Chapter 10: Acting Along With You

"Get up." There was no warmth of a long-awaited reunion with his daughter in Jun Zhengming's voice.

He then lectured:

"Since you have returned to the Wang Fu, stay in the Wang Fu properly and stop making your mother angry."

Lady Wu took over the conversation and said softly, "Master, the Second Miss has just returned to the Wang Fu, please stop scolding her."

She then smiled and greeted Jun Zijin:

"Come, come here to Mother."

Jun Zijin felt a wave of revulsion inside, but it did not show on her face. She stepped forward; who doesn't know how to play the part of a devoted mother and filial child? Today, she would play along with this act!

As Lady Wu spoke, she looked Jun Zijin up and down.

She saw that although she was dressed in shabby clothes, her features were exquisite, her brows and eyes like a painting, unable to hide her delicate beauty, elegant temperament, and proper manners.

A flash of annoyance crossed Lady Wu's eyes, but she quickly resumed her smile, took Jun Zijin's hand, and said with feigned heartache:

"You child, you are a Young Lady of the Jun household after all, it really makes one's heart ache. I will certainly have several more sets of clothes made for you later."

Lady Li's shrill voice came:

"Why are you still dressed like this after returning to the Wang Fu?"

These two, singing in harmony, were implying that she was deliberately acting miserable to garner sympathy; look at how they were poisoning the well.

Sure enough, Jun Zhengming's expression turned ugly instantly.

Jun Zijin heard it clearly, and she also heard clearly that Lady Wu said "Young Lady" instead of "Legitimate Young Lady." She sneered inwardly, but it did not show on her face, and she said calmly and composedly:

"Many thanks for Mother's concern. Daughter has been at the manor for the past few years, everything is well, and I have long since grown accustomed to it."

The smile on Lady Wu's face became even more affectionate:

"What a sensible child. If you have any needs in the future, just tell Mother."

Jun Zijin smiled slightly, "Many thanks, Mother."

Jun Zijin lowered her head to thank Lady Wu, more certain than ever that this woman was not easy to deal with and that she would need to be doubly careful in the future. Jun Zijin quietly pulled her hand back.

Relying on the original owner's memories, Jun Zijin matched the people in the main hall and paid her respects to each one. Her every gesture was graceful and proper, and the people present could not find a single fault.

Jun Zhengming's expression cleared slightly. Seeing the opportunity, Jun Zijin said obediently:

"Father, is Grandmother well? Please allow Daughter to go and pay her respects to Grandmother."

Just as Jun Zhengming was about to nod in agreement, Lady Wu preempted him:

"The Second Miss should return to her courtyard to rest for a while first; it won't be too late to pay respects later." Lady Wu smiled with a face full of kindness.

"Mama Xue, take a few maids later to go and pick some things out for the Second Miss."

"Mama Zhang, take the Second Miss to her courtyard."

Seeing that Lady Wu had made such proper arrangements, Jun Zhengming was very satisfied.

Mama Zhang responded and stepped out, walked in front of Jun Zijin, and curtsied, "Second Miss, please follow this old servant."

This was Lady Wu intentionally blocking her. Jun Zijin saw it clearly in her heart, but she had no intention of insisting. Since she had already entered the Jun household, seeing the Old Madam was only a matter of time.

Jun Zijin nodded slightly and followed Mama Zhang out of the front hall.

Along the way, Mama Zhang remained silent, merely leading Jun Zijin through one corridor and courtyard after another.

However, the direction was not toward her "Aoxue Courtyard."

Aoxue Courtyard was the original owner's courtyard in the Wang Fu. It was named Aoxue (Proud Snow) because there were two pine trees in the courtyard, which the original owner and her mother, Fang Mengru, had transplanted together. Every winter when the snow fell, the pines would be covered in white snow and silver frost, standing tall and proud.

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

Mama Zhang glanced at her, her eyes filled with a hint of disdain.

"The Second Miss's courtyard is in the West Courtyard. Aoxue Courtyard is now the Eldest Miss's courtyard."

"So that's how it is."

Jun Zijin nodded expressionlessly, sneering in her heart.

"Jun Yiyi, my courtyard—is that something you are fit to live in?"

The original owner had deep feelings for Aoxue Courtyard; it held Lady Fang's expectations for her daughter, as well as the original owner's longing for her mother.

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

Jun Zijin swore silently in her heart. Aoxue Courtyard had extraordinary significance to the original owner; she must take it all back.

When the original owner was still in the Wang Fu, Jun Yiyi had wanted to seize it, but because the two pine trees in the courtyard had been planted by Lady Fang and the Second Miss themselves, and Jun Zhengming still had a shred of attachment to Lady Fang, he had not permitted it.

Not long after the original owner left the Jun household, Jun Yiyi found an excuse to move in, and this time, Jun Zhengming turned a blind eye, clearly having tacitly approved of the matter.

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

Before long, they arrived in front of a quiet little courtyard.

"Second Miss, this is your residence. This old servant has other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first." After saying this, Mama Zhang turned and left.

Jun Zijin stepped into the courtyard and looked around. The courtyard was not large, and the layout was simple, yet elegant. "I will stay here for now; besides, I won't be living here for long."