Chapter 134: The Emperor's Smugness

The Empress spoke these words, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes.

The Empress had one more thing unsaid; her feeling for Seeing Jun Jun Zijin was more than mere liking, it was genuine admiration. Since this woman had saved her, all she had heard these past days were this woman's deeds. Such a woman, not only possessing surpassing talent but also a selfless heart, was truly rare to see. More importantly, this girl was utterly devoted to her son.

The Emperor nodded slightly, a look of approval flowing from his gaze. He pondered for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth to say:

"Indeed so. Yu has excellent taste. His wife's contribution to our dynasty is of extraordinary significance."

He paused, his tone carrying a touch of emotion.

"Just these two technologies, within a few short months, have already brought immense improvement to the livelihood of our dynasty. The common people no longer suffer from smallpox, and tools and weapons have become more durable due to the widespread use of stainless steel. What is even more rare is that our dynasty's reputation under heaven has risen accordingly."

Speaking to this point, a gleam of pride flickered in the Emperor's eyes.

"A few days ago I received a letter from the ruler of the Southern Kingdom, and yesterday I received another from the ruler of the Shu Capital Kingdom. Both are envious of the smallpox vaccine in my hands and request my aid. The envoys sent by the two kingdoms to negotiate are already on their way."

The Emperor's eyes darted, and a bit of a wicked smile appeared on his face:

"The vaccine is a treasure of our dynasty; I must make good use of it."

The Empress rolled her eyes at him: "Look how smug you are!"

The Emperor laughed heartily and did not mind.

Quan Quan Tianyi was so angry his eyes bulged round. Did these two think he was dead? They kept trampling on him only to praise the sixth son. Did they think his heart was not made of flesh and would not hurt?

But he dared not make any further move. His dissatisfaction with this marriage grew stronger in his heart. He hated that stupid woman who only brought him disaster. He could not understand how his mother had arranged such a marriage for him back then, and his dissatisfaction with Consort Xin increased by a few degrees.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin and the others supported He Ling'er towards the Emperor and Empress, apologizing and taking their leave. The Empress waved her hand and said with a face full of concern:

"Let Ling'er go back and rest well. Jun Jun Zijin, you go and examine Ling'er properly. Do not worry about other matters."

With this commotion, the banquet could not possibly continue. As soon as Seeing Jun Jun Zijin and the others left, the Emperor and Empress also showed signs of fatigue on their faces and waved to dismiss everyone.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng then remembered to ask Jun Jun Yiyi: "Why have I not seen your third sister all day?"

Jun Jun Yiyi's eyes had not left Quan Quan Tianyi; naturally, she did not know.

With no other choice, Xiang Xiang Junzheng turned to ask Jun Jun Shuyan, but having spoken the words, he felt he should not ask this fourth daughter. After all, the second branch's third girl had nearly caused Jun Jun Shuyan to lose her life; no one would be so magnanimous as to hold no grudge.

But Jun Jun Shuyan still replied: "She seems to have gone to find the Second Imperial Prince."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng frowned. "The Second Imperial Prince? But the Second Imperial Prince was at the palace banquet. How did the third girl go for a whole day and still not return?"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng was truly troubled. Every time the third girl came to the palace banquet, she made some scene. Today she was missing again. Why could she not be peaceful in the manor, nor behave properly in the palace? But even so saying, since she was missing, she had to be found.

At this time, Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie and her maid Mo'er were still kneeling in Defu Palace.

The two had already been beaten with boards and had knelt for most of the day; their legs had long lost all sensation, kneeling crookedly and unsteadily. Their foreheads were already covered in cold sweat. Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie, having cursed Consort De, had been beaten the worst, beaten until her back was flesh and blood. In the winter, her thick robes were beaten to rags, bleeding through.

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie's veil had fallen off by now; she was breathing out more than in, and her eyes were already somewhat unfocused.

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie finally could not support herself and was about to collapse to the ground.

Just then, the Second Imperial Prince Quan Quan Qiming and Consort De returned. Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie, as if seeing a straw to save her life, struggled several times until her unfocused eyes finally focused. She grabbed Quan Quan Qiming's foot and shouted loudly:

"Prince Qiwang, you must seek justice for me!" She had intended to complain to Quan Quan Qiming about Seeing Jun Jun Zijin knocking out her teeth, but as soon as she opened her mouth, the wind whistled terribly through her missing two front teeth, so she could only shut her mouth.

The Second Imperial Prince had originally felt some pity for her, but upon seeing her missing front teeth, he immediately frowned in disgust.

A maid beside Consort De explained the general situation to Quan Quan Qiming. Quan Quan Qiming immediately understood. Thinking that the Jun family was currently at the height of its influence, handling this issue required caution; the person would ultimately have to be released. He then said to the angry Consort De:

"Mother, the Jun family's power is growing. If we punish the Jun family's Young Lady too severely at this time, it might cause unnecessary trouble. Moreover, she has already suffered serious injuries, which counts as punishment. It would be better to let her go back." Quan Quan Qiming advised softly.

Although Consort De was still angry, she also knew the stakes involved. She snorted and said:

"The Jun family is becoming increasingly presumptuous. Very well, let her roll back. But tell the Jun family to keep their Young Lady in check. If there is a next time, we will not let it go."

Quan Quan Qiming nodded in agreement and signaled the eunuchs to help Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie and her servant out and hand them over to Xiang Xiang Junzheng.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng was just about to go search for Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie when he saw several eunuchs supporting that master-servant pair coming towards him. The eunuch bowed to Xiang Xiang Junzheng and said:

"Your manor's third Young Lady cursed Consort De in her presence and received punishment. Consort De instructed this servant to inform my Lord Minister: keep your Young Lady in check. If there is a next time, we will not let it go."

Hearing that Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie had caused trouble again, having angered the Second Imperial Prince last time and now Consort De, Xiang Xiang Junzheng trembled with rage all over. He shouted angrily at the half-unconscious Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie:

"You cause trouble time and time again; do you intend to drag my entire Jun family into the abyss?"

Hearing Xiang Xiang Junzheng's scolding, Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie wanted to say, "Wasn't it your daughter who knocked out her teeth and caused her to be beaten half to death?" But she was too weak to make a sound.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng had people take Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie back to the manor and hand her over to the second branch. Li Shi, seeing Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie's condition, cursed Xiang Xiang Junzheng loudly:

"Master, how cruel your heart is! You brought my Die'er into the palace and brought her back injured like this. You must compensate for my daughter!"

Li Shi shouted and lunged at Xiang Xiang Junzheng. Xiang Xiang Junzheng stepped back a few paces to avoid her and shouted angrily:

"Presumptuous! Do you think this old master is your husband Jun Zhengyuan, that you can hit or scold as you please?"

Li Shi was startled into a daze, stopped her attack, but still could not stop crying.

Just then, Jun Zhengyuan heard the commotion and walked out of Qingyu's room. Frowning, he looked at the crying and making-a-scene Li Shi and said impatiently:

"What kind of propriety is this noisy clamoring!"

Upon seeing Jun Zhengyuan, Li Shi seemed to have found a backing. She cried and complained, exaggerating Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie's ordeal.

Jun Zhengyuan's brows were tightly furrowed. Qingyu patted his back for him and said:

"Second Master, the First Master is still here. Please do not listen only to the Second Lady's one-sided account and destroy the brotherly bond between you."

Although Jun Zhengyuan glared at Li Shi, his tone was still somewhat unfriendly:

"Eldest Brother, no matter what, Die'er is also a person of the Jun family. How can we allow outsiders to bully her so?"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng did not expect the second branch couple to be so ungrateful. Suddenly, a thought arose in him that he no longer wished to manage the second branch. He snorted coldly and said:

"You speak lightly. Your daughter repeatedly commits errors. Today she dared to offend someone of the imperial family. How can I protect her?"

Seeing the situation, Qingyu hurriedly smiled to smooth things over: "

Both Masters, please calm your anger first. It is more important to go and fetch a Physician to examine the Third Young Lady's injuries."

Only then did Jun Zhengyuan and Li Shi see Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie, who had been supported and had already fainted. Li Shi, after all, loved her daughter and hurriedly ordered someone to fetch a Physician.

But Jun Zhengyuan suddenly acted foolishly.