Jun Qing leads Jun Saya to their carriages. Jun Hua picks up her things that only consist of a small bag and a wood rod that's too big for her body size. Jun Saya also picks up her things which amounted very little and didn't even look at this place anymore when they leave.
"Um… Uncle, can we stop in Guo Village for a minute? I need to meet with someone first," Jun Hua pull Jun Qing clothes.
"Okay," he agreed. When they reached Guo Village, Jun Hua ran off for a while before returning, the two of them didn't ask what she did because they thought that she was saying goodbye to her friends.
The carriage continues towards the capital. During that journey, Jun Qing told Jun Saya briefly about what had happened in the time she left. Jun Saya keeps on shaking her heads and holds her tears back. Those kinds of things are truly cruel in her eyes.
When they finally arrived, Jun Saya looks outside and she sees the scorn on the people eyes when they see the carriages. She knows that Jun family condition has gone to the worst. The previously hailed family is now nothing in their eyes and the commoners could even scorn them so blatantly. Jun Saya feels really sad.
"Mother?" Jun Hua is really sensitive. She could detect every time Jun Saya emotion changed and the little girl eyes would be filled with worry. She looks at her mother who is smiling warmly at her and strokes her head.
"Hua'er, there will be times when you will understands why your mother is sad. But, you don't have to worry. Mother is fine."
Jun Qing knows that the little girl sense is really sensitive, but he would never think that the girl is actually a naturally gifted fighter. It's only later did he come to realize that Jun Hua is blessed with good talents. But, at this moment, he just feels sad at the sight of such little girl had to bear the hardship because of them.
When Jun Saya looks at the condition of their house, her eyes reddened. She's sad to see that the gorgeous house she used to live in is now in tattered condition. There are so many broken things and the messy ground is totally unsuitable to walk.
"The number of people attacking the Jun family has increased," Jun Qing said. "We have our hands tied up dealing with them all this time."
"It's alright," Jun Saya said. She knows that their Jun family is done for. The emperor didn't give them any edict to finish them off because of the past. The Jun family once helped the emperor to build Ming Kingdom thus granted the two of them good relation. He would lose the public opinion if he act against the Jun Family so blatantly. But, who would have thought that the new emperor would set his eyes on them to make an example and possibly destroyed them.
No matter how much they don't want to believe it, it's all true. The emperor wouldn't stay out from this matter if they didn't do anything on the back. He still stays quiet because he's waiting for the Jun family to fall apart on their own.
Jun Saya stepped outside and stand before the door. She gathered her courage and walk inside. The mess on the hall is even more awful compared to the ones outside. She looks around before her gaze locked onto the familiar face and tears streamed out of her face again.
"Father…"
"Saya, father is sorry," looking at his daughter, Jun Zhenxian is feeling guilty. It is his fault for sending his daughter off to marry such a hideous man. He should have known that behind that façade is a man who's lusty of women and power, that kind of man is not worthy of his daughter.
"I never blame you father," Jun Saya run to her father embraces and hugs him tightly. She missed him so much. This last decade has caused her to grow older and lost her previous childish nature. She is no longer the previous Jun Saya.
Jun Zhenxian hugs his daughter as tears starting to pour out of his eyes. He had disappointed his daughter by choosing such a husband for her. He regrets it so much, but he cannot change the past and he can only let the matter passed.
Jun Hua steps inside and she looks towards the two of them. Her big eyes are looking around curiously. She doesn't understand anything, but she knows that this is their house from now on.
Jun Saya wiped her tears and releases her hugs. She signaled for Jun Hua to come closer to them.
"Father, this is my daughter, Jun Hua," Jun Saya said. "And Jun Hua, this is your grandfather."
"Jun Hua greets grandfather," Jun Hua curtsied. Her movement is a bit awkward because she didn't wear dress, but rather a boy clothes.
Jun Zhenxian looks towards the doll-like Jun Hua and his heart ached once again. He couldn't bear to see this adorable little kid to suffer. He moved forwards and with trembling hands, he hugs Jun Hua who looks confused.
"How come Lin Tang allowed you to take his daughter?" Jun Qing finally asked the question that has been bugging him. Despite Jun Hua comes from Jun family, she was still Lin Tang daughter and normally Lin Tang wouldn't want to let his own flesh and blood go.
Jun Saya revealed a tired face. "It's because he believed that Jun Hua is not his daughter. The story is long, Qing'er. You wouldn't want to hear it."
Jun Qing noticed Jun Saya face that is tinged with sadness and he chooses to shut his mouth. Regardless, this girl is still Jun Saya daughter, his niece. This time, he vowed that he would protect the little girl.
Note: in case you're still confused about the story title
part one: Jun Qing story
part two: Jun Hua perspective (in later chapters)