Ji Zizhao carefully took the still-warm letter and lowered her eyes to open it. The bold, flowing calligraphy inside was both unfamiliar and vaguely reminiscent of something she had seen before.
As she thought more carefully, Ji Zizhao's heart began to beat a little faster.
This, this was...
The handwriting of the Seventh Prince!
Suppressing her surprise and joy, Ji Zizhao continued reading. She saw that the Seventh Prince had reported his safety to the Empress in the letter. However, the Seventh Prince also specifically instructed her not to reveal any news of his recovery, not even to the Emperor.
This left her somewhat puzzled.
Although Ji Zizhao's feelings towards the current occupant of the dragon throne were not good, even stating that the rift had not healed, she could not deny that he was indeed a wise ruler who cared for his people. Moreover, if Ji Zizhao remembered correctly, among the many princes, the Emperor, besides favoring Xie Jingzhou out of affection for his mother, cared most about this Seventh Prince.
The Seventh Prince, though seemingly carefree, was actually clear about his enmities and friendships. The fact that he had once traded his own merits for her marriage to Xie Jinglan was enough to show that there was a deep father-son affection between the Seventh Prince and the Emperor.
But now...
"Old Seven already knows Old Four's background and the Emperor's resolve to eliminate Old Four," Empress Zhong's hushed voice suddenly echoed in the vast sleeping quarters.
Ji Zizhao looked up in astonishment, "Did someone from the Fifth Prince's faction inform on him?"
Empress Zhong paused and then said, "This was Old Four's own idea."
Ji Zizhao's heart constricted, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on the letter.
Originally, she had thought that Xie Jinglan's trip to Tonglin was merely a calculated move. Since someone wanted to use his background to his detriment, he might as well sacrifice himself to save the Seventh Prince's life. But now it seemed she had misjudged him from the very beginning.
His unhesitating journey to Tonglin was a plan to kill two birds with one stone!
The Seventh Prince's willingness to live in a daze was not due to his nature, but because he had something to rely on. Above him was his beloved father, beside him was his doting mother, and behind him was an imperial brother who could clear all obstacles for him. These people protected him, allowing him to be content with his current situation and live a life of peace.
But Xie Jinglan's trip to Tonglin this time had shattered the Seventh Prince's peace with a single blow.
His father harbored murderous intent towards his only respected imperial brother, and the imperial brother he had always trusted was not even related to him by blood...
This was clearly intended to force the Seventh Prince to mature rapidly!
Growing up overnight was indeed painful, but who wasn't moving forward while licking their wounds?
Xie Jinglan was truly ruthless, missing no opportunity to achieve his goals.
Even at the risk of a complete falling out with the Seventh Prince...
However, the results were very significant. Otherwise, the Seventh Prince wouldn't have asked the Empress to conceal his recovery.
This was clearly a rift with the Emperor.
"When Old Seven was young, the Emperor was particularly attentive to him. In the Emperor's eyes, Old Seven, with his straightforward personality, was the least likely to covet his throne. As for Old Seven, he only ever saw the Emperor's benevolent fatherly side. Over time, he probably forgot what kind of person his father truly was..."
Empress Zhong, as someone who had been through this, knew the bitterness of such experiences.
When she first married the Emperor, he had doted on her, giving her the illusion of a lifelong commitment. Yet, over the years, the Emperor's side had never been without other women. Did the Emperor truly not know about the schemes and bullying she had endured from those women before?
How could that be possible?
The Emperor had merely feigned ignorance.
Empress Zhong sighed almost inaudibly. "A ruler is a ruler, and a subject is a subject. There is never any confusion. Old Four used himself as bait to make Old Seven see the Emperor's heartlessness, precisely so that Old Seven would not personally experience the Emperor's ruthlessness in the future!"
The Emperor was the Emperor, and his mind was always on the larger picture.
Only by fighting and seizing power, by holding it firmly in one's own hands, was the only hard truth for survival.
And this truth, she had finally understood and comprehended through half a lifetime of pain and scars.
However, Old Seven was far luckier than she was, because he had that child, Old Four, always leading the way. Now, Empress Zhong only hoped that Old Seven would not let down Old Four's painstaking efforts.
"The Seventh Prince will definitely rise." Ji Zizhao boldly took the Empress's slightly cool hand, speaking as if to comfort the Empress, but in reality, also to herself.
Even if the Seventh Prince didn't rise, it was fine; she would always find a way to make him rise.
Empress Zhong came back to her senses and patted Ji Zizhao's hand with relief. "You are a good child. Old Seven has suffered for so long; finding you is his only fortune."
"It is my fortune to have met the Seventh Prince."
One must always be grateful.
Even now, Ji Zizhao did not regret her choice.
If she had to do it again, she would still choose to marry him without hesitation. What if she never saw him again? In this life, there were not many things one truly chose for oneself. Since it was done willingly, she would stride forward.
As long as it was what her heart desired, regardless of the outcome, it was worth it.
"I now fear that Noble Consort Xi will choose to protect the Eighth Prince. If the Emperor truly shows leniency, then the number of people in court supporting the Fifth Prince will increase."
This incident seemed to be the Eighth Prince's plan, but those old foxes in court had likely already guessed that the Fifth Prince had also played a part behind the scenes. Perhaps even the Emperor had already sensed one or two things. Therefore, although it seemed like the Eighth Prince was being dealt with on the surface, it actually represented how much importance the Emperor placed on the Fifth Prince.
Empress Zhong let out a cold snort. "They think they can profit from the chaos, these people. It's getting late, you should go back to your palace and rest. Leave this matter to me."
Hearing the Empress speak like this, Ji Zizhao knew that the Empress had already made her plans. After taking the Empress's pulse for her safety, she rose to take her leave.
Empress Zhong waited until Ji Zizhao had left Fengyi Palace before calling Dai Momo to her side. "Let's go. After sitting for so long, it's time for me to get up and stretch my muscles."
Dai Momo was startled. "Where does Your Majesty wish to go?"
Empress Zhong looked outside the sleeping quarters and said with a half-smile, "Linzhi Palace."
Hearing the name, Dai Momo's hand, which was holding a servant's stool in mid-air, trembled.
Linzhi Palace...
That was the sleeping quarters where the Xirong hostage had resided!
"Your Majesty, you are..."
"Either don't play, or play big. Aren't those people fond of making trouble? Then, while my limbs are still agile, I will accompany them in a good round of trouble."