For the additional update of Alliance Leader Zixing Qiyue
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I didn't expect this.
The Fang Family actually has an imperial decree.
She took the imperial decree that Fang Chengyu handed her and unfolded it, scrutinizing it with earnest focus.
"It really is an imperial decree," she said.
Moreover, it was handwritten by the Imperial Ancestor himself.
Her heart was filled with complex emotions, somewhat melancholic and a little bit sorrowful, yet also joyful.
"So, it's an imperial decree," she said again.
First, last night, through just a few words, she confirmed that Yuan Bao was indeed not that official's attendant but was called 'Sir' by that official. Although Yuan Bao is now just a eunuch from the secret mansion, he is nonetheless related to the imperial family.
Now, seeing the imperial decree made it even more certain.
The Fang Family was not unrelated to her, which is why she was reborn into a member of the Fang Family.
Indeed, Old Heavenly Father is very fair.
"Of course, so, cousin, you don't have to worry, everything is fine now," Fang Chengyu reassured her with another smile.
Miss Jun tucked the imperial decree away and handed it back to him, returning his smile, then turned toward Fang Jinxiu.
Fang Jinxiu was still kneeling on the ground.
"Thank you for your concern," Miss Jun said.
"I didn't care about you," Fang Jinxiu said dully. "I was just telling the truth, and even if it was well-intentioned, not all good intentions deserve thanks. Good intentions can also lead to bad outcomes."
Miss Jun smiled.
"I, too, am just speaking the truth, no other meaning. Don't overthink it," she said.
Fang Jinxiu glared at her.
Who's overthinking? I didn't think you pitied me, cared about me, protected me—I wasn't thinking that at all! You're the one overthinking!
Miss Jun had already stopped looking at her and gave her respects to Old Lady Fang.
"Grandmother," she said, "the mistake was mine. I was too careless and too spontaneous, acting on a whim without proper planning. It would be one thing at any other time, but to do so precisely when everyone is most tense."
Without waiting for Old Lady Fang to respond, she then paid her respects to Lady Fang.
"Auntie," she said, "I alarmed you."
Lady Fang's expression softened as she looked at her.
"Now that you understand everything, you'll remember this for the future, won't you?" she said.
Miss Jun promptly agreed, and her obedience seemed somewhat unfamiliar to Lady Fang.
Of course, since the incident at the Ning Family where Miss Jun threatened to hang herself, she was no longer the unruly and impolite girl she had been. But the dignified, graceful manners she exhibited after that event were different from now.
Now, her quiet obedience revealed an innate softness, rather than the previous aloofness, and was free from the sense of superiority or cold detachment.
Lady Fang looked at her and was about to say something, but Miss Jun had already approached Fang Yunxiao and Fang Yuxiu.
"Sisters," she said, "I've caused you worry and trouble. Thank you for your efforts, cousins."
She reached out her hand.
Looking at the hand extended to her, Fang Yunxiao felt a bit flustered, wanting to grasp it but seeming hesitant.
In the past, she too had taken Miss Jun's hand—the little girl who had lost her parents and had been brought by carriage from a far place. When the young girl got off the carriage and approached, she had been the first to offer a sister's greeting of care and friendliness.
But her extended hand was avoided by that young girl.
Perhaps the young girl was just shy; although she felt a bit embarrassed, she didn't think much of it.
It wasn't until later, when she was accompanying the young girl outside to play, holding hands as all sisters do, that the young girl fiercely shook her hand away.
"Don't touch me with your dirty hands," the young girl had said coldly, her eyes filled with disgust.
So now, is it okay to touch?
Fang Yuxiu had already reached out and taken one of Miss Jun's hands.
Fang Yunxiao then cautiously took Miss Jun's other hand.
Miss Jun's hand was soft, warm, and strong, not letting go but holding on tight.
Miss Jun genuflected.
Fang Yunxiao and Fang Yuxiu hastily followed suit, returning the gesture and calling her sister.
"A false alarm," said Fang Yuxiu. "It's good that my sister is fine."
Miss Jun smiled and nodded in thanks again, then let go of their hands and stood in front of Concubine Yuan.
Concubine Yuan gave a start.
"Oh my, there's no need to thank me," she said, waving her hand with a laugh. "It's my duty."
Miss Jun thanked her with a smile, giving her a half-bow.
"Those who fulfill their duties deserve even more thanks," she said.
Can one be thanked for doing their duty? The smile on Concubine Yuan's face couldn't help but fade.
"Miss Jun's words are quite sweet too," she blurted out, despite herself.
The implication was that Miss Jun's words were normally very nasty.
Although that was true, bringing it up at this moment was a mood killer.
Lady Fang coughed lightly and gave her a glare.
Forgetting her duty again, Concubine Yuan smiled and took a step back, ceasing to speak.
Miss Jun had not yet finished; she turned her attention to the managers, maidservants, and young girls standing in the room, as well as Seventh Chen crouching in the corner, giving them all a respectful bow.
"Thank you for your hard work, and I'm sorry for the fright," she said.
Everyone inside the room hurriedly and excitedly returned her gesture amidst a chorus of acknowledgments.
The previously tense atmosphere was swept away by this round of polite gratitude.
Fang Chengyu had been watching with a smile the whole time, his expression radiating pride as if Miss Jun was not simply thanking and apologizing, but as if she was on the receiving end of everyone's admiration.
As for this drama, it had been only a few days, but it was already unbearable to watch.
Old Lady Fang frowned slightly and coughed.
The room fell silent.
"Alright, everyone must be tired, so go rest for now. We can discuss the rest later," Old Lady Fang said.
Everyone responded affirmatively, and, despite being full of questions, they did not dare to ask more and withdrew.
"What about us?" Seventh Chen couldn't help but ask Fang Jinxiu.
Fang Jinxiu had already stood up and was striding out.
"We're leaving," she declared.
Just like that, they were leaving?
Seventh Chen quickly followed with a couple of shouts, while Fang Yunxiao and Fang Yuxiu watched their departing figures, wanting to speak but holding back, ultimately following Lady Fang out of the hall.
After all, others had left the room, only Miss Jun, Fang Chengyu, and Old Lady Fang remained.
"Is it a coincidence, an accident, or is there really a problem?" Old Lady Fang looked at her and asked.
Miss Jun slowly took a seat in the chair.
"I wasn't sure whether there was a real problem initially. I saw someone who shouldn't have been here appear here, and I went to confirm it last night," she said.
Fang Chengyu's eyes sparkled.
"It's true, isn't it?" he said, "Just like what I told you, I felt something was off in the prison cell. Could it really have been someone suspicious involved at the time?"
Yes, Yuan Bao being there was indeed beyond strange.
"Fang Chengyu is truly sharp-witted," Miss Jun remarked.
Fang Chengyu smiled, both a bit embarrassed and proud, like a child praised extravagantly.
Miss Jun's admiration was sincere; she suspected something was amiss because she recognized Yuan Bao, but Fang Chengyu did not know him.
"So, who is that person?" Old Lady Fang asked.
"That person," Miss Jun began, "I saw him once when I was with my father in Funing."
Her voice was soft and slow, convincing one of her earnestness rather than conceiving what seemed like a plausible lie.
"At that time, my father was being recognized for his excellent service, and the capital sent commendations, along with an eunuch to deliver the imperial decree."
Old Lady Fang nodded; although she was not in close contact with her son-in-law's family, she still knew about such an honorable matter.
"So today, when I saw a servant accompanying an official on the street, he looked very much like the eunuch who came to announce the decree back then..." Miss Jun continued, looking at Old Lady Fang.
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I dedicate this title to you all (づ￣3￣）づ╭?～
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