Ji Zizhao could naturally feel the gazes of everyone, but it was absolutely impossible for mere glances to make her retreat. It was just that this was the palace, and Ji Zizhao couldn't just charge in without regard for the rules. She thought of finding a palace servant to announce her arrival.
It was Jiang Guang Sheng, who was standing with other imperial physicians. After some thought, he walked up to Ji Zizhao, "The Fourth Prince's Consort has worked hard enough in the Imperial Academy during the day, and it's even more tiring to enter the palace at night. It would be best for the Fourth Prince's Consort to leave the palace and rest first, waiting for news is the most sensible approach."
Ji Zizhao naturally knew that most of the stares she was receiving were not friendly. But she hadn't expected Jiang Guang Sheng to be the one to warn her. She smiled and said, "When the Fourth Prince returns to the palace, I will only be at ease if I personally examine him. Official Jiang need not worry, I know what I'm doing."
"The Supervising Physician Zou is inside now, so it's likely the Fourth Prince will escape danger. Furthermore, Her Majesty the Empress is solely worried about the Fourth Prince's injuries and will have no time to attend to the Fourth Prince's Consort. If the Fourth Prince's Consort is truly worried, she can return to the Imperial Academy to await news."
Jiang Guang Sheng's meaning was clear: even Her Majesty the Empress would have no time for Ji Zizhao now. Ji Zizhao staying here would only invite more criticism.
"I appreciate Official Jiang's kindness, but I will not leave until I see the Fourth Prince with my own eyes." Since Ji Zizhao had come, she wouldn't leave. Even if the Empress wasn't looking after her, she had nothing to fear.
Ever since their last collaboration, Jiang Guang Sheng had mellowed considerably. Coupled with the trouble his wife had caused, Jiang Guang Sheng felt even more indebted to Ji Zizhao. Looking at Ji Zizhao's unwavering eyes now, Jiang Guang Sheng felt an indescribable mix of emotions.
If it were in the past, Jiang Guang Sheng would have naturally thought Ji Zizhao was resorting to any means to climb higher. But now, all that was left was envy and helplessness, because he knew clearly that Ji Zizhao was genuinely worried about the Fourth Prince.
And how many people in this world could truly be so sincere and unafraid of worldly judgment?
"The Fourth Prince's Consort is indeed as sharp and determined as ever. But don't you see where you are? This is the Emperor's presence, how can someone of your status cause a scene? You're showing off even before entering the royal family, if you behave like this after marrying into the imperial household, won't you disregard everyone?" Consort Sun Xian said leisurely from within the crowd.
Ji Zizhao turned her head in the direction of the voice. Consort Sun Xian still had that look of wanting to tear her apart and feed her to the dogs. However, she didn't care. She slightly bent her knees and said, "I didn't expect Consort Sun Xian to also know this is the Emperor's presence."
Consort Sun Xian raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean by that?"
"What is wrong with me being concerned about the well-being of my future husband? Even if I had to face the Emperor, I would dare to express my thoughts. But now, with the Fourth Prince's life hanging in the balance, Consort Sun Xian is saying such things. It makes one feel as though you are standing by and watching with cold eyes."
Ji Zizhao truly didn't understand how Consort Sun Xian, with her intelligence, had managed to survive in the palace. No wonder she was manipulated by Noble Consort Xi to the point of not even being able to protect her son. Her IQ was truly worrying.
However, whether Consort Sun Xian's IQ was sufficient or not was not Ji Zizhao's concern. Since she wanted to pick a fight with her, she certainly wouldn't indulge her.
It was just a matter of who could wield the sharper knife.
Consort Sun Xian's face turned green with anger, her breathing clearly becoming difficult, "The Crown Princess is indeed sharp-tongued. But it makes sense. If the Crown Princess were not strong-willed and cruel, she wouldn't have been able to live her own peaceful life calmly after hearing about the Fourth Prince's accident."
Ji Zizhao smiled faintly, "After the Eighth Prince was demoted, wasn't Consort Sun Xian also standing here perfectly fine?"
The previously quiet courtyard fell silent, not even the sound of breathing could be heard!
Everyone present, whether imperial physicians or consorts from various palaces, stared at Ji Zizhao with wide eyes, their astonishment beyond words!
The matter of the Eighth Prince was Consort Sun Xian's sore spot. Ji Zizhao had directly struck at Consort Sun Xian's wound the moment she spoke. This was no longer a matter of boldness; it was an act of defiance that would shake the heavens! The Sudanese Novel Network.
Consort Sun Xian's chest heaved incessantly, nearly choking to death on the spot, "You have too much audacity!"
"It's merely discussing matters as they are. If we're talking about audacity, I wouldn't dare to claim superiority in front of Consort Sun Xian," Ji Zizhao said with a slight nod. Her own son was ruined, and she still didn't reflect on herself but continued to lash out. Consort Sun Xian was not only audacious but also utterly careless.
"You..."
"Enough!"
Noble Consort Xi entered the courtyard with her entourage and interrupted Consort Sun Xian with a cold tone.
Consort Sun Xian, though filled with unwillingness, gritted her teeth and fell silent in the face of Noble Consort Xi.
Noble Consort Xi glared at Consort Sun Xian, only growing older, not wiser, not even realizing she was being manipulated by Ji Zizhao.
The Empress was inside now. If she heard the commotion outside, she would naturally inquire. This way, Ji Zizhao would be able to enter as a matter of course.
To put it plainly, Ji Zizhao was simply using Consort Sun Xian to escalate the situation.
Although Noble Consort Xi was the one who most wished the Fourth Prince would never wake up, now that he was at the Emperor's presence, no matter how much she disliked it, she wouldn't dare to make any moves. But if Ji Zizhao were to enter, and the Fourth Prince were to wake up, Ji Zizhao would undoubtedly be credited with great merit.
This was certainly not what Noble Consort Xi wanted to see.
With the Seventh Prince's return already attracting so much attention, if Ji Zizhao were to be promoted further, it would be adding wings to the Seventh Prince's cause.
With this thought, Noble Consort Xi said to the person beside her, "I brought you here out of concern for your deep worry for the Fourth Prince. You must treat the Fourth Prince diligently later, and do not let my painstaking efforts go to waste."
And the person standing beside Noble Consort Xi at this moment was Wen Hui!
"Noble Consort Xi, please rest assured, I will do my utmost to treat the Fourth Prince," Wen Hui nodded pitifully. Anyone who didn't know would think she was under house arrest by the Emperor and had suffered some great injustice.
Ji Zizhao looked at Wen Hui, who stood obediently by Noble Consort Xi's side, and couldn't help but sigh. Wen Hui had been so badly wronged by Noble Consort Xi, yet she could still leave and enter with Noble Consort Xi. They were indeed of the same kind, where anything could be put aside in the face of perseverance.
Fortunately, Ji Zizhao's commotion with Consort Sun Xian earlier hadn't alerted the Empress inside, but it had greatly startled Grand Eunuch Li, who was guarding the entrance.
"Your servant pays respects to Noble Consort Xi, Princess Wen Hui, and the Fourth Prince's Consort," Grand Eunuch Li hurriedly descended the steps and came forward to pay his respects.
Noble Consort Xi slightly raised her chin and said, "Wen Hui and the Fourth Prince were childhood sweethearts, and now she has mastered medicine. Upon hearing of the Fourth Prince's return, she became restless. I pity her deep affection and loyalty, which is why I brought her here. I'll trouble Grand Eunuch Li to escort her in, as a gesture of my goodwill."
Saying this, Noble Consort Xi pushed Wen Hui towards Grand Eunuch Li, clearly intending to block Ji Zizhao's path.