Chapter 151: Brother and Sister Break Ties

Jun Jun Yiyi bit her lip, a glimmer of tears flashing in her eyes, her voice trembling:

"You are always like this, seeing only Jun Jun Zijin. She is merely an outsider; why are you so good to her? Have you ever considered my feelings? I am your own sister!"

Jun Chengcai fell silent for a moment, took a deep breath, his voice low and slow, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

"Jun Yiyi, how can you say such things? We share the same father; we are all one family. She is not only my sister but also your sister."

Jun Jun Yiyi's tears finally burst forth; she choked out:

"One family? Then why are you always so good to her? You see only her; what am I to you?"

Jun Chengcai sighed, a hint of helplessness and exhaustion in his voice.

"Jun Yiyi, Jun Zijin... she lost her mother from a young age, was sent by our father to the manor, and was then ignored. She grew up alone in the manor and suffered greatly. Unlike you, she had no mother's love, no father's care. She had nothing but us. You should not treat her this way; she is our sister too."

Jun Jun Yiyi's voice suddenly rose, as if stepped on the tail of a cat, feeling every word Jun Chengcai spoke pierced her heart; her voice became sharp and grating.

"You always make excuses for her! She is already a princess, already the future Crown Princess; she has everything. From childhood to now, Grandmother sees only her; even Father has been snatched away by her; even you see only her. If she is pitiable, what about me? I have nothing left!"

Jun Chengcai closed his eyes, opening them only after a long while; he let out a long sigh, as if expelling all the heaviness accumulated in his chest for so long.

His voice was somewhat hoarse, carrying an indescribable exhaustion:

"These are all things she achieved through her own efforts; she has never relied on anyone..."

"Stop!"

Jun Jun Yiyi's eyes were bloodshot; her fingers tightly gripped the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning white from the force. She abruptly cut off Jun Chengcai's words, her voice filled with unmasked anger:

"Our mother was killed by her, yet you still help her! Are you not ashamed of me? Are you not ashamed of Mother's spirit in heaven?"

Jun Chengcai looked at her, his throat as if blocked by something; he opened his mouth but could not speak. He was not unaware of the rumors in the manor, yet he was unwilling to think that the child Mother loved most would...

He fell silent for a moment, finally opening his mouth, his voice low and slow, as if every word carried the weight of a thousand pounds:

"But Jun Zijin has never actively harmed anyone. She merely faced slander and protected herself. She... is the victim."

Jun Jun Yiyi let out a cold laugh:

"If not for her, how would Mother have died? If not for her, how would I have become what I am now? Mother was right; she should never have returned alive. Jun Chengcai, what bewitching potion has she poured into you to make you speak for her so?"

Chengcai's face instantly turned pale, as if all the blood had been drained from it. His lips trembled slightly, a flash of pain and helplessness passing through his eyes.

He knew that any further explanation would be in vain. He sighed, turned around, and prepared to leave.

"Stop!"

Jun Jun Yiyi's voice rang out behind him, carrying a hint of determination. Each word was squeezed out between her teeth.

"Jun Chengcai, if you leave today, from now on, we will no longer be brother and sister."

Jun Chengcai's steps halted, a complex emotion surging in his heart. He turned back to look at Jun Jun Yiyi, his eyes full of helplessness and pain.

"Jun Yiyi, why must you be like this? We are blood-related brother and sister; this will never change. But Jun Zijin, she is our sister too."

Jun Jun Yiyi was so angry she felt like vomiting blood; her tears burst forth again; she ground her teeth and said:

"Fine, fine! I do not want a brother like you! Get out!"

A flash of pain crossed Jun Chengcai's eyes; he opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something more, but ultimately just turned silently and left with heavy steps.

Jun Jun Yiyi tightly clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, yet she felt not a shred of pain.

Only one thought occupied her mind: Jun Jun Zijin must die! Jun Chengcai must regret this for the rest of his life! In this world, perhaps only she knew his true origins.

———————

In the capital of the Emperor Tianqi Kingdom, the weather cleared today; the winter sun shone on the brilliant glazed tiles of the Golden Hall, radiating light so intense it was impossible to look directly at it.

It seemed every tile contained a thousand years of wisdom, emitting a charm that made one's heart race.

Inside the hall, court officials stood in rows on both sides, whispering about the envoys from the Southern Kingdom and Shu Capital who were about to pay tribute to the Emperor Tianqi court.

A hint of tension and anticipation hung in the air.

"The Crown Princes of the Southern Kingdom and Shu Capital are coming personally; this is the first time."

Jun Zhengming stroked his beard, his brows slightly furrowed, a Solemn demeanor revealing itself in his eyes.

He knew deeply that behind this unusual tribute must lie even more complex political intentions.

"In past years, they sent only an envoy; this year it is So grand; they must be asking for much."

"Indeed,"

Minister of War, Lord Wang, took up the thread, his voice low:

"I heard the tribute they brought this time is more than double that of previous years; clearly, they are seeking something from us. Especially regarding the vaccine; both the Southern Kingdom and Shu Capital are eyeing it, all wanting a share of the spoils."

His words revealed a profound insight into the situation; obviously, he had long understood the intentions of the Southern Kingdom and Shu Capital.

Emperor Quan Quan Wuji sat upright on the Dragon Throne, majestic and solemn; his gaze was deep, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, as if pondering something.

After a moment, the Emperor slowly spoke:

"My lords, although the Southern Kingdom and Shu Capital claim to come paying tribute this time, they are actually here for our Emperor Tianqi vaccine. The matter of the vaccine concerns the nation's livelihood and cannot be taken lightly. My lords, discuss this; how should we respond?"

Minister of Revenue, Lord Wang, stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands:

"Your Majesty, I believe the matter of the vaccine cannot be easily conceded. However, considering the Crown Princes of both nations have come personally, we cannot neglect propriety. We may gift some other precious items as a return gift to show friendship."

Quan Quan Wuji nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Left Prime Minister Lord Li,

Lord Li had a Solemn demeanor; he clasped his hands and bowed:

"Your Majesty, I believe the vaccine is a vital instrument of the state, concerning the safety of the people, and cannot be easily shared abroad. However, the Southern Kingdom and Shu Capital have come this time with full sincerity; if we refuse outright, we may harm the harmony between the two nations. Better to use this as leverage to negotiate with the two nations, seeking concessions in border trade or benefits in other areas."

Quan Quan Wuji turned slightly, pondering for a moment; recently, Old Jun's son had been sensible enough, so let us hear what he says. Thus, Quan Quan Wuji turned his gaze toward Jun Zhengming:

"Lord Jun, what do you think?"