These sudden words were no less than a blow to the head.
Since Xie Jinglan had known Ji Zizhao, he had seen her strike others many times.
But now that the blow had landed on his own head, he was a bit stunned.
Xie Jinglan first deeply reflected on not having provoked Ji Zizhao during this time, then he asked, "Why do you ask this?"
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Why do I ask this, don't you have any idea yourself?
But Ji Zizhao couldn't say this, after all, it was all her baseless speculation from beginning to end.
Or rather, even if she had any evidence, she couldn't tear their faces apart.
No matter what intentions this man harbored, he had never wronged her.
"If His Highness the Fourth Prince feels that the victory or defeat of Tong Lin is irrelevant, you can find a reason to bring back the Seventh Prince. After all, the Seventh Prince has already arrived in Tong Lin and has shown what he needed to show."
Even if Tong Lin loses now, the Seventh Prince's intention to follow the old general Zhong's family would be enough for the Emperor and the common people to remember.
Although such emotional accounts are not as valuable as merits, it is still better than letting the Seventh Prince continue to wander.
Xie Jinglan smiled at Ji Zizhao, "What if I hope Tong Lin wins?"
Ji Zizhao paused and then said, "If His Highness the Fourth Prince truly wishes this, I will write to the old general Zhong."
She still had some chance of winning against that husky number seven.
Xie Jinglan nodded, without the slightest hesitation, "Since you say so, this matter will be temporarily entrusted to you. You don't need to worry about the court; I will find a way to control the situation myself."
Facing such affirmation, Ji Zizhao was somewhat surprised.
She even tried to see some clues on the Fourth Prince's face, but after a long time, besides his handsome face becoming more and more gentle, she couldn't see anything else.
But even so, it could not overturn Ji Zizhao's guess.
"Have you looked enough?" A familiar voice suddenly sounded in front of her.
When Ji Zizhao came back to her senses, she saw Xie Jinglan standing in front of her.
As if afraid Ji Zizhao couldn't see clearly, Xie Jinglan's straight back slightly bent down, his refined facial features, though not stunningly handsome, were clearly visible, and his fair skin had no flaws even up close.
As he spoke, a familiar warmth emanated from him, carrying his body temperature.
Warm, gentle.
Ji Zizhao was truly uncomfortable with this distance and subconsciously leaned back, "If you have something to say, say it. You don't need to be so close..."
Xie Jinglan did not stop her evasion, but instead placed his hand on her lower back, preventing her from falling backward while leaning closer.
Only when his lips touched her ear did he stop, "Since you are not looking at me, then what are you looking through me at?"
Ji Zizhao: "..."
He had indeed noticed.
Facing Xie Jinglan so intimately, other women would probably have spilled everything.
Even Ji Zizhao's legs were a little weak, but fortunately, she could still hold on. She struggled and said, "I just wanted to confirm His Highness the Fourth Prince's attitude, so that I would know how to proceed."
Xie Jinglan listened to the answer and chuckled softly.
There was no disappointment, nor surprise.
Ji Zizhao felt she couldn't sit any longer and instinctively wanted to get up.
As a result, Xie Jinglan got up before her. When Ji Zizhao reached the door, he took off his outer jacket, helped her put it on, and carefully tied the strings.
After everything was done, Xie Jinglan opened the private room door.
Although Ji Zizhao was already on the Emperor and Empress's list as the Fourth Prince's consort, the imperial decree had not yet been issued. If they were seen by others, it would be bad.
Ji Zizhao knew that Xie Jinglan was a low-key person and did not expect him to escort her. Just before leaving, she asked, "How has Tao Hua been recently?"
Xie Jinglan raised an eyebrow slightly, "Tang Di has been watching him. He probably hasn't left the residence."
Ji Zizhao nodded, "Ask him to come find me tonight."
Xie Jinglan was truly puzzled this time, because he really couldn't figure out what business a person who had been killed could have with the person who wanted to kill him.
Despite this, Xie Jinglan also knew that even if he asked, Ji Zizhao might not tell him. He smiled and said, "Do you miss him?" Su Dan Novel Network
Ji Zizhao suddenly remembered Tao Hua's existence. Now, meeting Xie Jinglan's confused gaze, she casually lied, "Yes, I miss him."
Xie Jinglan: "..."
It wasn't until Ji Zizhao went downstairs that Huo Nongong entered.
Looking at his master still standing at the door in a daze, Huo Nongong also stood silently beside him.
After an unknown amount of time, Xie Jinglan came back to his senses and smiled lightly, "Nongong, guess what she just asked me?"
Huo Nongong: "..."
Generally, people worth his guessing were either going to be killed or schemed against.
As for guessing about the future mistress...
Forget it.
Xie Jinglan paused and then said, "She asked me if I hoped Tong Lin would win or lose."
Huo Nongong seemed to have thought of something, "Master, you mean... Miss Ji's eldest daughter knows?"
"I'm afraid she has some suspicion. With her intelligence, how long can she keep it a secret?" Xie Jinglan knew that as soon as he decided to marry Ji Zizhao, that matter would probably be hard to keep hidden.
But if he truly let her go, he couldn't bear to.
Now he could only hope that everything was not too late, and that he could end all this before she knew the full truth.
Ji Zizhao got into the carriage and leaned back on the soft couch, exhausted as if she had fought a battle.
Dealing with Xie Jinglan was too difficult.
Ji Zizhao was very glad now that they had gone from strangers to allies.
If such a person became an opponent, Ji Zizhao would not be confident of complete victory.
In fact, her deliberate words today were to give Xie Jinglan a reminder.
Only when people have suspicions will they make the only choice.
Of course, Ji Zizhao hoped her guesses were wrong, but what if they were right?
This land was integrated with the blood and bone of several generations of the Ji family. How could she stand by and watch it be divided!
Even if...
That person was Xie Jinglan, it wouldn't work.
Fortunately, there was still time.
Perhaps, everything was not too late.
Fu Bao, who was driving, noticed that his young lady was in a bad mood and did not dare to speak much along the way.
After the time it took to brew a cup of tea, the carriage stopped outside the Ji family's gate.
As Ji Zizhao got out of the carriage and was about to go back to her courtyard to sleep well, she saw a figure suddenly rush towards her.
However, before the figure could get close to Ji Zizhao, Fu Bao, with his quick eyes and hands, stopped her.
Seeing that she couldn't break free, the person stopped simply shouted at the top of her lungs, "Ji Zizhao, you slut! You have no shame yourself, and you want to ruin someone else's marriage! You deserve to be a cast-off woman your whole life!"
These words attracted many passing commoners.
Ji Zizhao also followed the sound and looked towards that figure.
At first glance, it looked a bit familiar.
Then, upon closer inspection...
Oh, it turned out to be Xue Yinuo's sister, Xue Xiaochun.