Chapter 215: Who is the Most Anxious About the Death of Imperial Consort Gao?

Feiyan knelt on one knee:

"Master, you guessed correctly; that mysterious person is indeed him."

Jun Zijin was sitting on a carved nanmu chair, toying with a piece of warm jade in her hand.

Upon hearing this, she merely raised an eyebrow slightly, a flash of imperceptible sharpness in her eyes, signaling him to continue.

"Your subordinate saw a masked person meet with that man. The masked person had only one eye, and their figure was extremely similar to the masked person who led the pursuit to kill us, the one whose eye you blinded. But strangely, that man was quite polite to the masked person; it did not look like a superior-subordinate relationship, but rather more like... a partnership."

Jun Zijin frowned slightly. That time, everyone was captured, except for the adopted son of Grand Chancellor Gao who escaped. That masked person... even if that masked person was Gao Yuan, the relationship between that man and Gao Yuan... no matter how one looked at it, this matter was unusual.

"Feiyan, this matter is not simple. Continue to keep watch, and be sure not to alert the enemy. Additionally, investigate Gao Yuan in secret, including when and under what circumstances he entered the Gao residence, and how he came to be recognized as an adopted son by Grand Chancellor Gao. I want all information on him."

"Yes, Master!"

Feiyan acknowledged the order and turned to withdraw.

"Wait!"

Jun Zijin called out to stop him.

"You must be careful. If there is danger, return immediately; do not try to be a hero."

Feiyan felt a warmth in his heart. This girl usually appeared cold, but in reality, she cared deeply for her subordinates.

"This subordinate understands and will certainly not fail Master's expectations!"

Having said that, his figure flashed and he vanished from the spot like a ghost.

Jun Zijin snapped her fingers into the air, and Feiying appeared with a grin.

"Master, do you have instructions?"

"Tell Quan Aoyu that there is progress, but there are also new mysteries. Have him send men to support Feiyan. Also, keep a close watch on the Prince Yi residence."

Feiying responded and left quickly.

————————

Today is the Lantern Festival, and the Jun residence, which had been quiet for a few days, became lively again.

Around a large round table sat the young and old of the Jun family, with all kinds of fillings and dumpling wrappers spread out; everyone was gathered together making dumplings.

Except for Jun Zhengming, who had not yet returned from court, even the only male descendant in the residence—Jun Chengcai—had come to join the fun.

The warm steam, mingled with laughter and chatter, kneaded itself into this reunion atmosphere full of the scent of life.

Flour and fillings were turned and transformed in everyone's hands, and before long, plump and round dumplings filled the trays.

Jun Zijin’s movements were skillful and elegant; her fair fingers gently pinched the dumpling wrapper, placed the filling inside, and with a fold and a pinch, an exquisite dumpling was formed.

Jun Shuyan watched, mesmerized, and couldn't help but exclaim:

"Second Sister, yours look so beautiful; I just can't seem to learn how."

As she spoke, she held up her own crooked dumpling and pouted.

Jun Zijin smiled, reached out to dab a spot of flour on the tip of Jun Shuyan’s nose, and said softly:

"Don't be anxious, Shuyan. You'll get the hang of it after making a few more. Come, Second Sister will teach you again."

She picked up a dumpling wrapper and demonstrated patiently, while Jun Shuyan followed along without blinking.

The Old Lady sat to the side, her face full of affection, occasionally offering a few words of caution:

"Slow down, don't drop them on the floor."

Seeing the interaction between Jun Zijin and Jun Shuyan, Zhou Yiniang’s face beamed with a happy smile as she praised:

"I never expected the Second Young Lady to be so clever—able to heal, use a scalpel, paint, play the zither, and even make such beautiful dumplings. I truly don't know what else the Second Young Lady cannot do."

Jun Zijin laughed:

"There are many things I cannot do, such as embroidery."

Everyone laughed and chatted, enjoying the harmonious atmosphere.

Jun Chengcai sat to the side, watching this heartwarming scene, the corners of his mouth lifting involuntarily.

Yet behind this smile, a trace of imperceptible sorrow quietly crept into his eyes.

He would be leaving soon; he had his own mission to go where he was meant to go.

But in his heart, everyone before him was his kin.

Especially the Old Lady and Jun Zijin, who were the attachments he found hardest to let go of.

After this parting, he did not know when they would meet again.

"Big Brother, why are you making them so slowly? Are you slacking off?"

Jun Shuyan suddenly teased Jun Chengcai. Jun Chengcai snapped out of his thoughts and hurriedly said:

"Not at all, I was just trying to make them look more exquisite."

As he spoke, he quickened his movements, but his thoughts drifted far away.

The observant Old Lady seemed to notice Jun Chengcai’s strangeness. She looked at him with gentle eyes and asked with concern:

"Chengcai, you seem to have something on your mind today? Is there something troubling you? Tell your grandmother."

Jun Chengcai opened his mouth, wanting to speak of his departure, but looking at his grandmother’s loving face, he swallowed the words back and forced a smile:

"Grandmother, what could I have on my mind? I was just thinking about eating a few more dumplings later. I want to properly enjoy the taste of home."

Jun Zijin also cast a knowing glance; she understood this brother of hers too well.

Even though he was hiding something in his heart, he did not want to worry everyone, so he chose silence.

Just then, Guazi walked in softly and whispered into Jun Zijin’s ear:

"Master, news has come from the palace: Imperial Consort Gao has passed away."

Jun Zijin’s eyelid twitched, but her hands did not stop.

This was within her expectations; after that whip from Quan Aoyu, it was already the limit that Imperial Consort Gao had held on until today.

In Tianqi, there was a law: when the Empress passes away, all Imperial Princes must observe mourning for one year. When a consort passes away, only her own son needs to observe mourning.

The duration of mourning varies depending on the rank of the consort.

And when a Noble Consort passes away, her own son must observe mourning for one year.

During the mourning period, an Imperial Prince cannot marry, and his wives and concubines cannot conceive.

As such, Jun Yiyi, who had been married to Prince Yi for less than half a month.

From today on, she cannot conceive for a year; she is likely going to be anxious.

Given her temperament, there will likely be more drama to watch at the Prince Yi residence.

Speaking of the Prince Yi residence, Jun Yiyi and Quan Tianyi had been married for nearly half a month.

Every night, Jun Yiyi waited and waited, but Quan Tianyi had not stayed in her courtyard even once.

Every time Jun Yiyi sent someone to ask, they were told that His Highness Prince Yi was still in the study handling official business.

She was so anxious she could die; without consummating the marriage, who was she supposed to get pregnant with?

Today is the Lantern Festival, and Jun Yiyi spent the better part of the day dressing up.

She sat before the bronze mirror, looking at herself in the reflection; beneath her meticulously drawn distant-mountain eyebrows, her eyes held shimmering autumn water, and her vermilion lips were lightly touched, just like red plum blossoms blooming on a branch.

She chose a water-red Shu silk dress embroidered with peonies, as ethereal as a fairy.

The gold threads on it shimmered with fine light under the candlelight, and every fold had been repeatedly adjusted by her, striving to present the most perfect posture.

She ordered the kitchen to prepare a table of dishes and warmed a pot of wine.

The table was filled with dishes that Prince Yi usually loved to eat; the sweet and sour carp was bright red in color, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the knife cuts on the fish were even and neat, and the poured sweet and sour sauce emitted an enticing, tangy aroma;

The crystal pork knuckle was translucent, the gelatin wrapping the fresh and tender meat, with every piece cut to the same size;

And there was the emerald white jade soup, the verdant greens and tender white tofu setting each other off like an exquisite painting.

She was just waiting for Quan Tianyi to return to the residence so she could eat, drink, and make a baby with him.

[Thank you, babies, for adding to your bookshelves and urging for updates. Love you all.]