Noble Consort Xi looked at Empress Zhong, her smile tinged with mockery. "Empress, your words are beyond my comprehension. The servants nowadays dare to defy their masters. It is only because Wen Hui has always been kind and unwilling to make an issue of it that I felt compelled to step in and defend her. After all, Wen Hui was doted on and raised by His Majesty. How can she tolerate a mere servant yelling and screaming here?"
Though she spoke of a servant, everyone present understood that Noble Consort Xi was, in fact, insulting Ji Zizhao along with the maid.
Empress Zhong, naturally understanding the veiled barbs in Noble Consort Xi's speech, first helped the Emperor to his seat before settling beside him. She spoke softly, "Since Wen Hui entered the palace, His Majesty has indeed shown her much care. While to His Majesty, everyone is a child regardless of age, as a princess of the royal family, she ought to bear responsibilities. If she cannot even manage those below her, she not only tarnishes the glory of her clan but also causes His Majesty to lose face."
Empress Zhong paused, then continued, looking at Noble Consort Xi. "I know Noble Consort Xi has always enjoyed helping His Majesty share his burdens. However, the children are growing up. If we continue to make decisions for them, when will they ever learn to be independent?"
The Empress was indeed the Empress. With her words, she not only satirized Noble Consort Xi's meddling but also shrewdly drew Wen Hui into the fray.
This left Wen Hui with no choice but to speak, unable to continue hiding under Noble Consort Xi's protection. "Your Majesties, this humble daughter greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress. This humble daughter will certainly bear Mother Empress's teachings in mind."
Empress Zhong smiled and nodded. "It is good that you remember."
Wen Hui, with an expression of deep gratitude, said, "It is this humble daughter's fault for causing Mother Empress to worry."
Empress Zhong, however, turned to the Emperor beside her. "Since you entered the palace, His Majesty has been most concerned for you. Though I have raised you as my own daughter, your words and actions represent the royal family. If you lose your way, it is His Majesty who will be most heartbroken." This was from Sudan Fiction Network.
"Mother Empress speaks the truth, this humble daughter understands." Wen Hui was surprised by the Empress's meticulousness, and a flicker of an unusual light flashed in her eyes.
Empress Zhong noticed Wen Hui's subtle movement and smiled faintly.
Did she truly think her age had dulled her senses? Did she believe she couldn't see the calculations in Wen Hui's mind? In the Emperor's presence, he was naturally the most important figure. Did she truly think showering her with a few compliments would make her overly excited and usurp authority?
Heh...
That would be underestimating her.
Seeing this, the others quickly knelt and greeted the Emperor and Empress.
"What has happened that there is such a commotion in broad daylight!" Emperor Xiaochang's tone was one of rebuke, yet as everyone knelt to pay their respects, he held Empress Zhong's hand, clearly indicating that her words had deeply pleased him.
Noble Consort Xi's face darkened at this sight, cursing Wen Hui inwardly for her incompetence. Not only had she failed to trap the Empress, but she had also inadvertently pleased the Emperor with the Empress's honeyed words.
Wen Hui felt uncomfortable under Noble Consort Xi's glare, but she had no time to attend to it now. She quickly recounted the matter of the maid spreading rumors about the Fourth Prince. "This humble daughter had intended to plead for the maidservant with Fourth Sister-in-law, but I did not expect Fourth Sister-in-law to be so unyielding..."
As Wen Hui spoke, she began to choke up again.
Her demeanor was as if she had suffered a great blow.
Hearing this, Emperor Xiaochang naturally turned his gaze to Ji Zizhao. "I recall that the Fourth Prince Consort has not yet officially married, is that correct?"
The Emperor had not openly rebuked her, but his words implicitly suggested that Ji Zizhao was putting on airs. How could a daughter-in-law, not yet married, dare to bully a princess, whom the Emperor had raised in the palace?
Ji Zizhao, kneeling on the ground, met the Emperor's gaze. Her voice was soft but clear and resonant. "His Majesty has always ruled with benevolence, utilized talent wisely, and cared for his people. Because of this, Yulin prospers and its people are strong. When the people of Yulin hear of His Majesty's name, they revere and love him without exception."
This familiar formula, this familiar tone...
Noble Consort Xi's teeth gnashed in anger. That wretched Ji Zizhao was about to start flattering the Emperor again!
Emperor Xiaochang showed neither pleasure nor displeasure. "The Fourth Prince Consort's words are as sweet as ever. I only wish the Fourth Prince Consort would show the same patience to everyone."
Ji Zizhao remained unperturbed. She paused, then said, "Your Majesty's teachings, this humble subject will certainly bear in mind. However, this humble subject believes that precisely because His Majesty is a benevolent and wise ruler, the princes in the palace are all outstanding, and the princesses all possess royal bearing. Given this, even if Princess Wen Hui is not His Majesty's biological daughter, she should not be lacking."
Emperor Xiaochang: "..."
He had never encountered anyone who flattered him in such a unique way!
Seated on his throne, Emperor Xiaochang had never lacked people who fawned over him. However, to find someone like Ji Zizhao, who could consistently come up with novel phrases to please him, even if he knew there was flattery involved, he couldn't help but be happy.
Who in this world didn't like hearing pleasant words?
Seeing the Emperor's expression begin to clear, Ji Zizhao continued, "As the saying goes, to diagnose an illness, one must examine the symptoms; to catch a culprit, one must find proof. Since Princess Wen Hui insists that this maidservant spread rumors, it is best for Princess Wen Hui to present evidence. Otherwise, it is a small matter to damage her own reputation, but a grave offense to tarnish His Majesty's prestige."
Emperor Xiaochang knew that the Fourth Prince's lineage was still a subject of debate. However, Ji Zizhao was ultimately the daughter-in-law he had personally chosen, and she possessed the hundred-year-old martial spirit of the Ji family...
"Wen Hui, you have spoken at length. Do you have any proof?" Emperor Xiaochang asked, looking at Wen Hui.
Wen Hui was almost beside herself with anger. Gritting her teeth, she replied, "Reporting to Father Emperor, this maidservant told this humble daughter directly, which is why this humble daughter believed her..."
Ji Zizhao interjected, "For a mere maidservant to dare to slander a prince, she is truly bold."
"Perhaps she is a lamb not yet afraid of the tiger..."
"If this humble subject remembers correctly, the palace maids in our Yulin palace have been serving since the age of seven. Judging by this maidservant's appearance, she must be eighteen or nineteen... After more than ten years, what talk is there of a 'lamb not yet afraid of the tiger'? Does Princess Wen Hui not find this rather laughable?"
Faced with Ji Zizhao's three soul-piercing questions, the onlookers felt a sense of suffocation just watching.
One had to admit, the Fourth Prince Consort was truly audacious!
However, since the Emperor remained silent, no one dared to speak out. After all, Ji Zizhao's earlier flattery had been effective. With the Emperor's tacit approval, who would dare to question her, let alone her arrogance?
The Fourth Prince's origins were a sore point for the Emperor. Hearing Ji Zizhao's words, Emperor Xiaochang's expression turned serious. "Wen Hui, do you truly have any proof that this maidservant spread the false rumors?"