Princess is Glamorous in Modern Day Chapter 5

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

In China, the Xia family counted as a rich household. Yet, when set against the Jun family—with its centuries of amassed fortune and deep connections to military and political circles—they paled in comparison.

Jun Shiling stood out as the most remarkable leader in the Jun family over recent years. Young yet full of promise, he earned a reputation for swift and firm decisions. Orphaned early by his parents' fatal car crash, he had grown up under his grandfather's roof, the former head of the Jun family.

Four years back, the Old Master retired, passing the vast Jun family empire to Jun Shiling. True to form, Jun Shiling elevated it to unprecedented heights. Though the Jun family always stayed discreet, no influential or affluent clan dared cross them.

By all accounts, a girl like Xia Wanyuan should never link up with a powerhouse like the Jun family. Everything began four years prior, at the grand banquet where the Old Master transferred power to Jun Shiling, summoning all elite families.

Aware of the Jun family's immense clout, the ever-haughty Xia Wanyuan spotted Jun Shiling's exceptional ability and rank. This sparked her scheme to leverage him into becoming the Jun family's young madam. She shelled out hefty cash to bribe hotel workers for intel on his room.

She managed to spike his drink and slip into his suite, leading to a night shared between them. A figure like Jun Shiling wouldn't tolerate such a ploy. Furious, he once crippled the Xia family's enterprises.

Maybe it was sheer fortune for Xia Wanyuan. Following that encounter, she conceived Jun Shiling's baby. She hid the pregnancy until the three-month mark, then gathered her nerve to approach the Old Master.

The Old Master was then approaching his life's twilight. For someone so aged, riches mattered little; witnessing his lineage endure was his deepest wish. He promptly dispatched investigators. Though appalled that his grandson fell victim to a trap, Xia Wanyuan truly carried Jun Shiling's offspring.

During that period, Priest Zhang—a figure the Old Master revered—paid a visit to the Jun residence. Upon beholding Xia Wanyuan, he declared to the Old Master that she and Jun Shiling were destined for each other.

Though the Old Master disapproved of Xia Wanyuan's tactics, this prophecy swayed him. He compelled Jun Shiling to wed her, ensuring the Jun family child received legitimate standing.

Xia Wanyuan aimed to secure her place as Jun madam via this child, yet Jun Shiling refused to reveal her role post-birth. Only a select few knew the identity of the Jun family's madam.

Jun Shiling had warned Xia Wanyuan that announcing her ties to the Jun family would bring dire repercussions upon herself.

At first, Xia Wanyuan probed Jun Shiling's limits. But after seeing his merciless approach, even her flamboyant nature recoiled from exposing the connection. No matter her boldness, fear of death held her back.

“Young Master.” Nanny Li and the others greeted him with caution. Like everyone in his orbit, they feared Jun Shiling deeply.

Xia Wanyuan cast a brief look at Jun Shiling before averting her gaze again. Calmly, she took a pork rib and stroked Xiao Bao’s head.

“Daddy.” Xiao Bao eyed Jun Shiling timidly. His wide eyes flickered as he scooted nearer to Xia Wanyuan.

Noticing Xiao Bao’s unease, Xia Wanyuan turned to Nanny Li. “Nanny Li, fetch a set of cutlery for Young Master.”

Though her gut urged her to steer clear of a man like Jun Shiling, Xiao Bao remained just a kid. Regardless of the intense dislike between Xia Wanyuan and Jun Shiling, she couldn't let it show before the child. Parental strife inflicts lasting damage on young ones.

At Xia Wanyuan’s request, Nanny Li shot a tentative look at Jun Shiling, whose face stayed impassive. His profound, timeless eyes fixed on Xia Wanyuan, as if peering into her very essence.

Noting the young master's silence and Xia Wanyuan's return to her meal, Nanny Li paused briefly before heading to the kitchen for another set of utensils.

Xiao Bao gazed at Xia Wanyuan, then shifted his view to Jun Shiling standing at the entrance, radiating a chilling presence. His wide eyes flickered about, before he slid off the chair and dashed towards Jun Shiling.

He extended his tiny hand to grasp Jun Shiling’s warm one. “Daddy, let’s eat together.”

The grape-like eyes on his cute, plump face sparkled as he gazed pleadingly at Jun Shiling.

Jun Shiling had always disliked closeness with others, and he was even stricter with this child. Usually, Xiao Bao wouldn’t dare approach him, yet if his mother wished to dine with his father, he had to pull his father along.

Last night, he had done the same to get his mother to sing and soothe him to sleep, and she agreed immediately! Could this trick work on his father too?

Jun Shiling eyed the little dumpling reaching only his knees. The child’s face mirrored his own perfectly, and that soft, small hand rested in his grasp. Without thinking, Jun Shiling’s heart stirred, and he clasped Xiao Bao’s hand firmly.

He had no idea how to deal with kids, but Xiao Bao was his son regardless. He shot a glance at Xia Wanyuan, who ate composedly, his gaze icing over. If this woman tried using his child for her schemes, he’d make her pay dearly.

Xiao Bao noticed his father looking at the table and assumed agreement. Joy burst in his round eyes. It actually worked!

He tugged Jun Shiling happily to the seat. “Daddy, eat.”

Xiao Bao beamed with pure innocence. How wonderful! He was eating dinner with both parents!

All along, Xia Wanyuan just focused on her meal, now and then adding bites to Xiao Bao’s bowl. A heavy silence enveloped them.

“Mommy, eat this.” Xiao Bao copied her, placing a pork rib in her bowl. “Daddy, eat this too.” He added another for Jun Shiling.

Jun Shiling paused, staring at the sweet pork ribs in his bowl. Xiao Bao watched him eagerly, awaiting his reaction.

A strange feeling welled up in Jun Shiling’s chest, bringing a rare fatherly warmth. “It’s delicious.”

Hearing Jun Shiling’s approval, Xiao Bao’s eyes gleamed like the room’s bright lights. Beneath the shimmering glow, a tiny figure nestled between the poised woman and the icy man, resembling countless cozy families across the world.

Post-dinner, Xia Wanyuan instructed Nanny Li to take Xiao Bao for a bath.

Once the anxious-faced Xiao Bao entered the bathroom, Xia Wanyuan faced Jun Shiling. “Let’s talk in the study.” She headed straight to the second-floor study.

Jun Shiling’s eyes narrowed. Watching her lithe form sway like a blooming lotus, a spark flashed in his gaze. Silently, he trailed after Xia Wanyuan.

Alone with Jun Shiling, Xia Wanyuan sensed his intense aura pressing in like a tangible force. She opened the window, letting a fresh breeze sweep through, clearing her mind at last.

“When do we divorce?” Xia Wanyuan settled into the chair, lifting her eyes to Jun Shiling.

From the instant she laid eyes on him, Xia Wanyuan realized the body’s original owner had caused massive trouble. This man evoked the King of Jiangdong, her fiercest rival—equally dominant and inscrutable.

A man like that would never tolerate schemes against his marriage, so divorce was inevitable. Better to handle it now and avoid future headaches.

Jun Shiling, master at foreseeing negotiation results, never anticipated Xia Wanyuan’s words.

After all, she had always schemed to become the Jun family madam. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have... Recalling four years back, Jun Shiling’s brow furrowed.

“Grandpa’s seventieth birthday is in three months. We’ll divorce after that. Stay in line during this time. You get this property, a city duplex apartment, plus a hundred million in alimony.”

Quickly tallying what a hundred million could buy, Xia Wanyuan felt relieved and saw Jun Shiling in a kinder light.

“No problem.” Xia Wanyuan’s eyes formed smiling crescents as she agreed without hesitation.

Oddly, her swift consent surprised even Jun Shiling. He had never truly observed this woman, always hidden under thick makeup.

For the first time, he regarded Xia Wanyuan properly.

That night, Xia Wanyuan donned a flowing light-green gown, resembling a figure sculpted from ice and jade. The smile in her eyes persisted, shimmering beneath the lights as though it could pierce directly into hearts.

Xia Wanyuan elegantly permitted his inspection. Tilting her chin just a bit, even with him on his feet and her seated, their presences seemed perfectly balanced, evenly matched opponents.

Upon entering and spotting the serene, poised Xia Wanyuan, surprise had already flickered in him. Now, observing her stunning looks and aloof demeanor, a faint frown appeared on his face.

Today's Xia Wanyuan appeared as if all heavy makeup had been cleansed away. From within, she emanated a profound spiritual aura and an unbreakable calm, unshaken even if Mount Tai were to crush down upon her.

For the first time ever, he sensed that this woman was beyond his understanding.

Yet, whether Xia Wanyuan was merely pretending or truly transformed, he absolutely would not allow her to damage the Jun Corporation's interests.

“Don’t you dare try to harm Jun Yin. If you do, not only will you not be able to get the property, you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”

Aware that his eyes had lingered too long on Xia Wanyuan, Jun Shiling pulled back his gaze, cast a stern warning glance her way, then flung open the door and departed with long strides.