Chapter 85: Unwanted Peach Blossom

This palace banquet was held at the Taihua Hall. Led by a palace matron, Jun Zijin and Jun Shuyan walked toward the Taihua Hall. Halfway there, a young palace maid came from ahead and blocked their path:

"Princess Qingping, Imperial Consort requests your presence!"

Jun Zijin felt a jolt in her heart. Imperial Consort Gao, Gao Shanshan’s aunt—being summoned by her at this time could not be a good thing.

Jun Zijin remained calm on the surface. She exchanged a glance with Jun Shuyan and said to the palace matron:

"Please, Matron, take my sister to the main hall first."

She then turned her head to Guazi and said: "Tell His Highness the Crown Prince that I will arrive shortly. Huasheng, follow me." Huasheng was skilled in light-body techniques; if anything happened, she would be fast enough to fetch reinforcements.

Jun Zijin turned back and said to the young palace maid:

"I trouble you to lead the way, Miss."

The young palace maid led the way ahead at a steady, unhurried pace without speaking. Jun Zijin followed behind at the same pace, observing the layout of the palace.

Following the young maid through winding palace paths, Jun Zijin arrived outside Imperial Consort Gao’s Liuli Hall. Huasheng, however, was blocked from entering.

"Imperial Consort has ordered that Princess Qingping enter alone, while others wait outside," the palace maid said.

Huasheng was extremely anxious and wanted to argue a few words, but at that moment, Jun Zijin shook her head slightly at her, made a gesture to stay silent, and lowered her voice:

"Wait outside. If I have not come out in two quarter-hours, go find the Crown Prince."

As soon as Jun Zijin entered the door with the young palace maid, she saw Imperial Consort Gao sitting upright in the seat of honor, her expression gloomy. Gao Shanshan stood to one side, looking triumphant, her eyes flashing with schadenfreude.

Jun Zijin felt a jolt in her heart; so, Quan Aoyu’s unwanted admirer had found a helper. Yet, she wore a faint smile on her face and bowed:

"May Imperial Consort be blessed with peace and longevity. I do not know why you have suddenly summoned me; what is the important matter?"

Imperial Consort Gao let out a cold snort. She did not answer immediately, but instead picked up the teacup at her side and took a light sip, seemingly enjoying this moment of feeling in control. Gao Shanshan stood to the side, a mocking smile curling her lips, as if watching a good show.

"Princess Qingping, do you know your crime?" Imperial Consort Gao finally spoke, launching a sudden attack, her voice filled with unquestionable authority.

Jun Zijin raised her eyebrows slightly. It seemed Imperial Consort Gao did not intend to let her off easily today. Jun Zijin pondered secretly, but her expression became even more composed:

"This subject is ignorant and does not know how I have offended you, my lady. I ask that you clarify."

Imperial Consort Gao set down her teacup, her gaze like a blade, staring straight at Jun Zijin:

"Do not think that just because you are betrothed to the Crown Prince, you can rest easy."

Jun Zijin sneered inwardly; Imperial Consort Gao was deliberately picking a fight. Imperial Consort Gao had a son, and Prime Minister Gao was ambitious; the desire to seize the throne was obvious. Imperial Consort Gao’s words seemed to be attacking her, but they were actually a double entendre.

Jun Zijin did not change her expression. Though her tone carried respect, it was even more firm, responding neither servilely nor overbearingly:

"Since I am betrothed to His Highness the Crown Prince, I naturally observe the rules of propriety and dare not be the slightest bit negligent, constantly reminding myself to be cautious in word and deed so as not to bring trouble to His Highness."

Upon hearing this, a flash of annoyance crossed Imperial Consort Gao’s eyes, yet she could find no fault in Jun Zijin.

Gao Shanshan, however, could not hold back upon hearing this and acted coquettishly toward Imperial Consort Gao: "Aunt, look at her!"

She then turned back and shouted at Jun Zijin: "Jun Zijin, is His Highness the Crown Prince someone you can covet? Brother Crown Prince belongs to me; no one is allowed to take him away!"

Jun Zijin raised her eyebrows slightly and glanced at Imperial Consort Gao without leaving a trace. When Imperial Consort Gao heard her niece Gao Shanshan make such an unmasked confession to Quan Aoyu, she did not even blink an eyelid. Jun Zijin pondered to herself: "It seems this Gao Shanshan is merely a chess piece for Imperial Consort Gao."

Having weighed the situation, Jun Zijin smiled lightly and said: "The marriage contract between the Crown Prince and me was bestowed by His Majesty; how could it be something you or I can influence?"

Gao Shanshan was about to say something more, but Imperial Consort Gao raised her hand slightly, signaling her to stop. She changed the subject and pointed to the pure white long-haired dog in the corner:

"My beloved dog showed disrespect to my niece today and was beaten by me until one of its legs was broken. Since Princess Qingping is skilled in medicine, go and take a look at that dog."

Although Jun Zijin understood Imperial Consort Gao’s intentions, she sneered inwardly, though it did not show on her face.

She had beaten Gao Shanshan at Bibo Pavilion, so Imperial Consort Gao used the excuse that the dog had been disrespectful to Gao Shanshan to break its leg, then ordered Jun Zijin to treat the injured animal. Imperial Consort Gao was using this opportunity to attack her, and her intentions were extremely vicious. After all, one must consider the master before beating a dog; Imperial Consort Gao was doing this both to give her a harsh warning—letting her know who was truly powerful in this palace—and to humiliate her.

Jun Zijin smiled slightly, bowed in a composed manner, and said:

"Imperial Consort, although my medical skills are shallow, since you have given the order, I will naturally do my best. However..."

She paused deliberately, her gaze sweeping over the pure white long-haired dog in the corner, and continued: "However, His Majesty has issued a decree for me to enter the palace today to take his pulse. If I delay His Majesty’s health, I would be guilty of a crime for which ten thousand deaths would not atone."

Jun Zijin spoke neither servilely nor overbearingly. Imperial Consort Gao was slightly stunned, clearly not expecting her to bring up the Emperor.

But soon, Imperial Consort Gao regained her composure, a cold sneer curling her lips, her eyes full of provocation:

"Is Princess Qingping trying to shirk responsibility? Could it be that you are unwilling to treat my dog? As for His Majesty, I will explain it myself; you just go and treat my dog."

Jun Zijin walked toward the dog in the corner. While crouching down and pretending to examine the dog’s injuries, she said softly:

"I will treat your beloved dog now, Imperial Consort. As for His Majesty, I will naturally go and plead guilty to him. Since these hands will have just treated your beloved dog, I wonder if His Majesty will mind when I take his pulse and treat him later?"

Upon hearing this, Imperial Consort Gao’s expression changed slightly; she naturally understood the implication of Jun Zijin’s words. If she really let that girl treat the dog and then take the Emperor’s pulse, it would not only be a great disrespect to the Emperor, but it would also make her, the Imperial Consort, appear narrow-minded, unable to tolerate a mere princess, and using power to oppress others. If it really reached the Emperor, given the importance he currently placed on that girl, she, as Imperial Consort, might not fare well. But now that the words were out, retracting them would be a direct challenge to her authority as Imperial Consort, and the high-and-mighty Imperial Consort could not bring herself to lose face like that.

Just as Imperial Consort Gao fell into a dilemma, Jun Zijin spoke again, her voice soft but carrying a force that could not be ignored:

"Imperial Consort, I have a method that satisfies both sides; I wonder if you would like to hear it?"

Imperial Consort Gao raised an eyebrow, signaling Jun Zijin to continue. Jun Zijin stood up, walked slowly to Imperial Consort Gao, bowed, and then said:

"I am willing to treat your beloved dog, but before that, I boldly ask for your permission to take His Majesty’s pulse first. After all, His Majesty’s health is a matter of national importance, and I dare not be the slightest bit negligent. After I have completed the imperial order, I will then do my utmost to treat your beloved dog. Or, perhaps you might let the palace veterinarian try first; after all, each has their own specialty. What do you think, my lady?"

Jun Zijin was reminding her that there were veterinarians in the palace specifically for treating animals.