Ji Zizhao listened to the words and looked curiously towards the window.
However, the open window not only allowed her to see the opposite side clearly, but also allowed the people opposite to see her.
Her wrist suddenly tightened, and even through the tight sleeve, Ji Zizhao could feel the warmth of the five fingers grasping her wrist.
Xie Jinglan pulled Ji Zizhao, drawing her slowly towards the window, and said softly, "This was the small kitchen of the Fengyi Palace before. It was later abandoned because it was too remote. When I was young, Xiao Qi often caught wild game from the palace and brought it here to roast. Because it was hidden, even Mother Empress could hardly find it."
Ji Zizhao was stunned, "Wild game?"
Xie Jinglan smiled, "A long time ago, Father Emperor always liked to send all sorts of small pets to Consort Xi. Consort Xi also often showed them off everywhere, but later they all ended up in Xiao Qi's belly."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Xiao Qi was indeed Xiao Qi; his imagination was beyond ordinary.
Xie Jinglan stopped Ji Zizhao a few steps away from the window. Looking out from the corner, she could still see outside clearly, but due to the angle, the people outside could not discover the people inside at all.
Because of the narrowness of the corner, Ji Zizhao had to stand in a staggered position, one in front and one behind, with Xie Jinglan.
Although Xie Jinglan had already let go of Ji Zizhao's wrist, to ensure that Ji Zizhao's standing angle was not off, he gently placed his hand on Ji Zizhao's shoulder as soon as he released it.
As soon as he placed his hand on it, Xie Jinglan's handsome brows furrowed slightly.
This girl looked quite thin, but she felt even thinner to the touch.
Especially the shoulder beneath his palm, it was so bony it hurt his hand.
Considering it, Tang Di had been sending fresh vegetables and meat to the Ji family for several months now.
Why hadn't she gained any weight, but instead become thinner?
Ji Zizhao was unaware of what the person behind her was thinking. She only knew that with his breathing, his lean chest rose and fell gently against her back. Although it was a slight, almost imperceptible friction, it felt as if someone had set a fire on her back, hot and burning.
"Wuwuwu... Wuwuwu..."
A stifled sob, carried by the wind, once again entered the window frame.
Ji Zizhao listened carefully, and instead of finding the sound terrifying, she detected a hint of familiarity.
Thinking of the person who had cried countless times in front of her...
Ji Zizhao knew immediately.
It was Ji Renran.
Ji Renran had deliberately fallen in front of her and then ruined her reputation, clearly instigated by Consort Xi.
Whether it was Consort Xi or the Fifth Prince, to make Ji Renran work for them, they naturally had to offer some temptation.
The most direct way was Consort Xi's promise of making Ji Renran a concubine.
Although not the status of the Fifth Prince's consort, Ji Renran had in a way achieved her goal.
So why was she crying instead of smiling?
Ji Zizhao did not believe that her good sister would have such a kind heart as to weep for her.
"Consort Xi wants to make a move in Fengyi Palace. She not only has to consider how to lure you in, but also guard against Mother Empress's eyes. Currently, Fifth Brother and Consort Xi are sitting in the side hall of Fengyi Palace watching the noble young ladies of Chunhua Garden, but Miss Ji Renran of the Ji family has been inexplicably beaten by someone. If discovered, with only you and Ji Renran in the room, what do you think the truth would be?"
Listening to these words, Ji Zizhao felt her heart grow colder by eight parts.
Most people thought that the only way to tie a woman to an unrelated man was to ruin her reputation.
But everyone only thought of relationships between men and women, neglecting that there were many other ways to ruin a person's reputation.
Just like now, Consort Xi was firmly binding the Fifth Prince to her side, intending to first distance the Fifth Prince, and then have Ji Renran come forward to be beaten, thereby threatening her into submission.
Ji Renran entered the palace after Consort Xi kept her portrait, and the Emperor was the one arranging the selection of consorts for the princes.
Looking at it from a broader perspective, as long as Ji Renran's portrait was kept, she was a candidate for a royal daughter-in-law.
Now, Ji Renran, who held such a status, was beaten. This not only slapped Consort Xi in the face, but also embarrassed the Emperor, and tarnished the dignity of the royal family! Su Dan Novel Network
If that time came, would the truth still matter?
Of course not.
As long as Ji Renran insisted that she was the one who did it, Consort Xi would have Ji Zizhao completely in her grasp.
At that time, even if Empress Dowager knew the truth, she would have no choice but to follow Consort Xi's wishes, allowing Consort Xi to use this matter as leverage to agree to her return to the Fifth Prince's side.
And with her so-called stain, she would naturally be unqualified to be the principal consort.
By then, even if Consort Xi gave her the title of a concubine, she would have to accept it with gratitude.
Ji Zizhao truly did not expect that she would have such great influence.
Not only could she enlist Consort Xi's meticulous planning and calculations, but she could also make Ji Renran willing to be beaten.
Ji Zizhao sneered, "Consort Xi is convinced that I will obediently comply."
Xie Jinglan said, "What if the person Consort Xi sent to deliver the message said the same thing as what Granny Dai, who brought you here, said?"
Hearing this, Ji Zizhao's hands under her sleeves tightened abruptly.
She had originally thought that the Fourth Prince brought up Jiang Guangcheng to ensure she would come willingly.
But if this was all the Fourth Prince's plan, how could Consort Xi have known?
Unless Consort Xi had summoned Jiang Guangcheng, which the Fourth Prince knew about. To avoid alerting the enemy, the Fourth Prince then had Granny Dai use the original words of Consort Xi's people when summoning her.
So...
Jiang Guangcheng was not currently with the Empress, but with Consort Xi!
Consort Xi had calculated that she would not obediently comply, and had planned to threaten her by using Jiang Guangcheng all along.
Consort Xi was indeed cunning and calculating, even taking into account her good relationship with Jiang Guangcheng.
Footsteps sounded, approaching from a distance.
Ji Zizhao snapped back to attention and looked out the window, seeing a young woman in a water-blue long dress standing outside the door of the opposite room.
At the same time, Xie Jinglan's voice sounded again.
But this time, unlike before, to prevent their conversation from being heard outside the window, Xie Jinglan leaned down slightly, "That is Zuo Xiuhua, the daughter of the current Prime Minister, and also the Fifth Prince's consort designated by Consort Xi this time."
Ji Zizhao did not know that Zuo Xiuhua had just helped Ji Renran try to slander her reputation.
As Xie Jinglan's voice fell, a crack appeared in the closed door of the opposite room, and Yun Han emerged, tidying her sleeves.
Upon seeing Zuo Xiuhua, Yun Han smiled warmly and respectfully, "She's almost beaten. When the person arrives, please Fifth Prince's consort, just lead her in."
Zuo Xiuhua quickly smiled, "The Emperor has not yet made a decision, how dare I consider myself the Fifth Prince's consort."
Yun Han quickly replied, "As long as Consort Xi has decided, the Emperor will surely agree."
Zuo Xiuhua's cheeks flushed slightly, and she cast a shy glance at the closed door, "I just heard her crying quite miserably inside, I hope she wasn't beaten too badly?"
"Fifth Prince's consort, rest assured. I know what I'm doing. They are all superficial wounds. Although painful, they are not fatal. Our Consort instructed that the more severely she is beaten, the more convenient it will be to discuss matters."
Yun Han said this as she led Zuo Xiuhua a few steps towards the door, carefully instructing her on how to lock it after the person entered, so that the person inside could not get out, and the people outside would not be able to tell, before she hastily left.
Zuo Xiuhua probably didn't expect that there were so many details to locking a door. After Yun Han left, she stared at the door, studying it for a long time before looking away.
Ji Zizhao, who had witnessed everything, suddenly felt an urge to laugh.
To frame me, you really went to great lengths.
Fortunately, Ji Zizhao was never one to owe favors.
Since these people had gone to such lengths to plot against her, wouldn't it make her seem petty if she didn't return the favor?