The atmosphere in Fengyi Palace was heavy. The palace maids in the courtyard were all diligently working, not daring to utter a sound.
Grandma Dai, upon hearing the news, came out to greet them. Her voice hoarse, she curtsied upon seeing Ji Zizhao, "Fourth Prince Consort."
Looking at Grandma Dai's ashen face, Ji Zizhao's worry for the Empress intensified. "How is her Majesty's health?"
"Her Majesty is well, just a bit listless. Her Majesty also said she didn't want to trouble the Fourth Prince Consort to come into the palace. I didn't expect the Fourth Prince Consort to rush here herself." Despite her own distress, Grandma Dai forced a smile when facing Ji Zizhao. Her Majesty was right; the Fourth Prince Consort was a grateful person.
"If Her Majesty has a need, I will be the first to enter the palace," Ji Zizhao clutched her medicine box tightly, not daring to delay. The Empress had shown her too much kindness; how could she not be by her side when the Empress needed her?
Grandma Dai looked at the determination in the Fourth Prince Consort's eyes and sighed deeply. "If only everyone in this palace were like the Fourth Prince Consort..."
The princes and princesses in the palace were indeed not the Empress's biological children, yet the Empress had never wronged them over the years. How could the Eighth Prince be so heartless? Everyone in the entire palace knew that Zhi Nan was part of the Empress's dowry.
Ji Zizhao looked at Grandma Dai's bitter and mournful expression, feeling at a loss for words.
Family ties in the imperial clan were inherently shallow. It was precisely because of this that the Seventh Prince's ability to love and hate, his clear affections, or Xie Jinglan's gratitude and unwavering loyalty were all incredibly rare qualities.
The bedroom still carried the bitter scent of medicinal decoction. Empress Zhong was leaning against the bed, coughing. Upon seeing Ji Zizhao approach, she smiled and said, "Come, sit here."
Ji Zizhao walked to the Empress's bedside, knelt beside her, and placed her hand on the Empress's wrist, silently taking her pulse.
The Empress, virtuous and elegant, dignified and graceful, remained the same Empress mother from her memories.
But was the Empress truly not saddened?
How could that be?
The Empress was just a woman, she simply couldn't afford to grieve.
"I didn't want to disturb you, I didn't want you to worry. But I am truly happy that you came," Empress Zhong curved her lips, her pale face covered in a layer of exhaustion from her illness.
Empress Zhong needed quiet during her illness. With no one else in the bedroom at the moment, Ji Zizhao spoke directly, "I also enjoy speaking with Your Majesty."
Empress Zhong looked at Ji Zizhao before her, her eyes brimming with admiration. Since her illness began, whether intentional or unintentional, everyone who came to visit her had offered condolences.
But the person was already dead; what use were condolences now?
Therefore, regardless of whether those who mentioned Zhi Nan to her were well-intentioned or malicious, they were merely rubbing salt in her wounds. From Su Dan Fiction Network.
But Ji Zizhao was different. Knowing why she had fallen ill, this child didn't mention a single word, likely fearing she would be more saddened and distressed.
"Actually, I would rather Zhi Nan's death be related to those people," Empress Zhong said softly. Now, only in front of Ji Zizhao could she speak her mind freely.
Ji Zizhao: "..."
She truly didn't know how to respond to that.
Empress Zhong chuckled, "Do you think I am cold-blooded? But the dead cannot be resurrected, and mere sadness solves nothing. In this bone-eating place called the harem, no one will give you the time to immerse yourself in grief."
Distinguishing right from wrong was a child's game.
In the world of adults, there was only ever profit.
Ji Zizhao understood this principle, but she hadn't grasped it as clearly as the Empress.
Ultimately, she still had much to learn from the Empress.
However, listening to the Empress's words, Ji Zizhao said, "Perhaps it is not unrelated to Noble Consort Xi. I fear the Eighth Prince was still being used as a shield."
The princes had to leave the palace and reside on Lion Street once they came of age. Even though the Eighth Prince had only celebrated his coming-of-age ceremony this year, once he left the palace, all familiar relationships would gradually be severed due to estrangement. It would be harder for him to engage in any clandestine activities within the palace than to wait for the sky to fall.
Furthermore, the Eighth Prince was not a valiant individual. This was evident from his and Xie Jingzhou's scheme to frame her this time.
If that were the case, how would the Eighth Prince dare to commit murder in the palace?
And he killed someone close to the Empress!
Unless someone was backing him.
Who else could have given the Eighth Prince the courage to harm Zhi Nan without reservation, other than Noble Consort Xi, who held equal standing with the Empress in the palace?
With Ji Zizhao's reminder, Empress Zhong was momentarily stunned.
"I underestimated Noble Consort Xi," Empress Zhong recovered and sighed heavily. This time, the Emperor had demoted the Eighth Prince and warned the Fifth Prince. However, he had not sent anyone to Tonglin, and without an imperial decree, it meant the Emperor still harbored doubts about the Fourth Prince's lineage.
If they could truly implicate Noble Consort Xi this time, given the Emperor's favor towards her, he would certainly come forward to protect her. And as soon as the Emperor intervened, his guilt towards the Fourth Prince would deepen. Only when guilt surpassed suspicion might the Emperor change his mind and allow the Fourth Prince to return to the imperial city alive.
"There may be other ways to bring the Fourth Prince back, but it will take some time," Ji Zizhao knew the Empress's thoughts. Although the departure of Xie Jinglan this time was fraught with peril, as long as there was a sliver of hope, neither the Empress nor she would easily give up.
Empress Zhong looked at Ji Zizhao, slightly surprised.
Ji Zizhao narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of ferocity appearing in her brow. "Noble Consort Xi also watched the Fourth Prince grow up. If she truly suspected him, she wouldn't have waited until now. It is likely someone instigated this. If we can find the culprit and present them to His Majesty, then there will be no fear of His Majesty's continued suspicion."
Ultimately, the one who tied the knot must untie it.
"Anyone who can speak with Noble Consort Xi must be within the palace. Leave this matter to me," Empress Zhong snorted coldly. To dare to scheme under her nose; did she really think the Empress was merely a decoration?
Seeing the Empress's confident assertion, Ji Zizhao also felt relieved. She hadn't expected such a turn of events. She had intended to protect everything around her, only to unexpectedly find a breakthrough that could save Xie Jinglan.
Although the chances of success in this matter seemed slim, even if it was just a possibility...
She had to try!