The court, disrupted by the Fourth Prince's departure for Tonglin, lost its original balance.
Xie Jingzhou continued to consolidate his power, gathering these restive officials. With the Empress Dowager's assistance in the palace, a semblance of peace was maintained, both in court and within the imperial chambers.
Yet, beneath this calm, everyone harbored their own thoughts.
No one knew what changes would arise from the Fourth Prince's journey to Tonglin.
As undercurrents stirred in the court, the family of the Eighth Prince's consort suddenly began large-scale shopping in the streets. Upon inquiry, it was discovered that the Eighth Prince's consort's family intended to host a casual dinner for all the betrothed imperial consorts.
This was known as a "sisters-in-law banquet."
Normally, it was true that the current imperial consorts had not yet married. However, the Emperor's decree of marriage had long been issued, and it was reasonable for them to gather and refer to each other as sisters-in-law.
The crucial issue, however, was how the Fourth Prince's consort would be handled.
In everyone's eyes, the Fourth Prince's departure for Tonglin was essentially a one-way trip. Although the Empress Dowager still regarded the Fourth Prince's consort as her daughter-in-law, and even if the Fourth Prince were to die, she could still retain her title. However, with all the others yet to be married, the Fourth Prince's consort would already be a widow. The idea of her attending a gathering of her future sisters-in-law was, to say the least, awkward.
When Ji Zizhao received the invitation from the Eighth Prince's consort's mother, she was taken aback.
The Eighth Prince had just subtly aligned himself with the Fifth Prince's faction, sending Xie Jinglan out of the capital. Now, the Eighth Prince's consort's family was hosting a sisters-in-law banquet...
What was their intention?
Only a fool would believe this was merely a banquet.
However, the Eighth Prince's consort had been chosen with the Empress Dowager's help. Was this banquet the Eighth Prince's consort's idea, or her family's? Normally, neither would be the case.
Unless...
Someone had betrayed the Empress Dowager and chosen to aid the Eighth Prince.
If that were the case, things were becoming even more interesting.
"Does my lady intend to attend?" Jian Qiu asked softly. While she did not wish for her mistress to wade into such murky waters, if her lady decided to, she would at least help select suitable attire and jewelry.
Ji Zizhao flicked the invitation in her hand. "Go. Why not?"
She was precisely looking for an opportunity to settle scores with the Eighth Prince. His actions were like a direct knock on her door, making things much simpler.
Jian Qiu worried, "I fear it might be a Hongmen Banquet."
"If that were indeed the case, it would be all the better," Ji Zizhao replied.
To settle old and new grievances at once would be truly satisfying.
Only by removing the Eighth Prince could those opportunistic officials clearly see the consequences of aligning themselves with Xie Jingzhou.
Seeing that her lady had made up her mind, Jian Qiu turned to select clothes and jewelry. Although there were still a few days until the date specified on the invitation, it was best to prepare early.
Unexpectedly, just as Jian Qiu left, Mo Hen entered.
"My lady, your subordinate has been keeping watch at the Eighth Prince's mansion these past few days. I've learned that a maidservant was hired at the mansion. However, this maidservant only stayed for one day before being secretly sent to the residence of the Director of the Imperial Observatory."
The Director of the Imperial Observatory was the father of the Eighth Prince's consort.
Ji Zizhao nodded. "Continue."
"Your subordinate discovered that the maid was taken directly to the Eighth Prince's consort's courtyard. Strangely, she has not been seen since entering the courtyard. Yet, every day, the Eighth Prince's consort personally delivers meals to an adjacent room, which your subordinate investigated. That is where the maid is staying."
It was not unusual for a betrothed prince to send a maid to his betrothed consort.
But why would a servant sent into the mansion be treated like a distinguished guest?
Unless...
This person was kept for a different purpose.
It was clear that Mo Hen had also considered this. "Before returning to report, your subordinate specifically investigated the address the maid provided when she entered the Eighth Prince's mansion. However, upon inquiry, the local residents had never seen such a maid."
Ji Zizhao pondered for a moment. "Did you notice any distinguishing features of the maid?"
"The maid's complexion was somewhat dark, her finger joints were thick, and the tiger's mouth on both hands had noticeable calluses, as did her finger joints to varying degrees. Yet, strangely, she did not exhibit the characteristics of a martial artist." Mo Hen had pondered for days, unable to conceive of any weapon that could cause such calluses.
Ji Zizhao remained silent for a while before speaking. "Where are the most blacksmiths located in this imperial city?"
Mo Hen was startled, then realized. "Your subordinate will go now."
Indeed, there was a street lined with miscellaneous shops in the west of the city, where most of the imperial city's blacksmiths were located. It was her lack of ingenuity that she hadn't considered that the maid's calluses were from working the bellows and swinging the hammer at the forge.
Just as Mo Hen left, a commotion erupted in the courtyard.
Immediately after, Shui Huan rushed in, tears streaming down her face. In her haste, she even forgot to perform her courtesies. "My lady, my lady, please, quickly go and save my mistress..."
Ji Zizhao frowned. "What has happened?"
"The Third Madam is threatening to die and has taken my mistress out to arrange a marriage. She declared that no matter what, the young lady must be married off! The critical point is that the Third Madam has already accepted the betrothal gifts from the matchmaker..." Shui Huan was extremely anxious, never imagining that the Third Madam would do such a thing.
"Where is Fu Bao?"
"She just followed the Third Madam to scout out the location. She should be waiting for my lady at the mansion gates right now."
Once the betrothal gifts were accepted, they could not be easily returned.
If the bride's family broke the engagement without cause, not only would they have to return ten times the amount, but the bride's reputation would also be tarnished.
The Third Aunt was forcing her third sister to marry out!
Ji Zizhao had initially intended to have the Third Aunt understand the relationship between her third sister and Han Xian. She had never imagined that not only would she fail to dispel the Third Aunt's prejudice against Han Xian, but she would also make such a decision privately.
If gentle persuasion failed, then force must be employed.
As the saying goes, unusual times call for unusual measures.
And just as Ji Zizhao boarded Fu Bao's carriage, Ji Ziyun, accompanied by her mother, arrived at a teahouse.
In a private room, the matchmaker was with a lady.
Ji Ziyun did not recognize this lady, but the lady recognized Ji Ziyun.
As it happened, this lady was a close friend of Madam Jiang.
Before the matchmaker could even speak, the lady preempted her. "I believe Madam Zhang has already informed you of our family's situation. Although our master has seven concubines, as long as the Third Miss of the Ji family agrees to marry into our household, the betrothal gifts will not be lacking."
Ji Ziyun was stunned.
The Third Madam, Yin Wenying, was even more astonished.
How could this be different from what they had agreed upon before?