Chapter 195: It's New Year!

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's tone carried a hint of teasing.

Han Xiao blushed with embarrassment; the Young Lady was always so improper.

Winter Nanny's eyes reddened again; the Young Lady had promised to care for her in old age, and now not only had she given her a share of the profits, but also so much silver.

Years ago, the Lady passed away early, and to protect the only daughter the Lady left behind, she was framed by Wu Shi.

"Who would have thought that now the Young Lady has grown up, she treats a servant like me so well, yet the Lady is no longer here..."

Xiao He nearly burst into tears; ever since her father and stepmother sold her, ever since she lost her home, the Young Lady was the only person who had treated her so kindly.

"Young Lady, I will not marry; I want to stay by the Young Lady's side forever."

The Young Lady treated her like family, considering her welfare in everything; apart from helping manage the business, she truly had no way to repay such kindness.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin was a person who distinguished clearly between gratitude and resentment; those who treated her with sincerity, she treated with sincerity in return, protecting them in every way, while those who harmed her, she dealt with never sparing an ounce of strength.

"Alright, it's the New Year, don't cry; the shops will close for a few days, take a few days off, and enjoy yourselves."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin teased her.

She took out three more red envelopes, then thought better of it, withdrew twenty thousand taels from the banknotes, and handed them to Melon Seed:

"Take this banknote to the Old Lady at Jingzhu Courtyard; these two red envelopes containing fifty taels each are for Nanny Zhou, and the two containing five hundred taels each are for you and Peanut. Also, go call both nannies from our courtyard inside."

Melon Seed's face was full of smiles:

"We get some too!" And so much at that.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin smiled and said:

"Of course you do; serving beside me and the Old Lady is no easy task."

"Very well, since the Mistress has said so, I shall accept them then."

Melon Seed joyfully ran toward Jingzhu Courtyard holding the banknotes and red envelopes.

Before long, Nanny Xu and Nanny Chen entered the room and bowed respectfully.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin handed the red envelopes to them, saying:

"My courtyard is managed so orderly all thanks to you two nannies handling things for me, allowing me such peace of mind; please accept this small token and rest well during the New Year."

Nanny Xu and Nanny Chen were overjoyed and thanked her repeatedly.

"Additionally, Nanny, go to the accounting office to withdraw some silver; reward all the servants in our courtyard according to their rank, so everyone can have a happy New Year."

The second branch had separated and completely torn off any pretense of civility with this side.

Now the household membership was simple; apart from Jun Jun Yiyi, everyone else was of one heart.

They managed to eat the New Year's Eve dinner in relative harmony and stayed up to welcome the new year; due to the special circumstances this year, the Old Lady distributed double the usual New Year's money, and throughout the day, no trouble arose.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, before the night had fully faded and just as a hint of fish-belly white appeared on the horizon, the Jun Manor was awakened by the bustling sounds of people.

The vermilion-lacquered main gates slowly opened, the candlelight within the lanterns swaying gently, casting shadows on the figures coming and going.

The young attendants hurried with quick steps, some adjusting the reins on the carriages, others moving goods, busy yet orderly.

"Be careful with everything; today we cannot allow any mistakes!"

The steward stood on the steps, shouting at the top of his lungs, his gaze sweeping every corner, missing no detail.

In the main hall, the Old Lady sat upright on a carved rosewood chair, allowing the maids to do her hair and makeup.

Her complexion was ruddy and she appeared energetic, though her hair had turned completely white, like frost and snow in winter.

In truth, the Old Lady's age was not particularly advanced, but due to being poisoned and bedridden for those six years, her physical functions had deteriorated severely.

Now that Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had regulated her health, her vitality and spirit could recover, but her completely white hair could not return to its former color.

Today, her eyes were exceptionally bright, revealing an excitement she could not suppress.

"Old Lady, this hairpin was your favorite when you were young; wearing it today will surely make you radiant."

As the maid spoke, she gently inserted an emerald hairpin into the Old Lady's bun.

The Old Lady raised her hand to touch the hairpin, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly:

"Yes, it has been many years since I wore it; I hope today I do not embarrass the children."

"Indeed, with a granddaughter like the Second Young Lady, the Old Lady is truly blessed with great fortune!"

Just as they were speaking, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin walked in.

At this moment, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin wore a set of sapphire-blue palace attire, simple yet exquisite in its French style, her face lightly powdered, looking fresh and lovely.

"Grandmother, everything is prepared; rest assured."

The Old Lady lifted her head, her gaze lingering on her face for a moment, full of gratification:

"Child, thanks to you, Grandmother never expected to stand again, let alone walk nowadays, and that these old bones would still have a chance to enter the palace."

Yes, the Old Lady, whose legs had been broken and who had been poisoned by Wu Shi, six years later, had undergone surgery performed by Seeing Jun Jun Zijin a few months ago; a few days prior, using her own blood as a guide and that Red Arrow herb as medicine to compound an antidote, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had cured the Old Lady of the Ten-Thousand-Year Demon Li poison, and she could now walk.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin shook her head slightly:

"This granddaughter only hopes that Grandmother will enjoy health and longevity in the days to come."

The Old Lady was amused into hearty laughter:

"Then wouldn't I become an old demon woman?"

Jun Jun Shuyan also entered together with Lady Zhou, like a cheerful little bird, saying with a smile:

"Grandmother is still young, not old at all."

The group chatted and laughed as they escorted the Old Lady onto the carriage.

While this side of Jun Manor was bustling and magnificent, it only served to highlight the gloomy and sorrowful atmosphere at the other Jun residence.

Yesterday, they had waited all along for an invitation from this side of Jun Manor to come eat the New Year's Eve dinner, as the Old Lady's red envelopes were always extremely generous every year.

Thinking of the Old Lady's red envelopes, they eagerly waited the entire day, yet no one came to invite them, let alone did they get even a single hair of benefit.

Early this morning, while this side was busily preparing to enter the palace, there was nothing for them to do.

Emperor Tianqi had a tradition: every year on the first day of the Lunar New Year, officials in the capital of rank four and above must bring their families to the palace to pay New Year's greetings and attend the banquet.

Those of the Li Shi household, lacking the protection of the Jun Manor, naturally could not hope to enter the palace.

Lady hid in a corner, watching the carriage from that side vanish in a cloud of dust, her hatred so fierce she nearly bit through her own gums.

The carriage slowly started, its wheels rolling over the stone pavement, emitting a dull sound.

The special palace carriage for the Princess, in which Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, Jun Jun Shuyan, and the Old Lady rode, had Jun Chengcai riding horseback alongside.

The great gates of the Imperial Palace slowly opened, and the people of the Jun Manor, led by eunuchs, stepped into the palace.

The palace walls towered high, their glazed tiles shimmering with golden light in the morning sun.

Inside the main hall, the lights were brilliant; the Emperor and Empress sat enthroned on the high platform, waiting for the courtiers and their families to present gifts and kneel in homage.

When the people of the Jun Manor entered the hall, everyone's gaze was drawn to the Old Lady.

Supported by Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, the Old Lady walked steadily forward.

Though her steps were somewhat slow, they carried a long-forgotten strength.

"This... isn't that the Old Lady of the Jun Manor? Wasn't she paralyzed for six years? How..."

"Yes, it's too incredible. What exactly is going on?"

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