Chapter 21: Banquet at the Prime Minister's Manor

After seeing off the Crown Prince, it was nearly noon. Jun Jun Zijin pondered all the way as she walked toward Luoshan Courtyard; before she even entered the gate, she heard a sound of scolding and beating:

"You lowly wench, you sweep diligently enough, but when I tell you to serve tea to this Young Lady, you are so slow!"

"Miss Xiao Lian, please stop pinching me!" a maid cried out.

"What's wrong? I heard that country girl just climbed onto the Crown Prince's lap, so you rushed to stick to her? Whether she can hold on is yet to be seen!"

As soon as Jun Jun Zijin stepped through the door, she saw Xiao Xiao Lian beating and scolding a rough maid in the courtyard.

"Your news is indeed sharp!" Jun Jun Zijin sneered coldly. I haven't dealt with you these past days, yet you've run right into my hands.

"This Young Lady sees the courtyard truly needs a good cleaning. Since there seem to be too few hands, and since Xiao Xiao Lian is here, let's all clean together."

"Shui Hong will be responsible for the dust on the window lattices; Shui Lu will clean the gray dust in the corners and the earth in the outer courtyard; and Xiao Xiao Lian will be responsible for scrubbing the courtyard floor."

While speaking, she walked to the corner, picked up a wooden bucket, and shoved it onto Xiao Xiao Lian:

"Remember this: splash water on the ground, then scrub it clean with a brush."

Xiao Xiao Lian was dumbfounded. She had heard the Crown Prince was visiting the manor, so today she had specifically applied light makeup, painted her nails red, and worn a thin gauze dress she usually couldn't bear to wear... She had sweetly imagined, what if she could have an unexpected encounter with His Highness the Crown Prince?

Besides, she had never done such rough work in the First Lady's courtyard before; it was nothing more than serving tea and such.

Some time ago, the First Lady had assigned her to Luoshan Courtyard, where the Second Young Lady only asked her to bring a basin of water for washing her face and deliver it to the door.

Seeing Xiao Xiao Lian dazed, Jun Jun Zijin said:

"Hurry up and work; only after finishing will you get to eat."

Half a month ago, after tearing up relations with the First Lady, Jun Jun Zijin had built a stove in her own courtyard and hired a cook, naturally paying the expenses with her own silver. In fact, that day when she and the First Lady dined together in the hall was merely because she had just returned to the manor; the First Lady was just putting on a show. Afterwards, she still had to go to the main kitchen like everyone else in the manor to collect meals. Jun Jun Zijin had once sent a maid to collect food, and what was brought back was radish and cabbage without even a trace of oil. She had no intention of wasting effort arguing with those servants who judged people by their dishes over such food; rather than going hungry and constantly worrying about being poisoned, it was better to spend a little silver and cook for herself.

The scent of cooking food stirred Jun Jun Zijin's hunger; it was noon, so she instructed Zhou Nainai:

"Let everyone put down their work and eat first before continuing."

Although she had just said they must finish before eating, she had no intention of being harsh on the servants regarding their food.

After finishing lunch, Jun Jun Zijin ignored everything else, instructed the servants not to disturb her, and plunged headlong into her room to sketch and draw.

Relying on memory, she used wooden strips to record in detail the smelting method for stainless steel that she had read about in her past life.

The wooden strips were made from willow branches, which were everywhere in this world. She simply could not get used to writing with soft brushes.

Although her soft-brush calligraphy was indeed presentable, and painting and calligraphy are one, her art skills in her previous life were outstanding, so her calligraphy was naturally not lacking. But that was merely for leisurely writing and drawing; for actual large-scale writing, the soft brush was indeed much slower.

"Let's use wooden strips for now," Jun Jun Zijin mused; "once I have free hands, I must definitely figure out how to make a hard pen."

These past two days, the Jun Manor had been bustling and busy. Jun Zhengming had arranged for the steward to direct craftsmen in modifying the thresholds and steps of the manor.

Upon learning that the Second Young Lady had found a wheelchair for the Old Lady, Jun Zhengming was naturally delighted. He had lost his father in childhood and was raised solely by the Old Lady; while he was somewhat muddled regarding affairs in his own backyard, he was still filial toward the Old Lady. Yet he was helpless regarding the many restrictions caused by the Old Lady's immobility.

He was also puzzled as to how the Second Young Lady could have such a design, so he naturally called her forward to inquire. Jun Jun Zijin only said that a few days ago, while leaving the manor, she had met a Persian man at the market. That Persian man had lost his silver and was extremely anxious; she had given him all her money to help, and in gratitude, the Persian man had given her the blueprint for this wheelchair. She had found the wheelchair very ingenious and practical, and thinking of how difficult it was for her grandmother to travel, she had found a craftsman to make it."

This reason was plausible enough; Jun Zhengming asked no more, only saying, "It is rare for you to have such filial piety; your father is very gratified." He also instructed her not to easily associate too much with foreigners in the future, as the current times were complex.

Jun Jun Zijin obediently agreed, and the matter was settled.

As for how the First Lady, knowing this, became so jealous she went mad, smashing cups and plates, this matter is omitted in one thousand words.

Today was the birthday of the Old Lady of the Prime Minister's Manor, and the First Lady had notified everyone; all the Young Ladies must go.

Jun Jun Zijin pondered that this matter would not be simple; she feared today would not be peaceful. But fear was useless; she would just have to adapt to circumstances.

The carriages arranged by the manor were: one for the two legitimate Young Ladies of the Jun family, and one for the Third Young Lady Jun Jun Zhidie and the Fourth Young Lady Jun Jun Shuyan.

Jun Jun Zijin left the manor with Xiao He and Miao Zhu at the appointed time; when they reached the manor gate, she saw that Jun Jun Yiyi and Jun Jun Zhidie had just arrived.

Jun Jun Yiyi was still dressed in white today, with exquisite makeup. She wore a white light-gauze soft-silk skirt; it looked simple, but the embroidery work was actually exquisite and extraordinary, pure and beautiful, ethereal as a fairy.

Only a single pearl hairpin was slanted in her hair bun; although it was just one pearl hairpin, the thumb-sized colored pearl inlaid on it was likely more valuable than all the jewelry Jun Jun Zhidie wore on her entire body.

Indeed, Jun Jun Zhidie today looked as if she had hung all her bottom-of-the-chest jewelry on her body. She had not dressed up when she last saw the Crown Prince and was very regretful. Today, she thought she must outshine everyone.

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie's attire, Jun Jun Yiyi said "beautiful" with her mouth, but disdain showed in her eyes.

Even Jun Jun Zijin, seeing this stunt by Jun Jun Zhidie, was stunned; indeed, she was a flower butterfly.

Jun Jun Yiyi usually wore white, but what kind of day was this? It was the birthday banquet of the Prime Minister's Old Lady; it was a joyous banquet, not a funeral banquet. Jun Jun Zijin rolled her eyes in her heart.

Jun Jun Yiyi suddenly spoke:

"Second Sister, today is the Prime Minister's Old Lady's birthday banquet; all the dignitaries and nobles are here. You must not lose your sense of propriety."

After speaking, she boarded the carriage first, a hint of barely noticeable arrogance in her eyes.

Jun Jun Zijin raised an eyebrow; it seemed she was about to cause trouble.

Jun Jun Zhidie also followed and boarded the same carriage as Jun Jun Yiyi; Jun Jun Zhidie turned back and provocatively said:

"Second Sister has just returned to the manor from the countryside; you must not be used to riding in such a magnificent carriage."

Jun Jun Zijin twitched the corners of her mouth; such childish tricks were something only Jun Jun Zhidie would pull.

At this moment, Jun Jun Shuyan arrived and waved to Jun Jun Zijin, saying:

"Second Sister, come quickly; shall we ride in the same carriage?"

Jun Jun Zijin entered the Prime Minister's Manor with everyone. Along the way, people chattered in twos and threes; a few "unfortunate" remarks floated into her ears: "Look, the two talented ladies of the Jun family have arrived."

"Hahaha, they are indeed talented ladies, but one is a genius, and the other is an idiot..."

"Hahaha..."

"Indeed, they are not fit for the stage..."

Those Young Ladies either feigned friendship or secretly mocked; Jun Jun Zijin paid no mind to any of it.

Entering the main hall, she saw a room full of luxurious splendor and many guests. The Prime Minister's Old Lady sat high in the main seat, receiving everyone's salutations. After the rituals and gift-giving were completed,

everyone took their seats. A young servant hurried in, whispered something into the Prime Minister's ear. The Prime Minister's face changed slightly, then he smiled: "Today, another distinguished guest has come to celebrate the birthday."