Chapter 43: Stepping on Someone's Sore Spot

Imperial Consort Gao withdrew her gaze and lifted her chin slightly. So this was the recently famous and much-discussed Lady Qingping. Hmph! Nothing special! Looking at that malnourished appearance, where was even a shred of the grace and presence described in the rumors? Still, her dress was quite beautiful; she wondered which tailor in the capital could have made it.

In truth, Jun Zijin had been recuperating at the manor for over a month now; her skin was fair and her face had filled out, no longer the sallow, skinny little wretch of a month ago. Her height, however, remained a stubborn problem; even if she were to grow, it wasn't something that could be fixed in a day or two.

Imperial Consort Gao turned her head slightly, sweeping a glance from the corner of her eye at Jun Yiyi, who was nearby, smiling coquettishly and chatting away with a group of young ladies. Jun Yiyi was dressed in a pristine white gown, her figure graceful, as if a gentle breeze could blow her over. That delicate face, paired with a pitiful expression, could not help but stir feelings of sympathy in others.

Imperial Consort Gao’s sharp eyes dimmed slightly, veiled in a layer of gloom. She didn't know what had gotten into her father, allowing that lowly Wu woman to let such a person climb the social ladder. Although her third brother was a loafer, he wasn't someone a woman like that should be delusional enough to reach for; it was simply absurd!

Jun Yiyi was chatting about a new melody she had learned with Xiong Yurui, the daughter of the Grand Secretariat, and Zhu Tingting, the daughter of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Just as they were enjoying themselves, she suddenly felt Imperial Consort Gao’s contemptuous gaze. Jun Yiyi was secretly annoyed but dared not act out.

Imperial Consort Gao let out a cold snort and looked away.

Jun Yiyi could barely keep her composure. At this moment, Xiong Yurui, standing to the side, whispered:

"Miss Jun, please don't mind her; perhaps the Imperial Consort is just in a bad mood today."

Jun Yiyi forced a smile, her restless eyes darting here and there, wondering what she was calculating. Jun Shudie’s eyes kept drifting toward the Imperial Princes at the tables over there.

When Jun Yiyi saw Lady Qingle and the second young lady of the Grand General’s manor surrounding Jun Zijin with excitement, not knowing what they were saying, Jun Yiyi was so jealous she gritted her teeth. Which daughter of a prominent family hadn't seen the schemes of an inner courtyard? Zhu Tingting and Xiong Yurui exchanged a look and said:

"She’s just a well-known good-for-nothing. The Emperor only granted her the title of Lady because he pitied her; that doesn't change the fact that she’s a good-for-nothing."

Jun Yiyi felt a little better after hearing this.

The guests at the banquet were busy exchanging toasts. Jun Zijin had no intention of trying to get close to anyone or making small talk. Of those present, she only remembered Lady An, the wife of the Grand General and a close friend of the original owner’s mother. Jun Zijin went up to call her Aunt An, exchanged a few words, and returned to her seat.

Just as Jun Zijin sat back down, she saw Xiong Yurui and Zhu Tingting walking toward them.

They had previously only heard the rumors in the capital and what Jun Yiyi said about how unbearable Jun Zijin was. In reality, they had no connection to her, but now that she was Lady Qingping and seemed quite familiar with Lady Qingle, even if they couldn't be friends, they certainly couldn't afford to be enemies.

"Lady Qingle and Lady Qingping are here!" Xiong Yurui greeted them familiarly.

"My Lady, you were so hard to find!" said Zhu Tingting.

Lady Qingle didn't even lift her head. A flash of embarrassment crossed the two women's faces, but quickly, Xiong Yurui took the lead again, praising Jun Zijin:

"Lady, your dress is truly beautiful. May I ask which shop you had it made at? Could you tell us?"

"A clothing shop in Chengnan. The shopkeeper opens next month; you can go take a look then." Business was business, so Jun Zijin responded with a faint smile, neither overly warm nor cold, her eyes clear and frank.

"Sister, there were many misunderstandings in the past; I hope you won't blame me," said Zhu Tingting.

Xiong Yurui chimed in as well. Jun Zijin shook her head. "It’s fine. Rumors are never to be trusted anyway."

Seeing the two who were previously with her go to cozy up to Jun Zijin, Jun Yiyi’s eyes were filled with jealousy and hatred. She had exhausted all her efforts to please everyone, yet it couldn't compare to the glory Jun Zijin received the moment she was titled a Lady.

She gritted her teeth, lifted her skirt, and walked over.

"My Lady, what are you all talking about? It’s so lively. And Second Sister is here too?" Jun Yiyi asked, feigning intimacy.

Jun Yiyi had always wanted to strike up a conversation with Lady Qingle before, but Lady Qingle had never paid her any mind. Today, Lady Qingle was with this newly titled sister of hers; surely she wouldn't refuse to give her, the eldest sister, any face? Jun Yiyi pondered.

Jun Zijin glanced at Jun Yiyi, leisurely plucked a grape, and popped it into her mouth without saying a word.

Lady Qingle wasn't so patient:

"Zijin, we didn't pick the right seats today. Flies keep buzzing over here in swarms; are we even supposed to eat?"

"Pfft," He Linger and Jun Shuyan, who had been silent, couldn't hold it in. Seeing the situation was wrong, Xiong Yurui and Zhu Tingting didn't care about anything else and turned to leave. Jun Yiyi, who was standing there stunned, was almost sprayed in the face.

Jun Yiyi’s face turned red and then white, looking aggrieved, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Hey, hey, hey, go cry somewhere else if you want to cry. People who don't know better might think someone bullied you!" Lady Qingle said, shooing her away.

Over there, Jun Zhidie saw Jun Yiyi running back while holding her skirt and curled her lip: "Serves you right!"

Lady Qingle and Jun Shuyan hadn't stopped talking; one was busy speaking, the other busy eating. Jun Zijin picked another grape and put it in her mouth; she felt this palace banquet was truly meaningless. The little foodie Jun Shuyan, who had been burying her head in her work, finally looked up:

"Lady Qingle, there’s so much food left on the table. If I pack some up later, do you think your Imperial Uncle would mind?"

Lady Qingle’s eyes widened as if she had heard something fantastical:

"Jun Shuyan, you really are... unique. This is a palace banquet; there’s no such thing as packing leftovers."

Jun Shuyan curled her lip:

"I know, I know. It’s just a pity to waste so many delicious dishes."

Jun Zijin couldn't help but laugh out loud:

"Fourth Sister, you actually have that kind of awareness." Jun Zijin praised her sincerely.

In her era, society strongly advocated for the "Clean Plate Campaign," and packing up unfinished food was a highly regarded behavior. Saving food was seen as a virtue.

But here, the waste at these banquets was severe, truly staggering! Whether male or female, matron or young lady, everyone followed the so-called "etiquette"—the less you ate, the better. If you ate too much, you would be mocked for being small-minded. By the end of a banquet, most people’s stomachs were still empty. Jun Zijin was truly baffled by this behavior and the waste of food.

"Jun Shuyan, you little foodie are on par with my Seventh Imperial Brother." Lady Qingle gestured with her chin toward a boy of eleven or twelve sitting at the Imperial Princes' table, who was currently grabbing a pastry to eat.

"My Imperial Uncle has seven Imperial Princes and five Princesses," Lady Qingle continued.

"The First Prince was born to a palace maid, the Second Prince to Imperial Consort De, the Third Prince to Imperial Consort Gao, and the Fourth Prince to Imperial Consort Jia; after Imperial Consort Jia passed away, he was raised by the Empress. The Fifth Prince was born to Concubine Xin. Crown Prince Brother is the Empress’s legitimate son, and the Seventh Prince and Fifth Princess were both born to Imperial Consort Shu," Lady Qingle introduced them one by one.

Jun Zijin followed Lady Qingle’s gaze. The First Prince was in his thirties, looking steady and dignified; the Second Prince looked older than the First, his face pale, clearly from excessive indulgence. The Third Prince was all smiles and very approachable, the Fourth Prince was gentle and refined, the Fifth Prince looked honest and simple, and the Seventh Prince still had a childish air.

Jun Zijin looked toward Quan Aoyu at the very end, and her gaze met his. He was leaning against the back of his chair, holding a wine cup without drinking. As soon as Quan Aoyu met Jun Zijin’s eyes, his cold, stern face immediately softened. He saw the corners of Quan Aoyu’s mouth lift slightly, revealing a faint, light smile.

That one light smile from Quan Aoyu instantly made all the young ladies in the hall blush. Their hearts raced, and their eyes were locked tightly on Quan Aoyu’s remarkably handsome face.

Jun Yiyi stood dazed for a long while, her eyes wide, staring infatuatedly at Quan Aoyu, unable to recover for a long time.

Jun Zhidie was even less concerned with her image, her mouth hanging open, even drooling.

Jun Zijin scanned the salivating young ladies and cursed under her breath: "What a bewitching monster!"

Lady Qingle and He Linger were also stunned by Quan Aoyu’s smile. Soon, they seemed to catch on, their eyes darting toward Jun Zijin as if they had suddenly realized something:

"Oh~~~"

Jun Zijin felt uncomfortable being watched by those two, who were winking and nudging each other. She coughed lightly. They really were two troublemakers, Jun Zijin thought.

Suddenly, Imperial Consort Gao on the high platform raised her hand slightly to signal. Once the music stopped abruptly and the dancers ceased their steps, everyone fell silent. Only then did Imperial Consort Gao reveal a charming, alluring smile:

"It is a rare grand occasion today. This year, as always, the younger generation of each family should feel free to showcase their talents. The Emperor will have rewards for those who take the top spot in zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, archery, or equestrianism."

Jun Zijin leaned back in her chair; she really had no interest in these talent shows. She didn't want to join in the fun, but someone didn't want to let her be.

She saw Imperial Consort Gao part her red lips again:

"This Palace has heard that Lady Qingping is not only skilled in medicine but also exceptionally gifted in the zither. I wonder if Lady Qingping would be willing to play a piece for us today?"

Damn it, who in the capital didn't know that she, Jun Zijin, was a good-for-nothing who knew nothing of zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting? How did she suddenly become "exceptionally gifted"? Jun Zijin cursed inwardly. She didn't think she had provoked this Imperial Consort Gao, so where did this hostility come from? Wasn't this just stepping on someone’s sore spot?

Imperial Consort Gao had already said as much; if she refused to play the zither today, it would mean she, this newly titled Lady, was too arrogant to even agree to such a simple request as playing a song for everyone.

But if she really did play, who among those present didn't know that she, Jun Zijin, was a genuine good-for-nothing? Those with ulterior motives were probably already impatient to watch her make a fool of herself in public and lose all face!