The pain in her back intensified, a searing ache that pierced through the sweat-soaked fabric.
Gritting her teeth, Ji Zizhao forced herself to stay clear-headed. Her fourth sister was still missing, and she couldn't afford to waste any time.
Seeing the lack of panic on the faces of the burly men as Huo Nian Gong and Tang Di dragged them out, Ji Zizhao understood just how powerful their backing was.
The only way was to have the Emperor extract information from them.
But to get the Emperor to intervene, she first needed a justifiable reason to see him.
Huo Nian Gong had already rounded up all the men and was escorting them away.
Tang Di approached Princess Wen Hui respectfully, "Your Highness, please return to the temporary palace with the guards. His Highness the Fourth Prince will surely ask the Emperor to thoroughly investigate today's events."
Princess Wen Hui nodded, but as she took a step, she swayed heavily.
"Princess Wen Hui, be careful!" Tang Di quickly stepped forward to support her.
Princess Wen Hui swayed again, her voice so weak it seemed she might faint at any moment, "I… I don't think I can walk anymore."
Hearing this, Tang Di glanced towards the Prince not far away. Given Princess Wen Hui's noble status, the most suitable person to share a horse with her would be his master.
Ji Zizhao watched Wen Hui, who had been perfectly fine a moment ago and was now unable to stand steady, and a cold laugh echoed in her heart. She had been struggling with how to approach the Emperor, but now, a plan had formed.
Xie Jinglan, hearing the sound behind him, instinctively started to turn around.
At the same moment, Ji Zizhao's hand, without any warning, clutched his arm. "Your subject also cannot walk."
Huo Nian Gong: "..."
Tang Di: "..."
They both felt something was amiss, but couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao in front of him, surprise clearly visible in his phoenix eyes.
The pain in Ji Zizhao's back was real. Her fair forehead was already drenched in a cold sweat, and as she spoke, beads of perspiration trickled down her smooth cheeks.
In everyone's memory, Ji Zizhao was the type to swallow her pain and keep going. Her sudden display of weakness was almost unbearable to witness.
Let alone Xie Jinglan, even Tang Di and Huo Nian Gong couldn't help but cast sidelong glances.
Princess Wen Hui, seeing Ji Zizhao's delicate appearance, was so angry her face turned ashen. What a shameless, vixen-like creature!
The awkwardness of the situation was too much for Tang Di to bear. He quickly led his master's horse to Wen Hui's side. "Your Highness, please mount the horse first."
However, Wen Hui led the steed to Xie Jinglan. "Fourth Cousin, you know I'm not good at riding. When I used to ride, you would always protect me from behind..."
Ji Zizhao directly interrupted, "Reporting to Your Highness the Fourth Prince, this subject does not know how to ride a horse."
Wen Hui: "..."
She was practically wishing she could knock Ji Zizhao unconscious with a single blow!
Xie Jinglan let out a soft cough, raising his wide sleeve to cover the slight upward curve of his lips.
"Since Miss Ji refers to herself as 'this subject' to you, Fourth Cousin, it would be improper for you to accompany her so closely. If any gossip were to spread within the temporary palace, it would tarnish both Miss Ji's and your reputation," Wen Hui spoke, her tone betraying none of the hatred and jealousy she felt, still appearing as the noble, proud princess who always considered others.
"When I saved Princess Wen Hui, I did not conceal our respective identities." As Ji Zizhao spoke, her body swayed, leaning against Xie Jinglan's side.
Wen Hui was so angry she nearly fainted. However, she couldn't argue further, as Ji Zizhao had indeed saved her. If she continued to press, wouldn't she appear ungrateful?
Huo Nian Gong, from a distance, suddenly said, "These scoundrels are extremely vicious. For Princess Wen Hui's safety, please proceed first."
Tang Di quickly mounted his horse and rode to Wen Hui's side. "I will escort Princess Wen Hui back to the temporary palace."
Wen Hui: "..."
What kind of magic potion had Ji Zizhao fed them? They were all siding with Ji Zizhao!
With a dark expression, Wen Hui finally urged her horse forward, accompanied by Tang Di.
Huo Nian Gong followed closely with his men, escorting the captured ruffians.
Ji Zizhao, leaning on Xie Jinglan's shoulder, gasped for breath. Only when everyone ahead had moved on did she slowly straighten up.
Xie Jinglan: "..."
This girl was quite adept at burning bridges after crossing the river.
"I suspect these people are connected to the local authorities in the town," Ji Zizhao did not intend to hide anything from Xie Jinglan and directly recounted what she had discovered in town.
Xie Jinglan had heard that Xue Yinuo and others were injured, but he hadn't expected the situation to be so serious. "Is this why you deliberately provoked Wen Hui just now?"
Given Wen Hui's pride, she wouldn't let go of an insult from Ji Zizhao so easily.
Now that Wen Hui had returned to the temporary palace in a huff, the only person she could turn to for justice was their father, the Emperor.
And when the Emperor summoned Ji Zizhao for questioning, that would be Ji Zizhao's opportunity to meet him.
"I had no other choice..." Ji Zizhao nodded. Before she could finish speaking, a sharp pain shot through her back, her legs gave way, and her body fell uncontrollably towards the ground.
Xie Jinglan's hand shot out, catching her arm. His straight back curved slightly, his movements swift and steady. When Ji Zizhao opened her eyes again, she was lying on his back.
Ji Zizhao struggled to get back on her feet. Even if Xie Jinglan wasn't highly favored by the Emperor, he was still a prince of the current dynasty, and their engagement hadn't been announced yet. This situation was far from appropriate.
Sensing her restlessness behind him, Xie Jinglan raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps you'd prefer me to carry you back?"
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Was that the point?
Xie Jinglan smiled and said no more, but he made sure to walk as smoothly as possible. His arms encircled Ji Zizhao's knees, careful not to touch her injured back while keeping her steady.
Ji Zizhao felt an indescribable warmth swell in her chest. She hadn't said anything, yet he understood. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered into his ear, "My fourth sister was captured. I must seize every opportunity and every moment."
Xie Jinglan frowned slightly. He hadn't realized this involved Ji Zibi, and he understood why this girl was so anxious, even willing to risk her life.
"Since Wen Hui is going to see Father, what she says will undoubtedly be unfavorable to you. You must be prepared to deal with it," Xie Jinglan said softly. Even though the Emperor had already agreed to Ji Zizhao's marriage into the royal family, how could she compare to Wen Hui, who had been raised by his side since childhood?
Ji Zizhao curved her lips. Since she dared to provoke Wen Hui, she wasn't afraid of her complaining to the Emperor. Her only worry now was that Wen Hui might hold back and not seek an audience with the Emperor. If that happened, she would have to find another way.
Fortunately, as Xie Jinglan carried Ji Zizhao towards the temporary palace, Feng Gu rushed over. "Miss Ji, you're finally back! His Majesty is furious at the moment. Please follow this servant quickly to meet the Emperor."
Ji Zizhao let out a sigh of relief and smiled at Xie Jinglan. "It seems my provocation was quite effective."
Watching Ji Zizhao's lips curve upwards, not only Feng Gu but even the guards at the entrance of the temporary palace were stunned.
To hear that the Emperor was enraged yet still able to smile, this Miss Ji was truly the most remarkable person in the world.