Chapter 49: Shameless

Today's palace banquet has turned into such a mess that it can no longer continue; although there was originally a joyous imperial betrothal decree scheduled for today, everyone present knows clearly in their hearts exactly what is happening. The embarrassed crowd all bent their knees to the ground, lowered their heads, and silently waited for the Emperor Tianqi Emperor to speak and announce the end of this palace banquet.

Quan Quan Wuji also lost his spirit, waved his large hand, and dismissed everyone.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin led Jun Jun Shuyan out of the palace gate and saw the Jiahe Princess and Jun Jun Yiyi kneeling on either side of the gate, one on the left and one on the right.

Looking again at Jun Jun Yiyi, she hung her head crookedly and slumped lifelessly on the ground. That originally exquisite and beautiful face was now covered in tears and dust, looking dirty and in a complete mess. The white dress she wore had long lost its original purity, stained with dirt and crumpled beyond recognition. Such a wretched appearance could not be more pitiful; where was even a trace of the glamorous, dignified image of a noble young lady she usually projected?

In comparison, the Jiahe Princess beside her appeared much more spirited. Obviously, she was already accustomed to this punishment of kneeling; she was clearly an old hand at it.

When the Jiahe Princess saw Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's carriage come out, her fire-spitting eyes seemed ready to burn several holes right through Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, but Seeing Jun Jun Zijin did not even give her a single glance and walked straight past.

Jun Jun Yiyi saw Xiang Xiang Junzheng come out at a glance, immediately raised her head, her face covered in tears and dust, her eyes empty and lifeless: "Father, Father, save me!"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng had never seen Jun Jun Yiyi like this before; his heart ached and he was about to go over to help her up.

Jun Jun Shuyan pouted:

"Only Jun Jun Yiyi could make our Lord Father so anxious."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin smiled indifferently: "Just get used to it."

Just then, the old nanny standing nearby shouted in a shrill voice: "Who allowed you to help her up? His Imperial Concubine the Noble Consort ordered that you must kneel for a full five double-hours before you are allowed to rise!"

The hand Xiang Xiang Junzheng had extended trembled uncontrollably. Although that old nanny was outwardly polite to Jun Jun Yiyi and the Jiahe Princess and did not directly show her displeasure, it was the height of summer! How could such thin clothes withstand a long punishment of kneeling on the ground? A full five double-hours! If she knelt like this, her legs would surely be ruined! Thinking of this, Xiang Xiang Junzheng stamped his feet in anxiety.

Just as he was at a loss for what to do, he suddenly glanced at an exquisite and magnificent carriage slowly driving out of the main palace gate and heading this way. Looking closely, it was Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's carriage. Xiang Xiang Junzheng could no longer care about image or anything else; he saw him spread his legs and run over at a trot, shouting loudly as he ran:

"Second Daughter—Second Daughter! Wait for your father!"

Hearing the shout, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin inside the carriage was slightly startled, then gently lifted the curtain to look outside. When she saw Xiang Xiang Junzheng's anxious face, she could not help but furrow her delicate brows: "Father, what do you seek me for?"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng ran up close, panting, and said: "Second Daughter, your eldest sister has committed a crime and was ordered by the Emperor to kneel outside the palace gate for quite some time. Your father truly cannot bear to see her suffer; can you go and beg the Emperor for mercy and spare her this time..."

Having spoken, Xiang Xiang Junzheng fixed his gaze tightly on Seeing Jun Jun Zijin with eyes full of expectation.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin frowned; she felt this father was truly shameless. Everyone was watching, yet he had the nerve to ask her, the victim, to beg for Jun Jun Yiyi.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin looked at Xiang Xiang Junzheng like that for a long while, and just as Xiang Xiang Junzheng began to feel a chill in his heart from being watched, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin finally spoke:

"Father, the person your eldest sister intended to harm today was me!" Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's cold voice was very soft.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng felt a wave of embarrassment; he knew his request just now was indeed inappropriate, but Jun Jun Yiyi was after all his most beloved daughter. By the time he came to his senses, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had already pulled the curtain shut and left.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin was too lazy to care what he was thinking; she was worried that the Old Lady needed her medicine changed today, so she ordered the driver to speed up and they departed in a cloud of dust.

Upon returning to the manor, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, ignoring her own exhaustion, ordered Xiao He to fetch the medicine box, while she herself, accompanied by Han Xiao, walked towards the Green Bamboo Courtyard.

Thanks to Jun Jun Zijin's careful care and nurturing, the Old Lady's complexion was now ruddy and her spirit vigorous; the entire Green Bamboo Courtyard was filled with joy and harmony, and everyone's face beamed with happy smiles.

Just then, the sharp-eyed Nanny Wang was the first to spot Seeing Jun Jun Zijin. Nanny Wang hurriedly stepped forward to greet her, bowed deeply with great respect to Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, and said with a face full of smiles:

"Second Young Lady, you have finally returned! The Old Lady has been expecting you for so long! Look, this old servant, following the Old Lady's orders, has specially prepared a pot of sea cucumber and pigeon soup for you, which has already been reheated several times."

Hearing this, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin felt a warmth in her heart. She quickened her steps to the Old Lady's side, took the Old Lady's hand, and asked with concern:

"Grandmother, how do you feel today? Is your body feeling better? Does the wound on your knee still hurt?"

The Old Lady smiled and nodded, replying:

"Good child, Grandmother is doing perfectly fine! Seeing you return safely makes Grandmother's heart feel so secure. Stop standing and talking; come, sit down and rest your feet."

Saying this, the Old Lady turned her head and instructed Nanny Wang beside her:

"Nanny Wang, hurry and bring over the soup prepared for Second Daughter so she can taste it while it is hot."

In a short while, Nanny Wang brought up the steaming hot sea cucumber and pigeon soup. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin took the soup bowl, gently blew on it, and carefully tasted it. One mouthful made her feel the broth was incredibly delicious, the sea cucumber was smooth and tender, and the pigeon meat was even more fresh and juicy. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's stomach warmed, and the icy coldness in her heart today also warmed.

After finishing the soup, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin checked the Old Lady's wound; the post-operative recovery was excellent, which immediately put her at ease. She carefully changed the Old Lady's dressing and said softly:

"Grandmother, do not let your wound get wet for these few days. Once the wound heals, your granddaughter will further provide rehabilitation treatment for Grandmother, and by then, my Grandmother will be able to stand up!"

The Old Lady looked at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin with a smile, her eyes full of gratification and emotion. She gently patted Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's back and said:

"Good granddaughter, Grandmother knows you are filial. Thanks to my Second Daughter, Grandmother can have today."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin accompanied the Old Lady for a while longer, chatting about interesting things that happened in the palace today. When they mentioned the Emperor bestowing upon her the Purple Gold Jade Tablet, the Old Lady's eyes were full of gratification:

"I knew my Second Daughter was the most promising!" The Old Lady looked at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, her gaze filled with affection.

Then, the Old Lady seemed to fall into brief contemplation; after a while, she slowly spoke:

"Child, the Emperor's rewards are not like the small favors we usually receive. The glory within is certainly delightful, but the corresponding responsibility is also great! The Emperor would never bestow rewards on someone without reason. Behind every reward lies deep meaning and consideration. Furthermore, the greater the glory you receive, the more dangers you may encounter. In the future, you must be even more cautious and careful. Grandmother does not ask for you to be extremely wealthy or noble in the future; I only ask that you live a life of health and happiness."

Having spoken, the Old Lady gently patted Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's hand, her eyes revealing her expectations and care for her.

Hearing the Old Lady's heartfelt and deeply caring words, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin could not help but feel a warm current surge within her heart, warm and comfortable. She gently rested her head in the palm of the Old Lady's hand.

"Grandmother, please rest assured! Your granddaughter understands your painstaking efforts; these principles have always been engraved in your granddaughter's heart." Seeing Jun Jun Zijin said softly.