The Emperor, though cold to everyone connected with Xie Jinglan, specifically refrained from mentioning the Ji family, leaving the court in a state of cautious inaction. Even upon seeing Ji Zizhao in the palace, officials still paid her the respect due to the Fourth Prince's Consort.
The Emperor's attitude was, in fact, within Ji Zizhao's expectations. Regardless of whether the Emperor ultimately had proof of Xie Jinglan's identity, he would never reveal the truth to the subjects of Yu Lin. Announcing to the world that the Yu Lin royal family had raised a Western Rong prince as their own would be an admission of their incompetence, a declaration of the Emperor's weakness. This was evident even when the Emperor agreed to Xie Jinglan's departure for Tong Lin. Clearly, regardless of Xie Jinglan's true identity, the Emperor intended to extract every last bit of his value. This was the way of royalty, of rulers who governed nations and people, always weighing gains and losses.
Furthermore, the Ji family had recently been the subject of scandal, only just now recovering. If the Emperor were to stir up trouble again without cause, it would surely agitate the court. Did no one else feel uneasy as the Emperor repeatedly targeted the Ji family? Of course they did.
Moreover, the Emperor had no proof that Ji Zizhao knew of Xie Jinglan's identity. Without evidence, he would not turn his attention to Ji Zizhao and the Ji family.
Of course, Ji Zizhao understood that the Empress had played a role in the Emperor's swift declaration of his stance. However, these were sensitive times, and she did not wish to trouble the Empress. As long as she was not summoned by Fengyi Palace, she would not go.
The Imperial Physicians, seeing this, dared not slight Ji Zizhao. Even Zou Li, when arranging shifts, followed the normal rotation, without any personal vendettas. Consequently, Ji Zizhao found herself with more ease than when she first entered the Imperial Hospital the previous year. With a shift every three days, she had ample time to keep a close eye on her third aunt's attempts at mischief.
As soon as Third Madam Yin Wenying took Ji Ziyun out for matchmaking, Ji Zizhao would appear at the door, using a combination of soft and hard tactics, threats and inducements, all with the sole aim of thwarting Ji Ziyun's potential marriages. Furthermore, Ji Zizhao's status as the Fourth Prince's Consort was becoming increasingly ingrained in the minds of the capital's citizens. Those who had dared to address her as the Ji family's eldest daughter some time ago now invariably changed their address to Fourth Prince's Consort upon seeing her. Even without the Fourth Prince, the Fourth Prince's Consort remained the Fourth Prince's Consort. Who would dare cross the Fourth Prince's Consort? Especially the common folk seeking marriage. They simply wished to add to their lineage, not send someone to their funeral. With so many eligible young women in the capital, how foolish would they have to be to insist on pursuing the Ji family's third daughter?
Barely half a month had passed, and Third Madam Yin Wenying's feet were sore, her voice hoarse from endless efforts, yet Ji Ziyun remained unmarried. Eventually, Ji Zizhao didn't even need to intervene. Most matchmakers in the capital, upon hearing it was the Ji family's third daughter seeking marriage, were so terrified they dared not even open their doors.
"Miss, your servant just heard from Uncle Ji that Third Madam has returned. Estimating her departure time, she should have been out for about a quarter of an hour. It's likely she didn't find a matchmaker today either," Shui Ling reported with a smile as she entered.
Inside the room, Fourth Madam Xiao Jingzhu was sitting and drinking tea. Today, Ji Zibi had gone to the county's medicinal fields again to transport herbs. With nothing else to do, she thought she would visit Zhaoyuan. Hearing Shui Ling's words, Fourth Madam Xiao Jingzhu said, "Third sister-in-law is too stubborn. It's a pity that Sister Yun has finally recovered from the shadows cast by the Zhao family, and now Third sister-in-law is dragging her out to be tormented."
Ji Zizhao said, "Third uncle's wife has always had high expectations for Third Sister, so it's understandable she wouldn't think highly of Han Xian."
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingzhu sighed heavily. "Expectations are one thing, reality is another. If Third sister-in-law continues to be so misguided, won't Sister Yun be the one to suffer in the end?"
"She won't."
Those with high expectations often fail to see reality clearly. Ji Zizhao simply built a high wall for Third Uncle's wife to crash into repeatedly; eventually, she would turn back.
"Ji Zizhao, get out here!"
Suddenly, Third Madam Yin Wenying's enraged roar echoed through the courtyard. Shui Ling, seeing this, hurried over and said, "Third Madam, let's talk things out properly..."
"Get out of my way! The upper beam is crooked, so the lower beam is bound to be askew. In my opinion, no one in this Zhaoyuan is any good!" Third Madam Yin Wenying angrily pushed Shui Ling aside. Fortunately, Jian Qiu was quick to steady her, otherwise Shui Ling might have fallen to the ground.
At the same time, Ji Zizhao and Fourth Madam Xiao Jingzhu emerged together. Upon seeing Fourth Madam, Third Madam Yin Wenying sneered, "I wondered who was hiding inside with certain people, afraid to face the light. It turns out to be Fourth sister-in-law. What are you saying, Fourth sister-in-law?"
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingzhu frowned. "Third sister-in-law, what do you mean by that?"
"I heard that Sister Bi left again this morning. Looking back, Sister Bi has been colluding with certain people for years. Don't say I didn't warn you, Fourth sister-in-law. It's best to keep Sister Bi away from certain individuals." As Third Madam Yin Wenying spoke, she glanced at Ji Zizhao. "Some people, while appearing to support the sisters in the household, are actually harboring their own hidden motives."
"Third sister-in-law, how can you speak like that?"
"I'm speaking the truth. What, am I not allowed to speak the truth?" Faced with her righteous Third sister-in-law, Fourth Madam Xiao Jingzhu felt a wave of dizziness and couldn't speak.
Ji Zizhao smiled at Third Madam Yin Wenying and invited her inside. "Third Uncle's wife, if you have something to say, please come in and sit down to discuss it slowly. Standing and talking will only tire you out. Shui Ling, boil water and make tea."
Third Madam Yin Wenying was already bursting with anger and had no appetite for tea. "Ji Zizhao, don't try to play these games with me. Don't think I don't know what you're plotting."
Ji Zizhao smiled. "Oh? Then, Third Uncle's wife, why don't you tell me what I'm plotting?"
Third Madam Yin Wenying angrily pointed at Ji Zizhao. "You simply cannot stand to see others live better than you!"
Fourth Madam Xiao Jingzhu: "..." Where did that come from?
Seeing Fourth sister-in-law's confused expression, Third Madam Yin Wenying sneered, "Talking about shouldering the responsibility of the Ji family? In my opinion, you just want to take control of the Ji family. Without the identity of the head of the Ji family, how would you have entered the royal gates? Fortunately, heaven is not blind. It saw your ill intentions and made the Emperor send the Fourth Prince to Tong Lin!"
Third Madam Yin Wenying then looked at Ji Zizhao. "Ji Zizhao, you are alone to live as a widow; that is heaven's punishment for you. What does that have to do with my Ziyun? How can you be so vicious as to make my Ziyun take in a son-in-law? Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You simply want to highlight your arrogance by using the misfortune of everyone in the household! People like you deserve to lose your parents! You are a venomous, unlucky star!"