The list was finalized, and all that remained was to await the Emperor's decree on the departure date for Tonglin.
Because the Seventh Prince's life was at stake, Emperor Xiaochang issued an edict the very next day, ordering the imperial physicians bound for Tonglin to depart the city that very night.
Before the procession to Yulin could set off, a farewell banquet was customary to usher in good fortune. The palace staff were in a frenzy from early morning. By noon, the princes and consorts who had received imperial marriage decrees, along with ministers, began to arrive at the palace.
Although Ji Zizhao was the Fourth Prince's consort by imperial decree, she was also an official in the Imperial Hospital. Moreover, her name was on the list of those traveling to Tonglin. Emperor Xiaochang had already given a verbal instruction, telling Ji Zizhao to prepare for the journey and that she need not attend the farewell banquet.
In truth, all necessary preparations had been made in advance. However, Ji Zizhao genuinely disliked attending so-called farewell banquets. So, while everyone else was busy heading to Taihe Hall for the feast, she took the opportunity to visit the Empress at Fengyi Palace.
To her surprise, upon entering, she saw a familiar face.
"Auntie Zhi Nan," Ji Zizhao greeted with a smile.
Zhi Nan turned upon hearing her voice. Instead of her usual warmth and familiarity, she regarded Ji Zizhao with a curious and distant gaze. Only when she saw the medicine box in Ji Zizhao's hand did she curtsy, "This servant greets the Fourth Prince's consort."
Faced with Zhi Nan's formality, Ji Zizhao found herself at a loss for words.
Zhi Nan paused before adding, "The Fourth Prince's consort is mistaken. I am Zhi Nan's twin sister, Bai He."
Ji Zizhao realized with a start. No wonder they looked so alike; they were twins.
"Old servant, I knew the voice sounded familiar. So it is indeed the Fourth Prince's consort who has arrived," Mama Dai said, walking out with a smile.
"Mama Dai," Ji Zizhao acknowledged with a nod and a smile.
"Her Majesty the Empress was just mentioning the Fourth Prince's consort. If she knew you were here to visit, she would be overjoyed," Mama Dai said, her heart filled with delight at Ji Zizhao's composed demeanor. She quickly ushered Ji Zizhao inside the sleeping quarters.
Before entering, Ji Zizhao glanced back at Bai He, who stood by the door. She felt as though something was hidden within the depths of her eyes.
Mama Dai, observing Ji Zizhao's gaze, couldn't help but sigh inwardly. As the Empress had predicted, this matter would not remain hidden from the Fourth Prince's consort.
"Fourth Prince's consort, you may not know, but Bai He is missing."
Ji Zizhao stopped in her tracks, genuinely startled.
"Some time ago, Bai He accompanied Her Majesty the Empress on an errand and never returned. In the harem, where people are plentiful, such a minor matter could not be brought to the Emperor's attention," Mama Dai said, her expression darkening considerably when she mentioned Zhi Nan. Having both served the Empress since their dowry days, their bond was deeper than that of siblings.
"What did Her Majesty the Empress say?" Ji Zizhao asked softly.
"Her Majesty the Empress is still secretly sending people to search, but there has been no news."
"Does Mama Dai know when this happened?"
"Before going to the imperial villa."
Ji Zizhao's heart tightened, and she unconsciously gripped the handle of her medicine box.
No wonder she hadn't seen Zhi Nan when they went to the imperial villa. She had thought the Empress had kept Zhi Nan in the palace to assist, but it turned out something had happened.
"Bai He entered the palace a few years after Zhi Nan and was assigned by Her Majesty the Empress to the summer resort. After Zhi Nan disappeared, Her Majesty the Empress sent word to Bai He, who willingly returned to the palace to continue serving Her Majesty in Zhi Nan's stead."
Looking at Mama Dai's expression, Ji Zizhao knew that Zhi Nan was likely beyond saving.
Therefore, Bai He's claim of substitution was likely an attempt to avenge her sister.
Ji Zizhao's heart felt heavy as she recalled Zhi Nan's sincere smiles whenever she saw her.
Inside the sleeping quarters, Empress Zhong immediately noticed Ji Zizhao's somewhat pale complexion. She waved her attendants away before motioning Ji Zizhao to sit beside her. "You've seen Bai He?"
Fearing that the Empress might fall ill from worry, Ji Zizhao quickly produced a pulse pillow and placed it beneath the Empress's wrist.
Empress Zhong smiled at Ji Zizhao's anxious demeanor. "There are plenty of sordid affairs in this harem. I've experienced it all these years and have long grown accustomed to it. So many people wish to see me stumble, but I will never let them have their way."
As Ji Zizhao listened to the Empress, a memory suddenly surfaced.
"When the late Empress Dowager was still alive, someone came seeking trouble under Her Majesty the Empress's name..."
Ji Zizhao did not want the Empress to know too much that was unnecessary. She altered the poisoning of the late Empress Dowager to unconsciousness. Yet, even so, it caused Empress Zhong's expression to change to one of anger.
"I had no idea that someone would use my name to do such a thing. Fortunately, you understand medicine. Otherwise, if someone had truly been caught fainting before the late Empress Dowager, given the Ji family's sensitive position at the time, your entire clan would likely have been executed before justice could be served!"
And to others, the person who orchestrated this would be the current Empress.
Empress Zhong would not forget that Ji Zizhao had mentioned the palace maid who delivered the pastries claimed to be from Fengyi Palace.
This was clearly an attempt to use her to eliminate the entire Ji family while they were vulnerable!
Good. Very good.
If Ji Zizhao hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have known she was being used as a weapon by someone else!
"Does Her Majesty the Empress have any suspects?"
Empress Zhong knew Ji Zizhao's suspicions but shook her head. "Consort Xi is cunning, but she doesn't have the audacity to cause trouble before the late Empress Dowager."
"Do you truly believe that by taking Zhi Nan away, I am powerless? The reason I agreed to Bai He's return was to provoke those plotting in the shadows. I want Bai He to be seen throughout the palace. I want the person who owes Zhi Nan's life to face Bai He's face every single day!"
Empress Zhong smiled coldly, but as she smiled, her eyes began to redden.
"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself." Ji Zizhao truly admired the Empress. With Bai He missing, the Empress still had to accompany the Emperor to the imperial villa, daring not to show any hint of grief lest it invite gossip.
Serving the Emperor was like walking on thin ice; even a sigh in his presence could be considered treasonous.
"On the surface, everyone seems amiable, but in their hearts, don't they all carry a blade? You must be extremely careful on your journey to Tonglin. The Empress and Fourth Prince await your and the Seventh Prince's good news," Empress Zhong said, patting Ji Zizhao's hand with a smile.
Just then, Mama Dai entered to announce, "Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince has arrived."
Empress Zhong glanced at Ji Zizhao. "Go. Bid your farewell to Fourth Prince properly. I must also head to the banquet."
Ji Zizhao rose and knelt to pay respects. First, she reminded Mama Dai of the Empress's dietary restrictions for the coming days, then wrote a prescription for a calming draught before leaving with her medicine box.
Empress Zhong watched Ji Zizhao's retreating figure, unable to compose herself for a long time. She had planned with Zhi Nan to send her to the Fourth Prince's residence to enjoy her retirement after the Fourth Prince's wedding.
"Your Majesty, please do not dwell on it," Mama Dai said worriedly.
When Empress Zhong regained her senses, her eyes were still red, but a cold curve formed on her lips. "I am fine. I must live well. Only then can I find the murderer and avenge Zhi Nan."