Chapter 70: Is It Really You?

The First Lady dared not have any objections; she sat back down in her chair, not daring to make another sound.

Seeing that the Wu woman had finally settled down, Jun Zhengming breathed a sigh of relief and said:

"Since everyone has no more objections, and we have been at this for half a day, let us all disperse."

Everyone dispersed. Jun Zhengming asked Quan Aoyu to stay for lunch, but he refused, waving his hand to signal for Jun Zhengming to withdraw.

After Jun Zhengming withdrew, Quan Aoyu summoned the four newly arrived mamas and maidservants to Jun Zijin’s side. The four of them respectfully bowed to Jun Zijin and took the initiative to introduce themselves:

"This old servant is surnamed Xu; from this day forward, I shall only take orders from the Crown Princess."

"This old servant is surnamed Chen; from this day forward, I shall only take orders from the Crown Princess."

"This servant is named Guazi; from this day forward, I shall only take orders from the Crown Princess."

"This servant is named Huasheng; from this day forward, I shall only take orders from the Crown Princess. Guazi and I will serve you personally and be responsible for your safety."

Quan Aoyu had given instructions to the four of them that their only master from now on was Jun Zijin, and if he, the Crown Prince, and the Crown Princess had conflicting opinions, they must obey the Crown Princess.

Both mamas were robust, spirited, and nimble. The maidservants appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen, their faces devoid of any powder or rouge, looking fresh and lovely, which made one feel at ease at first glance. Huasheng had a lively personality, while Guazi appeared more reticent.

Jun Zijin was very satisfied with them, but upon hearing the names of the two maids, she laughed:

"Guazi, Huasheng, why not call yourselves Dragon Fruit or Kiwi?"

"Thank you for the names, Master," Guazi and Huasheng said in unison.

Jun Zijin was helpless:

"You had better stick to Guazi and Huasheng."

Quan Aoyu chuckled, not forgetting to hand four documents to Jun Zijin:

"I personally selected these four. These are their contracts of indenture; keep them safe. Mama Xu and Mama Chen each have their own strengths. Guazi and Huasheng were chosen from the shadow guards; Guazi is skilled in swordsmanship, and Huasheng excels in light-body techniques. They will serve you personally and can protect your safety." Then, Quan Aoyu clapped his hands. Jun Zijin only felt a flash before her eyes, and suddenly a person stood before her, kneeling on one knee:

"Your subordinate, Feiyan, excels in light-body techniques and awaits your orders, Master."

Jun Zijin sized Feiyan up, seeing that she was as light and graceful as a swallow, with sharp and agile eyes. She was indeed a top-tier expert. Jun Zijin nodded slightly:

"Rise."

With another flash before her eyes, the person was gone again. Truly elusive, Jun Zijin clicked her tongue; the light-body techniques in this era were a good thing—she wondered if she could learn them?

"Feiyan is the best at light-body techniques among the shadow guards, and Feiying is the best at swordsmanship and internal energy, but he is injured. In two days, he will join Feiyan in being responsible for your safety," Quan Aoyu added.

Only then did Jun Zijin learn that Feiying had been injured yesterday, and because of an ill-timed remark—"Master, this place is not suitable for a long stay"—he had received twenty military lashes.

Jun Zijin grumbled to herself; following a master like Quan Aoyu, who would beat them at the slightest provocation, did they live in constant fear? Jun Zijin gave a mischievous smile and said:

"You gave them all to me, what will you do?"

"There are more than just these two shadow guards. Besides, even I am not easily injured," Quan Aoyu said with a touch of arrogance.

Seeing that it was time for lunch, Jun Zijin did not stand on ceremony and brought Quan Aoyu directly back to Aoxue Courtyard; it wasn't as if he hadn't been there before.

When the two returned to the courtyard, they saw boxes upon boxes piled all over, with almost no room to step, and more were still being moved in.

The corners of Jun Zijin's mouth lifted slightly, and she teased with a hint of playfulness:

"With this display, are you planning to empty out all the shops in Jingcheng?" After saying this, she winked playfully.

Quan Aoyu couldn't help but laugh softly, his words carrying a touch of dominance:

"If you want the whole world, I will give it to you."

Jun Zijin felt her heart tingle; she never knew that the wooden Crown Prince could be so moving when speaking words of love.

At this moment, Mama Xu and Huasheng personally went to the kitchen to bring the meal for the two masters. They invited the two to dine, and Guazi brought water for them to wash their hands.

After washing her hands, Jun Zijin looked at the dishes on the table; they were enticing in color and fragrant. Quan Aoyu gently pulled Jun Zijin to her seat and said softly:

"The food looks good today, try it." Jun Zijin picked up a piece of meat and put it in her mouth; it was fresh, tender, and juicy, and she couldn't help but praise it.

The two were like old acquaintances; everything was so natural. Their appetites were excellent today, and both were a bit full. After finishing lunch, they strolled to digest, and before they knew it, they had walked to the Plum and Pine Garden.

For some reason, the plum blossoms that should have bloomed in the second month had one tree that had developed buds a few days ago, and today, several branches were actually in full bloom.

At this time, the plum blossoms in the garden were in full bloom, and the pine branches were vigorous. A few golden ginkgo leaves drifted down. Jun Zijin and Quan Aoyu sat on a bench. She took a deep breath of the air scented with plum blossoms, and it seemed as if all the disturbances had calmed down at this moment. Just then, a butterfly flew by. Quan Aoyu reached out to catch it, handed it to Jun Zijin, and said softly:

"Dandan, it is truly beautiful here."

The moment Quan Aoyu spoke, Jun Zijin felt as if she had been struck by lightning, staring at him blankly. More than two months ago, she and "Woody" were with their daughter on Mount Yunling. It was also an autumn day like this, with golden ginkgo leaves drifting down, and a butterfly flew by. Butterflies were rare in late autumn, and her daughter was excitedly chasing it. Woody said: "Dandan, it is truly beautiful here." That day, she arrived here. In her past life, Jun Zijin called Lei "Woody," and Lei said her skin was as smooth as a peeled egg, calling her "Dandan."

Two months later, in early autumn, Quan Aoyu, who looked exactly like Lei, also called her "Dandan." Jun Zijin’s thoughts drifted back to her past life, and she didn't recover for a long while.

Until Quan Aoyu said:

"My Zijin’s skin is like a peeled egg; how about I call you Dandan from now on? Remember, only I am allowed to call you that."

Tears instantly welled up in Jun Zijin’s eyes, and two drops rolled down. She just stared at him with teary eyes: "Woody, is it really you?"

Many young ladies had cried in front of Quan Aoyu, but he had always disdained them. Yet today, seeing Jun Zijin suddenly cry without any warning, a sudden surge of heartache welled up in his heart. This feeling was very strange, and he was flustered, not knowing how to comfort her.

Quan Aoyu subconsciously reached out to hold Jun Zijin’s shoulder, using his bare hand to wipe away her tears, coaxing her like a child: "Be good, don't cry."

But the more he coaxed, the more she cried. He had no choice; he disregarded his own cleanliness and the fact that her tears and snot were staining his chest, pulling her head into his embrace and gently patting her back:

"Have you been wronged? From now on, whoever dares to bully you, I will wipe out their entire family."

Jun Zijin was amused by him. Quan Aoyu took a silk handkerchief from his bosom to wipe her tears dry. He couldn't help but want to kiss her forehead lightly when Bai Yu suddenly appeared and reported:

"Master, upon investigation, the gray-robed death soldiers from yesterday seem to be related to the enemy nation that broke into the steel workshop last time, and the assassins who intercepted the Crown Princess seem to be related to the Wu family."

Quan Aoyu frowned slightly, a cold sharpness flashing in his eyes. The Wu family—they had quite some nerve. Although Quan Aoyu was annoyed that Bai Yu had appeared at the wrong time, official business was paramount. He glanced at Bai Yu:

"Investigate."

Bai Yu was startled by that look; if not now, when should he vanish? With a flash, he disappeared.