Empress Zhong knew that many things could not be hidden, and besides, Ji Zizhao would be her daughter-in-law from now on. She had no intention of concealing anything. "Princess Wenhui is not the Emperor's biological daughter. She is the orphan of the great general Zhonggu from years ago. When General Zhonggu was wiped out by his enemies, only a little Wenhui was left. The Emperor brought Wenhui into the palace and placed her under Concubine Liang Wen. Wenhui was thus named."
Ji Zizhao frowned. She had indeed never heard of this before. "It is my ignorance."
"It cannot be blamed on you. The Emperor did not announce the events of that year to the world. Moreover, you were protected so tightly by your grandfather when you were young that you never even left your room. How could you know such things?" The Emperor's voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.
Ji Zizhao and the Empress exchanged glances and quickly rose.
Soon, the door to the sleeping quarters was pushed open, and Emperor Xiaochang, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, strode in.
"This concubine greets Your Majesty."
"This minister greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Xiaochang personally walked to Empress Zhong's side and first helped her up, then gestured to Ji Zizhao, "Rise."
Ji Zizhao rose at the sound and stood silently to the side.
Empress Zhong pulled the Emperor to sit on the couch and busied herself by asking the palace servants to prepare hot tea. "Why has Your Majesty come at this hour? Is the Fifth Prince alright?"
Emperor Xiaochang sighed, his fatigue visible in the candlelight. "After a day of trouble, I wanted to relax here with the Empress. The Fifth Prince is stable, and the Imperial Hospital has received the Ganoderma lucidum sent by the Empress. They say that with careful preparation and medication, he will wake up in a few days. This matter, in fact, is thanks to the Empress."
Empress Zhong scoffed inwardly. So, he received my gift and had to come say thank you?
Ji Zizhao thought, Ganoderma lucidum is sweet in taste and warm in nature, entering the heart, spleen, kidney, and lung meridians. Even a Ganoderma lucidum of a thousand or ten thousand years cannot escape the effects of nourishing the heart and calming the spirit, strengthening the lungs and tonifying qi, regulating qi and resolving blood stasis, and invigorating the liver and strengthening the spleen.
Looking at the Emperor's earnest expression, the Imperial Hospital must have assured him of something. Although Ganoderma lucidum was beneficial for the Fifth Prince's condition, it was somewhat unrealistic to rely solely on it to bring someone back from the brink. However, the Imperial Hospital would not dare to speak falsely in front of the Emperor, so...
Just then, Empress Zhong cast a very subtle glance at Ji Zizhao.
Their eyes met, and everything was understood without words.
The Fifth Prince's injuries were not that serious at all. He was probably conscious the entire time!
"Your Majesty, Empress, Princess Wenhui has arrived." A palace servant's voice came from outside the door.
Emperor Xiaochang, seemingly worried about the Fifth Prince, quickly said, "Let her in."
Princess Wenhui slowly entered and bowed to the Emperor and Empress. "This minister greets Father Emperor, and this minister greets Mother Empress."
Emperor Xiaochang immediately inquired, "Is there something wrong with the Fifth Prince again?"
Princess Wenhui shook her head. "The Fifth Prince's injuries are stable. I came specifically to report that everything is well, as I was worried about Father Emperor and Mother Empress."
"That's good." Emperor Xiaochang breathed a sigh of relief. The Fifth Prince had been injured by the starving wolves while saving him, and if anything unexpected were to happen, how could he explain it to Consort Xi?
Empress Zhong gestured for a palace servant to bring a chair for Wenhui. "A few years have passed in the blink of an eye, and Wenhui has grown into a young lady. She was so lovable when she was little. The princes in the palace all liked to stick to Wenhui, but who knew our Wenhui had great ambitions and was determined to heal the sick and save the world."
Wenhui sat in the chair and smiled. "Mother Empress is too kind. It is merely my interest. It is Father Emperor's love for me that allowed me to go out and study medicine."
Empress Zhong smiled with relief. "Was your journey back arduous?"
"With Fourth Brother accompanying me, it was not tiring at all. Moreover, I was determined to go out and study medicine. If I cannot endure even this hardship, how can I have the face to return to see Father Emperor and Mother Empress?" Wenhui lowered her eyes slightly, glancing at Ji Zizhao beside her.
Ji Zizhao kept her eyes lowered, looking at the tips of her shoes, as if she heard nothing.
Emperor Xiaochang was very pleased with Wenhui's attitude and finally showed a slight smile. "If these young men in the palace could endure half as much hardship as you, I would be content. Stay for a longer period now that you are back and spend time with your Mother Empress and me. After the New Year, around the Qingming Festival, we can go offer incense to your mother concubine."
Upon hearing the words "mother concubine," Wenhui's eyes immediately reddened. "This minister obeys."
As they were speaking, Nanny Dai suddenly entered and whispered a few words to Empress Zhong. Sudan Novel Network.
Empress Zhong looked steadily at Ji Zizhao before turning to the Emperor and saying, "Today, my palace is truly lively. The Fourth Prince has also arrived. He is waiting outside."
Emperor Xiaochang seemed both surprised and unsurprised. "When he was young, the Fourth Prince always used to pester Wenhui. Let him in."
Nanny Dai quickly went out to invite him.
Empress Zhong beckoned to Ji Zizhao. "You don't need to stand there. If the Fourth Prince sees you, he'll think I'm mistreating his future wife."
Wenhui visibly stiffened upon hearing this.
Empress Zhong ignored her and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, do you not agree?"
Emperor Xiaochang then noticed Ji Zizhao standing in the corner. Although the Fourth Prince and Ji Zizhao's marriage had not been publicly announced, it was a done deal. Since there were no outsiders here, keeping her in the cold would make him, the Emperor, appear to be still dwelling on the past events of the Ji family.
"The Empress is correct. You will be the Fourth Prince's consort in the future, and you need not be so formal. Sit."
Ji Zizhao thanked him and walked towards a chair opposite Wenhui.
At the same time, Xie Jinglan entered from outside.
Ji Zizhao looked over. After a few days, he seemed to have lost some weight, and his already sharp features appeared even more defined.
Xie Jinglan noticed Ji Zizhao's gaze and seemed to curl his lips. But before Ji Zizhao could get a clear look, Wenhui suddenly stood up and stood in front of her, blocking her view.
Wenhui affectionately took Ji Zizhao's hand and said, "It's my fault for being careless. I never expected this to be the future Fourth Prince's consort. If we're talking about relationships, I have the best relationship with Fourth Brother. Come sit by me, Fourth Prince's consort. I will tell you everything about Fourth Brother."
Ji Zizhao glanced sideways at Xie Jinglan, who was greeting the Emperor and Empress, and a wry smile touched her lips.
This Princess Wenhui is quite clever.
But unfortunately, she had no time to play along. "Before marriage, how dare I comment on the private matters of my superiors? Princess Wenhui, I appreciate your kindness."
With that, she subtly withdrew her hand.
Princess Wenhui seemed surprised that Ji Zizhao had refused so readily and was left stunned.
Empress Zhong smiled. "Not overstepping one's bounds, and acting with propriety. I most admire the temperament of the eldest daughter of the Ji family."
Emperor Xiaochang also nodded. "Indeed, she is someone who abides by the rules."
Just then, Wenhui walked up to Xie Jinglan and said apologetically, "On our way back, I confidently assured you that I would get along well with the future Fourth Prince's consort. I never expected that it seems I have upset the Fourth Prince's consort as soon as we met."