Yi Ye Bao Fu

Chapter 443 Rivals Meet

The Zou family had secretly accepted the betrothal gifts from the Ji family, fearing unwanted attention. Fortunately, their initial proposal hadn't caused a stir, and now no one paid it any mind.

However, upon hearing the news, Jiang Guangcheng fell into a prolonged silence. He had prepared for difficulties with the Ministry of Revenue when he had undermined Zou Li, but to his surprise, the ministry had settled the silver for him that very afternoon. Jiang family's intelligence network was extensive, and Jiang Guangcheng quickly learned of Zou Li's humiliation at the Ministry of Revenue that day. Therefore, the Zou family's swift cancellation of the engagement was likely due to concerns about the Fourth Prince, not the Jiang family. He then recalled the circulating rumors in the city that the eldest daughter of the Ji family was an "emancipator" the Fourth Prince often mentioned, which further agitated Jiang Guangcheng. Jiang Guangcheng did not believe that such pampered princes, living in their lofty positions, would harbor any benevolent intentions.

So, the next day, while on duty at the Imperial Academy, he seized the opportunity when Ji Zizhao was drying medicinal herbs to follow her, intending to inform her of the matter and offer a word of caution. Why would a prince approach a woman so disingenuously? It reeked of ill intent.

"Eldest Daughter of the Ji family." Jiang Guangcheng still had to be mindful of appearances within the Imperial Academy.

Ji Zizhao, who had just started to crouch down to sort the medicinal herbs, straightened up. "Director Jiang, is there something you need?"

Bathed in sunlight, her slender figure stood tall and graceful, a sight that stirred the heart. Jiang Guangcheng approached, lowered his voice, and said, "The Fourth Prince..."

Just as he uttered the words, the sound of footsteps approached from the doorway. Immediately after, they saw the Fourth Prince, whom he was about to mention, appear at the Imperial Academy!

Jiang Guangcheng: "..."

Today, Xie Jinglan had shed his usual white robe for a deep purple official uniform adorned with five-section embroidered patterns. The mountains and rivers embroidered on his chest seemed to flow as he walked. His dark hair was tied up high, and his fair face was clean and translucent, radiating brilliance under the sunlight.

In Yulin, only officials of the third rank were permitted to wear official robes embroidered with landscapes. Within the entire Imperial Academy, the highest-ranking officials, the two directors, could only wear flower-and-bird patterned official robes of the fourth rank. Although the Fourth Prince was not the Minister of Revenue, his official rank was on par with that of the Six Ministers. Therefore, the arrival of the Fourth Prince necessitated not only the kneeling obeisance of all the imperial physicians at the Imperial Academy but also required Zhang Shuzhong, who was on duty that day, to personally come out to welcome and pay his respects.

"Greetings to the Fourth Prince!"

In the blink of an eye, the people of the Imperial Academy were kneeling on the ground. Zhang Shuzhong also bowed, saying, "This humble subject greets the Fourth Prince."

Xie Jinglan gestured them to rise. "Director Zhang, please rise. I am merely here for a routine inspection today." Since the Ministry of Revenue's funds had been disbursed, someone naturally had to ensure that genuine medicinal herbs were being delivered to the palace. Zhang Shuzhong had heard about Zou Li's disturbance at the Ministry of Revenue yesterday and how the Fourth Prince had subtly inflicted several wounds upon him, leading to the quiet annulment of the engagement yesterday. Thinking of his beloved disciple regaining his freedom, Zhang Shuzhong found the Fourth Prince even more agreeable. "The medicinal herbs are still some time away from arrival. Perhaps Your Highness would like to come inside for a cup of tea while you wait?"

Since Xie Jinglan had come, he couldn't just turn around and leave. He smiled and nodded, "Then I shall trouble Director Zhang." Zhang Shuzhong busied himself inviting him into his duty room. "Your Highness is too kind."

It was a sweltering summer day. Zhang Shuzhong casually set up a tea set by the window. When he opened the window, he could precisely see Ji Zizhao still in the courtyard. With such proximity, both those speaking inside and those speaking outside could hear each other clearly. Such a coincidence made even Xie Jinglan suspect Zhang Shuzhong's intentions. Otherwise, with such a large room, why insist on sitting by the window?

Zhang Shuzhong sat opposite the Fourth Prince with a clear conscience. He was being deliberate, so what? When he heard in Luoyi that the Seventh Prince was trying to set up the Fourth Prince and Ji Zizhao, he hadn't thought much of it. But things were different now. Ji Zizhao had become his disciple, she was beautiful and skilled in medicine, and it was natural for her to attract unwanted attention. Today, the Zou family had departed, but who knew if others would harbor wicked intentions in the future? As the saying goes, in a large forest, there are always unscrupulous people. The Fourth Prince was not favored by the Emperor, but he was still a prince and had been adopted by the Empress since childhood, being like a brother to the Seventh Prince. If the Seventh Prince were ever lucky enough to ascend the throne, he would surely not neglect the Fourth Prince. Therefore, after much consideration, Zhang Shuzhong felt he needed to add fuel to the fire of the Seventh Prince's efforts to unite the Fourth Prince and his disciple. This would not be in vain for Ji Zizhao's willingness to call him "Master."

The physicians at the Imperial Academy all sneered. Zou Hansheng, in particular, looked down on Zhang Shuzhong's obsequious demeanor towards the Fourth Prince. Even the likes of the Seventh Prince now accompanied the Fifth Prince to the General's Office, while the Fourth Prince was clearly forgotten by the Emperor at the Ministry of Revenue. What future did a prince so disfavored by the Emperor have? Moreover, the Fourth Prince himself was overly cautious and didn't know how to assert himself; he was no different from a salted fish!

Ji Zizhao observed the subtle expressions of the physicians in the Imperial Academy and understood what was happening. She knew that the Fourth Prince himself was indifferent to the opinions of others. Of course, this was the cleverness of the Fourth Prince; he was a dark and cunning fox, yet he appeared as a pure and easily bullied lamb in everyone's eyes. Without the Fourth Prince's subtle guidance, the Seventh Prince would have long since strayed too far down the path of becoming a mere jester. However, a feeling of discomfort arose within her, a discomfort that even Ji Zizhao couldn't quite explain.

Growing increasingly annoyed, Ji Zizhao shifted her attention to Jiang Guangcheng. "Director Jiang, what were you about to say just now?"

Jiang Guangcheng suddenly lost the desire to mention how the Fourth Prince had helped Ji Zizhao. He glanced at the composed man sitting by the window with Director Zhang and then squatted down. "You'll probably be sorting these herbs until dark. New medicinal herbs will be arriving soon. I'll help you sort them." Ji Zizhao instinctively refused, "There's no need to trouble you, Director Jiang." However, Jiang Guangcheng was determined. "Between us, what trouble is there?" Ji Zizhao had no choice but to move to the other side to sort.

Everything in the courtyard fell clearly into Xie Jinglan's view. Jiang Guangcheng felt that, in terms of status, he and Ji Zizhao were more of a match. While a prince's status was noble, it lacked the freedom of someone from a merchant family like himself. With this thought, Jiang Guangcheng felt even more justified in striking up a conversation with Ji Zizhao. Ji Zizhao also found Jiang Guangcheng's behavior today somewhat peculiar. However, everything Jiang Guangcheng said was related to herbs and medicine, so she didn't overthink it.