It was so simple and clear, almost as if it were saying, "Come on, get in the carriage," which not only stunned the young ladies who were still bending their knees, but also left Ji Zizhao speechless for a long time.
In Ji Zizhao's understanding, this black-hearted, black-filled Fourth Prince was never one to enjoy crowds.
"Creak—!"
While everyone was silent, the carriage door was opened from the inside.
Clearly, the person sitting in the carriage had opened the door himself.
In the eyes of everyone, this was clearly a gracious invitation from a dignified prince.
But the same action, in Ji Zizhao's eyes, was a serious warning from someone.
With the Fourth Prince's sly nature, if she didn't get into the carriage soon, someone would probably get out himself to 'invite' her.
Ji Renran, clutching her handkerchief, leaned closer. If Ji Zizhao were really invited into the carriage by the Fourth Prince, wouldn't she lose even more face? "Since my return to my maternal grandmother's house is going smoothly, eldest sister, please don't trouble the Fourth Prince."
These words, on the surface, were exceedingly thoughtful.
But upon closer inspection, and deeper reflection…
Rumors were circulating in the Imperial City that the Fourth Prince harbored affection for the eldest daughter of the Ji family. While rumors couldn't be taken seriously, if Ji Zizhao were to reject the Fourth Prince's kind offer today, rumors would likely spread tomorrow that the Fourth Prince had been met with cold indifference.
On one side was Ji Renran, who was full of schemes and calculated every word to manipulate her, and on the other side was the Fourth Prince, who was personally supporting her and building her reputation. Even if Ji Zizhao were foolish, she wouldn't do something as foolish as alienating herself and being oblivious to who was on her side.
"In that case, I shall trouble the Fourth Prince." Ji Zizhao bowed gracefully towards the carriage again, then, with the help of Tang Di, stepped onto the footstool and boarded the carriage, not even glancing at Ji Renran beside her from beginning to end.
Watching the Fourth Prince's carriage speed away, leaving only a trail of dust on the ground, not only did Ji Renran's face completely collapse, but the faces of the other young ladies also turned grim.
Ji Zizhao, whom they had mocked and belittled, was now able to ride in a prince's carriage…
Under such a stark contrast, they couldn't help but admit they were inferior to Ji Zizhao!
Xue Yinuo, sitting in the carriage, shouted, "If you ladies stand here for a while longer, you might even encounter a prince just leaving the palace. Whether the prince is willing to give you a ride will be up to fate."
Didn't they all want to compete with Ji Zizhao?
Then let's just crush them!
The young ladies at the palace gates had truly unsightly expressions. Even if they had the inclination, they dared not stand there foolishly waiting.
The princes of the Imperial City were born with golden spoons in their mouths, accustomed to being high and mighty. How could they understand tenderness? If they were to wait for a prince, only to be ignored, it would be like Ji Renran, who stood beside Ji Zizhao…
Completely ignored by the Fourth Prince, as if she didn't exist…
The thought of that feeling was infinitely refreshing! Su Dan Novel Network
With this in mind, the young ladies at the palace gates almost fled to their own carriages.
Who had the time to accompany Ji Renran in her melancholy mood?
Xu Meiqing, watching Xue Yinuo, who seemed to be relishing the chaos, felt a headache coming on. However, seeing only Ji Renran standing alone, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. "It's late and dark. It would be best for Miss Renran to return soon. Although we are in the Imperial City, one must still pay attention to safety."
Ji Renran, "…"
What could she say?
Besides reluctantly getting into her carriage, she could say nothing!
Ji Zizhao had no idea that Xue Yinuo and Xu Meiqing had fiercely stood up for her. At this moment, she was sitting in the carriage filled with the fragrance of tea, drinking warm tea.
Princes' carriages were specially built. If it were an ordinary person's carriage, let alone drinking tea, even placing a candle for night travel would require constant worry about it being jostled off.
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao, who was calmly sipping tea opposite him, and smiled helplessly. She looked so harmless and pure now. He wondered who had been so unyielding in the palace earlier.
"Miss Ji, you were magnificent today."
Ji Zizhao could tell the teasing in his voice. She put down her teacup and said softly, "Compared to the Fourth Prince's韬光养晦 (tāo guāng yǎng huì – keeping a low profile), I, your humble servant, have indeed made a fool of myself today."
Xie Jinglan was startled, and then the smile on his lips deepened.
He had merely teased her, and she had retorted that his pretense of sincerity was deeply hidden.
Indeed, any pretense of peace and tranquility was an illusion when it came to Ji Zizhao.
She was still the same Ji Zizhao who sought revenge for every slight and who was clear in her love and hate.
"I'm afraid today's fireworks display was not intentional on Miss Ji's part, was it?" Xie Jinglan refilled Ji Zizhao's teacup before setting down the teapot and gazing at her.
Ji Zizhao nodded. Since she couldn't hide it from him, why waste the effort? "I have made the Fourth Prince laugh."
Xie Jinglan's dimples deepened at the corners of his lips. "Laugh, not really. But I was certainly shocked."
Ji Zizhao, unfazed by praise or criticism, picked up her teacup again. She remained silent in the face of the Fourth Prince's compliment, believing she didn't possess the ability to shock this black-hearted man.
Xie Jinglan didn't seem to mind Ji Zizhao's humble silence. After a pause, he continued, "Going with the flow, using borrowed strength, killing three birds with one stone, retreating to advance – Miss Ji truly has great skills."
First, Ji Zizhao used the fireworks to force her way in, directly thwarting the illegitimate sons' wicked intentions and nipping them in the bud.
Second, Ji Zizhao also dispelled the Emperor's suspicion and vigilance towards the Ji family.
And the third…
It even made the Emperor indebted to Ji Zizhao without him realizing it.
Ji Zizhao's terrifying nature was even more evident in the fact that perhaps even the Emperor himself had not noticed.
Xie Jinglan seemed to have thought of something else, and his beautiful eyebrows slightly arched. "I'm afraid the finishing touch for Miss Ji today was that grand salute, wasn't it?"
It was late at night, and the candles in the imperial palace's various sleeping quarters had long been extinguished.
Emperor Xiaochang, lying with Consort Xi, stared at the light gauze canopy above his head, unable to sleep for a long time.
The Ji family was different from other meritorious officials. For a hundred years, the Ji family had aided the founding ancestor in unifying Yulin.
After the founding ancestor ascended the throne, he personally issued an edict exempting the Ji family from all bureaucratic procedures.
Later, Ji Zhengyong of the Ji family was invincible and full of achievements.
However, whenever he came to the palace to meet the Emperor, Ji Zhengyong never performed the military salute. Instead, he knelt and performed a grand salute.
Over time, rumors spread that the Emperor had used his imperial might to pressure Ji Zhengyong.
At that time, Emperor Xiaochang had just ascended the throne and his foundation in the court was unstable. He was afraid of gossip.
But just as Emperor Xiaochang was contemplating how to quell these rumors, Ji Zhengyong, who had come to see him voluntarily, once again knelt before him with a grand salute.
The only difference this time was that Ji Zhengyong first performed a kowtow, kneeling and bowing deeply, and then, as he straightened his body, he performed a unique military salute, with clasped hands and a slight bow.
Even now, Emperor Xiaochang could recall the shocked expressions of the ministers in the court at that time.
In fact, Emperor Xiaochang himself was also taken aback.
But Ji Zhengyong, with his loyalty to the Emperor and the reverence of a soldier towards the Emperor, dispelled all rumors.