.
Ji Zizhao sneered coldly. "Whether I can fight against it or not, we'll only know after we try."
Xu Meiqing was speechless.
Is she really this crazy?
This is simply playing with her life!
But why did she just want to go crazy along with her?!