Chapter 187: The Coming-of-Age Ceremony Turns into a Farce

Jun Jun Yiyi was furious; how dare a mere servant in the household ride roughshod over her and say she was out of her mind!

Just as she was about to explode, Wei Zhong stepped forward and hurriedly spoke before Jun Jun Yiyi could:

"Oh, Young Lady, hurry inside; the Old Lady is still waiting for you!"

The steward's heart was bitter; although that was just a guard, he was one of the Emperor's Dragon and Tiger Guards; who dared to look down on him?

If the Young Lady offended these people, how could he, as the steward, explain himself to the Master?

Jun Jun Yiyi bit her lower lip, her heart filled with boundless hatred, yet she could only hold it back for the time being.

Today was Jun Jun Yiyi's coming-of-age ceremony; in that era, a girl tied up her hair and wore a hairpin upon turning fifteen. The coming-of-age ceremony was the most important event in a girl's life.

The meaning symbolized by the coming-of-age ceremony was extremely solemn; it not only carried a family's responsibility and regard for a girl but also carried the girl's responsibility for her life and her role in society.

Today should have been her grand day, yet the entire Jun household had focused all their thoughts on Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, who had returned from the jaws of death, and not a single person remembered her.

The household was bustling with activity; maids and old women hurried about, but the family banquet set up was not for her coming-of-age ritual, but a welcome banquet held to greet Seeing Jun Jun Zijin.

Jun Jun Yiyi stood stunned for a long while before finally seeing through the situation; her silver teeth were nearly bitten to pieces as she rushed straight toward the Old Lady's Jingzhu Courtyard.

Jun Jun Yiyi burst into Jingzhu Courtyard and saw a room full of people surrounding Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, asking after her health and well-being amidst laughter and joy.

The Old Lady sat in a wheelchair, her face full of maternal love as she held Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's hand.

Jun Jun Yiyi took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in her heart, and gracefully bowed, saying:

"Jun Yiyi greets Grandmother."

Everyone was startled by this suddenly appearing voice; looking up and seeing Jun Jun Yiyi standing in the room, they seemed to remember something, and after a long pause, finally woke from their daze.

Today was Jun Jun Yiyi's coming-of-age day, yet the entire household had forgotten about it.

The Old Lady looked up, her smile fading slightly in her eyes, and spoke:

"The eldest daughter has returned. Your second sister has been through life and death; those few in the palace attach extreme importance to her. These past few days, the entire Jingcheng has been in an uproar, and the household has been running east and west, worried and frightened; in all this chaos, your matter was forgotten."

She paused slightly, then continued:

"It is too late now to send out invitations to guests; fortunately, today's banquet is already prepared, so the eldest daughter must make do."

Finally, the Old Lady lightly tapped the armrest of her wheelchair and added a reprimand:

"Among the sisters in the household, you are the eldest and should be the most sensible. Since you have returned to the household, be honest and straightforward from now on and do not cause any more trouble."

Jun Jun Yiyi's coming-of-age ritual was thus brushed aside lightly by the Old Lady in a single stroke.

Everyone was startled but also pleased; who present had not suffered from Jun Jun Yiyi's misdeeds? No one could hope for her well-being.

Jun Jun Yiyi hated them to death, her heart almost bleeding as she cursed "old thing, bitch, may you die a bad death" ten thousand times in her mind.

She had waited fifteen years for her coming-of-age ceremony, which she had rehearsed in her heart a thousand times.

She had always believed her coming-of-age ceremony would be the most glorious in all Jingcheng; on this day, the hall would be filled with distinguished guests, all the nobles of the capital would send gifts and offer congratulations, all the noble ladies would envy and be jealous of her, and everyone would revolve around her.

Such a grand day; just one phrase of "make do" had cut off all her hopes.

Jun Jun Yiyi, whose liver hurt from anger, wanted to swear in public, but the Old Lady not only told her not to cause trouble but also brought up the Emperor and Empress; after weighing the matter repeatedly, she ultimately did not speak words of opposition.

She turned her head and immediately saw Jun Jun Shuyan's face full of schadenfreude; Jun Jun Yiyi's sense of grievance grew even stronger.

This concubine-born daughter who had once hid in the gutter had suddenly transformed into a legitimate daughter, surpassing her in every way, and now openly provoked her; how could she bear it?

But in front of the Old Lady, she ultimately dared not explode and forced herself to hold it back.

With Jun Jun Yiyi's appearance, the Old Lady felt a bit bored, saying only that the banquet would begin once the Master returned from court, kept only Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, and dismissed everyone else.

Jun Jun Shuyan made a face at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin and pulled Zhou Shi out the door.

And in today's court, sunlight filtered through the intricate window lattice, mottled and scattered across the golden and brilliant great hall, adding a touch of warmth to this solemn place.

Inside the hall, incense smoke curled upward; upon the vermilion steps, the ministers stood in solemn rows.

The Emperor, Quan Wuji, sat high on the dragon throne, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe; the dragon patterns embroidered with gold thread, illuminated by the candlelight, seemed as if they were soaring through the clouds.

His majestic gaze slowly swept over the ministers kneeling below, finally landing on Xiang Xiang Junzheng.

This fool son of the old man Jun; he had once looked down on him, but now he found him more and more pleasing to the eye.

"Minister Jun."

The Emperor's voice echoed leisurely within the great hall, steady and powerful.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng, dressed in court robes with a straight posture, heard the summons, immediately stepped out of the line, lifted his robe, knelt on the ground, and shouted loudly:

"Your subject is here."

"The Jun family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, giving their all for the stability of our dynasty, with outstanding achievements."

The Emperor nodded slightly, his eyes full of praise.

"In these times, the Jun family has even produced a remarkable woman with a heart for the world; she is truly the backbone of the nation and truly a blessing to our dynasty!"

Upon hearing these words, a slight commotion instantly rippled through the court.

The ministers whispered to one another, their eyes all turning toward Xiang Xiang Junzheng, full of curiosity and speculation.

The Emperor's words, both spoken and implied, were all praise for that daughter of the Jun family; his daughter was already a Princess, so did he intend to grant her the title of Princess?

It was this Minister of Rites who had once been silent, dared not stand out in court, and acted timidly; ever since his second daughter returned to the capital, the Jun household had struck great fortune and now leaped to become the Right Chancellor of the nation.

Everyone's gaze swept back and forth over Xiang Xiang Junzheng as if trying to see right through him.

When the Emperor finished speaking, Xiang Xiang Junzheng's heart tightened; he naturally knew which woman the Emperor referred to; it was his second daughter, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin.

Previously, the Emperor had granted her the title of Princess, which was indeed a great honor, but it was ultimately bestowed upon her personally. Hearing the Emperor's tone today, it seemed there would be an even greater reward.

"The entire Jun family should take Princess Lady Qingping as their model; loyal to the monarch and loving the country, they are truly a model for the court."

Xiang Xiang Junzheng prostrated himself on the ground, unable to rise, with fine sweat slightly beading on his forehead; his heart was both proud and anxious. He knew deeply that the Emperor's lavish praise must have further words to follow.

"Today, I specifically grant the Jun family the Iron Certificate with Vermilion Inscription!"

The Emperor's words exploded like thunder across the court, leaving the ministers stunned and bewildered.

Instantly, the entire court fell into a deathly silence; everyone was so shocked by this sudden bombshell news that they stood frozen on the spot.

The Iron Certificate with Vermilion Inscription; what a glory and guarantee that was, symbolizing a guarantee of exemption from punishment for generations; it was a supreme honor sought after by countless meritorious officials, yet the Jun family had obtained it so easily.

"Thank Your Majesty for this great grace!"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng came to his senses, hurriedly kowtowed to express gratitude, his voice trembling slightly from excitement.

The other ministers also snapped out of it, joining in to shout, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live forever!"

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