Chapter 86: Saving Lives

Noble Consort Gao pondered for a moment; if she continued to entangle herself with Jun Jun Zijin, she would only become more passive. She took a deep breath, strove to calm her emotions, forced a thin smile, and said:

"Lady Lady Qingping speaks with reason; this palace has been too short-sighted. Since the princess has a royal command upon her, this palace shall no longer insist."

She then instructed a palace maid: "Go fetch the veterinarian."

Thus, under the gaze of all, Jun Jun Zijin left Noble Consort Gao's Glazed Palace with composure and ease.

Noble Consort Gao had not expected Jun Jun Zijin to respond so calmly; though her heart was unwilling, she could find no reason to refute.

Gao Gao Shanshan stood nearby, dumbfounded. She had originally thought Noble Consort Gao would use this opportunity to severely teach Jun Jun Zijin a lesson, yet she never expected Jun Jun Zijin to respond with such wit, turning the situation around. Gao Gao Shanshan was so angry her face turned iron-blue; she cared not that Noble Consort Gao was currently in a rage.

Gao Gao Shanshan, disregarding everything else, stamped her foot and shouted at Noble Consort Gao:

"Auntie, how can you let her go just like that?"

Noble Consort Gao glared at her: "What do you know! Just now, we nearly fell into her trap."

Gao Gao Shanshan bit her lip in grievance, tears already welling in her eyes, and cried out unwillingly:

"Auntie, she is merely a princess; you are a Noble Consort! How can you let her be so arrogant!"

Seeing Gao Gao Shanshan in this state, Noble Consort Gao felt somewhat irritable and began to doubt whether this pawn had been chosen correctly. She intended to use Gao Gao Shanshan's obsession with Quan Quan Aoyu to stir trouble, yet this Gao Gao Shanshan was truly not very smart. Noble Consort Gao could not help but curse inwardly, "Fool."

But on second thought, if Gao Gao Shanshan could marry Quan Quan Aoyu, being a bit foolish would be better; if not, stirring up trouble would still be good. Noble Consort Gao adjusted her emotions, sighed, and said:

"Within this palace, status and rank are indeed weighty, but wisdom and methods are equally indispensable. Today, this Jun Jun Zijin is an opponent not to be underestimated."

Hearing this, Gao Gao Shanshan felt even more aggrieved: "Auntie, then will you just watch her bully me like this?"

Noble Consort Gao's gaze sharpened as she said: "Of course not. Today's matter is merely letting her gain some advantage for now. But the days are long; this palace has plenty of opportunities to deal with her slowly. As for you, curb your temper in the future; do not be so impulsive and rash again, or you will ruin this palace's great plans!"

Hearing this, Gao Gao Shanshan, though dissatisfied in her heart, dared not retort again. She could only lower her head and unwillingly reply: "Yes, Auntie."

As Jun Jun Zijin walked out of the Glazed Palace, she saw Miss Huasheng pacing anxiously back and forth before the main hall of Noble Consort Gao. Seeing Jun Jun Zijin emerge, Miss Huasheng hurriedly rushed forward: "Master, are you alright? This servant was worried to death."

Jun Jun Zijin gently patted Miss Huasheng's shoulder and comforted her: "I am fine, do not worry. Let us return."

Miss Huasheng nodded and left the Glazed Palace with Jun Jun Zijin. Having walked only a few steps, they saw Quan Quan Aoyu arrive. Quan Quan Aoyu cast a cold glance at the Glazed Palace and asked: "Did that woman cause you any trouble?"

The corners of Jun Jun Zijin's lips curled slightly: "Nothing, just a small trick." Then she rolled her eyes at Quan Quan Aoyu: "Is it not the rotten peach blossoms you attracted?"

Having spoken, she walked forward on her own, deliberately ignoring Quan Quan Aoyu.

Seeing this, a helpless smile curled Quan Quan Aoyu's lips. He quickly caught up to Jun Jun Zijin and said softly: "It is my fault. In the future, I will certainly handle these peach blossom debts carefully, so you will not suffer even a fraction of grievance again."

Jun Jun Zijin stopped, turned her head to look at Quan Quan Aoyu, and a hint of mockery flashed in her eyes: "Oh? Then how do you intend to handle them?"

Quan Quan Aoyu thought seriously for a moment and said: "I will clearly tell them that I have only you in my heart, so they shall not waste their efforts again. Otherwise, I, the Lone One, will not mind striking women several more times."

"Pfft." Jun Jun Zijin could not hold back her laughter.

The two walked and talked, while Miss Huasheng followed behind the pair, happily eating her fill of dog food.

Quan Quan Aoyu suddenly shifted the topic, his brows furrowing slightly as he said:

"Noble Consort Gao has a narrow mind and will repay a grudge for the slightest offense; you must be careful to guard against her in the future."

Jun Jun Zijin nodded. She knew that within this palace, making too many enemies was by no means a wise move, but regarding Noble Consort Gao, she found it truly difficult to feel any goodwill. Today's contest was merely the tip of the iceberg in palace struggles. She did not like the scheming within the Jun household, nor did she like the endless troubles and constraints within this palace. She longed for freedom, longed to live like an ordinary person, yet all this seemed like a distant dream. For the sake of the man before her, no matter how difficult the road ahead, she would walk it hand in hand with him.

Jun Jun Zijin put her thoughts aside and, while talking with Quan Quan Aoyu, walked toward the Taihua Hall.

As they walked, suddenly, the footsteps of both Jun Jun Zijin and Quan Quan Aoyu stopped at the same time. Both heard movement to their left front and looked over together. There, amidst a patch of reed flowers, a little girl of about five years lay fallen in the reed thicket. The two hurried forward and saw the little girl gasping for breath in large gulps, her face pale, her lips blue, her hands clutching her chest, coughing painfully.

"Quick, save her."

"It is the Fifth Princess."

Both spoke at once. Jun Jun Zijin, disregarding who she was, ordered Quan Quan Aoyu to carry the child out and away from the reeds while instructing Miss Huasheng to return to the manor to fetch asthma pills. The child was clearly suffering from asthma triggered by inhaling reed flowers; the situation was extremely critical.

She only wondered how reeds could exist within the palace. Disregarding further thought, Jun Jun Zijin hurried forward, had Quan Quan Aoyu hold the child in a semi-reclined position, took golden needles from her sleeve, located the correct acupoints, and pierced them. Within moments, the child's breathing stabilized.

"Fifth Princess, why are you here alone?" Jun Jun Zijin asked.

The Fifth Princess then remembered she had nearly suffocated just now. Panic-stricken, she let out a "Waaah!" and began to cry. "Yue'er was playing and got separated from the wet nurse."

The Fifth Princess reached her hands toward Jun Jun Zijin: "Sister, hold Yue'er."

Jun Jun Zijin hurriedly picked up the Fifth Princess and softly comforted her.

Quickly, from the other end of the road, Guazi led Noble Consort Shu and a group of nannies, palace maids, and eunuchs running over anxiously.

Noble Consort Shu cried as she ran. Upon seeing Quan Quan Qingyue, she threw herself forward, weeping loudly: "My Yue'er!"

Seeing this, Jun Jun Zijin gently handed the Fifth Princess, Quan Quan Qingyue, to Noble Consort Shu, who rushed forward, and softly comforted her:

"Noble Consort Shu, the Fifth Princess is already fine; do not worry too much."

With tear-filled eyes, Noble Consort Shu took her daughter, holding her tightly in her arms as if afraid to lose her again. Only then did Noble Consort Shu clearly see that Jun Jun Zijin had saved her daughter; her eyes were full of gratitude:

"Thank you, Princess Lady Qingping. Thanks to you today, my Yue'er is safe and sound. You recently saved my son's life, and today you have saved my daughter's life; you are our benefactor."