Chapter 88: Scammed

A minister said discontentedly:

"This woman is far too ostentatious, daring to make such a bold request to Your Majesty."

"Indeed, establishing a hospital is no small matter; it requires vast manpower and resources. How can a single woman shoulder such a heavy responsibility?" another minister chimed in, his face full of doubt.

Their conversation caught the attention of an old minister nearby. He slowly turned around, gazing deeply at those ministers, and said with grave earnestness:

"My lords, do not judge by appearances. Since Young Lady Lady Qingping was able to eradicate smallpox and achieve great merit for the common people, it is evident her medical skills are extraordinary and her heart holds the world. Her proposal to establish a hospital must be the result of deep consideration, aimed at benefiting the people. As subjects, we ought to fully support her, not recklessly criticize her here."

The old minister's words were like a resounding slap; ashamed, those discontented ministers lowered their heads one by one.

On the other side, a group of ministers surrounded Xiang Xiang Junzheng with flattery. Xiang Xiang Junzheng nodded proudly again and again, enjoying this praise from his colleagues.

"Minister Minister truly teaches well. Young Lady Lady Qingping not only possesses superior medical skills but also a heart for the nation and its people; she is truly a blessing to our Emperor Tianqi!" one minister said, sucking up.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng stroked his beard, his mouth unable to close from his smile:

"Where, where, Lord Wang is too praising."

"Minister Minister is too modest. You are our model; how can one lightly speak of the achievement of teaching?" another minister agreed.

Amidst the flattery, Xiang Xiang Junzheng saw Jun Jun Yiyi glancing occasionally at the Imperial Prince's seats from the corner of his eye. He frowned; he truly did not want to see this daughter of his so unambitious again. Why could she not take her eyes off the Imperial Princes? Did she not think about how much trouble she had brought to the family? How could her current situation possibly match an Imperial Prince?

Over there, Jun Jun Yiyi, who had been staring blankly at the Imperial Prince's seats, was startled by Xiang Xiang Junzheng's sudden look of displeasure and immediately came to her senses. She looked at Xiang Xiang Junzheng, her habitual gaze carrying innocence and grievance.

Seeing this, Xiang Xiang Junzheng felt even more anger rising, but he could not make a scene in front of everyone, so he could only glare at Jun Jun Yiyi.

At this moment, Jun Jun Zhidie let out a scoff, her tone carrying a hint of mockery:

"Eldest Sister seems to be paying extra attention to that Fourth Imperial Prince! Could it be that after just being betrothed by the Prime Minister's residence, you are now impatiently trying to climb the dragon's face and become a phoenix on a branch? Pity, some people simply overestimate themselves."

Jun Jun Zhidie had been stifled for quite some time; now that she finally found an opportunity, how could she not make good use of it?

Hearing this, Jun Jun Yiyi's face turned green and white with anger. She never expected Jun Jun Zhidie to publicly provoke her in such a setting. She wanted to lash out but feared being seen by the Fourth Imperial Prince.

Jun Jun Yiyi was now afraid whenever she saw Quan Quan Aoyu, so she had set her sights on the gentle Fourth Imperial Prince. Currently, the First, Second, and Fifth Imperial Princes all had principal wives, the Seventh Imperial Prince was still a child, and the Third Imperial Prince was the son of Noble Consort Gao. She knew Noble Consort Gao disliked her, so Quan Quan Tianchen, the Fourth Imperial Prince, became her only choice in her heart.

When Lady Wu was alive, the two of them had wanted to climb to the Crown Prince. Now that they failed to catch the Crown Prince, Lady Wu was also dead. She had been out for a year and had reached her coming-of-age, yet her marriage was still unsettled. A surge of resentment rose in Jun Jun Yiyi's heart: Xiang Xiang Junzheng and that old thing in the Jingzhu Courtyard would certainly not plan well for her; she could only rely on herself.

Jun Jun Yiyi suppressed the anger in her heart and replied, "Third Sister is joking. I was just looking casually, with no other intent."

Jun Jun Zhidie, however, would not let it go and continued to mock:

"Looking casually? I'm afraid your eyes have gone straight! Eldest Sister, do not forget your status, and do not do anything that brings shame to the family."

Jun Jun Yiyi was so angry she truly wanted to slap this ungrateful Jun Jun Zhidie to death. Just as Jun Jun Yiyi was about to lose control, she spotted the Fourth Imperial Prince, Quan Quan Tianchen, leaving his seat.

Jun Jun Yiyi ignored Jun Jun Zhidie and hurriedly followed. Quan Quan Tianchen, perhaps having drunk a few extra cups, walked toward the lake in the Imperial Garden to get some breeze. Jun Jun Yiyi had to jog all the way to catch up with his pace.

"Fourth Imperial Prince," Jun Jun Yiyi called softly, her voice revealing charm.

Quan Quan Tianchen acted as if he hadn't heard, turning his back on her and paying no attention at all. In fact, while Quan Quan Tianchen appeared gentle as jade, he was actually a troublemaker, his terrifying nature no different from Quan Quan Aoyu's, such as right now.

Jun Jun Yiyi was in such a rush that a plan instantly formed in her mind. She pretended to slip, throwing her whole body toward Quan Quan Tianchen. Unexpectedly, Quan Quan Tianchen sidestepped, dodging Jun Jun Yiyi's "embrace."

Jun Jun Yiyi never expected such a result. Losing her balance, she threw herself forward. Only a "Plop!" was heard as a splash erupted, and Jun Jun Yiyi plunged headfirst into the ice-cold lake.

Jun Jun Yiyi swallowed several mouthfuls of freezing lake water before finally surfacing, thrashing continuously in the water.

"Fourth Imperial Prince, save me! I cannot swim!" As Jun Jun Yiyi cried for help, she swallowed several more mouthfuls of water.

Quan Quan Tianchen stood on the shore, unmoved:

"Why did Miss Jun jump into the lake herself? Since you wanted to go into the lake, why ask this King to save you?"

Quan Quan Tianchen had no intention of saving anyone at all. Originally, the children of the Jun family meant nothing to him except for Seeing Jun Jun Zijin; the rest held no concept, let alone any good impression. Moreover, since this woman dared to cause trouble for the girl Yu'er liked, she was causing trouble for him, Quan Quan Tianchen. Let her stay in the lake. Trying to scam this King? Don't even think about it. Quan Quan Tianchen was too lazy to care about Jun Jun Yiyi's life or death and turned to return to the banquet.

Seeing Quan Quan Tianchen's attitude toward her, despair mixed with the fear of death, and her cries for help grew weaker and weaker. Just then, a figure leaped into the lake; it was the Third Imperial Prince, Quan Quan Tianyi, who had also come to the lakeside to sober up. Seeing that the person saving her was not Quan Quan Tianchen, Jun Jun Yiyi became unwilling again. But thinking of Quan Quan Tianchen's attitude, her heart sank, so her thoughts turned to Quan Quan Tianyi again, and she let Quan Quan Tianyi pull her out.

After Quan Quan Tianyi saved Jun Jun Yiyi and brought her ashore, guards and maids immediately rushed over at the sound. They hurriedly helped Jun Jun Yiyi up and draped a dry cloak over her to prevent her from catching a chill.

Jun Jun Yiyi's teeth chattered from the cold, her face turning green, yet calculation sparkled in her eyes. She looked at Quan Quan Tianyi:

"Thank you, Third Imperial Prince, for saving my life."

Quan Quan Tianyi smiled slightly and said, "Miss Jun is too polite."

"But now that I have had physical contact with Your Highness the Third Prince, how... how can I face people in the future?"

Jun Jun Yiyi covered her chest, tears welling in her eyes, putting on a shy and helpless appearance.

Quan Quan Tianyi was stunned: "What did you say?" Quan Quan Tianyi never expected that having done a good deed for once, he would be scammed.

Quan Quan Tianyi frowned, a half-smile on his face:

"Miss Jun, do not speak wildly. This King merely acted out of righteousness to save you."

Jun Jun Yiyi bit her lip, and tears flowed from her eyes:

"Your Highness the Third Prince, although it is so, the world has many mouths, and idle gossip is inevitable."

Quan Quan Tianyi snorted coldly: "Miss Jun is overthinking. This King will clarify this matter himself."

Having finished speaking, he turned to leave. Jun Jun Yiyi, anxious, reached out and grabbed the hem of his robe.

"Your Highness, if you are so heartless, how will Jun Yiyi conduct herself in the future?"

At this time, many servants were passing by nearby, all glancing sideways and whispering.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Quan Quan Tianyi's mind: The Jun Residence is currently very popular, and this Eldest Miss of the Jun family is also a legitimate daughter of the Jun family. Taking her back to the Wang Fu as a secondary consort is not impossible; after all, she is just a woman.

Quan Quan Tianyi stopped and sized Jun Jun Yiyi up and down.

"Miss Jun, this King can consider taking you as a secondary consort, but you must know that the position of my principal wife has already been chosen. If you enter the Wang Fu, you must keep to your proper place."

Hearing this, although Jun Jun Yiyi felt unwilling, thinking that as long as she could enter the Wang Fu, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future, she nodded repeatedly and agreed.