Chapter 188: A Farce of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony 2

In that voice, there was hidden jealousy and unwillingness. But more than that, there was genuine admiration and sincere congratulations for the Jun family.

Minister Wang of the Ministry of War had a complex look flash in his eyes, and he whispered to the colleague beside him:

"This Jun family has truly had a stroke of great luck. Having received such favor, I fear they will be rising through the ranks in the future."

"Hmph, it’s all thanks to that Princess Qingping."

Vice Minister Sun of the Ministry of Personnel curled his lip, his face full of disdain.

"A woman, actually hogging the limelight in the imperial court—what kind of decorum is that?"

Minister Liu of the Ministry of Rites could not stand to hear it and retorted on the spot:

"Minister Sun, you cannot say it that way. It wouldn't be too late to say such things if you had a daughter like that yourself."

This Minister Liu had been recommended by Jun Zhengming and had been promoted two ranks to succeed Jun Zhengming’s original position as Minister; naturally, he was grateful to the Jun family.

Minister Sun’s old face flushed red. If he had such a daughter, how would it ever be the Jun family boy's turn to be Prime Minister? This Minister Liu was really touching a sore spot.

However, these discussions were soon drowned out by the wave of court obeisance.

Jun Zhengming stood up, his hands trembling as he took the iron-certificate of merit wrapped in bright yellow silk, feeling the weight of it in his hands.

He knew that this honor was the Emperor’s recognition and protection of the entire Jun family. And all of this was thanks to his second daughter.

As soon as the morning court ended, Jun Zhengming hurried back to the manor. He walked toward Jingzhu Courtyard with a face full of joy.

On the way out of Jingzhu Courtyard, Lady Zhou always felt a chill behind her back. When she turned around, she met the viper-like eyes of Jun Yiyi, who was following them. Lady Zhou was startled, quickly turned her head back, and whispered a warning to Jun Shuyan:

"Shuyan, the eldest young lady has returned to the manor. Although she is now a daughter by a concubine, she is vicious. You must be careful in your actions from now on."

Jun Shuyan was somewhat indifferent:

"Mother, don't worry. I have the second elder sister; what do I have to fear from her?"

Lady Zhou frowned slightly:

"Your second elder sister was nearly killed this time; the cold arrows behind one's back are impossible to guard against. It is always better for us to be careful."

Jun Yiyi, who was already so stifled she could barely breathe, saw the mother and daughter whispering affectionately in front of her and could no longer hold it in.

"Stop!"

Jun Shuyan and Lady Zhou stopped in their tracks, disdain on Jun Shuyan’s face.

"Jun Yiyi, what do you want?"

Jun Yiyi sneered.

"Jun Shuyan, do you think you can be this arrogant just because you have that slut Jun Zijin backing you? My coming-of-age ceremony has been turned into such a mess by you people, and you still dare to act so imperiously in front of me?"

Jun Shuyan wouldn't have it:

"Jun Yiyi, you brought this on yourself; you can't blame others. Don't tell me you want to throw a tantrum now?"

How could Jun Yiyi listen to such words? She took a few quick steps forward, raised her hand, and slapped out.

With a crisp "slap," Jun Yiyi’s palm landed solidly on the face of Lady Zhou, who had blocked her daughter.

Lady Zhou clutched her swollen face, looking stunned. She hadn't expected Jun Yiyi to strike so viciously; fortunately, this slap hadn't landed on her daughter’s face.

This scene was caught exactly by Jun Zhengming as he was heading to Jingzhu Courtyard.

Seeing this, Jun Zhengming’s brows instantly knitted into a "chuan" shape, his eyes full of fury. He strode forward and shouted sternly:

"Jun Yiyi, what are you doing!"

The ferocity on Jun Yiyi’s face had not yet faded. Hearing her father’s voice, her whole body stiffened, her expression changing in fright at the sudden reprimand.

"Father... Mother and I were just walking along properly, and I don't know how we provoked the eldest sister, but she came up and slapped Mother."

Jun Shuyan opened her mouth to complain, her eyes reddening with a hint of grievance as she hid behind Lady Zhou, her voice trembling slightly.

"Jun Yiyi, you are becoming more and more unruly!"

Jun Zhengming walked up close, his hand pointing at Jun Yiyi trembling slightly.

"Beating an elder in public—do you still have this family in your eyes, do you still have me as your father!"

Jun Yiyi bit her lower lip, feeling both angry and afraid, her eyes welling up with tears, her pitiable appearance easily summoned.

"Father, my coming-of-age ceremony..."

"Shut up!"

Jun Zhengming’s eyes widened in anger.

"You cause trouble the moment you return to the manor. Regardless of the reason, you are dead wrong to raise your hand against someone!"

He turned to look at Lady Zhou, a flash of guilt in his eyes. "Lady, are you hurt?"

Lady Zhou touched the clear palm print on her face and shook her head gently:

"It’s fine, it doesn't hurt anymore."

Jun Zhengming turned to Jun Yiyi and said with disappointment:

"Look at what you’ve become. Even if your coming-of-age ceremony was neglected, you cannot vent your anger on others at will. Besides, your second younger sister has returned after experiencing life and death; it is only natural for the whole family to be happy."

Jun Yiyi retorted unconvinced:

"Then does my big day deserve to be forgotten?"

Jun Zhengming sighed. If this eldest daughter had even a third of the second daughter’s character, she wouldn't be like this.

"If you behaved yourself, you would have chances to make up for it later. But being this savage and unreasonable will only make people despise you more."

After saying this, Jun Zhengming turned and left.

Jun Shuyan giggled on the side, made a face at Jun Yiyi, and pulled Lady Zhou away as well.

Jun Yiyi stood where she was, feeling pain all over from the anger, yet she was helpless.

When the time was right, the Old Lady came out in her wheelchair and had Jun Yiyi crouch before her. She took a hairpin and personally pinned up Jun Yiyi’s hair.

The moment Jun Yiyi crouched down, tears began to fall, half from grievance and half from unwillingness.

What should have been such a glorious coming-of-age ceremony had now become so awkward and perfunctory.

To think she had her hair pinned by a crippled old woman, and the auspicious words she spoke were so hollow—no matter how she looked at it, it felt like a mere formality.

The pile of gifts in the room were all tonics for Jun Zijin; not one was for her.

There wasn't a single guest at the banquet, and the banquet itself was just a homecoming family feast for Jun Zijin.

Jun Yiyi felt that all of this was caused by Jun Zijin.

In her heart, she cursed why that fire hadn't burned Jun Zijin to death.

With her long hair pinned up, the coming-of-age ceremony was considered complete.

Jun Zhengming returned to the manor with good news. Except for Jun Yiyi, who was full of resentment, everyone else was joyfully preparing to take their seats.

"The manor is truly lively! The eldest young lady’s coming-of-age ceremony has simply turned into the second young lady’s homecoming feast!"

In a corner, two maidservants whispered to each other, their faces showing three parts schadenfreude.

"Exactly, who told her to be so arrogant and domineering usually?"

The other little maid nodded in agreement.

Hearing those fragmented words, Jun Yiyi took several breaths to suppress the urge to flip the table.

Just then, Quan Qingle and He Linger arrived excitedly; before they even arrived, their two boisterous voices reached them.

"Zijin’s homecoming feast, how could Linger and I not come?"

Quan Qingle laughed, her voice bright and clear. She was wearing a goose-yellow dress, dazzling under the sunlight.

He Linger followed behind, dressed in light purple, nodding with a smile:

"That’s right, we were looking forward to seeing Zijin."

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