The princes had all established their residences on Lion Street now.
However, they had once all grown up together within the imperial palace, in the princes' quarters.
Regarding the Fourth Prince's existence, while all the other princes did not exactly detest him, they certainly weren't close.
The Fourth Prince, outwardly, seemed harmless to everyone, yet deep down, he was cold towards all people and matters. His demeanor, as if detached from worldly affairs and descended from the heavens, was practically a neon sign screaming:
"Stay away, strangers. And stay away, acquaintances too."
Yet, it was this very Fourth Prince, who only seemed to have a relatively close relationship with the Empress and the Seventh Prince, who was now willing to remain for a woman whose status was not outstanding, nor was her family background particularly distinguished…
This development had stunned all who heard it!
The Eighth Prince glanced at Ji Zizhao again, then smiled and said, "The Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is bold, and Fourth Brother is affectionate. What a rare symmetry. Back then, when the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family was making a fuss in the palace to divorce Fifth Brother, I admired her spirit. I never expected that Fourth Brother would beat everyone to the punch now."
While this sounded like a jest, its underlying meaning was far from pleasant.
Though Ji Zizhao had never consummated her marriage with the Fifth Prince, or even set foot in the Fifth Prince's manor, a divorce was a divorce—a blemish that could never be erased.
However, Ji Zizhao knew very well that the Eighth Prince was deliberately bringing up the past not to truly belittle her, but to use her status to step on the Fourth Prince.
A prince who was not yet married, deeply in love with a woman who had almost become his sister-in-law and had since divorced…
This was clearly calling the Fourth Prince a fool, mistaking a piece of glass for a gem, and thinking others couldn't snatch it away.
Seeing Ji Zizhao's gaze darken, the Eighth Prince was rather surprised.
He had deliberately said those words to provoke his Fourth Brother, but he hadn't expected the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family to understand.
No wonder she was a woman who could bring down the Second Prince; she was indeed intelligent.
But even if she was intelligent, what of it? What was his status, and what was hers?
Did a divorced, impoverished woman dare to challenge him, a prince!
Today, regardless of whether Ji Zizhao could save Xue Yongnian, these princes who were rushing to curry favor with their father would have made this trip in vain.
If Ji Zizhao truly saved Xue Yongnian, the credit would go to the Fourth Prince, which in turn would be credited to the Seventh Prince.
Even if Ji Zizhao failed, the Emperor, in his anger, would be too busy dealing with Ji Zizhao to bother with his sons who were trying to gain favor.
Not being implicated would be the best outcome!
Therefore, the Eighth Prince not only found Ji Zizhao displeasing, but he found the Fourth Prince even more so.
"Fourth Brother is silent. Does it mean that your Imperial Younger Brother has spoken words that strike a chord in your heart?" The smile on the Eighth Prince's face remained sincere and kind. If one only looked at his expression, one would truly believe he and the Fourth Prince were as close as brothers.
Xie Jinglan, as if he truly hadn't understood, nodded in feigned agreement, "If Imperial Younger Brother is truly so inclined, you'd probably have to join a queue."
Upon hearing this, the princes in the room were stunned.
Had he admitted it?
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Where is my big saber!
The Eighth Prince hadn't expected the Fourth Prince to admit it so readily. It was impossible for him to backtrack and claim it was a joke, so he could only grit his teeth and continue to smile, "Fourth Brother is indeed very frank."
Xie Jinglan calmly glanced at the Eighth Prince, "Imperial Younger Brother speaks the truth."
The Eighth Prince: "..."
He really just admitted it!
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Bring me my big saber!
She could tell that unless she wielded a few blows, this black-hearted fox wouldn't know how to speak human language.
Ji Zizhao had never cared about baseless rumors, but that didn't mean she would allow others to spread slander, especially to her face.
Perhaps it was Ji Zizhao's gaze that was too sharp; Xie Jinglan could feel it even without looking.
Their eyes met, and indeed, the woman opposite him seemed to be breathing fire from her eyes.
However, Ji Zizhao knew that even if she was angry, she couldn't truly fight the Fourth Prince here, as that would only give others a chance to laugh.
Thus, amidst her surging anger, Ji Zizhao forced out a smile, "I am indebted to Your Highness's favor."
Xie Jinglan looked at Ji Zizhao's smile, which crackled with sparks of fiery anger, and chuckled softly, "Eldest Daughter of the Ji family is too kind."
What was initially a clash of sparks, to others, looked like a flirtatious exchange.
The other princes couldn't bear to watch. Did the two of you even know the meaning of shame!
"Speaking of which, Fourth Brother is truly fortunate to have the assistance of the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family."
"Fourth Brother has always been a fortunate person. Otherwise, how could he have earned the Emperor's favor to oversee the Ministry of Revenue?"
"First the Ministry of Revenue, then the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family… Fourth Brother is indeed blessed."
The words spoken by the princes were not exactly sour, but they were certainly biting.
Ultimately, what the Eighth Prince could think of, the other princes could too.
Having been drowned out in their attempts to curry favor with their father, they naturally wanted to regain some standing.
Ji Zizhao was neither blind nor deaf; how could she not see the sarcasm in the princes' eyes and the ridicule in their words?
It was widely known in the imperial city that the Fourth Prince was the least favored prince by the Emperor, otherwise, while other princes had the opportunity to handle state affairs, only the Fourth Prince was relegated to the Ministry of Revenue as a mere errand boy.
If she truly didn't understand him, Ji Zizhao would not have thought much of it.
But no one knew the Fourth Prince's capabilities better than Ji Zizhao.
Everyone only saw the Seventh Prince's smooth sailing, but they didn't know that the Fourth Prince was the one subtly paving the way.
Ji Zizhao suddenly felt that looking at the current Fourth Prince was like seeing her past self.
Or rather, even now, she was still being looked down upon and questioned.
"The princes truly love to joke. This jest is quite amusing." Old Master Tong stood with the Fifth Prince, and if there was an opportunity to cause trouble for the Fourth Prince, he would naturally be happy to lend a hand.
Ji Zizhao looked at Old Master Tong, who was kicking her while she was down, with a calm expression.
She couldn't openly defy the current princes due to her status, but since Old Master Tong had presented himself, she certainly wouldn't miss the chance.
"Speaking of which, it reminds me of an amusing anecdote. Once upon a time, the entire male lineage of the Ji family perished tragically in Luoyi. Their cenotaphs and vacant mourning halls were so desolate. At that time, only the Fourth Prince came to pay respects. I thought then that if there was ever a day, I would repay this kindness. Who would have thought that Heaven would truly play a joke and give me this opportunity to repay a debt? As the saying goes, good is rewarded with good, and evil with evil. Heaven has truly not deceived me. Master Tong, do you find this amusing?"
Old Master Tong: "..."
This was a joke?
This was blatant bragging!
Back then, when the Ji family was in decline, everyone in the imperial city avoided them like the plague.
Naturally, no one at that time would go to the Ji family to offer incense and pay respects.
Therefore, Ji Zizhao's words today not only slapped Old Master Tong in the face but also ground the faces of all the princes present into the dirt, causing them to burn. It was precisely because of your disloyalty and coldness that the Fourth Prince's sincerity became even more precious.
The princes, who were inexplicably branded as disloyal and cold…
Suddenly felt very awkward.
However, they would never admit they were wrong. They simply turned their furious gazes towards Old Master Tong.
If this fellow hadn't proactively brought up a joke, this burden wouldn't have fallen on them.
Ji Zizhao, on the other hand, looked at Old Master Tong with renewed interest and said, "I wonder if Master Tong has any more jokes to tell? I still have many more jokes waiting to be told to Master Tong."
Old Master Tong: "..."
Oh, please spare me!