The wet nurse’s words were rapid, but with a moment’s thought, Ji Zizhao grasped the underlying currents.
Ji Renran’s entry into the palace for the selection had been due to the favor of Consort Xi.
Ji Renran’s injury, naturally, meant a blow to Consort Xi’s reputation.
Although Ji Zizhao didn’t know the specifics of how Ji Renran had fallen, the wet nurse’s words suggested that the entire palace likely knew the injury was her fault.
As sisters, she should have taken more care of Ji Renran. Now that Ji Renran had thrown this mud at her, it was imperative for her to visit and tend to her, even if she didn't want to.
At this moment, Ji Zizhao finally understood why Ji Renran had deliberately come to her to be humiliated.
However, Ji Zizhao hadn't expected Jiang Guangsheng to go in her stead.
Seeing Ji Zizhao standing still, the wet nurse anxiously urged, "Eldest Daughter Ji, what are you still doing in a daze? If Miss Ji Renran’s injury worsens and delays the selection, and the Empress holds you accountable, will it be Eldest Daughter Ji who bears the responsibility, or Official Jiang?"
Ji Zizhao looked up, casting a deep gaze at the wet nurse before her.
The wet nurse continued to urge Ji Zizhao, her tone both anxious and impatient, "Eldest Daughter Ji, do you intend to defy… Consort Xi’s command!"
Ji Zizhao did not refuse. "I will fetch the medicine box."
The wet nurse seemed surprised by Ji Zizhao's swift agreement. As she watched Ji Zizhao turn to leave, a flicker of surprise in her eyes quickly gave way to a layer of disdainful contempt.
At this moment, Zou Hansheng, who had been standing in the shadows, took in the scene in the courtyard.
Watching Ji Zizhao follow the messenger wet nurse out of the courtyard, his upturned lips were filled with the smug joy of revenge.
Ji Zizhao walked with the wet nurse towards Fengyi Palace. However, just as they were about to arrive, the wet nurse suddenly led her down a very hidden, nearby path.
This small path was dilapidated, overgrown with weeds everywhere.
The wet nurse expected Ji Zizhao to be frightened, and turned back to look.
To her surprise, she saw Ji Zizhao following silently behind her, appearing utterly unfazed.
Seeing the wet nurse look her way, Ji Zizhao even managed a faint, serene smile.
The wet nurse: "..."
Was she really that unbothered?
"Eldest Daughter Ji, aren't you going to ask this old servant where we are going?" the wet nurse asked casually as she continued to walk forward.
Ji Zizhao replied, "If you mean me no harm, why should I be confrontational?"
Hearing this, the wet nurse couldn't help but stop again, looking back at Ji Zizhao, amused. "I often heard others speak of Eldest Daughter Ji, always saying how exceptionally clever she was. But in my opinion, Eldest Daughter Ji is utterly dull-witted and ignorant."
The words were blunt and hurtful.
Yet, Ji Zizhao merely smiled faintly. "You are my savior, Madam. Your words are all well-intentioned reminders and admonishments. I will certainly bear them in mind."
The wet nurse laughed. "Eldest Daughter Ji doesn't even know what awaits ahead, yet you speak of gratitude."
"I was unaware of my sister Renran’s fall beforehand. However, now that rumors have spread, it is undoubtedly the work of someone with malicious intent. And my sister Renran entered the palace this time through Consort Xi’s grace. In this palace, without a powerful backing, my sister Renran would not dare to be so audacious. I dare to guess that it is Consort Xi who awaits us ahead."
The smile on the wet nurse’s face stiffened slightly.
She had thought that Ji Zizhao’s willing compliance meant she knew nothing.
But hearing these words now…
She almost suspected Ji Zizhao had personally witnessed Consort Xi’s machinations, otherwise, how could she know with such clarity?
"Although you come under the guise of Consort Xi, you mentioned that if the Empress holds me accountable, I do not believe that with your experience in the palace, you would mistake such a simple statement, unless… it was intentional."
Anyone who dared to openly use the Empress's name would not be an ordinary person.
It was likely that this person, like Zhi Nan, was a confidante of the Empress.
Therefore, even if this person was merely a servant in the palace, Ji Zizhao could not afford to be careless.
Ji Zizhao’s expression was calm, her gaze perceptive. "Madam is actually guiding me, urging me to quickly leave the Tai Hospital, this place of troubles. Since you are saving me from this predicament, I naturally owe you immense gratitude."
The wet nurse: "..."
She had just mocked the other person for being ignorant, and now they knew who she belonged to!
"Eldest Daughter Ji need not be so polite with this old servant. I am merely following orders. Those words just now were what I was ordered to say to Eldest Daughter Ji, because the person who found me said that as long as I said them to Eldest Daughter Ji, she would surely understand the meaning."
By now, all traces of the wet nurse’s earlier imperiousness had vanished, even the contempt in her eyes.
When she looked at Ji Zizhao again, she was extremely respectful.
Ji Zizhao remained composed and unfazed. "It is the Empress’s brilliant foresight that I admire."
Hearing this, the wet nurse shook her head with a smile. "This time, Eldest Daughter Ji has guessed incorrectly. I am indeed a dowry servant of the Empress, but the one who sent me this time was someone else."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
This was unexpected.
The Empress had shown her such obvious favor. If Consort Xi made any move, the Empress would certainly not stand idly by.
It wasn't that the Empress cared about her so much, but with the Empress's calculating mind, she would never allow Consort Xi to grow stronger under her nose.
Ji Zizhao had even prepared herself for how to deal with the Empress.
Now, she was being told this?
Behind her, a tightly shut door was nudged open a crack, unnoticed by Ji Zizhao.
Bai Xiu’s fair hand extended out, and as she grasped Ji Zizhao’s arm, she pulled her into the room.
Ji Zizhao’s vision blurred. As the door gently closed again, she found herself standing inside the room.
The snow-white brocade of his inner garment seemed to ripple with the rise and fall of his lean chest, the embroidered cloud patterns dimly visible.
Ji Zizhao looked up and saw the familiar face of the Fourth Prince.
The moment their eyes met, the guardedness in her heart was instantly filled with warmth.
It was him.
Xie Jinglan’s gaze was intense. Seeing that the black eyes of the person before him held none of the expected anger, he released his grip and said, "I thought you might be angry that I was meddling. It seems I was worrying for nothing."
Ji Zizhao looked at him and said, "This humble subject is very curious. What have I done to make Your Highness Fourth Prince have such a mistaken impression of my ingratitude?"
Xie Jinglan smiled. "You are too self-reliant."
It was precisely because she was different from all the women he knew that he found her so perplexing.
If he was too forceful, he feared she would resist. If he was too gentle, he feared she couldn’t handle things alone.
Ji Zizhao was somewhat stunned.
She could feel even more clearly that the warmth in her heart was flowing through her limbs.
From the beginning of their acquaintance, he had stood opposite her and negotiated terms. He allowed her to handle any matter according to her own ideas. He would always watch with a faint smile, offering assistance from the sidelines, never maliciously suppressing or tormenting her.
Even the Empress, who had offered her help, had threatened and cajoled her, forbidding her to side with the Fifth Prince.
Because in this era, having high status granted one the power to dictate everything.
But the man before her, even when offering help, had to carefully consider her feelings and circumstances.
Such respect, though commonplace in the era of her memory, was incredibly precious here.
A faint sound suddenly came from outside the window, a muffled and distorted sob.
Ji Zizhao followed the sound and saw that it was coming from a small room opposite the window.
Xie Jinglan listened calmly. "It seems the main show is about to begin."
Ji Zizhao knitted her brows. "What main show?"
Xie Jinglan looked at her. "Naturally, it is a show starring you."