Ji Zizhao followed Feng Gu into the temporary palace, only to find themselves circling back to Noble Consort Xi's chambers.
With the Fifth Prince still 'critically injured,' it was normal for the Emperor to visit him. However, it was too coincidental that the Emperor was with Noble Consort Xi precisely when Wenhui was lodging a complaint.
Inside the chambers, the servants bowed their heads, each fearing for their lives, the atmosphere tense and silent.
As Ji Zizhao entered with Feng Gu, she saw Emperor Xiaochang seated on a luohan chair with Noble Consort Xi. Wenhui knelt on the ground, her face ashen and full of grievances. Su Dan Novel Network.
"This humble minister greets Your Majesty, Noble Consort Xi, and Princess Wenhui," Ji Zizhao knelt a step away from Wenhui, offering a respectful greeting.
Emperor Xiaochang made no move to allow Ji Zizhao to rise, instead asking with a heavy tone, "You were summoned today because there are matters I wish to inquire about."
Ji Zizhao lowered her gaze, remaining respectful, "This humble minister has nothing to conceal."
"I have just heard that you took Wenhui away from the temporary palace without authorization. Is this true?" Emperor Xiaochang cut straight to the point.
Without a moment's hesitation, Ji Zizhao admitted, "Replying to Your Majesty, it is indeed true."
Noble Consort Xi frowned upon hearing this and looked at the Emperor, "Before His Majesty, she would not dare to deceive. Since she has admitted it herself, I assume everything Wenhui said is true. Your Majesty, this matter absolutely cannot be tolerated. You must uphold justice for Wenhui, otherwise, will these servants in the inner palace not fall into chaos in the future?"
Emperor Xiaochang's expression grew grim, his gaze towards Ji Zizhao gradually chilling.
However, before Emperor Xiaochang could reprimand her, Ji Zizhao spoke again, "Her Majesty the Empress is benevolent and granted this humble minister leave today. This humble minister intended to stroll in the town. I unexpectedly met Princess Wenhui upon leaving. This humble minister is grateful for Princess Wenhui's assistance. If Your Majesty were to punish this humble minister severely for this, this humble minister is willing to accept the punishment."
What kind of words were these?
Noble Consort Xi's face turned cold, "Are you implying that Wenhui wanted to go out with you of her own accord?"
Ji Zizhao merely looked at the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, please enlighten me."
Noble Consort Xi: "..."
Bitch, is she treating me like air?
Emperor Xiaochang glanced at Wenhui and asked, "Does the eldest daughter of the Ji family speak the truth?"
Wenhui lowered her head and replied, "Replying to my Imperial Father, I saw that the eldest daughter of the Ji family seemed to have urgent matters and intended to leave the temporary palace. I thought of her as the future Fourth Imperial Consort, so I wanted to accompany her. I never expected that the eldest daughter of the Ji family would be so bold as to leave the temporary palace to investigate the injuries of the young ladies from the Xue and Xu families, and in doing so, provoked someone she shouldn't have. If my Fourth Imperial Brother had not appeared in time, I fear I, I fear..."
As Wenhui spoke, tears began to stream down her face. Anyone listening would think she had suffered immense injustice.
Noble Consort Xi's eyes also reddened, "Your Majesty, you know Wenhui's temperament. She has been proud and self-possessed since childhood. Now, she cries even before finishing her words, which shows how wronged she is. Wenhui's parents died young, and Your Majesty is Wenhui's only kin. If Your Majesty does not uphold justice for this child, she is truly pitiful."
Noble Consort Xi was indeed Noble Consort Xi; she knew how to strike at the Emperor's soft spot with her words.
Wenhui was the orphan of a loyal minister. If she were truly ignored and neglected, it would be a small matter if the Emperor felt uneasy, but it would be noticed by the officials in court.
If Wenhui truly suffered injustice with nowhere to vent, who would dare to risk their lives for the imperial family in the future?
After listening to Wenhui's words, Emperor Xiaochang was already on the verge of exploding with anger. Now, upon further consideration of Noble Consort Xi's words, he found them reasonable. His voice was both cold and furious, "Ji Zizhao, do you know your own status? Do you also know that I have already made a decision regarding the matters of the Xue and Xu families?"
Ji Zizhao lowered her gaze, "This humble minister knows, and therefore this humble minister has not overstepped, nor dared to be presumptuous."
"The eldest daughter of the Ji family speaks beautifully, but perhaps she has forgotten that deceiving the Emperor is a capital offense!" Noble Consort Xi looked at Ji Zizhao with a half-smile, a hint of schadenfreude in her eyes.
Ji Zizhao remained calm, "This humble minister merely went to the town for a cup of tea and a bite to eat. Noble Consort Xi says this is a crime punishable by death. This humble minister is terrified and does not know what grave offense has been committed."
Noble Consort Xi gave a cold laugh, "Now you deny it. Could Wenhui possibly slander you?"
Ji Zizhao naturally could not directly accuse the princess of slander. She merely reiterated, "This humble minister truly did not do such a thing."
Noble Consort Xi: "..."
Is her mouth made of iron?
How else could it be so stubborn!
"If it weren't for the eldest daughter of the Ji family going to the town to investigate, how would she have attracted those fierce individuals?" Wenhui looked at Ji Zizhao sorrowfully, her expression as if Ji Zizhao had done something to her.
Ji Zizhao met Wenhui's eyes directly, "When this humble minister went to the town, did I mention to Wenhui what I was investigating?"
"At that time, I asked the eldest daughter of the Ji family if she was sticking up for the two young ladies, and she did not deny it!"
"That is because this humble minister did not understand what Princess Wenhui was asking."
"Why did the eldest daughter of the Ji family later specifically seek out the restaurant where the two young ladies had their incident, and even offer a large reward for information?"
"Since Princess Wenhui accompanied me, this humble minister naturally sought a less crowded restaurant to ensure Princess Wenhui's safety. The restaurant where the incident just occurred would naturally have fewer people. As for spending money to gather information, it was also because this humble minister wanted to know if those troublemakers would return to harm Princess Wenhui."
Wenhui froze in place.
She knew Ji Zizhao was lying, but she couldn't find any evidence.
Gritting her teeth, Wenhui looked at Ji Zizhao and said again, "If it weren't for my Fourth Imperial Brother arriving in time, I fear I would have been killed by those pursuing the carriage. Is this also something the eldest daughter of the Ji family did to ensure my safety, thus attracting them?"
Ji Zizhao scoffed inwardly.
Finally, she heard the words she had been waiting for. It was not in vain that she had knelt here and gone through all this.
"At the restaurant, it was Princess Wenhui who insisted on reporting to the officials. This humble minister did not want to escalate the matter, so I took Princess Wenhui away. Afterward, we were surrounded and pursued. Those fierce villains even wanted to take Princess Wenhui's life. Even after Princess Wenhui announced her identity, they did not show her any regard."
Wenhui was rendered speechless by the confrontation, filled with both anger and shock.
Clearly, outside, no matter what she said, Ji Zizhao was unable to retort.
Yet now, the one who was speechless was her.
Looking at Emperor Xiaochang's dark expression, he was clearly enraged.
Knowing the princess's identity, yet still intending to pursue and kill her, what were they trying to do?
This was a blatant disregard for imperial authority!
Noble Consort Xi, seeing the Emperor's displeased expression, quickly said, "Such a serious matter cannot be based on the wild words of a mere minister. Guards, go and summon the palace servants who accompanied Princess Wenhui today!"