Chapter 120: Sorrow and Joy

Regardless of everyone's thoughts or the mix of sorrow and joy, none of it could affect the magnificent palace banquet the Emperor had specially prepared to welcome back the Empress. Every corner of the palace was filled with a festive atmosphere; the golden and resplendent halls appeared even more brilliant under the candlelight. Maids bustled back and forth inside and outside the halls, carefully arranging every detail, as if even the air was brimming with expectation.

The invitation from the Jun family was personally delivered by two senior maids from the Empress's side. The gold-edged invitation bore the Empress's Phoenix Seal; the fact that the Empress's maids delivered the invitation undoubtedly added a measure of glory to the Jun family.

No one dared to tell the Old Lady about Jun Jun Zijin's injury, but the Second Branch, being restless, deliberately let it slip.

Upon hearing that her second granddaughter had been injured and lay in a coma, the Old Lady had been weeping in Jingzhu Courtyard for half a day, refusing to listen to anyone's comfort. At that moment, a maid came to report that someone from the palace had arrived with an invitation. Hearing this, the Old Lady stopped her weeping and ordered a nanny to push her out to welcome them.

Indeed, she saw two neatly dressed maids waiting under the corridor. As soon as they saw the Old Lady emerge, they politely said:

"Old Lady, I am a maid from the Empress's side. The Emperor has specially prepared a palace banquet for Her Ladyship and invites the Young Lady of the Jun family to attend." One maid respectfully handed over the invitation.

Taking the invitation, the Old Lady knew that the Empress sending her personal maid to deliver it was a sign of respect for the Jun family, but at this moment, her heart held only concern for her granddaughter's safety.

"Thank the Empress for me. My Jun family will attend on time." The Old Lady's voice was slightly hoarse.

"We two have also brought good news for you, Old Lady. Young Lady Lady Qingping has awakened and is out of danger; she is recovering in the Empress's palace. Please rest assured." The other maid smiled.

Hearing that her granddaughter was fine, the Old Lady's eyes brightened, and she gripped the invitation tightly in her hand.

"Good, it is good that she has awakened. I trouble you, Miss, to thank the Empress for taking care of my granddaughter."

The maids smiled slightly, bowed, and took their leave.

The nanny pushed the Old Lady back to her courtyard, but just as they reached the Moon Gate, a shrill voice came from the other end of the corridor: "What did you say? Didn't you say he saw with his own eyes that that wretched girl Jun Jun Zijin was covered in blood and was surely dead? How has she been cured?"

The Old Lady suddenly stopped the wheelchair, her face instantly turning iron-green. Her gaze, sharp as a blade, turned toward the direction of the voice. Her hand clutched the invitation so tightly that her knuckles turned faintly white.

"Who is there? Come out!" the Old Lady commanded in a cold voice, her tone carrying an authority that brooked no argument.

For a long while, there was no movement. The Old Lady frowned deeply and gave a subtle glance to Zhou Nanny behind her. Zhou Nanny understood, quietly sneaking toward the source of the sound. Before long, she dragged out Jun Jun Zhidie and a trembling little maid. The maid, her face filled with terror, collapsed to the ground the moment she saw the Old Lady.

The Old Lady stared coldly at Jun Jun Zhidie, her eyes revealing an authority that could not be infringed upon. She slowly spoke, her voice icy: "Third Girl, when did you become so bold as to curse your own sister?"

Jun Jun Zhidie was so frightened that her face turned pale. She had not expected her momentary anger to be discovered by the Old Lady. She frantically knelt on the ground, trembling as she explained:

"Old Lady, I... I merely spoke without thinking in the heat of the moment. I did not truly wish for her death."

This time, the Old Lady was truly angry and increasingly disappointed in the Second Branch. She sighed and said:

"Drag this maid down and give her twenty strokes of the board, then sell her. Third Girl, you are to kneel in Guicitang and copy the scriptures twenty times."

Someone immediately came to drag away the little maid, who was only twelve or thirteen years old. The little maid cried out in terror, shouting loudly:

"Old Lady, spare my life! This servant... this servant is already carrying the Second Young Master's child..."

Hearing this, the Old Lady raised her eyebrows slightly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

Men undergo the coming-of-age capping ceremony at twenty, meaning they can only marry at twenty. Jun Jun Zhihao is only fifteen; if it were known that a little maid in the household had become pregnant by him, it would not be a matter of honor.

She raised her hand to signal those dragging the little maid to stop. Her gaze swept coldly over Jun Jun Zhidie and the little maid, her tone still icy: "What did you say? Say it again."

The little maid trembled, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably, her voice choked with sobs:

"Old Lady, this servant... this servant truly carries the Second Young Master's child. I beg you to spare me!"

Hearing these words, Jun Jun Zhidie's face instantly turned deathly pale. She suddenly looked up at the little maid, her eyes filled with disbelief and anger. She gritted her teeth and scolded in a low voice: "What nonsense are you spouting! How could my brother possibly... You are slandering him!"

What else was there for the Old Lady to understand? This little maid belonged to Jun Jun Zhihao's room. The "he" in Jun Jun Zhidie's mouth was likely Jun Jun Zhihao. If she truly harbored the intent to harm the Second Girl, it was indeed a wolf's heart and a treacherous ambition.

The Old Lady was utterly disappointed in her heart and said:

"Enough, enough. You may go. Third Girl must still kneel in Guicitang and copy the scriptures twenty times; that cannot be waived."

Although the Second Branch had always been raised within the manor, they were not her direct descendants after all. She found it inconvenient to interfere too much in the affairs of the Second Branch's inner quarters.

The Old Lady waved her hand, signaling the servants to take Jun Jun Zhidie and the little maid away. Sitting in her wheelchair, she gazed heavily at the distant corridor.

The conduct of the Second Branch in recent days had already chilled her heart. Jun Xiang Junzheng had taken a concubine; Li Shi and the concubine were jealous of each other, causing trouble all day long. But the chaos in the Second Branch went far beyond this; now even such shameful matters involving the younger generation had been brought into the open, and her heart felt truly suffocated.

Zhou Nanny asked in a low voice: "Old Lady, should we tell Master about this?"

The Old Lady shook her head, her tone weary:

"No need. Let them handle the Second Branch's affairs themselves. I am old and can no longer manage them."

She paused, then added: "Since that maid is carrying the Second Young Master's child, let her stay for now. We will decide what to do after the child is born."

Zhou Nanny nodded in agreement and pushed the Old Lady further toward the courtyard. Along the way, the Old Lady remained silent, her brows tightly furrowed.

With the death of Wu Shi of the First Branch, things had become quiet, but the conduct of the Second Branch had already made the hearts of those in the manor restless. If things continued like this, the entire family would likely be affected.

Back in her courtyard, the Old Lady instructed Zhou Nanny: "Go and fetch the Eldest Young Master."

Zhou Nanny acknowledged and left. Before long, Jun Chengcai arrived in a hurry and respectfully bowed: "Grandmother, you summoned me?"

The Old Lady looked up at him, a measure of relief in her eyes. This grandson seemed truly changed. At first, she had been half-skeptical; a former hell-raiser who had given the entire family headaches could not possibly transform overnight.

Yet now, he was genuinely acting with propriety, his temperament steady and reserved, completely different from the image of the unrestrained and reckless person he had been. Especially those eyes, deep and bright.

The Old Lady sighed. The Jun family had few descendants. Among her grandchildren, besides the Second Girl, the only one she felt most at ease with was currently him. The Fourth Girl was still young, and the Eldest Girl was just like her mother; neither was good.

"Chengcai, have you heard about the Second Branch's affairs?" the Old Lady asked directly.

Jun Chengcai nodded, his demeanor solemn: "I just heard some of it from the servants. Grandmother, you need not worry too much. I will handle it."

The Old Lady sighed: "Your Second Uncle's family has become increasingly unruly these days. A single misstep could lead to a great disaster. Your father is busy with court affairs; you must keep a closer eye on the household matters."

Jun Chengcai said solemnly: "Grandmother, rest assured. I will handle it properly." The Old Lady nodded, and Jun Chengcai took his leave.