Chapter 76: The Wu Woman Gets Beaten

The Seventh Imperial Prince had contracted smallpox, and the Tianqi Emperor, Quan Wuji, soon learned of it.

Upon hearing the news, the Emperor’s expression changed abruptly, a trace of undisguisable panic and unease flashing in his eyes. He knew well the severity of smallpox; if it were to spread within the palace, the consequences would be unthinkable. Thus, he immediately ordered the news to be sealed to avoid causing greater panic.

With his son infected by such a dangerous disease, Quan Wuji was burning with anxiety. After arranging his official duties, he hurried to the Shuihua Palace to visit.

Quan Wuji swept a glance at the group of imperial physicians dripping with cold sweat and asked:

"How is the Seventh Imperial Prince's condition?"

The imperial physicians lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound. Head Physician Guo revealed a troubled expression and reported truthfully:

"Your Majesty, the Seventh Imperial Prince has indeed contracted smallpox. This disease is exceptionally dangerous. We can only do our best, but the Seventh Imperial Prince’s high fever will not subside, and he has not taken any food or water. I fear, I fear..."

Upon hearing this, Quan Wuji felt a deep, agonizing pain in his heart.

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

The imperial physicians were trembling with fear and had no choice but to comply. Imperial Consort Shu looked at the Emperor helplessly, her eyes filled with tears.

At this moment, another eunuch came to report that several more cases of smallpox had been discovered in the palace. Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s face turned as gloomy as water. He asked the shivering imperial physicians in a deep voice:

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

The imperial physicians looked troubled and shook their heads one after another. They stated that the smallpox epidemic was exceptionally fierce and there was currently no specific medicine to treat it.

Hearing this, the Emperor furrowed his brows. After a moment of contemplation, he issued a decisive order:

"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 to search for famous physicians and secret prescriptions for treating smallpox throughout the country. Spare no cost to find a way to control the epidemic."

A flash of resolution crossed Quan Wuji’s eyes. He clenched his fists tightly, struggling to calm the panic and fear in his heart. He let out a long sigh and said to Eunuch Wang Xi beside him:

"Little Xizi, go immediately to summon the Crown Prince back to the palace; there must be no delay. Also, notify the court officials to come to the Qianqing Palace for a meeting at once."

He then turned to Imperial Consort Shu and said:

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

Imperial Consort Shu nodded through tear-blurred eyes, feeling immense reluctance to let him go.

The Emperor took one last deep look at the Seventh Imperial Prince’s bedchamber, then turned to the imperial physicians and said:

"You must do your utmost to treat the Seventh Imperial Prince. Report to me at any time if there are any developments."

Several people in the imperial palace had successively contracted smallpox and fallen ill, and the panic among the palace staff spread rapidly. They were terrified of being infected. Smallpox, this terrifying infectious disease, was like a messenger of death, planting the seeds of panic in every corner of the Tianqi Imperial Palace. The entire palace was shrouded in a haze; everyone felt endangered, and hearts were filled with anxiety. The sounds of crying, shouting, and lamenting in the palace were endless, leaving behind a scene of dead silence and despair.

Over at the Aoxue Courtyard, Quan Aoyu told Jun Zijin that the Wu family was finished.

The Wu family had tried to take her life several times, so Jun Zijin certainly would not let them go. Since it was being left to Quan Aoyu, she did not pay much attention to the news.

Just then, Bai Yu appeared in a hurry.

"Master, the Seventh Imperial Prince has contracted smallpox and is in critical condition; the imperial physicians are at their wits' end. Several people in the palace have already contracted smallpox one after another. The Emperor has summoned you to return to the palace immediately to discuss countermeasures."

Upon hearing this, Jun Zijin’s heart tightened abruptly. "Your Highness, I will go into the palace with you."

Jun Zijin instructed Guazi and Huasheng to bring the medicine chest and that bottle of vaccine preparation to follow her into the palace. Just as she and Quan Aoyu stepped out of the Aoxue Courtyard, they saw the First Lady crying and wailing like a madwoman, cursing loudly: "Jun Zijin, you slut, it is all because of you that my Wu family has ended up like this. I want you dead; even as ghosts, my Wu family will not let you go."

The First Lady rushed toward the Aoxue Courtyard while cursing. Jun Zhengming chased after her, shouting for her to be stopped, but the First Lady was clutching a dagger and managed to break free from the servants holding her back, lunging at Jun Zijin. A ruthless look appeared in Quan Aoyu’s eyes. Before the First Lady could even touch the hem of Jun Zijin’s clothes, Quan Aoyu lifted his foot and kicked her flying.

"How dare you! You actually dare to assassinate Us and the Crown Princess!" Quan Aoyu shouted.

Who said men don't hit women? Anyone who dares to hurt his Zijin, woman or not, will be hit all the same.

In fact, when the First Lady rushed out like a madwoman, Jun Yiyi was hiding behind the rockery watching this scene. She hoped the First Lady could really kill Jun Zijin, but she was also worried that if she failed, it would implicate her. After all, Quan Aoyu was there; how could it be so easy to kill her?

It was this man she wanted to marry who had caused her maternal grandfather and uncle’s families to be beheaded. Her maternal family was gone, and now she watched with her own eyes as he kicked her mother flying with one blow. Jun Yiyi covered her mouth in terror, afraid that making a sound would attract attention. This time, it was likely that Quan Aoyu had already left a shadow in her heart.

The First Lady’s body flew out like a kite with a broken string before falling heavily to the ground. She heard the sound of bones breaking in her own body and spat out a mouthful of blood. She didn't even have time to groan before her eyes went black and she fainted.

Quan Aoyu looked expressionlessly at the First Lady who had fainted on the ground, then glanced at the sweating Jun Zhengming and said coldly:

"Jun Zhengming, your wife tried to assassinate Us. You don't need Us to teach you how to manage your own backyard, do you?"

Jun Zhengming was overwhelmed with trouble, cursing the Wu woman a hundred times in his heart. The Wu family dared to attempt the assassination of the Crown Prince and his daughter, which was already a capital offense. Now, this stupid woman had hurt someone in front of the Crown Prince. After marrying into the Jun family, she had always thought of the Wu family, draining the Jun family dry, and now she wanted to drag the Jun family down to be buried with her Wu family. How could this poisonous woman be fit to hold the position of mistress?

Jun Zhengming tremblingly stepped forward, knelt down, and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. I will certainly discipline her properly when I return."

Quan Aoyu and Jun Zijin were in a hurry to enter the palace and ignored Jun Zhengming’s mess.

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

Jun Yiyi, who was hiding behind the rockery, had heard the conversation clearly. She heard Jun Zhengming say to carry "Concubine Wu" back instead of "the First Lady," and her heart sank. If her mother was no longer the mistress, then she would no longer be the legitimate daughter. Jun Zijin could not care about so much; she rushed out from behind the rockery.

She bent her knees and knelt on the ground, hugging Jun Zhengming’s leg and begging:

"Father, you cannot treat Mother like this. She has sacrificed so much for this family; even if there is no merit, there is still hard work!"

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

"You have seen her actions; she nearly harmed the entire family. How is such a woman fit to be the mistress again?"

Jun Yiyi still would not give up, crying and pleading:

"But Father, if Mother is gone, what will happen to your daughter in the future? Please, I beg you, give Mother one more chance."

In fact, Jun Yiyi resented the First Lady in her heart. Ever since Jun Zijin returned, the First Lady had not only failed to gain any advantage but had also implicated her, causing her to lose her reputation and favor. Now, she was afraid she wouldn't even be able to keep her position as the legitimate daughter.

Jun Zhengming snorted coldly, "You only think of yourself. When she was assassinating the Crown Prince, did she ever think of our Jun family? Besides, I am only demoting her to a concubine; I am not taking her life."

How could Jun Yiyi be reconciled? She hugged Jun Zhengming’s leg and would not let go, begging incessantly.

Just then, the gatekeeper reported that the Emperor had summoned Jun Zhengming to the palace immediately for a meeting, with no delays allowed.

Jun Zhengming had no time to attend to Jun Yiyi. He threw a sentence at her: "I am going to the palace first; we will discuss this when I return to the manor." He shook off Jun Yiyi’s hand and turned to leave.