Xie Jinglan had originally intended to explain, but now it seemed unnecessary. Seeing Ji Zizhao's composed demeanor, he couldn't help but smile, a smile he hadn't even realized was there.
The harem was never short of women, and over the years, he had seen how they interacted with his father, the Emperor. Some were as close and harmonious as his mother, while others, like Consort Xi, used their beauty to please the Emperor. He had thought that marital relationships were nothing more than this, until he met her.
This feeling was more like that of a lifelong friend, or a strategist on the same battlefield.
This feeling made Xie Jinglan have to admit that he was addicted.
After the fifth day, the town was still filled with festive cheer.
In contrast, the atmosphere in the temporary palace was rather subtle.
Although the Emperor still remained in the temporary palace, the number of ministers he received each day had clearly increased, from an attempt to conceal their activities to open and aboveboard.
Under such circumstances, even Consort Xi, who was so angry that she was bedridden, sensed something different.
Empress Zhong, on the other hand, had noticed something was amiss a few days prior. However, before she could send anyone to investigate, an oral decree from the Emperor directly disrupted everyone's plans.
"Set off for the palace!"
The oral decree consisted of only four words, indicating that no one was given a chance to react.
As soon as Ji Zizhao received the news, she immediately went to see the Empress, hoping to get some answers from her.
"I did send people to investigate a few days ago, but I didn't get any information. After a year, the Emperor's suspicion has only deepened. Now, we can only take one step at a time," Empress Zhong sighed. Even she, who was closest to the Emperor, could no longer fathom his thoughts.
Ji Zizhao was silent for a moment before speaking, "I have heard some things, and I am unsure if the Emperor's sudden return to the palace is related to these rumors."
Seeing wet nurse Dai tidying up luggage in the courtyard, Empress Zhong thought that they wouldn't be able to leave for a while and nodded at Ji Zizhao, "Tell me about it."
"I heard that some time ago, news came from Tonglin that the Seventh Prince was seriously injured."
"Where did you hear that?"
"I was strolling in the temporary palace that day and overheard it by chance. Unfortunately, it was too dark, and I didn't see the speaker's appearance. At the time, I dismissed it as gossip. Now that I think about it, perhaps Tonglin is indeed not peaceful."
Ji Zizhao told Empress Zhong this news because she wanted the Empress to investigate along this line of suspicion, rather than fumbling around like a headless fly.
After all, Empress Zhong was the closest person to the Emperor, and she could gather information faster and more accurately.
However, Ji Zizhao could not betray Xue Yinuo and Xue Yongnian. After all, Xue Yongnian had indeed kept this matter a secret. Xie Jinglan could understand Xue Yongnian's actions, but Empress Zhong might not necessarily think that deeply.
Empress Zhong pondered for a moment, "I will pay close attention to this matter."
Ji Zizhao nodded, bowed, and took her leave.
However, just as she was about to leave, Empress Zhong called her back, "If... if I say, if the Seventh Prince really met with an accident in Tonglin, no matter who says what, or whatever rumors you hear, I hope you will not interfere in this matter again."
Ji Zizhao looked at the Empress, somewhat stunned.
Empress Zhong suddenly clenched her hands under her sleeves, twisting them tightly together. Such reliance and worry had never appeared on that elegant, dignified, and calm face before. "...Consider it my plea to you."
In an instant, Ji Zizhao's heart skipped a beat.
Perhaps Empress Zhong also knew about her long-held suspicions.
Or perhaps, her suspicions were indeed the truth.
But at this moment, Ji Zizhao could neither ask nor speak her mind. She could not afford to gamble, nor could she afford to lose, because if she lost, she would lose forever.
"Your subject obeys." Ji Zizhao bowed respectfully and performed a grand禮.
Empress Zhong seemed to heave a sigh of relief, her eyes even turning slightly red. "Good child, you may go."
As Ji Zizhao walked out of Empress Zhong's temporary palace, the sunlight overhead was warm and pleasant. It was a rare good day since the beginning of winter, yet she only felt her limbs turning cold.
When she first heard of the Seventh Prince's serious injuries, she had been pondering the reasons behind it, but never would she have imagined that the answer she sought might be right before her eyes.
And it was obvious that Empress Zhong had immediately thought of it.
Ji Zizhao looked up at the clear sky above, her heart filled with a growing gloom, her hands and feet growing colder. Perhaps, the heavens of Yulin were truly about to change.
That afternoon, everyone embarked on their journey back to the imperial city.
Because they left in a hurry, everyone boarded the carriages without any preparation. However, given the Emperor's oral decree, even though everyone was flustered, they dared not show any displeasure or complain.
Ji Zizhao sat in the carriage, observing the expressions of those around her through the carriage window. The family members looked flustered, and even Consort Xi, supported by wet nurse Zhang, appeared quite disheveled.
Only a few ministers calmly boarded their own carriages.
Ji Zizhao observed them closely. Apart from Xue Yongnian, the others were all high-ranking ministers of the second rank and above. These individuals were all veteran figures in the court. No matter how fiercely other ministers took sides, they always remained united for the court and were completely loyal to the Emperor.
Ji Zizhao's heart sank further. It was reasonable for these ministers to know the inside story, but why did the Emperor specifically include Xue Yongnian among them?
Since the last time she treated Xue Yongnian, it was common knowledge in the imperial city that Xue Yongnian was close to the Fourth Prince.
As the carriages slowly drove out of the temporary palace, Ji Zizhao leaned back on the soft couch, her mind in a complete mess.
Unlike their arrival at the temporary palace, they were rushing back to the imperial city, traveling day and night at full speed. Even the Emperor rested in his carriage, and the others dared not utter a word of complaint.
Five days later, the convoy finally arrived at the imperial city.
Except for a few ministers specifically summoned by the Emperor, all other officials returned to their respective residences first. Ji Zizhao was to accompany the imperial physicians back to the palace to compile the treatment records from their stay at the temporary palace.
Zou Hansheng was as usual. Upon seeing Ji Zizhao, he gave her a dismissive look and deliberately omitted her name when compiling the list of personnel.
"There are only a few people from the Imperial Medical Office who accompanied us. You can count them on your fingers. Yet, you insist on being so neurotic about calling names. With such a memory, I really don't know how you managed to get into the Imperial Medical Office in the first place." Such sharp, sarcastic, and resonant a voice could only belong to Zhang Shuzhong in the entire Imperial Medical Office.