“Little Lord Ji, are you from the family of Vice Minister Ji?”
“Ah? Whose family?”
“I’m from Ji Cailiang’s family. That’s my father. If you have business, he’s responsible for me.” Ji Yingying patted her chest and said, then added, “You go about your business. I need to return for my meal.”
This left the person wanting to strike up a conversation with no opening. Those following behind hoping to hear gossip couldn’t help but feel embarrassed to laugh. Even after entering court service, she still needed to complain to her father.
Ji Yingying paid no mind to these reactions. Rushing out of the palace, she immediately boarded her family’s carriage where Ji Cailiang and Fang Yulan were already waiting.
Her father hadn’t even attended court yet, but his daughter had already been to court. Without her father’s protection, he worried whether those old foxes had bullied his child. Thinking how slim and adorable she was, if bullied she would only weep pitifully – it made his heart ache.
“My child, did anything happen during today’s morning court?”
“Ah?” Ji Yingying was already rummaging through the food box for a meal. She was starving to death.
Although she had been eating melons to distract herself, she was truly famished!
“Oh, today at morning court the Emperor didn’t say much, just declared that no one should plead for the Xiao family. Then someone did plead for them, was dragged out, and actually vomited blood and fell unconscious~”
When this topic came up, Ji Yingying had a big melon to share. She quickly leaned in and whispered: “Father, Mother, the Emperor has a serious illness~” She was immediately muffled before finishing.
“My child, for the sake of our heads above our shoulders, you mustn’t speak recklessly.”
“Okay, okay.”
Ji Yingying agreed verbally, but inwardly she complained: [What nonsense, vomiting blood and collapsing so soon after court begins – how could he not be seriously ill?]
This mental complaint made the two people in the carriage restless. Evidently, it was their child who made the Emperor vomit blood and collapse. Finished, finished…
There were still guards outside and the Emperor’s secret guards assigned to protect her. If this were reported, the whole family would meet The Great Ancestor…
…
Meanwhile in Jingren Palace, the Empress and Crown Prince stood aside while the Emperor, already awake, sat by the bed.
“Empress, investigate the rear palace. See who has been deceiving their superiors.”
The Empress had heard about the court incident and hurried over.
“When necessary, bring Little Minister Ji. You must uncover these ten people.”
“This consort obeys your command.”
“Good, all of you may withdraw.”
After leaving Jingren Palace, the Empress asked: “Does this Little Lord Ji truly have such capability?”
“Replying to Mother Empress, it is indeed so.”
“Hmm, this consort understands. You take care of yourself. Also, this is for the Crown Princess – bring it back to her. This can mobilize our Si family’s secret guards. Have her be sure to take good care of herself. As for rear palace matters, this consort will handle them.”
A token. Ning Qingran held it in his hand, knowing these were the Empress’s secret guards.
“Aunt, it’s unnecessary. This solitary one has already arranged protection for the Crown Princess.”
“Take it. Our Si residence has already begun to decline. Your eldest uncle’s two children have been ruined by poor upbringing, and your second uncle…” She shook her head at this. The Si family could only rely on her being Empress and her cousin being Crown Prince to remain as useless persons.
The Empress and the late Empress were biological sisters from the main line. Unfortunately, the main branch only had her left. Her younger brother died of illness, her mother passed from excessive grief, and her father was given a sterility drug due to succession disputes.
He likely only had her as his child in this lifetime, but she didn’t want children of her own.
She never wanted to marry into the imperial family in the first place. If it weren’t for Ning Qingran, she probably would have…
“Thank you, Aunt.”
…
Ji Yingying had just returned home and was about to change clothes when another message arrived from the palace, summoning Lady Ji and Little Lord Ji to see the Empress.
【Ah~ sob sob… I must have some feud with the imperial palace. I just got home and now I’m being called back. This damn palace~】
The eunuch delivering the decree was still standing right in front of her. When he heard this, his eyes widened dramatically, barely stopping himself from shouting: “How dare you!”
He just couldn’t bring himself to say it, mainly because he was afraid of meeting The Great Ancestor. Almost everyone in the palace knew that when facing Little Lord Ji, they could only pretend—if they couldn’t maintain the act, they might just end up meeting The Great Ancestor.
Ji Yingying followed Fang Yulan out with a pitiful expression to see the Empress. When they arrived at the Empress’s palace, she was surprised to find the Crown Princess there as well.
【Wow, the Crown Princess is here too. She’s reached new heights of beauty—that face is truly captivating~】
Just as she knelt to pay respects, Ji Yingying couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly. The Empress was taken aback; although she had been prepared, she never expected it to be so… amusing.
“Rise. Lady Ji, since you’ve just arrived in the capital, are you finding anything uncomfortable?”
How could Fang Yulan dare to say there was anything uncomfortable? After all, the imperial family wasn’t exactly considerate. It was only their second day in the capital, and her daughter had already been running to the palace nonstop. Her daughter had even lost weight.
“This subject’s wife is quite well, and the household is managing fine. It’s all thanks to Her Highness the Crown Princess for caring for my child.”
【Ah~ so this is the Empress. Oh heavens, she’s so beautiful and gentle too. What a pity—for the sake of her nephew, she gave up the man she loved most and even drank a sterilizing potion, leaving her without a child for life.】
【Fortunately, the Crown Prince is quite filial to this Empress. Otherwise, I wouldn’t want to praise him either.】
【Such a beautiful woman, sacrificing herself for her sister. If it were me, if my older brother dared to make me do such a thing, I’d dare to take him down.】
“So this is Little Lord Ji. Truly clever and bright.”
Ji Yingying blinked, and Fang Yulan immediately tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to respond.
“Ah, this subject is Little Lord Ji. Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty.”
“Grant them seats.”
After the two were seated, the Empress finally spoke: “Today, I merely heard from the Crown Princess that Little Lord Ji is pretty and adorable. I wanted to see for myself, so I summoned you to the palace for a look. Please don’t be nervous.”
【Mhmm, I’m not nervous. Getting to see beautiful women makes me even happier.】
As for the formal pleasantries, she left them all to Fang Yulan.
Coincidentally, the Imperial Noble Consort arrived with a group of palace consorts to pay their respects. In truth, they had also heard that the “exceptionally clever and pure-hearted” Little Lord Ji had come and specially dropped by to see her.
A large crowd of women knelt in a dark mass, and Ji Yingying’s eyes widened in astonishment.
【Good heavens, the Emperor really knows how to enjoy life. Look at all these beauties—their chests are like rolling waves, and their figures are curvaceous both front and back. If they were on modern TikTok, they’d easily get millions of likes. So beautiful, it’s almost blinding.】
【This Emperor really knows how to have fun!】
Hearing Ji Yingying’s thoughts, the Empress covered her mouth and chuckled secretly. She also felt the Emperor was being too extravagant.
【What a shame—seven or eight of these women are cheating on him, and they’ve even raised a bunch of evidence.】
【Huh~ so this is the Imperial Noble Consort? She looks decent, but it’s a pity her body has long been worn out. Good thing the Emperor hasn’t favored her these past couple of years, or he would have been dragged down too.】
“You—” The delicate beauty pointed at Ji Yingying with her lovely eyes. Though her expression was somewhat fierce, it was still a pleasure to behold!
What a pity, another performance of self-strangulation. Ji Yingying felt like taking out some sunflower seeds to snack on while watching.