Ji Zizhao was long accustomed to Zuo Xiuhua’s underhanded tactics. She opened her mouth and said, "If we were to talk about personal favors in front of rules, wouldn't everything be thrown into chaos? How would I then explain myself to my imperial sisters-in-law and sisters-in-law present? With Fifth Sister-in-law's compassionate heart, where does that leave everyone else here?"
If you can instigate, I can incite.
Who says I don't know how to fan the flames?
Zuo Xiuhua, keenly aware of the subtle expressions on the faces of the other imperial consorts around her, felt her smile stiffen. She had never expected Ji Zizhao to wield her usual methods so adeptly.
"I simply did not expect Fourth Sister-in-law to be so stern. After all, Fourth Sister-in-law's younger sister will soon be part of the Fifth Prince's household. However, with Fourth Sister-in-law holding so many positions, it is understandable to be forgetful."
When she was your sister, it didn't matter how you disciplined her. But now that this person is about to become an imperial concubine to the Fifth Prince, no matter how strict you, Ji Zizhao, are, what does that make the Fifth Prince's dignity?
Ji Zizhao scoffed internally, "Precisely because my younger sister is about to marry into the Fifth Prince's mansion, I must set an example. Otherwise, once she marries, if rules are not followed and etiquette is disregarded, it will be called poor guidance by Fifth Sister-in-law at best, and at worst, it will be a disgrace to the Fifth Prince."
Do you think invoking the Fifth Prince will solve everything?
You are really overthinking it.
Zuo Xiuhua was somewhat bewildered by Ji Zizhao's retort, her laughter forced as she said, "I never imagined Fourth Sister-in-law would be so thoughtful, even considering matters within the Fifth Prince's household."
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly, "It is only fitting. Fifth Sister-in-law need not be so polite."
Zuo Xiuhua, "..."
Was that a compliment?
Could this person's thick skin get any thicker?
Picking up her teacup, Zuo Xiuhua took sip after sip of the cooled tea.
Ji Zizhao was completely unfazed, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water. Even if Zuo Xiuhua were to grit her teeth and exhaust all her tricks, she couldn't find any weakness to exploit.
What else could she do but drink tea!
Seeing this, Ji Zizhao said no more, smiled faintly, and raised her teacup.
The imperial consorts around them were stunned. Both women wore smiles, yet their skills at backstabbing were more ruthless and precise than the other.
Especially Fourth Consort...
Did she really have teeth in her mouth?
Yet why did her words sting more than a knife cutting flesh!
Looking at Ji Zizhao, who was as calm as still water, Xing Jiuchou's heart pounded like a drum. She considered herself exceptionally intelligent and quick-witted from a young age, but compared to Ji Zizhao...
She was simply not worth mentioning!
Xu Meiqing subtly passed Xing Jiuchou a cup of tea. It was best to calm her nerves with a drink. Compared to Ji Zizhao, wasn't everyone else a simpleton...
Xing Jiuchou, "..."
Besides wholeheartedly agreeing, did she have any room for struggle?
The young servant at the door, seeing this scene, could only hesitantly look at Eighth Consort, "My lady, that person..."
What could Eighth Consort say? She waved her hand wearily, "Just do as Fourth Sister-in-law said."
The servant nodded and fled as if on wings.
At the entrance of the Wei residence, Ji Renran listened to the servant's report with wide eyes, feeling a chill in her limbs.
When she had heard that Fifth Consort had sent someone to summon her, she had been full of hope. After all, such a grand occasion for gaining experience was not a yearly affair.
Moreover, she was confident that Ji Zizhao, even to avoid earning a reputation for being harsh, would have to let her in.
But who could have imagined...
That the outcome would be like this!
Those in the main hall were not faring any better.
The fact that Fourth Consort was about to enter the Fifth Prince's household was common knowledge in the imperial city. It was initially thought that with Fourth Consort already promised to another and the Fifth Prince marrying someone else, the past grudges would have faded. But before she could even enter, Fourth Consort and Fifth Consort were already clashing so fiercely.
Looking at Zuo Xiuhua's ashen face since entering, everyone present felt as if they were sitting on pins and needles.
Who didn't want to take this opportunity to curry favor with Fifth Consort and help her find a way out? But the problem was that Fourth Consort was sitting right there. If they accidentally angered Fourth Consort, wouldn't they be pierced by a thousand arrows?
Zuo Xiuhua knew that at this moment, she should maintain a smile, even if it was forced. But looking at Ji Zizhao's face, her anger flared up.
She had no mood to smile!
She hadn't stormed out only because there were still important matters to attend to!
Zuo Xiuhua's gaze towards Ji Zizhao grew more sinister. She kept telling herself not to get angry. After today, no matter how capable Ji Zizhao was, she would only be able to bow her head and await death.
Ji Zizhao could feel the coldness in Zuo Xiuhua's eyes. It was precisely for this reason that she had to be even more cautious. If she let her guard down even for a moment, everything that Xie Jinglan wanted to protect, and everything she wanted to protect, would be lost.
"I didn't have enough conversation with Fourth Sister-in-law just now. Would this lady be willing to switch seats with me?" In the deathly silence, First Prince's Consort smiled at a lady seated next to Ji Zizhao.
The lady seated next to Ji Zizhao at this moment was an aunt of Eighth Prince's Consort. She had hoped to gain some favor by associating with the imperial princes' wives through Eighth Prince's Consort. Who knew she would encounter such a situation. Now, facing First Prince's Consort's proposal, she practically fled to switch seats with First Prince's Consort.
"Fourth Sister-in-law's personality is straightforward. Meeting her today truly makes me feel as if we've met too late. In the future, if I return to the imperial city, I will certainly come to disturb Fourth Sister-in-law. Please don't find me bothersome then." First Prince's Consort smiled at Ji Zizhao.
How could Ji Zizhao not understand that First Prince's Consort was helping to smooth things over? However, she did not dislike First Prince's Consort's tact, nor did she expose it. "If First Sister-in-law is in the mood, you are welcome to come and chat with me anytime."
First Prince's Consort's smile deepened. Looking at the others around her, she said with a laugh, "Fourth Sister-in-law keeps her word. Everyone present here are my witnesses."
Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly agreed. As they spoke one after another, more people began to join the conversation, and the tense atmosphere finally eased.
Ji Zizhao saw First Prince's Consort raise her teacup as if to toast with tea, and she also raised her own. But just as their cups were about to meet, First Prince's Consort suddenly lowered her voice and said, "This is a place of trouble and not suitable for lingering. Fourth Sister-in-law is a wise person, it is best to leave quickly."
With that, First Prince's Consort took a sip of tea from her cup.
By the time Ji Zizhao recovered her senses, First Prince's Consort was already chatting with another lady, her smile faint and her tone gentle, as if nothing had happened just now.