Under the effect of the silver needles, Ji Zizhao was in extreme discomfort, yet her mind remained clear.
Historically, concubines in the palace who wanted to punish someone would mostly throw them into a courtyard and neglect them.
But now that Consort Xi could so readily dismiss her, it meant she had no intention of leaving her to languish in the courtyard.
Upon further reflection, Ji Zizhao understood.
Consort Xi intended to make things difficult for her during the consultation.
She suspected that no matter how she took Consort Xi’s pulse, Consort Xi's 'illness' would never recover.
How could the well-being of a noble consort be something a mere official like her could bear responsibility for?
At that time, banishing her from the palace would be considered the lightest punishment.
However, to make Consort Xi stop there, merely feigning illness might not suffice; the matter had to be blown out of proportion.
Once the entire palace knew, all sorts of rumors would spring up out of nowhere.
By then, Consort Xi would no longer be able to openly request her medical attention.
For a noble consort to seek the examination of an official, what could be the reason? Once might be a coincidence, but what about twice or thrice? No one in the palace was foolish, including the Emperor himself, and Consort Xi's true intentions would soon be discovered.
Ji Zizhao certainly did not expect the man whose heart was solely focused on imperial power to intervene and protect her.
But Ji Zizhao believed that Consort Xi still cared about her reputation.
Consort Xi could not possibly allow the half-dead Ji Zizhao to be carried out like this. If the matter were to truly become known throughout the palace, it would be difficult for her to deliberately trouble Ji Zizhao again in the future.
"It's just heatstroke, not some serious illness. Eldest Daughter of the Ji family can rest here with me. It's not too late for her to examine my pulse after she has rested." Consort Xi asked her attendant, Mama Zhang, to bring a chair, determined to watch Ji Zizhao closely.
Even if she didn't watch her, she had to. She had invited the person herself. If it were to spread that she had mistreated an official from the Imperial Hospital, what would her reputation be?
Therefore, even if Consort Xi was unwilling, she had to accompany her.
At the very least, she could not be accused of bullying a current official.
Ji Zizhao let out a cold laugh inwardly, but outwardly, she said gratefully, "Your humble servant thanks Consort Xi for her benevolence."
If it were truly just ordinary heatstroke, it would indeed recover after a while.
But what Consort Xi did not know was that Ji Zizhao's heatstroke was induced. Her internal vital energy had already been altered by the silver needles, and without them, even lying there all day would be of no use.
After noon, the sun became even more scorching.
Inside Huaqing Palace, under the baking sun, it had become a giant steamer.
Even though Consort Xi was sitting in the corridor, avoiding the heat, her clothes were already soaked through.
Ji Zizhao lay on the ground with her eyes closed, remaining silent and still under Consort Xi's watchful gaze.
Consort Xi had trapped her, but she had also bound Consort Xi together with her.
Consort Xi disdained her, but she also found Consort Xi bothersome.
The palace servants of Huaqing Palace also knelt on the ground, not daring to make a sound.
As time trickled by, Consort Xi truly began to grow restless.
Having lived a life of luxury and ease, she had never endured such hardship.
Feeling rather dizzy, Consort Xi was already contemplating that as long as Ji Zizhao recovered, she would let Ji Zizhao off the hook for today. After sitting for half an hour, not only had she failed to trouble Ji Zizhao, but she was also about to lose the strength to even breathe.
Ji Zizhao saw Consort Xi's weariness but still lay on the ground, unmoving.
If the matter was not blown out of proportion today, her suffering would have been in vain.
If she could not nip Consort Xi's little scheme in the bud, she would likely have to tread on thin ice from now on.
"Go and see how Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is doing," Consort Xi commanded weakly, leaning against her chair.
Mama Zhang quickly walked into the courtyard and crouched down to carefully examine Ji Zizhao.
However, if Ji Zizhao intended to feign illness, how could Mama Zhang possibly see through it?
Shortly after, Mama Zhang returned to Consort Xi's side and shook her head. "Your Highness, the sun is at its peak right now. If Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is left to bake in the sun like this, she might not recover. According to this old servant's humble opinion, it would be best to move her into the sleeping quarters to escape the heat."
Consort Xi: "..."
So, had she invited a great Buddha to worship?
Consort Xi was so angered that her head felt even more dizzy.
Not only had she failed to trouble the person, but she had to move her into her own sleeping quarters to recuperate?
A mere official aspiring to enter her sleeping quarters? If this matter were to spread, she would lose all face.
But if Ji Zizhao continued to lie there, she would have to continue accompanying her.
Now at an impasse, no matter which choice she made, Consort Xi, who was already tormented, was on the verge of madness!
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived—!"
At the entrance of Huaqing Palace, the voice of the gate eunuch suddenly announced.
Following that, Empress Zhong, accompanied by Zhi Nan and a group of palace servants, entered.
Compared to the charming and alluring Consort Xi, Empress Zhong was clearly older.
She wore a bright yellow brocade robe embroidered with large cloud patterns, and a seven-treasure coral hairpin adorned her dark hair. Even though her features were not as delicate and striking as Consort Xi's, her aura was undeniable.
Even standing face-to-face with Consort Xi, they were equally captivating, each in their own way.
Empress Zhong had always kept Ji Zizhao in mind.
This girl was brave and resourceful, a rare and exceptional person. Although the Fourth Prince had not yet spoken, in Empress Zhong's heart, Ji Zizhao was already considered her own.
However, due to the numerous eyes and ears in the palace, Empress Zhong had delayed summoning Ji Zizhao alone to avoid suspicion.
Unexpectedly, Consort Xi had such influence that she openly summoned Ji Zizhao to Qinghua Palace.
Ji Zizhao was this Empress's future daughter-in-law, how could it be Consort Xi's place to meddle?
Empress Zhong did not even glance at Consort Xi, her gaze fixed on Ji Zizhao. Seeing Ji Zizhao's face pale to a greenish hue, she quickly called out to Zhi Nan beside her, "Quick, summon an imperial physician!"
Consort Xi was displeased upon hearing this and hurriedly gave Mama Zhang a look.
The imperial physicians in the palace were currently accompanying the Emperor and the princes on a boat trip. If an imperial physician were summoned at this moment, would it not clearly escalate the matter to the Emperor?
Ji Zizhao had come to Qinghua Palace to treat her, so what would happen if an imperial physician was called?
By then, everyone in the palace would say that she, Consort Xi, had bullied an official from the Imperial Hospital!
As Zhi Nan turned to leave, Mama Zhang blocked her path.
Consort Xi also walked over to Empress Zhong at this moment, "The Empress, without understanding the situation, has brought people to cause a disturbance in Qinghua Palace. This... This concubine finds it rather incomprehensible."
Consort Xi and the Fifth Prince's shamelessness combined was thicker than a city wall.
Otherwise, the Fifth Prince would not have been able to comfortably feign weakness and timidity for so many years; to put it plainly, it was all due to his thick skin.
The Emperor enjoyed the company of thick-skinned people, and Empress Zhong could not interfere, but Empress Zhong had no time to appreciate it.
Now that Consort Xi intended to strike first, Empress Zhong would naturally not indulge her.
"Then perhaps Consort Xi could first explain why Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is lying here for no apparent reason?"