Zuo Xiuhua had always been pampered and raised at home. Even if she had some calculating thoughts, they were merely petty squabbles among young ladies. Now, to assist Consort Xi with such a significant matter, she was already flustered. Seeing Ji Zizhao’s panicked demeanor, how could she not be afraid?
The little palace maid who had led the way ran off after delivering them. Now, she had no one to turn to for advice.
Ji Zizhao took in all of Zuo Xiuhua’s panic and exclaimed with even greater alarm, "I heard my younger sister was injured in the palace. I was so rushed to get here that I forgot to bring my medicine chest."
How could she examine and treat the injury without a medicine chest?
Upon hearing this, Zuo Xiuhua’s anger flared, "I heard the eldest daughter of the Ji family was working in the palace. I thought she was sensible and steady, but I didn't expect her to be so flustered when faced with a situation."
Ji Zizhao looked at Zuo Xiuhua with a half-smile, "When a loved one is in trouble, one naturally loses composure. However, I see that the second daughter of the Zuo family is quite composed. Since that's the case, why doesn't the second daughter of the Zuo family wait here for me for a moment while I fetch my medicine chest?" Suda Novel Network
No matter how panicked Zuo Xiuhua was, she knew she couldn't let Ji Zizhao leave at this moment.
Consort Xi had carefully instructed her that there could be no mistakes in today's affair. This was her first time assisting Consort Xi; if she failed, would she have a good life after marrying into the family?
"It's just a sprain, it doesn't look serious. Why doesn't the eldest daughter of the Ji family go in and take a look first?" Zuo Xiuhua tried her best to coax, as long as the person was brought into the room, it would be easier.
Ji Zizhao certainly wouldn't comply, "How can I treat without anything? There are no such rules in the Imperial Academy of Medicine."
Zuo Xiuhua: "..."
Was this Ji Zizhao a chicken's entrail? So stingy?
How could she be so troublesome?
"If the second daughter of the Zuo family is afraid I will be delayed on the road, why not come with me and then return together?"
Ji Zizhao's suggestion stunned Zuo Xiuhua.
Consort Xi had told her to guard this place well and then lure Ji Zizhao inside.
Consort Xi had also specifically warned her not to leave without authorization.
If she really left with Ji Zizhao now, how would she explain herself when Consort Xi asked later?
Ji Zizhao knew Zuo Xiuhua was hesitating. She saw figures gradually approaching in the distance, her hands under her sleeves clenched so tightly that they began to sweat.
She feared it was the Fifth Prince’s party searching for them.
Once the Fifth Prince saw her standing here with Zuo Xiuhua, he would undoubtedly turn around and leave quietly.
And with the Fifth Prince's cunning and scheming, he would surely see something amiss.
At that point, this grand play might be difficult to continue.
Ji Zizhao's heart was tense, but she didn't show any of it on her face.
Now, she and Zuo Xiuhua were like two grasshoppers struggling independently; whoever revealed their weakness first would lose.
Therefore, Ji Zizhao not only had to appear relaxed but also kindly reminded Zuo Xiuhua, "I hear sounds over there, perhaps someone is coming?"
Zuo Xiuhua listened carefully behind her and indeed heard footsteps.
In an instant, Zuo Xiuhua panicked.
If she were discovered standing here with Ji Zizhao at this moment, how would she explain it?
Ji Zizhao was easily fooled, but what about others?
Zuo Xiuhua felt extremely guilty and her body stiffened.
"The second daughter of the Zuo family has a good heart, but if others see it, they might mistakenly think you trespassed in Fengyi Palace. It would then be bad for your reputation. Why doesn't the second daughter of the Zuo family return with me to the Imperial Academy of Medicine and then come back? As long as I can treat Sister Renran in time."
These words struck a chord with Zuo Xiuhua.
Ji Zizhao was right. As long as Consort Xi's affairs weren't delayed, what was there to fear about a slight delay?
The outcome would be the same anyway, so there was no problem.
Thinking this, Zuo Xiuhua quickly said, "Since that's the case, the eldest daughter of the Ji family, please lead the way quickly."
Ji Zizhao glanced at Zuo Xiuhua, a cold sneer welling up in her heart.
Consort Xi, in order to protect her good son, didn't hesitate to involve the noble ladies who had entered the palace.
These unmarried young ladies were indeed shallow-minded and easy to manipulate.
If something went wrong, Consort Xi could shift all blame to Zuo Xiuhua.
Consort Xi was indeed worthy of being a woman who had dominated the palace for decades; she was profoundly cunning.
However, everything is a double-edged sword. Just as Zuo Xiuhua could be manipulated by Consort Xi, she could also be used by her.
"To achieve success, one must be willing to take risks. Miss Zuo, you truly impress me. This way, please." Ji Zizhao led Zuo Xiuhua away, but her deliberately raised voice allowed Ji Renran inside the room to hear clearly.
Ji Renran, in pain all over her body, was filled with hatred.
No matter how foolish she was, she could tell that Zuo Xiuhua guarding the door was no coincidence.
She suspected that Consort Xi had never intended for her to marry the Fifth Prince openly. Even if Ji Zizhao couldn't become the Fifth Prince’s consort, there was always the carefully chosen Zuo Xiuhua.
She had been kept in the dark all along, dreaming of a meteoric rise.
Thinking of Ji Zizhao's words before she left, a fierce stubbornness solidified in Ji Renran's eyes.
Zuo Xiuhua, of course, didn't realize she had been led down a path of no return by Ji Zizhao. As they walked towards the Imperial Academy of Medicine, she occasionally scoffed at Ji Zizhao's retreating back.
She really didn't know what Consort Xi saw in Ji Zizhao. Besides being exceptionally beautiful, she truly had no other merits.
However, as soon as Zuo Xiuhua followed Ji Zizhao into the Imperial Academy of Medicine, before she could even fantasize about a happy future, she saw a little eunuch rush in.
"The Emperor has decreed that no one is to be summoned, nor are they to move about Fengyi Palace."
Zuo Xiuhua was a bit stunned. She had only left for a moment, how could something have happened?
What had happened!
With no time to think, Zuo Xiuhua completely forgot about Ji Zizhao and turned to run back, her hurried demeanor losing even the basic dignity of a noble lady.
Ji Zizhao also trembled upon hearing the little eunuch's announcement.
She had intended to escalate the matter, but the maximum extent was for the Empress to catch them in the act.
Unexpectedly, the Fourth Prince had directly brought the Emperor into it!
As expected, when it came to silently and profoundly striking at the heart, no one could compare to that black sesame-filled fox.
Zou Hansheng, who also heard the imperial decree, nearly dropped his eyeballs as he looked at Ji Zizhao standing nearby.
According to Consort Xi's plan, shouldn't Ji Zizhao be the protagonist when something happened in Fengyi Palace?
Now, the protagonist hadn't even appeared, and something had already happened!
Jiang Guang Sheng, who had just rushed back, saw Ji Zizhao standing safely in the Imperial Academy of Medicine. He had intended to go forward and ask a few questions, but seeing Zou Hansheng staring intently at Ji Zizhao, he had to put it aside for now, planning to find another opportunity to chat with Ji Zizhao alone.
On the other side, Consort Xi, who was still stubbornly confronting the Empress in the main hall, heard the news and felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck her directly on the head.
When Consort Xi stood up and, along with the Empress and the messenger Feng Gu, arrived at the side hall where Ji Renran was, she felt that the lightning strike on her head moved further down, making her vision blur.