If there were a choice, Xie Jinglan wished he could just watch Ji Zizhao quietly like this.
Watching her carry the Ji family, little by little, raising the Ji family's banner once more on the lands of Yulin.
Watching her give her all for what she wanted to do.
Watching her ride on dreams, living up to her youth.
Watching her refuse to yield to this world, nor be constrained by the fear of what people say.
But his time was running out.
Ji Zizhao’s entry into the palace this time was to help the Ji family re-establish itself, and more importantly, to assist Seventh Prince.
But this step was too risky.
How could Xie Jinglan not know that the Empress Dowager’s deliberate words last time were meant to force him to make a choice?
If he had not married Ji Zizhao, then with the Empress Dowager’s methods, Ji Zizhao would either truly become the Seventh Prince’s consort, or she would become a pawn in the Empress Dowager’s hand, used for the Seventh Prince’s power struggles.
He truly did not want her to be ambushed from all sides, hence this last resort.
He never expected that he would touch that girl’s sore spot twice in a row.
“Your Highness, a letter from Xirong has arrived.” Huo Nianqiao appeared at the door without a sound.
As Xie Jinglan’s senses returned, the secret letter, sealed with wax and adorned with a feather, was placed on the desk before him.
His long eyes lowered, yet he did not rush to open it. His slender fingers lightly caressed the envelope. Sudan Novel Network
After a long moment, Xie Jinglan directly threw the unopened, sealed letter into the candlestick.
“Your Highness!” Huo Nianqiao exclaimed in surprise.
Xie Jinglan waved his hand, signaling Huo Nianqiao to leave. “Since the outcome is known, why bother reading it?”
Xirong’s fifty thousand elite troops were stationed at Tonglin. Despite Yulin’s repeated warnings, they were reluctant to withdraw.
What Xirong wanted with such high-handed tactics was only too obvious.
Seeing his Highness’s grim expression, Tang Di took the initiative to change the subject. “I heard that the Turk assassin was here to kill the eldest daughter of the Ji family. If Your Highness keeps him here like this, I’m afraid the eldest daughter of the Ji family will still be in danger.”
Who could guarantee that after that fellow recovered from his injuries, he would not raise his butcher’s knife against Ji Zizhao again?
Mentioning Ji Zizhao, a glimmer of light flickered in Xie Jinglan’s dark, brooding eyes.
Thinking of those eyes, often steady yet subtly revealing a hint of slyness, Xie Jinglan couldn’t help but curve his lips. “If she didn’t have absolute certainty, Ji Zizhao would never have kept him.”
Tang Di was truly taken aback. This was the eldest daughter of the Ji family’s idea? “Then how did he end up being brought back by Your Highness?”
Perhaps she was worried about wasting rice?
Xie Jinglan smiled faintly. “Naturally, it was to monitor me.”
Tang Di, “…”
Xie Jinglan leaned back with a hint of weariness, resting against the carved back of the chair.
His slender form was rendered extremely elegant by the candlelight.
He suspected that his repeated expressions of his desire to marry her had made her start to doubt his motives.
Keeping the person who wanted to kill her by his side would not attract too much attention, and secondly, it would allow her to monitor his every move.
Then, when the butcher went to assassinate her, she could use extraordinary means to force the butcher to obediently report his movements…
Such a stratagem of killing three birds with one stone was indeed in character for that girl.
Tang Di pondered what else he could say to stop his Highness from thinking about these troublesome matters.
But at this moment, he was truly rendered speechless.
The eldest daughter of the Ji family had so openly planted a spy, and his Highness was being monitored with full awareness.
What was originally a sinister scheme of mutual calculation and exploitation…
How did it turn out to be inexplicably sweet between these two?
Having been forcibly fed a mouthful of dog food, Tang Di could only silently close the door and leave.
Xie Jingqi, who was still seething with anger, strode towards the main entrance of the Fourth Prince’s residence. The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became. As he was about to reach the entrance, he suddenly turned and walked back.
Of course, he knew that his Fourth Brother was right, so he couldn’t vent his anger on his Fourth Brother.
More importantly…
Even if he tried, he might not be able to win.
However, there was someone who could serve as a good sparring partner.
Tao Hua, who had just been examined by a doctor, saw Xie Jingqi storming in…
Their eyes met. Xie Jingqi clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking. “If you want to kill Ji Zizhao, you’ll have to get past me first.”
Tao Hua, “…”
Is this ever going to end?
Are they going to let anyone live?
Even if you’re going to shear a sheep, can’t you avoid shearing just one?
“Ahhh… Ahhh…”
The earth-shattering screams startled the servants of the Fourth Prince’s residence, making their hearts jump.
Hearing the screams, Tang Di rushed to the main entrance of the mansion.
Doctor, wait! It’s estimated that person will need another examination.
As the first watch struck, a carriage quietly stopped outside the Ji family’s mansion.
As the carriage door opened, Gu Peilan and Ji Renran helped Ji Zongyou down quietly.
The mother and daughters looked at the tightly shut mansion with grim expressions.
When they left, they were not in good spirits. Now, returning was even more shameful. How could the three of them have pleasant expressions?
Fortunately, the servants of the Ji family were diligent. Seeing that it was the remarried First Madam and her children returning, they did not make things difficult for them and let them pass directly.
As they walked deeper into the courtyard, Ji Renran whispered, “Brother, remember to behave yourself in the main courtyard.”
Ji Zongyou, sitting in the wooden wheelchair, said with disgust, “Why should I take care of that old fossil?”
Gu Peilan hurriedly lowered her voice and persuaded him, “My good son, speak softly. Old Madam has only had a stroke, she hasn’t died. What if someone overhears you?”
“I asked the doctor. A stroke can recover with rest. If Brother still wants to live a life of ease, then put on a good act. Once we are established in the Ji family, it will be easier to explain to the Fifth Prince. If we can’t even rely on the Fifth Prince, none of us will have a good life.” Ji Renran warned with some impatience.
Now, she really couldn’t stand looking at her brother. He couldn’t do anything right and only caused trouble all day long.
Ji Renran secretly glanced at Song Mama beside her. To show Song Mama how much she valued the Fifth Prince, she turned to leave with Song Mama without waiting for a reply.
Ji Zongyou glared at Ji Renran’s retreating back and cursed loudly, “What kind of a thing are you, daring to lecture me?”
Sandwiched between them, Gu Peilan could only comfort her son while escorting him to the main courtyard.
Upon hearing that Young Master Zongyou had come to attend to Old Madam, Xu Mama quickly sent someone to welcome him in.
As soon as Ji Zongyou saw the Old Madam lying on the bed, he wailed, “Grandmother, your grandson has come to see you. My sister and mother were worried about disturbing you, so they didn’t dare to come and pay their respects. But Grandmother, don’t worry, your grandson will take good care of you and help you recover quickly.”
The Old Madam looked at her grandson, whom she had doted on since he was young, crying so hard that her whole body trembled with heartache.
Indeed, she had not doted on the wrong person.
Compared to these ungrateful wretches of the Ji family, her grandson and granddaughter were the ones she could truly rely on.
Soon, news spread throughout the various courtyards of the Ji family that Gu Peilan had returned with her children.
However, when they left, they had not informed any of the courtyards, and now, the courtyards were too busy to come out and greet them.
“Miss, I heard that Young Master Zongyou was crying so hard, holding Old Madam, in the main courtyard. It seems Old Madam was also moved to tears. Now, everyone in the main courtyard is whispering that compared to the other young ladies in the mansion, Young Master Zongyou is the filial one.” Shui Ling, who was drying her young lady’s hair, was furious at the gossiping in the main courtyard.
Those people didn’t even consider that it was her young lady who had been busy treating and prescribing medicine for Old Madam during these days of her illness.
Ji Zizhao was not interested in the scene of filial piety between the grandmother and grandson in the main courtyard.
Even wolves and tigers would pretend for a while before devouring their prey, let alone humans.
However, if Ji Zongyou wanted to pretend, he would have to see if she agreed.
“Go and call He Mama.” Ji Zizhao put down the medical book in her hand and instructed.
Soon, Xu Mama entered. “Miss, what are your orders?”
Ji Zizhao stood up and walked to the desk, picked up a brush, and wrote down a prescription. She then handed it to He Mama and said, “Tomorrow, go to the Jisheng Hall to get the medicine according to this prescription, and have Xu Mama grind the medicine into powder three times a day and put it in the incense burner.”