The matter had been under strict investigation by Noble Consort Xi.
Even after the incident, Noble Consort Xi had questioned Zuo Xiuhua carefully.
Unfortunately, everyone's account seemed flawless.
Noble Consort Xi knew that the Emperor, in consideration of her reputation, had allowed the Fifth Prince to take a concubine first.
However, the Emperor's kindness was no less than a bolt from the blue for Noble Consort Xi.
After all, from beginning to end, Noble Consort Xi had never intended for Ji Renran to marry into her son's household.
Now, although there was no imperial decree, it was the Emperor's wish. No matter how upset Noble Consort Xi was, she had to accept this daughter-in-law, even if it was with great reluctance.
"This old servant heard that after leaving Fengyi Palace, His Majesty went straight to the Imperial Study..." Granny Zhang sighed.
Noble Consort Xi became even more enraged upon hearing this, "That bitch Empress, she only knows how to scheme behind my back."
Zuo Xiuhua was still waiting at the manor for news of her impending marriage to the Fifth Prince. Instead, she was overshadowed by a mere concubine. While it was an imperial decree, it was inevitable that Zuo Xiuhua would become estranged from the Fifth Prince.
The Empress, by seemingly placing a discarded pawn into the Fifth Prince's manor, was in fact stuffing a dead fly into her mouth.
Granny Zhang quickly and softly advised, "Since the matter is settled, Your Ladyship getting angry will do no good. In my opinion, His Majesty agreeing to allow the Fifth Prince to take a concubine first was likely out of consideration for Your Ladyship. After all, not every prince receives such treatment."
As for the reason...
The Emperor remained silent, and who would dare to provoke him?
Upon hearing this, Noble Consort Xi's anger subsided considerably. "Granny Zhang, go find that water-blue dress from the cabinet for me."
"Your Ladyship, you mean..."
"Since His Majesty dotes on me so, I must thank him in person."
"But Your Ladyship, your complexion is still quite poor. Be careful that those with ulterior motives don't laugh at you."
Noble Consort Xi glanced indifferently at her reflection in the bronze mirror not far away. "It is precisely because my complexion is poor that His Majesty will feel more concern. Let the Empress laugh at me if she wishes; as long as His Majesty still cares for me, that is enough."
Did the Empress really expect to defeat her with this?
That was too wishful thinking.
The news of Noble Consort Xi going to the Imperial Study to express her gratitude soon reached Empress Zhong.
Empress Zhong had been in a silent rivalry with Noble Consort Xi for over a decade, so this news was not entirely unexpected.
However, soon after, another piece of news reached Fengyi Palace.
Empress Zhong was silent for a while before saying to Zhinan, "Go investigate who will be going to the Ji family tomorrow. Bring the information to me beforehand and tell them I have some instructions."
Zhinan inquired, "Does Your Ladyship intend to inform the eldest daughter of the Ji family of this news first?"
Empress Zhong nodded, "Since the matter has come to light, there is no need to keep it from her."
Zhinan smiled and said, "Your Ladyship need not worry. This servant believes that the eldest daughter of the Ji family will surely understand."
Empress Zhong sighed, "I hope so."
The most important thing to become royalty was to understand the meaning of being oblivious.
In the past, Empress Zhong had paid dearly in tears and blood to understand this concept.
Now, she only hoped that her daughter-in-law would have a smoother path.
At this moment, Ji Zizhao, whom Empress Zhong was worried about, was sitting in the Xuan Yi Pavilion, listening to jokes.
"My lady, you should have seen Scholar Diao's face. It was so miserable it could have dripped water." Even Wang Can, who had the worst temper, could have laughed for a year just thinking of Scholar Diao's utterly dejected and pleading expression.
The news of Scholar Diao being struck by lightning by the Emperor in the Imperial Study quickly spread throughout the court.
Now, Scholar Diao was thoroughly despised by the other ministers of the Six Ministries. He dared to scheme under the guise of the imperial court, and most importantly, he failed to gain any advantage and was chased away by the sheep. If this matter were to spread, wouldn't the common people think that the Six Ministries were in collusion with his Ministry of Works?
To put it bluntly, why should the Six Ministries bear the consequences of one person's actions?
As a result, the other ministries, in order to show their determination to distance themselves from the Ministry of Works, kept as far away from Scholar Diao's people as possible. Even when standing in the imperial court, the ministers of the other Six Ministries kept as far away from Scholar Diao as they could.
What was once a harmonious court was suddenly divided by Scholar Diao, creating a chasm. Who could bear to see this?
In an instant, Scholar Diao became the target of everyone's ostracism in the court.
Unable to bear it any longer, Scholar Diao shamelessly stepped into the doors of the Four Great Medical Halls again.
Ji Zizhao also smiled upon hearing this. It was indeed a small matter.
"Scholar Diao's return indicates that the Emperor's attitude has softened. Since that is the case, when we negotiate the contract with the court in a few days, we will concede a point."
The Emperor had only recently become interested in establishing medical halls in the counties. Ji Zizhao not only would not pour cold water on this but would actively encourage it.
Only by letting the Emperor taste the benefits could the matter of county medical halls continue.
The land of Yu Lin was vast, and the counties were numerous. To cling to immediate interests would be true shortsightedness.
"According to Scholar Diao, the court will come to finalize the contract the day after tomorrow. I have already handed over the matters of the medical hall to Old Sun in advance. After I leave, he will be in charge of Xuan Yi Pavilion." Chen Gang thought that he had personally handled the medical hall in Luoyi last time, and he was already prepared this time.
Ji Zizhao shook her head upon hearing this, "This time, Uncle Gang, you stay, and let Uncle Sun go."
"My lady, you don't need to worry about me. My health is fine."
"When dealing with the court, it is best to be careful and cautious. The Four Great Medical Halls are already popular in the main city. If Uncle Gang were to bear too much responsibility, it would be too conspicuous. And the court cannot tolerate those whose achievements overshadow the ruler."
Chen Gang was stunned. He had not considered this aspect.
Indeed, his lady was more thoughtful.
What Ji Zizhao did not say was that having the shopkeepers of the Four Great Medical Halls take over the county medical halls also served another purpose.
That was to deter the imperial court.
The imperial court must be made to understand that the Four Great Medical Halls were interconnected.
This way, even if the imperial court wanted to target the Four Great Medical Halls in the future, they would have to hesitate.
Since these people had followed her, Ji Zizhao had to provide them with security.
After finishing the matters of the Four Great Medical Halls, the sky had already darkened.
However, when Ji Zizhao returned to her manor, the main courtyard was still brightly lit, and faint sounds of laughter could be heard from within.
Ji Zizhao did not intend to join the revelry. Unexpectedly, as soon as she returned to her own courtyard, Granny Xu arrived under the cover of night.