Chapter 22: My Goodness, Why Didn't You Let Your Son Faint First?

Everyone looked over with curiosity. They saw a person walking over with hands behind their back from the direction of the lotus pond, accompanied by two guards; the person wore a brocade robe, a white jade crown on their head, and possessed a spirited and imposing air.

Jun Shuyan was also curious about what kind of distinguished guest could make the Prime Minister look so solemn, so she pulled on Jun Zijin, who was busy gnawing on a fruit, wanting to see for herself. Unfortunately, they had been seated in the very last corner and could see nothing at all.

The seats were arranged in advance according to status; a screen separated the male and female guests. On the women's side, the legitimate daughters were in front and the concubine-born daughters in the back, but Jun Zijin had actually been placed in the very last seat among the concubine-born daughters. Jun Zijin understood immediately: Concubine Wu was currently managing the Prime Minister's household affairs and was deliberately trying to humiliate her. Jun Zijin didn't mind—a seat was a seat—but Jun Shuyan felt indignant on her behalf.

Concubine Wu, feeling triumphant, cast a fierce glance at Jun Zijin sitting in the far corner. Although she was currently only a concubine, rumors in the circle suggested that the Prime Minister's residence would likely promote her to the position of legal wife. Since the Prime Minister's first wife was not present today, and everyone there was a shrewd person, they were all willing to give her some face, even if they despised her in their hearts. Everyone smiled and nodded, and some wives of lower rank even tried to cozy up to her.

Jun Zijin lifted her head, didn't see the newcomer, and ignored the ill-intentioned glances Concubine Wu cast her way from time to time, continuing to struggle with her fruit.

The newcomer walked straight toward the main hall. A glimmer of longing appeared in Jun Yiyi's eyes, while Prime Minister Gao and the Old Madam of the Gao family had already stood up, descended from their seats of honor, and bowed to the person:

"Your subject (this concubine) pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince scanned the room, as if searching for something.

Hearing the commotion, Jun Zijin had just looked up when she met a pair of deep, piercing eyes. Jun Zijin was somewhat surprised—why was it him, Quan Aoyu? Generally speaking, for a subject's birthday, the arrival of an Imperial Prince was already a great honor, let alone for a subject's inner residence; why was he, a dignified Crown Prince, coming to join in the fun?

Upon hearing it was the Crown Prince, everyone knelt to pay their respects, feeling immense envy toward Prime Minister Gao.

Jun Zijin had no choice but to put down her fruit, stand up, and pay her respects, saying in unison with the others: "May His Highness the Crown Prince live for ten thousand years."

Quan Aoyu was long accustomed to such scenes and remained completely unmoved. He only slightly raised his hand and said, "All rise." His voice was clear and resonant, like jade striking jade.

Only then did the people stand up. The young ladies, usually reserved and haughty, could no longer care about their image, nor the rumors that the Crown Prince was ruthless and merciless; they cast burning gazes upon him. If one could gain the Crown Prince's favor, it would be a step toward reaching the heavens.

Jun Yiyi rejoiced inwardly, thinking her careful grooming today had not been in vain. Her heart rate suddenly accelerated, and she secretly looked up at the Crown Prince, her heart filled with admiration.

Seeing these shameless people, Jun Yiyi could no longer hold back. Dressed in white, she moved with lotus-like steps, stepped forward a few paces, and said softly:

"Your Highness, it has been a few days; have you been well?" As she spoke, she lowered her head shyly, her face slightly flushed.

As soon as Jun Yiyi said this, she immediately drew jealous glares from a crowd of young ladies. The wives and matrons, however, covered their mouths and whispered to one another.

Such words, which invited endless speculation, sounded to others as if the two were already well-acquainted and had met not long ago.

Beside her, Jun Zhidie saw the jealous looks directed at Jun Yiyi and felt very proud and satisfied. She pursed her lips slightly and cursed under her breath: "How truly shameless!"

Just as all the young ladies were so jealous they wanted to skin Jun Yiyi alive, they saw the Crown Prince, Quan Aoyu, act as if he hadn't heard a thing.

The Old Madam of the Gao family was a shrewd woman; seeing this scene, she understood a thing or two. But since the eldest young lady of the Jun family was betrothed to the Prime Minister's residence, if some trouble were to arise, the Prime Minister's residence would surely become the laughingstock of Jingcheng.

The Old Madam glanced at Concubine Wu, who was serving nearby. She had never looked highly upon this woman, who had been brought into the residence quietly after becoming pregnant out of wedlock; she didn't know what methods she had used to ensnare her son, the Prime Minister. But everyone knew the eldest young lady of the Jun family to be well-read, polite, and pure; what was going on today!

Concubine Wu felt even more embarrassed and stood there awkwardly, cursing her niece in her heart. Back then, when she had insisted on entering the Prime Minister's residence, she had gone to great lengths to make it happen. What was going on today, leaving her in such a difficult position? She feared she would be even less favored by that old thing in the Prime Minister's residence from now on.

With everyone's thoughts in disarray, the Old Madam didn't have time to dwell on it and continued with a smile:

"Your Highness's arrival at our humble home truly brings light to our dwelling. We also thank His Majesty, the Imperial Consort, and all the ladies. Your Highness, please, take the seat of honor!" As she spoke, she beamed and tried to usher the Crown Prince to her own seat of honor.

The Crown Prince was born to Empress Wang, and the Emperor held deep affection for her; the bond between the Emperor and Empress was very strong. However, she went missing five years ago at the summer palace. The Emperor searched all of Tianqi but could not find a trace of Empress Wang, so the position of Empress had remained vacant. With no Empress in the inner palace, and the need for someone to manage it, the Imperial Consort Gao, along with Consort Shu and Consort De, had been managing the inner palace in recent years.

Every year at the Prime Minister's birthday banquet, the Emperor would send an Imperial Prince to offer congratulations. The Crown Prince was cold by nature and had become even more indifferent since Empress Wang went missing; why had he come to offer birthday greetings to the Prime Minister's Old Madam today?

"Today, my future granddaughter-in-law is also here. She plays the zither beautifully and must play a piece for Your Highness."

As the Old Madam spoke, she beckoned to Jun Yiyi, calling her to her side.

Everyone who came today was from this circle, and many knew about the betrothal between the Prime Minister's third young master and the eldest young lady of the Jun family, so almost everyone looked at her. Seeing this, Jun Yiyi blushed again, biting her lip; this time, the blush was not from shyness, but from embarrassment.

To have her betrothal exposed in front of the Crown Prince was extremely humiliating, so she stood there, hesitant to move. Jun Zhidie, seeing this, pushed Jun Yiyi forward two steps: "Second Sister, go quickly; the Old Madam is calling you."

Helpless, she had to step forward, keeping her head down, not daring to look at Quan Aoyu.

The Prime Minister's third young master, Gao Wenjing, could no longer restrain himself. Although he was annoyed by Jun Yiyi's actions today, she was, after all, his betrothed, and they had already shared intimate relations.

Gao Wenjing strode in front of Jun Yiyi, blocking everyone's view. He bowed to the Old Madam and said, "Grandmother, Miss Jun is feeling unwell today and I fear she is unable to play the zither for entertainment." The Old Madam had only asked Jun Yiyi to play because of the circumstances; she didn't truly want her to be exposed to the public.

Gao Wenjing turned to the Crown Prince, Quan Aoyu, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, Miss Jun has always been timid and shy. With so many people here today, she is truly nervous. I beg Your Highness to allow this commoner to take Miss Jun away to rest."

As Gao Wenjing spoke, he reached out to pull Jun Yiyi. He had expected the farce to end there, but Jun Yiyi secretly glanced at Quan Aoyu, shook off Gao Wenjing's hand, and stepped back, as if Gao Wenjing were something filthy.

Gao Wenjing stood there blankly, his hand held in mid-air for a long time before he sheepishly withdrew it. The Old Madam was furious, but she couldn't lash out in front of the Crown Prince, so she could only glare fiercely at Jun Yiyi.

Yet, Quan Aoyu, the culprit, seemed unconcerned from beginning to end. He only said indifferently to the Prime Minister and the Old Madam:

"I have come today to offer birthday greetings to the Old Madam. The birthday gift has been handed to the steward. I have come to offer my congratulations and wish the Old Madam health and longevity."

Quan Aoyu did not sit down with the Old Madam; after speaking, he turned to head toward the male guests' seating area.

Concubine Wu had received word that Jun Zijin was trying to climb up to the Crown Prince. Seeing the Crown Prince suddenly arrive at the residence today, she had originally thought he came for Jun Zijin, and she had worried that if this matter were to succeed, it would take more effort. However, the Crown Prince had come, but he had ignored Jun Zijin; that wretched girl must have just been lucky that day, and her sister had been overthinking it. She felt relieved now; this matter today had to succeed. Even if the Crown Prince looked at her a few more times, what of it? After today, the Crown Prince would likely find that wretched girl filthy to look at.

Seeing the Crown Prince about to leave, Jun Yiyi couldn't hold back and stepped forward two paces: "Your Highness..."

This time, Quan Aoyu looked at her. With an unreadable, unchanging gaze, he stared at her for a long time. Jun Yiyi felt triumphant: As expected, no man in the world could resist her beauty. Just as she was about to speak in delight, Quan Aoyu spoke first: "Which family's young lady are you?"

The young ladies in the hall were finally relieved; it turned out the Crown Prince didn't remember her at all.

"Pfft."

Jun Shuyan burst out laughing, and Jun Zijin also watched this drama with great interest. In her past life, one had to pay for tickets to see such a wonderful play; today it was free, so why not watch?

Jun Yiyi lost face and couldn't get angry, so she had to struggle to adjust her emotions. Just as she was about to reply, Quan Aoyu spoke again:

"Are you always this proactive?"

"Pfft." This time, it wasn't just Jun Shuyan who burst out laughing; the young ladies couldn't hold it in either. The words were blunt, practically saying, "You are shameless." For an unmarried girl, these words were heavy indeed.

Jun Yiyi's face turned red and then white. Her eyes reddened, and she looked at Quan Aoyu with tears welling up, looking pitiful and heart-wrenching.

Quan Aoyu glanced at the embarrassed and stuck Prime Minister Gao and said:

"The banquet at the Prime Minister's residence is truly quite lively." After saying this, he went to the male guests' seating area to take his seat.

No one could discern any emotion in his cold voice, but the Prime Minister was too terrified to respond. He turned back, glared fiercely at Concubine Wu and the tearful Jun Yiyi, and bowed as he followed closely behind.

The people in the hall whispered among themselves: "Isn't the eldest young lady of the Jun family betrothed to the Prime Minister's third young master? Why is she like this?"

"You don't know; this engagement was originally for the second young lady of the Jun family, but later, for some reason, it became the eldest young lady's."

"Although the social customs of our Tianqi are relatively open, there is no reason for one woman to be matched with two husbands..."

Compared to a feudal society, the social customs of Tianqi were indeed relatively open; during the folk Lantern Festival, men and women could exchange gifts and walk together to admire the lanterns, but that was all.

Concubine Wu stamped her feet in anger, almost unable to resist slapping Jun Yiyi a few times.

On the other side, the Old Madam was so angry she rolled her eyes back, couldn't catch her breath, and fainted backward. Suddenly, the maids and matrons were patting her back and rubbing her chest; it was total chaos.

Prime Minister Gao stamped his feet in anxiety: "Mother, why did you have to faint first? Why didn't you let your son faint first?"

*Why is this ancestor still sitting there? Hurry back to the palace,* the Prime Minister thought to himself, but he dared not drive him away openly.

It was indeed strange that Quan Aoyu had come to the Prime Minister's residence to offer birthday greetings, and even more surprising that he could sit calmly through such a farce.

Seeing that the Crown Prince hadn't left, the others didn't dare to leave either; it was truly a dilemma.

At this moment, Quan Aoyu finally stood up and ordered the imperial physicians from the palace to come immediately to treat the Old Madam. He said he had other matters to attend to and left, but he left his guard, Feiying, behind.

Seeing that the Crown Prince had left a guard, Concubine Wu went up to ask for his help, but Feiying ignored her and just stood there with his arms crossed. Concubine Wu stamped her feet; what a strange person.

Seeing the Crown Prince leave, the guests also left in twos and threes with apologies.

Jun Zijin pulled Jun Shuyan and said:

"Stop watching, let's go back to the residence."

On Jun Yiyi's side, Concubine Wu suppressed her anger and dragged her to the side, gritting her teeth: "You've ruined us today! I thought you were smart, but who knew you'd not only botch the main business but turn a perfectly good birthday banquet into this! I'm busy here, so I won't keep you! Remember, you are betrothed to the Prime Minister's third young master!"

Jun Yiyi was full of resentment but dared not retort. Unable to care about anything else, she had to take her maid and return to the residence.

In the carriage, Jun Shuyan quietly pulled Jun Zijin aside and whispered: "Today's show was really something to see. Eldest Sister's attempt to be clever backfired; I'm afraid she'll become the laughingstock of Jingcheng." Jun Zijin only smiled faintly and said nothing.

Seeing Jun Zijin leave, Feiying followed, trailing the Jun family's carriage from a distance until Jun Zijin stepped through the gates of her residence before returning to report.