Xie Jinglan and Ji Zizhao were both greatly intimidated by the large jar.
Only after Tang Di had closed the door and left did the two of them regain their senses.
Ji Zizhao looked at the large jar and resolutely went to open the lid. Since she had decided to clear things up today, there was no need to hesitate further.
She was never a person who dithered.
Unexpectedly, Xie Jinglan also reached out at this moment.
His slender fingers and warm palm covered Ji Zizhao's hand, and waves of warmth, like small snakes, burrowed straight into Ji Zizhao's heart.
Ji Zizhao was stunned, and even forgot to withdraw her hand.
Xie Jinglan, however, smoothly held her hand, moved it away from the wine jar, and gently placed it down, saying, "Leave the heavy work to me."
When Ji Zizhao regained her senses, she saw Xie Jinglan opening the red cork on the wine jar.
Instantly, the aroma of wine filled the air.
Xie Jinglan lightly rolled up his sleeves, picked up the wine ladle from the side, and gently stirred the contents of the jar.
After the strong wine aroma had dissipated slightly with the stirring, he poured a cup for Ji Zizhao and another for himself before sitting down again.
Ji Zizhao looked at the Fourth Prince sitting opposite her and suddenly curved her lips.
Xie Jinglan looked at her, puzzled, "What is it?"
Ji Zizhao smiled and said, "I didn't expect such a crude task to become so elegant in the hands of the Fourth Prince."
Xie Jinglan felt teased, "I'm used to doing things myself. I'm also unwilling to trouble the servants now."
Ji Zizhao suddenly remembered the rumors in the palace that the Fourth Prince's childhood was not as happy as that of other princes.
At that time, the Seventh Prince's mother consort was still alive, but the Fourth Prince's mother consort had died the earliest. However, new consorts were constantly entering the palace, and the Emperor was still in his prime. The Empress was busy stabilizing the harem and had no intention of adopting another son.
Her grandfather had coincidentally met the Fourth Prince during a visit to the palace.
She remembered that the Emperor was about to test all the princes' studies. The other princes had wet nurses accompanying them, but the Fourth Prince walked alone at the very back.
Her grandfather had told Ji Zizhao that it wasn't that the Fourth Prince had no wet nurse, but that she had accidentally died in the pond.
Ji Zizhao could hear the helplessness in her grandfather's voice, and she understood more clearly that accidents in the imperial palace were merely polite euphemisms.
Even now, Ji Zizhao could recall her grandfather holding her hand and saying, "If the Fourth Prince can truly grow up safely, then perhaps grandfather can request the Emperor to bestow a marriage, and let the Fourth Prince be A'Zhao's husband? The Fourth Prince is a child who has suffered hardship and will understand how to cherish someone. My A'Zhao should certainly not suffer any injustice from others."
At that time, Ji Zizhao only thought it was her grandfather's casual remark and didn't take it to heart.
She never expected that it would actually come true.
Seeing Ji Zizhao's dark, deep eyes, Xie Jinglan didn't know what she was thinking.
But he didn't speak to disturb her, and just drank his wine by himself.
When Ji Zizhao came back to her senses, she realized that the man opposite her had already finished three cups of wine.
"I was lost in thought," Ji Zizhao apologized with a smile.
Xie Jinglan refilled his cup again, "It's fine. Drinking alone is also pleasant."
His eyes remained dark and deep, calm and undisturbed, with no hint of blame for being ignored.
It was as if, every time he helped her from the shadows, he never asked for rewards or thanks, and even always stood on her side, considering everything for her.
Respect, perhaps for Ji Zizhao, who had experienced two lives, was already commonplace.
However, in this feudal era, and from a prince of high status, it was truly rare and precious.
Ji Zizhao stood up and, taking her wine cup, said, "This cup of wine is for you, Fourth Prince."
Xie Jinglan seemed startled by Ji Zizhao's formal demeanor, but he quickly composed himself and looked at Ji Zizhao, who was already standing before him, "Young Lady Ji, this is..."
"Thank you, Fourth Prince, for helping me out at the Imperial Hospital, thank you for supporting me in front of Scholar Zou, and thank you for delaying things for me in front of the Empress." If the Empress hadn't been concerned about the Fourth Prince, with the Empress's decisive methods in dealing with Consort Xi, she would have likely found another marriage prospect for me long ago.
Xie Jinglan had done these things without anything to hide.
Now that Ji Zizhao knew, although it was somewhat unexpected, he wasn't surprised.
He just smiled and raised his wine cup to accompany her when he saw Ji Zizhao only drink one cup and then sit down.
Ji Zizhao put down her wine cup and said, "Since this is a toast of gratitude, Fourth Prince need not accompany me."
"Young Lady Ji offered three thanks in succession, yet only drank one cup of wine. It is obvious that your true intention is not just for the wine. Since this is the case, I might as well be sensible and save Young Lady Ji further effort." Xie Jinglan smiled helplessly. No wonder this girl wanted to drink; she was clearly trying to get him drunk.
If he got drunk, he would wake up tomorrow.
But if this girl really couldn't wait to add something to his wine, he feared he wouldn't know when he would wake up.
Ji Zizhao knew that her calculations could not escape the eyes of this cunning fox, "Last time at the teahouse, it was my rashness to interrupt Your Highness."
Xie Jinglan immediately recalled the incident where everyone fell into the water, and Ji Zizhao had come with his mother.
Thinking of his mother's intentions and methods, he understood everything.
Facing Ji Zizhao's question, Xie Jinglan frankly admitted, "My mother's idea is very simple. She's just reluctant to see a talented person like Young Lady Ji become someone else's subordinate. I know well that Young Lady Ji has no intention of remarrying, and I also have no desire to marry. If Young Lady Ji must be forced by my mother to marry someone else, it would be better to become the Fourth Prince Consort for more freedom."
Ji Zizhao was stunned, "Freedom?"
"There are no concubines or maids in my residence. Young Lady Ji will be the only mistress of the household after marriage. No one in the residence will cause trouble for Young Lady Ji, and Young Lady Ji can do whatever she wants without any restraint. I don't intend to interfere in anything."
In the residence, her word would be law.
Outside, she could do as she pleased.
Such conditions were enough to make any woman's heart flutter.
Ji Zizhao was, of course, tempted.
Everyone who wanted to draw her to their side had their own motives.
But he alone had always stood on her side and thought for her.
Looking at the man immersed in thought opposite her, she felt a pang of confusion, "Why me? Is it only because I joined forces with the Fourth Prince that you are willing to protect me so much? If that's the case, then cooperating with the Fourth Prince back then was perhaps my smartest choice."
Xie Jinglan pursed his lips, but shook his head, "I never do a losing business."
Hearing this, Ji Zizhao became serious, "In that case, does the Fourth Prince have other conditions?"
Xie Jinglan put down the wine cup in his hand and suddenly looked directly into Ji Zizhao's eyes.
"I always feel that I should let you spread your wings and fly high. Watching you soar in the sky makes me happy. There are very few things that make me happy in this life, so I want to fulfill my own wishes."
Ji Zizhao, "..."
What kind of bold words were these.