Chapter 41: The Fallen Young Lady and the Cold-Faced Martial General

Jun Jun Zijin's carriage moved slowly toward the South Gate of the Imperial Palace; as it approached the palace gate, the driver pulled the reins tight, gradually slowing the horses until they came to a steady stop.

Jun Jun Zijin took a deep breath, lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and fixed her gaze on the towering, majestic palace gate. Guards stood in rows before the gate, all clad in gleaming armor, their expressions stern and cold.

Since everyone was rushing into the palace at this hour, the gate was somewhat crowded; at this moment, several carriages were lined up neatly at the palace entrance. The drivers either sat patiently on the carriage shafts or chatted softly to pass the time. The entire scene was quiet and orderly.

Some of these carriages were resplendent with gold, others simple and elegant, but without exception each displayed the noble and extraordinary status of its owner. Every carriage bore a unique emblem or pattern, allowing one to identify its family or faction at a glance.

Jun Jun Zijin's carriage had just taken its place in line by the roadside when a deafening neigh suddenly erupted from behind. Everyone turned in shock to see two snow-white steeds, their manes as smooth as silk, pulling an extravagantly decorated carriage racing toward them. The carriage was crafted from sandalwood, even its wheels made of sandalwood and wrapped in a thick layer of gold trim; its body was carved with exquisite patterns and designs, and the window edges were inlaid with dazzling gems that shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight.

The wheels rolled forward, kicking up a cloud of dust; those two horses charged like an arrow loosed from a string, barreling straight ahead with no intention of slowing, forcing the crowd to scramble out of the way.

Whether it was the carriage's brazen advance or its owner's conduct, the arrogance and bullying were utterly jaw-dropping.

In the blink of an eye, this luxurious carriage had surged to the very front; with a crack of the whip, it struck the frame of the carriage ahead that was preparing to enter the palace, and a furious shout rang out:

"Blind dog eyes! Dare you not yield when you see this Junzhudian?"

This time Jun Jun Zijin had brought Han Xiao and Xiao He along. Han Xiao, that girl, was exceptionally sharp and clever; realizing Jun Jun Zijin had been away from Jingcheng for several years and might be unfamiliar with affairs in the capital, she did not wait for Jun Jun Zijin to ask but proactively explained matters to Jun Jun Zijin and Jun Jun Shuyan:

"That is Jiahe Junzhudian of the An Junzhudian. The An Junwang is a leisurely prince of the imperial clan; his title is hereditary without reduction, but he has no son. His only daughter, Jiahe Junzhudian, is arrogant and bullying, seeing no one as worthy."

The carriage struck by the whip belongs to the General of the Nation's Mansion. The General's eldest daughter is already married; this time, it is most likely the second daughter who has come."

At that moment, the carriage curtain was lifted, and a woman of about fourteen years descended. Her face was clear and delicate, her posture spirited; though only around fourteen, she already possessed an extraordinary bearing, unlike those fragile young ladies who leaned on willow branches.

"Indeed, it is the General's second daughter!" Han Xiao said softly.

"Oh, I wondered who it was—turns out it's the General's Second Lady, the Cold-Faced Martial General," Jiahe Junzhudian said, arms crossed, her tone domineering.

He Ling'er bent her knees slightly in a bow, her voice clear and crisp:

"Junzhudian, the road to the palace is open to all; we are all in line. Your riding recklessly like this, I fear, is improper."

"Hmph! If I, this Junzhudian, find you displeasing, then it is improper—so what? Your General's Mansion now merely relies on the Emperor's favor; do you truly think I, this Junzhudian, fear you?"

Jiahe Junzhudian, stung into rage, raised her whip again to strike He Ling'er.

Jun Jun Zijin's heart tightened; she remembered this He Ling'er. He Ling'er was the legitimate daughter of the General of the Nation's Mansion; the original hostess's mother and He Ling'er's mother were close friends since childhood, and Jun Jun Zijin and He Ling'er had been excellent playmates in their youth.

On the day the original hostess was driven out to the manor, Jun Jun Zhidie had pushed her into the stone lion at the mansion gate, splitting her head open; He Ling'er happened to pass by, witnessed the scene, stepped forward to confront Jun Jun Zhidie, and only then did Jun Jun Zhidie desist. The wound on the original hostess's forehead was even bandaged by He Ling'er. Later, when the original hostess was sent to the manor, contact was lost—in fact, the original hostess lost contact with everyone.

Just then, He Ling'er seized Jiahe Junzhudian's whip. Jiahe Junzhudian pulled several times but could not dislodge it.

At this moment, when the tension was at its sharpest, a loud cry rang out from afar:

"The Emperor has issued an edict: no noise or disturbance at the palace gate; those who violate the order shall be punished."

Jiahe Junzhudian's face changed; she tried to snatch back the whip, but it remained in He Ling'er's grasp, so she could only glare fiercely at He Ling'er.

At that moment, He Ling'er suddenly let go:

"Since Jiahe Junzhudian is so eager, I shall let you go first—what of it?"

Before He Ling'er's words had fully faded, Jiahe Junzhudian stumbled backward several large steps, flailing her arms desperately to barely keep her balance, nearly falling flat on her back in utter disgrace. Enraged, Jiahe Junzhudian opened her mouth to curse, but catching sight of the eunuch delivering the edict approaching, she forcibly swallowed the words rising to her throat.

The crowd wanted to laugh but dared not; even Jun Jun Shuyan, who was usually lively before Jun Jun Zijin, held back her laughter. He Ling'er straightened her robes, climbed back into the carriage, and the procession resumed its previous quiet and orderly state.

Jun Jun Zijin's carriage followed the procession forward slowly, passing through a long corridor. Ancient towering trees lined both sides of the corridor; sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, casting dappled shadows. Soon, they reached the interior of the palace.

Everyone dismounted and filed in one after another. Jun Jun Zijin and Jun Jun Shuyan alighted from the carriage in turn, adjusted their garments, and as she raised her gaze, she spotted the He family's second daughter not far away.

He Ling'er seemed to sense something and looked toward Jun Jun Zijin; when their gazes met, He Ling'er first paused in surprise, then broke into a gentle smile and walked toward Jun Jun Zijin.

"Jun Zijin, it has been a long time," He Ling'er said, her voice tinged with delight.

A warmth surged in Jun Jun Zijin's heart; she was about to respond when a sarcastic voice came from nearby:

"Oh, the fallen young lady and the Cold-Faced Martial General have gathered together." It was Jiahe Junzhudian once again, her face full of mockery.

This Jiahe Junzhudian truly learned nothing from her beating. Jun Jun Zijin raised her eyes and glanced at Jiahe Junzhudian, her gaze calm and untroubled.

He Ling'er's brows furrowed slightly; she was about to speak in rebuttal when Jun Jun Zijin, without revealing her intent, tugged lightly at He Ling'er's sleeve, and a cool voice sounded:

"Why bother taking her seriously? Let us go in." Now, knowing nothing about the Imperial Palace, do not act rashly.

"Why fear her? Except for herself, no one treats her as an onion!"

After He Ling'er finished speaking, she took Jun Jun Zijin's hand, ignored Jiahe Junzhudian's ugly expression, and the three walked straight toward the Imperial Garden where the banquet was held, leaving Jiahe Junzhudian behind, stomping her feet in anger.

In the Imperial Garden, flowers bloomed like brocade, and green trees cast deep shade. A gentle breeze brushed the leaves, producing a rustling sound. Amidst this beautiful scenery, a grand banquet was underway, everywhere brimming with joy and a lively atmosphere.

Musicians sat among the pavilions and towers, playing melodious and enchanting music. The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments were graceful and pleasant, refreshing the heart like a babbling brook. Dancers, clad in magnificent attire, moved lightly, their bodies swaying like colorful butterflies in flight. Their steps were graceful and varied; the ribbons in their hands fluttered with the wind, like brilliant rainbows dancing in the sky. Their dancing was beautiful and captivating, as if fairies had descended to the mortal world.

Since this Mid-Autumn Inner Banquet was also a reunion banquet, men and women were not seated separately in two different palaces. Men and women, young and old, were all in the Imperial Garden; male guests on the left, female guests on the right.

When Jun Jun Zijin and the other two arrived, many guests were already seated; the guests sat in small groups, enjoying the splendid performances while savoring fine wine and delicacies. Laughter and chatter rose and fell; people were immersed in this harmonious and joyful time, seemingly forgetting all troubles and sorrows.