Xie Jinglan looked at the taut, slender figure before him, assuming Ji Zizhao was displeased.
After all, being schemed against like this, no one would accept it with equanimity.
"What are your plans?" He knew she had her own ideas, so he wasn't offering help but still asking for her thoughts.
If one were to talk about plans, there were many.
But Ji Zizhao had no intention of troubling the Fourth Prince further. "Thank you for your efforts regarding today's matter, Your Highness."
Xie Jinglan, however, said, "It can hardly be called an effort; it was only a matter of half an hour."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
For others, half an hour might be but a blink of an eye.
Yet, the man behind her had used this short time to figure out Consort Xi's methods and even spirited her away without anyone noticing.
The princes of Yulin had indeed grown up within the palace walls.
But once they came of age, they had to move to Lion Street, far from the imperial palace.
Once people leave a place like the imperial palace, their influence wanes.
Thus, even for these princes now, accomplishing anything within the palace was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Otherwise, the Fifth Prince would not have enlisted Consort Xi to act on his behalf in the scheme against her today.
In the end, what others found impossible was handled with ease by the Fourth Prince, who was usually not favored by the Emperor.
Ji Zizhao truly couldn't help but be impressed.
And all of this was because of her.
For some inexplicable reason, Ji Zizhao felt a strong urge to say "Thank you."
The result of this "thank you" was that Xie Jinglan was startled.
Xie Jinglan felt that since he and Ji Zizhao were in the same boat, they should help each other.
Besides, he had helped Ji Zizhao before, and she had always accepted it without reservations.
Therefore, facing Ji Zizhao's gratitude now, Xie Jinglan felt she had truly been provoked.
Otherwise, why would she be thanking him out of the blue?
Xie Jinglan felt a sense of oppression and a pang of heartache.
He, who had not even brought himself to scheme against his own girl, how could others dare to lay a malicious hand on her?
"It seems you have a plan?" Xie Jinglan sighed almost imperceptibly, his voice soft as if afraid of shattering Ji Zizhao.
"Of course, I can't let everyone's efforts be in vain. If they have gone through all this trouble and risked their lives, it would be too cruel of me if they couldn't personally savor the fruits of their labor."
Xie Jinglan's heart trembled upon hearing this.
He knew Ji Zizhao would never passively accept her fate, but he hadn't expected her to say such a thing.
Who did "everyone" refer to?
Consort Xi, the Fifth Prince, Zuo Xiuhua, Ji Renran...
Xie Jinglan had initially thought that Ji Zizhao would never let Consort Xi and his Fifth Brother go, but what was the outcome?
Ji Zizhao had no intention of letting anyone off the hook.
This was to stir the already murky waters even more!
Since Ji Zizhao intended to stir the waters, she would do so thoroughly.
She would repay new grudges with new vengeance and settle old scores.
As long as she wished to act, not a single one would escape.
However, dealing with Zuo Xiuhua and Ji Renran might be easier, but Consort Xi and the Fifth Prince would likely require more effort.
This was within the palace, and she would need a suitable reason to seek an audience.
"Leave it to me," Xie Jinglan's voice suddenly sounded in her ear.
Ji Zizhao instinctively shook her head. "This matter does not require the Fourth Prince's intervention."
This counterattack had to be flawless.
Once anyone suspected that she and the Fourth Prince were involved, it would be like alerting the enemy.
If the Seventh Prince wished to establish the heir apparent, the Fourth Prince absolutely could not fall.
Ji Zizhao could not afford to delay everyone's grand plan for her momentary satisfaction.
Moreover, if the Seventh Prince did not ultimately ascend to the throne, what would become of the Ji family?
In Ji Zizhao's calmness and composure, there was never an option to suffer great loss for small gains. Su Dan Novel Network
Xie Jinglan naturally understood Ji Zizhao's concerns.
However, being rejected so thoroughly, he felt a blow to his pride. "Do you not trust me that much?"
Ji Zizhao replied, "Your subject has simply made the most rational choice after careful consideration."
Xie Jinglan, however, said, "If you want to stir this murky water, how can you possibly emerge unscathed by acting alone? Following the vine to find the melon is a simple method, but it is also the most effective. If Consort Xi suspects you, the next one she will suspect is me. Ji Zizhao, you and I are already bound together; why must you insist on drawing a distinction between us now?"
This was the first time he had called her by her name.
Ji Zizhao knew that even if the analysis of pros and cons by the man behind her was correct, not everyone had the courage and determination to share the burden. "Your Highness the Fourth Prince need not go to such lengths for your subject."
Xie Jinglan smiled upon hearing this. "Since I wish to marry you, I must do something to move you. Even if I cannot move you, it is good enough to move myself. Then, when I am old and gray, recalling my youthful affections, I can always boast to the younger generation."
To be able to joke at such a critical juncture truly opened Ji Zizhao's eyes.
Indeed, those who came from the same flock as the silly Seventh Prince were all mischievous rascals.
Ji Zizhao thought this, and suddenly she smiled.
Something in her heart settled like dust.
"If you wish to marry, I will marry."
Xie Jinglan: "..."
He had only wanted to lighten her burden with a joke, how did he get such a bizarre answer?
Ji Zizhao, hearing the silence behind her, knew that she had likely greatly affected the usually steadfast Fourth Prince.
Thinking this, she felt at ease.
Young love was merely wildflowers blooming on a mountainside, but adult equanimity was as rare as a treasure.
If he could give her jade and pearls, she would return him peach wood.
Perhaps the road ahead of them would be even more arduous and perilous.
But once her heart was set, even if it meant going through hell and high water, she was willing to follow him.
The cold wind blew through the window lattice, feeling chilling against her face.
The hand that had been resting on Ji Zizhao's shoulder suddenly lifted and reached towards her cheek.
His slender fingers tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, the full fingertips brushing her earlobe lightly, making her feel ticklish and warm.
Ji Zizhao tensed up instantly, and she heard a soft chuckle from behind her.
As the breath that blew into her ear gradually grew warmer, she heard him whisper into her ear, "Wait for me to marry you."
Ji Zizhao remained stiff, not daring to turn her head.
She also did not see the look of settled determination in Xie Jinglan's eyes as he spoke.
Only after the sound of footsteps behind her completely disappeared did she let out a long sigh of relief.
Tao Hua's words still echoed in her mind.
In the Medical Records Pavilion, the medical records concerning the Fourth Prince were still vivid.
Ji Zizhao was now unsure of the truth of the matter.
But since he truly cared for her, she absolutely could not watch him come to harm.
Xie Jinglan, unaware of Ji Zizhao's calculations, walked out of the small kitchen and onto a side path, where he saw Tang Di and Huo Nian Gong already waiting in the distance.
"Your Highness."
Seeing their Prince, the two men quickly stepped forward.
Xie Jinglan, his mind on Ji Zizhao's plans, instructed Tang Di, "Go catch a wild cat."
Tang Di was stunned. "Catch... a wild... cat?"
Was His Highness joking?
Xie Jinglan no longer looked at Tang Di but carefully instructed Huo Nian Gong.
Tang Di: "..."
Fine, if it was to catch a cat, then he would catch a wild cat.
Ji Zizhao remained by the window, her gaze fixed on Zuo Xiuhua at the entrance of the opposite courtyard.
In the cold weather, Zuo Xiuhua, dressed thinly, was shivering violently under the lashing wind.
But Ji Zizhao watched with great satisfaction.
If one wanted to scheme against her, one should show the attitude of scheming against her.
That way, it would be even more satisfying when she descended like a vengeful spirit to beat a fallen dog.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Ji Zizhao finally withdrew her gaze and turned towards the door.
It was about time; the Fourth Prince had already begun his actions.
And she, of course, could not be idle.
After watching the show for so long, it was time to collect her reward.