Chapter 67: Lady Lady Qingping Receives the Edict

The Jun family members were all preparing to return to the city. Just then, a sound of horse hooves suddenly came from afar. Everyone looked and saw a horse galloping rapidly toward them. In a short while, it arrived before the crowd. It turned out to be a messenger from the manor. Upon hearing the single sentence, "The Second Young Lady has safely returned to the manor," some were overjoyed, some disappointed, and some filled with resentment; each had their own thoughts.

The plan had failed. The First Lady hated it to death, yet she feigned concern with her words. She kept saying:

"It is good she is back, it is good she is back." Whether it was because her face was disfigured or not, the First Lady's smile looked fake no matter how one looked at it, even carrying a hint of ferocity.

Jun Jun Yiyi also forced out a few tears and said, "It is truly wonderful that Second Sister is unharmed."

Li Shi shouted, "This Second Girl has such a hard life; she is likely to bring misfortune to the family members."

Hearing these words, Zhou Zhou Yiniang glanced at Xiang Xiang Junzheng, who frowned slightly. Her brows knitted tightly. If it were before, she would not have dared to say anything, but today, she did not know where her courage came from. Her voice even grew louder as she said:

"The Second Young Lady is simply blessed with great fortune and a long life. To encounter this calamity yet return to the manor safely, it might be that Heaven is protecting the Jun family."

Seeing Zhou Zhou Yiniang speak these words and everyone fall silent, Jun Jun Zhidie muttered unhappily in a low voice, "Returning to the manor does not necessarily mean safety. Who knows how many people have used her during this calamity today!"

Jun Jun Shuyan, standing beside Jun Jun Zhidie, heard these words. Her face changed, and she scolded:

"Second Sister's body is pure; it certainly will not be as you say. If Third Sister speaks nonsense again, I will tear your mouth!"

Jun Jun Zhidie snorted coldly. "Whether she is pure or not is not for you to decide. Who knows what she encountered among the bandits?"

"All of you, shut up!" Xiang Xiang Junzheng could not bear these women any longer. With a dark face, he scolded, "Return to the manor!"

In the early morning, the sky displayed a pale blue. A few white clouds wandered leisurely among it. Soft and warm light penetrated the thin mist, gently sprinkling upon the earth, adding a touch of tranquility and peace to this city. A faint coolness permeated the air. A gentle breeze brushed past, bringing the rustling sound of leaves. That was the unique melody of early autumn, crisp and pleasant.

When Xiang Xiang Junzheng led the crowd back to the Jun manor gate, it was already the Chen hour. As soon as everyone dismounted from their carriages, they heard the sound of horse hooves and the gong-beating that cleared the way by the ceremonial procession from the distant street, breaking the surrounding silence.

Quan Quan Aoyu was seen wearing a magnificent brocade robe embroidered with intricate and exquisite patterns. Every stitch and thread revealed the royal nobility and extraordinariness. He rode a powerful steed, his posture upright and elegant, heading toward the Jun manor. He wore a jade crown, and his hair strands fluttered gently in the wind. His face, illuminated by the morning light, appeared even more angular and defined. In those deep eyes flickered joy and expectation that could hardly be concealed. The corners of his mouth curved into a rare smile. This smile, like the warm sunlight of spring, instantly melted his usually stern exterior and warmed everything around him.

Behind Quan Quan Aoyu followed a long procession, like a winding giant dragon moving toward the Jun manor. A group of eunuchs dressed in magnificent attire stood with straight backs, each holding a scroll of yellow silk imperial edict high in their hands. Following these eunuchs was a team of maids and nannies. Further back were fully armed guards, cloaked in heavy armor, holding sharp long spears. They were imposing and formidable, making people afraid to look at them.

Wherever this grand procession passed, the roadsides were crowded with onlookers. People whispered to one another and discussed loudly. The Jun manor seemed to be quite prominent lately. No one knew what matter had arisen at the Jun manor this time.

In a short while, the ceremonial procession arrived grandly before the Jun manor gate. At the front of the procession, a yellow imperial edict was held high, shining brilliantly under the sunlight. Behind it followed dozens of carriages covered with red silk, stretching endlessly.

A leading eunuch announced loudly, "The Jun family receives the edict! Lady Lady Qingping receives the edict!" His voice was sharp and majestic, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng quickly ordered a gate servant to go inside the manor to convey the message to Seeing Jun Jun Zijin. Since everyone had been tossing and turning all night, their clothes were somewhat disheveled. Everyone hurriedly adjusted their attire. Xiang Xiang Junzheng clasped his fists, knelt on the ground, and led the old and young of the manor to respectfully welcome the arrival of the imperial edict.

Quan Quan Aoyu jumped down from his horse and handed the reins to a guard. Then he heard the Jun family members say in unison, "Kowtow to the Crown Prince! Long life, long life, ten thousand times long life to the Crown Prince!"

Quan Quan Aoyu gazed into the Jun manor gate. He did not even look at the crowd with his eyes, merely giving a faint "Hmm."

The First Lady's heart trembled violently. She could not help but draw in a sharp breath of cold air. She bit her lips tightly, her hands unconsciously clutching the corners of her clothes. Fine beads of sweat gradually seeped onto her forehead. She widened her eyes, looking at that glaring imperial edict with a face full of shock. She thought to herself secretly, "It has not even been two months! The manor has already received the fourth imperial edict!" Every time an imperial edict descended, it was a nightmare for the First Lady. She had never gained any benefit from these edicts. Now, who knew what this fourth imperial edict would bring.

Seeing that the Crown Prince himself had come to proclaim the edict this time, and that a long convoy of carriages covered with red silk followed behind, Jun Jun Yiyi automatically blocked out the words "Lady Lady Qingping receives the edict." She felt this matter must be related to her. Jun Jun Yiyi's face was full of shy charm, and her eyebrows and eyes naturally began to dance gracefully again. A burning gaze shot straight toward Quan Quan Aoyu. This gaze, like Xiong Xiong flames burning, displayed her admiration and longing for Quan Quan Aoyu without reservation, thoroughly and completely.

Although Jun Jun Zhidie had already been betrothed to the Second Imperial Prince, she originally favored Quan Quan Aoyu. The gaze she cast upon Quan Quan Aoyu did not conceal the desire in her eyes; it seemed as if she wanted to swallow Quan Quan Aoyu in one bite.

At this moment, everyone saw a Miss in a water-blue dress walk out of the manor slowly and calmly. Her skirt fluttered in the wind, coming forward gracefully like a fairy from a painting. Her face was clear and ethereal. Between her eyebrows and eyes lay both the softness of a woman and a display of decisiveness and a faint heroic spirit. Her eyes revealed firmness. Such temperament was truly unique and charming, making people unable to help but want to look a few more times.

Who else could this be but Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, who was supposed to be missing? The First Lady's silver teeth almost bit through. Jun Jun Yiyi trembled slightly with anger; this wretch was now perfectly fine. Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie saw Quan Quan Aoyu gazing intently at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, and a smile appeared on his face. The flames of jealousy surged upward.

Seeing that the main person had arrived, that eunuch slowly unrolled the yellow imperial edict and began to read aloud with a clear and solemn voice:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Jun family's daughter, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, is gentle, virtuous, talented, and endowed with both ability and virtue. She is truly a model for all women under heaven. Now, the Crown Prince possesses both virtue and talent, and his conduct is pure and noble, worthy of being a model for the heir to the throne. To consolidate the foundation of the royal house, a marriage is hereby granted between the two. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin is conferred the title of Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace. The wedding shall be held on a chosen date to form a bond of Qin and Jin. May the two join hands with one heart to jointly bear the heavy responsibility of the ancestral temple and the state. Respect this!"