In early September, Ji Zizhao received a post from Xue Yinuo.
The meeting place was the same teahouse where they had shared tea before.
Ji Zizhao thought it had been quite some time since they last met, so she also sent invitations to the Zhong family.
Zhong Xinyi, recalling the previous misunderstanding with Ji Zizhao, felt it inappropriate to appear alone. She specifically came to find Ji Zizhao beforehand to travel together.
Ji Zizhao understood Zhong Xinyi's thoughts and did not point them out, instead accompanying her to the teahouse.
Xue Yinuo and Xu Meiqing had already arrived, but upon seeing Zhong Xinyi, both expressed great shock.
Zhong Xinyi, not one to hide things, recounted all the subsequent events that had occurred between her and Ji Zizhao.
Xu Meiqing, "..."
So that's how it could be.
Xue Yinuo, "..."
Even an enemy within the same camp could be turned into an ally. Truly, she was the person I admired.
Amazing!
Xue Yinuo was also straightforward by nature, and soon she and Zhong Xinyi became close.
However, this conversation was rather explosive, as it concerned the grand weddings of the princes.
It was heard that Xue Yinuo's portrait had been kept by the Third Prince's consort mother, Xu Meiqing's by the Sixth Prince's consort mother, and Zhong Xinyi's portrait had been secretly kept by the Empress herself.
As Zhong Xinyi was the Empress's niece, it was only natural that her family would benefit.
Xue Yinuo pondered, "Could it be that the Empress intends to marry you to the Fourth Prince?"
Zhong Xinyi quickly waved her hand, "How could that be?"
Xue Yinuo continued, "The Seventh Prince is quite unreliable. If the Empress were to marry you to him as a consort, wouldn't that be harming you? Although the Fourth Prince is not highly regarded by the Emperor, he is gentle and courteous. Marrying him would surely be the right choice. I've heard that many young ladies are making efforts towards the Fourth Prince."
Ji Zizhao was raising her teacup when her wrist trembled slightly upon hearing this, spilling some tea.
Actually, she didn't know what had come over her recently. Whenever the Fourth Prince was mentioned, she felt as if her tail had been stepped on.
As Ji Zizhao felt annoyed, Zhong Xinyi's voice gently sounded in her ear, "Zizhao, don't overthink it. I also initially thought my aunt intended to marry me to cousin Fourth, and I even sought out cousin Fourth for that reason. But then I realized it was a misunderstanding. Aunt actually planned for me to marry cousin Seventh."
Ji Zizhao looked at Zhong Xinyi with curiosity, not understanding why she would tell her this.
Was her reaction that obvious?
Zhong Xinyi smiled again and said, "Cousin Fourth told me that he has always treated me as a sister. He does have someone he wishes to take care of, but it seems that person doesn't like being taken care of by him. I suspect that person is probably you, as you are the only one cousin Fourth has brought to my home."
Ji Zizhao, "..."
I really can't compliment your logic.
Xu Meiqing looked at Zhong Xinyi, who was speaking to Ji Zizhao, and felt a turmoil in her heart.
Seeing this, Xue Yinuo leaned in, "Jealous?"
Xu Meiqing shook her head, "The selection of consorts is not something you or I can control. The Seventh Prince once saved me, and though it is a regret that I cannot marry him, my greatest hope is that the Seventh Prince will be well."
Zhong Xinyi, being the Empress's niece, would naturally strengthen the Seventh Prince's position after marrying him.
As they were talking in the private room, they suddenly heard a commotion outside the window.
The few of them curiously walked to the window and looked out, seeing a procession slowly approaching from the street. Leading the group was the old general of the Zhong family.
Upon seeing her grandfather, Zhong Xinyi's eyes reddened considerably.
Ji Zizhao observed Zhong Xinyi's unusual expression and was thinking carefully when she saw the old general of the Zhong family dismount and approach the entrance of a merchant's shop, raising the imperial decree for the expedition to Tonglin.
It turned out that the old general of the Zhong family wished to enlist the common people to contribute funds for the campaign in Tonglin.
However, no matter how the old general of the Zhong family guaranteed them, the merchants refused to donate a single coin.
The old general of the Zhong family, helpless, could only kneel on one knee and say, "Tonglin is the territory of our Yu Lin. How can it be invaded by foreign enemies! I, Zhong Tianliang, swear to heaven that for this campaign in Tonglin, I will not fail the Emperor's grace nor the people's expectations!"
The merchants remained unmoved, "What does your war have to do with us? Why should we give you money!"
Even more so, many merchants directly closed their shops, keeping a respectful distance from the old general of the Zhong family.
The副将 (deputy general) by his side could not bear to watch and helped the old general of the Zhong family up, saying, "As a meritorious official of Yu Lin, how can you bend your knees for these common people? If the people do not desire national prosperity and peace, why should you be so persistent?"
The old general of the Zhong family, however, said, "It is human nature for the common people to look out for themselves. But as the Loyal and Brave Marquis of Yu Lin, I will guard the safety and peace of the people of Yu Lin even unto death. Tonglin may be small, but it is also an inalienable part of Yu Lin!"
With that, the old general of Zhong mounted his horse and led his men to another street.
In the autumn wind, the old general of Zhong's crimson cloak fluttered against the wind, his white hair meticulously combed.
Even under the baptism of years and war, his waist could no longer stand as straight, but he never bowed his head while sitting on his horse! Su Dan Novel Network
Watching this scene, Zhong Xinyi had already wept uncontrollably.
Xu Meiqing also felt uncomfortable, "The old general of the Zhong family is over sixty years old. How can these people bear to treat him like this!"
Xue Yinuo could not help but curse, "They are simply heartless scoundrels! I say the old general of the Zhong family shouldn't bother. Let the Western Rong people come and attack. Let's see if these people still have their indifference and arrogance today!"
Ji Zizhao watched the scene outside the window, her hands gripping the windowsill until her knuckles turned white.
A dull ache and sourness, little by little, welled up in her heart, spreading to her eyes, making her nose feel stuffy.
This old general of Zhong reminded her of her own grandfather, father, and uncles in the past.
They were the same, charging forward for the well-being of Yu Lin without complaint.
Even if they were ultimately betrayed by their own people, they likely had no regrets.
Ji Zizhao swallowed the bitterness in her throat and looked at Zhong Xinyi beside her, lowering her voice, "Don't cry anymore. If no one helps me, I will. If no one provides funds, I will."
Zhong Xinyi looked up in shock, thinking she had misheard, "Really, really?"
Ji Zizhao nodded.
In matters of military importance, there were no lies.
This was a faith and reverence for soldiers ingrained in the bones of the Ji family.
And if this matter had remained a dispute within the court, Ji Zizhao would indeed have been unable to intervene.
But if it involved the outside, she would have the means to turn the tide.
How could she stand by and watch them fight alone when the old general of the Zhong family, at his age, was leading troops into battle!
Ji Zizhao calculated her plan, "Is there any way to help me contact the Fourth Prince and have him visit the Zhong family?"
Zhong Xinyi hurriedly said, "As it happens, cousin Fourth is currently discussing matters with cousin Seventh at our residence."
Ji Zizhao nodded, signaling Zhong Xinyi to say no more.
After the scene they had just witnessed, the few people in the private room had lost the mood for idle chatter.
Xue Yinuo rushed home to mobilize her father to donate military funds, leaving without even a goodbye.
Xu Meiqing told Zhong Xinyi not to worry, and that she too would go home to think of a solution.
Zhong Xinyi naturally knew that the help from Xue Yinuo and Xu Meiqing was all thanks to Ji Zizhao.
Was this the so-called "leaning on a big tree for shade"?