Consort Xi, naturally, was unhappy with Ji Zizhao hogging all the attention.
After all, Ji Zizhao had once been her son's Imperial Consort. Now, after escaping her son's clutches, she had managed to curry favor with the Emperor. And then there was Ji Renran, whom she had specially brought into the palace…
Both were exceptionally beautiful, yet the difference between them was like heaven and earth.
The more Consort Xi thought about it, the more displeased she became. She decided to take her leave, citing discomfort.
However, before departing, Consort Xi did not forget to discreetly tug at the Emperor's sleeve. "Your subject's head suddenly feels sore. I wish to return and rest and cannot continue to accompany Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty not to blame this concubine."
Consort Xi left, and with her, she seemed to have taken the Emperor's heart.
Within half an hour, Emperor Xiaochang also spoke, "I too am feeling a bit tired."
Empress Zhong saw through the Emperor's little ploy at a glance. "Is Your Majesty feeling unwell? I heard that the eldest daughter of the Ji family is quite skilled in medicine. Perhaps she could take His Majesty's pulse first?"
Emperor Xiaochang absolutely did not want Ji Zizhao to take his pulse. He initially thought the Empress was being meddlesome, but looking at her worried face, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. "Empress need not worry. I am simply a bit tired. Tomorrow, after court, I will dine with you."
Empress Zhong was satisfied and naturally let the Emperor leave.
Once the Emperor departed, the officials in the Hundred Flowers Garden also began to take their leave.
Empress Zhong observed the other consorts beside her looking dejected. She decided to conclude the banquet and instructed everyone to leave the palace early.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thanked her thoughtfully, and departed.
Zhi Nan, who had been waiting at the gate, hurried forward to support the Empress's arm. "Your Ladyship, please do not be angry with His Majesty. Perhaps Consort Xi truly felt unwell?"
"Whether she is unwell or not is none of my concern. As long as I am comfortable, that is all that matters." The Emperor might favor Consort Xi, but she, the Empress, was not a mere decoration. As long as she held the position of Empress, Consort Xi's desire for exclusive favor would remain just a dream.
"Even if Consort Xi is favored, what use is a disappointing son? Not only could my two sons combined outshine him, but even just the Fourth Prince alone is far superior, no matter how many legs his son could grow."
Speaking of this, Zhi Nan frowned slightly. "It seems the Ji family will have no place in the imperial city in the future."
The Ji family did still have a noble title to rely on, but what was an empty title to the esteemed officials and noble families throughout the city?
Empress Zhong's steps paused. She looked towards the direction of the palace gate, her eyes, which had seen much, now clouded with a hint of envy. "I never expected that girl, looking so young, would possess such decisive courage and spirit."
That illegitimate son of the Ji family was a great concern to the Emperor.
It was evident today that the Ji family was also experiencing internal strife.
Caught between enemies on all sides, others might choose to protect one side and abandon the other.
However, only a complete severance would be the most foolproof solution.
Yet, such a sacrifice was not something everyone could achieve.
Indeed, the Fourth Prince's judgment had always been sharp and insightful.
"Have the portraits of the imperial city's noble ladies, painted by the artist today, been delivered?"
"Replying to Your Ladyship, they have been delivered to Fengyi Palace."
"Then let's walk faster."
Empress Zhong hurried towards Fengyi Palace with anticipation.
If a woman like Ji Zizhao were to truly marry the Fourth Prince, it would be her good fortune and a salvation for the Fourth Prince.
If it could truly save the Fourth Prince's life, then she would deem it worthwhile to scheme and facilitate this marriage.
Ji Zizhao, feeling a warmth in her ears, was currently walking towards the palace gate.
As the family members and officials exited through different gates, young ladies leaving the palace were seen everywhere along the path.
Ji Renran, who had been crying all the way, was still sobbing softly. Her eyes, red as a little rabbit's, evoked pity and concern from the surrounding noble ladies.
The nobles might have understood a little of Ji Zizhao's motives for abandoning everything.
But these young ladies, who spent their days confined to their residences, could not comprehend it at all.
With Ji Renran's appearance, seemingly having suffered immense injustice, everyone now felt that Ji Zizhao was cold-hearted, ruthless, and a despicable person who would stop at nothing to ostracize her siblings.
Ji Zizhao paid no heed to these hateful glances; instead, her steps became even more resolute.
Seeing that Ji Renran could resort to such childish tactics as inciting others to isolate her, it was clear she was at her wit's end.
With such a lack of strategy, Ji Zizhao should have been happy, so why would she be angry?
Ji Renran did not expect Ji Zizhao to remain so composed. The more she was like this, the more it reminded Ji Renran of her utter defeat today, and she cried even harder.
By the time they exited the palace gates, Ji Renran was almost weeping herself unconscious.
"Oh? Where is the carriage of the eldest daughter of the Ji family?" someone suddenly asked. The others followed her gaze and noticed that among the carriages bearing the Ji family's insignia outside the palace gate, only Ji Renran's was present.
Ji Renran looked over with her swollen eyes. Seeing that Ji Zizhao's carriage was indeed absent, her tormented heart finally found a sliver of solace.
Ji Zizhao stopped, a slight frown on her face as she looked at the empty ground before her.
Fu Bao had accompanied her today. Although not with her for long, Fu Bao was loyal and would not have left without reason. Could something have happened at the manor?
"Did the eldest daughter of the Ji family not come by carriage, perhaps walking into the palace?"
"I heard that the eldest daughter of the Ji family used to shut herself away. Perhaps all her accumulated strength was used at this moment?"
"The eldest daughter of the Ji family is so unconventional; it wouldn't be surprising if she walked here."
Under Ji Renran's manipulation, Ji Zizhao had already become a despicable person in everyone's eyes, one who would do anything for attention.
Ji Renran, who desperately wished to avoid any contact with Ji Zizhao, still had to speak. "If Eldest Sister does not mind, you can share my carriage. Even though I am still living at my maternal grandparents' home, I can still send Eldest Sister back to the manor first."
This statement, rather than helping, only made everyone feel that Ji Zizhao was the epitome of a venomous heart.
Not only did she personally request the Emperor to abolish her younger brother's hereditary title, but she also drove her own sister out of the Ji family, forcing her to live with her maternal grandparents. Having already committed so many wicked deeds, she now expected her sister to escort her back…
Was this eldest daughter of the Ji family perhaps a devil?!
Xue Yinuo and Xu Meiqing, who were already seated in their carriages, quickly signaled their drivers to turn back.
If Ji Renran continued to outshine Ji Zizhao like this, Ji Zizhao wouldn't even need makeup to play the good cop.
However, just as Xue Yinuo and Xu Meiqing were both turning their carriages around, another carriage rapidly approached.
Tang Di leaped from the carriage and approached Ji Zizhao, cupping his hands. "Is the eldest daughter of the Ji family encountering any trouble?"
Seeing Tang Di, the noble ladies knew who was in the carriage and quickly curtsied. "Greetings to His Highness the Fourth Prince."
"The carriage has departed without reason; it is likely there was an urgent matter at the manor. Fortunately, the distance from the palace to the Ji manor is not too far…"
The moment Ji Zizhao saw Tang Di, she anticipated what would follow and was about to politely decline. However, the person sitting in the carriage gave her no opportunity.
"Indeed, it is not far, and it happens to be on the way."