Chapter 49: Shameless

Today’s palace banquet had become such a scene that it could no longer continue. Although there was supposed to be a joyous marriage bestowal segment, everyone present knew exactly what was going on. Embarrassed, the crowd knelt one after another, heads bowed, waiting quietly for the Tianqi Emperor to speak and announce the end of the banquet.

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

As soon as Jun Zijin and Jun Shuyan exited the palace gate, they saw Princess Jiahe and Jun Yiyi kneeling on either side of the gate.

Looking at Jun Yiyi, her head hung crookedly, and she was slumped on the ground, completely listless. Her originally delicate and beautiful face was now covered in tears and dust, looking filthy and a mess. The white dress she wore had long lost its original whiteness; it was stained and wrinkled beyond recognition. In such a wretched state, she looked as miserable as could be, with not a shred of the glamorous, graceful, and elegant young lady she usually appeared to be.

By comparison, Princess Jiahe looked much more spirited. Clearly, she was already accustomed to this kind of kneeling punishment; she was obviously an old hand at it.

When Princess Jiahe saw Jun Zijin’s carriage emerge, her eyes seemed to spit fire, as if she wanted to burn holes in Jun Zijin. Jun Zijin didn't even give her a proper look and walked straight past.

The moment Jun Yiyi saw Jun Zhengming emerge, she immediately lifted her head, her face full of tear tracks and dust, her eyes hollow and lifeless: "Father, Father, save me!"

Jun Zhengming had never seen Jun Yiyi like this and, heartbroken, was about to go over to help her up.

Jun Shuyan pouted:

"Only Jun Yiyi could make our dear father so anxious."

Jun Zijin smiled indifferently: "You'll get used to it."

Just then, the old nanny guarding the side shouted in a shrill voice: "Who gave you permission to help her? The Imperial Consort has ordered that she must kneel for a full five hours before she is allowed to stand!"

Jun Zhengming’s outstretched hand trembled uncontrollably. Although the old nanny was superficially polite to Jun Yiyi and Princess Jiahe and didn't give them a cold shoulder directly, this was the scorching summer! How could those thin clothes withstand such a long kneeling punishment? A full five hours—if she knelt like this, her legs would likely be ruined! Thinking of this, Jun Zhengming stamped his feet in anxiety.

Just as he was at his wit's end, he caught sight of an exquisite and magnificent carriage slowly driving out of the palace gate, heading toward them. Looking closely, it was actually Jun Zijin’s carriage. Jun Zhengming no longer cared about his image; he took off running, shouting loudly as he ran:

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

Hearing the shouts, Jun Zijin, sitting inside the carriage, was slightly startled, then gently lifted the curtain to look out. Seeing the anxious-looking Jun Zhengming, she couldn't help but frown slightly: "Why does Father seek me?"

Jun Zhengming ran up to her, panting: "Second girl, your eldest sister has committed an offense and has been ordered by the Emperor to kneel outside the palace gate for quite some time. Your father truly cannot bear to see her suffer. Could you go and plead with the Emperor to spare her this once..."

Having said this, Jun Zhengming stared intently at Jun Zijin with expectant eyes.

Jun Zijin frowned; she felt this father was truly shameless. With everyone watching, he actually had the nerve to ask her, the victim, to plead for Jun Yiyi.

Jun Zijin looked at Jun Zhengming for a long while, and just as she made him feel uneasy, she finally spoke:

"Father, the person my eldest sister wanted to harm today was me!" Jun Zijin’s cold voice was very soft.

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

Jun Zijin couldn't be bothered with what he was thinking. She was concerned that the Old Madam needed her medicine changed today, so she ordered the coachman to speed up, leaving in a cloud of dust.

As soon as she returned to the residence, Jun Zijin ignored her exhaustion. She ordered Xiao He to fetch the medicine kit and, taking Han Xiao with her, headed toward Cuizhu Courtyard.

Thanks to Jun Zijin’s careful care, the Old Madam now had a rosy complexion and was in high spirits. The entire Cuizhu Courtyard was filled with joy and harmony, and everyone wore a happy smile.

Just then, the sharp-eyed Wang Mama was the first to spot Jun Zijin. Wang Mama hurried forward, bowed respectfully to Jun Zijin, and said with a face full of smiles:

"Second Young Lady, you’ve finally returned! The Old Madam has been waiting for you! Look, the old servant followed the Old Madam’s instructions and specifically stewed a pot of sea cucumber and squab soup for you; it’s been reheated several times already."

Hearing this, Jun Zijin felt a warmth in her heart. She quickened her pace to the Old Madam’s side, took her hand, and asked with concern:

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

The Old Madam smiled and nodded, answering:

"Good child, Grandmother is doing just fine! Seeing you return safely, Grandmother’s heart is so at ease. Stop standing there talking, come, sit down and rest your feet."

As she spoke, the Old Madam turned her head and instructed Wang Mama at her side:

"Wang Mama, hurry and bring over the soup stewed for the Second girl; let her taste it while it’s hot."

Before long, Wang Mama brought over the steaming sea cucumber and squab soup. Jun Zijin took the bowl, blew on it gently, and tasted it carefully. One sip, and she felt the broth was incredibly delicious; the sea cucumber was smooth and tender, and the squab meat was succulent. Jun Zijin’s stomach warmed, and her heart, which had been chilled today, warmed as well.

After finishing the soup, Jun Zijin checked the Old Madam’s wound. It was recovering extremely well after the surgery, and she was immediately relieved. She carefully changed the dressing for the Old Madam and said softly:

"Grandmother, do not let your wound get wet for the next few days. Once the wound heals, your granddaughter will proceed with the next stage of rehabilitation therapy, and by then, my Grandmother will be able to stand up!"

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

"Good granddaughter, Grandmother knows you are filial. It is all thanks to my Second girl that Grandmother has this day."

Jun Zijin accompanied the Old Madam for a while longer, chatting about the interesting events in the palace today. When she mentioned the Emperor rewarding her with the Purple Gold Jade Tablet, the Old Madam’s eyes were full of gratification:

"I knew my Second girl was the most promising!" The Old Madam looked at Jun Zijin, her gaze filled with love.

Then, the Old Madam seemed to fall into a brief moment of contemplation. After a while, she slowly said:

"Child, the Emperor’s rewards are not like the small favors we receive in daily life. The honor within is certainly gratifying, but the corresponding responsibility is not small either! The Emperor would never bestow rewards for no reason. Behind every reward lies deep meaning and consideration. Furthermore, the greater the honor you receive, perhaps the more danger you will encounter. In the future, you must be even more careful and cautious. Grandmother does not ask for you to be wealthy or noble in the future, only that you live a life of peace, health, and joy."

Having said this, the Old Madam gently patted Jun Zijin’s hand, her eyes revealing her expectations and care for her.

Hearing these heartfelt and caring words from the Old Madam, a warm current surged in Jun Zijin’s heart, warm and comfortable. She gently rested her head in the Old Madam’s palm.

"Grandmother, please rest assured! Your granddaughter understands your painstaking efforts; these principles, your granddaughter will always keep in mind," Jun Zijin said softly.