Facing Ji Renran’s silence these past few days, Ji Zizhao naturally had to be on guard.
If Ji Renran truly wished to marry into the Fifth Prince’s estate, she would not stop her.
A scumbag man and a scumbag woman, their stench was indeed the same.
If these two could band together, it would be a blessing to all beings.
Unexpectedly, even though Ji Zizhao entered the palace early, she still encountered Ji Renran.
Fengyi Palace sent a messenger to the Imperial Hospital, stating that the Empress Dowager was suffering from a cold stomach and had specifically requested Ji Zizhao to prepare medicine.
Ji Zizhao knew that the Empress Dowager's actions were to support her. After preparing the medicine, she slowly walked towards Fengyi Palace, intending to meet the person coming to collect it.
Who would have thought that as she reached a fork in the road, she would see the young ladies participating in the palace selection?
The young ladies were like a flurry of red and green, their fragrances and elegance filling the air.
Sunlight shone upon them, beautiful and radiant, making even the imperial palace seem full of vitality.
Today, Ji Renran wore a light pink lotus-patterned dress, paired with a snow-white fox fur vest. Her dark hair was adorned with jade hairpins. Her demeanor was cool and elegant, the hairpins swaying gently. She was exceptionally beautiful.
Yesterday, when Ji Zizhao heard that Ji Renran had been summoned to the main courtyard by their grandmother, she had guessed that their grandmother would not stand by and do nothing regarding this palace selection. She hadn't expected her to go to such lengths.
Looking solely at Ji Renran's attire today, it was clearly worth a fortune.
The young ladies entering the palace also did not expect to encounter Ji Zizhao, and they all cast sideways glances.
Ji Zizhao’s beauty had been witnessed by all the young ladies during her previous visit to the palace.
However, appearances matter. Compared to these meticulously dressed ladies today, Ji Zizhao, in her official robes, was clearly far outshone.
Especially those young ladies who felt overshadowed by Ji Zizhao last time, they now craned their necks, wishing they could walk over and compare themselves to Ji Zizhao again.
Xue Yinuo, also standing in the crowd, saw this and sneered contemptuously, “They’re all squawking like hens with flapping wings. One would think they're about to take flight right here.”
Xu Meiqing tugged at Xue Yinuo’s sleeve, “You should lower your voice a little.”
Zhong Xinyi chuckled and said, “Even if some people want to compete for superiority, they have to see if the person in question gives them the opportunity.”
Was Ji Zizhao an ordinary person?
It was as if she were being looked up to by everyone. If it were any other woman, she would have long since fled in shame.
But look at Ji Zizhao again. The wind blew, clouds moved, everyone else was stirring, yet she stood there, calm and composed.
Zhong Xinyi, for one, admired this composure.
As expected, the young ladies who had harbored competitive feelings gradually lost interest when faced with Ji Zizhao’s complete lack of reaction.
Just then, they heard the nanny leading the way call out, “Aunt Zhi Nan.”
Almost instantly, all the young ladies put on a flattering smile.
Aunt Zhi Nan was someone who served by the Empress Dowager’s side. Even if they hadn’t met her, they had heard her name.
Although today was about selecting imperial consorts for each prince, everyone had to go to Fengyi Palace.
The consorts would also select their sons' imperial consorts in front of the Empress Dowager, and then wait for the Empress Dowager to finalize the list before submitting it to the Emperor for review.
As for the princes who did not have mothers, the Empress Dowager would handle their selection on their behalf.
Zhi Nan, looking at these beautiful and captivating young ladies, was in a good mood.
But ultimately, they would be future mistresses. Zhi Nan had to maintain a distance, merely casting a faint glance forward…
The result was seeing Ji Zizhao not far away.
Upon seeing Ji Zizhao, Zhi Nan’s smile clearly brightened considerably.
This woman might very well be the Empress Dowager’s future daughter-in-law, so she naturally had to show respect and deference.
Thinking this, Zhi Nan’s smile became even more radiant as she approached Ji Zizhao, “How could we trouble the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family to make this trip? It is indeed our oversight.”
Ji Zizhao responded with proper respect and deference, “I heard that the Empress Dowager’s cold stomach has flared up. Although it is a minor ailment, it cannot be taken lightly. Since the Empress Dowager trusts this humble servant, this servant cannot disappoint the Empress Dowager.”
Zhi Nan felt incredibly pleased hearing this.
No wonder the Empress Dowager favored the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family. Look at how she spoke; it was truly comforting to hear.
“When the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family took her examinations at the Imperial Hospital, she consistently ranked at the top. It was difficult for the Empress Dowager not to notice. I heard that the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family once again ranked first in the final round. The Empress Dowager praised the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family for a long time then.”
“It is this humble servant’s fortune to receive the Empress Dowager’s praise.”
The young ladies not far away, watching Ji Zizhao converse with Zhi Nan with a smile, had their competitive spirit completely annihilated.
The last time Ji Zizhao entered the palace with them, even though she was highly regarded by the palace officials, her status was still on par with theirs.
But in such a short time, Ji Zizhao had become a palace official.
Even if these women were chosen, they would be people who would live their lives relying on the princes.
To put it bluntly, who else could navigate the palace as effortlessly as Ji Zizhao?
Suddenly, everyone found Ji Zizhao’s official robes quite pleasing to the eye.
It truly embodied the saying, "What you cannot have is always the best."
Even Xue Yinuo became wistful, “What do I do if I want to serve in the palace too?”
Xu Meiqing: “……”
Then you can only dream about it.
Zhi Nan was still mindful of Fengyi Palace. After exchanging pleasantries with Ji Zizhao, she took her leave.
Seeing this, the young ladies were somewhat curious and surprised.
Today, all the selection for imperial consorts was to take place in Fengyi Palace. Since the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family had such a good relationship with the Empress Dowager, shouldn’t she have put in a good word for Ji Renran beforehand?
Why…
She hadn’t even mentioned it!
Ji Renran’s face turned pale.
Even though she knew Ji Zizhao would not look out for her, the feeling of being watched by everyone was unbearable.
Ji Zizhao had no time to appreciate Ji Renran’s pitiful state. After seeing Zhi Nan off, she also turned to leave.
Her grievances and grudges with Gu Peilan’s lineage combined were enough to fill a theatrical play.
The fact that she hadn’t made things difficult for Ji Renran now was a testament to her upright character.
“Eldest Sister!” a gentle voice suddenly called out from behind.
Ji Zizhao stopped and turned around, only to see Ji Renran walking towards her.
It was against the rules for a young lady to leave the ranks unexpectedly.
Ji Renran’s actions startled all the young ladies present.
The nanny leading the way clearly showed displeasure on her face, but looking at Ji Zizhao, she ultimately did not stop her.
Xue Yinuo’s face turned green upon seeing this.
Xu Meiqing and Zhong Xinyi’s expressions were also not very pleasant.
The empire belonged to the Emperor, and the Empress Dowager presided over the palace.
It was one thing for Ji Renran to disregard the rules, but she even called out Ji Zizhao’s name?
What was she trying to do?
Ji Renran, however, seemed oblivious to everything. She took Ji Zizhao’s hand with great affection, “This morning, I wanted to go to the palace together with Eldest Sister. I didn’t expect Eldest Sister to leave first. I was wondering if I had done something wrong again to make Eldest Sister unhappy, but I didn’t expect Eldest Sister to rush into the palace to prepare medicine for the Empress Dowager.”
If one didn’t know the hidden friction between them, seeing this scene, one would think it was a display of deep sisterly affection.
Ji Zizhao glanced at the speechless young ladies in the distance, then at the nanny who dared not speak her mind…
Naturally, she understood everything.