[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world":3,"chapter-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-60":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Phoenix Returns to Rule the World",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2353184,4602,"Chapter 60: Repaying Hatred with Hatred, Kindness with Kindness","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-60",60,"\u003Cp>Xiang Junzheng stated clearly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Wu family has embezzled a total of 500,000 taels of silver from the public funds. As for Mengru’s dowry, hand over the items if you have them; if you truly cannot produce the items, convert them into silver. The Second Girl will calculate the total, and the Wu family must return it all, to be delivered to the Jun residence within three days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\" Lady Wu had not expected Xiang Junzheng to charge the entire sum of silver to the Wu family. Lady Wu, who had been sitting on the floor, was so shocked that she stood up at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My brother spent 200,000 taels just to buy his official post. With so much money already spent, how could the Wu family possibly come up with that much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li was displeased:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who doesn't know what the state of your Wu family was like back then? Where would the Wu family have had the money for your brother to buy an official post? The Wu family's residence, their shops, their silver, your brother's several concubines, and the silver used to curry favor with the powerful... which of those wasn't silver from the Jun residence? If you claim the Wu family truly cannot produce the silver, then sell the residence and sell the shops. In any case, not a single copper can be missing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for Mama Xue hiring assassins to make things difficult for the Second Girl, I’m afraid that has something to do with you as well, doesn't it? It’s something everyone knows perfectly well.\" Lady Li simply felt that as long as she could trample Lady Wu into the dirt, she would say whatever she wanted, regardless of whether she had evidence or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Lady Li’s words, Lady Wu trembled with rage and pointed at Lady Li, cursing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You shrew, you have no proof and are spitting blood with your accusations!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Li felt a bit guilty inside, but she still stubbornly retorted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who among us doesn't know that if someone hadn't instigated it, how would she dare to make things difficult for the Second Girl? Besides, an assassin from the Bright Pavilion is not someone a mere mama could afford to hire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Lady could no longer listen to this; she took a few steps forward, intending to tear at Lady Li’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a \"bang,\" the Old Madam grabbed a teacup and smashed it on the floor. The teacup shattered everywhere, which finally brought the commotion to a halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will state my position here today. My legs may be crippled, but my eyes are not blind. Don't think I don't know what you are all doing. I won't concern myself with what you've done in the past, and we can leave previous matters aside for now, but from here on out, if anyone dares to harbor any crooked intentions toward the Second Girl again, don't blame me for being heartless!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the Old Madam’s words, everyone fell silent like cicadas in winter, and Lady Wu felt even more terrified. So the Old Madam knew. Just how much did she know? Lady Wu’s heart sank lower and lower, and the arrogance she had just displayed gradually subsided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin felt a warmth in her heart, and her eyes stung slightly. She gently held the Old Madam’s hand; in this world, she feared that only her grandmother treated her this way. The Old Madam patted Jun Zijin’s hand and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't be afraid. From now on, Grandmother will certainly not let anyone bully you at will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Lady Wu was filled with resentment, she dared not act recklessly again. She had lost her influence in the Jun family, but as long as she remained in the Jun residence, there would be a chance for a comeback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi glared fiercely at Jun Zijin’s hand holding the Old Madam’s, jealous to the point of madness. All these troubles were caused by this younger sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her heart, Jun Yiyi resented Jun Zijin and then resented Lady Wu. Now that she had been implicated and reduced to a daughter of a concubine, and now that she could rely on neither her mother nor her brother, she could only rely on her father. Yet her father was filial to the Old Madam and had to listen to her on certain matters, and the Old Madam did not like her much. When it came down to it, it was that slut Jun Zijin who had snatched away her favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget it. Now that she was merely a daughter of a concubine, she would endure it for now. With her beauty, rising to the top would not be a difficult task, and she would settle the score bit by bit when the time came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Yiyi shot another fierce glare at Jun Zijin. She looked at Lady Wu and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mother... Concubine, please have Grandfather and Uncle send the silver back to the residence as soon as possible. Do it for your daughter’s sake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Wu gritted her teeth; though unwilling, she had no choice but to agree. Saying only that she would return to write a letter to the Wu family, she retreated in a hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once she left, Lady Li became happy. The money would be returned, and her son, Jun Zhihao, would be able to return. She couldn't leave an empty shell for her son, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After everyone had left, the Old Madam kept Jun Zijin behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Madam handed the matter of the residence’s accounts over to Jun Zijin to reorganize. Jun Zijin knew this was the Old Madam’s trust in her, and also an intentional effort to groom her. She was already fourteen; she would have to manage the household affairs when she married in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin organized the various accounts meticulously and in an orderly fashion, and she carefully backed up the data. It just so happened that she organized the advanced accounting methods from the modern era. The entire set of accounts was clear, logical, and easy to grasp at a glance. When the Old Madam personally flipped through these accounts, her eyes lit up, and her heart was filled with joy and admiration. She kept muttering, \"My Second Girl is truly a clever and bright child!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What particularly amazed the Old Madam was Jun Zijin’s flowing, fountain-pen calligraphy. The Old Madam was deeply attracted to this unique writing tool and the beautiful script. She couldn't help but pick up the fountain pen Jun Zijin had used, examining and stroking it in her hand, savoring its wonders. After a long while, the Old Madam remained immersed in her curiosity about the fountain pen, unable to put it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Jun Zijin smiled slightly, then took a brand-new fountain pen from her bosom and respectfully presented it to the Old Madam with both hands, saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandmother, this is a little gadget I tinkered with when I had some free time. It has a special name called a 'fountain pen.' If you like it, please accept this one. You can try using it to write or draw in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Madam nodded repeatedly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, good. If your father had a pen like this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin chuckled softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandmother, rest assured. I have prepared one for Father as well, and I will send it to him shortly.\" Jun Zijin never cared about such trifles; in fact, she had already instructed Mama Dong to arrange for mass production. It was perfect for Xiang Junzheng to provide her with free publicity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good child, it is your father’s blessing to have a filial child like you, and it is the blessing of our Jun family. One day, your father will surely be able to feel your sincere filial piety, and he will certainly understand all your contributions and efforts. When that time comes, he will surely be proud of you and feel immensely honored because of you. So, child, wait patiently; the recognition and appreciation that belong to you will arrive sooner or later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Madam spoke with earnest advice, her kind and gentle gaze falling upon Jun Zijin like the warm sun of spring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jun Zijin rested her head in the Old Madam’s palm. She hoped it would be so. Xiang Junzheng was the Old Madam’s only son, and the Old Madam was Jun Zijin’s only relative in this world. She had always believed in repaying hatred with hatred and kindness with kindness.\u003C\u002Fp>",1420,"2026-06-21T03:35:39.629Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","a9ba080a4ee36f430552418fddd2ac588a0b72f795724410f7cbf72a0d9ad83b","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-61","the-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-chapter-59",224,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-phoenix-returns-to-rule-the-world-cover.jpg"]