Chapter 43: Stepping on Someone's Sore Spot

Noble Consort Gao withdrew her gaze and lifted her chin slightly. This was Lady Lady Qingping, whose name had recently risen in Jingcheng and who had become the focus of much attention. Hmph! She is nothing special! Look at her malnourished appearance; where is even a fraction of the elegance and momentum rumored? However, her dress is quite beautiful; she never knew Jingcheng had such a tailor?

In fact, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had been recuperating in the manor for over a month. Now her skin was Bai Xi, her face had flesh on it, and she no longer looked like the yellow-skinned, thin little pitiful creature from a month ago. However, her current height was a hard injury; even growing taller could not be made up in a day or two.

Noble Consort Gao turned her head slightly, glancing with the corner of her eye at Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi not far away, who wore a charming smile and was chatting with a group of young ladies about who knew what. Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi wore a pure white dress, her figure graceful, as if a slight breeze could blow her over. That delicate face paired with a pitiful expression made people unable to help but feel pity.

Noble Consort Gao's sharp eyes dimmed slightly, covered by a layer of gloom. She did not know what was wrong with her father, allowing that Wu Shi, who was not fit for the stage, to let such a person climb into the family. Although the Third Young Master was idle and lazy, he was not someone such a woman could dream of climbing onto; it was simply absurd to the extreme!

Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi was chatting happily with the legitimate Young Lady of the Grand Council, Xiong Yurou, and the legitimate Young Lady of the Imperial Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Zhu Zhu Tingting, about the new tune she had learned. Just as they were chatting happily, she suddenly felt Noble Consort Gao's contemptuous gaze. Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi was secretly annoyed in her heart but dared not make a scene.

Noble Consort Gao snorted coldly and shifted her gaze away.

Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi's face could barely hold together. At this moment, Xiong Yurou beside her spoke softly:

"Eldest Young Lady Jun, do not mind. Perhaps Noble Consort is in a bad mood today."

Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi forced a smile, her restless eyes glancing here and there, not knowing what she was calculating. Jun Shudie's eyes kept glancing toward the several Imperial Princes at that seat over there.

When Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi saw Crown Prince Quan Quan Qingle and the Second Young Lady of the General Who Guards the Nation's manor surrounding Seeing Jun Jun Zijin with excited faces, not knowing what they were saying, Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi ground her teeth in jealousy. Which legitimate Young Lady from a high and great household had not seen domestic lawsuits? Zhu Zhu Tingting and Xiong Yurou exchanged a glance and said:

"That is merely a waste of material known to everyone. Although the Emperor pitied her and ennobled her as a County Princess, it cannot change the fact that she is a waste of material."

Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi felt somewhat better then.

At the banquet, everyone passed cups and exchanged toasts. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had no intention of getting close to people or making small talk. Of those present, she only remembered Lady An, the wife of the Great General Who Guards the Nation, and her mother's handkerchief friend. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin went up, called out "Aunt An," said a few words, and returned to her seat.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had just returned to her seat and sat down when she saw Xiong Yurou and Zhu Zhu Tingting walking over toward this side.

Previously, they had heard the rumors in Jingcheng and Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi spreading how unbearable Seeing Jun Jun Zijin was. In fact, they had no connection with Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, but now she was already Lady Lady Qingping and seemed quite familiar with Crown Prince Quan Quan Qingle. Even if they did not become close, at least they could not become enemies.

"Crown Prince Quan Quan Qingle and Lady Lady Qingping are here!" Xiong Yurou greeted familiarly.

"Crown Prince Quan Quan Qingle, we have been looking for you!" Zhu Zhu Tingting said.

Quan Quan Qingle did not even lift her head. Embarrassment flashed across the two of their faces. Soon, Xiong Yurou spoke first again, praising Seeing Jun Jun Zijin:

"County Princess, your dress is truly beautiful. Where did the County Princess have it made? Could you tell us two?"

"A clothing shop in Chengnan. The owner will open next month; go take a look then." Seeing Jun Jun Zijin responded to the two with a faint smile, seeing business as something not to be wasted. She was neither warm nor cold, her eyes clear and open.

"Younger Sister County Princess, there were many misunderstandings before; I hope Sister does not hold it against me," Zhu Zhu Tingting said.

Xiong Yurou followed suit in agreeing. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin shook her head. "It is fine. Rumors and slander are inherently untrustworthy."

Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi saw the two who had originally been with her go over to get close to Seeing Jun Jun Zijin. Her eyes were full of jealousy and hatred. She had exhausted all her schemes to please various people, yet it was not as glorious as Seeing Jun Jun Zijin being ennobled as a County Princess in one stroke.

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

"Crown Prince Quan Quan Qingle, what are you two talking about, making such a scene? Is Second Sister here too?" Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi asked, pretending to be intimate.

Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi had always wanted to talk to Quan Quan Qingle before, but Quan Quan Qingle simply did not pay her any attention. Today, Quan Quan Qingle was with her newly ennobled County Princess younger sister; surely she would not refuse her older sister's face, she thought secretly.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin glanced at Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi, leisurely picked a grape, put it in her mouth, and did not reply.

Quan Quan Qingle was not in such a good mood:

"Jun Jun Zijin, we did not choose our seat correctly today. A swarm of flies is flying here; do we still want to eat?"

"Pfft," He Ling'er and Jun Jun Shuyan, who had not spoken, could not hold it back. Seeing the situation was wrong, Xiong Yurou and Zhu Zhu Tingting, disregarding much, turned and left. Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi, who stood frozen and motionless, almost got spit on the face.

Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi's face turned red then white, her expression aggrieved, tears like pear blossoms in the rain.

"Hey hey hey, if you want to cry, go cry far away. People who don't know might think someone bullied you!" Quan Quan Qingle directly drove her away.

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie over there saw Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi running back while lifting her skirt, pouted, and said, "Serves her right!"

Quan Quan Qingle and Jun Jun Shuyan's mouths had not stopped; one kept talking, the other kept eating. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin picked another grape and put it in her mouth; she felt this palace banquet was truly meaningless. Jun Jun Shuyan, the little foodie who had been working hard with her head down, finally lifted her head:

"Crown Prince Quan Quan Qingle, there is too much food at this banquet to finish. If I pack some up later, will your Imperial Uncle disagree?"

Quan Quan Qingle widened her eyes, as if hearing some absurd tale:

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

Jun Jun Shuyan pouted:

"I know. It is just a pity to waste so many delicious dishes."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin could not help but laugh out loud:

"Fourth Sister, you even have this realization." Seeing Jun Jun Zijin praised sincerely.

In her era, society vigorously advocated the "Clean Plate Campaign"; packing up unfinished food was a behavior highly praised. Saving grain was regarded as a virtue.

But here, the waste at these banquets was extremely severe, simply making people stare in shock! Whether male guests or female guests, whether women or Young Ladies, all followed the so-called "etiquette"—the less one ate, the better. Eating too much would make people mock one as petty. When a banquet ended, most people's stomachs were still empty. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin truly could not understand this behavior and the waste of food.

"Jun Jun Shuyan, you little foodie are not inferior to my Seventh Young Brother." Quan Quan Qingle nodded her chin toward the seat of the Imperial Princes over there, at the eleven or twelve-year-old boy who was grabbing a pastry and eating it.

"My Imperial Uncle has seven Imperial Princes and five Princesses." Quan Quan Qingle continued speaking.

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

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin followed Quan Quan Qingle's gaze. The First Imperial Prince was in his thirties, looking steady and majestic; the Second Imperial Prince looked even older than the First, his face pale, obviously from excessive indulgence; the Third Imperial Prince wore a full smile and was full of approachability; the Fourth Imperial Prince was gentle and refined; the Fifth Imperial Prince had a simple, honest face; the Seventh Imperial Prince still had childishness on him.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin looked toward Quan Quan Aoyu at the very edge and met Quan Quan Aoyu's gaze looking back at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin. He leaned back in his chair, holding a wine cup in his hand, not drinking. As soon as Quan Quan Aoyu met Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's gaze, his stern face immediately softened. Quan Quan Aoyu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint, light smile.

Quan Quan Aoyu's light smile instantly made all the Young Ladies in the hall blush. Their heartbeats accelerated one by one, their gazes tightly locked on Quan Quan Aoyu's extraordinary handsome face.

Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi stood dazed for a long while. She widened her eyes, staring foolishly at Quan Quan Aoyu, and did not come to her senses for a long time.

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie completely disregarded her image, her mouth open, even drool dripping out.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin glanced at the crowd of Young Ladies drooling and secretly cursed, "Truly a demon who charms the world!"

With this light smile from Quan Quan Aoyu, Quan Quan Qingle and He Ling'er also paused. Soon, they seemed to see some signs. The two of them looked at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin with swift glances, as if suddenly understanding:

"Oh~~"

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin felt somewhat uncomfortable being looked at by the two making faces and winking. "Truly two people who are not afraid of trouble," Seeing Jun Jun Zijin thought secretly.

Suddenly, Noble Consort Gao on the high platform raised her hand slightly to signal. When the music stopped abruptly, the dancers also stopped their steps. Everyone fell silent, and only then did Noble Consort Gao reveal a charming smile:

"Today is a rare grand gathering. As in previous years, the younger generation from each family should display whatever talents they have. For those who take first place in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, horse riding, or archery, the Emperor will bestow rewards."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin leaned back in her chair; she had no real interest in these talent performances. She did not want to join the crowd, yet someone simply would not let her be at ease.

Noble Consort Gao then lightly opened her vermilion lips again:

"I have heard that Lady Lady Qingping is not only skilled in medicine but also outstanding in music. I wonder if Lady Lady Qingping is willing to play a piece for us today?"

Damn, who in Jingcheng doesn't know that Jun Jun Zijin is a useless trash who can't play any instrument, chess, calligraphy, or painting? How did she hear that her zither skills are outstanding? Jun Jun Zijin cursed inwardly; she seemed not to have offended this Noble Consort, so where did this hostility come from? Wasn't this stepping on someone's sore spot?

Noble Consort had already spoken to that extent; if she did not play the zither today, it would mean that she, the newly titled County Mistress, was too arrogant, unwilling even to agree to such a simple request as playing a piece for everyone.

But if she really did play, who present didn't know that Jun Jun Zijin was a solid useless trash? Those with sinister intentions were probably already impatiently waiting to watch her make a fool of herself in public, her face utterly ruined!