Chapter 126: Shu Yan's Backing

Everyone stood with mouths agape in shock, unable to believe they had never known the Second Young Lady possessed such a fierce side; yet, this fierceness was wonderful, a satisfying beatdown, especially for Zhou Zhou Yiniang, who was mere inches from clapping and cheering.

Jun Jun Zhidie covered her mouth, looking in terror at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, who had knocked out her two teeth with broken silver; she hated him to death but dared not lash out.

A flash of coldness passed through Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's eyes as his voice remained clear and chilly:

"Jun Jun Zhidie, your mouth never knows what moderation is, so I shall teach you a lesson. Remember, in our Jun family, the Fourth Young Lady has her backing; she is not the illegitimate daughter you claim has none. If you dare touch her again, losing two teeth will be the least of your troubles."

Jun Jun Zhidie lowered her head, spitting two mouthfuls of blood, glaring venomously at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin with boundless hatred in her heart, yet still daring not to act rashly again.

Li Shi's heart ached for her daughter, yet she knew she could not make a scene now, so she could only silently help Jun Jun Zhidie to her feet.

The Old Lady, who had remained silent, finally spoke, pointing at Li Shi and her daughter:

"Did you hear what the Second Young Lady said? In our Jun household, even if the Fourth Young Lady is an illegitimate daughter, she is still my own granddaughter. If you dare touch her again, ask me first if I agree."

The Old Lady paused, then continued:

"From today on, the Second Branch's food, clothing, and expenses are cut in half. Li Shi failed in her discipline; she is fined one year's silver.

The Third Young Lady's monthly allowance is cut in half, she is fined one year's silver, must copy the 'Female Virtues' one hundred times, and kneel in Guicitang for two days. Before the Palace Banquet, the Third Young Lady must remain confined to her room in reflection."

Before the Old Lady's words had fully faded, Li Shi and her daughter, who had been given no chairs to sit on from the moment they entered until now, felt their legs go weak, nearly collapsing onto the floor; they swayed, barely managing to stay upright. Li Shi knew deep down that today's commotion had stripped the Second Branch of half its provisions, and Xiang Xiang Junzheng would not easily let her off the hook.

When Wu Shi was in charge, the Second Branch had no profits to skim. The Old Lady's benevolence had made the Second Branch slightly more comfortable than before, but since the Old Lady had only taken charge recently, the Second Branch had no savings.

Now that expenses were halved, would the Second Branch not become even more destitute?

Jun Jun Zhidie was also stunned; having had her two front teeth knocked out by Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, she would have to face people with missing teeth forever, not to mention her monthly allowance being cut in half—wasn't this like cutting flesh from her body? She still wanted to argue, but Li Shi held her back.

Though Li Shi and Jun Jun Zhidie were unwilling and filled with resentment, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's words rang with steel, and the Old Lady held the household accounts, so neither dared to disobey. Li Shi supported Jun Jun Zhidie and slunk back to the Second Branch's courtyard.

Watching the backs of Li Shi and her daughter, the Old Lady sighed inwardly; when would the family's strife ever end? Her age was increasing, and she so wished to see family harmony in her lifetime, rather than such scheming, or even the cruel acts of taking lives that had occurred within the manor.

While the women made a scene, Xiang Xiang Junzheng had remained silent, but his eyes held even more satisfaction as he looked at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin. This daughter, though a bit cold in temperament, possessed rare wisdom and resilience. The Jun family had few descendants; although he was still in his prime, Wu Shi, that poisonous woman, had given him a medicine to end his lineage. Jun Chengcai had changed greatly, but having neglected his studies since childhood, he was likely unfit for great responsibility. This second daughter of his was probably the Jun family's only hope for the future.

Everyone had different thoughts; Zhou Zhou Yiniang's eyes grew wet, and she bowed deeply to the Old Lady and Seeing Jun Jun Zijin:

"Thank you, Old Lady and Second Young Lady, for standing up for the Fourth Young Lady. This kindness is beyond my ability to repay."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin hurriedly helped Zhou Zhou Yiniang up. "Auntie need not be so; the Fourth Young Lady is naturally pure and kind. How could I stand by and watch her be bullied?"

Zhou Zhou Yiniang sat back in her chair and added:

"Speaking of which, this time we owe much to the Eldest Young Master; he almost lost his life saving the Fourth Young Lady."

The Old Lady sighed lightly and nodded, saying:

"Chengcai risking his own safety to rescue the Fourth Young Lady this time is truly remarkable."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin nodded slightly. "I wonder how the Eldest Brother's health is now?" Jun Chengcai's performance this time had indeed made Seeing Jun Jun Zijin feel somewhat more favorably toward him.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng, who had remained silent, finally spoke, replying: "The Physician just examined him and said there is no major issue for now, but he needs careful recuperation."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. After all this commotion, the sky had begun to lighten slightly.

"Enough, everyone disperse." The Old Lady waved her hand wearily; everyone immediately stood up and took their leave one by one.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin did not leave; she walked to the Old Lady's side and softly said, "Grandmother, let your granddaughter push you back."

Looking at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, warmth instantly filled the Old Lady's heart; this was the child she cherished most, and the one who made her most proud and satisfied.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin pushed the Old Lady slowly along; suddenly, the Old Lady spoke softly:

"Child, your actions today, while punishing the wicked, inevitably created enemies. The people of the Second Branch are not kind; you must be careful and cautious in the future, do not let them scheme against you."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin smiled. "Grandmother need not worry; your granddaughter also considered this earlier. The conduct of the Second Branch mother and daughter, even if not punished today, would cause great disaster another day."

After Seeing Jun Jun Zijin accompanied the Old Lady back to her room, her already weak body could not withstand the night's commotion; she drank the ginseng soup that Zhou Nanny had prepared in advance and felt somewhat better.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin attended to the Old Lady until she fell asleep, then went alone to visit Jun Chengcai's residence. Just for his willingness to risk his life to save someone, she ought to hold him in higher regard.

Jun Chengcai lay on the couch, his complexion slightly pale. Seeing Seeing Jun Jun Zijin arrive, he smiled weakly.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin sat on the stool by the bed and asked about his injuries.

Jun Chengcai joked, "Thanks to the Second Sister's ruthless methods today, otherwise I would have jumped into the water for nothing."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin pressed her lips into a faint smile. "Eldest Brother is seventeen this new year, right? Have you thought about learning any skills or studies? After all, as a man, one must learn the skills to establish oneself and navigate the world."

A flicker of expectation passed through Jun Chengcai's eyes as he said, "I do have some ideas. Since childhood, I have loved medicine. But due to family reasons, I never dared to mention wanting to study medicine; besides, I was a rascal for many years, so perhaps..." As Jun Chengcai spoke, he lowered his head.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin asked, "You want to study medicine?"

Little did she know that after asking just one question, Jun Chengcai immediately flipped off the bed, his eyes filled with eagerness and admiration as he looked at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, and he performed a great bow toward her:

"Master is above; please accept this humble disciple's bow."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin hurriedly stepped aside, refusing to accept the bow. "No, no, no, I don't have idle time to take disciples." She did indeed want to cultivate an assistant, but currently, she truly had no time to teach a disciple; she had more important matters to attend to.

Jun Chengcai, however, had no intention of giving up; he knelt and refused to rise, shamelessly smiling as he said:

"If the Second Sister is willing to take me as a disciple, I am willing to change my nature and cultivate myself from now on, study diligently without ceasing, and never bring shame to you."

Seeing Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's stubborn, shameless demeanor, as if all the steadiness of recent days had been a facade, gave her a headache.

"It is not that I refuse to teach you; I likely have no time recently. I have many things to do and must stay in the military camp for a few days."

Jun Chengcai hurriedly said, "No matter how long the Master is busy, this disciple will wait."

Well, she did indeed need to cultivate an assistant; in the end, she agreed:

"Very well, since you are so sincere, I will provisionally agree. But let me state the ugly truth first: you must pass a trial before I can formally take you as a disciple."

Jun Chengcai was overjoyed, kowtowing repeatedly. "Wherever the Master tells this disciple to exert effort, this disciple will exert effort."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin rolled her eyes; was she taking on a lackey?