Chapter 76: The Wu Woman Beaten

The Seventh Imperial Prince contracted smallpox, and Emperor Emperor Tianqi Quan Quan Wuji learned of it very quickly.

Upon hearing the news, the Emperor's face changed abruptly, a flash of barely concealed panic and unease passing through his eyes. He knew well the severity of smallpox; once it spread within the palace, the consequences would be unthinkable. Thus, he immediately ordered the news sealed to prevent greater panic.

His son had contracted such a perilous disease; Quan Quan Wuji was frantic with anxiety. After arranging state affairs, he hurried to Shuihua Palace to visit.

Quan Quan Wuji glanced at the group of imperial physicians sweating profusely and asked:

"How is the Seventh Imperial Prince?"

The imperial physicians kept their heads down, none daring to make a sound. Guo Guo Yuanzheng, his face showing difficulty, reported truthfully:

"Your Majesty, the Seventh Imperial Prince has indeed contracted smallpox. This disease is exceptionally perilous. We can only do our utmost, but the Seventh Imperial Prince's high fever will not subside, and he has taken neither water nor grain. I fear, I fear..."

Hearing these words, Quan Quan Wuji's heart was deeply grieved.

"I do not care what methods you use; you must save my imperial son."

The imperial physicians trembled in fear and had no choice but to agree. Lady Shu, her eyes filled with tears, looked helplessly at the Emperor.

At this moment, another eunuch in the palace arrived to report that several more cases of smallpox had been discovered within the palace. Upon hearing the news, the Emperor's face instantly darkened like water. He asked the trembling imperial physicians in a deep voice:

"Guo Guo Yuanzheng, is there any way to control the epidemic?"

The imperial physicians showed difficulty on their faces and shook their heads one after another. They stated that the smallpox epidemic was ferocious and, at present, there were no special medicines to cure it.

Hearing this, the Emperor furrowed his brows tightly. After pondering for a moment, he decisively ordered:

"Immediately seal off all palaces where smallpox cases have been discovered. Strictly forbid anyone from entering or leaving, strengthen the guards, and carry out isolation."

"Additionally," the Emperor added, "convey my decree: search the entire country for famous physicians and secret formulas to treat smallpox. Spare no cost to find a way to control the epidemic."

A look of determination flashed in Quan Quan Wuji's eyes. He clenched his fists tightly, striving to calm the panic and fear within his heart. He let out a long sigh and said to the eunuch Wang Xi beside him:

"Xiao Little Xizi, go immediately to summon the Crown Prince back to the palace; do not delay. Also, notify the ministers in the court to come quickly to Qianqing Palace to discuss matters."

He then turned his head and said to Lady Shu:

"Beloved Consort, I know you are very worried about Jin'er now, but I must first deal with the newly discovered smallpox cases to prevent the epidemic from spreading further. You stay here and take good care of Jin'er."

Lady Shu nodded with blurred, tear-filled eyes, her heart filled with reluctance.

The Emperor looked deeply once more at the Seventh Imperial Prince's sleeping quarters, then turned to the imperial physicians and said:

"You must do your utmost to treat the Seventh Imperial Prince. Report any situation to me immediately."

Several people in the imperial palace had successively contracted smallpox and fallen ill. The panic among the palace servants spread rapidly. They feared being infected. Smallpox, this terrifying infectious disease that made people tremble at the mere mention of it, was like a messenger of death, sowing seeds of panic in every corner of the Emperor Tianqi Imperial Palace. The entire palace was shrouded in a layer of gloom; everyone felt endangered, hearts were in turmoil, and cries, shouts, and sighs in the palace never ceased, a scene of deathly silence and despair.

On the Aoxue Courtyard side, Quan Quan Aoyu told Jun Jun Zijin that the Wu family was gone.

The Wu family had tried to take her life several times; Jun Jun Zijin certainly would not let them off. Whether left or right, handing it over to Quan Quan Aoyu was fine, so upon hearing this news, she did not pay it particular attention.

Just then, Bai Yu appeared hurriedly.

"Master, the Seventh Imperial Prince has contracted smallpox and is in critical condition; the imperial physicians are at a loss. Several people in the palace have already contracted smallpox. His Majesty summons Master to return to the palace immediately to discuss countermeasures."

Hearing this, Jun Jun Zijin's heart tightened suddenly. "Your Highness, I will go to the palace with you."

Jun Jun Zijin instructed Guazi and Miss Huasheng to bring the medicine box and that bottle of vaccine preparation to enter the palace with her. She and Quan Quan Aoyu had just left Aoxue Courtyard when they saw the First Lady crying out to heaven and earth like a madwoman, cursing loudly: "Jun Jun Zijin, you lowly woman, it is all because of you that my Wu family has ended up in such a state. I want you dead; even as ghosts, my Wu family members will not let you go."

While cursing, the First Lady ran wildly toward Aoxue Courtyard. Jun Zhengming chased behind her, shouting to stop her. But at this moment, the First Lady held a dagger in her hand, forcing her way past the servants blocking her, and lunged at Jun Jun Zijin. A look of ruthlessness appeared in Quan Quan Aoyu's eyes. Before the First Lady could even touch the hem of Jun Jun Zijin's clothes, Quan Quan Aoyu lifted his foot and kicked the First Lady flying.

"What boldness, to dare assassinate me and the Crown Princess!" Quan Quan Aoyu shouted.

Who said men do not beat women? Anyone daring to harm his Jun Zijin would be beaten, woman or not.

Actually, when the First Lady rushed out like a madwoman, Jun Jun Yiyi was hiding behind a rockery, watching this scene. She both hoped the First Lady could truly kill Jun Jun Zijin and worried that if she failed, it would implicate herself, after all, Quan Quan Aoyu was there; how could he be killed so easily?

It was this man she wanted to marry who had caused her maternal grandfather's and uncle's families to be beheaded. Her maternal family was gone, and now she watched helplessly as he kicked her mother flying with one foot. Jun Jun Yiyi covered her mouth in fright, afraid to make a sound and draw attention. This time, Quan Quan Aoyu had likely already left a shadow in her heart.

The First Lady's body, like a kite with a broken string, was kicked a long distance before crashing down heavily. She heard the sound of bones breaking within her body, spat out a mouthful of blood, and before she could even groan, her eyes went black and she fainted.

Quan Quan Aoyu looked expressionlessly at the First Lady lying unconscious on the ground, then glanced at Jun Zhengming, who was sweating profusely, and said coldly:

"Jun Zhengming, your wife attempted to assassinate me. How to manage the affairs of your inner courtyard; does the Crown Prince need to teach you?"

Jun Zhengming was full of grievances, cursing the Wu woman a hundred times in his heart. The Wu family daring to commit assassination against the Crown Prince and his daughter Jun Zhengming deserved death in the first place. Now this foolish woman had injured someone in front of the Crown Prince. Having married into the Jun family, she still thought of the Wu family everywhere. Having drained the Jun family dry was not enough; now she wanted to drag the Jun family to die with her Wu family. How could this poisonous woman deserve the position of the main wife?

Jun Zhengming trembled as he stepped forward, knelt, and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Your Highness, forgive my crime. I will surely discipline her well upon returning."

Quan Quan Aoyu and Jun Jun Zijin were in a hurry to enter the palace and paid no more attention to this mess involving Jun Zhengming.

After Quan Quan Aoyu left, Jun Zhengming finally dared to order the servants: "Carry Lady Wu back."

Jun Jun Yiyi, hiding behind the rockery, heard this conversation clearly. Hearing Jun Zhengming say "Lady Wu" instead of "First Lady," her heart was startled. If her mother was no longer the main wife, then she would no longer be a legitimate daughter. Jun Jun Zijin did not care about such matters and rushed out from behind the rockery.

She bent her knees and knelt on the ground, clutching Jun Zhengming's legs and begging:

"Father, you cannot treat Mother like this. She has contributed so much to this family. Even if she has no merit, she has at least endured hardships!"

Jun Zhengming looked at Jun Jun Yiyi, his eyes full of disappointment.

"You have seen her actions. She nearly harmed the entire family. How can such a woman deserve to be the main wife again?"

Jun Jun Yiyi still would not give up, crying out:

"But Father, if Mother is gone, what will become of your daughter in the future? I beg you, please give Mother another chance."

Actually, Jun Jun Yiyi resented the First Lady in her heart. Since Jun Jun Zijin returned, the First Lady had not only gained no advantage but had also caused her to lose her reputation and favor. Now, it seemed even her position as a legitimate daughter could not be saved.

Jun Zhengming snorted coldly. "You only think of yourself. When she attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince, did she think of our Jun family? Besides, I have only demoted her to a concubine; I did not take her life."

How could Jun Jun Yiyi be willing to accept this? She clung to Jun Zhengming's legs, refusing to let go, and begged incessantly.

Just then, the gatekeeper arrived to report that the Emperor summoned Jun Zhengming to enter the palace immediately to discuss matters; delay was not permitted.

Jun Zhengming had no time to attend to Jun Jun Yiyi. He threw a sentence at her: "I will enter the palace first; we will discuss it upon returning to the manor." He shook off Jun Jun Yiyi's hand, turned around, and left.