Chapter 84: Misunderstanding

Jun Jun Yiyi did not wear the clothes she had bought at the tailor's shop yesterday; she would rather wear the garments the First Lady had made for her while she was alive, which were worlds apart from the fabrics bought at the tailor's shop. When she saw Seeing Jun Jun Zijin arrive in the magnificent attire of a Princess, and Jun Jun Shuyan in cloud-patterned brocade, walking gracefully and boarding the carriage amidst the gazes and praises of the crowd, the jealousy and unwillingness in Jun Jun Yiyi's heart spread like a wildfire, impossible to quell. She secretly pondered that as the legitimate daughter of the household, she had once been the recipient of ten thousand favors; while the First Lady was alive, every aspect of her food, clothing, and use was the best in the household. When had she ever suffered such humiliation? Originally, the First Lady had promised to make her a set of Shu brocade clothes, but before they could even begin, she lost control of the household accounts, let alone seeing a glimpse of the cloud-patterned brocade.

She glanced at Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie, who was standing awkwardly to the side, seemingly realizing that the clothes she had bought at the tailor's shop were not outstanding, but rather somewhat conspicuous. Jun Jun Yiyi sneered inwardly; the First Lady had managed the household for many years, and her methods were indeed formidable, suppressing every branch so thoroughly. Now that the old thing was in charge, it seemed the daily lives of the various branches had improved somewhat, but in reality, the Second Branch was still as stretched for resources as ever. Comparing this, Jun Jun Yiyi felt slightly more comfortable in her heart.

Looking again at Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie, she was wearing the ready-made clothes she had picked from the Old Lady yesterday, thinking she had chosen the most beautiful one, yet she did not expect that she was the only one wearing that ready-made outfit; compared to this, it seemed she was the most unrefined. In fact, Wu Shi had managed the household for many years, and every branch had been severely cut back; Li Shi had spent her days acting according to Wu Shi's mood, and for many years had not gained any extra benefits.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin is now a Princess, enjoying royal treatment; she cannot compare. Looking at Jun Jun Yiyi, even though the First Lady is dead, she still has so many good things. Looking at Jun Jun Shuyan, dressed in cloud-patterned brocade, walking lightly, her every gesture and movement revealing a noble temperament, Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie felt even more indignant. This little concubine daughter, usually silent and unnoticed, had now suddenly gained power and was wearing cloud-patterned brocade that even a Noble Consort rarely saw. This was far from what she had originally imagined, stepping on the others under her feet.

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie was so hateful and frustrated that she felt as if her heart were being scratched; she was so embarrassed that she just wanted to quickly hide inside the carriage. Just as Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie was about to climb onto the carriage, Jun Jun Yiyi stretched out her leg and tripped Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie, making her stumble.

"What kind of world is this now, where high and low are not distinguished? The daughter of a mere side room dares to rush ahead in everything."

Having spoken, Jun Jun Yiyi ignored Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie no more, turned around, and elegantly boarded the carriage.

Jun Jun Yiyi's words carried obvious sarcasm and disdain. Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie, tripped by the leg, stumbled and almost fell to the ground; her face instantly flushed with red, a mix of shame and anger. Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie looked at Jun Jun Yiyi's back, and the fire in her heart burned hotter and hotter, yet for the first time, she forced herself to hold back and not explode. She had not forgotten the repeated warnings from her parents and brothers before entering the palace this time.

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie took several deep breaths and finally managed to suppress the anger in her heart somewhat. She lifted her steps forward and followed closely behind, boarding the carriage as well.

Jun Jun Yiyi and Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie found each other more and more annoying as they looked, so they turned their eyes away; neither of them paid any attention to the other.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's carriage was not stopped by the nannies at the palace gate; who would dare to stop the now-popular Lady Lady Qingping?

The Jun family's carriage stopped in line at the palace gate to register for entry into the palace, and many people's gazes turned this way. Although Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie had attended a court banquet once before, she had previously been Jun Jun Yiyi's follower; everyone treated her as Jun Jun Yiyi's maid, and very few people truly recognized this Third Young Lady.

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie had held it in all the way and could no longer restrain herself. As she got off the carriage with Jun Jun Yiyi, everyone glanced at her, feeling that she was following behind the Jun family's Eldest Young Lady and was not wearing precious fabric, so they also took her for Jun Jun Yiyi's maid. Therefore, no one greeted her.

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie felt increasingly displeased in her heart, and seeing the dresses and makeup of those Young Ladies, each more bright and gorgeous than the last, while she herself was the shabbiest. At this moment, a Young Lady came over to get close to Jun Jun Yiyi, and unfortunately pointed at Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie and said: "Eldest Young Lady Jun, even the maid by your side dresses so well, truly enviable."

Jun Jun Yiyi sneered lightly and did not reply, which was taken as an admission. Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie finally understood; apparently, everyone took her for Jun Jun Yiyi's maid.

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie's face instantly turned iron-green; in her heart, she cursed Xiang Xiang Junzheng and Li Shi again. She had no ability, causing her to serve Jun Jun Yiyi for so many years, and even outsiders took her for Jun Jun Yiyi's maid.

That Young Lady, seeing that Jun Jun Yiyi did not deny it, became even more certain of her guess and continued: "Eldest Young Lady Jun, your maid is truly fortunate to be able to enjoy blessings by your side."

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie's face turned green and then white in turns; she could no longer hold back. She suddenly raised her head, glaring angrily at that Young Lady, her voice trembling:

"On what grounds do you think I am her maid? I am the Third Young Lady of the Jun family, Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie! Let me tell you, I am engaged to the Second Imperial Prince!"

That Young Lady was obviously startled by Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie's sudden outburst; she stood frozen in place, at a loss. People around also turned curious gazes, scrutinizing this suddenly "emerged" Third Young Lady of the Jun family. In the crowd, someone recognized Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie as the Third Young Lady of the Jun family who had done "that" with the Second Imperial Prince during the Mid-Autumn Inner Banquet.

Immediately, there was much discussion. Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie saw the crowd's reaction and felt slightly better in her heart, thinking everyone would be three parts more respectful toward her because of this. However, the whispers in the crowd were mostly mockery.

"It is merely that she had some connection with the Second Imperial Prince; does she really think she is a phoenix?"

Hearing these words, Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie was so angry that her whole body trembled.

Just at this moment, Jun Jun Yiyi smiled lightly and spoke:

"Third Sister, do not be angry; I suppose this Young Lady is just straightforward. Although there was the matter of your engagement with the Second Imperial Prince, in the end, you were not married; everyone knows how the engagement came about."

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie was so angry that her calves were trembling. She was about to refute, but just then, a palace eunuch walked over and shouted:

"All Young Ladies, please follow me into the palace."

Seeing Jun Jun Zhidie could only swallow this breath, glared fiercely at Jun Jun Yiyi once, and then followed the queue toward the Imperial Palace.

At that time, inside the Emperor Tianqi Imperial Palace, it was resplendent with gold and jade. The banquet hall was filled with all kinds of delicacies, the fragrance overflowing, making one's mouth water. Officials of the fourth rank and above, along with their families, dressed in magnificent robes, entered one after another; they wore smiles, greeted each other, and jointly looked forward to this grand celebration.