The procession arrived in a continuous stream.
Thunderous gongs and drums resounded, and various colorful dragons writhed and danced within the procession, igniting the excitement of the onlookers on both sides of the street to a fever pitch.
From a corner of the Fragrant Mountain Tower, beggars who had been lying in wait, suddenly rushed out.
Using the procession as a cover, they targeted the money bags held by the stall owners and scrambled for them like madmen.
Ji Zixiu was caught off guard, never expecting anyone would dare to openly rob. Just as she was about to draw her whip to stop them, Ji Ziyan reached out and restrained her.
Not to mention the innocent civilians crowded around, but among the beggars scrambling for the money bags, children were also visible.
Seeing this, Ji Zixiu could only grit her teeth, withdraw her hand, and shield Ji Ziyan behind her.
From the second floor, Xie Jinglin saw that the situation was worsening and quickly called out to Lu Yong and others to rush downstairs, attempting to stop the beggars' scramble and protect the Ji sisters.
For a moment, the entrance to the Fragrant Mountain Tower descended into chaos.
As the surroundings became increasingly chaotic, Ji Ziyan's hands grew cold and lost all warmth.
She tugged at Ji Zixiu's sleeve and cried out in a trembling voice, "Eldest Sister, Eldest Sister is gone!"
Ji Zixiu was suddenly stunned. She looked around and indeed, their eldest sister was nowhere to be seen.
At this moment, the two Ji sisters were both shocked and terrified, a feeling they had never experienced before.
It was only then that Ji Ziyan belatedly realized that their eldest sister, who had once lived in a daze, the eldest sister who had been looked down upon by the Ji family, had unknowingly become an indispensable part of them.
Ji Zizhao, now lost in the procession, could see the anxious expressions of her two younger sisters. However, before she could push her way through the crowd, she was swept further away by another surge of people.
Fortunately, in front of the Fragrant Mountain Tower, Xie Jinglin, accompanied by Lu Yong and others, had already rushed out, protecting Ji Zixiu and Ji Ziyan within their control.
Seeing her sisters were safe, Ji Zizhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The fire dragons, held aloft in the air, suddenly spewed flames, and the atmosphere was heated to its peak.
The already surging crowd became utterly restless. To get closer to the dragons, the people began to push and shove each other with great force.
Ji Zizhao felt increasingly crowded, and someone even stepped on the hem of her skirt.
The imperial city was full of eyes and ears. Those with power and influence would secretly plant their informants.
Now, with people everywhere and tongues wagging, who knew how many informants were mixed in, and whose informants were lurking around? Ji Zizhao would not use her previously learned grappling techniques to fight for a bit of space, only to fall into the hands of some hidden informant.
She could only force herself to maintain her balance, lest she be pushed down by the crowd.
Ji Zizhao's slender body swayed like a leaf from side to side until she collided with a tall, elegant embrace.
The arm that shielded her was firm and strong. The snow-white trim embroidered with elegant bamboo leaves on the back of the hand. The seemingly ordinary silk fabric, under the lamplight, revealed its subtly embroidered pattern.
Ji Zizhao, filled with vigilance, turned around and met a fair face that, while not extraordinarily handsome, was elegant and refined.
Their eyes met, and the person was the first to offer a lazy smile, "Eldest Daughter of the Ji family."
Ji Zizhao lowered her gaze and nodded, "This subject greets the Fourth Prince."
While offering a low greeting, she stepped back, attempting to create distance between herself and the man before her.
Unexpectedly, the unceasing surge of the crowd behind her not only gave Ji Zizhao no chance to retreat but also pushed her forward half a step.
The arm that had been blocking her way then naturally moved to her slender waist, seemingly protecting her more closely, but in fact, maintaining a proper distance of an inch.
How could Ji Zizhao not understand Xie Jinglan's gentlemanly gesture? She simply stopped struggling.
Seeing this, Xie Jinglan smiled teasingly, "It is difficult for me, as I was prepared to be scolded by the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family. I did not expect her to be so calm, making me seem petty."
Ji Zizhao's expression was placid, "I never thought this subject would be considered so ungrateful in the Fourth Prince's heart."
Xie Jinglan was outmaneuvered, and the smile on his lips deepened, "As expected, the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family's actions are extraordinary, and her words are always surprising. The reputation of the Sheng Imperial City's populace has now completely shifted towards the Ji family. With such popular support and widespread acclaim, the palace must have already heard. When my second brother returns with the military dispatches, even if the Ji family is truly unforgivable, my father will surely be lenient."
Popular support is victory, and the path ahead is clear.
This Eldest Daughter of the Ji family truly has a remarkable strategy. In just a few days, she has managed to create a diversion, allowing the Ji family, who should have been notorious, to regain its standing in the hearts of the Sheng Imperial City's people, and even making them remember the Ji family's kindness and understand their plight.
The Zhao family and the Sun family, seemingly unconnected, have both fallen at the hands of the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family. If this is mere coincidence, then so be it. If it is truly Ji Zizhao's meticulous planning, Xie Jinglan can only marvel at the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family.
The saying "to take one step and see ninety-nine steps ahead" is perhaps fitting.
Ji Zizhao looked at the elegant face before her with a calm expression, remaining silent.
No one who has not personally experienced the defeat at Luoyi can truly know its implications.
Ji Zizhao dared not assert that the defeat at Luoyi was entirely unrelated to the Ji family, even if the men of the Ji family were wrongly accused...
But regardless of the truth, the Ji family must be protected.
And to ensure the Ji family's survival amidst peril, popular support was the only remedy.
Ji Zizhao firmly believed that emperors throughout history favored reputation and yearned for eternal fame. Therefore, concerning the Luoyi matter, even if the Emperor was enraged by the Ji family, he would have to show leniency and impose lighter punishment due to public sentiment.
"Rumors in the imperial city speak of assassins moving through the city every night, yet they harm no one and steal nothing. The anxious populace, however, remembers how the Ji family once protected the peace of Yu Lin." Xie Jinglan's dark eyes were captivated as he looked at the woman before him with a half-smile, "The Eldest Daughter of the Ji family indeed has a powerful hand."
"It is merely Heaven's favor upon the Ji family; all is coincidence." Ji Zizhao's face remained calm, yet a cold sweat had already crept up her spine.
Although the princes of the Sheng Imperial City had not yet sat in court to govern, each had their own domains and responsibilities. For instance, the Seventh Prince Xie Jinglin served in the Ministry of War, involved in military power, the Second Prince was in charge of construction, and the Fifth Prince oversaw rites...
As for this Fourth Prince, he was involved with the Ministry of Revenue.
The Ministry of Revenue was responsible for the national treasury and official taxes, but it was considered a mere facade.
To put it plainly, this Fourth Prince was the most carefree and untethered among them.
But who would have thought that this Fourth Prince, who appeared indifferent and lazy, was in reality profound and cunning, especially the sharp glint that flickered in his narrow black eyes, which Ji Zizhao herself had to be wary of.
"Regardless, on that day after parting ways with the Ji family, the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family kept her counsel. I will never forget this matter. If the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family ever needs my help in the future, I will undoubtedly provide my utmost assistance within my capabilities."
Regarding the assassin incident that day, others believed it was the seventh prince who killed the assassins, but Xie Jinglan knew that even if he had acted quickly, he might not have been able to deceive the discerning mind of the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family.
Now that the Ji family was in trouble, the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family could use this to her advantage and ask for his clandestine support.
Or rather, Xie Jinglan had been anticipating Ji Zizhao's approach.
But the outcome...
"Eldest Sister, Eldest Sister!" a loud cry came from not far away.
Across the street, Ji Zixiu and Ji Ziyan were walking over, accompanied by Xie Jinglin and a group of dandies.
Ji Zizhao immediately took a step back, widening the distance between herself and the man before her, "This subject remembers the Fourth Prince's kind offer."
Xie Jinglan was surprised that Ji Zizhao would so openly admit that she had seen through his intentions. However, seeing that she had already averted her gaze from his face, he simply smiled faintly and said no more.