Noble Consort Xi cried out, "Fourth Prince Consort, how could you do such a thing!"
Xie Jingzhou, however, interjected, "Mother Consort, there's no need to rush. The Fourth Prince is not even in the capital. How can he rely solely on the word of this servant?"
Ji Zizhao, hearing this, smiled thinly. "I had Minister Wei escort this person to the Emperor's presence earlier. It's been about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. I imagine His Majesty has already questioned them. I didn't expect Noble Consort Xi to show surprise only after such a delay, nor for the Fifth Prince to take so long to plead for the Fourth Prince."
Noble Consort Xi's expression changed, and just as she was about to speak, Ji Zizhao interrupted again. "In medicine, slow movement and dull reactions are symptoms of idiocy. If Noble Consort Xi and the Fifth Prince trust my medical skills, I am willing to examine both of you thoroughly."
Noble Consort Xi: "..."
This was the first time anyone had so openly called her foolish!
Xie Jingzhou was already well aware of Ji Zizhao's sharp tongue. Entangling with her now would likely yield no advantage. Moreover, his purpose for being here today was not to engage in a war of words with Ji Zizhao; it was to make Ji Zizhao, and everyone connected to Xie Jinglan, disappear completely!
With this thought, Xie Jingzhou suddenly knelt before the Emperor. "I was not present at the scene today, and I am unaware of the specifics. However, I implore my Imperial Father to investigate thoroughly and to clear the Fourth Prince's name!"
His demeanor, showing concern for his brother and appealing for familial ties by kneeling, was truly exemplary of a good brother, enough to move anyone.
Emperor Xiaochang's gaze flickered, and he then turned to Ji Zizhao. "What else do you have to say?"
Ji Zizhao, with an unchanged expression, replied, "Replying to His Majesty, this humble servant does not know this person."
The maidservant clutched Ji Zizhao's skirt hem and pleaded earnestly, "This subordinate knows I was negligent today and have disappointed the Fourth Prince. This subordinate is willing to atone with her life, but I beg the Fourth Prince Consort to spare my family. They are innocent!"
Ji Zizhao looked at the maidservant calmly. "Since you claim I know you, why don't you present evidence?"
The maidservant's expression faltered slightly. She indeed had no evidence.
Xie Jingzhou frowned imperceptibly. He had never expected Ji Zizhao to remain so composed at this juncture. Every word she uttered possessed a sharp penetration that the maidservant could not withstand.
Noble Consort Xi glared at the maidservant. "Audacious slave! How dare you speak nonsense before His Majesty!"
The maidservant, who had been somewhat dazed, suddenly her pupils trembled. She looked up sharply at the Emperor and declared, "What kind of Emperor are you? Only the Emperor of our Xirong truly deserves the title of Son of Heaven. Do not rejoice for too long, you Yulin people. Soon the Fourth Prince will return to Xirong, and when that day comes, he will be the first to march and attack Yulin. The Fourth Prince also said he will personally take your dog emperor's head!"
Ji Zizhao's heart jolted upon hearing this.
Humans have seven emotions and six desires, and rage is the most potent weapon to consume reason. This maidservant's provocations clearly aimed to enrage the Emperor completely.
As expected, Emperor Xiaochang slammed his hand heavily onto the desk before him, producing a loud thud.
"Bang—!"
Everyone in the imperial study, including Noble Consort Xi, immediately knelt on the ground in fright.
The maidservant, however, stiffened her neck and looked at the Emperor again. "The Fourth Prince said that only a foolish ruler would only know how to bellow and shout when encountering problems. The Fourth Prince has been living under someone else's roof in Yulin all these years and has come to hate all of you. You need not hurry; the Fourth Prince will soon personally flatten Yulin!"
"Presumptuous! Utterly presumptuous!" Emperor Xiaochang's hand, pointed at the maidservant, trembled, indicating he was at his wit's end with anger. "Guards! Take this person to Wumen for the ten thousand cuts!"
"Your Majesty!" Ji Zizhao suddenly called out to stop him.
Emperor Xiaochang, his eyes bloodshot, glared at Ji Zizhao like a wild beast. "What else do you wish to say?"
Noble Consort Xi, who had been lowering her head, curved her lips into a faint smile. The Emperor was in a fit of rage, and for Ji Zizhao to speak now was surely courting disaster.
Ji Zizhao knew it was not an opportune moment to speak, but she absolutely could not let this maidservant die without resolution. If there were no witnesses, would not those people continue to slander her and Xie Jinglan relentlessly?
"Fourth Prince Consort, there is no need to speak for this subordinate. What I have said are my heartfelt words, words the Fourth Prince has wanted to say all these years but could not. As long as the Fourth Prince's wishes are made public, this subordinate will die without regret." The maidservant looked at Ji Zizhao with gratitude and emotion.
A wave of nausea washed over Ji Zizhao. She looked at the maidservant and suddenly asked, "Since you claim to be from Xirong, why do you refer to the Fourth Prince as 'Fourth Prince'? Normally, shouldn't you address him according to Xirong's seniority?"
The maidservant hesitated for a moment, feeling guilty. "Th-this subordinate, this subordinate did, did so at the Fourth Prince's request."
Ji Zizhao then continued, "According to you, the Fourth Prince should hate Yulin profoundly. If that is the case, why would he privately affirm his identity in Yulin? Isn't that contradictory?"
"Th-that's because..."
"That's because you are not from Xirong at all! You are kneeling here today because you accepted someone's bribe to frame the Fourth Prince!"
Faced with Ji Zizhao's relentless pressure, the maidservant's panic could no longer be concealed. Trembling all over, her mind was in disarray, and she could not utter another word.
Xie Jingzhou truly did not expect this maidservant to be so useless. He quickly glanced at Zuo Xiuhua beside him.
Zuo Xiuhua, understanding his intent, suddenly stepped forward. "This is a weapon the daughter-in-law picked up at the scene at the time. Everyone saw this weapon fall from the maidservant's hand. The daughter-in-law thought this item must be extremely important, so she boldly brought it into the palace. I implore my Imperial Father to examine it."
Feng Gu, hearing this, quickly stepped forward to take the item from Zuo Xiuhua, then turned and hurried back to the Emperor's side.
When the object was presented before Emperor Xiaochang, his expression dramatically changed!
If he had been wavering earlier, unsure of who was speaking the truth and who was lying, he now had no need to ponder.
Because the item before him was the Tiger Head Banner, symbolizing Xirong's imperial authority!
When he looked at Ji Zizhao again, Emperor Xiaochang's eyes were filled with chilling killing intent. "What else do you have to say!"
As he spoke, the enraged Emperor Xiaochang directly raised the Tiger Head Banner before him and hurled it at Ji Zizhao!