Ji Zizhao, having deliberately set aside fifty thousand taels to provoke the Fifth Prince, naturally had no fear of being investigated.
If anyone dared to make a move on her territory, it would depend on whether she granted them that courtesy.
Luohong, currently filled with loathing for Ji Zizhao and holding no good impressions of the Ji family women, was under strict orders from the Fifth Prince. She had secretly dispatched people to investigate thoroughly.
However, the Four Great Medical Halls were as impenetrable as a fortress. Despite prolonged investigation, not a single piece of information could be obtained.
Luohong, initially full of spirit, could only report the news to the Fifth Prince, no matter how unwilling she was.
Xie Jingzhou, looking at Luohong kneeling before him, was even more consumed by rage.
The more they could not find out anything, the more Xie Jingzhou suspected the relationship between Ji Zizhao and the Four Great Medical Halls.
But suspicion was suspicion; tangible evidence was nowhere to be seen.
It was like being able to smell the aroma of meat, yet being dangled and prevented from seeing where the meat was placed.
In just one night, Xie Jingzhou developed several blisters on his lips from the heat.
Now, Xie Jingzhou could not even open his mouth to eat. In just a few days, he had lost more than two pounds.
Yet, no matter how anxious Xie Jingzhou was, it could not change the fact that the Seventh Prince was accompanying the army on their expedition.
With a prince in tow, neither the court nor the army dared to be careless.
Xie Jingqi even made a special trip to the military camp, specifically requesting Han Jingyu to accompany him.
Given Han Jingyu's protection of the Seventh Prince in Luoyi last time, Emperor Xiaochang naturally permitted it.
With Han Jingyu going to war, Ji Zixiu, as Han Jingyu's right-hand person, had to accompany him as well.
At such a young age, to have two opportunities to accompany a prince on the battlefield was something many could only dream of. The news alone made many veteran soldiers in the army’s eyes turn red with envy.
Ji Zizhao knew that the Seventh Prince intended to promote her second sister.
However, due to the Emperor's wariness of the Ji family, he had only named Han Jingyu.
From this, it seemed the Seventh Prince was not truly as carefree as he appeared.
Regardless, this "Husky Seven" was still sharp this time.
Regarding Ji Zixiu's expedition, the Ji family had mixed feelings of joy and sorrow.
Especially the second madam, Yu Fenglan, who cried and laughed at the same time.
She rejoiced that her daughter was becoming more accomplished and could bring honor to the Ji family.
She worried about the merciless nature of the battlefield; what if something unfortunate were to happen?
But whether it was worry or joy, what had been decided could not be changed.
On the day of the expedition, Emperor Xiaochang was supposed to personally see off the army at the palace gates.
However, word came at the last minute that Consort Xi had caught a cold overnight and would not be able to attend. She was currently unconscious.
Emperor Xiaochang, who always favored Consort Xi, naturally headed to Huaqing Palace.
However, once he entered, he never emerged.
By the time for departure arrived, the Emperor's figure was still nowhere to be seen. Only Feng Gu, who followed the Emperor, brought the Emperor's oral decree, serving as a boost of morale for the army.
In Fengyi Palace, Zhi Nan cautiously said, "The army has already departed, but His Majesty has not left Huaqing Palace."
Empress Zhong sneered, "At his age, he still uses old tricks to embarrass himself. She is not tired of it, but I am tired of watching. Only that fool of an Emperor likes his melodramatic ways."
Zhi Nan worried, "I heard the army waited for a full quarter of an hour. Consort Xi really..."
"Even if she has a cold, it will not change the fact that Little Seven is accompanying the army. Let her be sick if she wants; it is clear who is suffering."
Empress Zhong was unwilling to waste time on someone who annoyed her. She paused and then added, "Now that the army has departed, the matter of selecting consorts for the eligible princes can no longer be delayed. Does Huaqing Palace still have no intention of sending Ji Zizhao's portrait?"
Zhi Nan shook her head.
If they did not send it now, it was likely that she would be kept there.
Empress Zhong scoffed, "She probably sees Ji Zizhao's capabilities and wants to backtrack. But I will not let her have her way. Go, summon Fourth Prince to me."
If she dared to snatch food from my bowl, did she think I was dead?
If Consort Xi truly had the ability to snatch Ji Zizhao away, she would give her the position of Empress as well!
The battle of Tonglin was highly anticipated.
However, the fact that the elder General Zhong was old could not be disputed. Even in armor, the white hair on his head could not be hidden.
Coupled with the presence of the dissolute Seventh Prince by his side…
This combination, no matter how one looked at it, did not inspire much confidence.
As a result, as the army marched majestically towards the city gates, the number of citizens seeing them off was pitifully small.
Han Jingyu said softly, "The battle of Tonglin is perilous. The common people do not wish to add pressure to the elder General Zhong."
How could the elder General Zhong not understand such comforting words?
He had fought for Yulin his entire life, only to lose the people's support due to his age.
This bitterness was uncontrollable and irreversible.
Seeing the elder General Zhong fall silent, Han Jingyu felt a pang of sadness in his heart.
The elder General Zhong's current appearance was likely his own future.
Xie Jingqi, however, was completely unconcerned. He grumbled, "A bunch of short-sighted commoners. How can these mortals understand my valor?"
The somber atmosphere from moments ago was instantly doused with a bucket of cold water.
Han Jingyu: "..."
Elder General Zhong: "..."
Truly, being with an anomaly like the Seventh Prince made even wanting to feel sad a luxury.
Ten li outside the city gates, the army suddenly saw a slender figure standing in a pavilion not far away.
With a clear face, wearing a blue gown, and black hair like ink.
Just standing there, she commanded attention.
Ji Zixiu recognized her eldest sister at a glance, her hands tightening on the reins of her horse in excitement.
However, the army was on the move, and they could not delay for one person. Elder General Zhong only permitted Ji Zixiu to ride ahead of the procession and wait for the army to arrive before departing together.
Even for a brief moment, Ji Zixiu was overjoyed and quickly spurred her horse forward.
Ji Zizhao, having been influenced by the men in her family since childhood, naturally understood that military discipline was not to be broken.
Seeing her second sister rein in her horse opposite her, she smiled and nodded slightly, not stepping forward at all.
Ji Zixiu sat on her horse, gazing at her eldest sister. Thinking of her past misunderstandings of her eldest sister, she was so remorseful that her eyes turned red. If time could turn back, she truly wished she could have spent more time with her eldest sister, even if they said nothing.
It was only this sense of peace that only her eldest sister could give her.
As the army slowly approached, even the previously nonchalant Xie Jingqi straightened his back.
Han Jingyu couldn't help but chuckle. The only person in this world who could subdue the Seventh Prince was likely the eldest daughter of the Ji family.
Watching the army arrive, Ji Zixiu, despite her reluctance, turned her horse back to rejoin the procession.
Elder General Zhong, having accepted a favor, uncharacteristically nodded slightly at Ji Zizhao.
It was merely a polite gesture, but then Ji Zizhao suddenly spoke, "The road is arduous, with many forks; where is peace to be found? Only by leveling the path can there be prosperity for the world! I wish Marquis Zhongyong to ride in glory, to brave the stormy seas! Ji Zizhao awaits news of the army's victorious return in the imperial city!"
Ji Zizhao's voice was resonant, each word clear.
Elder General Zhong froze, his entire body seeming to transport him back decades.
In those days, he was full of spirit, looking with admiration at his friend's granddaughter cheering him on.
He never imagined that the same words would be spoken to him today.
What if there were no common people to see them off?
What if there was no Emperor to witness their departure?
With this speech alone, it was more than enough!