Chapter 39: The Spendthrift Emperor

The high sky was clear and azure, with white clouds drifting lazily; a gentle breeze brushed the face, soft and refreshing. Such beautiful weather lifted the spirits, as if the entire Jingcheng were enveloped in tranquility and harmony.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng's heart was a mix of bitter and sweet. It was not his only son, nor the eldest daughter he had always doted on, who had brought him honor, but the second daughter he had never liked, sent away to a manor since childhood. Yet regardless of which daughter was granted the title of County Princess, it was a tremendous glory for the entire Jun family, especially since this was not an empty title, but a County Princess with actual fiefdom.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng returned to the manor in a daze, instructing everyone to prepare to receive the imperial decree. The First Lady was startled; the manor had not received an imperial decree in all these years, yet twice in this single month. The last time, that lowly girl had been granted so many fine things; she wondered what sort of decree this time would be. The First Lady wanted to know more clearly.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng said only that it was good news. Before long, the Eunuch who proclaimed the decree arrived.

When Li Shi received the news, she was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. Today, Quan Quan Aoyu had frightened her greatly; the Crown Prince valued the second daughter so highly, and today she feared she had offended the second daughter terribly. She had cursed Wu Shi many times in her heart. Still not recovered, she simply lay down on the bed.

Li Shi hurried to the front hall. Everyone was already there, and all in the manor knelt to receive the decree.

The eunuch slowly unrolled the imperial decree, his voice loud and clear: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Jun family's second daughter, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, possesses noble virtue and a heart like orchid and chrysanthemum. She has served the state and is truly a model for women. She is hereby granted the title of Lady Lady Qingping, with the fiefdom of Lady Qingping County, a mansion, a carriage, one hundred thousand taels of silver, ten thousand taels of gold, six carts of silk, and one pot of eastern pearls. Her rank equals that of a Princess. Respect this!"

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin was stunned. She had been here only a month and had already gained a County Princess title? With a fiefdom? Did this spendthrift Emperor wave his hand and give her so much money again?

She was not entirely clear on whether a County Princess held administrative authority, but she knew it was impressive. The expressions of the people kneeling before her gave her a rough idea. The First Lady's face was twisted with jealousy, her body trembling slightly; Li Shi's face was ashen; Jun Jun Yiyi looked pale, biting her lip tightly; Jun Jun Zhidie's eyes were wide open; Jun Jun Shuyan looked admiring, winking and making faces at her; Zhou Zhou Yiniang was full of excitement and relief. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin lost in thought, she quickly said, "Second Young Lady, quickly receive the decree and thank the Emperor for his grace!"

This was a County Princess with a fiefdom, a glory never before attained by anyone outside the imperial family in Emperor Tianqi. What a great honor for the Jun family!

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's heart was also full of surprise, but she showed no sign of it on her face. She saw her walk forward gracefully and slowly, her movements calm and composed, her head slightly bowed, carefully accepting the imperial decree that symbolized supreme honor. Immediately, she knelt on both knees, holding the decree high above her head with both hands, and respectfully said:

"Your subject daughter thanks Your Majesty for his great grace."

The eunuch who delivered the decree smiled and said:

"Congratulations, Lady Lady Qingping. The Emperor also said that a banquet will be held in the palace the day after tomorrow, and he must see this extraordinary woman!"

After proclaiming the decree, the eunuch received his reward money and left in high spirits.

The First Lady's fingers dug tightly into her palms. Even after the eunuch left, she did not relax. After a long while, she took Jun Jun Yiyi, who was still standing dazed nearby, and returned to Cuiyu Courtyard.

As soon as they reached the courtyard, Jun Jun Yiyi burst into tears: "Mother, what shall we do? That lowly woman has now turned the tables and been made a County Princess. What shall I do?"

Jun Jun Yiyi's crying annoyed the First Lady, who impatiently scolded:

"Stop crying!"

The First Lady had never treated Jun Jun Yiyi this way before. Jun Yiyin was stunned, feeling even more aggrieved, and choked out:

"Mother, before, I was the most favored daughter. Now that she has been made a County Princess, she will surely take revenge on us."

The First Lady took a deep breath, gradually calming down, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes:

"What is there to fear? She is only a newly risen County Princess."

Jun Jun Yiyi stopped sobbing, her eyes lighting up:

"Does Mother already have a plan?"

The First Lady patted Jun Jun Yiyi's back and sneered: "The palace banquet the day after tomorrow, do this and that..."

After the First Lady finished speaking, she handed Jun Jun Yiyi a small package. Jun Jun Yiyi then stopped crying and smiled.

The second household was not peaceful either. Li Shi returned to her courtyard in silence all the way. It was rare for Li Shi to shut her mouth, yet from the moment the eunuch finished proclaiming the decree until now, she had not said a single word. But Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie was not so quiet. As soon as they returned to the courtyard, Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie impatiently shouted:

"Mother, that Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, who had no one to rely on, has now become a County Princess. I am not even as good as her. Does that mean I will have to depend on her for my livelihood in the future? I cannot accept it!"

Li Shi plopped down into a chair and only spoke after a long while:

"Child, let us put aside thoughts of toppling her. She is a County Princess with a fiefdom, her rank equal to that of a Princess. We cannot provoke her!"

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie pouted:

"Mother, are you afraid? But we have already offended her. The first household will surely not let this go either."

Li Shi pondered:

"For the palace banquet the day after tomorrow, we will act according to the circumstances."