Chapter 42: Noble Consort Gao

Xiang Xiang Junzheng had been watching the entrance to the Imperial Garden; the second young lady was Lady Lady Qingping, just ennobled by the Emperor, and since His Majesty intended to summon her today, he needed to keep a close watch. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin arrive, Xiang Xiang Junzheng hurriedly squeezed his way out of the crowd.

Seeing that Jun Jun Zijin and her father seemed to have something to say, He Ling'er departed first. Xiang Xiang Junzheng approached and asked:

"Why are you so late? Hurry and take your seats; the Emperor intends to summon you today. Do not wander about later."

Jun Jun Zijin nodded: "Daughter will take Fourth Sister over there to sit; Father should sit as well."

Only then did Xiang Xiang Junzheng notice Jun Jun Shuyan beside Jun Jun Zijin; he nodded. The two sisters also bowed slightly to Xiang Xiang Junzheng, then turned and walked toward He Ling'er on the opposite side.

When Jun Jun Zijin reached He Ling'er's side, she was chatting with another Young Lady about what sort of reward the Emperor would present today.

Upon seeing Jun Jun Zijin approach, He Ling'er immediately introduced the other person at their table:

"From the Xiang Wang Fu, Princess Quan Qingle."

"Quan Quan Qingle." Quan Quan Qingle smiled frankly at Jun Jun Zijin.

"Jun Jun Zijin. This is my Fourth Sister." Jun Jun Zijin smiled; it seemed Princess Pingyang was another one who made friends easily.

"So you are Jun Jun Zijin, the Lady Lady Qingping personally ennobled by Imperial Uncle the day before yesterday! Jun Zijin, we truly have a fateful connection; your title is Lady Qingping, and my name is Quan Qingle..."

Excited, Quan Quan Qingle chattered away nonstop; He Ling'er pressed a hand to her forehead, Jun Jun Shuyan ate her pastries on her own, and Jun Jun Zijin listened to Quan Quan Qingle's endless stream of words; though inwardly helpless, she still wore a faint smile on her face.

When Quan Quan Qingle finished speaking, Jun Jun Shuyan swallowed a mouthful of pastry and asked:

"What were you two just saying about rewards?"

Jun Jun Zijin did not understand either: Rewards? Does everyone receive one?

Before He Ling'er could speak, Quan Quan Qingle leaned closer to Jun Jun Zijin:

"How could everyone receive one? Every year at the palace banquet there is a talent competition; the Emperor presents a treasure as the prize for the female guest who takes first place."

"A treasure? Isn't that something everyone desires?" Jun Jun Shuyan said.

Jun Jun Zijin's thoughts were not on the Emperor's prize; her gaze fell on Jun Jun Yiyi, dressed in white, twenty meters away. Jun Jun Yiyi was somewhat distracted at the moment, glancing occasionally at Jun Jun Zijin; just then she was also looking toward Jun Jun Zijin, and the moment their eyes met, Jun Jun Yiyi quickly averted her gaze.

Jun Jun Zijin's eyes darkened slightly; today would surely bring no good. Jun Jun Zijin withdrew her gaze without revealing her thoughts.

At that moment, accompanied by a eunuch's loud cry: "His Majesty arrives—"

The main figure of today's palace banquet had arrived; the Emperor of Emperor Tianqi came, followed by a host of concubines.

The Imperial Garden instantly fell silent; the crowd, previously chatting and laughing, all stopped their actions, their expressions becoming respectful. They quickly rose and knelt in unison.

"Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!" the crowd shouted in unison.

The Emperor Tianqi Emperor, Quan Quan Wuji, looked down upon the crowd and raised a hand:

"All rise!"

"Thank Your Majesty!" Only then did the people rise.

The Emperor's gaze swept over the crowd and finally settled on Jun Jun Zijin.

At that moment, Jun Jun Zijin was also secretly watching the Emperor; she had never seen him and wanted to see the true face of this prodigal Emperor. Their gazes unexpectedly met in mid-air! In an instant, Jun Jun Zijin's brow furrowed; she thought, as expected of the Son of Heaven, if she had not been prepared, His Majesty's gaze of supreme authority would surely have made her yield.

And the Emperor Tianqi Emperor, Quan Quan Wuji, was also slightly startled! He knew that the girl the Crown Prince had taken a liking to was the granddaughter of Fang Fang Jizhou, Lady Lady Qingping. Not only did she possess astonishing medical skills at such a young age, but he had not expected this little girl to dare to face him directly and meet his challenge. Even more unexpectedly, she had not lost to him! At this sight, Quan Quan Wuji's heart stirred; indeed, the person the Crown Prince chose could not be ordinary.

"I have come today merely to join the festivities and to see the Lady Lady Qingping I recently ennobled." Quan Quan Wuji withdrew his thoughts and said jokingly.

Jun Jun Zijin stepped forward and bowed with neither humility nor arrogance: "Your subject's daughter pays homage to Your Majesty; may Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years."

Seeing her figure light and graceful, her steps steady, Quan Quan Wuji nodded inwardly, cleared his throat lightly, and said:

"No need for ceremony!" The Emperor said with a smile, his voice loud and gentle.

"Lady Lady Qingping's contribution of the stainless steel formula is truly a great achievement! It not only greatly promotes our dynasty's craftsmanship and manufacturing, but also benefits the common people and promotes the prosperity of the nation. I am deeply gratified!" The Emperor nodded slightly, expressing his praise for Lady Lady Qingping.

In an instant, the crowd began whispering among themselves; when had the Emperor ever been so kind and affable toward someone?

"Your Majesty overstates; your subject's daughter once encountered a Persian, and it was he who gave the formula."

Quan Quan Wuji did not care where her stainless steel formula came from; as long as it benefited the state, that was enough.

Quan Quan Wuji sat upon the dragon throne and waved his wide sleeves; immediately, an attendant cried out loudly: "The Mid-Autumn Inner Banquet begins!"

With those words, the sound of silk and bamboo instruments rose again.

The Imperial Princes and ministers took turns offering wine to the Emperor, and the women also raised their cups to one another in friendship; the scene was filled with harmony and joy.

On the high seat sat a woman in magnificent robes, her face cold and proud. She wore a shimmering brocade robe embroidered with exquisite peony patterns in gold thread on the sleeves and hem. The collar of her magnificent robe stood high; a jade belt inlaid with gems was tied around her waist. Her head was densely adorned with various pearl hairpins, dazzling and brilliant, emitting a crisp tinkling sound as she moved.

Her gaze swept lightly over the crowd; when she saw the two sisters, Jun Jun Zijin and Jun Jun Shuyan, along with He Ling'er, a hint of emotion flickered in her eyes, barely perceptible.

Jun Jun Zijin felt a gaze fall upon her; she looked up and met the woman's eyes directly. For some reason, her heart tightened inexplicably. At that moment, He Ling'er beside her whispered: "That is Noble Consort Gao, the biological sister of Prime Minister Gao."