Chapter 29: Welcome Banquet

The next day, in the main hall of the Jun Manor, the concubines and young ladies from every courtyard had been summoned; even Jun Chengcai, the son of Jun Zhengming who only returned home when money was involved, had been called back early.

Jun Zhengming had just returned from the court. Hearing that Wu Shi wished to announce something, he simply sat in the master's seat of the main hall wearing his official robes, while the First Lady resumed her usual gentle and virtuous demeanor, sitting to one side.

Jun Jun Yiyi's eyes were still somewhat swollen; dressed in white, her pale face appeared even more haggard and frail. She sat quietly to the side, her head bowed.

At this moment, Jun Chengcai was idly leaning toward Jun Jun Yiyi, making her so angry she nearly suffered internal injuries, yet she could not vent her rage here.

Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi's pitiful appearance, Jun Zhengming's heart softened a bit; as for that troublesome bastard son, he pretended not to see him.

This gathering had been arranged by the First Lady, Wu Shi.

Besides this family of four, the first to enter were Zhou Zhou Yiniang and her daughter. As the two were about to bow to Wu Shi, Wu Shi hurriedly rose from her seat to support Zhou Zhou Yiniang:

"Sister, no need for such formalities; we are all family."

Seeing Wu Shi treat her sister with such courtesy, Jun Zhengming's anger toward her diminished a bit more.

The two Wu sisters had originally been daughters of officials, well-versed in the schemes and intrigues of the inner quarters. Due to their family's decline, they sang in a music hall. The elder Wu Shi met Jun Zhengming and became his mistress. After Fang Fang Mengru married Jun Zhengming and bore no children for several years, Jun Zhengming elevated Wu Shi, who had already given birth, into the Jun Manor as a concubine. After Fang Fang Mengru passed away, the elder Wu Shi was raised to the position of principal wife. The younger Wu Shi was brought into the Prime Minister's Manor while pregnant before marriage.

Wu Shi possessed a certain elegance of an official's daughter, yet also a touch of seductive charm. After Jun Zhengming brought Wu Shi back to the manor, he showered her with constant favor. After Fang Fang Mengru's death and Zhou Zhou Yiniang's withdrawal from the world, Wu Shi was virtually the sole favorite. For all these years, Jun Zhengming had not elevated any other concubine; to this day, only Zhou Zhou Yiniang remained, living in a remote small courtyard. Jun Zhengming had always been satisfied with Wu Shi's usual gentleness and virtue; this incident was merely because he feared she and her daughter might offend the Crown Prince and the powerful Prime Minister Gao.

When the people of the Second House arrived, Li Shi felt she had offended Wu Shi terribly, and her heart pounded. She secretly glanced at Wu Shi, only to see Wu Shi smiling broadly, urging her to take a seat quickly, as if nothing unpleasant had ever happened. Li Shi immediately felt relieved.

Jun Chengcai was truly bored to death at this moment. He was sixteen this year, in the prime of youth and vigor. By all rights, he should have been sitting in the academy, absorbing the nourishment of knowledge and opening the door to life's wisdom.

However, this child attended the academy only sporadically, wandering around all day, either causing trouble or inviting disaster.

Sometimes he would make the teacher foam at the mouth and glare in fury; other times he would beat his classmates until they cried for their mothers and fathers, prompting adults to rush to the door to complain. He had changed every academy in Jingcheng. Jun Zhengming had worried himself sick over him, but even punishments involving the rod were of no avail.

When Jun Chengcai was fourteen, he stripped a teacher of his robes, painted a turtle on his face, and tied him to a pillar. The teacher was so angry he spat blood, and no academy dared to keep him after that. Since then, at such a young age, he had mastered all five poisons: eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, and opium. Upon returning to the manor, he would either demand money for whoring from the First Lady or ask for gambling debts to be paid.

Jun Zhengming was so angry he nearly had a stroke, but since that was his only son, he could not bear to beat him to death.

Jun Chengcai had long been unable to restrain himself from going to Chunxiang Courtyard to find Little Peach Red, but he remembered Wu Shi had promised him that if he handled today's matter successfully, she would elevate Little Peach Red from Chunxiang Courtyard into the manor. This was something he had begged Wu Shi for many times before without success.

Jun Chengcai half-reclined in his chair, tilting his head, his peach-blossom eyes darting from one sister to another. The Jun sisters were so angry their faces turned red, yet they were helpless.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's Zidian Courtyard was the most remote small courtyard in the manor; it took her nearly half an hour to reach the main hall. She was the last to enter. She glanced at everyone and performed the proper bow, unwilling to let anyone find fault with her over such trivial matters. As soon as Wu Shi saw her enter, she hurried over, took her hand, and smiled broadly:

"Since our Jun Zijin has returned these past few days, the household has been too busy. I simply couldn't find the time to hold a welcome banquet for you; it is my fault. Today, with the entire manor gathered, I have arranged a few tables for a family banquet to welcome and cleanse our Jun Zijin."

The First Lady smiled with such gentle sincerity that, had it not been for the hatred flashing in her eyes which Seeing Jun Jun Zijin did not miss, one might truly have been moved.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin felt a chill of disgust, smiled faintly, and withdrew her hand:

"Mother has taken great trouble."

Wu Shi's smile stiffened, but she quickly returned to normal, speaking affectionately:

"This child Jun Zijin is being polite with her mother." Seeing Jun Jun Zijin merely smiled faintly and did not reply.

At this moment, the bored Jun Chengcai on the side let out a strange laugh and said:

"Oh, has the Second Sister learned to behave out there? I thought after the Second Sister's experiences abroad, she would return even more formidable."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin raised her eyes to look at him, a hint of mockery in her gaze:

"Is this the Eldest Brother? It has been many days since I returned to the manor, yet this is the first time I have seen the Eldest Brother at home! I suppose the Eldest Brother has been entirely focused on that academy all day, to the point where he cannot even spare time to return home. Such dedication and diligence are admirable. The Eldest Brother will surely achieve success in the imperial examinations and bring glory to our ancestors in the future. However, I notice the Eldest Brother's complexion is not very good; the Eldest Brother must also take care of his health and absolutely avoid overexertion."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's words left Jun Zhengming with no face to save; this daughter only knew how to embarrass him. He could neither scold her nor let it pass.

Li Shi and Jun Jun Zhidie covered their mouths and giggled; who didn't know what this Young Master was busy with all day, never at home? Jun Chengcai was choked into silence, and the First Lady was so angry that her gentle face was on the verge of cracking.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin wore an innocent expression and asked everyone, "Did Jun Zijin say something wrong?"

The First Lady took several deep breaths before calming down slightly, then hurriedly forced a smile again:

"You girl... Mother has one more thing to tell you. Yesterday, your Eldest Sister told me that since you have been away from the manor for so many years, it is a waste for the Aoxue Courtyard to remain empty. Although our manor is a high-ranking household, we cannot allow resources to go to waste, can we? Your Eldest Sister moved into the Aoxue Courtyard to look after it for you. Now that you have returned, tomorrow your Eldest Sister will move out." After speaking, the First Lady glanced at Jun Jun Yiyi.

Hearing these words, a hint of reluctance flashed across Jun Jun Yiyi's face, but she quickly returned to normal and said softly:

"Mother speaks very correctly. It is, after all, the Second Sister's courtyard. Sister has managed it for these past few years. Now that the Second Sister has returned, Sister will move out tomorrow."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin sneered inwardly: Jun Jun Yiyi moved into her Aoxue Courtyard, occupying her own Anxiang Pavilion. Wasn't it wasteful for one person to occupy two courtyards? Could this mother and daughter possibly stop there?

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin remained expressionless, chuckled lightly, and said, "Thank you, Eldest Sister, for your generosity. Since Eldest Sister has taken such trouble and effort, I will surely thank Eldest Sister properly for her care during this period."

Jun Jun Yiyi did not expect Seeing Jun Jun Zijin to act against convention; she thought Seeing Jun Jun Zijin would at least protest, allowing her to go with the flow. She was momentarily speechless.

Jun Jun Zhidie's heart was delighted; she hated Seeing Jun Jun Zijin. Although she acted as Jun Jun Yiyi's lackey all day, helping Jun Jun Yiyi oppose Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, she hated Jun Jun Yiyi even more. She hated Jun Jun Yiyi for pretending to be pure and kind while actually being arrogant, and she hated them for being the legitimate daughters of the First House.

At this moment, seeing Wu Shi and Jun Jun Yiyi so sensible, Jun Zhengming's last remnants of anger toward this mother and daughter vanished. He did not forget to exercise his authority as head of the household:

"This matter is settled. You sisters should learn more from your Eldest Sister." Now that the Second Daughter has returned, it would indeed be improper if the legitimate young lady of the Jun Manor lived in such a remote small courtyard, especially since there were trees planted there by her own mother.

Everyone had different expressions but all agreed one by one.