Chapter 128: Separated by a Single Wall

Seeing the dagger about to strike the eunuch, Guazi leapt forward and kicked it away. The dagger traced an arc in the air and, with a "thud," pinned itself to the palace wall.

The ladies and young ladies around began to murmur quietly, and Princess Jiahe's face flushed crimson.

The eunuch came to his senses and hurriedly thanked Jun Jun Zijin. Then he said, "Princess Jiahe, you committed violence at the palace gate and attempted to bring a weapon into the palace. I will report this truthfully to the Emperor."

Upon hearing she would be reported to the Emperor, Princess Jiahe instantly panicked, yet she still spoke stubbornly, "Just you all wait."

Without waiting for the eunuch to register her, she walked straight toward the imperial palace.

The eunuch stamped his foot and held back for the moment, but he resolved to definitely report her to the Emperor.

Eunuchs are creatures in the palace whom masters can beat or punish as they please, but outsiders cannot easily offend them.

Jun Jun Zijin smiled slightly and instructed Guazi to hand over a silver ingot, saying politely:

"Today, the Eunuch was almost injured because of me, and I feel ashamed. This silver ingot is for the Eunuch to calm his nerves."

The eunuch hurriedly waved his hands: "Lady Lady Qingping, this cannot be done; this was simply my duty."

Jun Jun Zijin insisted on shoving the silver into his hands, so the eunuch had to accept it, thanking her profusely.

Jun Jun Yiyi and Jun Jun Zhidie watched from the side, feeling intensely jealous and silently grinding their teeth. Jun Jun Yiyi snorted coldly: "She is indeed accustomed to playing the good person."

Jun Jun Zijin turned toward Jun Jun Shuyan and asked with concern, "Fourth Sister, were you frightened?" Jun Jun Shuyan shook her head.

Only then did everyone continue lining up to enter the palace.

Entering the palace, Jun Jun Zijin saw that the banquet would not begin for more than an hour, so she went to the Empress's palace.

Jun Jun Zijin arrived at the Empress's palace and bowed respectfully. The Empress hurriedly helped her up, pulled her hand to sit down, her eyes full of maternal love, and ordered a maid to bring nourishing soup,

"Jun Zijin, seeing you rushing about on multiple fronts, Mother truly feels for you. This is specially prepared by the Imperial Kitchen by Mother's order; you should nourish your body."

Jun Jun Zijin felt warmth in her heart; the Empress's gaze was sincere, truly treating her like a daughter to be cherished.

She no longer stood on ceremony, drank the tonic, and smiled faintly, "Thank you, Mother, for your concern. How has Mother been lately?"

The Empress had been imprisoned for five years, suffered greatly, and her health was not good. She often suffered from insomnia and vivid dreams, and her skin was dull.

Jun Jun Zijin had previously prescribed medicine for the Empress and performed acupuncture.

After returning to the palace, the Empress had listened carefully to Jun Jun Zijin's deeds and naturally trusted her medical skills.

The Empress gently patted Jun Jun Zijin's hand and said, "With you here, Mother naturally gets better day by day."

Jun Jun Zijin took the opportunity to take the Empress's pulse, and after a moment, frowned slightly.

"Mother, although most of the stagnation in your body has been cleared, the condition of neurasthenia still requires regulation. Your child will perform acupuncture on you once more."

The Empress nodded slightly and closed her eyes in trust.

Sunlight streamed through the palace windows, bathing the bright, clean hall in warmth. The Empress lay on the bed, her face showing a pale hue from illness, yet her eyes held an undeniable relief.

After the acupuncture, the Empress indeed felt much more comfortable and nodded in relief, offering praise.

Jun Jun Zijin put away the golden needles and was just about to speak when a maid walked in quietly and reported in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, Princess Quan Qingle has arrived."

Before the words had fully faded, a clear voice rang out; Quan Quan Qingle's voice arrived before she did:

"Your Majesty, indeed, your place is the most tranquil."

The Empress smiled helplessly, her eyes revealing maternal affection:

"You girl, even after several years have passed, you still have this loud and boisterous nature."

The Empress needed quiet rest; the Emperor had issued an edict that no one could disturb the Empress's recovery without cause. So no matter how noisy it was outside, the Phoenix Benevolence Palace always retained a moment of peace.

Quan Quan Qingle walked in quickly, bowed respectfully to the Empress, then fixed her gaze on Jun Jun Zijin, who was smiling lightly to the side. She excitedly skipped a few steps over, grabbed Jun Jun Zijin's hand, her eyes full of concern and joy.

"Jun Zijin, I finally see you. I heard you were injured; Ling'er and I were worried to death, but we couldn't see you, truly making us frantic."

Jun Jun Zijin felt warmth in her heart and smiled, "Am I not standing here perfectly fine?"

"I heard Wen Jiahe caused trouble for you at the palace gate, and I also heard she attempted to injure someone with a dagger. Are you alright?" Quan Quan Qingle never wanted to call Princess Jiahe "Quan Jiahe."

Jun Jun Zijin showed a rare touch of pride: "Rest assured, she cannot hurt me."

Hearing this, the Empress's eyebrows furrowed slightly, clearly showing anger. Whether she could be hurt was one thing, but Princess Jiahe was far too arrogant.

Jun Jun Zijin did not want these matters to affect the Empress's mood, so she changed the subject.

Outside was full of noise and schemes, but the atmosphere in the Phoenix Benevolence Palace was relaxed and warm. Sunlight shone through the window lattice, casting a harmonious glow, as the three sat together enjoying a moment of tranquility.

Jun Jun Zijin smiled, her eyes revealing deep gratitude toward her friend. The Empress watched this scene, her heart filled with warmth, as if even her pain had lessened somewhat.

As the three were talking, a faint sound of footsteps approached from afar; Emperor Quan Quan Wuji entered, the bright yellow dragon robe on his body swaying gently with his movements, shining with dazzling light.

At this moment, the Emperor had shed the awe-inspiring dignity of his daily life, his tone carrying a touch of teasing and intimacy:

"Empress, second daughter, you mother and daughter are hiding here in tranquility, leaving me behind."

Jun Jun Zijin and the Empress exchanged a smile; just as the Empress was about to speak, Quan Quan Qingle spoke first:

"Imperial Uncle is so biased; your eyes hold only the Empress and Jun Zijin, not Quan Qingle."

The Emperor feigned anger: "You monkey, becoming even more unruly."

Quan Quan Qingle stuck out her tongue; the Empress chuckled lightly and gently patted the seat beside her, signaling the Emperor to sit.

The Phoenix Benevolence Palace presented a scene of harmony, isolating the outside world's conflicts and schemes beyond these high walls.

Outside the palace walls, however, was a different world. Though the sounds of flutes and strings played and maids darted about serving tea and water in a bustling scene, the court officials, ladies, and young ladies each harbored their own thoughts, secretly competing; power struggles and schemes surged in the undercurrents, various forces jostling in the shadows, each calculating their own favorable outcome.

As soon as Jun Jun Zhidie entered the palace, she looked around everywhere, searching for the Second Imperial Prince Quan Quan Qiming. Wearing a veil, she walked hurriedly toward the Imperial Garden. Beneath her veil, a slightly awkward expression caused by the loss of two front teeth was faintly visible.

As Jun Jun Zhidie walked, her eyes darted everywhere, eagerly searching for the Second Imperial Prince, cursing the first branch of the Jun family as all being lowlifes in her heart, thinking that once she reported them to the Second Imperial Prince, she would see how he dealt with them.

Jun Jun Zhidie's mind was entirely on the Second Imperial Prince, yet she did not expect to meet Consort De head-on at a corner. Consort De wore magnificent robes, her brows and eyes carrying a hint of coldness. Jun Jun Zhidie, lost in thought, failed to bow in time, causing Consort De to frown slightly.

"Audacious! Who is so impolite?" the maid beside Consort De shouted in a sharp, grating voice.

Jun Jun Zhidie suddenly came to her senses, looked up, and saw it was indeed the Second Imperial Prince's mother, Consort De. Her heart tightened, and she hurriedly tried to bow, but due to a momentary lapse, her movements were a bit slow. Consort De's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her cold gaze sweeping over Jun Jun Zhidie, clearly feeling even more displeased with her impoliteness.

Jun Jun Zhidie finally came to her senses, hurriedly knelt down, and bowed her head to beg forgiveness, only to find that as soon as she opened her mouth, wind whistled straight through.