"Everyone in the capital knows that Eldest Sister used to have a relationship with the Fifth Prince. Now that Eldest Sister is the Fourth Prince's consort, she is technically the Fifth Prince's sister-in-law. If the Fifth Prince is gravely ill, and Eldest Sister delays her appearance, she might be seen as heartless and unfeeling."
Ji Renran looked at Ji Zizhao with apparent worry, as if she were truly concerned for Ji Zizhao.
But was that really the case?
"If it weren't for Sister Renran reminding me, I would have truly forgotten that I was once on the verge of entering the Fifth Prince's mansion. However, Sister Renran also said 'used to be.' Now, I am the Fourth Prince's consort, bestowed by the Emperor. The past is the past, and the present is the present. One should know how to avoid suspicion."
"But Eldest Sister..."
"If the Emperor were to blame me, could Sister Renran bear the responsibility?"
Ji Renran, "..."
Ji Zizhao watched Ji Renran's face, which had lost its smile, and continued to eat.
Did she really not see through Ji Renran's schemes?
It was true that Ji Renran was concerned about Xie Jingzhou's illness, but she also genuinely wanted to leverage the situation to gain favor with Xie Jingzhou by having Ji Zizhao accompany her. With the rumors in the capital growing, even if the commoners didn't know the full story, they could still piece some of it together. If she were to enter the Fifth Prince's mansion at this time, wouldn't that subtly help Xie Jingzhou dispel the current gossip?
A simple Ji Renran couldn't possibly grasp the intricacies of this. It was likely that Xie Jingzhou had instructed the nanny by his side to persuade Ji Renran to drag her along to the Fifth Prince's mansion.
Upon realizing the underlying motive, Ji Zizhao couldn't help but scoff. To be used as a pawn and still be so eager, she didn't know whether to admire Ji Renran's deep affection for Xie Jingzhou or to lament her simplemindedness.
Ji Renran hadn't expected Ji Zizhao to refuse so thoroughly and even laugh in her face. Angered, she could barely sit still on the chair. "Eldest Sister is so heartless. Aren't you afraid that today's events will reach the Fifth Prince's ears?"
"That would be for the best."
"Wh-what did Eldest Sister say?"
Ji Zizhao looked at Ji Renran's disbelieving expression and paused before saying, "Sister Renran can inform the Fifth Prince of everything I've just said. If you think walking there is too slow, I can have Fubao drive you to the Fifth Prince's mansion."
Ji Renran, "..."
Who would willingly send someone to report them?
Ji Zizhao dared to.
Or rather, Ji Zizhao dared to do anything.
There was no room for reconciliation between her and Xie Jingzhou. What was there to fear now? They were supposed to go their separate ways, so why pretend to be magnanimous? Even if Xie Jingzhou wanted to let bygones be bygones, that was just wishful thinking.
However, the fact that Xie Jingzhou could instigate Ji Renran to speak out suggested he was desperate and had no other way to suppress the rumors. The thought of Xie Jingzhou being in a frenzy in his mansion made Ji Zizhao's appetite grow.
"Shuiling, serve me another bowl of rice."
"Yes, Miss."
Seeing Ji Zizhao's great appetite, Ji Renran could no longer sit still and got up to leave.
"Wait."
Ji Renran, "..."
Wasn't it enough that she was leaving?
Ji Zizhao said calmly, "Respect the elders and be kind to the young; this is how esteemed families in the capital teach their children. Although Sister Renran did not grow up in the Ji family, you will still marry into the Fifth Prince's mansion from the Ji family. If your conduct remains so careless in the future, the Ji family will be too ashamed to acknowledge you."
Ji Renran's vision went black, and she almost fainted on the spot!
Not only did she fail to accomplish her mission, but she was also lectured. Who wouldn't feel like spitting blood?!
Despite the urge to vomit blood, Ji Renran obediently bent her knees. If she didn't bow now, would she wait until she was locked in the ancestral hall before doing so?
The thought of the dark and damp ancestral hall made Ji Renran tremble.
Ji Zizhao watched Ji Renran's furious departure and unhurriedly took another bite of rice. To be honest, she was quite worried that Xie Jingzhou might try to pull the Eighth Prince into this crisis.
Although the Eighth Prince's methods were not particularly ruthless, he was certainly cunning. This was evident when he sacrificed his future consort's purity to win her over and make her his pawn.
If this man were to collude with Xie Jingzhou for an extended period, it would not be good for Ji Zizhao.
Therefore, the current situation was the best. Xie Jingzhou was too preoccupied to care about the Eighth Prince's fate. As for the Eighth Prince...
He should just have a good taste of what it's like to be an ordinary citizen.
Villains should face the consequences of their actions.
Under the Emperor's wrath, the court's efficiency was remarkable. Within three days, they sent people to clear out the Eighth Prince's mansion. Not only was not a single grain of rice left for the Eighth Prince, but the very gates of his mansion were sealed with official court seals.
Since he was no longer a prince, he naturally had no right to live on Lion Street.
Although the Eighth Prince was unwilling, he could not truly contend with the court. Instead, the Eighth Prince's consort, who was heartbroken for him, specifically rushed to Lion Street. Facing the court's attitude of chasing the Eighth Prince away like a bug, she angrily went to argue with the court officials.
The Eighth Prince's consort, having been raised as a pampered flower in a greenhouse, was no match for the burly guards of the court. Someone bumped into her, injuring her arm and causing it to bleed. Terrified, she lost her composure and blurted out that the Eighth Prince had murdered a palace servant in the palace.
The Eighth Prince, who was present, felt the world spin. Angrily, he slapped the Eighth Prince's consort.
However, words spoken are like water poured out; they cannot be taken back.
Once adult princes moved out of the palace, any attempt to enter the palace, regardless of the reason, required detailed recording by palace staff. Even if the Eighth Prince's consort did not specify the day the Eighth Prince entered the palace or who he killed, a quick check of the palace entry records for that period and the list of missing palace servants would reveal the truth.
Soon, the answer was found.
During the time the Eighth Prince entered the palace, the only person missing was Zhi Nan from Fengyi Palace.
Upon this news, the palace, which had only recently calmed down, erupted in chaos once more!
When Ji Zizhao heard the news, Baihe had already taken a bloody letter to the Empress. In her anger, the Empress fell ill in Fengyi Palace.
The Empress falling ill was no small matter. Ji Zizhao, who was on duty, grabbed her medicine box and boarded a carriage to the palace.