The Fourth Prince's messenger arrived with news at almost the same time the court announced the lifting of the lockdown on several counties in Luoyi.
Upon hearing the news, everyone immediately began packing their belongings.
The clinic and pharmacy were built, and the medicinal fields were planted. Were they supposed to stay and celebrate the New Year instead of going home?
While everyone was joyfully packing, the Fifth Prince was so angry his teeth almost shattered.
During the county's lockdown, Xie Jingzhou had been treated like a farmer by the Seventh Prince, spending his days either farming or on his way to farm.
Initially, Xie Jingzhou thought he was just unlucky, catching an illness right after Xue Yongnian returned to the imperial city.
However, he now learned that Xue Yongnian's illness was suspicious, and Xie Jingzhou was furious.
Among all the princes, Xie Jingzhou had always been the best at concealing himself and biding his time. Yet, this time, by being in Luoyi county, he had almost become a sacrifice for other princes seeking to climb higher.
Having played with eagles for years, only to have his eyes pecked by them, Xie Jingzhou was determined to uncover the truth of the matter.
After summoning Shaman and others to discuss the incident, Xie Jingzhou's heart was still filled with anger. He finally kicked over a stool next to him, letting out a sigh of relief.
Those who were outside packing heard the noise and instinctively looked in the direction of the Seventh Prince. The Seventh Prince had been a constant source of annoyance to the Fifth Prince during this time. Could it be that he had poured another bucket of oil on the fire before leaving?
Xie Jingqi, "..."
This time, it really had nothing to do with him.
Going home was the priority now. He didn't have time to waste gnashing his teeth.
As everyone was busy, Han Jingyu, covered in sweat, found Zhang Shuzhong.
"Director Zhang, someone has a letter for you."
Zhang Shuzhong, who was stuffing the precious medicinal herbs he found in the county into his luggage, didn't have a free hand to accept the letter. "Just read it aloud."
Han Jingyu nodded quickly, opened the letter, and then said, "This letter is from Minister Tong, asking if you have taken on any disciples in Luoyi."
Zhang Shuzhong, who rarely interacted with court officials, took a moment to recall which Minister Tong it was. He waved his hand impatiently, "Where would I take disciples in this barren wilderness? And what business is it of his if I do take a disciple?"
Han Jingyu, "..."
He was just a messenger, why was he being sprayed with saliva?
However, seeing that Director Zhang had no intention of replying, Han Jingyu, still covered in saliva, had no choice but to dutifully help draft a reply. Otherwise, Minister Tong, who would never receive a reply, would not think he was being disliked by Director Zhang, but would insist that he hadn't delivered the letter.
After a period of busyness, everyone was ready to depart.
When the county residents learned that their heroes who had helped them were leaving, they came out of their homes in droves to bid them farewell.
The county residents might not have been as worldly as those in the imperial city, but they weren't fools. With the severe outbreak of the cold, if not for the Seventh Prince, they would have likely...
Now, looking at the young man on horseback, dressed in fine clothes, the county residents wept and shouted the Seventh Prince's name.
This scene was both moving and spectacular.
However, not a single word was spoken about the Fifth Prince.
Xie Jingzhou, "..."
He shouldn't have come!
As the Seventh Prince and his group embarked on their return journey, Han Jingyu sent a rider to the imperial city to deliver the news ahead of time.
Although there were some delays due to the court's lockdown, it did not prevent everyone from arriving before the Dragon Boat Festival.
Upon hearing this news in the imperial city, Emperor Xiaochang was overjoyed. He decreed that the Dragon Boat Festival would be celebrated by all, and at the suggestion of the Ministry of Revenue, Emperor Xiaochang ordered that every household in the imperial city be given five taels of silver.
The imperial city's strict security measures had caused commodity prices to rise.
The residents of the city were already economizing, planning to endure the next few months. Now that the court had actively stepped in to subsidize them, how could they not shout praises of 'Long live, long live, long live'?
However, this joy was not felt by the entire Ji family.
Since the imperial city was unsealed, the Ji family had been living under the "care" of the Fourth Prince's mansion.
Every morning, a cart full of fruits, vegetables, and fresh meat was delivered.
The servants from the main kitchen were practically rotting away in the Ji family, and now, under the Ji family's "nurturing" by the Fourth Prince's mansion, their weight had increased significantly. So much so that Tang Di, who brought the food, no longer needed to announce his arrival at the Ji family's gate; he entered as if returning to his own mansion.
This made the Ji family's servants look at Tang Di with ambiguous glances every time they saw him.
Tang Di, "..."
If there's any ambiguity, it should be directed at my prince and your eldest young lady. What's with all of you constantly sending little hearts my way?
With matters escalating to this extent, it was impossible for people in the imperial city not to be aware. Naturally, some people approached the Fourth Prince, wanting to stir up trouble.
After all, Ji Zizhao had once been the Fifth Prince's concubine, and now she was divorced. There were plenty of people who wanted to witness a spectacle.
However, the Fourth Prince gave them no opportunity. Whenever asked, he would deflect by stating that Ji Zizhao had helped him cure General Xue's cold.
This statement was impeccable, and it further emphasized Ji Zizhao's superb medical skills.
Those who wanted to see the Fourth Prince in trouble did not see what they wanted. They then resorted to other means to tarnish his reputation.
Gradually, rumors spread throughout the imperial city that the Fourth Prince was infatuated with the eldest young lady of the Ji family, but she remained unmoved. The Fourth Prince, therefore, had to settle for second best and continued to shower the Ji family with gifts, trying to build a good relationship with them first.
"Miss, the rumors in the city are becoming more and more outrageous. Today, on the street, I even heard people say that the Fourth Prince is not valued by the Emperor and deserves it, and that his taste in women is also problematic. He overlooks the fine young ladies of the imperial city and is instead exclusively smitten with you..."
Shui Ling was so angered by the rumors she heard today that she hadn't been able to eat for two days.
Ji Zizhao knew that rumors, in the end, were merely a ploy. Everyone was now trapped in the Fourth Prince's net.
First, he made the Ji family believe he was taking care of her, then he gave vague answers when asked. Her identity was already a sensitive issue, and officials who supported other princes would naturally seize this opportunity to smear him.
And he neither denied nor admitted it.
Although as long as neither he nor she acknowledged it, the rumors would remain just rumors.
But the Fourth Prince's unwavering affection for a divorced woman was something everyone was aware of.
In essence, he was using himself to elevate her status.
No matter how much the Fourth Prince was overlooked, he was still a prince. With the status of being admired by a prince, she could more confidently participate in the Imperial Academy's examination.
Looking down on her was equivalent to looking down on the Fourth Prince.
Looking down on the Fourth Prince was equivalent to looking down on the Emperor.
Who dared to look down on the current Emperor?
Ji Zizhao knew that since the Fourth Prince had made a promise to her, he would fulfill it.
But Ji Zizhao never expected the Fourth Prince to elevate her by using himself as a foil.
From a divorced woman to the object of a prince's admiration...
The Fourth Prince truly dared.
Her heart suddenly became a mess.
Ji Zizhao, with Shui Ling, went out for a stroll, and as they walked, they found themselves standing outside Yun Yuan.