Chapter 108: Simply Because of What the Heart Desires

Miss Jun remained silent.

Her delicate teeth gently broke the bun's thin, almost transparent skin, as she seriously and attentively sipped the soup before slowly eating it.

Zhu Zan also said nothing more, lowering his head to eat his bun.

Whether silent or in disagreement, the interplay between the two seemed natural, devoid of anything awkward or strange.

Perhaps it was because after enduring so much awkward and bizarre interaction on their journey from the northern lands to the capital, there was nothing left that could unsettle them.

The street noises, the vendors' shouts, and the steadily rising sun made the surroundings lively and bustling.

"That's enough now." Zhu Zan frowned at Miss Jun and said, "How can a young lady eat so much?"

Miss Jun put down her chopsticks and used a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her mouth.

"You need energy when you're full," she said, standing up and striding out.

Zhu Zan left some money on the table and picked up the medicine box.

"You need energy when you're full," he muttered, curling his lip. "And yet, you still make me carry the medicine box."

Jiuling Hall had already opened. A clerk was organizing the medicine cabinets inside, and Fang Jinxiu, as usual, was sitting and reviewing the account books—a scene of peace and order.

"You're back?" Fang Jinxiu asked, looking up.

Her tone was calm and carried not a hint of concern, as though they'd merely been out for a stroll.

"Miss, young master, have you eaten yet?" Liu'er jumped out from the back and asked.

"We've eaten," Miss Jun replied.

Hearing this, Seventh Chen also came out from the inner room.

"How did it go?" he asked, with a hint of unease.

Finally, a person with a normal reaction.

Zhu Zan chuckled.

"Look at you," he said to Miss Jun, "Only one person worries about you."

"What is there to worry about?" Fang Jinxiu remarked. "Ever since we entered the capital..."

She paused here.

"No, ever since she came to our family, there hasn't been a moment when we weren't worried—but we've gotten used to it."

Miss Jun laughed heartily.

Zhu Zan snorted and said nothing.

"So, how's the situation?" Seventh Chen asked again.

"Nothing to worry about; Prince Huai is doing fine," Miss Jun said, recalling the child with a bright smile on her face.

She had been concerned that leaving a year ago would have left Jiurong devastated and dispirited. However, it seemed his spirit was still strong, and he had become even more discerning. Witnessing him speak confidently and gracefully in front of Duke of Chengguo without the slightest servility left her surprised and gratified.

This was perhaps due to Jiurong's innate intelligence, but even more so because of the guidance he had received afterward.

That Mr. Gu truly took his role to heart, ensuring Jiurong neither succumbed to lowliness stemming from his confinement nor developed arrogance from his former status as a prince. Instead, Jiurong had learned to find joy in life within his unfortunate circumstances, living without bitterness but with love and anticipation.

With love comes hope, and with hope comes a life lived freely and happily.

Should she give Mr. Gu some money, perhaps?

Thinking this, she laughed again—someone of Mr. Gu's talents could undoubtedly secure a prosperous future and wealth for himself anywhere. To willingly stay at Prince Huai's mansion, living a life with no prospects, surely wasn't for money.

He had said he was an old acquaintance of her teacher. Perhaps she should let him meet her teacher's wife and family.

But if he was indeed an old acquaintance of her teacher, then why had he devoted himself to raising Jiurong? Her teacher didn't owe anything to the imperial family. If they were connected in any way, it was only through her. Was it because of her that Mr. Gu had come to care for Jiurong?

All along, she had thought of herself as a solitary soul, with no one left to mourn her passing. Her parents and teacher were gone, and aside from Jiurong and Princess Jiuli, no one in this world would remember her. But unexpectedly, there was Zhu Zan and Mr. Gu, both still tied to her fate.

"What are you staring at me for? Don't look at me with such an expression!" Zhu Zan glared at her.

Miss Jun burst into laughter.

This astute and sensitive man.

Seventh Chen, seeing her laugh, also managed a bitter smile.

"What I was asking is, how's this matter going?" he said.

Everyone knew Prince Huai had laid a trap for Duke of Chengguo this time. The plan was to have the Duke speak against him in court, but the Duke was even craftier. Instead of opposing him there, he had gone straight to Prince Huai's mansion to visit him.

What would the emperor think of this? What would happen next?

"Whatever happens, happens."

Miss Jun and Zhu Zan said in unison.

After speaking, they exchanged a glance. Miss Jun smiled, while Zhu Zan snorted and turned his head away.

Seventh Chen clapped his hands and heaved a sigh of relief.

"Ah, so you had it all planned out," he said. "That's good."

Planned out? They had only exchanged a single sentence about the matter from start to finish. What was there to plan? The deed was done. Whatever came next, they would face it as it came. Why fear the future?

Miss Jun smiled again, and Zhu Zan turned his head away once more.

...…..

...…

"Why did I do this?"

When the Duke of Chengguo returned to the mansion, both Zhu Zan and Miss Jun were there.

Hearing their questions, the Duke of Chengguo laughed.

"Why? Upon hearing that a child I once knew had fallen ill, how could I not visit? That's an instinct anyone would have," he said gently.

But the child in question was far from ordinary.

"A child is simply a child," the Duke said. "First and foremost, they are a child—and only afterward anything else." He looked at Miss Jun and smiled. "Miss Jun, I imagine you wouldn't think of it as an inconvenience."

Of course not.

Miss Jun shook her head.

Whether it was to repay her for saving his life or out of concern for Jiurong, she wouldn't consider this an inconvenience.

"How is the child?" Madam Yu asked, with some curiosity.

"The child is doing very well," the Duke replied gently, pausing for a moment. "Just like his father."

Miss Jun's eyes stung.

"Well, I'll be off now," she said. "If you need my help with anything, don't hesitate to ask."

With that, she didn't wait for the Duke or the others to respond. She bowed quickly and left.

Madam Yu was taken aback.

"This child..." she remarked.

"She's always like this," Zhu Zan muttered, scowling. "She's probably gone off to cry again."

He then looked at the Duke.

"Father, what did the emperor say? What will happen next..." he began to ask.

Before he could finish, Madam Yu kicked him.

"How idle must you be! Now hurry and escort Miss Jun back," she scolded harshly.

Idle?

Zhu Zan glared. Escorting her back felt like a true waste of time; wasn't there something more important to address?

"Still arguing? Off with you!" Madam Yu glared back at him.

"Father..." Zhu Zan looked at the Duke resentfully.

The Duke smiled.

"It's fine. Go on, no need to worry about the rest," he said. "Whatever happens next is inevitable. It's not solely about this matter; the emperor's grudge has already taken root. I know how to resolve it. However..."

He clasped his hands behind his back and smiled faintly.

"If I were to resolve it, I wouldn't be the Zhu Shan you see today."

.....

...…

Miss Jun walked quickly. As soon as she left Duke of Chengguo's residence, tears began to spill uncontrollably.

The Duke said that her father was a good man.

Her father was a good man.

Her father was a good man, so there were still people who remembered him—not everyone had forgotten.

That was justice. The Old Heavenly Father believed in justice.

There would definitely be justice.

Her father's death would not be in vain, and Jiurong wouldn't be confined for the rest of his life. Never.

She wiped away her tears, straightened herself, and continued walking forward with measured steps.

She didn't look back, so she didn't see Zhu Zan trailing begrudgingly behind her with the medicine box in hand. Though he followed reluctantly, he didn't allow their distance to grow far. Weaving through the crowd, he kept her firmly within his sight—not too close, but never letting her stray out of view.