Other imperial consorts, seeing Empress Zhong and Consort Xi speak one after another, also raised their wine cups and offered their remarks.
Finding a way to step down, Emperor Xiaochang naturally had a slight smile on his face.
The atmosphere in the grand hall finally eased considerably.
Zhang Shuzhong, who had not attended the banquet, bowed and took his leave, and Ji Zizhao proactively went to see him off.
Old Master Tong, whose reputation had been thoroughly ruined, watched Ji Zizhao and Zhang Shuzhong walk together. Unwilling to give up, he wanted to chase after them to ask for clarification. Why did Zhang Shuzhong go back on his word? He felt so wronged by this accusation.
A figure suddenly blocked Old Master Tong's path.
Old Master Tong was stunned when he saw the person in front of him. The Seventh Prince?
"It seems Master Tong still has many things he doesn't understand. It's alright, if you don't understand, ask me. I will tell you everything I know and spare no effort," Xie Jingqi said with a smile, holding his wine cup. However, the veins on the back of his hand holding the cup bulged conspicuously under the bright lights of the hall.
These court officials loved to stir up trouble. Fortunately, his fists never feared trouble.
Old Master Tong, "..."
Was this man going to explain things clearly to him?
This was clearly an attempt to beat him into submission!
He glanced sideways in the direction of the Fifth Prince.
Xie Jingzhou, who was holding his wine cup, narrowed his eyes.
Regardless of the reason, Zhang Shuzhong had protected Ji Zizhao.
Unable to find any fault with Ji Zizhao, Xie Jingzhou was naturally unwilling.
But now that the situation was settled, further trouble would be completely meaningless.
Moreover, the main event of today was yet to come.
Losing the bigger picture for the smaller would be a greater loss.
Thinking this, Xie Jingzhou subtly shook his head.
Receiving the Fifth Prince's signal, Old Master Tong breathed a sigh of relief.
Under the threatening gaze of the Seventh Prince, he proactively conceded and returned to his seat.
The Seventh Prince's fists were notoriously unreasonable. If Old Master Tong had to confront the Seventh Prince head-on, he was confident he could make the Seventh Prince speechless, but he was not confident he could withstand the Seventh Prince's fists.
Ji Zizhao escorted Zhang Shuzhong to the entrance of the hall and stopped. Today, she was attending as a guest and could not leave the banquet. "Master, travel safely. In a few days, your disciple will personally visit your residence to pay respects to you and Mistress."
Zhang Shuzhong understood that there were too many people and it was inconvenient to say more. "That would be good. Send word to the mansion before you come, and I will have your Mistress personally cook some delicious food for you."
Ji Zizhao nodded and smiled, "Then I will have to trouble Mistress."
"I have studied medicine for thirty-five years and have been in the palace for twenty years. You are my first and last disciple. Since you have entered my tutelage, you are family. Come to my home anytime in the future. Even if I cannot help you much, I can always support you," Zhang Shuzhong truly admired Ji Zizhao's exquisite medical skills.
Medical ethics are a reflection of character. A person who dared to stand in front of the people of Luoyi and fight against the epidemic, disregarding their own life, naturally had good character.
Zhang Shuzhong's appreciation for talent warmed Ji Zizhao immensely.
Although she might not learn much in terms of medical skills from him, this person's medical ethics were worthy of her respect and awe.
Inside the grand hall, music had already begun to play.
When Ji Zizhao returned to her seat, many eyes were still fixed on her.
She, who was once branded a good-for-nothing and divorced, was first bestowed the title of County Princess, then recognized for her contributions in Luoyi, and now she had become the disciple of the Imperial Hospital's superintendent...
She had risen soaringly, leaving behind noblewomen of the same age in the capital in the dust.
Who among the assembled ministers did not have daughters? Although they said nothing on the surface, who could truly not take it to heart?
Before, they thought the Ji family was incredibly lucky to have such a disappointing daughter like Ji Zizhao. Now, they wished they could snatch Ji Zizhao away and take her home as their own daughter.
The noblewomen of the capital, who were constantly criticized by their own fathers, had no words to express their suffering.
With Ji Zizhao's meteoric rise...
They feared they would run themselves ragged and still not catch up.
Under this atmosphere, Ji Renran felt the most uncomfortable.
Although she was consumed by jealousy, she could only sit in her seat and force a smile.
Fortunately, the Fifth Prince was not looking at Ji Zizhao, which was the only reason Ji Renran could console herself with.
Outside the grand hall, the sky gradually darkened.
In Yu Lin, there was a custom of walking a hundred paces on the Dragon Boat Festival. After everyone had eaten zongzi, they followed Emperor Xiaochang out of the hall and went for a stroll in the Hundred Gardens.
Although they were accompanying the Emperor, at this moment, he was not only attended by the Empress and Consort Xi but also surrounded by a group of imperial consorts.
In such a scene, the noblewomen of the capital could not get close, so they admired the scenery in groups of three or five in the garden.
Emperor Xiaochang, surrounded by a group of people, had no time to attend to his sons. He simply waved his hand, allowing the princes following behind to move freely.
At this time, the Bai Garden was adorned with lanterns, and the scenery was pleasant, making the young noblewomen appear even more delicate.
Seeing the young and handsome princes chatting in twos and threes in various places, the noblewomen became even more shy and charming.
Not long from now, the imperial selection would take place, and the eligible princes would marry their consorts from among them.
However, there was no such thing as mutual affection in royal marriages. The princes looked at the noblewomen only for their family connections.
The Emperor allowing the princes to move freely now was nothing more than an absence of surveillance.
When the imperial decree of marriage was issued, the Emperor would have a better understanding. Sudan Novel Network
The princes were also well aware of this. To prevent their ambitions from being exposed, they stood aside and chatted, with no one actively approaching any of the noblewomen.
Ji Zizhao was not interested in such calculated marriages. Coincidentally, Xue Yinuo and Xu Meiqing were also not interested. The three of them simply walked towards the lakeside, engaging in some harmless idle chatter.
Xue Yinuo looked at Ji Zizhao with a puzzled expression. "You've really stolen the spotlight today. Don't you want to strike while the iron is hot and find yourself a marriage?"
Ji Zizhao looked at Xue Yinuo with equal bewilderment. "They clearly desire our family's influence but insist on acting as if we are the ones who are fortunate to marry them. Thinking about such a life is suffocating. Besides, I can support myself, so why should I throw myself into a life of bowing my head?"
Xue Yinuo laughed heartily upon hearing this. "That's right! We women should be self-reliant and tell those good-for-nothings to get lost!"
Xu Meiqing was so startled by these words that she broke out in a cold sweat.
Calling the dignified princes good-for-nothings...
Do you two have any limits to your madness?!
However, looking at the noblewomen of the capital on the other side of the Hundred Gardens, eagerly waiting to be noticed by the princes, and then at Ji Zizhao and Xue Yinuo, who were completely unrestrained by the lake, Xu Meiqing, though she dared not join in their wildness, couldn't help but enjoy listening to them.
Listening to Ji Zizhao and Xue Yinuo chat was more interesting than watching a play.
"Bang—!"
On the other side of the lake, a muffled explosion suddenly occurred.
Everyone standing in the Hundred Gardens was startled. Just as Feng Gu was about to shout for guards, a large firework exploded in the night sky.
As a large golden chrysanthemum bloomed proudly, the entire night sky was illuminated as bright as day.
"This, where did this firework come from?"
Someone exclaimed, and people who had been standing in various corners of the Hundred Gardens instantly swarmed forward.
The spacious lakeside was quickly crowded.
The night sky of the capital was dazzling and picturesque with the continuous blooming of fireworks.
Ji Zizhao was looking up at the night sky when she was suddenly pushed from behind, causing her to sway.
A hand quickly grabbed Ji Zizhao's arm and pulled her backward. Ji Zizhao's already unbalanced body instinctively tilted backward. At the same time, the hand released her arm and slid around her slender waist, steadying her swaying body.
As Ji Zizhao regained her balance, her slender back pressed against the warm, beating chest behind her.
A familiar scent enveloped her. Even without looking, she could guess the owner of the chest.
"Bang—!"
Another firework exploded in the night sky.
While everyone was looking up at the fireworks, Ji Zizhao glanced sideways.
Xue Yinuo and Xu Meiqing, who had been standing beside her, had long since been pushed away by the surging crowd. At this moment, her eyes reflected only that familiar, handsome face.