Ji Zizhao pondered, guessing that Eunuch Qi had put pressure on the Imperial Household Department, who were now trying to make amends.
To put it plainly, the Imperial Household Department was responsible for the royal family's domestic affairs. However, because the imperial concubines were accustomed to competition, they even measured their food, clothing, and daily necessities, leading them to take a step back in order to receive special consideration from the Imperial Household Department.
As a result, the Imperial Household Department had been spoiled into a very peculiar institution within the palace.
Although it was meant to serve the royal family, it had become like a king of the mountain.
But no matter how peculiar, the words "imperial presence" still loomed over the Imperial Household Department like a great mountain.
Who wouldn't be afraid of people who saw the Emperor every day?
Ji Zizhao knew that handing over the matter of official uniforms to Eunuch Qi to handle with the Imperial Household Department would be effective, but she hadn't expected it to be so effective.
Looking at the fruits and pastries that were almost filling her desk, Ji Zizhao felt a headache.
The highest bird gets shot, the most prominent snake gets killed. Being too outstanding in the palace was not a good thing.
Catching a glimpse of the clerks and Enliang Sheng constantly looking at her desk, Ji Zizhao's eyes moved, and she had a plan in mind.
Studying medicine was originally a dry and tedious task. These clerks and Enliang Sheng were already suffering mentally from counting medicinal herbs and organizing case files every day. Now they had to endure the impact on their sight and taste...
Were they even allowed to live?
It was at this moment that Ji Zizhao stood up and walked over with several plates of pastries.
Everyone, "..."
What, is it not enough for us to smell the aroma? Do you want us to watch you eat too?
"The Imperial Household Department is so enthusiastic and thoughtful, I am truly touched. It's just a pity that I don't really like sweets. But it would be a waste if these foods were left here. I wonder if you would be willing to share some with me?"
If Ji Zizhao had directly given away the pastries and fruits, the people present might not have eaten them.
They were all old-timers in the palace, and even if they starved to death, they would never accept charity.
But with Ji Zizhao saying this, everyone had no resistance.
The other party clearly took the initiative to yield, and even found fault with herself specifically to make them feel better.
Her attitude was so good that they couldn't even find a reason to refuse!
As the saying goes, short of breath after eating, short of hand after taking.
However, after a few pieces of pastries and fruits entered their stomachs, everyone's attitude towards Ji Zizhao clearly improved by leaps and bounds.
"I didn't expect the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family to be so kind."
"The Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is new here. If you don't understand anything in the future, you can ask us directly."
"We all work in the Imperial Academy of Medicine, so we should take care of each other."
Ji Zizhao, who had always struggled with interpersonal relationships as a newcomer, perfectly resolved it without lifting a finger.
With just a few pastries and fruits, this deal was undeniably a good one.
Everyone who had eaten the fruits and pastries from the Imperial Household Department seemed to walk lighter, and they spoke to Ji Zizhao with smiles and politeness.
The Imperial Academy of Medicine, which had always been listless, had a rare touch of joy.
As a result, when Zou Hansheng returned with everyone, he was shocked to see this scene.
Yesterday, Zou Hansheng had sent messages to his peers, asking them to enter the palace an hour in advance. He said it was to familiarize them with the palace, but in reality, it was to give Ji Zizhao a show of dominance.
He had intended to observe Ji Zizhao's dejected and isolated face upon their return.
But instead...
Just this?
Where was the promised isolation and loneliness!
Where was the promised dejected face!
The people behind Zou Hansheng also wanted to secretly fix Ji Zizhao, who had always been leagues ahead of them.
That's why they obediently arrived at the palace an hour early today.
But look at Ji Zizhao, sitting leisurely behind her desk, holding a medical book, with pastries and fruits in front of her, a gentle breeze blowing through the window lattice, caressing her hair, not showing the slightest sign of being provoked.
Then look at them, who had intended to provoke Ji Zizhao, sweating profusely, with dry mouths, their faces about to oil up from the sun.
Under such extreme contrast, everyone looked at Zou Hansheng with inexplicable resentment.
Zou Hansheng, "..."
Fortunately, everyone was still balanced as they familiarized themselves with the palace, leaving Ji Zizhao aside.
However, the self-comforting crowd was completely stunned the next day.
Uncle Zhang heard that his apprentice had been treated unfairly, and that was unacceptable!
He was an old man with his neck in the grave. He had finally taken such an apprentice in his twilight years, and he hadn't even doted on her yet, so how could others touch her?
I am the dean, and it is natural and correct for me, the leader, to take the blame for your mistakes.
But you can forget about bullying my apprentice!
So, while everyone was busy in the Imperial Academy of Medicine, Zhang Shuzhong, full of anger, directly called out Ji Zizhao's name, "I heard you were too busy yesterday to familiarize yourself with the palace? It's okay, your master has time today, and I will personally take you to familiarize yourself with the palace."
With that, he took Ji Zizhao and left the Imperial Academy of Medicine.
Zou Hansheng, "..."
Everyone, "..."
Yulin's imperial palace was vast, and one could easily encounter people on the road.
However, the dignified dean personally taking a newcomer to familiarize herself with the palace...
This news was explosive.
Moreover, he only took Ji Zizhao alone...
This made the explosive news even more sensational.
This way, it was hard for Ji Zizhao not to become famous.
At half-past seven in the evening, Ji Zizhao, who had finished her shift, was walking out with other doctors on duty.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped out of the palace gate, she was called out, "Eldest Daughter of the Ji family."
Ji Zizhao stopped and turned around, only to see Jiang Guangcheng, also dressed in official robes, striding towards her.
"Second Young Master Jiang," Ji Zizhao nodded slightly and greeted him proactively.
Jiang Guangcheng quickly strode forward a few steps and bowed respectfully, "We all work in the palace, Eldest Daughter of the Ji family doesn't need to be so polite. In the future, Eldest Daughter of the Ji family can just call me by my name."
Ji Zizhao, however, said, "No matter what, etiquette cannot be broken. Since Second Young Master Jiang is older than me, I will call you Second Brother Jiang."
Jiang Guangcheng changed his address quickly, "Younger Sister Ji."
Ji Zizhao had never heard anyone call her that before, and she couldn't help but curl her lips.
As dusk was falling, the faint afterglow cast on her, warming her face. Even in the loose official robes, she was still as elegant and noble as the clear snow in winter.
Even with just a faint smile, Jiang Guangcheng was mesmerized.
"Is Second Brother Jiang looking for me for something?" Ji Zizhao asked softly.
Jiang Guangcheng quickly came back to his senses, "That day, when I was familiarizing myself with the palace with the Eldest Young Master Zou, I didn't know that Younger Sister Ji hadn't received the news. I specifically asked the people around me, but they all said you had taken leave. It was my oversight to believe such a simple lie."
So he had come to apologize.
Ji Zizhao looked at the apology on Jiang Guangcheng's brows and smiled faintly, "I never took this matter to heart, so why should Brother Jiang blame himself."
Jiang Guangcheng had thought Ji Zizhao would be angry. After all, she was a woman, and it was normal to have a little temper. So, before finding Ji Zizhao, he had prepared all sorts of ways to appease her.
But now, seeing Ji Zizhao's calm expression and indifferent eyes, with no sign of anger at all, made Jiang Guangcheng not know what to say.
Speechless, Jiang Guangcheng could only brace himself and say, "Since that's the case, I won't disturb Eldest Daughter of the Ji family anymore. The army is in urgent need of medicinal herbs, and I have to personally negotiate."
Ji Zizhao's eyes lit up when she heard "medicinal herbs," "Does Brother Jiang know what medicinal herbs the army lacks?"
Jiang Guangcheng's eyes lit up when he heard this. Finally, he had found a common topic with Ji Zizhao.
Unexpectedly, Ji Zizhao's eyes were brighter than his, "Does Second Brother Jiang want to tell me?"
Jiang Guangcheng, "..."
So excited?