[{"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-34":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},2353158,4602,"Chapter 34: Plum and Pine Standing Proud in the Snow","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-34",34,"\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi had many belongings, and the boxes were strewn haphazardly all over the floor of the Aoxue Courtyard; it was not until noon that Jun Yiyi finally finished moving out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin was in no rush to move in. After finishing her midday meal, she instructed the others:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mama Zhou, please trouble yourself to borrow a few hands from the Old Lady's courtyard, then take the maidservants over there to give the place a thorough cleaning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiao He, go find some mugwort and fumigate the place inside and out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hanxiao and Miaozhu, you two stay with Mama Dong to watch the courtyard and keep a close eye on the things in the boxes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanxiao and Miaozhu were originally maidservants by the Old Lady's side; they were quick-witted and very alert, naturally being two of the most capable hands by Jun Zijin's side. Leaving them in the courtyard to watch the items was certainly reassuring. Mama Dong had been frightened yesterday and was not assigned any tasks, so everyone took their orders and went about their work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the Aoxue Courtyard was not originally dirty. That white lotus Jun Yiyi appeared kind on the surface, but she actually had plenty of ways to punish the servants; the servants' injuries were almost never visible. Those maidservants all served her trembling with fear, not daring to slack off. Every day, they would rise early and diligently sweep the courtyard over and over again. Whether it was the small paths in the courtyard, the flower beds in the corners, or even every inch of space under the eaves, they were all cleaned until they were spotless and pristine. The ground, paved with large bluestone, was especially scrubbed until it shone. When the sunlight spilled down, one could even see their own reflection!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Jun Zijin had ordered the servants to clean the Aoxue Courtyard and burn mugwort, she did not do so to intentionally make Jun Yiyi feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her previous life, Jun Zijin was accustomed to regularly cleaning her room and disinfecting her living environment. Mugwort could not only disinfect but also repel mosquitoes and insects, and purify the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Anxiang Pavilion, a maidservant came to report that the Aoxue Courtyard was being cleaned in a flurry of activity, and they were even burning mugwort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Jun Yiyi was so angry her face turned red. Jun Zijin was clearly showing disdain for the place she had lived in; it was truly hateful to the extreme. Jun Yiyi turned and pinched the arm of the little maidservant who had come to report. Only after the maidservant kowtowed and begged for mercy in pain did Jun Yiyi let her go, scolding:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clearly the Eldest Young Lady who had ordered her to monitor the movements of the Aoxue Courtyard, and yet she was beaten even for reporting the situation truthfully. The aggrieved little maidservant did not even dare to cry and hurriedly retreated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the residence, apart from the few main courtyards, the Aoxue Courtyard was the largest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This courtyard was located in the northwest corner of the residence. A moon gate separated the courtyard from the outside world. Upon entering the gate, a small path paved with bluestone wound forward, and the sides of the path were planted with various flowers and plants that bloomed throughout the four seasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of the path was the main house of the Aoxue Courtyard, which was decorated elegantly inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the main house was a garden. The rich fragrance of flowers rushed to meet one's face. Following the winding path, there was a small, exquisite pavilion in the corner of the garden. Although small, this pavilion was uniquely crafted, with finely carved pillars and an elegant roof, and the surroundings were covered in lush, emerald-green climbing vines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the east side of the Aoxue Courtyard was the Plum and Pine Garden, where two tall and straight snow pines stood proudly. These two snow pines had beautiful shapes, with long, thick trunks and branches that intertwined to form a dense canopy. Sunlight spilled through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground, which was extremely beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deep green pine needles were full of vitality. As a gentle breeze blew, the needles swayed lightly, emitting a faint rustling sound. In the cold winter, these two snow pines maintained their emerald green color, unafraid of the bitter cold; even with heavy snow pressing down on them, they remained standing tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jun Zijin walked along and reached this spot, she sighed inwardly, thinking that of the entire courtyard, this place was the most tranquil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one side of the snow pines was a patch of emerald bamboo. When the breeze blew, the bamboo leaves rustled, and there was the crisp, pleasant chirping of small birds in the grove. There was a wooden walkway through the bamboo forest, leading to a few rooms at the end that were used for storing miscellaneous items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one side were plum blossoms. Whenever winter arrived, the plum and pine stood proud in the snow; the snow pines stood tall, the plum blossoms bloomed, and the entire garden was filled with fragrance, a sight of incomparable beauty. This was how the name \"Aoxue Courtyard\" (Proud Snow Courtyard) came to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin sat on a stone stool, closed her eyes, and quietly listened to the sounds of nature, feeling this moment of tranquility and beauty. Every blade of grass and every tree here had been arranged by the original owner's mother, Fang Mengru, for her only daughter; it was filled with a rare elegance everywhere, so it was no wonder Jun Yiyi had her eyes on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an unknown amount of time, Jun Zijin opened her eyes, stood up, bypassed the snow pines, and walked forward along the path. At the end of the path was a rockery, and beneath the rockery was a small pond filled with lotus flowers, the entire pond fragrant. A few goldfish were kept in the pond, swimming freely in the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the rear and south were the servants' quarters, which were quite spacious. Each of the two mamas had a room, and there was extra space, so the three senior maidservants by her side each had a room as well. Jun Zijin did not bring Xiao Lian with her to the Aoxue Courtyard; she had said, \"My temple is small and cannot afford to house you, so go back to where you came from.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the courtyard was large, two rough-cleaning maidservants were naturally not enough. According to the established rules, there should also be second-class maidservants to serve tea and water. Jun Zijin ordered Mama Zhou to arrange these.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything in the courtyard was tidied up. Jun Yiyi had not taken away the original items in the house, and that mother and daughter pair seemed not to have touched the things belonging to the original owner's mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin ordered the servants to clear out the few empty rooms next to the bamboo forest. This place was tranquil and elegant, cool and dry, with the bamboo forest to the right and the garden nearby to the left. She planned to set it up as her laboratory and operating room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Jun Zijin's plan took shape and she had measured the room's structure, she set about arranging it. The surgery for her grandmother should be done sooner rather than later; it could not be delayed any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, when Jun Zijin had some free time, she drew a design for a dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dresses of the Tianqi era had skirts that dragged on the floor, large sleeves, and a ribbon trailing from the arm; while they were elegant, they were also cumbersome and overly complicated, making movement inconvenient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dress Jun Zijin designed reached the ankles and had straight sleeves of just the right size, with no cumbersome ribbons on the arms. She cleverly sewed eight ribbons reaching the hem of the skirt at the waist, which, like agile flowing water, swayed with the wind and fluttered as one walked, romantic and elegant. The skirt was pleated with distinct layers, possessing a great sense of dynamic beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire dress had smooth, natural lines; it was elegant, mysterious, and highly individual, appearing neither constrained nor lacking in a simple, grand sense of beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she finished the drawing, Jun Shuyan came in to find her:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second Sister, you've finally moved back to the Aoxue Courtyard. Concubine Zhou allowed me to come see you. I can come play again, this is just wonderful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin looked at her with a smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Fourth Sister likes it, you are welcome to come often in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be said that Concubine Zhou had been good to the original owner. In the past, when Fang Mengru was alive, she and Concubine Zhou got along harmoniously, and Concubine Zhou never tried to curry favor with them. After Fang Mengru passed away, Concubine Zhou did not kick them while they were down, but instead secretly helped the original owner. Concubine Zhou did not oppose her daughter getting close to this Second Sister. Later, after Concubine Zhou's son drowned, she feared something might happen to her only daughter, so she kept Jun Shuyan confined to her courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Jun Zijin went to the villa, this was the first time Jun Shuyan had entered the Aoxue Courtyard. As soon as she saw the dress under Jun Zijin's brush, her amazement was evident, and she praised:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second Sister, did you draw this? This dress is truly beautiful, so novel and unique. I never knew Second Sister was so clever and skillful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin smiled lightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall Second Sister make one out of brocade to be part of your dowry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Shuyan blushed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second Sister, I'm not talking to you anymore...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin stopped teasing her and, smiling, accompanied the curious Jun Shuyan as she wandered around looking at this and that.\u003C\u002Fp>",1679,"2026-06-21T03:35:39.629Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","1849926059bc93dcdd4ad7b83131097e539e4b1f3e6e302483bc79e67b9ccd9a","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-35","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-33",224,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-cover.jpg"]