The great hall was eerily silent.
Everyone looked at Ji Zizhao, who was seated in front, and felt a complete lack of mood for idle chatter.
They were indeed young ladies of the Imperial City, but they didn't often get the chance to enter the palace. Now that the opportunity was rare, with the Emperor, the Empress, and the consorts from various palaces in attendance, who wouldn't want to shine brightly and make a name for themselves?
Now, with Ji Zizhao sitting in front like a mountain pressing down on everyone's chests, how could they possibly shine or stand out? It would be considered a blessing from heaven if they weren't completely overshadowed.
After another half an hour, the ministers finally entered one after another.
Seeing Ji Zizhao sitting alone among the ministers' seats, everyone couldn't help but look at her with curiosity.
However, the court officials were far more intelligent than the young ladies and noblewomen behind them. Without the Emperor's permission, what right did a young woman have to sit as an equal with them? But since the Emperor had given his consent, they would have to be out of their minds to cause trouble for Ji Zizhao at this moment.
After all the ministers had taken their seats, the princes followed.
The princes in the palace were of similar ages, with the eldest being no more than seven or eight years older than the youngest. Now, a line of princes entered from the side door, and from a distance, they truly could be described as each possessing their own unique charm.
The women seated on the other side couldn't help but lower their gazes shyly, their faces flushing and hearts pounding just by looking at them.
As Xie Jingqi entered, he immediately looked around, "Fourth Brother, do you think Ji Zizhao will be here?"
Xie Jinglan said in a low voice, "The eldest daughter of the Ji family has rendered meritorious service in Luoyi, so she will naturally be here."
Xie Jingqi followed his gaze and indeed saw Ji Zizhao sitting among the ministers.
Without a second thought, he started to walk towards her.
Back when he was with Ji Zizhao in Luoyi, there weren't so many rules. Now, he naturally brought the way they interacted in Luoyi to the Imperial City.
Xie Jinglan reached out and stopped his restless younger brother, "Father Emperor will be here soon. You should calm down."
The other princes, hearing this, instinctively looked at the Fifth Prince behind them.
After all, this eldest daughter of the Ji family had once been the Fifth Prince's secondary consort, but now she was constantly on the minds of the Fourth and Seventh Princes. Why wouldn't they watch the show that was unfolding before them?
Enduring the gazes of his brothers, Xie Jingzhou lowered his head, appearing cowardly and not daring to express any opinion. In reality, beneath his tense expression, his teeth were grinding audibly.
"Fourth Brother really is blessed. It's rare for a woman to initiate a divorce from a prince. It's simply a matter of Fifth Brother not having the fortune. Such an extraordinary woman can only watch her fly further and further away." The Eighth Prince, who thrived on chaos, would not miss such a perfect opportunity to sow discord.
Mentally digging up the ancestral graves of the Eighth Prince, Xie Jingzhou raised his head and smiled good-naturedly, "Zizhao is different from the women in the Imperial City. She has always been independent and unafraid of power. I respected Zizhao's wishes, which is why I agreed to the divorce."
This statement clearly implied that Ji Zizhao didn't think highly of him, and it wasn't guaranteed she would think highly of the Eighth Prince either.
The Eighth Prince's eyes darted around, and he looked at the Fourth Prince with a smile, "Fifth Brother's words are indeed true. After all, Fifth Brother has the favor of Noble Consort Xi, yet even so, he couldn't capture the eye of the eldest daughter of the Ji family. I'm afraid even Fourth Brother, who is fostered under the Empress's wing, will be chasing after shadows."
Xie Jingqi frowned, "Eighth Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?"
The Eighth Prince chuckled, "I'm just speaking the truth. Who in this Imperial City doesn't know that our Fourth Brother treats the eldest daughter of the Ji family differently?"
Xie Jingqi didn't care what others rumored. He was the one who most hoped for Fourth Brother and Ji Zizhao to have a happy ending.
But if you're going to spread rumors, don't blame him if his fists get involved when you start being sarcastic and demeaning others while elevating someone else.
"Ji Zizhao is not that kind of materialistic and hypocritical person. If you talk nonsense again, do you believe I'll beat you up?"
Who in this palace didn't know of the Seventh Prince's temper, which flared up at the slightest disagreement? Yet, with the Emperor's favoritism, even if he were beaten, it would be in vain.
Even the Eighth Prince, as much as he disliked the Seventh Prince's temper, could only obediently shut his mouth.
"Zizhao has never cared about material possessions, but I always want to do my best to give her the best." Xie Jingzhou's seemingly casual remark highlighted the Fourth Prince's lack of anything. Even if he had feelings for Ji Zizhao, he couldn't even satisfy her basic needs for food and warmth.
Xie Jinglan's brows relaxed, and a faint smile graced his handsome face.
He was well aware of the Fifth Prince's provocations.
But no matter how much he tried to support Ji Zizhao behind the scenes, without any evidence, everything people said would only be speculation.
However, if he were to speak of Ji Zizhao now, everything would be different.
As a man, he could afford not to care about his reputation.
But Ji Zizhao couldn't.
Xie Jinglan certainly couldn't let Ji Zizhao's reputation be ruined by a moment of impulsiveness.
Although that girl wasn't like ordinary women who would cry, scream, and hang themselves, she had plenty of ways and means to make those who offended her suffer.
Seeing that the Fourth Prince remained silent, Xie Jingzhou sneered inwardly.
Just then, Ji Zizhao suddenly looked over in this direction.
And under the gaze of all the princes, her eyes happened to fall on the Fourth Prince.
Even though it was fleeting, it was enough for everyone to see clearly.
Xie Jingqi burst into laughter, "I think Fifth Brother should just give up. You keep calling her Zizhao, but Ji Zizhao is looking at my Fourth Brother, isn't she? Fifth Brother, does your face hurt? Even if you don't, I feel your pain."
Xie Jingzhou: "..."
Ji Zizhao, you wretched woman!
Seated far away, Ji Zizhao had no idea she had inexplicably become the cause of trouble.
Seeing the murderous intent in the Fifth Prince's eyes and the increasingly gentle smile of the Fourth Prince, she was quite curious.
It wasn't that she intentionally looked at the Fourth Prince. It was just that among all the princes wearing python robes, the Fourth Prince, who always wore white robes, was so eye-catching.
Outside the hall, the eunuch's loud announcement suddenly rang out, "His Majesty has arrived! The Empress has arrived! Consorts from various palaces have arrived!"
As everyone knelt and paid their respects, the Emperor, accompanied by the Empress, made a slow entrance. The consorts from various palaces, led by Noble Consort Xi, entered the hall with graceful demeanor.
After taking his seat, Emperor Xiaochang raised his hand and gestured to everyone in the hall, "Although today is the Dragon Boat Festival, it is also a family banquet to welcome two princes. You need not be too restrained. Rise."
Noble Consort Xi felt as if she had eaten honey upon hearing this.
She had been jealous of the Emperor's favoritism, but yesterday she had received news that the Fifth Prince, like the Seventh Prince, had also been assigned to the參將署 (Commander's Office).
Indeed, the Emperor still cared about her and the Fifth Prince.