The Imperial Observatory's director and his wife exchanged glances. They had recently heard that the Empress had not shown any coldness towards the Fourth Prince's consort despite his departure. Now, it seemed she wasn't just not cold, but had elevated her favor even further!
"I never expected that a simple family banquet today would even alarm Aunt Baihe. It is our fault for causing the Empress to worry," the Imperial Observatory's director said, approaching with his wife and first offering pleasantries to Baihe.
Baihe steadily helped Ji Zizhao dismount from the carriage, then said with a half-smile, "Madam Wei specifically postponed today's banquet for the Fourth Prince's consort. Compared to Madam Wei's thoughtfulness and meticulous planning, what the Empress has done is merely a drop in the ocean."
This implication almost caused Madam Wei to collapse.
Wei Hongzhao quickly explained to Ji Zizhao, "It was our oversight. We didn't realize that the Fourth Prince's consort's work schedule in the palace coincided with our planned date. Because of this, the Eighth Prince's consort threw a tantrum, saying that the banquet could not possibly proceed with fewer people. Thus, we had to change the time at the last minute."
Ji Zizhao couldn't discern the truth of his words. She smiled and said, "Unexpected changes in the palace are something no one can foresee. I didn't expect it to cause such trouble for Lord Wei."
Hearing her words, Wei Hongzhao felt as if a needle had pricked his heart.
The Fourth Prince's consort's reputation had long been known throughout the imperial city. However, he had never had the opportunity to interact with her and hadn't paid much attention to her. She was just a young girl; how formidable could she be?
Yet now, this very young girl stood before him, her voice gentle and her words sharp, leaving him completely unable to guess her thoughts or how to respond.
Madam Wei's smile was frozen, and she didn't dare to breathe.
Ji Zizhao scanned the faces of the Wei couple. She did not try to argue or desperately insist on her point. Was the postponement of the banquet truly solely the Eighth Prince's consort's idea?
Jianqiu watched the scene and suddenly smiled, saying, "Speaking of which, Miss is very eager to attend today's banquet. Otherwise, she wouldn't have rushed over so early in the morning. The weather is still a bit cool in the mornings, perhaps Miss would like to go inside and chat leisurely with Madam Wei?"
"Yes, yes, Fourth Prince's consort, please come inside," Madam Wei, having been given a way out, quickly invited Ji Zizhao in, her heart trembling uncontrollably.
As expected of someone who had served the former Empress Dowager, her skills in every word and deed were truly remarkable.
If Ji Zizhao wanted to catch them all in one net, she had to cross the threshold of the Wei residence. Now that Madam Wei had yielded, she looked at Baihe and said, "Thank you, Aunt Baihe, for making this special trip. Please convey my gratitude to the Empress. I will personally thank her when I have the time another day."
Baihe smiled and nodded, then raised her eyebrows to look at the Wei couple. "Today, not only the Fourth Prince's consort has arrived, but the Seventh Prince's consort is also expected. Since the Wei family is hosting, it would be best to be thorough. If either the Fourth Prince's consort or the Seventh Prince's consort suffers any grievance in the Wei residence, I imagine the Empress would be heartbroken."
What could the Empress do if she was heartbroken?
Naturally, she would find a way to get it back from your Wei family!
Madam Wei almost wept with anger upon hearing these words.
Was this a banquet?
It was like inviting an ancestor into their home!
Wei Hongzhao remained relatively calm and quickly smiled, saying, "Aunt Baihe, please rest assured. Our Wei family will do our utmost."
Baihe nodded. Without even glancing at Madam Wei, she returned to her carriage. Ji Zizhao remembered that Baihe's carriage was still parked outside the Ji residence and immediately instructed Fubao to escort her back.
Ji Zizhao waited until she saw Baihe depart before stepping towards the threshold of the Wei residence.
The remaining Wei couple stood at their doorstep, gasping for breath.
In the sunlight, their faces were each more unsightly than the other.
At this time, quite a few carriages were already parked on the street opposite the Wei residence, but none of the princesses riding inside had dismounted.
No wonder the Eighth Prince's consort's maternal family changed the time for the Fourth Prince's consort. Given the Empress's doting attitude, who would dare to neglect the Fourth Prince's consort? Now, they didn't need to be jealous either. In the end, a mother-in-law like the Empress was not something one could simply be jealous of.
As for when they would dismount...
They would wait and see.
Oh, the Empress had just sent the Fourth Prince's consort inside, and they showed up alone...
The thought alone made them feel like they were inviting humiliation.
Ji Zizhao followed Madam Wei into the inner courtyard. Madam Wei turned to wait at the entrance for the other princesses. The Eighth Prince's consort, who had also received the news, walked over to greet Ji Zizhao and continued walking inwards, proactively smiling and saying, "Fourth Sister-in-law, you've arrived so early."
Ji Zizhao gave a faint smile, showing no intention of speaking.
Although there weren't that many rules between sisters-in-law, in terms of seniority, Ji Zizhao was clearly higher than the Eighth Prince's consort. If they were on good terms, no one would care about this. But knowing that the Eighth Prince's consort had been secretly plotting, why should Ji Zizhao indulge her?
The Eighth Prince's consort naturally sensed this subtle attitude and her expression showed a trace of panic.
Ji Zizhao took in the Eighth Prince's consort's expression and continued to walk leisurely inwards. She had done something wrong but still wanted to live as if nothing had happened. Did she really think everyone was a fool?
"Fourth Sister-in-law, it was my fault. With Fourth Brother not in the imperial city, I especially didn't want Fourth Sister-in-law to be looked down upon. So, I tearfully pleaded with my parents to change the banquet time. I didn't expect it to make Fourth Sister-in-law unhappy," the Eighth Prince's consort said, taking the initiative to admit fault, her eyes full of grievance and helplessness, appearing as innocent as if she had been misunderstood.
Ji Zizhao looked at the Eighth Prince's consort with concern and said, "I notice that Eighth Sister-in-law's complexion is sallow and her voice is weak. Instead of having the energy to worry about others' situations, Eighth Sister-in-law would be better off worrying about herself."
The Eighth Prince's consort's entire body instantly tensed into a rigid line. She looked at Ji Zizhao for a long time before being unable to utter another word.
Jianqiu glanced at the Eighth Prince's consort's expression and lowered her voice, "Miss, Eighth Prince's consort is clearly feeling guilty."
"It's right that she's feeling guilty," Ji Zizhao said with a faint smile. She had been curious about what could make the Eighth Prince's consort abandon the Empress's favor and fully collude with the Eighth Prince. Now, she finally knew the answer.
Upon reaching the pavilion, Jianqiu could not go any further. Ji Zizhao entered alone and chose a seat by the window. Not long after, other princesses began to enter in twos and threes.
Xu Meiqing saw Ji Zizhao and directly walked over to sit beside her. "Indeed, wherever you are, Ji Zizhao, topics of conversation are never in short supply."
Ji Zizhao smiled. "Is it because the Empress sent someone?"
Xu Meiqing: "..."
How did you know?