Chapter 17: The Crown Prince's Visit

Peaceful days always passed swiftly; in the blink of an eye, half a month had gone by. During these fifteen days, she went to the iron shop once, followed up on the wheelchair's progress, and retrieved the golden needles and surgical knives. As usual, she went daily to the Old Lady's quarters to give her massages and physical therapy. In her spare time, she stayed in her own small courtyard, checking whether her red aconite had borne fruit, watering it, mixing medicines, eating and drinking, writing and drawing, and fiddling with a pile of bottles and jars. In Xiao He's words, she was fiddling with some strange and bizarre things. When there was truly nothing to do, she practiced martial arts and exercised. Xiao He followed Han Xiao and Miao Zhu daily to learn characters. Under Jun Jun Zijin's deliberate allowance, Xiao Xiao Lian occasionally peered around the inner courtyard. Zhou Zhou Yiniang kept the courtyard in perfect order.

During these fifteen days, Jun Chengcai was beaten once again. In Aoxue's courtyard, Jun Jun Yiyi practiced the zither daily under the guidance of a famous master hired by Wu Shi at great expense. When Jun Jun Zijin had leisure, he would also appreciate her playing. Sometimes he would comment, "The technique is not bad, but it lacks a soul."

In her past life, her mother forced her to study painting and music for several years. She could not claim mastery, but she was presentable, especially in painting, where she had once won a national second prize.

The First Lady did not trouble her, and even Jun Jun Zhidie next door, who was arrogant and domineering, did not come to her courtyard to cause trouble after receiving a slap.

Today was the agreed day to retrieve the wheelchair. Early in the morning, Jun Jun Zijin took Xiao He and Miao Zhu to the iron shop in the eastern part of the city. The owner excitedly showed her the finished wheelchair. The wheelchair had smooth lines and exquisite craftsmanship; every component fit perfectly, making it truly a work of art.

Jun Jun Zijin tried pushing the wheelchair and found its braking system and stopping mechanism very sensitive, making it easy and free to operate.

She truly admired the wisdom of the ancients and praised them once again in her heart.

The owner, beaming with smiles, indeed refused her payment. She did not argue too much; it was not that she was greedy for small gains, but that she truly understood the world of an art-obsessed person.

The owner eagerly helped her load the wheelchair onto the carriage, rubbing his hands and pacing back and forth excitedly, chattering endlessly that if she ever needed anything made in the future, she must come to him, promising not to charge her any fee.

It seemed he was truly an art-obsessed person. Jun Jun Zijin smiled and agreed. She urged the two stunned maids to return to the manor, and with the wheelchair, walked straight toward the Old Lady's quarters under the curious gaze of the servants.

She had waited half a month and was eager to let her grandmother try it, to push her out to breathe the cool morning air and bask in the rising sun.

When the Old Lady and the maids and nannies saw Jun Jun Zijin pushing in an unknown object, their eyes were filled with shock.

Jun Jun Zijin smiled, walked to the Old Lady, knelt, and offered her greetings.

She said, "Grandmother, your granddaughter has specially found this wheelchair for you. From now on, you can push it to the courtyard to enjoy the cool breeze!"

The Old Lady leaned against the head of the bed, looking at the object called "wheelchair" with disbelief, and said;

"Second daughter, push it closer so Grandmother can touch it."

Jun Jun Zijin pushed the wheelchair closer, laid out the cushion, and explained the usage and precautions to everyone in detail.

Suddenly, the smile on the Old Lady's face turned somewhat sorrowful, and she said sadly:

"Such a good child, how could her engagement be broken..."

Instantly, silence fell around them, and everyone lowered their heads, daring not to speak.

Jun Jun Zijin paused, and the original owner's memories surfaced in her mind. The original owner had been betrothed to the Third Young Master of the Prime Minister's residence. After her mother passed away, Wu Shi was elevated to the main wife and took charge of the household. Jun Jun Yiyi had always coveted the original owner's engagement. Six years ago, she was sent to the manor estate, and soon after, the engagement was broken. Wu Zhou Yiniang, who managed the Prime Minister's household, took charge of the matter and changed the engagement to the Eldest Young Lady, Jun Jun Yiyi.

Jun Jun Zijin did not care much; with a place like the Prime Minister's residence, even if she married in, she would likely have no good days.

She smiled and comforted the Old Lady, saying:

"Grandmother, your granddaughter will not marry at all; I will stay by your side and serve you for the rest of my life."

The Old Lady was immediately amused and asked Jun Jun Zijin to help her sit on the wheelchair again.

Amid the servants' praises, Jun Jun Zijin pushed the Old Lady out of the quarters. Only then did everyone come to their senses and realize that the Eldest Young Lady's instructions to the servants to saw off the threshold and fiddle with the steps some days ago had been for this purpose.

Jun Jun Zijin gently pushed the Old Lady into the courtyard. The Old Lady closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks. For over six years, she felt the coolness of the morning and the gentleness of the rising sun once again.

Seeing her grandmother's smile, Jun Jun Zijin's heart was also filled with joy and contentment.

At this moment, a servant came to announce that the Crown Prince had arrived and the Master requested her presence.