Meanwhile, Feng Gu had already approached Emperor Xiaochang.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the scouts who just went to inquire have returned, saying that the fireworks by the moat were set off by the Ji family. It is heard that the Ji family even bought all the fireworks in the city, just to set them off together today. This is quite a grand gesture."
At these words, the entire Hundred Flowers Garden fell silent.
Given the Ji family's status, buying some fireworks to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival was not unusual.
But buying all the fireworks in the city in one go, was this not going too far?
Logically, the daughters of the Ji family were still in mourning and should not be getting married or celebrating lavishly. Yet, today the Ji family was setting off fireworks by the moat. How could this not make people suspicious?
Furthermore, upon closer consideration, the Ji family currently did have a male heir, a young and spirited illegitimate son…
The Ji family's intentions were becoming clear.
The Ji family's actions were precisely an attempt to curry favor with the Emperor to issue an edict of hereditary succession!
Naturally, all eyes turned to Ji Zizhao.
After all, Ji Zizhao was now the head of the Ji family.
Under countless gazes, Ji Zizhao's thoughts raced, her dark eyes shadowed.
No wonder her third sister had mentioned the household expenses were immense before the festival; it had all been arranged by Gu Peilan for today's fireworks.
It turned out that Gu Peilan and Ji Zongyou had been able to stay so peacefully at the Tong family's residence during this time, only waiting for hereditary succession and a glorious return to the Ji family.
"Thump—!"
A dull thud suddenly sounded beside Ji Zizhao.
As Ji Zizhao regained her senses, she saw Ji Renran, who had already sidled up to her, kneeling beside her.
Seeing Ji Zizhao look over, Ji Renran spoke first, "Eldest Sister, don't, don't be angry. I just… I can't stand steadily. Earlier, when we were at home, I heard Eldest Sister looking for people to buy fireworks. Some even said Eldest Sister was spending all her money to please the Emperor to secure the heirship for her brother. I know Eldest Sister has always disliked me and Mother, but I never imagined Eldest Sister would go to such lengths for my brother…"
Xue Yinuo, standing by, listened with admiration. "The eldest daughter of the Ji family is truly mad. She even dares to threaten the Emperor!"
Xu Meiqing looked at Xue Yinuo, whose eyes were sparkling with admiration, and was utterly speechless.
Why would anyone envy such a life-threatening act?
If today's events were indeed orchestrated by the eldest daughter of the Ji family, it was indeed a threat to the Emperor to grant hereditary succession to the Ji family.
However, based on her interactions with Ji Zizhao, she would never be so foolish.
Thinking further, Ji Renran had just mentioned hearing this from the servants in the mansion…
Xu Meiqing felt her heart pounding.
This newly joined young lady of the Ji family was formidable. If this matter was not the work of the eldest daughter of the Ji family, then Ji Renran was clearly pushing Ji Zizhao into the spotlight.
Now, even if the eldest daughter of the Ji family had no intention of hereditary succession, it would be difficult to explain.
In that case, the one forcing the Emperor to grant hereditary succession to the Ji family would truly become the eldest daughter of the Ji family.
And even if the eldest daughter of the Ji family knew she was being framed by her sister, she would likely have no proof.
After all, Ji Renran had made it clear that it was all just something she had heard.
Ji Renran knelt on the ground, her pale face filled with panic and a pitiable look of innocence on her beautiful brows. "I was truly scared, that's why I couldn't stand steady. I know that such an incompetent me will surely displease Eldest Sister again, but it doesn't matter. As long as Eldest Sister cares for my brother, it's fine if she dislikes me. In my heart, Eldest Sister will always be my Eldest Sister."
These innocent words, this pitiable demeanor…
Not only did it subtly accuse Ji Zizhao of abusing her sisters, but it also took the opportunity to declare that even if Ji Zizhao forced the Emperor to grant hereditary succession to the Ji family, this matter had nothing to do with her.
The crowd in the Hundred Flowers Garden felt even more pity for one, and hatred for the other.
The one being pitied was naturally Ji Renran, bullied by her elder sister and having to tread carefully even when breathing.
The one being hated was of course Ji Zizhao, who was using her brother for hereditary succession, cold-blooded and ruthless.
Everyone knew that Ji Renran's brother was Ji Zizhao's younger brother.
Facing such a masterclass of acting, even Xie Jingqi was taken aback. "Fourth Brother, why does the Ji Renran you mentioned sound like a completely different person from the Ji Zizhao I know?"
Xie Jinglan narrowed his eyes slightly. "Be more confident, remove the 'why'."
Xie Jingqi's eyes widened in realization. "So, you're saying… Ji Zizhao has been slandered!"
Han Jingyu, standing behind them, was speechless.
Did this even need to be asked!
Xie Jingqi, unwilling to stand by while the person he considered a sister was being bullied, stepped forward.
But his arm was suddenly grasped tightly and he was forced back.
Xie Jingqi looked at his fourth brother in disbelief. "We all know Ji Zizhao's character. Are we just going to let others slander her so blatantly?"
Xie Jinglan glanced at Emperor Xiaochang, whose face was ashen. "Father doesn't know Ji Zizhao's true nature."
During this time, Father had become suspicious of the Ji family again due to the issue of the illegitimate son.
Now that the power struggles within the Ji family were reaching Father, he might indeed consider giving the Ji family hereditary succession out of his reputation as a benevolent ruler. But what about after that?
"If you rush forward to speak for Ji Zizhao now, you will actually harm her." As Father grew older, he became more suspicious. If Little Seven intervened, it would only make Father believe that Ji Zizhao harbored ambitions to regain power for the Ji family.
Xie Jingqi paced anxiously but dared not act rashly again.
Ji Zizhao was unaware of how many hearts she was currently entwined with.
At this moment, she was staring intently at Ji Renran, who was kneeling before her.
She had long anticipated that Ji Renran would not be quiet, but she hadn't expected her to be waiting for her here.
Facing the coordinated efforts of Gu Peilan and Ji Renran, Ji Zizhao was genuinely surprised, but not helpless.
In fact, Ji Zizhao already had a plan regarding the matter of hereditary succession.
But now that someone was proactively paving the way for her, if she didn't go with the flow, wouldn't she be wasting this kind gesture?
Perhaps Ji Zizhao's gaze was too cold, causing Ji Renran to shiver slightly.
However, before Ji Renran could figure out what Ji Zizhao intended to do, she suddenly saw Ji Zizhao turn towards her.
Almost under everyone's gaze, Ji Zizhao kicked Ji Renran's shoulder.
Ji Renran cried out in pain, almost fainting from the humiliation of being struck in front of so many people.
Ji Zizhao looked down at her, her voice audible only to them, and said word by word, "Since Sister Renran is so good at feigning weakness, if I don't oblige, wouldn't I be letting down this beautiful occasion?"
Ji Renran was speechless.
Was Ji Zizhao insane, to dare to be so audacious!
Ji Zizhao not only spoke out but also stepped down forcefully on Ji Renran's shoulder.
She was certainly not insane.
She simply wanted to make Ji Renran clearly remember that if she wanted to scheme against her, she had to be prepared to bear the consequences.
And this kick…
Was just the prelude.