Facing the tiger-headed banner that slashed through the air, Ji Zizhao could have evaded it. However, at that moment, she was unable to move. If she were to dodge, it would only fuel the Emperor's rage and murderous intent.
"Bang—!"
The sharp tiger-headed banner struck Ji Zizhao's forehead with full force.
Instantly, blood flowed.
Consort Xi's eyes flickered with an irrepressible cold smile. She quickly called out to the guards watching the maid, "Are you all dead men? What are you waiting for? Now that the evidence is conclusive, quickly drag her out and throw her into the imperial prison to await the Emperor's judgment!"
In an instant, the guards strode forward, reaching out to pin Ji Zizhao to the ground.
"If you think about it, Consort Xi has been in the palace for quite some time. How is it that after eating so much rice for so many years, you still appear so naive and easy to bully?"
This statement was clearly mocking Consort Xi for being old but not wise.
And the only one daring to speak such words in the palace could only be one person...
The Empress!
Consort Xi stared incredulously at the Empress, who was slowly approaching. Hadn't she already arranged for Consort Sun to stall her? How could she possibly be here?
Empress Zhong took in all of Consort Xi's undisguised astonishment and sneered inwardly. Sun Xianfei's methods were nothing in her eyes. If she couldn't even see through Sun Xianfei's petty tricks, then she wouldn't have been the mistress of the harem for so many years.
"Your servant greets His Majesty."
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Empress Zhong, with impeccable etiquette, curtsied to the Emperor.
Seeing this, others also paid their respects to Empress Zhong.
Even though Consort Xi was extremely unwilling, she still had to bend her knees and greet her, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Empress Zhong naturally noticed Consort Xi's reluctance, but what did it matter? As long as she was alive and breathing, Consort Xi had to bow to her.
The Empress's appearance completely disrupted the suffocating atmosphere that had just settled.
"Why is the Empress here?" Emperor Xiaochang's voice was still icy and filled with impatience, but his anger had clearly subsided somewhat.
"To answer His Majesty, your servant has been unable to bear children since she was young. It was because of His Majesty's trust that I raised Fourth Prince and Seventh Prince by my side. Although those two children are not my biological sons, I raised them with my own hands. Now that I have heard someone is attempting to frame my Fourth Prince, I naturally must come and see." Empress Zhong spoke with a hint of desolate sadness on her face.
The Empress's inability to bear children was an absolute taboo in the palace. Feng Gu truly wished he were deaf.
The mention of the past also brought a sense of guilt to Emperor Xiaochang's heart. His gaze towards the Empress softened further, "This matter is of great importance, and I do not wish for Fourth Prince to be the Xirong hostage who survived that year. However, now that the evidence is conclusive, I hope the Empress will not interfere further."
Empress Zhong, however, said, "Does His Majesty mean by 'evidence is conclusive' that it is based on mere hearsay from others?"
Emperor Xiaochang frowned, clearly displeased but without uttering a word of reprimand. This was his debt to the Empress for her inability to bear children, a pain he could never compensate for.
Consort Xi could not stand seeing the Empress bringing up the past. She let out a light cough.
The maid, who had been silent, suddenly lunged at Ji Zizhao again, "It's alright if my mistress does not wish to acknowledge me. I am willing to die to prove my loyalty, hoping that my master will one day conquer Xirong and wash the palace in blood!"
This maid was indeed cunning. Fearing that she might be caught for her disrespectful address again, she changed her designation on the spot.
However, this move was completely useless against Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao looked at the maid and suddenly showed a look of realization, "If you insist on saying so, I do seem to recall seeing you before, perhaps on Zhejiang Street."
"Wh-what Zhejiang Street? My servant does not understand what my mistress is talking about..." The maid vehemently denied it, but the shock in her eyes had already betrayed her.
"What, do you think that by entering the Wei family and becoming a servant, you have climbed to a high branch, forgetting where you came from?" Blood dripped slowly from Ji Zizhao's smooth forehead. Her eyes, washed by the blood, were dark and cold, sending chills down the maid's spine.
She certainly knew what Zhejiang Street was.
That was where she had grown up since childhood!
But she remembered that when the Eighth Prince found her, he had repeatedly assured her that he could erase her past, as long as she agreed to do this one thing, he would guarantee her a lifetime of wealth and glory.
The Eighth Prince could not hear what Ji Zizhao was saying to the maid, but looking at the maid's expression, his heart began to pound uncontrollably. He quickly stepped forward to shield the maid and said to Ji Zizhao, "Fourth Prince's Consort, you have a great deal of audacity, daring to threaten this servant into changing her testimony in front of His Majesty!"
Ji Zizhao raised an eyebrow and actually smiled, "What is Your Highness the Eighth Prince panicking about?"
The Eighth Prince had never seen anyone more terrifying than a ghost. Looking at Ji Zizhao's chilling, bone-piercing smile, he nearly collapsed onto the ground. "Fourth Prince's Consort, do not speak such nonsense here. In my opinion, this entire incident was orchestrated by you and Fourth Brother!"
Knowing her own doom was imminent, was she resorting to desperate tactics?
Ji Zizhao had no time to waste with the Eighth Prince. She suddenly looked up at the Emperor and said, "It is rather coincidental, I recall seeing this maid on Zhejiang Street. If His Majesty does not believe my words, he can send someone to Zhejiang Street to investigate. Since she once lived there, there are bound to be traces left behind."
Emperor Xiaochang narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Ji Zizhao, "What if you are lying?"
Ji Zizhao's expression remained unchanged, "Your humble servant will accept whatever punishment His Majesty deems fit!"
Those who hold the imperial throne are always afraid of gossip, especially those of His Majesty's age. None of them wish to be slandered by posterity. If they were to make a foolish mistake this time and be cursed for millennia, His Majesty would surely be restless even thinking about it.
Moreover, this matter not only involved Xie Jinglan and Ji Zizhao, but also Xue Yongnian, Empress Zhong, and everyone connected to Xie Jinglan. Did His Majesty himself not want to obtain a definitive answer?
Naturally, he did.
Therefore, as long as Ji Zizhao risked her own life, she believed the Emperor would not remain indifferent.
People often rush to get something because they cannot obtain it. Ji Zizhao, however, told the Emperor that she was standing here, offering her head for his judgment. In this way, even if the Emperor wanted to behead her, he would not be in a hurry.
Faced with Ji Zizhao's words, everyone was stunned into silence.