[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world":3,"chapter-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-24":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Phoenix Returns to Rule the World",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2353148,4602,"Chapter 24: With Grandmother Here, No One Dares to Harm You","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-24",24,"\u003Cp>In the Hall of Proclaiming Governance, Prime Minister Gao pressed his head against the floor, tears streaming down his face:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, this old subject implores Your Majesty to uphold justice for me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the Prime Minister, who was covered in snot and tears, the Emperor felt a headache coming on. He gave a light cough and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prime Minister, Concubine Wu is your beloved concubine, and that eldest young lady of the Jun household is, after all, your niece; I hear she is also your daughter-in-law-to-be. Since this is a matter within your own backyard, how do you expect Me to uphold justice for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s blunt words left Prime Minister Gao stunned, his crying coming to an abrupt halt. At that moment, Prime Minister Gao felt like killing Concubine Wu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jun Zijin were here, she would certainly praise this Emperor for being to her liking—he was adorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Prime Minister had to be placated, so the Emperor added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This matter was stirred up by the Crown Prince. How about this, I shall have the Crown Prince accompany you on a trip.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Quan Aoyu entered the Hall of Proclaiming Governance, this was the scene he saw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His secret guards had reported: Old Lady Gao was likely in critical condition, people from the Prime Minister’s residence were on their way to the Jun household, and the Prime Minister had come to the palace to lodge a complaint. Fearing that both the Prime Minister’s residence and the Jun household would vent their anger on Jun Zijin, he had come to the Hall of Proclaiming Governance from the Eastern Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor had just finished speaking when he saw the Crown Prince arrive:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crown Prince, you have come just in time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Accompany the Prime Minister and see what is going on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, and Crown Prince, this is ultimately a matter of the Prime Minister’s backyard; it is not appropriate for an outsider like you to interfere too much. Go and convey My decree: tell Head Physician Guo that he must do his utmost to save the Old Lady’s life. Whatever medicinal herbs are needed, the palace will provide!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the Emperor handing this matter over to the Crown Prince was exactly what Quan Aoyu wanted; he had gone to the Hall of Proclaiming Governance specifically to request this decree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Prime Minister Gao was unwilling, he had no other choice but to kowtow and thank him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Jun household, Jun Zhengming only learned of this incident when people from the Prime Minister’s residence arrived. He was so furious that his vision blurred and his face turned red with shame, repeatedly shouting: \"Wicked child! Wicked child!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But anger aside, he had to provide an explanation to the Prime Minister’s residence. After pacifying the people from the Prime Minister’s residence, Jun Zhengming summoned all the ladies, young ladies, and concubines of the household to the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the main hall, Jun Yiyi, who had previously only been sobbing, was so frightened by Jun Zhengming’s angry shout that she collapsed into the First Lady’s arms and wailed loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin and Jun Shuyan sat opposite Jun Zhengming. Seeing Jun Zhengming’s furious appearance, Jun Shuyan felt a bit afraid and leaned toward Jun Zijin. Jun Zijin patted the back of her hand to reassure her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father, Mother, you must uphold justice for your daughter!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi cried while pouring out the humiliation she had suffered at the Prime Minister’s residence:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had only spoken a single sentence to His Highness the Crown Prince, yet Old Lady Gao made it impossible for me to step down. She even made me play the zither for everyone present. When guests are dining, if entertainment is needed, it should be the Prime Minister’s own musicians, yet Old Lady Gao insisted that I perform for them. Second Sister and Fourth Sister only cared about watching the show, and Third Sister even pushed your daughter. Your daughter feels so wronged!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi had never cried so bitterly as she did at this moment; the sound of her wailing seemed to pierce the clouds and resound throughout the heavens and earth. Tears gushed from her beautiful eyes and slid down her cheeks; her body trembled as if she were about to suffocate and die the next second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Lady was heartbroken and kept patting her back, but Jun Yiyi only cried harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin chuckled, \"Truly, a case of the thief crying 'stop thief'.\" Fourth Young Lady Jun Shuyan wanted to speak, but Concubine Zhou pulled her and shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhengming slammed his hand on the table with a \"bang\" and stood up, pointing at Jun Zijin, Jun Zhidie, and Jun Shuyan, shouting: \"What exactly are you trying to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhidie would not stand for it, but she was held back by the Second Lady, Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li was a shrew. Although she usually followed the First Lady’s lead, Jun Zhengming was helping the eldest girl shift the blame and frame her daughter; how could she swallow this insult?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li stood up with a \"whoosh,\" put her hands on her hips, and said loudly: \"Master, today’s matter cannot be decided by the Eldest Young Lady’s words alone. Our Zhidie has always been well-behaved and sensible; how could she do such a thing? On the contrary, it is the Eldest Young Lady—who knows if she failed to seduce the Crown Prince and is now deliberately framing her own sisters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the First Lady’s face sank immediately: \"Second Sister-in-law, what kind of talk is this? Yiyi has always been kind, weak, and well-mannered; how could she act in such a way?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhengming frowned deeply and scolded: \"Stop arguing, all of you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With nowhere to vent his anger, Jun Zhengming pointed at Jun Zijin and said viciously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ever since you returned, our household has known no peace. I ask you today: your eldest sister is weak, yet you stood by and watched with schadenfreude as others bullied her. What exactly are you trying to do? If you want to take revenge for being driven out of the house six years ago, come at me! Why must you harm your eldest sister and make her suffer such humiliation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi stopped sobbing and spoke up:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second Sister, when you were the legitimate daughter, I loved and respected you. Even after I became the eldest legitimate daughter, I did not hold it against you when you tried to kill me. You were sent to the manor, but that was not my fault. In the days since you returned, I, as your eldest legitimate sister, have treated you with nothing but care. Why do you hate me so much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Wu wiped Jun Yiyi’s tears with a pained expression and said: \"Our Yiyi is just too kind-hearted. Back then, you harmed your eldest legitimate sister and even beat me, which is why your father sent you to the manor. Thinking you were young, I assigned Mama Liu to follow you to the manor and serve you. These past few years, your food and clothing at the manor were no worse than in the household. If Second Girl still has a grudge, blame me, your stepmother, instead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present understood: Lady Wu was saying that it was difficult to be a stepmother, and no matter how well she treated the Second Young Lady, she could never please her. Sure enough, Jun Zhengming was so angry that the veins on his forehead were bulging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this family of three singing in harmony, Jun Zijin felt a surge of irritation. She set down her teacup and looked at Jun Zhengming coldly, remaining silent for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Jun Zhengming began to feel unnerved by her eyes—which seemed both devoid of emotion and yet filled with turbulent waves—she spoke calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Six years ago, I allowed you to knead me as you pleased, unable to resist. But Zijin has a temper too. Today’s matter is not difficult to investigate. Father, why not send someone to ask those who were present or others from the Prime Minister’s residence? You will naturally know the truth. If Father insists on ignoring right and wrong, then you must give me an explanation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhengming’s face turned pale then red, and he found it difficult to maintain his composure. The First Lady wanted to fan the flames again, but Jun Shuyan could no longer stand it. She broke free from Concubine Zhou’s grip and stood up with a \"thump\":\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you still being reasonable? Second Sister and I were seated together, arranged in the very last row of the concubine-born daughters' seats, so far away from Eldest Sister. How could Eldest Sister have seen us harming you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Jun Yiyi leaned back into Lady Wu’s arms and wailed again: \"Mother, your daughter has suffered such humiliation, I cannot go on living...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Old Lady arrived in her wheelchair and shouted: \"All of you, be silent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhengming was startled and stood up: \"Mother, why have you been disturbed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The household is in an uproar. If I didn't come, were you planning to drive the Second Girl out of the house again? Just wait for me to die!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin felt a warmth in her heart and called out: \"Grandmother...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do not be afraid, Grandmother is here!\" The Old Lady cast a loving gaze at Jun Zijin, which immediately calmed Jun Zijin’s agitated heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Lady turned her head and lectured Jun Zhengming:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such a major incident has occurred at the Prime Minister’s residence, yet you have the heart to argue here. Why not see if you can be of any help?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Lady then looked at the First Lady and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you, Lady Wu, if the Prime Minister’s residence truly suffers a death, I fear your sister will not be able to bear it, and neither of you will be able to stay out of it. The entire Jun family will suffer the consequences!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zhengming was overcome with shame, and Lady Wu was also scolded into lowering her head, hating them in her heart but not daring to make a sound at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the Old Lady ordered Mama Wang to go and investigate immediately:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The ins and outs of today’s events must be investigated clearly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Find out how Old Lady Gao is doing,\" the Old Lady ordered the steward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, the steward hurried in to report: \"Old Lady Gao has suffered a stroke; I fear she will not make it through the night. Even the Head Physician is powerless to save her...\" The steward glanced secretly at the First Lady: \"Unless the Divine Physician Fang...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Jun Zhengming slumped into his chair, his eyes devoid of focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Jun Zijin said: \"Let me try to treat Old Lady Gao’s illness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Lady said: \"Second Girl, although your intentions are good, how could you possibly treat Old Lady Gao’s illness?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li took over: \"Exactly. Although you were sent to the manor back then and have a grudge in your heart, do not drag the entire Jun household down with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li’s words were venomous, implying that Jun Zijin intended to cause the death of the entire Jun household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin had no time to argue and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whether I can cure her or not, we will only know once I go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew that if she went to treat Old Lady Gao, she might not be rewarded even if she succeeded. If she failed, neither the Prime Minister’s residence nor the Jun household would let it go. How could she not understand this? But she did not want the Jun household to suffer an incident that would upset her Grandmother. In her heart, Grandmother was the grandmother she had lost and regained from her past life; she could never let Grandmother be implicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Lady nodded and praised:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When the Prime Minister’s residence is in trouble, the Jun household cannot shirk its responsibility regardless; we should do our humble best. Second Girl, go. No matter the result, with Grandmother here, no one will dare to harm a hair on your head!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin personally took her medicine chest and gold needles, saying only that time waited for no one, and hurried toward the Prime Minister’s residence with Mama Zhou and Xiao He.\u003C\u002Fp>",2076,"2026-06-21T03:35:39.629Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","b57351376d46d75f0edeedcec9cd7b396ade5717ddb3c64d34dd2bf3da371559","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-25","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-23",224,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-cover.jpg"]