The rules set forth are designed to ensure a faithful, elegant, and natural translation of Chinese novels into English, paying close attention to nuances, cultural context, and literary style. Below is the translation of the provided text, adhering strictly to all specified guidelines.
The Imperial Villa was less constrained than the imperial palace, and Empress Zhong found herself able to relax considerably. After dinner, she had a variety of pastries prepared and, pulling Zhong Xinyi closer, engaged in lively conversation with Ji Zizhao, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere. Only when Nanny Dai reminded them that it was past the hour of Xu (around 9-11 PM) did Empress Zhong permit them to depart.
Both Ji Zizhao and Zhong Xinyi were fatigued after a day of activity and quickly performed their kowtows to bid farewell.
Empress Zhong smiled and said, "There's no need for such formality here in the Imperial Villa. I know that at your age, you both enjoy being active. I've already given instructions to the stables. Get a good night's sleep tonight, and you can have plenty of fun tomorrow."
"Aunt, Aunt Empress, can I go pick out a horse now?" Zhong Xinyi's eyes lit up at the mention of riding. Her eagerness was so palpable, it seemed she wished to rush to the stables that very instant.
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Riding horses late at night in the Imperial Villa? You truly don't fear the Emperor's punishments are too light for you.
Ji Zizhao quickly pulled Zhong Xinyi back. After thanking the Empress, she led Zhong Xinyi out of the main hall, fearful that if she looked away for even a moment, Zhong Xinyi would storm the stables and turn the place upside down.
Empress Zhong watched until the figures of both women had completely disappeared from view before turning to Nanny Dai. "It's rare to see you hesitant. Tell me, why did Fourth Prince leave the Imperial Villa?"
Nanny Dai glanced towards the door, seeing that Ji Zizhao and Zhong Xinyi were not yet far away. She dared to step closer and whispered into the Empress's ear.
The smile on Empress Zhong's face vanished completely.
Nanny Dai, seeing the Empress's displeased expression, lowered her head in silence.
A heavy quiet gradually fell over the main hall.
The silence was almost suffocating.
After an unknown period, Empress Zhong finally let out a cold laugh. "It is her, as expected! She left whenever she pleased back then, and now she returns when she pleases. She truly is acting lawlessly, relying on the Emperor's guilt."
Nanny Dai quickly said, "Perhaps it was just a coincidence..."
"There are no such coincidences. Go and investigate. Investigate thoroughly," Empress Zhong narrowed her eyes, a cold glint flashing within them.
She had racked her brain and expended considerable effort concerning the marriage of the Fourth Prince. Even the unpromising Seventh Prince knew to offer merits in exchange for a wife for the Fourth Prince. If anyone dared to disrupt this arrangement, she, the Empress, would by no means be a mere figurehead.
Nanny Dai, who hadn't seen the Empress so angry in many years, quickly accepted the order and hurried out of the main hall.
Ji Zizhao, who was walking out with Zhong Xinyi, heard footsteps behind her. She saw Nanny Dai hurrying towards a small path beside the main hall.
Ji Zizhao narrowed her eyes slightly. That small path did not lead in the direction of Nanny Dai's quarters.
"Ji Zizhao, are you treating me like thin air?!" A roar suddenly erupted beside her ear.
Ji Zizhao turned her head to see Zhong Xinyi with an indignant expression, her eyebrows furrowed and eyes wide.
"What are you looking at? You didn't even hear me speaking to you?" Zhong Xinyi said, and was about to follow Ji Zizhao's gaze.
"It's nothing, I just got a bit lost in thought." Ji Zizhao quickly pulled Zhong Xinyi along, continuing their walk. No matter what the Empress intended, she did not want Zhong Xinyi to get entangled.
Zhong Xinyi seemed to sense something. She bit her lip and remained silent until they reached the courtyard entrance. She then turned to Ji Zizhao and said, "I know you're smart, and I know I can't compare to you. That's why you don't tell me many things."
Ji Zizhao sighed inwardly, contemplating how to explain to Zhong Xinyi, when Zhong Xinyi paused and added, "Actually, Fourth Cousin is quite good."
Ji Zizhao was stunned. What did Xie Jinglan have to do with this?
Zhong Xinyi, seeing Ji Zizhao's surprised look, assumed she had guessed correctly. "I knew you must still be thinking about Fourth Cousin not coming today. Although I was also quite surprised, Zizhao, I guarantee you, Fourth Cousin might seem cold, but he is a responsible person. He must have had something urgent to attend to tonight."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
So, their thoughts were not even on the same track.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." Ji Zizhao hadn't given Xie Jinglan's absence a second thought. If Zhong Xinyi hadn't mentioned it, she would have nearly forgotten.
"You're really fine?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
Zhong Xinyi scrutinized Ji Zizhao carefully. Seeing that she truly showed no sign of disappointment or hurt, she finally relaxed. "I knew it. The Ji Zizhao I know isn't someone who is so calculative and petty. It's a wonder I was so worried about you, I barely ate anything at dinner."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
You truly worked hard.
"Alright, you don't need to escort me further. Since Aunt has kindly allowed us to ride horses, I'll come find you tomorrow, and we can go for a ride." Zhong Xinyi had always been carefree and decisive, her actions as swift as her words.
Ji Zizhao, however, stood frozen.
Zhong Xinyi had just said "kindly allowed," implying that in the past, when they visited the Imperial Villa, the Empress had not permitted Zhong Xinyi to ride.
Someone who could sit on the throne of the Six Palaces would never be impulsive or rash.
However, whatever Empress Zhong's intentions were for allowing Zhong Xinyi to ride, Ji Zizhao dared not speculate. Although her engagement to Xie Jinglan was a done deal, under the Empress's watchful eye, she still needed to learn to be discreet.
The Empress's affection for her was no excuse for overstepping boundaries.
Zhong Xinyi had always been a person of her word. Early the next morning, she brought Xue Yinuo and Xu Meiqing with her and knocked on Ji Zizhao's door.
The midday sun was quite warm. The group led their horses and strolled leisurely through the Imperial Villa, chatting and laughing freely.
Zhong Xinyi was a whirlwind around horses. While the others were talking, she effortlessly mounted a horse. Xu Meiqing, concerned, also rode up to follow her.
Xue Yinuo, recalling the incident at the Zhong family's residence, deliberately moved closer to Ji Zizhao. "I haven't properly thanked you for what happened last time. When we return to the main city, I'll treat you. You can choose anything you want to eat."
Ji Zizhao looked at her hearty demeanor and smiled. "Sun Lu fabricating charges against me was false, but it's true that Madam Xue wanted to use this opportunity to set a trap for Madam Xue's mother. However, Madam Xue's mother never complained to me. This is my way of repaying Madam Xue's mother."
"Madam Xue has always been restless, but this time her restlessness has come to an end. My father was furious when he returned and swore to get Sun Lu to explain himself. Who knew that Sun Lu was such a coward? He fled the imperial city that very day with all his belongings. Xue Xiaochun was so anxious to chase after him that my father whipped her several times, drawing a lot of blood. I was so startled. Later, my mother told me that Xue Xiaochun had lost her child..."
Xue Yinuo was, after all, an unmarried young lady. Encountering such an event naturally frightened her, and even now, her face still looked a little pale. "My father was truly angry. He has already sent people to a nunnery outside the city. Once Xue Xiaochun recovers from her confinement, she will have her hair tonsured and become a nun."
Ji Zizhao remained composed and understood.
Having such an incident occur within the family was indeed embarrassing.
Furthermore, Xue Yinuo was not yet married. If this matter were not handled promptly and the scandal spread, it would affect Xue Yinuo's prospects of marriage.
As for Xue Xiaochun and Sun Lu, their fate was a fitting retribution.
As they were speaking, Xu Meiqing rushed over breathlessly.
Her fair face was filled with panic and distress. "It's not good! Xinyi is in trouble!"