Chapter 185: The Mystery of the Heirloom National Treasure

Jun Zijin felt her consciousness groping in the darkness, as if drifting in an endless ocean, unable to wake no matter what.

She did not know how long she had slept before she slowly drifted back to consciousness. She heard a gentle yet somewhat dissatisfied voice ring out beside her:

"Eggie, I've been watching over you for two days. You're not eating or drinking like this; aren't you afraid of starving to death?"

Jun Zijin slowly opened her eyes. What came into view was a face that could bewitch all living things, and those eyes as deep as the night sky.

She pursed her lips and said crossly:

"Can you not speak properly?"

Quan Aoyu gently helped her up, letting her lean against his chest, and patted her back rhythmically, as if coaxing a child throwing a tantrum.

"I spoke wrongly; I apologize to you now."

Jun Zijin’s eyes turned red. Those eyes, usually strong and independent, were now filled with fragility and reliance.

She looked up at Quan Aoyu and said pitifully:

"I'm hungry..."

"Light porridge has already been prepared for you."

Quan Aoyu said softly, his gaze full of doting affection.

Jun Zijin leaned against his chest, feeling his heartbeat, and her heart instantly calmed down.

Just then, the Emperor and Empress hurried over.

The Empress looked anxious, but upon entering the room and seeing Jun Zijin safe and sound in Quan Aoyu’s arms, she let out a sigh of relief.

"Jin'er, you've finally woken up. You scared your mother to death."

"Girl, I turned Jingcheng upside down and couldn't find you. Where on earth did you go?"

There was a mix of worry and confusion in the voice of the Emperor, Quan Wuji.

"Father, Mother, it was the Phoenix Ring... When the great fire broke out, the Phoenix Ring brought me into a space."

Jun Zijin spoke slowly, deciding to tell the people before her the mystery of the Phoenix Ring.

After all, this was the heirloom treasure of the Tianqi Imperial family; this secret belonged not only to her but also to the Tianqi Imperial family.

"What? The Phoenix Ring actually has such magical properties?"

Once these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the entire great hall instantly froze. The Emperor and Empress’s pupils constricted in shock, and even Quan Aoyu wore a look of disbelief.

Since ancient times, this Phoenix Ring had been the imperial family's heirloom. Although successive Emperors and Empresses had worn it, no one had ever been able to truly fathom its mysteries.

She had not expected that once Jun Zijin put it on, she would be unable to take it off. Yet, it had always just sat quietly on her hand.

Who would have thought that now, it would bloom with such mysterious power in Jun Zijin’s hands.

Jun Zijin nodded, looked at the Emperor and Empress, and continued:

"That space seems to contain things I have seen in my dreams. They all seem related to medicine. It’s just that I fainted as soon as I entered, and before I could take a closer look upon waking, Fourth Brother arrived, and I came out."

Jun Zijin told the secret of the Phoenix Ring with a mix of truth and lies.

She felt a bit smug; other protagonists in novels had to use their spaces sneakily, but she had "cleared the path"—it was as if she had a business license and her operation was legitimate.

Moreover, the Phoenix Ring had already merged with her and only she could control it, so she had been upgraded to a national treasure level. Once the Emperor knew this secret, not only would he not harm her, he would likely be terrified of anything happening to her. After all, if something happened to her, the Phoenix Ring would be destroyed too.

The Emperor frowned, pondered for a long time, and finally said:

"Girl, this space you speak of—I feel it is closely linked to the future destiny of our nation. Perhaps it will become the key to our path toward glory."

The Empress continued:

"It is Heaven's will; this is all Heaven's will. Jin'er, since this Phoenix Ring is such a divine object, you must explore its secrets well. If you can bring out the medical knowledge within, it will surely be a boon to the world."

Jun Zijin nodded obediently in agreement. Quan Aoyu spoke up from the side:

"Father, Mother, now that the Phoenix Ring has not only recognized Jin'er as its master but also possesses such mysterious power, this is certainly a blessing for our Tianqi Kingdom, but it also pushes Jin'er into unprecedented danger. I implore Father and Mother to keep this secret strictly."

The Emperor and Empress looked at each other and nodded slightly.

The Empress took Jun Zijin’s hand, her eyes filled with love and worry, and said earnestly:

"Jin'er, Yu'er is right. This matter is of great importance; we must keep it a strict secret and never let the shocking mystery of the Phoenix Ring leak out. No matter what, your safety is the most important thing."

Jun Zijin felt a warmth in her heart and responded obediently:

"Don't worry, Mother, I understand."

Quan Wuji also spoke, his expression serious:

"For the sake of Jin'er's safety, the secret of the Phoenix Ring must never be leaked. I will also arrange the most elite guards to ensure Jin'er's safety."

A smile curled the corner of Jun Zijin’s mouth; she had bet correctly.

She stayed in the palace for another day, and only when her body had gradually recovered did the Emperor and Empress allow her to return to the manor to recuperate.

As dawn broke, soft light filtered through the thin clouds, spilling onto the silent stone path.

The morning dew in the Jun manor had not yet dissipated, and under the reflection of the morning sun, it looked like fine silver beads adorning the flowers and plants in the garden; the Jun manor was already a scene of busyness.

Upon learning that Jun Zijin was returning to the manor today, the Old Lady had not slept all night and had risen before dawn. Her aged body was wrapped in the chill of the winter morning, but she seemed not to feel it.

She was currently sitting in a wheelchair, clutching her prayer beads tightly, clicking them incessantly; every click carried a deep prayer.

Her eyes were fixed on the entrance, her eye sockets red from lack of sleep, and the exhaustion of several days of worry was clearly written on her face.

Wang Mama, standing to the side, felt a pang of sorrow in her heart as she watched the Old Lady in this state.

She handed over a cup of hot tea with light steps, but the Old Lady merely waved her hand slightly, indifferent to the warmth before her.

The steam in the teacup rose slowly and then gradually dissipated, yet she had not taken a single sip.

Nearby, Zhou Yiniang looked full of worry. She gently held the Old Lady’s hand and said softly:

"Old Lady, please don't worry yourself sick. Our Second Young Lady is full of blessings. Those people in the palace—who doesn't hold her in the palm of their hand for fear she might fall, or keep her in their mouth for fear she might melt? Perhaps she is already on her way home right now."

Jun Shuyan’s eyes were also slightly red, clearly the result of staying up all night. She also stepped forward gently, her voice carrying a hint of anxiety and concern:

"Grandmother, Second Sister is blessed and lucky; she will definitely be fine. If you keep worrying like this, how will your body hold up?"

As she spoke, she used a handkerchief to gently wipe the tears from the corners of the Old Lady’s eyes.

The Old Lady sighed deeply and patted the hands of Zhou Yiniang and Jun Shuyan.

"I understand everything you say, but I just can't let go of this worry in my heart."

Hearing that Jun Zijin had woken up and was returning to the manor today, Jun Chengcai had likewise not slept all night.

At this moment, Jun Chengcai was dressed in plain green robes, his hair tied with a crown, looking exceptionally handsome, but the bloodshot eyes and anxiety were impossible to hide.

During the days Jun Zijin was missing, Jun Chengcai had searched for her whereabouts like a madman. He had wanted to turn the whole world upside down.

Later, upon learning she had been rescued by the Prince of Chen, he had breathed a slight sigh of relief, but she had been unconscious—how could that put his mind at ease?

He had inquired everywhere for news of Jun Zijin in the palace, running back and forth, never stopping for a moment.