The sweltering heat of the mid-summer season made one's heart flutter with anxiety.
As noon arrived, the number of pedestrians on the streets noticeably dwindled, while the major restaurants and teahouses were packed with patrons.
In a private room on the second floor of the Hongfu Tower, Xie Jingzhou, dressed in a dark blue robe, sat at the head of the table.
His hair was tied up with a golden coronet, exuding an air of nobility.
The previous night, he had received a secret letter from his second imperial brother, which mentioned that someone had been secretly investigating the reasons for Luoyi's defeat and was searching for the bodies of the soldiers who had died on the battlefield.
However, the second prince did not seem particularly urgent or concerned. He also stated that his men had already shot the person searching for the bodies, but that individual was highly skilled in martial arts and particularly cunning, and even now, no corpse had been found, which was why the second prince's return to the capital had been repeatedly delayed.
Under normal circumstances, Xie Jingzhou would not have paid much attention to this matter.
Luoyi's defeat was a foregone conclusion; thousands of soldiers had vanished like smoke, and uncovering the truth was as difficult as scaling the heavens.
But for some reason, the moment Xie Jingzhou received the news, his first thought was of Ji Zizhao.
First, the Ji family donated all the money from their accounts, then Sun Tang was embroiled in trouble and sent to the Fengtian Prefecture, followed by the commotion in Sheng'an City where the common people were indignant towards the Sun family, and then Sun Yunxiao, unable to sit still, sought him out…
If all these events were mere coincidences, it would be too much of a coincidence.
But if they were not coincidences, then the person behind all this must have possessed such meticulous planning and deep cunning to be able to devise such foolproof strategies!
Ji Zizhao…
Did she truly possess such heaven-defying abilities?!
Luohong, standing by his side, spoke softly, "Your Highness need not be so concerned about that Ji Zizhao. She is nothing but a good-for-nothing. In my humble opinion, all of this is just a series of coincidences."
Xie Jingzhou suppressed his thoughts and his gaze became deep and dark. "Luohong, you have crossed paths with the Ji family's eldest daughter several times. Have you ever gained any advantage over her?"
Luohong felt a pang of guilt. "It was because I underestimated her."
Xie Jingzhou's gaze sharpened. "An arrogant soldier is bound to lose; one who underestimates others will perish. Have you forgotten this principle?"
Luohong trembled, unable to meet his gaze, and lowered her head. "This servant knows her mistake."
Xie Jingzhou slowly withdrew his gaze, stroking the wine cup in his hand and narrowing his eyes slightly.
On his previous visits to the Ji family to propose marriage, he had only been concerned with scheming to get the Ji family's old master to agree to the marriage, and had not paid attention to anything else.
Moreover, at that time, Xie Jingzhou merely wanted to secure a fallback plan for himself, which was why he had chosen the Ji family's eldest daughter.
A useless and decadent person, inexperienced in worldly affairs, would be easier to control.
As a result, because he was so confident of victory, he had not properly observed Ji Zizhao.
Xie Jingzhou had been in hiding for many years, cautious and prudent, always walking on thin ice. He had never expected that the first time he would feel regret, it would be for a person that everyone in the imperial city ridiculed as a good-for-nothing.
Clenching the wine cup in his hand, Xie Jingzhou suppressed the rising and falling of his chest.
Regardless of anything, he had to try to find out the true capabilities of the Ji family's eldest daughter.
This was the reason Xie Jingzhou had orchestrated this plan.
Xie Jingzhou believed that as long as he had Luohong contact Yongmei, and then Yongmei informed the Ji family's eldest madam, no matter how much Ji Zizhao wanted to refuse, she would have to grit her teeth and come to the appointment.
But Xie Jingzhou never expected…
That he would still be stood up!!
In the blink of an eye, half an hour had passed.
The exquisite dishes on the table had long since grown cold. The once lively Hongfu Tower had fallen silent. Yet, not only had Ji Zizhao not appeared, but not even a shadow of her was seen.
Xie Jingzhou refused to believe that Ji Zizhao would dare to simply not show up. He suppressed his impatience and continued to wait patiently.
As a result…
Another half hour passed, and still, Ji Zizhao did not appear.
With anger surging in his chest, Xie Jingzhou raised his wine cup and smashed it.
What a Ji Zizhao!
In an alley opposite the Hongfu Tower, a carriage was parked quietly.
The area was secluded and narrow, and passing pedestrians paid no attention to the carriage's presence.
Inside the carriage, Ji Zizhao, resting her cheek on her hand, calmly watched the entrance of the Hongfu Tower.
She only saw Xie Jingzhou and Luohong emerge after the guests inside had almost all left.
Ji Zizhao instructed Qingzhu, who was outside the carriage, "Drive."
Qingzhu calmly drove the carriage out of the alley.
At the entrance of the Hongfu Tower.
Xie Jingzhou, being helped by Luohong onto the horse-stepping stool, saw a carriage blocking his path.
The closed carriage door showed no sign of opening.
As Xie Jingzhou was wondering, he saw a fair, slender hand lift the carriage curtain.
Ji Zizhao leaned by the carriage window, smiling softly, "Fifth Highness, what a coincidence."
Xie Jingzhou looked at the face revealed in the carriage window. The vague figure in his memory gradually became clear.
Her complexion was as lustrous as jade, like the halo of a crescent moon. Her flowing, beautiful eyes held a leisurely demeanor. With just a few words, her voice was soft, clear, and exceedingly pleasant to the ear.
Such a woman could hold her own even in Sheng'an City, which was full of beauties.
Xie Jingzhou had never known that the Ji family's eldest daughter possessed such graceful charm.
The moment Luohong saw Ji Zizhao, she could not contain her anger and said, "First you made my prince wait for an hour in vain, and now you appear as if by accident. What is the meaning of this, Ji family's eldest daughter? Is this the upbringing of the Ji family!"
Ji Zizhao was taken aback and looked at Luohong with considerable surprise. "What are you saying, Miss Luohong? I don't understand."
Luohong gritted her teeth in anger. "Ji family's eldest daughter knows perfectly well, why pretend to be foolish."
Ji Zizhao appeared genuinely startled. She quickly alighted from the carriage with Qingzhu's help and stood before Xie Jingzhou, explaining with a hint of panic, "My mother loves Hong Ji's pastries the most. I was intending to buy some for her and happened to pass by and see Fifth Highness. I truly do not understand the meaning of Miss Luohong's words."
"You..."
Luohong was about to say more, but was interrupted by Xie Jingzhou raising his hand.
Looking at Ji Zizhao's flustered and innocent face, Xie Jingzhou said even more timidly, "Ji family's eldest daughter, please do not blame yourself. Today, I arranged this meeting too hastily. Furthermore, I wanted to tell the Ji family's eldest daughter that the position of concubine is always vacant."
Ji Zizhao was stunned with surprise, then said, "I did not know Fifth Highness had summoned me. It is truly my fault."
Xie Jingzhou quickly shook his head. "It is my fault. I was too rash."
Ji Zizhao sighed. "I understand Fifth Highness's intentions. However, the Ji family is in a precarious situation, and I truly have no intention of discussing marriage at this time. I can only regret Fifth Highness's deep affection."
"Ji family's eldest daughter..." Su Dan Novel Network
"I know Fifth Highness loves me and cares for my household members. During this time, my mother and others have been constantly urging me. However, my mind is made up. I only have one humble request, and I wonder if I should speak it?"