Emperor Xiaochang glanced at Ji Zizhao.
Although the Ji family had now cleared their name, a subject was still a subject.
He had specially instructed the Dali Temple to send daily review updates to the Ji family, merely as a pretense for the world to see the emperor's magnanimity and benevolence.
Now, for him to personally speak and report to others, how was that possible?
The dark clouds shrouding the sky slowly dispersed, letting through shafts of dazzling sunlight.
It was Ji Zizhao, kneeling before Emperor Xiaochang, bathed in the sunlight, her beautiful and cool demeanor appearing quite radiant.
Her black eyes, like deep pools of ink, her fair and delicate skin, possessed an ineffable charm.
Especially the pearls and jade interspersed in her coiffure at this moment, lending her a refined and noble aura.
Emperor Xiaochang was momentarily stunned by the hairpin.
He felt as if he had seen this hairpin somewhere before.
But he could not recall where.
Feng Gu, seeing the emperor lost in thought, quickly reminded him softly, "Is Your Majesty feeling unwell?"
Emperor Xiaochang came back to his senses and, thinking of Ji Zizhao present, casually said, "The matter of the Ren family can be discussed later. It's not too late."
Is it really about the Ren family?
Xie Jingzhou's heart skipped a beat.
Ji Zizhao might deceive him, but his imperial father would never collude with Ji Zizhao to deceive him.
If that was the case, then Ren Jun had truly escaped death!
Ji Zizhao noticed the Fifth Prince's expression was on the verge of breaking. Seizing the moment, she said, "I report to Your Majesty, if it is indeed about the Ren family, I happened to see Ren Jun's family a few days ago and can offer a few words."
Emperor Xiaochang was already frowning with worry at the thought of the Ren family members still waiting outside the palace gates.
Hearing Ji Zizhao's words, he naturally nodded, "That would be excellent. Come to the Imperial Study to see me later."
Ji Zizhao nodded calmly, as if everything was within her grasp.
Xie Jingzhou watched this scene, his heart pounding as if it would leap out of his throat.
Then, he heard Ji Zizhao speak again, "Your subject has another request, which I hope Your Majesty will grant."
Emperor Xiaochang frowned impatiently, "Speak."
Ji Zizhao said with a steady expression, "Your subject implores Your Majesty to grant me a divorce."
Emperor Xiaochang, "..."
There was surprise, of course.
But more so, it was an uncontrollable surge of anger.
"Ji Zizhao, you promised me that once the Ji family's affairs were settled and the funeral rites for the Ji family men were completed, you would voluntarily return to the Fifth Prince's manor. I, in consideration of your sincerity, granted it. Now, you are going back on your word before me?"
Emperor Xiaochang glared at the slender woman before him. "Ji Zizhao, your audacity is too much!"
Seeing the emperor's rage, everyone prostrated themselves on the ground in fear.
All of them cried out in fear and trepidation, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger..."
Emperor Xiaochang's anger was already overwhelming; how could it be calmed so easily!
The royal family was not short of daughters-in-law, nor was it short of daughters-in-law who were virtuous, talented, and beautiful.
If one were to compare, although the Ji family were loyal and noble, all the male members of the Ji family were now deceased. Even if they were posthumously ennobled as a marquisate, there would be no male heirs to inherit it.
To put it plainly, Ji Zizhao's status and position in the imperial city, filled with officials and royalty, could only be considered low-grade.
It was precisely because of this that Emperor Xiaochang became even more enraged.
Who among those granted imperial marriages did not accept with tears of gratitude? Even if the marriage was sought by the fifth prince himself, the Fifth Prince, as a prince, represented the royal family. Now Ji Zizhao openly asked for a divorce, which not only slapped his son in the face, but also his own face!
Even out of consideration for his dignity, Emperor Xiaochang would absolutely not agree.
"Ji Zizhao, in consideration of the Ji family's merits, I will not hold your words against you. I hope you will behave yourself and return to the Fifth Prince's manor swiftly from today onwards." As Emperor Xiaochang spoke, he looked at the Fifth Prince not far away, "Why are you still prostrating? Get up quickly. Tomorrow, send people to welcome your official consort back to the manor!"
Emperor Xiaochang deliberately emphasized "official consort," giving Ji Zizhao ample face.
Now that the Ji family's matter had been revealed, Ji Zizhao could naturally regain her former status as the official consort.
However, Ji Zizhao never cherished such seemingly compassionate rewards.
But before Ji Zizhao could speak, the Fifth Prince's voice, as weak as a mosquito's, was heard.
"Father, Father Emperor, this, this son has committed such a shameful deed, he no longer dares to, to beg for Zizhao's forgiveness. I implore Father Emperor to allow me and Zizhao... to divorce."
Even though the Fifth Prince's voice was faint, it struck Emperor Xiaochang like a thunderbolt.
Emperor Xiaochang turned his head to look at the Fifth Prince, who was undermining him, wishing he could smite him to death for relief.
Feng Gu, kneeling on the ground, could no longer bear to look at the emperor's expression.
Your Highness Fifth, you truly have no end to your self-destructive tendencies, even daring to slap the emperor's face?
"Old Fifth, do you know what your words represent?" A mere subject dared to slap his face, and now even his son was slapping him in the face?
When had he, the emperor, ever felt so aggrieved!
Xie Jingzhou clearly understood what he was saying.
At this moment, his own sense of grievance was no less than his father's.
But now, with the Ren family members outside the palace gates, and Ji Zizhao having bribed Ren Jun, how could he afford to gamble?
Moreover, the current Ji Zizhao was no longer someone he could control at will. It was better to grit his teeth and admit defeat, granting Ji Zizhao her freedom, rather than keeping a tiger by his side.
After all, this was the only path left for him to continue hiding behind his disguise.
"Father Emperor, please calm your anger. This son simply feels he has no face left to face Zizhao. Therefore, this son implores Father Emperor to grant me a divorce from Zizhao." Xie Jingzhou put on an act of painful sacrifice, weeping and kowtowing heavily to the emperor while lying on the ground.
Emperor Xiaochang, "..."
His head began to ache severely.
Just then, a palace attendant rushed in.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, just now a message came from outside the palace. It is said that the Yun'an County Princess attempted suicide in her manor. Although she was saved, she remains unconscious."
Emperor Xiaochang, "..."
His head ached even more.
This Yun'an County Princess was not of royal blood.
When she was conferred the title of Yun'an County Princess back then, it was merely to reward her father's meritorious service.
Just a moment ago, after the Tenth Prince agreed to go to the Tughlughs as a hostage, Emperor Xiaochang had instructed the palace staff to send a message to Yun'an County Princess, planning for her to accompany the Tenth Prince to Luoyang.
The arrangement was simple: if the Tughlughs truly desired a marriage alliance, Yun'an County Princess could be left behind directly.
Although the Tenth Prince was not as favored by Emperor Xiaochang as other princes, he was still his flesh and blood. Compared to a county princess with no kinship, his status was naturally much higher.
However, he never expected that as soon as the message was delivered, Yun'an County Princess would attempt suicide.
How could Emperor Xiaochang not have a headache!
Ji Zizhao, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, "Your subject is willing to escort the Tenth Prince to Luoyang."