Chapter 50: Eat, Eat, Eat, I'll Let You Eat

The night was as dark as ink, and all was silent. It was not until late at night that Jun Yiyi was carried back to the Wang Fu. Her eyes were tightly shut, her face as pale as a sheet of paper, devoid of any color, and she remained unconscious.

The First Lady kept watch by the bed. Hearing Jun Yiyi’s delirious mutterings of pain in her sleep, she wished she could immediately storm into Aoxue Courtyard and tear Jun Zijin to shreds. However, Jun Zijin was now a County Princess personally conferred by the Emperor, and her status was no longer what it once was; she could no longer act as recklessly as before.

That wretched girl had gained power, so even if she wanted to deal with her, she could not be as unbridled and unscrupulous as in the past. To completely topple that wretched girl, she would have to plan carefully and deliberate at length. Just wait and see; she would certainly not let that wretched girl have an easy time. The Lady gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with malice.

As for Jun Zijin, Jun Zhengming had sent a servant to call her to treat Jun Yiyi’s leg. A thousand horses galloped through Jun Zijin’s mind: her father really had a thick skin; had he not understood the words at the palace gate, and now he came again? Jun Zijin could not be bothered with Jun Yiyi’s messy affairs, and simply said:

"Jun Yiyi harmed me first, and now she asks me to treat her leg. Is the First Lady not afraid that I might ruin her leg? Let Father go and invite a Physician."

Jun Zijin instructed her maid that if anyone came to ask her to treat Jun Yiyi’s leg again, there was no need to open the door. Having said this, she went to rest.

There was no more talk on Jun Zijin’s side for the night.

But over at the Second Branch, things were in an uproar. A dazed Jun Zhidie did not even know how she had returned to the Wang Fu. When she stepped through the door, Lady Li was eating a meal.

Jun Zhidie, who had been hanging her head, immediately perked up. She stepped forward a few paces, snatched the bowl from Lady Li’s hands, and smashed it onto the floor with a "bang":

"Eat, eat, eat! Do you know how much humiliation I suffered today? And you can still eat? I’ll let you eat!" Jun Zhidie’s eyes were wide with rage, and she roared at the stunned Lady Li, her face full of grief and indignation.

Whenever she thought of the utter humiliation she had suffered today—first being framed by those two wretches Jun Yiyi and Jun Zijin, and then being so calculated against by the man she liked most—her heart felt as if it had been pierced by a sword, leaving a gaping hole that made it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Lady Li was stunned for a long while before she came to her senses. Her eyes widened, and trembling with anger, she raised her hand and slapped Jun Zhidie across the face:

"You rebellious daughter, have you gone mad?"

Having taken a slap, Jun Zhidie felt a burning pain on her face. She subconsciously covered her cheek, tears streaming down. Jun Zhidie’s eyes were bloodshot; like a crazed beast, she glared at Lady Li, consumed by fury.

"I haven't gone mad! Do you know that I was framed by those two wretches from the First Branch today, and the Emperor actually issued a decree to betroth me to that notorious Second Imperial Prince! And you, as my mother, are here eating leisurely, ignoring my plight! Are you even my mother at all?" Jun Zhidie shrieked, her voice filled with despair and indignation.

When Lady Li heard that Jun Zhidie was to marry the Second Imperial Prince, her eyes lit up instantly, and she no longer cared whether her daughter was going mad. Her face glowed with excitement as she said impatiently:

"Oh my, this is a wonderful thing! Although it is not the Crown Prince, the Second Imperial Prince is still of royal blood after all. Once you marry into the family, you will be an Imperial Consort! Our family will be able to share in the glory!"

As Lady Li spoke, she clapped her hands in excitement, completely failing to notice Jun Zhidie’s angry and mournful gaze.

Jun Zhidie felt as if all her strength had been drained away. She collapsed onto the floor, crying heart-wrenchingly and screaming:

"What could you possibly know! That Second Imperial Prince is a lecher, and his residence is filled with countless concubines. Today, outside, everyone pointed at me and mocked me. My reputation is completely ruined!"

As Jun Zhidie sobbed, she pounded the floor with her hands, as if to vent all the grievances and pain in her heart.

Lady Li stamped her feet in anxiety: "The Second Imperial Prince may have a poor reputation, but so what? As long as you marry into the royal family, no one will dare to look down on you again. Once you give birth to a child or two, your position will naturally be secure, and we will be able to rise to prosperity." Lady Li held Jun Zhidie’s hand, full of longing.

The wailing Jun Zhidie suddenly stopped upon hearing this. She revealed a smile that was uglier than crying, stared coldly at Lady Li, and said mockingly:

"Mother, you really think too highly of me! Do you know that once I marry in, I won't even be able to secure the position of a mere Lady-in-Waiting!"

Jun Zhidie’s voice was sharp and piercing, as if she wanted to vent all the dissatisfaction and grievances in her heart.

Lady Li was slightly taken aback upon hearing this; she had not expected that Jun Zhidie would only be a concubine upon marrying into the Imperial Prince’s residence.

At this moment, Jun Zhengyuan returned, reeking of alcohol. He had long been sick of this hideous tigress of a wife at home, so he would occasionally go out to dally with others. Lady Li thought that as long as he didn't bring the vixens home, she would just turn a blind eye.

Seeing that the house was in an uproar again, Jun Zhengyuan wanted to turn and leave in annoyance, but hearing from the mother and daughter that Jun Zhidie was to marry an Imperial Prince, he stood outside the door to listen.

Jun Zhengyuan walked into the room, swaying. Seeing Jun Zhidie’s red and swollen eyes, Jun Zhengyuan’s face turned gloomy, his brows furrowed, and a flash of annoyance crossed his eyes as he snorted coldly:

"Hmph! How can you be so ignorant of the heights of the heavens and the depths of the earth? There are so many families who would break their heads just to send their daughters into the palace, even if it were only to be a palace maid. Our family has finally obtained this imperial decree, and you are marrying an Imperial Prince—even if it is as a concubine, it is still an Imperial Prince’s concubine, at least an eighth-rank position. And yet you are here being picky and ungrateful!" Jun Zhengyuan scolded in a stern tone.

Lady Li hurried forward and said with a smile:

"Master, Die'er is just feeling aggrieved, please be more understanding. We still need to plan carefully regarding the affairs of the Second Imperial Prince’s residence."

Jun Zhengyuan waved his hand impatiently:

"Plan what? If she has the ability, she can fight for favor herself."

Upon hearing this, a fire of rage ignited in Jun Zhidie’s heart. Her eyes darkened as she stood up and said:

"Father, how can you be so heartless? My journey there is already difficult, and instead of comforting me, you speak such words."

Jun Zhengyuan’s eyes widened:

"You dare to talk back? Don't think that just because you are marrying an Imperial Prince you are something special. If you lose favor, don't expect the family to bail you out." Having said this, he walked angrily toward the inner chamber.

Jun Zhidie watched his back, her face turning even paler. She bit her lip tightly, trying hard not to let her tears fall. Jun Zhidie finally understood that in the eyes of her parents, she was nothing more than a tool to be used at will. So-called family affection was simply not worth mentioning in the face of profit...

Jun Zhidie’s heart was full of hatred, but she dared not act on it. She secretly vowed that in the future, she would definitely gain a firm foothold in the Second Imperial Prince’s residence and make all those who looked down on her regret it.

After Lady Li calmed down, she helped Jun Zhidie up, her eyes turning vicious:

"Die'er, don't cry. We cannot just let it go like this. Jun Zijin is hard to deal with now that she has the status of a County Princess, but Jun Yiyi’s reputation is ruined, and this is our chance."