The Imperial City of Hua Huang in November was always shrouded in a hazy grayness.
Three days later, the Imperial Observatory announced that heavy snow was approaching.
The city's residents began to stock up on food, clothing, and winter supplies in large quantities.
The refugees from Luoyi, who had been staying at the Four Great Medical Halls, were arranged by the court to move to Huguo Temple, thirty li outside the city, to spend the winter, under government relief.
Emperor Xiaochang, grateful for the assistance of the Four Great Medical Halls, personally inscribed the words 'Xuán Hú Jì Shì' (Carry a pot of medicine and save the world) and bestowed them upon the four institutions.
For a time, the Four Great Medical Halls once again became famous and respected throughout the Imperial City.
The Jin Family Medical Hall, which had only just begun to show slight signs of recovery, was once again silently and thoroughly defeated.
That afternoon, Chen Gang quietly delivered the account books to Ji Zizhao and informed her about the Four Great Medical Halls receiving the Emperor's imperial calligraphy.
Ji Zizhao appeared calm upon hearing this.
The Luoyi refugees had stayed at the Four Great Medical Halls for over a month at least, and the court had remained indifferent.
Now that the Tenth Prince and others were about to travel to Luoyi, the court was only making a show of concern, which, in plain terms, was merely an attempt to appease the people of Luoyi.
"Go summon the Fourth Miss," Ji Zizhao closed the account book and instructed Shuiling beside her.
Shuiling quickly put down her work and hurried out.
Not long after, Ji Zibì walked in.
"Eldest Sister." Ji Zibì had always respected her elder sister.
Ji Zizhao first gestured for her to sit before speaking, "There will be three more batches of goods delivered to the Four Great Medical Halls. Normally, it would be acceptable to wait until after the New Year, but now that the Four Great Medical Halls have been honored with the Emperor's imperial inscription, I fear this news will quickly spread to neighboring cities, attracting many patients from other places."
If the medicine was not prepared in advance, it would not only tarnish the reputation of the Four Great Medical Halls but also the Emperor's honor.
The Ji family could not withstand another disaster like the Dragon's Wrath.
Ji Zibì understood immediately. "Eldest Sister means you want me to depart before the end of the year?"
Ji Zizhao nodded. "The sooner the better."
The Four Great Medical Halls receiving such imperial favor would undoubtedly provoke the envy of many.
The Imperial City was already a mixed bag of people, so caution was always best.
Ji Zibì stood up. "Eldest Sister, please rest assured, I will depart tomorrow."
Ji Zizhao also stood up, gripping Ji Zibì's hand. "Remember to proceed with caution."
Ji Zibì nodded again. "Eldest Sister, please be at ease, I will."
Ji Zibì had always been decisive. After leaving Zhaoyuan, she immediately began arranging for a carriage. By dawn the next day, she had already left the city gates with her retinue.
Two days after Ji Zibì's departure, the gloom hanging over the Imperial City deepened.
Emperor Xiaochang once again changed the date of his trip to Luoyi, from fifteen days later to five days later.
The people of the Imperial City were not surprised by this news, as two princes were accompanying the trip, and it was only natural for the court to prioritize safety.
However, it was precisely because of this re-posted imperial decree that the public's attention once again turned to the eldest daughter of the Ji family, who had been elevated to the status of Rong Sheng and Rong He Counties.
This time, however, the focus of the public's attention was the hairpin that the eldest daughter of the Ji family wore when she entered the palace.
It was heard that someone had seen another person wearing a hairpin identical to the one the eldest daughter of the Ji family had worn when entering the palace.
The person wearing this hairpin was a young maiden.
It was said that the maiden was remarkably beautiful, with a captivating appearance, and her features bore a striking resemblance to the eldest daughter of the Ji family.
There were even rumors that the maiden was the Counties Rong He's biological sister who lived outside the family!
Shuiling happened to be out that day purchasing clothes for her mistress. Near noon, thinking that the Baked Chicken from Babaozhai should be ready, she decided to buy one for her mistress.
Babaozhai was a top-tier restaurant in the main city, and it was bustling with guests at lunchtime.
Shuiling, fearing she would be overlooked by the restaurant staff, quickly announced her identity, "I am a maid serving Counties Rong He from the Jingting Marquis Manor. Our Counties wishes to have your Baked Chicken, please hurry and pack it for me to take away."
The eldest daughter of the Ji family, now bearing the title of Counties, was a celebrity in the Imperial City. As soon as Shuiling spoke, not only did the diners in the hall turn to look, but Gu Peilan's gaze was also drawn to her.
Gu Peilan had never met Ji Zizhao, but the mere mention of Ji Zizhao's name filled her with jealous pain.
Both were daughters of the same father, yet Ji Zizhao enjoyed wealth and status, while her own children dared not reveal their true identities.
She was merely a good-for-nothing in the Imperial City, what was there to be proud of!
Just then, a waiter from Babaozhai handed the packed Baked Chicken to Shuiling. Seeing this, Gu Peilan's eyes darted, and she pretended to casually approach Shuiling, but with all her might, she bumped into her.
Unsuspecting, Shuiling, carrying the Baked Chicken, turned and collided squarely with Gu Peilan, not only dropping the chicken on the ground but also falling to the side herself.
"How do you walk? Are the servants of the Jingting Marquis Manor all blind?" Gu Peilan looked down at Shuiling and preemptively attacked.
Shuiling looked up at the sound of her voice. Seeing Gu Peilan's extraordinary attire, she fell silent despite her inner grievances.
It wasn't that she was afraid of trouble, but rather that she feared causing trouble for her mistress.
After all, in Yulin, the status of servants was the lowest. If they dared to offend officials and nobles, they would be brought before the authorities.
The Baked Chicken lying quietly on the ground was covered in dust. Shuiling tenderly picked it up, gently blowing away the floating dust.
She had bought it for her mistress with her own monthly allowance, intending to surprise her. Now, it had turned out like this. Fortunately, the inside was clean, and it should still be edible...
Gu Peilan saw Shuiling pick up the Baked Chicken and stand up. She curved her lips and said with a smile, "I just heard you say you are someone by Counties Rong He's side? That's hilarious. How could Counties Rong He not even afford a Baked Chicken?"
Although her tone was dismissive, she was actually mocking Ji Zizhao as well.
Shuiling would not allow anyone to look down on her mistress. Her face turned red with anger. "I bought this for my mistress. If my mistress were to come here in person, let alone one or two, she could afford ten or eight!"
Gu Peilan scoffed. "The servants of the Jingting Marquis Manor indeed have a great deal of nerve."
Babaozhai's dishes were famously expensive, especially their signature dishes, which were not affordable for ordinary people.
Currently, all the money from the Hua family was being funneled into her and her mother's pockets by the old madam. Even if Ji Zizhao was now Counties Rong He, where would she have so much silver?
The surrounding diners naturally did not believe her, as Babaozhai was renowned for its expense in the Imperial City.
Shuiling grew anxious as she saw that no one around believed her. Her mistress was rich, and very rich. The reward she had given her last time alone was over a hundred taels!
But before Shuiling could even speak, she saw a young woman gracefully enter from the doorway.
At first glance, the woman's features did indeed bear some resemblance to her mistress.
Especially the hairpin she wore in her hair at this moment...
It was exactly the same as the one the old madam had given her mistress!