Shui Ling did not expect the eldest daughter of the Zhong family to immediately start questioning her. Her expression also turned displeased.
Ji Zizhao had no idea that Ji Renran had even written a letter of complaint to instigate the eldest daughter of the Zhong family to step forward.
However, since she had already done it, she was not afraid of being questioned. "What the eldest daughter of the Zhong family said is not wrong."
Zhong Xinyi did not expect Ji Zizhao to admit it so readily, her expression growing more displeased. "The eldest daughter of the Ji family truly has great airs. My Zhong family merely received the wrong person; is it necessary for the eldest daughter of the Ji family to make such a fuss? Are you not afraid that outsiders will know and say you are making a mountain out of a molehill?"
Ji Zizhao raised an eyebrow slightly, her smile gradually fading. "The eldest daughter of the Zhong family sent me a formal invitation, yet turned around and received someone else. If you were receiving someone, how could there be a mistake? I originally did not intend to pursue this matter further, but if the eldest daughter of the Zhong family insists on making things clear, I am naturally willing to accompany you. I also wish to know whether the eldest daughter of the Zhong family is acting unintentionally or deliberately trying to embarrass me."
Zhong Xinyi: "..."
She had come to seek justice, but how did she end up being the one interrogated?
The Zhong family's wet nurse was about to have a headache.
The eldest daughter of the Ji family's behavior was not that of an ordinary unreasonable noble lady. It was precisely because of this that she had not told the eldest young lady about her own punishment, fearing that the eldest young lady would suffer a loss.
As a result...
She didn't suffer much of a loss, just got shot down with a single sentence.
Zhong Xinyi knitted her brows, truly not expecting Ji Zizhao to be so difficult to deal with. However, for her to admit defeat was impossible. "The eldest daughter of the Ji family truly has a fiery temper. But then again, after your divorce, you can still be in a murky relationship with my cousin. The eldest daughter of the Ji family's ability to ensnare men is indeed thick-skinned. I imagine she is not afraid of it becoming known to everyone."
These words were not sharp, but they were extremely unpleasant.
Even though Ji Zizhao retained memories of her previous life, she knew what reputation meant to women here.
Ji Zizhao was never one to be pushed around, especially when facing provocation. She turned her eyes, suddenly turned, and walked back towards the study behind her.
Zhong Xinyi assumed Ji Zizhao had chickened out and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Zhong Xinyi, who had no intention of letting Ji Zizhao go, grabbed the Zhong family's wet nurse's hand and followed her, waiting to witness Ji Zizhao blushing and weeping.
Tang Di, who had just walked out of the study, saw the eldest daughter of the Ji family returning and assumed she had forgotten something. He quickly stepped forward to inquire, "Does the eldest daughter of the Ji family have any other instructions?"
Ji Zizhao spoke to Tang Di, but her eyes were fixed on the study behind him. "Just now, the eldest daughter of the Zhong family said that I am in a murky relationship with the Fourth Prince. My reputation after divorce is already not good, so it doesn't matter. I am just afraid of delaying the Fourth Prince, so I came specifically to inform you."
The Zhong family's smooth sailing was, of course, inseparable from the protection of the Empress in the palace.
From this study, built solely for the Fourth Prince, one could see the Zhong family's importance to the Empress.
Of course, regardless of anything else, bringing such matters out in the open was somewhat inappropriate in the eyes of others.
The Zhong family's wet nurse, who was supporting her young lady, stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
Shui Ling beside her was even more dumbfounded. Her young lady was too daring!
No, that's not right...
Shui Ling mechanically looked up at the study on the steps. That, that was the Fourth, the Fourth Prince sitting inside?
The current Fourth Prince?!
Let alone others, even Xie Jinglan inside the room was taken aback.
Having grown up in the imperial harem, he was familiar with the disputes between women.
However, in the entire imperial harem, from the Empress Dowager to the various concubines, even when wanting to complain to the Emperor, it was done indirectly and circuitously.
To complain as boldly as Ji Zizhao, to the point where she was afraid he wouldn't hear...
She was truly unprecedented.
But after a moment of thought, Xie Jinglan understood.
His cousin would not have carelessly troubled Ji Zizhao; she was likely instigated by someone.
Now, Ji Zizhao was merely using the same method of complaint to tell her cousin that complaints were one-sided, and being biased was the most foolish way to resolve a dispute.
This was truly using the enemy's tactics against them...
Xie Jinglan chuckled softly, finding her thoughtful.
Xie Jinglan, inside the study, had figured it out, but Zhong Xinyi, who had followed into the courtyard, was struck by lightning.
Matters between men and women were things that young girls could discuss privately. Now, Ji Zizhao, shamelessly and proudly, brought it before a man. Zhong Xinyi, just thinking of her cousin sitting inside, was so embarrassed she wished she could dig a hole and bury herself.
How dare Ji Zizhao!
Ji Zizhao dared.
She was living in the present, but her understanding and education from her previous life were still clear in her mind.
Tang Di stood frozen on the steps, not knowing what to say.
He was unmarried, and he felt ashamed to hear the eldest daughter of the Ji family's words.
Zhong Xinyi's chest trembled with anger, and she pointed at Ji Zizhao, shouting, "Ji Zizhao, you scoundrel!"
Ji Zizhao hooked her lips meaningfully. "The words were all spoken by the eldest daughter of the Zhong family, and I was merely repeating them. How am I a scoundrel? The reason I am standing here today is by the invitation of the Fourth Prince. I did not expect the Zhong family's hospitality to be so crude and unbearable."
The sarcasm in these words was practically breaking out of its cocoon.
Zhong Xinyi's face turned pale, and she was struggling to breathe. "You..."
At this moment, Zhong Xinyi was truly distressed.
There were countless noble ladies in the imperial city, with myriad personalities, and naturally, some did not get along.
But no matter how much they disliked each other, at most, they would speak indirectly. Where was Ji Zizhao like this, coming up and stomping on someone else's face?
Especially since her words, though seemingly straightforward, always struck at the vitals. Zhong Xinyi's sharp retorts had all hit an iron plate.
"The eldest daughter of the Zhong family should be more mindful of her words. Otherwise, I don't mind showing you what a real scoundrel is." Ji Zizhao had no time to stand here in the cold wind. She smiled faintly, withdrew, and left without a trace of awkwardness.
Tang Di truly breathed a sigh of relief only after the eldest daughter of the Ji family had left the courtyard. "His Highness is currently busy. If the eldest young lady of the Zhong family has matters to discuss, perhaps you could return later?"
If there was nothing...
Don't come back.
Why come back? Was she here to be scenery?
The Zhong family's wet nurse naturally understood Tang Di's polite words. She quickly thanked him and helped her young lady walk out.
Fortunately, the Fourth Prince did not mind. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to explain to the Empress.