Chapter 157: The Rise and Fall of Legitimate and Concubine-Born Daughters

"Minister Jun, regarding the affairs of your inner courtyard, I originally did not wish to speak much, but the Crown Prince has told me of this many times. Your eldest daughter, relying on being the legitimate eldest sister, constantly sets traps for my daughter-in-law. This matter, you must consider carefully; it is best to resolve it once and for all. My daughter-in-law is not someone anyone can trample upon."

The Emperor selling out Quan Quan Aoyu with his words was effortless.

Quan Quan Aoyu once joked with Jun Jun Zijin: "My Laozi in the Hall of Mental Cultivation lacks gentlemanly grace; as a son, surely I have not surpassed him?"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng looked at this Emperor lacking gentlemanly grace, felt a chill in his heart, and immediately formed a plan. He bowed his head again to thank for the grace, then withdrew from the Imperial Study.

When Xiang Xiang Junzheng returned to the manor, night had quietly fallen; the first lights were on, and soft light spilled onto the stone paths of the courtyard, adding a touch of warmth to the cold winter. However, Xiang Xiang Junzheng's heart felt not the slightest relief.

He hurriedly finished his evening meal, had no time to rest even for a moment, and ordered servants to summon all the masters and concubines of the manor to the front hall.

Before long, everyone arrived one after another; the front hall was suddenly filled with noisy chatter. Everyone looked at each other, eyes full of confusion and unease, unable to guess what urgent matter the Master had suddenly summoned them for.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng sat upright in the main seat of the front hall, his face so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it, his gaze sweeping over the crowd in the hall like a sharp blade.

The originally noisy front hall instantly fell silent; not a single bird chirped. No one dared even to breathe heavily, fearing they might anger the head of the household.

"Master, it is late at night; why such urgency in calling us here? Has something important happened?"

Zhou Zhou Yiniang was the first to break the silence, her voice carrying a hint of cautious probing.

She lowered her head slightly, yet her eyes secretly sized up Xiang Xiang Junzheng's expression.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng let out a cold snort and did not answer immediately; his gaze swept over the crowd, pausing for just an instant on Jun Jun Yiyi's face.

Jun Jun Yiyi's heart gave a thud, and an ominous premonition arose. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had shown off to the fullest today, she felt resentment but had no recourse; she hid in her own courtyard all day. Upon hearing the summons, she dawdled and arrived at the front hall last.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng shifted his gaze, cleared his throat, and broke the oppressive silence.

"I have called everyone here today to announce a major matter."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng's deep voice echoed in the silent front hall. Upon hearing this, everyone fell quiet, their gazes all turning toward him.

"Although Lady Wu has passed away for several months, the faults she committed in life are unforgivable. Now I have decided to demote her to the rank of concubine."

At these words, the hall instantly erupted. Everyone whispered among themselves, wondering why, after several months, Xiang Xiang Junzheng had suddenly made such a decision upon returning from the palace.

Those with active minds had already guessed a bit; this matter likely had something to do with those in the palace.

Jun Chengcai's heart tightened; he turned to look at Jun Jun Yiyi, his eyes showing some reluctance. He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, simply lowering his head silently.

Everyone had different thoughts, but no one spoke up.

Only Jun Jun Yiyi suddenly raised her head, filled with shock and grievance; her originally rosy face instantly turned deathly pale.

With Lady Wu demoted to concubine, she changed from a legitimate eldest daughter to a concubine-born daughter. Instantly, she fell from the sky to the ground.

How could she accept this? She took several quick steps forward, knelt on the ground with a thud, and cried out in heart-wrenching anguish:

"Father, Mother has already passed away; why must you treat her so? What did I do wrong to be demoted to a concubine-born daughter? How will His Highness of Yiwangdian view me?"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng's brows furrowed even tighter; he was utterly disappointed in this daughter. Not only was she as vicious as Lady Wu, but this time, if not for her, the Emperor would not have been so dissatisfied, and the Jun family would not be struggling to survive in this vortex.

Thinking of this, Xiang Xiang Junzheng's gaze toward her shifted from eight parts coldness to ten parts disgust, and his voice grew louder:

"You still dare to mention His Highness of Yiwangdian to me? You nearly caused the entire Jun family to perish! Enough. This is my decision, not open to question. As a daughter, you must know how to obey. Get up."

Seeing her father's resolute attitude, Jun Jun Yiyi knew further argument was futile. She could only bite her lip, rise, and retreat to the side. Tears flowed continuously down her cheeks; her nails dug deep into her palms, and her eyes stared fiercely at Jun Jun Zijin.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng ignored everyone's reactions and continued speaking:

"Concubine Zhou, these past years you have been well-behaved, virtuous, and diligent, managing the manor's affairs with utmost care. I have decided to elevate you to the position of the principal wife, Lady."

Upon hearing this, a flash of joy appeared in Zhou's eyes. With this, her daughter, Jun Jun Shuyan, would also become a legitimate second daughter. Naturally, she was happy.

But she quickly regained her composure. She bowed slightly and said softly:

"Thank you, Master, for your favor. I shall surely not disappoint your expectations."

"As for the legitimate eldest son, Jun Chengcai, from now on he shall be registered under the name of the late Lady Fang. He remains the legitimate eldest son. Second daughter and Chengcai are now full siblings, sharing the same father and mother. You two have always had a good relationship; from now on, you should support each other even more."

Jun Chengcai stepped forward and respectfully said to Xiang Xiang Junzheng:

"Father, I understand. I will certainly look after my sister."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng nodded in satisfaction, then spoke again: "The Jun family is now in a precarious situation; everyone must speak and act cautiously and must not cause further trouble."

After arranging these matters, Xiang Xiang Junzheng waved his hand, signaling everyone to disperse.

This series of decisions was like a heavy bomb, causing an uproar in the front hall.

With Xiang Xiang Junzheng's decision, the structure of the Jun manor underwent earth-shaking changes. Jun Jun Yiyi fell from the lofty position of legitimate eldest daughter to become the manor's only concubine-born daughter; even the little concubine-born daughter Jun Jun Shuyan became a legitimate daughter.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng demoted Lady Wu to concubine; Jun Chengcai was registered under Jun Jun Zijin's deceased mother and remained a legitimate son. Yet only Jun Jun Yiyi was pulled down.

Jun Jun Yiyi stood dazed for a long while; only when she saw Xiang Xiang Junzheng wave his hand did she come to her senses and scream hysterically:

"Father, why are you so cruel? Big Brother is still a legitimate son; what about me? What will become of me?"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng let out a cold snort, a flash of disgust passing through his eyes:

"Since you look down on the late Lady Fang and also look down on the current Lady Zhou, you shall stay with Lady Wu."

Jun Jun Yiyi would not give up. Ignoring that snot and tears had smeared her makeup all over her face, she suddenly threw herself before Xiang Xiang Junzheng, grabbed a hold of his sleeve, and begged incessantly:

"Father, I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong. Spare me this once; I will never dare again."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng frowned, trying to shake off Jun Jun Yiyi's hand. Jun Jun Yiyi held on tightly; he could not shake her off no matter what.

He looked up at the sky, secretly cursing in his heart: He could not possibly say it was the Emperor's order, could he? Both the Emperor and the Crown Prince were watching his inner courtyard; was his life easy?