Chapter 29: The Welcome Banquet

The next day, in the main hall of the Jun residence, the concubines and young ladies of every courtyard were notified; even Jun Zhengming’s son, Jun Chengcai, who only returned home when he needed money, was summoned back early.

Jun Zhengming had just returned from the imperial court. Upon hearing from Lady Wu that there was something to announce, he simply sat in the main seat of the hall while still in his official robes. The First Lady had resumed her usual gentle and virtuous appearance, sitting to one side.

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

At this moment, Jun Chengcai was boredly leaning toward Jun Yiyi, infuriating her to the point where she nearly suffered internal injuries, yet she could not lash out there.

Seeing Jun Yiyi’s pitiful appearance, Jun Zhengming’s heart softened a little; as for that troublesome, wicked son, he acted as if he didn't see him.

This gathering today was arranged by the First Lady, Lady Wu.

Aside from this family of four, the first to enter were Concubine Zhou and her daughter. As the two were about to pay their respects to Lady Wu, she hurriedly stood up, walked down from her seat, and held Concubine Zhou:

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

Seeing Lady Wu treat her sister with such courtesy, Jun Zhengming’s irritation toward her lessened even further.

Both Wu sisters were originally daughters of an official family and were well-versed in the infighting and scheming of the inner courtyard. Due to their family’s decline, they sang for a living at an arts house, where the elder Lady Wu met Jun Zhengming and became his mistress. After Fang Mengru and Jun Zhengming married and failed to conceive for several years, Jun Zhengming brought in the elder Lady Wu, who had already given birth to a child, as a concubine. After Fang Mengru passed away, the elder Lady Wu was elevated to the position of legal wife. The younger Lady Wu was brought into the Prime Minister’s residence after becoming pregnant out of wedlock.

Lady Wu possessed a certain otherworldly quality of an official’s daughter, yet also a hint of seductive charm. After Jun Zhengming brought her back to the residence, he showered her with constant favor. With Fang Mengru deceased and Concubine Zhou living in seclusion, Lady Wu was almost exclusively favored. For all these years, Jun Zhengming had not taken in another concubine; to this day, there was only Concubine Zhou, who lived in a remote, small courtyard. Jun Zhengming had always been satisfied with Lady Wu’s usual gentleness and virtue; this current matter was simply because he feared she and her daughter might offend the Crown Prince and the powerful Prime Minister Gao.

When the people from the second branch arrived, Lady Li felt she had offended Lady Wu deeply and was anxious. She stole a glance at Lady Wu, only to see her full of smiles, inviting her to take a seat as if no unpleasantness had ever occurred. Lady Li immediately felt relieved.

Jun Chengcai was truly bored to death. He was sixteen this year, in the prime of his youth and full of vigor. By rights, he should have been sitting in a school, absorbing the nutrients of knowledge and opening the door to life’s wisdom.

However, this child attended school sporadically, wandering around all day, causing trouble or stirring up mischief.

Either he would make the teacher so angry that his beard would bristle, or he would beat his classmates until they cried for their parents, leading adults to come knocking on the door to complain. He had been through every school in Jingcheng. Jun Zhengming had exhausted his heart over him, and even punishments involving sticks and rods were of no use.

When Jun Chengcai was fourteen, he stripped his teacher of his robes, painted a turtle on his face, and tied him to a pillar. The teacher was so angry he vomited blood, and no school dared to keep him anymore. Since then, at a young age, he was well-versed in all five vices—eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling. Upon returning to the residence, he would either demand money for brothels or gambling debts from the First Lady.

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

Jun Chengcai had long been unable to restrain himself from going to the Yihong Academy to find Little Taohong, but he remembered that Lady Wu had promised him that if this matter today was successful, she would bring Little Taohong into the residence for him—a request he had begged Lady Wu for many times without success.

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

Jun Zijin’s Luoshan Courtyard was the most remote in the residence; it took nearly half an hour to reach the main hall. She was the last to enter. She scanned the crowd and performed the proper courtesies; she had no intention of letting anyone pick faults over such trivial matters. As soon as Lady Wu saw her enter, she hurried over, took her hand, and smiled broadly:

"Zijin has been back for these days, but the household has been so busy that I haven't been able to find the time to host a welcome banquet for you. It is Mother’s fault. Today, while the whole family is here, Mother has arranged a few tables for a family feast to welcome our Zijin home."

The First Lady smiled with a gentle and sincere expression. If not for the flash of hatred in her eyes that did not escape Jun Zijin’s notice, it would have been quite moving.

Jun Zijin felt a chill and pulled her hand away with a faint smile:

"Mother has gone to great trouble."

Lady Wu’s smile stiffened, but she quickly recovered and continued affectionately:

"This child Zijin, you’ve become so formal with Mother." Jun Zijin only smiled faintly and did not reply.

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

"Yo, has the second sister learned to be obedient while away? I thought that after experiencing the world, the second sister would have returned even more formidable."

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

"Is this the eldest brother? I have been back for many days, yet this is the first time I have seen the eldest brother at home! I suppose the eldest brother is so focused on his studies all day that he cannot even spare the time to return home; such focus and diligence are truly admirable. The eldest brother will surely top the imperial examinations and bring glory to our ancestors in the future. However, I notice the eldest brother’s complexion is not very good; you must take care of your health and not overwork yourself."

Jun Zijin’s words left Jun Zhengming unable to step down; this daughter only knew how to embarrass him. He didn't know whether to lash out or not.

Lady Li and Jun Zhidie covered their mouths to hide their laughter. Who didn't know what this young master was busy with all day instead of being home? Jun Chengcai was also choked into silence, and the First Lady was so angry that her gentle face was about to crack.

Jun Zijin looked innocent and asked the crowd: "Did I say something wrong?"

The First Lady took several deep breaths to calm herself before hurriedly piling on a smile again:

"You child... Mother has one more thing to tell you today. Yesterday, your eldest sister told me that since you were away for many years, the Aoxue Courtyard was left empty and it was a waste. Although our residence is a prominent one, we cannot let resources go to waste, can we? Your eldest sister moving into the Aoxue Courtyard was only to look after it for you. Now that you are back, your eldest sister will move out tomorrow." After finishing, the First Lady glanced at Jun Yiyi.

Upon hearing this, a flash of reluctance crossed Jun Yiyi’s face, but she quickly returned to normal and said softly:

"Mother is absolutely right. It was originally the younger sister’s courtyard; the elder sister has helped manage it for these years. Now that the second sister has returned, the elder sister will move out tomorrow."

Jun Zijin sneered inwardly: Jun Yiyi moves into her Aoxue Courtyard, occupies her own Anxiang Pavilion, and occupies two courtyards alone—is that not a waste? How could this mother and daughter just let it go?

Jun Zijin remained calm and chuckled: "Many thanks to the eldest sister for your consideration. Since the eldest sister has gone to such trouble, I will certainly thank you properly for your care during this time."

Jun Yiyi did not expect Jun Zijin to play outside the rules. She thought Jun Zijin would at least decline out of politeness so she could go along with it, and she was momentarily speechless.

Jun Zhidie was overjoyed. She disliked Jun Zijin, and although she spent her days as Jun Yiyi’s follower, helping her go against Jun Zijin, she disliked Jun Yiyi even more. She hated how Jun Yiyi feigned purity and kindness while being arrogant, and she hated that they were the legitimate daughters of the first branch.

At this moment, Jun Zhengming, seeing Lady Wu and Jun Yiyi being so sensible, lost the last bit of his irritation toward the mother and daughter. He then did not forget to exercise his authority as the head of the family:

"Let it be settled this way. You sisters should learn more from your eldest sister." Now that the second girl is back, it would indeed not be right if it got out that a legitimate daughter of the Jun residence was living in such a remote courtyard, especially since her mother had personally planted trees there.

The crowd, with varying expressions, all agreed one by one.