With the emperor's decree, the dynasty acted swiftly, and three days later, the rewards for Miss Jun were issued.
The rewards were grand, proclaimed to the world for the populace to know, and besides gold and silver, she was given the title of County Magistrate.
"Shanyang County Magistrate."
Seventh Chen said, relaying the received news.
"It's quite close to our home."
"So, does Shanyang County belong to my sister now?" Zhao Hanqing said nearby.
Seventh Chen laughed heartily.
"Wishful thinking," he said, "it's just a title."
"What's the use, it doesn't feed or clothe us," Zhao Hanqing pouted.
Liu'er scoffed.
"What do you know, of course it is useful for food and clothing," she said, "County Magistrate is a rank, like the Duke of Chengguo, comes with a salary and prestige."
"My sister doesn't lack money or prestige," Zhao Hanqing said.
Look at your sister being so capable! Liu'er thought angrily but then remembered her sister is her Miss, and of course, her own Miss is capable.
Really getting annoyed by this guy; such praise for the Miss should be done by her.
Liu'er stomped her foot and looked at Miss Jun.
"Miss, you're amazing, you've become a County Magistrate," she said excitedly.
Miss Jun responded with a playful, noncommittal laugh.
"County Magistrate, huh." she said, "Not bad, quite capable."
From the side, Zhu Zan, who appeared unobtrusive, lifted his head to look at her.
County Magistrate, Emperor's daughter titles princess, prince's daughter titles princess, titled princess titles County Magistrate, she was originally a princess, surely she's an emperor's daughter.
For her, being demoted from princess to County Magistrate is both a laughable and poignant matter, isn't it?
"Not really," Miss Jun said, "I'm quite happy about it."
By now, she had returned to her room, with Liu'er and Zhao Hanqing bickering in the courtyard, Fang Jinxiu was always ignoring those two, while Seventh Chen went to De Sheng Chang to meet Fang Chengyu.
The imperial decree was about to be issued, there were many preparations needed for thanking, audience, celebration with the people, Fang Chengyu and Manager Liu were busy discussing them.
Inside the room was quiet, people moved in the courtyard, their chatter wasn't too loud or too soft, lively but not noisy, pleasing and tranquil.
"Being a princess is a thing of the past, she's dead already." Miss Jun continued, "It's as if I became an ordinary civilian from a princess, and now I'm gradually receiving the title of County Magistrate step by step."
She looked at Zhu Zan, raising her brow with a smile.
"I've got a County Magistrate title; is being a princess far behind?"
"You really..." Zhu Zan looked at her playful demeanor, instinctively tried to retort but swallowed it halfway, biting his tongue, his face twisted in pain yet managing to maintain a stern expression.
"... seeing it that way is quite nice." he said.
Miss Jun chuckled.
"Hey, Zhu Zan, just say what you want," she said, "No need to be insincere."
Zhu Zan looked away.
"No insincerity here," he said, "It's indeed great."
Miss Jun's eyes slightly shifted.
"Which is better, Miss Jun or Chu Jiuling?" she asked.
Zhu Zan's face turned red, then pale with embarrassment and irritation, clenched his fists.
"Y-you, if you have something to say, say it," he said sullenly, "Don't bully people like this."
Miss Jun snickered but tried to hold back.
"Well, do you have something you want to tell me?" she asked him.
Zhu Zan hesitated as the others had scattered after the discussion, only he followed her inside.
Unconsciously followed her.
His face flushed, trying to explain himself, but seeing her playfully smug appearance, what explanation could deceive her?
Zhu Zan opened his mouth, turned, and strode out.
Miss Jun found it amusing and a bit helpless.
"How did it end up being so coquettish," she said, "bullying him makes me feel kind of guilty."
She turned to go upstairs, her steps clattering, and the person being coquettish returned.
"Yes, I won't deny it," Zhu Zan said with a gloomy expression, "I used to treat Miss Jun poorly, even now if you ask me, to Miss Jun or Chu Jiuling, I can answer, I treated her poorly."
Miss Jun looked at him and shook her head.
"No, you treat me well," she said, "You've fulfilled your promises sincerely, quite well indeed."
"Stop saying the opposite," Zhu Zan muttered.
"I'm not saying the opposite; it's evident," Miss Jun spread her hands saying.
Zhu Zan looked at her.
"In the end, you consider me inconsistent, or whatever, I won't deny I treat you differently," he said.
Miss Jun thought for a moment then nodded.
"I understand," she said, "You knew Chu Jiuling; Miss Jun is a stranger, and your attitude is understandably different."
Surprisingly agreeable...
Or perhaps she has always been agreeable, just his feelings have changed?
Really...
Zhu Zan's hand opened and closed, looking at his feet.
"However, eventually, it will be the same; don't overthink different personas and attitudes," he said, not knowing what else to say, took a deep breath and lifted his head, "Anyway, that's how I am."
"Certainly not," Miss Jun seriously replied, "Since the day you met me, I've been like this, whether Miss Jun or Chu Jiuling, I'm used to it, you just aren't used to it yet, you will be."
Zhu Zan twisted his foot on the ground, uttered an 'oh'.
"I will get used to it," he said.
Inside was silent for a moment.
"Want to come up and sit?" Miss Jun looked at him asking.
Zhu Zan uttered an 'oh'.
"No, I'd rather stay outside watching, the news is out, Lu's family might be up to something sneaky again" he said, quickly glanced at her, "Y-you take a rest."
With that, he turned and hurried out.
Miss Jun watched his back, shaking her head with a smile, slowly getting used to it.
Yes, slowly getting accustomed to it, Zhu Zan stood under the verandah and exhaled.
Getting used to it, really doesn't come easy.
She embodies Princess Jiuli; that's how Princess Jiuli was.
Zhu Zan looked at the sky.
What was Princess Jiuli like? He suddenly couldn't recall.
Really perplexing and chaotic, not knowing how to think or what to think.
Since that night, he clearly should have contemplated many things, yet oddly thought nothing, unsure of how to think or what to think.
Just like now, apart from clenching his teeth, inhaling, and scratching his head, not knowing what else to do.
"Would you like some medicine?"
A voice rang beside his ear.
Zhu Zan flinched, lifted his head, and saw Liu'er and Zhao Hanqing standing in front of him, both staring at him with curiosity.
Liu'er held a porcelain bottle.
"What are you doing?" he asked, irritated.
"Lord Heir, you seemed to be smiling and frowning, banging your head, is it a relapse of your hysteria?" Liu'er said, shaking the porcelain bottle in her hand, "This is the newly made Calming Pills, very expensive, I'll sell you one cheaper."
Zhu Zan spat and hurried away.
Liu'er pouted at Zhao Hanqing.
"I told you it's nothing," she said, "My Miss is about to abandon him; losing one's mind is quite normal."
Zhao Hanqing nodded in agreement.
"I can't imagine what would happen if my sister did not want me," she said.
Having heard the commotion, Fang Jinxiu rolled her eyes as she came over.
A bunch of abnormal people!