Chapter 135

Xiang Xiang Junzheng stood under the corridor with a gloomy face, his eyes seeming to spit fire; his tightly clenched fists showed bulging veins, his eyes were bloodshot, and he stared fiercely at Xiang Junming, his gaze filled with anger, unwillingness, and a touch of greed.

He had long harbored resentment over the First Branch's dominance over the Second Branch and coveted the First Branch's wealth and power for years.

Every time he saw the First Branch's exquisite furnishings, priceless antiques and calligraphy, and their arrogant demeanor, his heart felt as if gnawed by a venomous snake.

What made him even more intolerable was the First Branch's connections and status in court; even a mere maid could be ennobled as a Princess, all of which he had longed for but could never reach.

A few days ago, Li Shi and her child had twisted black into white to file a complaint; he had seen with his own eyes his daughter with her mouth full of blood, missing two front teeth, speaking with a severe lisp, and crying loudly in pain even when drinking water.

The First Branch had been too oppressive; he had long been seething with anger, and what was even more hateful was that the First Branch had deducted half of the Second Branch's monthly allowance on the grounds of "poor discipline," which was clearly a slap in his face!

How could he be willing to let it go today? Xiang Xiang Junzheng roared, shouting his full name:

"Xiang Junming, are you shirking responsibility? Although Jun Zhidie is at fault, as the head of the family, your heart is too cruel." His voice carried suppressed resentment and unwillingness of many years.

Xiang Junming's temples throbbed with anger; he could no longer suppress the Second Branch's thoughts. He fell silent for a while and finally said:

"In that case, from now on, you shall be the head of the Second Branch, and I shall only be the head of the First Branch."

After Xiang Junming finished speaking, he ignored the stunned Xiang Xiang Junzheng and swept his sleeve, leaving.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng stood under the corridor, feeling cold all over, and remained stunned for a long while.

For a moment, he was at a loss; he had only acted on impulse and never thought of completely breaking with the First Branch.

Xiang Junming's attitude clearly indicated that the First Branch and the Second Branch were to split the family, managing their own affairs from now on.

This meant the Second Branch would lose the First Branch's protection, and those assets and resources that could originally be shared would no longer exist.

Thinking of this, Xiang Xiang Junzheng felt a sudden dizziness and could not even stand steadily.

But Xiang Xiang Junzheng was still in a rage; coming to his senses, he turned to check Jun Jun Zhidie's injuries.

As soon as he entered, the Physician arrived; after examining the injuries, he said:

"The Young Lady's back injuries are harmless, though scars will remain, but the injuries on her legs..."

The old Physician drew in a sharp breath and shook his head, saying:

"Forgive my bluntness, but these injuries are severe; cold has invaded both legs, and I fear it will leave a chronic illness."

The old Physician's words were like a heavy hammer, striking Xiang Xiang Junzheng and Li Shi's hearts.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng lifted the gauze on Jun Jun Zhidie's legs and saw that her Bai Xi skin was covered with purple and blue bruises, with some areas already turning black.

After the Physician prescribed medicine and left, Li Shi began to cry again:

"Master, I beg you to save Jun Zhidie."

The Nanny beside her anxiously said: "How about inviting the Second Young Lady to examine the Third Young Lady?"

This remark reminded Xiang Xiang Junzheng; he then remembered that Jun Jun Zijin's medical skills were superb.

But he hesitated; although he was in a rift with Xiang Junming, he still worried about his daughter Jun Jun Zhidie's injuries; if she became disabled, how could she marry an Imperial Prince in the future?

After much thought, he finally made up his mind and prepared to send a servant to invite Jun Jun Zijin.

Li Shi also came to her senses and said repeatedly:

"Yes, the younger sister is injured; the older sister should take care of it no matter what. Go invite her! Quickly!"

Immediately, a little maid ran towards the First Branch.

Qingyu stood in the corner, a cold sneer curling her lips, thinking that when Li Shi said those words, she completely forgot that the Third Young Lady had tried to kill the Fourth Young Lady. These people were truly ridiculous; on one hand hoping for someone to save their lives, and on the other, plotting behind their backs.

Jun Jun Zhidie, now clear-headed, heard that Jun Jun Zijin was coming to examine her injuries and felt relieved; as long as Jun Jun Zijin acted, her legs would heal, and the scars on her back would not remain.

She lay on the bed; although her whole body ached, thinking of the Second Imperial Prince's concern for her, the corners of her mouth could not help but rise.

With everyone relieved, Xiang Xiang Junzheng and Li Shi then asked Jun Jun Zhidie exactly what had happened.

Upon hearing this, Jun Jun Zhidie began to cry loudly again; speaking while crying, and with her severe lisp, it took the crowd a long time to understand; what she said was:

"It's all the First Branch's slut's fault; Jun Jun Zijin knocked out my teeth, I speak with a lisp, and I angered Consort De."

Thus, the whole family, while hoping for someone to treat their illness, hated that person to the bone.

Jun Jun Zhidie then spoke of the Second Imperial Prince pleading for her before Consort De; after hearing this, Xiang Xiang Junzheng and his wife again harbored endless hopes for the Second Imperial Prince; Li Shi said:

"It seems Qiwangdian truly cares for our Jun Zhidie; now I am at ease. As long as we cultivate the relationship well, he will surely protect us a bit; in the future, when Jun Zhidie marries into Wang Fu, we will have nothing to worry about."

Li Shi paused, a flash of sharp light in her eyes:

"After Jun Zhidie recovers, we will personally prepare a generous gift; first to thank Qiwangdian, and second to apologize to Consort De."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng nodded, thinking that if the Second Branch had imperial protection, the First Branch would surely look more favorably upon the Second Branch.

In this way, perhaps he could repair his relationship with Xiang Junming and also pave the way for his daughter's future.

Thus, he turned to the servants and said: "Quickly go see if the Second Young Lady has arrived."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng's tone carried a hint of urgency mixed with some embarrassment; after all, he had just cursed her, and now he was asking her to come save a life; this slap in the face was indeed quite painful.

On the other side, Jun Jun Zijin sent He Ling'er back to the He family; thinking today was not the time to talk, she gave He Ling'er a few instructions and prepared to leave first.

But He Ling'er refused, insisting on pulling her into the manor.

Upon entering the manor, He Ling'er drove everyone out, saying only that she was fine and just wanted to talk with Jun Jun Zijin.

The General of the Nation and his wife doted on He Ling'er extremely; having no choice, they said that with Lady Lady Qingping watching, Ling'er would be fine, and left helplessly.

Only Jun Jun Zijin and He Ling'er remained in the room, yet they did not know where to begin.

After a moment of silence, Jun Jun Zijin finally spoke, her voice trembling slightly:

"Ling'er, how did you also come here?"

He Ling'er shook her head and said:

"I don't know either; I fell asleep during my night shift at the hospital, and when I woke up, I was here. I never expected to see you here; do you think we are dreaming?"

He Ling'er's eyes held confusion and bewilderment, obviously not yet fully accepting this fact.

Jun Jun Zijin showed a bitter smile, her voice carrying deep exhaustion:

"If only it were a dream. I have been here for several months; every morning I wake up hoping the dream has ended."

Upon hearing this, He Ling'er was stunned:

"Have you been here for a few months? But I invited you to meet just a few days ago..."

Upon hearing He Ling'er say they had met a few days prior, Jun Jun Zijin urgently interrupted her and asked:

"Did you see my daughter? Is she alright?"

She truly missed her daughter, worried about whether she was faring well; those eyes, originally clear and cold, were now filled with anxiety and longing.

He Ling'er asked in confusion:

"Jun Zijin, don't you remember? When I invited you the other day, you came bringing your daughter with you."

He Ling'er's words made Jun Jun Zijin shudder all over.

"That wasn't me."

Jun Jun Zijin said softly:

"If that is the case, I probably know who she is. She is the original owner of this body; I think I exchanged identities with her and now reside in each other's bodies..."

By this point, her voice was already choking with sobs:

"I only want to know if my daughter is doing well..."

Since arriving here, this was the first time Jun Jun Zijin had shown vulnerability.

Seeing her friend so distraught, He Ling'er felt terrible as well; after thinking for a moment, she said:

"Your daughter didn't seem to have changed much; she was very close to that 'you,' and that 'you' treated your daughter very well too."

He Ling'er was speaking the truth; if she hadn't encountered Jun Jun Zijin here, she would never have spotted any irregularity.

No, wait—her friend liked hot Nanshan tea without sugar, so she had ordered a cup for her, yet that "she" hadn't taken a single sip.

This detail convinced He Ling'er that that "she" was indeed not the real Jun Jun Zijin.

Hearing this, Jun Jun Zijin felt slightly relieved; at that moment, a faint buzzing sound arose in her mind, as if a voice was saying:

"Rest assured, I will take good care of her for you."

Jun Jun Zijin silently shed tears; that voice must have been the original owner.

This was for the best; if she absolutely had to come here while the original owner went to that other world, then firstly, the original owner would not vanish, and secondly, her young daughter would not be left without a mother; with the original owner caring for her daughter, she could feel somewhat at ease.