Chapter 106: Ever Remembering Xia Jiujiang

After Lin Baixue was arrested, the reputation of the Xia family suffered an unprecedented blow. Although Xia Wentao knelt before Xia Jiujian to apologize, then returned to the Xia residence and spread the rumor that Xia Jiujian was an unfilial daughter who had forced her father to kneel before her, his efforts were quickly drowned out by the tide of public opinion.

Many commoners in the Zhen'an Bureau had witnessed the entire incident involving Xia Jiujian, Princess Consort Jin, and the attempted murder of Madam Xia. Naturally, the truth spread swiftly and accurately, overwhelming whatever Xia Wentao had tried to circulate.

Throughout the capital of the Li Kingdom, people were saying that Xia Jiujian was truly pitiful. She was clearly the legitimate daughter of the Xia family, yet had been harshly treated and abused there. The rumors that she was a useless fool were likely nothing more than malicious slander. Xia Wentao, despite being the chancellor, had failed to govern his own household. He had believed Lin Baixue, the murderer, and accused his own daughter of attempting to kill Madam Xia. At the Zhen'an Bureau, he had even confronted her with vicious words and a venomous tongue, only to end up kneeling on the ground in remorse and apology. The sight had been immensely satisfying to the people.

Another matter that drew widespread criticism was that, although Lin Baixue had been beheaded in public, neither Xia Mingxuan nor Xia Yue'er had gone to see her one last time. The people of the capital were now denouncing the siblings as unfilial children.

Xia Wentao claimed to be ill and remained at home recuperating, too afraid to attend court. In truth, he simply dared not face the rumors spreading outside. The scandal had descended upon them like a storm, stripping the Xia family of every last shred of dignity. At present, Xia Wentao could only place his hopes in Xia Yue'er.

He hoped she would win the favor of Noble Consort Chen, marry the Seventh Prince, and become the Seventh Princess Consort. As it happened, Noble Consort Chen had invited the second daughter of the Xia family to the Zhaohua Palace that day, claiming that she felt an affinity with her and wished to have a conversation with her.

When Seventh Prince Jun Qianye arrived at Zhaohua Palace, Noble Consort Chen was chatting with Xia Yue'er. A smile graced the noble consort's face, and from time to time, Xia Yue'er amused her so much that she burst into laughter.

Jun Qianye had come to Zhaohua Palace partly because Noble Consort Chen had summoned him, and partly because he had something he wished to ask her.

Zhaohua Palace was extravagantly magnificent. Cloud-patterned sandalwood formed its beams, while crystal and jade served as lamps. Fine wine gleamed within glazed cups, and golden incense burners exhaled a delicate fragrance. Sable fur was spread across the reclining couch, while a redwood table held an assortment of fresh, luscious fruits and pastries. Amid such splendor, Noble Consort Chen's charm and stately grace appeared even more pronounced.

What Jun Qianye had not expected was to find Xia Yue'er in Zhaohua Palace as well.

Frowning, Jun Qianye walked to Noble Consort Chen's side and bowed. “Mother Consort.”

Noble Consort Chen glanced at him. “You have arrived. Sit down. The second young lady of the Xia family happens to be visiting me today. She has such a clever and nimble tongue—truly, she is delightful.”

Jun Qianye nodded absently.

Noble Consort Chen took Xia Yue'er's delicate hand in hers. “It would be wonderful if such a well-behaved and sensible girl became my daughter-in-law.”

Xia Yue'er's face flushed at once, and her heart began to pound with joy.

Jun Qianye had once thought Xia Yue'er charming, considerate, and pleasing. But now, she seemed so vulgar, dull, and tiresome. All he could think of was Xia Jiujian's sly, lively, and mischievous expression.

With disgust, Jun Qianye rose to his feet. “Since Mother Consort and the second young lady of the Xia family are so congenial, I shall not disturb your conversation. I will take my leave.”

Noble Consort Chen flew into a rage. Her slender jade hand struck the table with a resounding crack, and she looked furious. “You will stop right there.”

She had been speaking of the marriage between Jun Qianye and Xia Yue'er. If Jun Qianye left just like that, would he not be openly slighting her?

Xia Yue'er had not expected Noble Consort Chen to become so angry and could not help trembling.

Noble Consort Chen arranged her features into an icy expression. “Second young lady of the Xia family, the Seventh Prince and I have matters to discuss. You may withdraw first.”

A moment ago, the noble consort had been warm and kindly. Now she had once again become that lofty imperial lady. The intimacy she had shown Xia Yue'er seemed almost like an illusion.

Xia Yue'er curtsied and left Zhaohua Palace with a pitiful air.

Biting her lower lip, Xia Yue'er felt deeply wronged. Noble Consort Chen's words had clearly been intended to elevate her to the position of Seventh Princess Consort, yet the Seventh Prince's reaction had wounded her terribly.

Judging by Jun Qianye's expression, he was plainly still unable to forget Xia Jiujian.

Xia Yue'er clenched her fists. What was so good about Xia Jiujian? Why did the Seventh Prince like her so much? Could it be that Xia Yue'er would never have a chance to rise unless she destroyed Xia Jiujian?

She raised her head, her eyes filled with ruthless murderous intent.

Meanwhile, after Xia Yue'er had left, Noble Consort Chen glared at Jun Qianye with displeasure. “Do you know why I said those things in front of you just now?”

Jun Qianye assumed she was urging him to marry. “I have no wish to marry yet.”

“No wish to marry? I think you simply cannot forget Princess Consort Jin.” Noble Consort Chen was furious.

At the mention of Princess Consort Jin, an unusual flicker passed across Jun Qianye's face.

Noble Consort Chen stared at him in disbelief. “When Chancellor Xia told me that you had fallen for the wife of Prince Jin, I did not believe him. That is why I deliberately invited Xia Yue'er to Zhaohua Palace and, in front of you, suggested that you marry her. Did you truly think I wanted Xia Yue'er to become the Seventh Princess Consort?”

So it had been a test. Jun Qianye breathed a sigh of relief. Still, Xia Wentao was far too fond of meddling—he had actually reported the matter to Noble Consort Chen.

Noble Consort Chen shouted, “If the Chancellor's residence were still what it once was, I might indeed have had such intentions. But the Xia family is no longer what it was. Whether I approve of Xia Yue'er now depends entirely on my own wishes. Yet I never imagined that the woman you had taken a liking to would be Xia Jiujian, the useless fool of the capital!”

“Mother Consort, you saw Xia Jiujian yourself in Jade Hibiscus Hall. She is not a useless fool at all. On the contrary, she is resourceful, intelligent, and quick-witted. She—”

Noble Consort Chen angrily hurled her teacup to the floor. “Be quiet! Look at yourself. When I spoke of Xia Yue'er, you wore an indifferent, displeased expression. But the moment I mentioned Xia Jiujian, your whole face lit up. Have you forgotten who you are, and who Xia Jiujian is? She is Princess Consort Jin, not an unmarried maiden!”

Jun Qianye was utterly enthralled. “Of course I know Xia Jiujian is Princess Consort Jin. But Mother Consort, you truly underestimate her. She cleared her own name through her own abilities, and that alone is enough to show how formidable she is. If I can take Xia Jiujian away from Prince Jin, will she not devote herself to serving me? So what if she is Princess Consort Jin?”

Sometimes, the more unattainable something was, the more desperately one desired it. Perhaps Jun Qianye had initially felt only a slight interest in Xia Jiujian. Yet time and again, she had slipped from his grasp, and each escape had only intensified his desire to possess her.

Noble Consort Chen spoke with anguish. “And what if she is? Can you defeat Prince Jin? With a single move, he turned the Zhen'an Bureau in your hands upside down. Do you truly think you can still lay claim to it?”

The moment the Zhen'an Bureau was mentioned, Jun Qianye grew furious.

Noble Consort Chen continued, “Why did you not tell me that you intended to use the Zhen'an Bureau against Xia Jiujian? Do you think I did not know what you were plotting—that you could force her into submission through threats and inducements? And what happened in the end? You only suffered heavy losses yourself!”

Jun Qianye clenched his fists. “I admit that I failed to tell you about using the Zhen'an Bureau against Xia Jiujian. But did you not likewise conceal from me the fact that you had poisoned Gao Shanshui?”