The Ji family members were bewildered when they heard that the Empress had sent someone.
They were even more confused to learn that it was Nanny Dai, who had accompanied the Empress when she married.
Nanny Dai was indeed a servant, but not everyone could call her that. Just like now, no one in the Ji family dared to look down on Nanny Dai; even the Old Madam had to personally greet her.
When Ji Zizhao hurried to the mansion gates, she saw everyone in the mansion smiling obsequiously at Nanny Dai.
The wives of each branch of the Ji family naturally wore genuine smiles. The Fourth Prince had left so abruptly, leaving Zizhao-jie to face countless rumors. If the Empress could offer her support, it would be wonderful.
As for Gu Peilan's smile, it was somewhat strained.
But even if it was strained, she still had to force a smile!
Upon seeing Ji Zizhao, Nanny Dai hurried over personally to pay her respects, inquire about her well-being, and personally helped Ji Zizhao into the imperial carriage. Her regard for Ji Zizhao was self-evident.
Watching Ji Zizhao being respectfully sent into the carriage, Ji Renran couldn't help but clench the handkerchief in her hand.
The Fourth Prince was sent to Tonglin as cannon fodder, yet Ji Zizhao was still so highly regarded by the Empress. Why?
"Nanny Dai, please convey my regards to Her Majesty the Empress when you return to the palace," Ji Renran walked up to Nanny Dai with a radiant smile.
Logically speaking, Ji Renran was a concubine of the Fifth Prince, and Nanny Dai should give her some face.
However, considering that the Fourth Prince and this concubine of the Fifth Prince had long been at odds, and that she had helped the Fifth Prince plot against the Fourth Prince's Consort back in the palace, Nanny Dai had no intention of giving Ji Renran any face.
Therefore, Nanny Dai didn't even glance at Ji Renran. She merely exchanged a few words with the Ji family's Old Madam and the wives of each branch, then ordered the palace servants to drive the carriage away.
Ji Renran never expected Nanny Dai to dare treat her this way. The handkerchief in her hand was almost crushed.
Ji Zizhao had no time to pay attention to Ji Renran's self-inflicted humiliation. She rode the carriage to the palace and followed Nanny Dai into Fengyi Palace.
Empress Zhong was lost in thought, and only came back to her senses when she heard footsteps. Seeing Ji Zizhao enter, she quickly beckoned with a smile, "Come and sit."
Ji Zizhao took a few steps forward and first paid her respects to the Empress, "This subject greets Her Majesty the Empress."
Empress Zhong always found Ji Zizhao to be well-behaved and never overstepping. This brought a pang to her throat, and she suppressed it for a long time before saying, "What, has the Fourth Prince left, and you no longer intend to acknowledge me as your mother-in-law?"
Ji Zizhao, who had only been bowing, knelt on the ground upon hearing these words.
Empress Zhong: "..."
Was she still going to let her speak?
"Whatever happens in the future, as long as Your Majesty the Empress still acknowledges this subject, this subject will always remain by Your Majesty's side, along with the Fourth Prince, to dutifully serve Your Majesty the Empress."
Empress Zhong trembled, a flash of shock in her eyes.
As the shock subsided, her eyes reddened, "So, you knew all along?"
Ji Zizhao nodded.
If the Empress found it inconvenient to say, she would say it.
The road ahead was long, and someone always needed to break the silence.
"Good child, get up and speak." Empress Zhong personally reached out and pulled Ji Zizhao to sit beside her.
The Fourth Prince's affairs had always been a thorn in her heart. No matter how painful, she couldn't bear to remove it. This was the one thing she didn't know how to talk about. Little did she expect that Ji Zizhao understood without her even speaking.
"When did you find out?"
"For some time now."
"So, you also know that the Fourth Prince is definitely not coming back?"
Ji Zizhao nodded.
Empress Zhong sighed, "Do you have any plans?"
"In the current situation, the Fourth Prince not returning is the only choice. Although he has to abandon his identity, in my opinion, nothing is more important than life. However, I believe that as soon as the Emperor has any suspicions, he will soon control the Zhong and Xue families to threaten the Fourth Prince into winning this war for Yulin."
Since Ji Zizhao had broken the silence, there was nothing left to hide. She told the Empress everything she had said to Xie Jinglan yesterday.
"However, I believe this matter is not without a turning point. Both families have made meritorious contributions to the court. Even if the Fourth Prince truly never returns, it will not be easy for the Emperor to harm them. However, strict investigation is certain. Fortunately, the Zhong and Xue families are unaware of the Fourth Prince's identity. As long as the Zhong and Xue families endure the Emperor's period of coldness, they will eventually see the clouds part and the moon shine."
As long as Xie Jinglan left and never returned, his identity as a Western Rong hostage would be solidified.
No matter how angry the Emperor was, he would not harm himself for the sake of the Western Rong people.
Empress Zhong was truly shocked.
She hadn't expected Ji Zizhao to have thought of all this.
An ordinary woman facing such a situation would likely be terrified and regretful.
When disaster strikes, everyone flees for themselves; how could they possibly consider the overall situation and weigh the pros and cons?
Looking at the person beside her speaking eloquently, Empress Zhong's throat felt even more constricted, "Have you considered what you will do in the future?"
Ji Zizhao smiled, "I said that as long as Your Majesty the Empress does not dislike me, I am willing to always be with Your Majesty the Empress."
"Do you really intend to not remarry?"
"If it's not what I desire, it's better to live a simple life."
In Ji Zizhao's life, love was not a necessity.
It was only when she met Xie Jinglan later that she went from being unable to refuse to gradually becoming accustomed to it.
"A woman ultimately needs a home. If you agree, I will help you."
"And who says a woman must get married?"
Empress Zhong was astonished.
This was the first time she had ever heard such reasoning.
But upon careful consideration, she felt that Ji Zizhao was not wrong.
As a woman who stood alone in the palace and referred to herself as "this subject," Ji Zizhao indeed did not need to rely on anyone.
However, looking at the smile on Ji Zizhao's face, Empress Zhong felt immense heartache, "Good child, if you truly feel this way, even without the Fourth Prince in the future, you will always be the Fourth Prince's Consort of Yulin. As long as I am alive, you will be my daughter-in-law."
Ji Zizhao smiled and nodded, "This subject thanks Your Majesty the Empress for her fulfillment."
Empress Zhong held Ji Zizhao's hand, truly not knowing what to say.
This foolish child, her Fourth Prince should be the one thanking her.
It was just a pity that the Fourth Prince was not blessed enough...
Ji Zizhao recalled what Xie Jinglan had said yesterday and told the Empress truthfully, "If this incident was indeed caused by the Eighth Prince, I fear the Fourth Prince's departure is not truly the end."
Mentioning the serious matter, the maternal kindness on Empress Zhong's face instantly vanished, "I did not expect the Eighth Prince to be involved as well, but you can rest assured. If the Eighth Prince still intends to do anything, I will not stand idly by."
He drove away her son, and now he still wanted to run rampant in front of her?
Did he really think she, the Empress, was just a decoration!