Chapter 93: Glory and Strife

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Princess Qingping, Jun Zijin, is virtuous, talented, loyal, and brave beyond compare. I hereby bestow upon you the Profound Heaven Qilin Token. This token grants access to the main camp, authority to assist the three armies, and the power to aid the Emperor and command the realm. It is my hope that you will not fail my expectations, but will protect the home and defend the nation. This is the decree."

The members of the Jun family were in an uproar!

The Profound Heaven Qilin Token was the supreme token of trust personally bestowed by the Emperor. The bearer of this token could mobilize the three armies, command the troops of the realm, assist the Emperor, and pacify the world. Such power was enough to make anyone scramble for it. The crowd seemed to see the Emperor’s trust and expectations for Jun Zijin in his eyes.

Jun Zijin was also stunned, her heart surging with countless thoughts. This token represented supreme power, but it also carried responsibility and danger. From the moment she became betrothed to Quan Aoyu, her fate was no longer ordinary. She had already stepped into that whirlpool of power, and now, holding the Profound Heaven Qilin Token, she would face countless challenges and dangers. But she was fearless, for she knew this was her mission and her destiny.

A cold wind blew in, scattering Jun Zijin’s thoughts and awakening the resolve in her heart.

"Princess, please accept the decree." Eunuch Xi signaled for the guards to bring the tray before Jun Zijin.

The token was pitch black and polished, its edges inlaid with gold thread, and ancient runes were carved into its center. It seemed to contain endless power, both sacred and mysterious.

"Your subject accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace."

Jun Zijin’s voice was cold and firm. She bowed slightly and took the imperial decree and the heavy Profound Heaven Qilin Token with both hands.

"This was personally bestowed by the Emperor, so please keep it safe, Princess," Eunuch Xi said with a smile.

"Furthermore, the Emperor has words to pass on: you are no ordinary woman, Princess. Your wisdom and courage are sufficient to handle the challenges this token brings. This token is of great importance; you must keep it safe."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Your subject will do her utmost and will not fail your trust." Holding the token, Jun Zijin kowtowed solemnly. Her voice remained cold, but it now carried an added layer of firmness.

With a single imperial decree, the members of the Jun family were variously happy, worried, annoyed, and hateful.

Once the decree was read, Eunuch Xi returned to the palace, satisfied.

Inside the main hall of the Jun residence, candlelight flickered, reflecting on everyone’s faces, each showing a different expression. The hall was silent, save for the cold light flickering off the Profound Heaven Qilin Token in the candlelight.

"Zijin, this token is no small matter; you must think clearly. Once you use it, there is no turning back." Jun Zhengming’s voice was low, carrying a trace of worry.

Although he was a high-ranking official in the imperial court, he had achieved little in terms of political merit over the years. It was not that his ability was inferior to others, but that he sought only to protect himself. The Emperor bestowing this item was a sign of trust in the Jun family, but while the token held supreme power, it also carried incalculable danger. If the second girl made even the slightest mistake, the Jun family would be plunged into an abyss from which they could never recover.

Jun Zijin raised her head, her deep eyes as bright and firm as the brilliant stars in the night sky. Her gaze was like a calm, bottomless lake, without the slightest ripple or hesitation, possessing only a composure and steadiness that one could not ignore.

She spoke with an incomparably serious attitude:

"Father, your daughter understands the significance of this token. Since I have accepted it, I will not fail the Emperor’s expectations. In fact, from the moment I became betrothed to the Crown Prince, I already had no path of return. Since the Emperor trusts me, I will not let him down."

Jun Zhengming looked at her, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. He knew that ever since she became betrothed to Quan Aoyu, she had stepped step-by-step into the whirlpool of power. Not only could she not stay out of it, but the Jun family could not either. Now that she held the Profound Heaven Qilin Token, she was a pivotal figure for the state; while the dangers were greater, it was also, in a way, an added layer of protection.

This daughter of his, who was once ignored, was no longer the child who would only hide and cry when wronged.

Jun Zhengming sighed and said no more. His daughter had made her choice, and all he could do was support her silently from behind, as if to make up for the debt he owed her and her mother.

"Profound Heaven Qilin Token..." Jun Zhengming’s second younger brother, Jun Zhengyuan, muttered under his breath, a look of unwillingness flashing in his eyes. Although his branch relied on the main branch to survive—and when the main branch prospered, his branch naturally followed—he was unwilling to remain beneath them.

Jun Zhengyuan clenched his fists and thought to himself: "Why does the main branch always get all the glory? Why should a small child raised in the wilderness be able to shoulder this heavy burden?"

At this moment, Jun Zijin looked up at the crowd. Her gaze paused when it swept over Jun Zhengyuan, as if she had sensed the abnormality in his eyes. She did not make a scene, but calmly tucked the token into her robes.

Jun Zhengyuan took a deep breath, forced a smile, and bowed to Jun Zijin:

"Congratulations to the second girl for receiving such an honor. In the future, our branch will certainly support your actions with all our might."

Jun Zijin nodded slightly, sneering in her heart, but did not reply.

Jun Yiyi and Jun Zhidie were so jealous their eyes turned red, but with Jun Zhengming present, they dared not act recklessly. They only gritted their teeth, holding back their words.

Lady Li had always been a person who did not know when to advance or retreat. She would only listen to her son, Jun Zhihao, but since he was not present, she had forgotten all those warnings.

Lady Li gave a disdainful "Hmph" and shouted boisterously:

"A child raised in the wilderness in her teens, what qualifications does she have to possess this token? It doesn't matter if you die, but don't drag our entire Jun family down to be buried with you!"

Jun Zhengming’s heart tightened. This Lady Li really did not know when to stop. He glared at her secretly, but she did not notice, becoming even more smug.

Upon hearing this, Jun Zijin’s eyes narrowed slightly:

"Second Aunt, this token was personally bestowed by the Emperor; it is an honor for the Jun family. How dare you question the Emperor!" Zijin’s gaze was like ice as she stared directly at Lady Li.

Seeing that Jun Zijin had pinned the crime of questioning the Emperor on her, Lady Li was so frightened she took a step back, but she refused to show weakness in her words:

"Hmph, when did I question the Emperor? I am merely worried that you cannot shoulder this heavy responsibility and will ruin the Jun family. If you implicate the Jun family, we will not sit idly by!" Lady Li argued sophistically.

Jun Zijin looked at Lady Li coldly and said unhurriedly:

"Second Aunt, do not quibble. Everyone present heard your words just now. Since you are so worried about the safety of the Jun family, you had better manage the affairs of your own branch and stop causing trouble, lest you bring disaster upon the Jun family."

"You... you yellow-haired girl, how dare you lecture me!" Lady Li was so angry her face turned red.

Jun Zijin sneered:

"Second Aunt, I am not lecturing you, merely stating facts. And why are you being so unreasonable?" Jun Zijin’s face was as calm as water, her voice cold.

Jun Zhengyuan could not listen any longer. He stepped forward and smiled at Jun Zijin:

"Second girl, why go to such lengths? We are all members of the Jun family; why must we fight like this?"

Upon hearing this, Jun Zijin could not help but curse in her heart. Damn, the people of the second branch are truly shameless.

Jun Zijin stared blankly at Jun Zhengyuan for a long while before saying softly:

"Second Uncle, am I the one fighting?"

Jun Zhengyuan felt very uncomfortable under her gaze, but if he backed down now, where would his face be? He was just about to say something else.

Jun Zhengming scolded: "Enough! Today, the Princess has received a grace from His Majesty; this is a joyous occasion. Do not argue here."

Jun Zhengming intentionally emphasized that Jun Zijin was a Princess personally enfeoffed by the current Emperor! This status contained endless reverence, meaning she had stepped into the ranks of the imperial nobility. Whether facing powerful officials in the court or the common people, Jun Zijin possessed supreme authority and status, and was highly respected and treated with courtesy both inside and outside the court.

Lady Li wanted to say more, but Jun Zhengyuan tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to shut up. It was not the time to have a direct conflict with Jun Zijin, as she had just gained the Emperor’s favor.

Lady Li could only look at Jun Zijin with resentment, her heart full of grievances.

Seeing that everyone had stopped talking, Jun Zijin looked at them and said slowly:

"I know you are all worried about the risks brought by the Profound Heaven Qilin Token, but since I have accepted it, I will certainly act with caution. However, if anyone tries to sabotage me, do not blame me for being heartless."