Chapter 74: The Second Branch's Scheme

On the side of the second branch, as soon as Jun Zhihao entered the manor gates, he did not return to his own courtyard first, but went to the Quiet Bamboo Courtyard to pay his respects to the Old Madam. He was aware of the situation in the manor; it was not Lady Wu who held the purse strings now, but the Old Madam. Jun Zhengming was still considered filial, and since he had just returned, he had to at least put on a show.

As Jun Zhihao stepped into the Quiet Bamboo Courtyard, he saw a maid brewing medicine in the yard. Walking into the room, he found the Old Madam half-reclining on a couch, eyes closed in rest. Indeed, aside from her legs being inconvenient, she was radiant and full of energy; it seemed the rumor that the second young lady possessed remarkable medical skills was true.

Upon hearing the commotion, the Old Madam opened her eyes, and seeing it was Jun Zhihao, a smile immediately appeared on her face.

"Grandson pays his respects to Grandmother," Jun Zhihao said, bowing respectfully.

"Hurry and rise. You only just returned today, why didn't you go back to your courtyard to rest first before coming here?" the Old Madam asked affectionately.

"Grandson was concerned for Grandmother's health, so naturally, I had to come see Grandmother first to be at ease," Jun Zhihao replied with a smile.

The Old Madam waved her hand, "Having this heart is enough."

Jun Zhihao accompanied the Old Madam for quite a while, sharing interesting stories from Mount Kunlun, which made the Old Madam laugh heartily. Only when she grew tired did he softly excuse himself, intending to pay his respects to Jun Zhengming before finally returning to his own courtyard to see his parents and sister.

Jun Zhihao was respectful and well-mannered, leaving no room for criticism, but the calculation and sharp glint that flashed in his eyes did not escape the Old Madam's notice, and her heart felt little joy.

Just as Jun Zhihao exited the Quiet Bamboo Courtyard, Wang Mama, who was by the Old Madam's side, whispered:

"Old Madam, this Second Young Master does not seem to have pure intentions."

The Old Madam gave a light hum, "I am aware. Send someone to keep a close watch on his movements." The Mama acknowledged the order.

As soon as Jun Zijin returned to the manor, she took the package prepared for the Old Madam to the Quiet Bamboo Courtyard. Just as she reached the small garden outside the courtyard gate, she ran into Jun Zhihao, who was coming out.

Jun Zijin had no intention of greeting him and walked straight past, but Jun Zhihao stepped forward to meet her, acting with perfect courtesy:

"Second Younger Sister, it has been a long time. I brought back some precious medicinal herbs and would like to give some to Sister to nourish your health."

Jun Zijin said indifferently, "Keep them for yourself; I have my own pharmacy." After hearing that conversation at Bibo Pavilion, how could she have any good feelings for the person before her?

Jun Zhihao was rebuffed, but he did not take it to heart on the surface. He smiled slightly, looking light and airy as he said:

"Very well. In that case, if Second Younger Sister has any needs, feel free to come find me at any time."

Having said this, he waved his hand quite dashingly. However, as he watched Jun Zijin’s departing back, his expression turned sinister.

"Hmph, putting on airs," he muttered to himself, then turned and walked away quickly.

Jun Zijin arrived at the Old Madam's room, set down the items packed from Bibo Pavilion, and instructed Wang Mama to heat them up for the Old Madam to eat in the evening. She then chatted with the Old Madam while checking her legs.

The Old Madam took her hand and said:

"Second Girl, that Jun Zhihao has ulterior motives. You must be careful in the future and stay away from him."

Jun Zijin nodded obediently, "Grandmother, Granddaughter understands."

On the side of the second branch, Jun Zhengyuan received word that his son was returning to the capital today. He had not gone to any pleasure houses and had returned to the manor early. At this moment, the second branch was full of joy, and the three of them had been waiting for Jun Zhihao for a long time. They waited and waited, but Jun Zhihao did not appear. The servant sent to inquire returned with the news that the Second Young Master had first gone to the Old Madam and Jun Zhengming.

Lady Li felt extremely uncomfortable; her son had not returned for years, and now that he was back, he had gone to the first branch first, while his own parents waited eagerly in their courtyard. Although Jun Zhengyuan understood that his son had to put on this show, he could not feel happy about it. If it weren't for the first branch pressing down on them so hard, it wouldn't be like this. The group wore gloomy faces, and the joy from just a moment ago was instantly ruined.

After seeing Jun Zhengming, Jun Zhihao finally hurried back to his own courtyard. As soon as he entered, Jun Zhengyuan asked with a stern face:

"Why are you only just returning now?"

Jun Zhihao hurriedly explained that he had been delayed by paying his respects to the Old Madam. Lady Li, feeling sorry for her son's exhausting journey, quickly pulled Jun Zhihao to sit down.

When Jun Zhidie saw that Jun Zhihao had finally returned, she burst into tears with a "waa." Regardless of whether her brother was tired or thirsty, she pulled on him, crying louder and louder, sobbing with snot and tears. Because her face hurt so much, she couldn't speak clearly:

"Brother, you must stand up for me. I don't want to marry the Second Imperial Prince; I want to marry the Crown Prince. That slut Jun Zijin was able to get engaged to the Crown Prince without anyone backing her, and I want to be engaged to the Crown Prince too! The Crown Prince sent her so many good things; I want them too."

Jun Zhidie lifted her head, pointing at her face, which was swollen like a pig's head:

"Brother, look, it’s all because of that slut Jun Zijin that I was beaten. You must take revenge for me."

Jun Zhihao glanced at his sister, who had gotten snot all over him, feeling utterly disgusted. But in front of his parents, he couldn't scold her the moment they met. He tried to pull his sleeve, which was wrinkled from Jun Zhidie’s grip, but failed after several attempts. Jun Zhihao groaned inwardly and wanted to look up at the sky; how did he end up with such an annoying sister?

In truth, he was only a year older than Jun Zhidie, yet the burdens of the family seemed to be pressing down on him. Jun Zhihao sighed helplessly and coaxed:

"Alright, alright, Sister, stop crying. Brother will certainly find a way for you."

Jun Zhidie finally stopped her crying. Lady Li shouted:

"That slut from the first branch has such seductive methods, hooking the Crown Prince into an engagement with her, and she’s even more arrogant now, walking around the manor as if she owns the place."

Jun Zhengyuan spoke with a dark face:

"That girl is not easy to deal with now. In my opinion, we should start with that degenerate son of the first branch."

Jun Zhengyuan turned to Jun Zhihao and said:

"Zhihao, now that you are back, it is time for you to contribute to the family."

Before Jun Zhihao could reply, Jun Zhidie interrupted:

"How can that be? Brother, if we let that slut grow in power, what will happen to my Crown Prince?" Having just stopped crying, Jun Zhidie began to sob again.

Jun Zhihao pondered for a moment, a plan forming in his mind.

"Father, Mother, Sister, we must not act rashly. Jun Zijin is currently at the height of her influence. If we act recklessly, we won't gain anything, and we might even lose the Old Madam's protection, which would be a loss that outweighs the gain."

"Brother, then what should we do?" Jun Zhidie sobbed twice and asked anxiously.

A smile curled at the corner of Jun Zhihao’s mouth, "Sister might as well get on good terms with the Second Imperial Prince. That Second Imperial Prince is also a dragon among men, and besides, he has always been at odds with the Crown Prince. We shall act according to the situation."

It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned the Second Imperial Prince; mentioning him only made Jun Zhidie angrier. She had been betrothed to the Second Imperial Prince for so long, yet he hadn't sent her a single thing, as if he had forgotten her. Lady Li had nagged her about this countless times, especially since the Crown Prince had personally sent so many betrothal gifts to the first branch. Both were imperial betrothals, yet the second branch hadn't received a single cent of dowry. Lady Li nagged endlessly, and she was on the verge of a breakdown.

Jun Zhidie wiped away her tears and said angrily:

"Brother makes it sound so easy. I can't even see the shadow of that Second Imperial Prince; how am I supposed to get on good terms with him?"

Jun Zhihao reassured her:

"Sister, don't be anxious. I will arrange it for you; you just need to dress up beautifully when the time comes."

Jun Zhengyuan and his wife exchanged a glance and nodded slightly. Jun Zhihao was secretly pleased; as long as he could profit from it, he had no time to consider Jun Zhidie’s happiness. Besides, he had heard about Jun Zhidie’s situation with the Second Imperial Prince; since things were already like that, there was nothing wrong with marrying the Second Imperial Prince.