Ji Zizhao's gaze turned cold, laced with frost. "What does Fourth Highness intend to do?"
Xie Jinglan leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them as if to scrutinize or appraise her. "What do you think?"
Ji Zizhao narrowed her eyes slightly and retorted coldly, "Fourth Highness's thoughts are hardly something a normal person can comprehend."
Xie Jinglan showed no sign of anger, merely gazing at her beautiful features and smiling faintly.
Ji Zizhao, however, had to summon all her defenses, fearing that this man might unleash another move she couldn't counter.
Xie Jinglan seemed to sense something. He lowered his head and slowly moved closer to her, his downcast eyes meticulously observing her naturally curled eyelashes. After a long moment, he finally spoke, "Your heart beats so fast. Are you afraid of me?"
Ji Zizhao remained silent, offering no reply.
She didn't know what kind of trap her answer might lead her into.
Xie Jinglan seemed to perceive her wariness and chuckled softly. "The Ji family wishes to carve a slice of influence in the military. This requires the appreciation of a discerning eye. Though Seventh Prince is spirited, he possesses no malicious intent. If Seventh Prince eventually ascends to that position, it would be of immense benefit and no harm to the Ji family. But if it were someone else... does the eldest daughter of the Ji family truly believe they wouldn't become the next Emperor? And how many times can your Ji family withstand the Emperor's suspicion?"
One instance of suspicion, and all the men of the Ji family would meet a tragic end.
The Ji family...
Truly, they could no longer bear the suspicion of royalty.
In the midst of his jesting, this man laid out all the advantages and disadvantages clearly before Ji Zizhao's eyes.
Ji Zizhao had to admit that he was indeed a master negotiator.
At the very least, the terms he offered were ones she couldn't refuse.
"Why does Fourth Highness insist on pushing Seventh Prince to the throne?"
This man was utterly different from the gentle and harmless persona he presented to the public.
He was astute, strategic, capable of patience, and skilled in calculation...
If he desired the throne, it would likely be within his grasp.
Xie Jinglan raised his phoenix eyes. His unfathomable gaze flickered with an alluring glow. "Eldest Daughter of the Ji family should perhaps be fortunate that the one to finally sit on that throne will be Seventh Prince, and not me."
This was his final trump card.
If the Ji family wished to re-establish their footing in the court, they needed a new emperor who could be swayed.
Although Seventh Prince did not appear to be suited for emperorship at the moment, he was easily controlled and manipulated.
As this man had said, if he himself were to ascend, even Ji Zizhao couldn't be sure she could navigate his reign smoothly.
It had to be said, this man's manipulation of the heart was truly formidable.
Even though Ji Zizhao knew he was trying to coax her into educating and aligning herself with Seventh Prince, she had no choice but to nod.
"Seventh Prince's heart may not lie in state affairs. I can only do my best," Ji Zizhao stated, her final concession.
If Seventh Prince were to successfully ascend, she and the Ji family would continue to support him.
But if Seventh Prince were truly destined to be without the throne, then she would be the first to lead the Ji family to pledge allegiance to the new emperor.
In the face of profit, there was no loyalty to be found.
Her every action had to prioritize the safety of the Ji family.
Xie Jinglan released her wrist and smiled faintly, "Trust me, Seventh Prince will never disappoint you."
This girl was simply too intelligent. Therefore, he had to lay out all the benefits before her, making her understand that he was genuinely considering her interests.
Little did she know, for this so-called sincerity, he had been secretly planning for so long, allowing this meeting between them to appear natural rather than ostentatious.
Ji Zizhao frowned and looked at him.
He, however, returned her gaze with a sincere smile.
Now, he had reverted to his former image of a suave gentleman, as gentle as jade.
Ji Zizhao sneered derisively.
Royalty, what sincerity could there be?
The so-called trust in him was merely a temporary entanglement of mutual interests.
Xie Jinglan lingered no longer and turned to walk out of the encampment.
As he passed the open doorway, his narrow eyes swept inadvertently towards a distant corner.
Then, with a calm, faint smile, he continued on his way.
In the distant corner, Ji Zixiu stood stunned.
Gazing at her elder sister's tent, she felt as though her hands were insufficient to cover her gaping mouth.
It was as if the Buddha had descended!
What had she discovered?
So, her elder sister and Fourth Highness were secretly betrothed?!
Otherwise, what was all that ambiguity just now? Why were those two clinging to each other? Sudan Novel Network.
Of course, thinking carefully, Fourth Highness was indeed better than the once vicious Fifth Prince, and far superior to that impulsive Seventh Prince. It had to be said, her elder sister's taste was not bad...
That night, Ji Zixiu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
When she finally woke up the next morning, her eyes were encircled with dark shadows.
However, Ji Zixiu showed no sign of fatigue, her gaze stubbornly fixed on Fourth Highness, unable to tear itself away.
Lian Ju and Qing Zhu were still bothered by what had happened yesterday.
But since their young lady had ordered them not to ask any more questions, they had no choice but to keep it all to themselves.
As noon approached, the army reached its new destination.
Given that Fourth Highness would be splitting from the main army after noon, even Second Highness, who was not usually very close to Fourth Highness, had to dismount and join the other princes for lunch.
As Ronghe Princess, Ji Zizhao also had to sit with the princes.
Unexpectedly, when the roasted flatbreads were being served, Ji Zixiu volunteered. Han Jingyu, thinking that everyone in the army knew the relationship between Ji Zixiu and Ronghe Princess, did not object.
Xie Jingxi looked at Fourth Highness, who was sandwiched between Seventh Prince and Tenth Prince, and smiled. "Fourth Brother has always been this idle. It's something we can only envy."
Although Fourth Highness was not as disliked by the Emperor as Tenth Prince, compared to other princes, the Emperor's attitude towards Fourth Highness was noticeably colder.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have assigned a prince to the Ministry of Rites to manage trivial matters unrelated to the court and the army every day.
This was no secret in the palace, so even Seventh Prince could discern the sarcasm in the words.
However, Xie Jinglan, the subject of discussion, merely smiled faintly. "Second Brother speaks the truth. But being a bit more idle is also good."
The sarcastic smile on Xie Jingxi's face deepened. "Fortunately, the other imperial brothers are different from Fourth Brother. Otherwise, perhaps it wouldn't just be Fourth Brother the Emperor dislikes."
Such simple and direct words. If it were anyone else, they would likely be unable to contain themselves.
The smile on Xie Jinglan's face remained unchanged. "Father has always been unpredictable, and how can others fathom his moods?"
Xie Jingxi felt as though he had punched cotton. He had intended to provoke Xie Jinglan, but instead, he was only making himself more annoyed.
Xie Jingqi, however, could not discern the underlying dynamics. He merely lowered his voice, "Fourth Brother, why must you be so accommodating?"
If it were him, he would have thrown a punch long ago.
Xie Jinglan smiled without a word.
Ji Zizhao, watching from the sidelines, looked at Seventh Prince's indignant expression and felt genuinely helpless.
This Fourth Highness, who appeared gentle and harmless, was as black as ink inside, despite his fair exterior.
How could someone like him truly suffer a disadvantage?
The conversation just now, while seemingly retreating step by step, was actually a strategy of advancing by retreating, and overcoming hardness with softness.
Looking at Second Prince's sour face, it was clear he had been severely repelled.
A waft of steaming aroma assaulted the senses. Ji Zixiu, carrying the roasted flatbreads, hurried over.
However, in front of all the princes, she first stopped beside Fourth Highness. "Fourth Highness, please choose first."