Chapter 28: The Emperor and His Son's Bloodline is Powerful

The Emperor heard that the Jun family's second daughter had deeply mastered the true teachings of the Divine Physician Fang, her golden needle technique was so miraculous it could wake the Prime Minister's household matriarch who had suffered a stroke, and his imperial countenance was filled with great joy:

"Yu-er, have you bestowed any reward upon that girl?"

Quan Quan Aoyu replied, "Your son has not yet bestowed any reward upon her. Your son does not know what she likes; I hope Father Emperor will offer guidance."

Seeing that his son's attitude toward him, his Father Emperor, had changed greatly today, seeming much closer, and speaking more than in any day in years, the Emperor felt a surge of joy mixed with confusion. He raised his eyebrows slightly:

"I have noticed that in recent days, your expression has become much softer because of that little girl."

"Speaking of which, when that girl was three years old, I even held her. The moment she saw me, she burrowed straight into my arms, showing no fear of me at all. I liked her very much. I just do not know why she was later rumored to be that way?"

"Father Emperor, the Jun family's second Young Lady is of noble character. Your son believes others must have misunderstood her."

The Emperor nodded:

"Your evaluation of that girl is indeed extremely high. Very well, since that girl's medical skills are remarkable, you may bestow upon her several rare medical books kept in the palace. Also, bestow some wealth according to your judgment. I heard that girl is not favored in the household, so she likely lacks silver. As for objects, spare them; I heard that girl's courtyard is no bigger than a sparrow's, so she likely has no space to store them."

Yesterday that girl said she lacked money, and today his Father Emperor wants to reward that girl with silver. Quan Quan Aoyu found it somewhat amusing, his expression softened even more, and he smiled in agreement. As he was leaving, Quan Quan Aoyu turned his head slightly:

"Although it is summer, the night air is heavy with cold. Father Emperor... take care of your health."

This son of the Emperor, since the Empress went missing five years ago, had not been seen smiling. In these past years, whenever the Emperor thought of his son, whose face was stern and who was unapproachable, a nameless sense of loss and helplessness would surge in his heart. He knew Yu-er was blaming him, his Father Emperor, for abandoning his mother back then. After being estranged for all these years, this single smile today, and the words "Father Emperor, take care of your health," actually made the Emperor's eyes sting.

Only after Quan Quan Aoyu's figure disappeared outside the hall did the Emperor come back to his senses.

He spoke softly to the old eunuch beside him:

"Xiao Little Xizi, tell me, does my son no longer blame me?"

"Replying to His Majesty, actually, the Crown Prince has always been thinking of His Majesty. Last night, the Crown Prince was outside the hall..."

The Emperor understood; Yu-er had resolved the knot in his heart. Filled with joy and relief, the Emperor's appetite was great that day, and he ate an extra bowl of rice at dinner compared to usual.

The vast, boundless blue sky was as clear and azure as if washed by clear water. White clouds floated leisurely in the air. A gentle breeze brushed over the earth, bringing a pleasant coolness and fresh atmosphere. It made people feel incomparably comfortable and at ease. In summer, today's sunlight was not scorching or dazzling.

Quan Quan Aoyu wore a magnificent brocade robe, his waist bound by a Bai Yu belt. His figure stood tall and straight like a pine tree as he sat steadily on a magnificent horse with fur whiter than snow. The horse was tall and fierce; it held its head high and chest out, its mane fluttering in the wind. Its limbs were strong and powerful, and its hooves struck the ground with a crisp, rhythmic sound.

When Quan Quan Aoyu appeared before the crowd, his innate noble bearing and heavenly grace instantly attracted the gaze of every Young Lady present. They all stopped what they were doing, staring fixedly, their eyes revealing admiration. In an instant, the entire street fell silent; only Quan Quan Aoyu and the white horse beneath him became the focus of everyone's vision. Truly, he blinded the eyes of the crowd of Young Ladies!

Behind him followed a group of attendants and guards, marching in great numbers toward the Jun Manor.

The crowd chattered, wondering what crime the Jun family had committed.

Quan Quan Aoyu led the Emperor's rewards to the Jun Manor to proclaim the edict. When this procession arrived before the Jun Manor gates, the entire Jun Manor fell into a state of tension and solemnity. The Jun family's gatekeeper, seeing from afar that the Crown Prince was coming personally with a group of men, turned pale with fright and immediately ran inside to report.

In a short while, the Jun family members, unsure whether this was good or bad fortune, hurriedly came out to welcome them.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng led a group of wives, concubines, and children, standing in neat rows at the entrance. Except for Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, every face showed an expression of fear and unease. They all lowered their heads, knelt on the ground to pay respects, and shouted in unison, "Pay respects to the Crown Prince!" Their respectful voices trembled slightly.

Quan Quan Aoyu nodded slightly, dismounted, and walked steadily before the crowd. His gaze swept around once. With a slight lift of his hand and Quan Quan Aoyu's single word "No need for ceremony," the Jun family members who had been secretly guessing breathed a sigh of relief.

Quan Quan Aoyu ordered the attendants to carry the boxes into the Jun Manor. Only then did everyone see many boxes of various sizes placed outside the gate. The Jun family members looked at each other in silence. Quan Quan Aoyu explained his purpose for coming today; it turned out those boxes were all items bestowed by the Emperor upon the Jun family's second Young Lady.

As the attendants went in and out carrying boxes, the Grand Eunuch calmly recited the list of rewards:

"The Emperor has issued an edict: The Jun Manor's second Young Lady has merited great service by curing the Prime Minister's household matriarch of this dynasty. Hearing that this girl is not favored in the household and likely lacks silver, we now bestow several rare editions of medical books, ten thousand taels of silver, and one hundred taels of gold. As for objects, spare them; hearing that this girl's courtyard is no bigger than a sparrow's, she likely has no space to store them."

The Grand Eunuch repeated the Emperor's words exactly as they were. Some in the crowd stood with mouths agape, while others were too ashamed to look up.

Before the crowd could come to their senses, the Grand Eunuch's voice rang out again:

"The Crown Prince bestows upon the second Young Lady twenty bolts of cloud brocade and thirty bolts of Shu brocade, and three shops. The Prince said, 'The second Young Lady does not even possess clothing worthy of her status to meet me. The Jun Minister is upright and incorruptible, so I fear your household lacks fine fabrics.'"

Indeed, the attendants carried in many more large boxes.

Now, not only did the Ladies and Young Ladies of the various courtyards in the manor go mad with jealousy, but even Zhou Zhou Yiniang, who had always been modest and avoided the world, could not remain calm.

Cloud brocade and Shu brocade were extremely rare in the Emperor Tianqi Kingdom. Especially cloud brocade; even in the 21st century, it was the top-tier luxury, hailed as the "Oriental Treasure." The weaving craft of cloud brocade was extremely complex; even in the 21st century, it still required pure handiwork, weaving only five centimeters a day. Thus, there was the saying "an inch of brocade, an inch of gold." The Imperial Consorts in the palace received it according to fixed rules every season.

The Crown Prince waved his hand and gave twenty bolts at once. Whose family would produce such a wastrel; they would likely have their legs broken.

Jun Jun Yiyi was so jealous she nearly vomited blood. The First Lady wished she could gather the best things from all over the country for this daughter. Jun Jun Yiyi had never even worn cloud brocade. Of the twenty bolts bestowed by the Crown Prince, not a single one was for her. She almost forgot the soft kindness she had worn for over ten years. If the Crown Prince were not still present, she would have jumped up and snatched them by force.

Sensing Jun Jun Yiyi trembling, the First Lady immediately guessed what Jun Jun Yiyi was thinking. The First Lady tightly grasped Jun Jun Yiyi's hand and whispered in her ear, "Endure a little longer. In the future, all of this will be yours."

Hearing that the Crown Prince had come to deliver rewards, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin was also stunned. When she saw the pile of medical books and gold and silver treasures, her eyes were full of joy; this truly solved her pressing need.

As soon as the Grand Eunuch finished speaking, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin let out a "Pfft," nearly choking from holding back her laughter. This father and son pair were truly... their bloodline was powerful.

At this moment, Xiang Xiang Junzheng's face, which had originally been quite handsome, turned green then white in patches. The muscles on his face twitched incessantly. He felt an intense heat all over his body, as if he were being roasted over a fire, making him feel unbearable discomfort and such shame that he wished he could immediately find a deep hole in the ground and dive right in.

With the Emperor and his son providing such a divine assist, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin naturally would not waste it. She said softly, "Father, the Emperor and the Crown Prince have bestowed great grace. However, my courtyard is indeed too small. Otherwise, may this daughter store these silks in the warehouse of my former courtyard? This daughter earnestly requests Father's permission and asks the Eldest Sister to provide a set of warehouse keys."

At this moment, the expression on Xiang Xiang Junzheng's face could be called a spectacular visual feast. His complexion changed like a chameleon, first turning green then white, then flushing red. He looked as shocked as if struck by lightning, clearly humiliated to the extreme. Even Wu Shi, standing nearby, was now distorted by extreme embarrassment, as if she had been slapped hard several times, completely unable to hold her composure.

Everyone had different thoughts: some felt gratified, some admired, some were jealous, and some were both hateful and envious. The First Lady and Jun Jun Yiyi kept their heads down. Jun Jun Yiyi bit her lip tightly, and the First Lady dug her nails into her palm. The First Lady had already formed a plan. Now that Xiang Xiang Junzheng was angry with her and Jun Jun Yiyi, to turn the situation around, a price must be paid. That girl can be allowed to enjoy her triumph for a few more days.

After Xiang Xiang Junzheng welcomed Quan Quan Aoyu and his party into the front hall and served tea, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin personally escorted Quan Quan Aoyu out of the manor and handed him a piece of paper recording the formula and technology for manufacturing stainless steel:

"Please copy it again later. I used charcoal to write, so it is easy to smudge."

Quan Quan Aoyu was overjoyed and asked for details on some points. As soon as he returned to the palace, he immediately began making arrangements. That girl had told him that once stainless steel was produced, not only could wheelchairs be made, but door frames, window frames, pots, pans, and bowls could all come into existence.