Uncle Zhang had lived most of his life, believing he had seen every kind of storm.
Yet, when Qing Zhu appeared before him with Chen Gang and others, he still felt as though he had lived in vain.
Uncle Zhang hadn't dealt much with the Tujue, but he was an old fox, and he could guess what they were up to. However, he hadn't expected Princess Rong He to have a plan behind a plan!
The scheming methods of harem consorts were endless, but compared to the current Princess Rong He...
They were simply not worth mentioning.
Chen Gang, of course, didn't mention that he had followed his master all the way. Upon seeing Uncle Zhang, he bowed respectfully, "I have long heard of Magistrate Zhang's great name. This time, we have also come from afar, all to witness Magistrate Zhang's demeanor and, coincidentally, to lend a hand." S.U.D.A.N. F.I.C.T.I.O.N. N.E.T.
Uncle Zhang, "..."
We are all intelligent people, say what you will.
To allow the people of Luoyi City to collect medicine at any time, Ji Zizhao, after consulting with Uncle Zhang, decided to set up numerous stoves along the streets.
Chen Gang, along with the esteemed doctors under his command, divided into two groups, working day and night to prepare medicinal ingredients and boil them.
Han Jingyu mobilized all one thousand soldiers within the city to distribute information about the antidote to every household, and according to proximity, the soldiers personally guided the citizens to the streets to drink the medicine.
The Tenth Prince, unable to contain his curiosity, came over to join the fun. Before he could even settle down, Xie Jingqi, grabbing him by the collar, tossed him back into the carriage.
A child should be in bed, keeping warm, not here seeking excitement.
The Tenth Prince sighed and could only sit in the carriage, watching with tears as his fairy sister drifted further away.
Deep winter was passing, and spring was approaching.
Alas, Luoyi remained so cold late at night that it was difficult to sit still.
As the last batch of citizens collected their medicinal soup, the streets finally quieted down.
Fire stoves were set up along the entire street, their flames illuminating Luoyi above, as if heralding new hope.
Ji Zizhao sought warmth, sitting by a stove, and tending to the medicinal soup just placed in the pot.
A silhouette suddenly cast a shadow, bringing a chill as it sat beside Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao did not look up, continuing to simmer the medicinal soup.
Xie Jingqi waited for a long time, but Ji Zizhao remained silent. He couldn't help but ask, "How long do you intend to be angry with me?"
Ji Zizhao found it novel, "How would this humble subject dare to be angry with Your Highness?"
Xie Jingqi said sullenly, "Don't think I don't know. You're angry that I was used by the Tujue."
"Your Highness's heart is pure, and your intention to secure the entry of the Yulin Army into the city was well-intentioned. It's just that Your Highness forgot to assess the situation. How could the despicable Tujue agree to let the Yulin Army enter the city so easily? Fortunately, it wasn't too late; otherwise, all the people of Luoyi would have paid the price for Your Highness's recklessness."
Xie Jingqi truly disliked being lectured, but there was no helping it. He felt guilty for his mistake.
However, looking at Ji Zizhao's serious and cold brow, he finally couldn't resist complaining, "Ji Zizhao, you're only a year or two older than me, why are you always so serious? Seeing you makes me think of her, and it's very vexing."
Ji Zizhao raised an eyebrow, "Does Your Highness know someone who resembles me?"
Xie Jingqi nodded, "My mother."
Ji Zizhao, "..."
So you're indirectly saying I'm prematurely old. Thank you very much.
Xie Jingqi said earnestly, "Ji Zizhao, you truly resemble my mother. I've heard people in the palace say that my mother was always stern, but whatever she did, no one could fault her. Sometimes I wonder, if Mother were still here, would she discipline me strictly and yet quietly consider my well-being? Such a thing that I wouldn't even dream of, you've made me experience it."
Ji Zizhao's lips twitched, "Your Highness flatters me."
I couldn't have given birth to a son as old as you.
"Ji Zizhao, you must be well. Don't worry, if anyone bullies you in the future, just invoke my name. I, this young master, still have some standing in the imperial city. Who told me to have an emperor for a father?" In this life, there are few people Xie Jingqi truly cares about, and including Ji Zizhao, there are only four.
Father Emperor, Mother Empress, Fourth Brother, Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao, "..."
To brag about his father so shamelessly, truly...
"Has Your Highness never considered a career in politics?"
Xie Jingqi said without thinking, "Being emperor is too tiring."
Ji Zizhao nodded in understanding.
So it's not that he doesn't want to, but he's afraid of the effort.
In that case, it's not without a solution; he just needs a reason to actively pursue it.
As for the reason...
She wouldn't have to trouble herself. She imagined that black glutinous rice ball could handle it beautifully.
Xie Jingqi, of course, was unaware that the person he now considered like a sister had already begun to scheme against him. "Ji Zizhao, I know you took the remains of the Ji family. However, you must not be too ostentatious. Just bury the remains in the ancestral grave. If you cause any more commotion, your father will likely pay attention to the Ji family again."
Ji Zizhao smiled and said, "It's thoughtful of His Seventh Highness to understand."
Xie Jingqi, "..."
I'm just too lazy to bother with court affairs; I'm not stupid.
However, looking at Ji Zizhao's smile, Xie Jingqi's eyes lit up again. "Ji Zizhao, what do you think of my Fourth Brother?"
Ji Zizhao was unwilling to offer a deep evaluation, "Elegant, gentle, and graceful."
"Then how about I go back and tell my Fourth Brother that you should marry him? You can be my Fourth Sister-in-law. I'm telling you, my Fourth Brother is actually quite good, and he doesn't talk much, so he'll definitely not make you angry. Think about it, you'll have to get married sooner or later, but you've been divorced before. However, my Fourth Brother won't mind you. Ji Zizhao, hey? Ji Zizhao, come back, listen to me finish speaking..."
Ji Zizhao was truly too lazy to bother with him and left without looking back.
Xie Jingqi, however, paid no mind and shouted even louder, "Ji Zizhao, come back, come back! My Fourth Brother is really quite good, consider it..."
As a result, everyone on the street knew that the Seventh Prince was going to arrange a marriage for the Fourth Prince.
Of course, no one supported such a matter.
Even if the Fourth Prince wasn't favored by the Emperor, he was still a prince, and any marriage would require the selection of a consort and a decree of marriage.
Just then, Uncle Zhang happened to pass by with a pot of medicine. Xie Jingqi quickly pulled him aside, "Do you think it's quite feasible for me to arrange for Ji Zizhao to marry my Fourth Brother?"
Uncle Zhang thought for a moment, "Setting aside feasibility, does His Fourth Highness even know about this?"
Xie Jingqi said as a matter of course, "He doesn't need to know."
Uncle Zhang was speechless.
Oh, you're arranging a marriage for the Fourth Prince, and his opinion is completely disregarded?
However, seeing the Seventh Prince's earnest demeanor, Uncle Zhang could only advise kindly, "Marriage is a serious matter, not a game. If His Seventh Highness wants to arrange a marriage for His Fourth Highness, shouldn't he at least ask for His Fourth Highness's intentions?"
Xie Jingqi, "..."
Alright, he'll ask when he goes back.