Ji Renran, whose name was duly recorded by the Zhong family's wet nurse, blushed as red as blood under the gazes of everyone in the front courtyard.
Hearing that someone from the Zhong family had come looking for Ji Zizhao, she naturally felt displeased.
Thinking she still had some acquaintance with the eldest daughter of the Zhong family, she had seized the opportunity to block the mansion gate, intending to humiliate Ji Zizhao.
Ji Renran had believed that even if the eldest daughter of the Zhong family saw her arrive uninvited, she would not be heartless. Su Dan Novel Network.
To her surprise, she did enter the Zhong family's gates, but she didn't even get to see the eldest daughter of the Zhong family. She was unceremoniously kicked out as if she were a dog.
Thinking back, Ji Renran was so ashamed she couldn't lift her head.
To her dismay, upon returning, she had to face dozens of eyes scrutinizing her.
Ji Renran gritted her teeth as she stepped over the threshold, only thinking of getting past the front courtyard.
She rushed inside, and finally, when she felt the oppressive gaze lift, Ji Renran breathed a sigh of relief. But as she looked up, she was greeted by a dark, ominous coffin.
Had she stumbled into Lin Wanyun's mourning hall?
Ji Renran's legs trembled, and she collapsed onto the ground.
But she dared not linger. She scrambled to her feet and fled the mourning hall as if pursued.
Her terrified expression and disheveled appearance were all witnessed by the servants in the front courtyard.
It was Ji Zizhao, sitting in the carriage, who was oblivious to Ji Renran becoming the subject of ridicule within the manor.
Or rather, even if she knew, she wouldn't be interested.
Everything had unfolded as expected, so there was no longer much curiosity.
Conversely, Shui Ling, sitting beside her, couldn't contain her excitement.
No wonder Miss had asked her to tip the people in the front courtyard.
It turned out Miss had anticipated that Miss Renran would be sent back by the Zhong family.
However, there was one thing Shui Ling couldn't comprehend. "Looking at Miss Renran's confident declaration, she must have been certain that even if the Zhong family mistakenly identified her, they wouldn't say anything. I truly didn't expect the Zhong family to send her back so readily. They were truly brave."
Ji Zizhao couldn't be sure if the eldest daughter of the Zhong family dared.
But the person who had sent her the invitation was even more fond of keeping a low profile than she was.
Understanding this, Ji Zizhao had waited for Ji Renran to be publicly embarrassed.
As they spoke, the carriage had smoothly stopped at the Zhong family's residence.
The moment the carriage door opened, the Zhong family's wet nurse had already placed a footstool on the ground and stood respectfully to the side.
Initially, she hadn't thought much of mistaking the guest.
After all, her young lady's status was well-established.
She had not expected this eldest daughter of the Ji family to be so uncompromising.
As she walked, her legs felt as heavy as lead. How could she not be afraid?
Seeing the Zhong family wet nurse's respectful demeanor, Ji Zizhao said nothing.
Having made a mistake, she deserved to be punished.
If she were too lenient today, she would not only lose face in front of the Zhong family, but the entire imperial city would likely know tomorrow that she was soft-hearted and easily manipulated. Wouldn't everyone dare to act presumptuously in front of her then?
The Zhong family was entirely different from the Ji family. The Zhong family's elder master had retired years ago to enjoy his old age. Every brick and tile of their mansion was exquisitely carved and painted. Their residence was filled with pavilions, towers, and peculiar rockeries, unlike her maternal grandfather, who had poured his life's savings into the military.
Thinking of her maternal grandfather, Ji Zizhao's heart grew heavy.
Seeing the eldest daughter of the Ji family's somber expression, the Zhong family wet nurse's heart pounded.
Fearing she had somehow offended this eldest daughter of the Ji family again, she quickened her pace, practically gliding as she escorted her to the rear courtyard.
A door had been specially constructed in the inner courtyard.
At present, the wooden door was tightly shut.
As soon as the Zhong family wet nurse knocked, the door opened in response.
Tang Di, who had been impatiently waiting, emerged with a darkened expression. Upon seeing Ji Zizhao, his demeanor immediately shifted. "Eldest daughter of the Ji family, please come in quickly."
Ji Zizhao left Shui Ling outside the door, smiled, nodded, and followed Tang Di inside.
"I didn't expect such a mix-up, but fortunately, everything went smoothly."
"I apologize for keeping Your Highness waiting."
Tang Di was stunned. "The eldest daughter of the Ji family had already guessed?"
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly. "A little bit."
Looking at Ji Zizhao's calm and collected demeanor, Tang Di didn't know what to say.
This 'little bit' seemed rather significant...
Tang Di was a trusted confidant of the Fourth Prince. Even if Ji Zizhao's interactions with the Fourth Prince were discreet, they couldn't be hidden from those around him.
Now, facing Tang Di, Ji Zizhao acted naturally.
However, this natural ease of interaction left the Zhong family wet nurse at the door stunned, unable to blink for a long time.
She recalled how Miss Renran had looked like a thunder god when she was brought to the door, her icy gaze and deadly aura suggesting that if Miss Renran were a man, she would have been torn apart by five horses.
But then, to see her now, facing the eldest daughter of the Ji family...
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Indeed, one couldn't compare people.
As Ji Zizhao followed Tang Di deeper inside, she discovered that a study had been built here.
Tang Di stood respectfully at the entrance, gestured for her to enter, and then stopped.
Ji Zizhao stepped up the stairs and into the room, where the scent of books filled the air. Moving further inside, she saw Xie Jinglan, clad in white robes, sitting behind a desk by the window.
Hearing footsteps, Xie Jinglan slowly raised his head from the chessboard before him. His face was not breathtakingly beautiful, yet in every subtle gesture, he exuded innate nobility and profound elegance.
He lacked the Fifth Prince's inherent handsomeness, nor the Seventh Prince's flamboyant swagger. Instead, he possessed a serene elegance and noble bearing unmatched by other princes.
Such a person could truly captivate Ji Zizhao's heart with every encounter.
Xie Jinglan seemed to know she was observing him and paid it no mind. He met her gaze and smiled faintly. His deep, inscrutable eyes, under the sunlight, sparkled like starlight.
Any other woman who saw this would likely be utterly enchanted.
But Ji Zizhao constantly reminded herself that what she saw before her was merely an illusion, like flowers in a mirror or the moon on the water.
This person, who appeared harmless, was in reality calculating and meticulously planned his every move.
He seemed like a tranquil pool, but in reality, he was an abyss that consumed without spitting out bones.
Thinking of the Seventh Prince, who was sent to the front lines to temper his will and strengthen his body, yet still had to sing praises to his fourth brother...
Ji Zizhao adopted a stance of utmost vigilance.
Dealing with others might cost money, but dealing with this person could cost her life.
Their first meeting on Flower Street was a fleeting glance.
Xie Jinglan was contemplating how much Ji Zizhao had thinned, only to see her dark eyes erect a defense like copper walls and iron ramparts...
Xie Jinglan wanted to explain that he didn't actually eat people, but seeing her before him as if facing a formidable enemy, he still smiled and shook his head. "Sit down."
Ji Zizhao took a few steps forward and sat on the grand chair opposite him. Thinking of the purpose of her visit, she got straight to the point. "I presume Your Highness has seen my letter. In the counties outside Luoyi City, a single cold claimed tens of thousands of lives. If this continues, the consequences will be unthinkable."