"You mean Ren Jun is still alive?" Xie Jingzhou looked at Ji Zizhao in disbelief, his composure faltering slightly.
Ji Zizhao nodded, watching Xie Jingzhou's reaction with curiosity. "Ren Jun is indeed alive. Although he disemboweled himself, thankfully his vital organs were unharmed. He is still unconscious, though. Why would Your Highness the Fifth Prince react so strongly?"
Why did Xie Jingzhou react so strongly?
The man he personally sent to hell had somehow survived. How could Xie Jingzhou not react strongly!
However, in front of Ji Zizhao, Xie Jingzhou could only suppress his suspicion and anger, saying regretfully, "I heard that Ren Jun openly betrayed the Ji family and defected to my second brother. I thought you, Zizhao, would be happy if he were dead. I never expected his life… to be so resilient!"
Ji Zizhao shook his head. "The Dali Temple officials said Ren Jun is not refusing to speak, but rather seems to know of other evidence and wants to use it to negotiate with the Dali Temple to save his life. While Ren Jun is unforgivable, I am more curious about what Ren Jun is hiding."
Hearing this, Xie Jingzhou was so furious his teeth ached.
What else could it be?
Naturally, it was the letters detailing his secret collusion with the Second Prince!
"I never expected that Ren Jun would possess such information. But Zizhao, have you considered that it might all be Ren Jun's delaying tactic?" Xie Jingzhou looked at Ji Zizhao with feigned concern, appearing like a devoted lover distressed that Ji Zizhao might be manipulated and deceived.
He was truly an excellent actor.
No wonder even his grandfather couldn't see through the wolf's ambition hidden beneath that facade!
Ji Zizhao, with reddened eyes, shook his head. "It's not that I haven't considered what Your Highness the Fifth Prince said. Fortunately, Ren Jun is alive now. However, I cannot trust the Dali Temple officials, so I wish to implore Your Highness the Fifth Prince to send more men to protect Ren Jun's safety?"
Xie Jingzhou: "..."
What else could he do?
He had no choice but to agree!
"Zizhao, rest assured, your affairs are my affairs. I will do my utmost to help you with this matter." As Xie Jingzhou said this, his chest ached with suppressed anger.
The person he most wanted dead was now someone he had to send men to protect!
But even though Xie Jingzhou was unwilling with all his heart, he had to agree without hesitation now.
These past few days of interaction had finally made Ji Zizhao less wary of him. If this incident pushed Ji Zizhao away again, all the time he had spent would be in vain.
Ji Zizhao seemed surprised that the Fifth Prince agreed so readily. Moved, two lines of tears streamed down his face, his lips trembling, seemingly at a loss for words.
After a long pause, Ji Zizhao was about to kneel on the ground. "I thank Your Highness the Fifth Prince here. Thank you..."
Xie Jingzhou quickly took Ji Zizhao's hand, saying with feigned surprise, "We are husband and wife, why must you be so formal with me? Zizhao, rest assured, I will dispatch men to the Dali Temple immediately."
Ji Zizhao, his eyes still glistening with tears, nodded repeatedly, his gratitude evident.
Although Xie Jingzhou still wanted to close the distance with Ji Zizhao, he was in no mood for it at the moment. After comforting Ji Zizhao a few more times, he left Zhaoyuan with Luohong, guided by Granny He.
Only when the Fifth Prince's presence completely disappeared from the courtyard did Ji Zizhao, who had just moments ago been red-eyed and full of gratitude, regain his usual cool and reserved demeanor.
After this ordeal, Ren Jun was temporarily 'saved'.
The next step would be a protracted battle. He hoped the Fourth Prince would not disappoint him.
Shui Ling, hearing that her mistress had cried, quickly brought a basin of water to wipe her face. "Mistress, please don't be so sad. It's bad for your health."
The Fifth Prince was always suspicious and sensitive, adept at seeing through people's hearts. If she couldn't even convince herself with this act, it would be difficult to deceive the Fifth Prince's sharp eyes.
Ji Zizhao pondered for a moment and then said, "Later, have Xin Lan come over. Remember not to alert Yong Mei."
Shui Ling nodded and left the room with the basin.
A moment later, Qing Zhu silently lifted the curtain and entered. "Mistress, Ren family has sent people to the Dali Temple. Do you need me to go and watch from the shadows?"
"No need. The old madam of the Ren family is a wise woman; she knows what to do."
The Dali Temple officials claimed Ren Jun committed suicide, but did he truly commit suicide?
Having lived for so many years, even if the old madam of the Ren family didn't know the full truth, she could guess the implications.
There was only one path for the Ren family now. By following her instructions, they could survive. The old madam of the Ren family only needed to understand this simple truth, and she wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.
People feared death.
In the face of life and death, no one could truly remain completely detached.
"Are there any movements from the Dali Temple?"
"I inquired around the city, and I haven't heard of any movements from the Dali Temple."
It seemed the Fourth Prince had already made his move.
Ji Zizhao's gaze deepened.
Although the Fifth Prince appeared extremely timid outwardly, due to Consort Xi's favor in the palace, the Emperor was quite fond of him. Yet, even so, for the Fifth Prince to kill Ren Jun, he only had to bribe the guards in the Dali Temple to secretly assassinate Ren Jun while his family was away.
Compared to the Fifth Prince, who had the protection of his mother, the Fourth Prince seemed insignificant.
The Fourth Prince's mother had died early, and moreover, the palace where the Fourth Prince resided had suffered the greatest fire in Yulin. The ferocity of that inferno had been so intense that it had consumed half the imperial palace.
Because of this, the Fourth Prince had always been considered an ill omen in the Emperor's eyes.
Yet, this adopted son, raised by Empress Zhong, possessed more power than the favored Fifth Prince. The Fifth Prince merely bribed the guards of the Dali Temple, but if the Fourth Prince wanted to suppress the truth of Ren Jun's death, he would have to subdue the Dali Temple Minister.
This was a testament to the Fourth Prince's network and methods.
Ji Zizhao leaned back in his chair and slowly closed his eyes. Everything was proceeding according to plan. Now, it was a matter of seeing how the Fifth Prince would react.
Xie Jingzhou: "..."
He no longer knew how he should react.
Returning to the guest quarters with Luohong, Xie Jingzhou sat in a chair with a somber expression and let out a whistle.
Shortly after, Sa Meng silently leaped in through the window.
"Your Highness."
Xie Jingzhou lowered his gaze slightly, scrutinizing Sa Meng kneeling before him. "Didn't you tell me Ren Jun was dead for sure? Why am I hearing that Ren Jun is still alive?"
Sa Meng looked up in disbelief, his surprise evident.