Chapter 10: Acting Alongside You

"Get up." Xiang Xiang Junzheng's voice held no eagerness for a long-awaited reunion with his daughter.

He then lectured:

"Since you have returned to the manor, stay here properly and do not anger your mother again."

Wu Shi took up the conversation softly, "My Lord, the second young lady has just returned; please do not scold her further."

She then smiled and greeted Seeing Jun Jun Zijin:

"Come, come to your mother."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin felt a chill in her heart but showed nothing on her face; she stepped forward. Who cannot play the part of a loving mother and a filial child? Today, she would act out this play with her!

As Wu Shi spoke, she sized up Seeing Jun Jun Zijin.

She saw that although clad in shabby clothes, her features were exquisite, her brows and eyes like a painting, her beauty impossible to hide, her demeanor Gao Ya, and her conduct proper.

A flash of anger and hatred passed through Wu Shi's eyes, but she quickly resumed her smile, took Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's hand, and said with feigned concern:

"You girl, you are after all a Young Lady of the Jun manor; it is pitiful to see you like this. I will certainly have several new sets of clothes made for you later."

Li Shi's sharp voice came through:

"Why are you dressed like this even after returning to the manor?"

These two, singing in harmony, implied she was deliberately playing the victim to gain sympathy; look at how they were rubbing salt in the wound.

Indeed, Xiang Xiang Junzheng's face instantly turned ugly.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin heard clearly; Wu Shi's use of "Young Lady" rather than "Legitimate Young Lady" she also heard clearly. She sneered inwardly but showed nothing on her face, saying calmly:

"Thank you for your concern, Mother. I have been well at the manor these past few years and am already accustomed to it."

Wu Shi's smile on her face grew even more affectionate:

"Truly a sensible child. If you need anything in the future, just tell Mother."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin smiled slightly, "Thank you, Mother."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin bowed her head to thank Wu Shi, her heart becoming even more certain that this woman was not easy to deal with; she would need to be doubly careful in the days ahead. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin silently withdrew her hand.

Relying on the original owner's memories, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin matched the people in the main hall, greeted each one in turn, and with every gesture and movement, she was generous and proper; the few present could not find fault.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng's face cleared slightly; Seeing Jun Jun Zijin seized the opportunity and said obediently:

"Father, how is Grandmother? Please allow your daughter to go and pay respects to Grandmother."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng was about to nod in approval when Wu Shi preempted him:

"The Second Young Lady should return to her courtyard to rest first; paying respects later is not too late." Wu Shi smiled with a face full of kindness.

"Nanny Xue, take a few maids later to select things for the Second Young Lady."

"Nanny Zhang, take the Second Young Lady to her courtyard."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng, seeing Wu Shi arrange things so properly, was very satisfied.

Nanny Zhang responded and stepped forward, walking to Seeing Jun Jun Zijin and curtsying, "Second Young Lady, please follow this old servant."

This was Wu Shi deliberately blocking her; Seeing Jun Jun Zijin understood clearly but had no intention of insisting. Having already entered the Jun manor, meeting the Old Lady was only a matter of time.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin nodded slightly and followed Nanny Zhang away from the front hall.

Along the way, Nanny Zhang remained silent, simply leading Seeing Jun Jun Zijin through corridors and courtyards one after another.

However, the direction was not towards her "Ao Xue Courtyard."

Ao Xue Courtyard was the original owner's courtyard in the manor. Named Ao Xue only because there were two green pines in the courtyard, transplanted together by the original owner and her mother, Fang Fang Mengru; every winter when snow fell, the green pines were covered in white snow and silver frost, standing proudly.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin asked, "Nanny, this is not the way to my original courtyard; I wonder where you are taking me?"

Nanny Zhang glanced at her, a hint of disdain in her eyes.

"The Second Young Lady's courtyard is in the West Courtyard; Ao Xue Courtyard is now the First Young Lady's courtyard."

"I see."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin nodded expressionlessly, sneering inwardly.

"Jun Jun Yiyi, how can this courtyard of mine be one you live in?"

The original owner had deep feelings for Ao Xue Courtyard; there lay Lady Fang's expectations for her daughter, and the original owner's longing for her mother.

"I absolutely cannot let Jun Jun Yiyi continue to occupy it."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin vowed silently in her heart; Ao Xue Courtyard held extraordinary meaning for the original owner, and she must reclaim all of this.

When the original owner was still in the manor, Jun Jun Yiyi had wanted to seize it, but because the two green pines in the courtyard were planted by Lady Fang and the second young lady with their own hands, and Xiang Xiang Junzheng still held a trace of remembrance for Lady Fang, he did not allow it.

Not long after the original owner left the Jun manor, Jun Jun Yiyi found a reason to move in, and Xiang Xiang Junzheng this time turned a blind eye, obviously tacitly approving the matter.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin decided to remain inactive for now and wait for the right moment.

Before long, they arrived before a quiet small courtyard.

"Second Young Lady, this is your residence. This old servant has other matters to attend to and will take my leave now." Having spoken, Nanny Zhang turned and departed.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin stepped into the courtyard and looked around. This courtyard was not large, the arrangement simple, yet elegant. "I will stay here for now; besides, I will not live here for long."