Chapter 22: Mother, Why Won't You Let Your Son Faint First?

Everyone looked around with curiosity. At the other end of the lotus pond, a man wearing a brocade robe, his hair tied with a Bai Yu hairpin, accompanied by two guards, walked forward with hands clasped behind his back, exuding an imposing presence.

Jun Jun Shuyan was also curious; with the Prime Minister's grave expression, what kind of distinguished guest could it be? She pulled Jun Jun Zijin, who was busy gnawing on a fruit with his head down, wanting to see for himself. Alas, they were seated in the very last corner, and at this moment, they could see nothing at all.

Seats had been arranged in advance according to status and rank. Male and female guests were separated by a screen. On the women's side, legitimate daughters sat in front, while concubine-born daughters sat behind. Yet Jun Jun Zijin had been placed in the very last seat among the concubine-born daughters. Jun Jun Zijin understood perfectly well: with Zhou Zhou Yiniang currently managing the Prime Minister's household affairs, this was a deliberate attempt to humiliate her. Jun Jun Zijin didn't care; sitting anywhere was still sitting. It was Jun Jun Shuyan who felt indignant on her behalf.

Zhou Zhou Yiniang, riding high on her success, cast a vicious glance at Jun Jun Zijin, seated in the farthest corner. Although she was currently merely a concubine, rumors circulated within the circle that the Prime Minister's household would likely elevate her to the status of principal wife in the near future. Since no one present had seen the Prime Minister's principal wife today, everyone present was sharp enough to know that even if they felt contempt for Zhou Zhou Yiniang in their hearts, they were willing to show her some face on the surface. Everyone smiled and nodded, and some ladies of lower rank even tried to ingratiate themselves with her.

Jun Jun Zijin lifted his head but saw no one approaching. He ignored Zhou Zhou Yiniang's ill-intentioned glances from time to time and continued his struggle with his fruit.

As the visitor walked straight toward the main hall, a flicker of longing appeared in Jun Jun Yiyi's eyes. However, Prime Minister Gao and Lady Gao had already risen from their seats, stepped down from the main position, and bowed to the visitor:

"Subject (Concubine) greets the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince's gaze swept around, as if searching for something.

Hearing the commotion, Jun Jun Zijin just lifted his head and locked eyes with a pair of deep eyes. Jun Jun Zijin was somewhat surprised. How could it be him, Quan Quan Aoyu? Typically, when a subject celebrates a birthday, having an Imperial Prince attend is already a great honor, let alone entering the inner courtyard of a subject's residence. Why would a legitimate Crown Prince like him come to make a scene?

Upon hearing it was the Crown Prince, everyone bent their knees to pay their respects, and they were incredibly envious of Prime Minister Gao.

Jun Jun Zijin had to put down his fruit, stand up, and pay his respects as well. Following everyone, he said: "May the Crown Prince live a thousand years, a thousand thousand years."

Quan Quan Aoyu had long grown accustomed to such scenes and remained completely unmoved. He merely raised his hand slightly and said, "Everyone, rise." His voice was clear and bright, like jade striking jade.

Only then did the people rise. Those young ladies who were usually reserved and aloof now cared nothing for their dignity, nor did they heed the rumors of the Crown Prince's ruthlessness and lack of mercy. They all cast burning gazes upon the Crown Prince. If they could win the Crown Prince's favor, it would be a leap to the heavens.

Jun Jun Yiyi secretly rejoiced in her heart; dressing up carefully today was indeed the right choice. Her heart suddenly beat faster. She secretly raised her eyes to look at the Crown Prince, her heart filled with admiration.

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

"Crown Prince, it has been a few days since we last met. Is Your Highness well?" As she spoke, she shyly lowered her head, her face turning slightly red.

The moment Jun Jun Yiyi spoke these words, she immediately received a barrage of jealous glances from the young ladies and misses. Meanwhile, the ladies and matrons covered their mouths and whispered among themselves.

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

Jun Jun Zhidie, sitting beside her, saw the jealous glances Jun Jun Yiyi cast at the crowd and wore an expression of great pride and satisfaction. She pouted slightly and muttered in her heart: Truly shameless!

Just as all the young ladies were so jealous they wanted to flay Jun Jun Yiyi alive, Crown Prince Quan Quan Aoyu seemed to hear nothing.

Lady Gao was a person of great shrewdness. Seeing this scene, she understood the situation to some extent. However, the eldest daughter of the Jun household, a Minister's residence, was already betrothed to the Prime Minister's household. If something scandalous broke out, the Prime Minister's household would surely become the laughingstock of Jingcheng after dinner.

Lady Gao glanced at Zhou Zhou Yiniang, who was attending nearby. She had never looked down on this person. She had been brought into the household secretly while pregnant before marriage, and no one knew what tricks she had used to win over her son, Prime Minister Gao. Yet everyone knew the eldest daughter of the Jun household was well-read, polite, pure, and virtuous. What was going on today!

Zhou Zhou Yiniang was even more unable to bear the embarrassment, standing awkwardly. She cursed her niece in her heart, wondering what was going on. When she had insisted on entering the Prime Minister's household back then, it had taken her a great deal of effort to make it happen. What was going on today? She had been put in a position where she couldn't save face, and she feared she would be even less favored by that old thing in the Prime Minister's household from now on.

Everyone had their own thoughts. Before Lady Gao could think too much, she continued with a smile:

"The Crown Prince's visit to our humble home truly brings honor to our dwelling. We also thank the Emperor, the Noble Consort, and all the consorts. Your Highness, please, take your seat, please take your seat!" As she spoke, she smiled broadly, trying to usher the Crown Prince to her own main seat.

The Crown Prince was born of Empress Wang. The Emperor held deep and heavy affection for Empress Wang, and the bond between Emperor and Empress was very strong. However, five years ago, she went missing at the summer palace. The Emperor searched all of Emperor Tianqi but could not find any trace of Empress Wang. Thus, the position of Empress has remained vacant. With no Empress in the harem, someone still had to preside over the inner court, so in recent years, Noble Consort Gao and Consort Shu and Consort De have jointly managed the harem.

Every year at the Prime Minister's birthday banquet, the Emperor sends an Imperial Prince to offer birthday wishes. The Crown Prince is naturally cold and aloof. Since Empress Wang went missing, he has become even more inhuman. Why has he come today specifically to celebrate the birthday of the Prime Minister's matriarch?

"Today, my future granddaughter-in-law is also here. She plays the zither very well. She must perform a piece for Your Highness."

As Lady Gao spoke, she beckoned to Jun Jun Yiyi, calling her to come closer.

Everyone present belonged to this circle, and many knew of the betrothal between the Prime Minister's third son and the eldest daughter of the Jun household. Thus, almost everyone looked at her. Seeing this, Jun Jun Yiyi's face flushed again. She bit her lip. This time, the flush was not from shyness, but from embarrassment.

Having her betrothal exposed in front of the Crown Prince was extremely humiliating. Therefore, she stood still, unable to move for a long time. Seeing this, Jun Jun Zhidie beside her pushed Jun Jun Yiyi forward two steps: "Second Sister, go quickly. Lady Gao is calling you."

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

Prime Minister's third son, Gao Gao Wenjing, could no longer contain himself. Although he was angry at Jun Jun Yiyi's behavior today, she was after all his betrothed wife, and they had already shared intimate relations.

Gao Gao Wenjing strode quickly to stand in front of Jun Jun Yiyi, blocking the view of the crowd. He bowed to Lady Gao and said: "Grandmother, Miss Jun is unwell today and likely cannot play the zither to add to the festivities." Lady Gao had only asked Jun Jun Yiyi to play the zither out of necessity, not because she truly wanted her to show her face publicly.

Gao Gao Wenjing then turned his head and respectfully said to Crown Prince Quan Quan Aoyu: "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 Gao Wenjing spoke, he reached out to pull Jun Jun Yiyi. He thought the farce would end there, but Jun Jun Yiyi secretly glanced at Quan Quan Aoyu, shook off Gao Gao Wenjing's hand, and stepped back one pace, as if Gao Gao Wenjing were some filthy thing.

Gao Gao Wenjing stood there dazed, his hand raised in mid-air for a long while before he awkwardly withdrew it. Lady Gao was furious, but with the Crown Prince present, she could not make a scene. She could only glare fiercely at Jun Jun Yiyi.

However, Quan Quan Aoyu, the chief culprit, seemed entirely uninvolved from beginning to end. He merely said to Prime Minister Gao and Lady Gao in a faint tone:

"This year, I have come to celebrate the matriarch's birthday. The birthday gifts have already been handed to the steward. I have come to offer my congratulations to the matriarch and wish her longevity and health."

Quan Quan Aoyu did not sit down with the matriarch. After speaking, he turned his head to go to the men's seating area.

Jun Jun Zijin climbing onto the Crown Prince's lap? Zhou Zhou Yiniang had received a letter. Seeing the Crown Prince suddenly arrive at the residence today, she originally thought he had come for Jun Jun Zijin. She secretly pondered that if this matter was to succeed today, it would require even more effort. However, the Crown Prince had come but did not pay any attention to Jun Jun Zijin. It must be that that lowly girl was just lucky that day. Sister had overthought it. She now felt relieved. This matter must succeed today. Even if the Crown Prince glanced at her a few more times, what of it? After today, the Crown Prince would probably find that lowly girl dirty just by seeing her.

Seeing the Crown Prince about to leave, Jun Jun Yiyi truly could not hold back. She stepped forward two paces: "Your Highness..."

This time, Quan Quan Aoyu actually looked at her. His expression showed neither joy nor anger. His unchanging gaze studied her for a long while. Jun Jun Yiyi felt proud in her heart: Indeed, no man in the world can resist her beauty. She was about to speak in surprise when Quan Quan Aoyu spoke first: "Which family's young lady are you?"

All the young ladies in the hall finally breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out the Crown Prince simply did not remember her.

"Pfft"

Jun Jun Shuyan laughed so hard she spat. Jun Jun Zijin also watched this play with great interest. In his past life, watching such a wonderful drama cost money to buy tickets. Today it was free; one might as well watch.

Jun Jun Yiyi's face felt a bit embarrassed. She couldn't lose her temper, so she struggled to adjust her emotions. Just as she was about to reply, Quan Quan Aoyu spoke first again:

"Are you always this proactive?"

"Pfft." This time, not only did Jun Jun Shuyan laugh so hard she spat, but the young ladies and misses could no longer hold back. The words were so blunt they were practically saying "You are shameless." For an unmarried young lady, these words were very heavy.

Jun Jun Yiyi's face turned red and white in turns. Her eyes were red, tears welling up like pear blossoms in the rain. She looked at Quan Quan Aoyu with tear-filled eyes, pitiful to anyone who saw her, utterly miserable.

Quan Quan Aoyu glanced at Prime Minister Gao, who looked extremely embarrassed and unable to save face, and said:

"The banquet at the Prime Minister's residence is truly very lively." After speaking, he went to the men's seating area and took his seat on his own.

His cold voice revealed no emotion to the crowd, but Prime Minister Gao was so frightened he could not speak. He turned around and glared fiercely at Zhou Zhou Yiniang and the tearful Jun Jun Yiyi, then bent his body and followed closely behind.

The crowd in the main hall began to discuss: "Isn't the eldest daughter of the Jun household betrothed to the Prime Minister's third son? Why is she acting like this?"

"You don't know. This betrothal was originally for the Jun second daughter, but somehow it later became the eldest daughter's."

"Although our Emperor Tianqi customs are relatively open, there is absolutely no principle of one woman having two husbands..."

Compared to feudal society, although Emperor Tianqi customs were indeed relatively open, with men and women able to exchange gifts and walk together to view lanterns during the Lantern Festival, that was all.

Zhou Zhou Yiniang stomped her feet in anger, almost unable to resist slapping Jun Jun Yiyi a few times.

On the other side, Lady Gao rolled her eyes in anger. She couldn't catch her breath, fell backward, and fainted. Immediately, maids and nannies were patting backs, rubbing chests, people falling and horses overturning, everything in chaos.

Prime Minister Gao stomped his feet in anxiety: Mother, why did you faint first? Why not let your son faint first?

This ancestor is still sitting? Hurry back to the palace, High Chancellor thought to himself, yet dared not openly drive them away.

Quan Quan Aoyu was indeed strange; coming to the Prime Minister's residence to celebrate a birthday was already surprising enough, yet after such a farce, he could still sit firmly.

Seeing the Crown Prince had not left, no one dared to leave either; truly, they could neither go nor stay.

At this, Quan Quan Aoyu finally stood up, ordered someone to summon the imperial physicians immediately to treat High Lady Gao. He said he had other matters to attend to and left, but only left the guard Feiying behind.

Seeing the Crown Prince had left a guard, Zhou Zhou Yiniang stepped forward and asked him to lend a hand. Feiying paid no heed, merely standing with arms crossed. Zhou Zhou Yiniang stamped her foot; truly a strange person.

Seeing the Crown Prince had departed, everyone left in twos and threes with apologies.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin pulled Jun Jun Shuyan and said:

"Stop looking, hurry back to the residence."

On Jun Jun Yiyi's side, Zhou Zhou Yiniang, suppressing her fury, dragged her aside and gritted her teeth, saying: "You have ruined us utterly today. I thought you were clever, but who knew you would not only botch the main business but turn a proper birthday banquet into such a mess! I am busy here, so I will not keep you! Remember, you are betrothed to the Third Young Master of the Prime Minister's residence!"

Jun Jun Yiyi, full of unwillingness yet daring not to refute, could attend to nothing else and had to return to the residence with her maid.

In the carriage, Jun Jun Shuyan quietly pulled Seeing Jun Jun Zijin aside and whispered: "Today's spectacle was quite something; the Eldest Sister's attempt to outsmart others backfired, and she is likely to become the laughingstock of Jingcheng." Seeing Jun Jun Zijin merely smiled faintly and said nothing.

Seeing Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had left, Feiying followed suit, trailing the Jun residence carriage from a distance until Seeing Jun Jun Zijin stepped through the gate, only then returning to report.