Chapter 154: Vengeful Spirits Won't Disperse?

Jun Die's clothes were disheveled, her hair bun scattered, with dried tear tracks still on her face. She limped behind, her eyes full of terror and hatred.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng, slightly drunk from a bit of wine, was also woken by the noise; stepping out of his room, he saw chickens and dogs flying everywhere in the courtyard.

His head still felt heavy, and the scene before him left him momentarily unable to react.

In the courtyard, servants ran about in panic, some carrying buckets, others holding brooms, trying to extinguish the sudden fire.

Thick smoke rolled at this moment, choking people into coughing. Xiang Xiang Junzheng rubbed his temples, trying to clear his head.

Qingyu, who was pregnant, stood under the corridor, one hand holding a pillar, the other gently stroking her belly.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng frowned slightly, somewhat displeased; his voice carried a hint of reproach, but more concern.

"How did you come out? What if you frighten the child?"

Upon seeing Xiang Xiang Junzheng emerge, Qingyu immediately switched to a look of grievance and deep worry.

Tears shimmered in her eyes, as if ready to fall at any moment. She let out a long sigh, her voice soft and trembling:

"Master, I am truly terrified in my heart. You say, could this sudden disaster befalling Lady Li be... the work of the vengeful spirit of that dead chamber maid?"

Hearing this, Xiang Xiang Junzheng's brows furrowed even tighter; he fixed his gaze on Qingyu and asked:

"What do you mean by that?"

Qingyu covered her mouth with the handkerchief in her hand, sobbing a few times, seeming extremely afraid:

"Master, did you forget? Previously, Lady Li caused the death of that chamber maid, Xing'er, in Young Master's room, and also aborted the formed male fetus in her belly. Lady Li's methods were extremely cruel. That maid died filled with resentment; that was two lives lost. Now that Lady Li suddenly meets this calamity, I always feel it is that maid's vengeful spirit refusing to let go."

The Second Master, hearing Qingyu's words, could not help but shudder, a chill rising within him.

How could a perfectly fine house suddenly catch fire? Moreover, the fire happened to start in Li Shi's room.

He had always believed in ghosts and gods; at this moment, recalling Li Shi's daily conduct, his disgust for Li Shi increased several-fold.

Li Shi was arrogant and domineering in daily life, harsh to servants, and even often disrespectful to him; these past events surged into his mind like a tide, making his disgust for Li Shi even more intense.

Although Li Shi survived the great fire, her appearance was utterly ruined and her reputation destroyed.

Her face was scorched by flames, her hair burned off, leaving scars that were difficult to heal; her former beautiful visage no longer existed.

What pained her even more was that this fire not only stole her beauty but also caused her status in the manor to plummet.

She knew clearly in her heart that this fire came suspiciously and must have been done deliberately by someone.

Lying in bed, she constantly recalled the scene when the fire occurred; the more she thought, the more something felt wrong.

She pointed the spear of suspicion at Qingyu, who was nearby enjoying her misfortune.

In her view, Qingyu had been dissatisfied with her in daily life; now, surely she was taking advantage of her injury to kick her when she was down.

Thinking of this, the hatred in Li Shi's heart surged like a tide. Hearing Qingyu's words while on her sickbed, she screamed in anger.

She forced herself to sit up and loudly refuted:

"Master, do not listen to this low woman's nonsense! This low woman's usual gentleness is all faked; clearly, it is this low woman who deliberately framed me; surely she is the one scheming behind the scenes!"

However, Xiang Xiang Junzheng had already grown estranged from Li Shi; he looked at her coldly, with not a shred of sympathy in his eyes. He had long grown weary of Li Shi's arrogance; now seeing her so wretched, a hint of satisfaction arose in his heart. He said coldly:

"Li Shi, you have done much evil in daily life; suffering this retribution now is also Heaven's will. If you dare speak nonsense again, do not blame me for ignoring old feelings."

Facing her husband's growing suspicion and coldness, Li Shi's heart was full of helplessness and indignation.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng's heart had long been stolen by this fox spirit. Li Shi looked at Qingyu, who was showing off to her, and her fingertips trembled slightly in anger; she spoke without thinking, curses spilling out:

"Low wench, do not think that because you are carrying Master's child, you can get carried away; whether this child will be born or not is yet to be seen."

Qingyu pretended to be afraid, hiding slightly behind Xiang Xiang Junzheng, tears shimmering in her eyes:

"Master, Lady Li... she wants to harm our child; I am so scared."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Xiang Junzheng instantly flew into a rage, his face turning iron-green; he pointed at Li Shi and scolded:

"If you dare touch my child, do not blame me for being ruthless."

Having finished speaking, he took Qingyu back to his room and increased the number of guards stationed there.

"Xiang Xiang Junzheng, you will have your retribution!"

Li Shi slumped on the bed, her heart full of despair, and screamed with all her strength.

The Jun household made a scene all night long; a not-so-big fire left the Second Branch's upper and lower members physically and mentally exhausted.

Just as dawn broke, sunlight not yet fully covering the earth, the Jun Manor over here was already a scene of joyful bustle.

Items bestowed by the Emperor and Empress flowed in like water, continuously delivered into the Jun Manor.

Boxes of gold shimmered with dazzling light under the sun; bolts of silk were colorful and of soft texture; pieces of rare treasures were exquisitely crafted, leaving people breathless with admiration.

The masters of the Jun Manor wore smiles of pride and joy on their faces; the servants were also busy back and forth, their excitement evident on their faces.

At this moment, the Jun Manor was exceptionally lively. Family members, like stars surrounding the moon, gathered around Seeing Jun Jun Zijin.

Their faces were filled with smiles of pride and joy, their mouths constantly speaking words of congratulations and praise.

"Second Young Lady, you are truly the Great achievement of our Jun family!"

A Retainer said excitedly, his eyes revealing admiration and respect for Seeing Jun Jun Zijin.

"Second Young Lady, now our Jun Manor will be even more glorious!"

Another Retainer echoed, his face full of joy that could not be expressed in words.

Since falling into the water last time, Jun Jun Shuyan rarely left the manor, confined by Zhou Zhou Yiniang to the courtyard to recuperate.

Hearing of the family's good news today, she came early, her gaze toward Seeing Jun Jun Zijin filled with smiles.

Praises rose and fell, never ceasing in her ears.

Even the Old Lady, who was usually unable to walk well and rarely went out, came out of her courtyard early, sitting in a wheelchair before Seeing Jun Jun Zijin.

Looking at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin with eyes full of affection, tears shimmering in her eyes, she said:

"Good child, you have once again brought honor to our Jun family."

Xiang Junming looked at his daughter with a face full of relief, his eyes filled with pride.

He stepped forward and patted Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's shoulder.

"Second Daughter, you have brought honor to our Jun family; you are the pride of the Jun clan!"

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin smiled and bowed slightly to express his gratitude to everyone.