Chapter 21: Attending the Banquet at the Prime Minister's Manor

After seeing off the Crown Prince, it was nearly noon. Jun Zijin pondered as she walked toward Luoshan Court. Before she had even entered the gate, she heard a flurry of scolding:

"You cheap wench, you're diligent enough at sweeping, but when I tell you to serve me tea, you're slow as a snail."

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

"What's the matter? I heard that country girl just latched onto the Crown Prince, so you're eager to suck up to her? It’s still up in the air whether she can hold onto that position!"

As soon as Jun Zijin stepped through the gate, she saw Xiao Lian berating the maid-of-all-work in the courtyard.

"Your news travels fast," Jun Zijin sneered. I haven't dealt with you these past few days, and you’ve gone and run into me yourself.

"This young lady thinks the courtyard really does need a good cleaning. Since we seem to be short-handed and Xiao Lian is here, you can all clean it together."

"Shui Hong, you are responsible for the dust on the window lattices. Shui Lu, you are to clean the dirt in the corners and the soil in the outer courtyard. Xiao Lian, you are responsible for scrubbing the courtyard floor."

As she spoke, she went to the corner of the wall, picked up a wooden bucket, and shoved it into Xiao Lian’s arms:

"Remember, you must splash water on the ground and then scrub it clean with a brush."

Xiao Lian was dumbfounded. Hearing that the Crown Prince had visited the manor, she had specifically applied light makeup today, painted her nails red, and worn a thin silk dress she usually couldn't bear to wear... She had dreamed beautifully that perhaps she might have an unexpected encounter with the Crown Prince.

Besides, she had never done such rough work in the Head Lady’s courtyard; it was never more than serving tea or the like.

When she was assigned to Luoshan Court some time ago, the Second Young Lady only ever had her fetch face-washing water and leave it at the door.

Seeing Xiao Lian standing there in a daze, Jun Zijin said:

"Hurry up and work. You only get to eat once you're finished."

Ever since Jun Zijin had a falling out with the Head Lady half a month ago, she had built a stove in her own courtyard and hired a cook, naturally paying for the expenses with her own silver. In truth, the day she dined in the main hall with the Head Lady was merely because she had just returned to the manor and the Head Lady was putting on a show. Afterward, she still had to go to the main kitchen to collect meals like everyone else in the manor. Jun Zijin had once sent a maid to collect them, and what was brought back were radishes and cabbage without a single drop of oil to be seen. She had no intention of wasting energy haggling over food with servants who judged people by their status; rather than going hungry and constantly worrying about being poisoned, it was better to spend a little silver and start her own fire.

A waft of food’s fragrance stirred Jun Zijin’s hunger. It was noon, so she instructed Zhou Mama:

"Tell everyone to put down their work and eat before continuing."

Although she had just said they must finish before eating, she had no intention of mistreating her servants regarding food.

After lunch, Jun Zijin ignored everything else, instructed her servants not to disturb her, and dove into her room to sketch and write.

Relying on her memory, she used a wooden stick to record in detail the smelting methods for stainless steel she had read about in her previous life.

The wooden stick was made from a willow branch she had found everywhere since arriving in this world. She really couldn't get used to writing with a soft-bristled brush.

Although her calligraphy with a soft brush was indeed presentable—painting and calligraphy being one and the same, and her art skills in her previous life being excellent, her calligraphy was naturally not bad—that was only for casual writing and drawing. If she really had to write a large amount, a soft-bristled brush was simply too slow.

She would make do with the wooden stick for now, Jun Zijin mused, and once she had some free time, she would definitely tinker with a hard-tipped pen.

The Jun manor had also been bustling with activity these past two days. Jun Zhengming had arranged for the steward to direct craftsmen in modifying the thresholds and steps of the manor.

Upon learning that his second daughter had found a wheelchair for the Old Lady, Jun Zhengming was naturally delighted. He had lost his father in childhood and had been raised by the Old Lady; while he was indeed muddled regarding the affairs of his own inner courtyard, he was still considered filial toward the Old Lady. Yet, he had been helpless regarding the Old Lady’s limited mobility and the many restrictions it imposed.

He was also curious how his second daughter had come up with such a design, so he naturally called her over to ask. Jun Zijin only said that she had gone out of the manor a few days prior and met a Persian in the market. The Persian had lost his silver and was very anxious, so she had helped him with all she had, and in return, the Persian gave her the blueprint for the wheelchair. Seeing that the wheelchair was quite ingenious and practical, and thinking of her grandmother’s difficulty in getting around, she had found a craftsman to make it.

This reason was plausible enough, so Jun Zhengming did not ask further, only saying that it was rare for her to have such filial piety, and that he was very gratified. He also cautioned her not to easily associate too much with foreigners, as the world was complicated these days.

Jun Zijin obediently agreed, and the matter passed.

As for how the Head Lady reacted with jealousy and madness, smashing cups and plates—that part is omitted for brevity.

Today was the birthday of the Prime Minister’s manor’s Old Lady, Old Lady Gao. The Head Lady had notified them that all the young ladies were to attend.

Jun Zijin mused that this would not be simple; she feared today would not be peaceful. But being afraid was useless; she would just have to play it by ear.

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

Jun Zijin set out from the manor on time with Xiao He and Miao Zhu. When she reached the manor gate, she saw that Jun Yiyi and Jun Zhidie had also just arrived.

Jun Yiyi was still dressed in white today, wearing exquisite makeup. She wore a white, light-gauze, soft-smoke-silk dress that looked simple but was actually embroidered with extraordinary craftsmanship—pure, beautiful, and ethereal as a fairy.

Only a single pearl hairpin was inserted obliquely into her hair bun. Though it was just one hairpin, the thumb-sized colored pearl embedded in it was likely more valuable than all the jewelry covering Jun Zhidie.

Indeed, Jun Zhidie looked as if she had hung every piece of jewelry she owned on her body today. She had not dressed up when she last saw the Crown Prince and had been very regretful. Today, she was determined to outshine everyone else.

Seeing Jun Zhidie dressed this way, Jun Yiyi said it looked nice, but her eyes betrayed her disdain.

Even Jun Zijin was stunned by Jun Zhidie’s bizarre performance; she truly was a gaudy butterfly.

It was one thing for Jun Yiyi to always wear white, but what day was it today? It was the Prime Minister’s Old Lady’s birthday—a joyous banquet, not a funeral. Jun Zijin rolled her eyes inwardly.

Jun Yiyi suddenly spoke:

"Second Sister, today is the Prime Minister’s Old Lady’s birthday banquet, and all the high-ranking officials and nobles will be there. You must not lose your sense of propriety."

Having said this, she was the first to board the carriage, a hint of imperceptible arrogance in her eyes.

Jun Zijin raised an eyebrow; it seemed they were up to no good.

Jun Zhidie followed her into the same carriage. Turning back, she said provocatively:

"Second Sister just returned from the countryside; surely you aren't used to riding in such a magnificent carriage."

Jun Zijin twitched her lips; such childish tricks were exactly what Jun Zhidie would come up with.

Just then, Jun Shuyan arrived and beckoned to Jun Zijin:

"Second Sister, come over quickly. How about we ride in the same carriage?"

Jun Zijin entered the Prime Minister’s manor with the others. Along the way, people were whispering in groups of two or three, and a few "unintentional" remarks drifted into her ears: "Look, the two talented ladies of the Jun manor have arrived."

"Hahaha, talented indeed, though one is a genius and the other is a fool..."

"Hahahaha..."

"Truly not fit for polite society..."

Whether those young ladies were feigning friendliness or mocking her in secret, Jun Zijin paid them no mind.

Entering the main hall, she saw a scene of total luxury, with many guests present. The Prime Minister’s Old Lady sat in the seat of honor, receiving the homage of the crowd. After the bowing and gift-giving ceremonies were concluded,

everyone took their seats. A servant hurried in and whispered something into the Prime Minister’s ear. The Prime Minister’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately smiled: "There is one more honored guest arriving to offer birthday wishes today."