Chapter 38: The Princess Coughs Blood

As soon as the Great Li Monastery was mentioned, a few different voices rose among those present. “The Great Li Monastery is the state temple, and Abbot Dehe is highly respected. There could never be any issue with a birth chart he has examined.”

“If Xia Jiujiang truly carried the fate of a jinxed star, would she really have been granted marriage to the Prince of Jin’s household?”

“Besides, I heard it was Xia Jiujiang herself who cured the Prince of Jin’s illness. You can’t blame her for any of this.”

“That does sound rather far-fetched, now that you put it that way.”

The tide quickly turned. Those who had been cursing and doubting Xia Jiujiang were now speaking in her defense. Yet, these onlookers would soon spread the tale of the old matriarch of the Grand Chancellor’s house angrily declaring Xia Jiujiang to be a jinx, doomed to bring misfortune.

Xia Mingxuan watched the situation at the entrance unfold, then turned away, saying, “Enough. The spectacle at the gate ends here. The next act is yet to come.”

Old Madam Xia was beside herself with rage. “You wretched girl, how dare you talk back to your grandmother! The heavens themselves will not abide such insolence!”

Xia Jiujiang approached her and said, “Grandmother, today I have come to the Chancellor’s residence on behalf of the Prince of Jin’s household to pay my respects. If you have nothing further to say, I must take my leave.” With that, she made her way toward the inner hall.

She left the old lady standing at the door, trembling with fury, unable to utter more than, “You… you…” She was so incensed she could hardly catch her breath.

Everything that needed to be said at the door had been said. Xia Jiujiang did not believe that, after she had thrown the Xia household into such upheaval, things would end with just a petty squabble at the entrance.

When she entered the mourning hall, Xia Jiujiang completed the rituals according to custom. Fortunately, the body’s memories included the rites of mourning in Li after Jiang Ruan’s death, so she was able to perform them without major error.

She did not see Xia Wentao; instead, a servant showed her to a guest room to wait until the noon funeral banquet.

Xia Jiujiang took out a medical text and began to read. Lülü brewed a pot of white tea and placed it on the table. Yuhua came to report, “Since Xia Mingxuan returned home, he has done nothing out of the ordinary. When the young master died, he simply arranged the funeral feast.”

Yet, after so long at the Xia residence, Xia Mingxuan had not once shown his face to Xia Jiujiang. It seemed her brother was quite capable of keeping his composure.

Suddenly, a faint figure appeared at Xia Jiujiang’s doorway.

She looked up at the figure. “Who are you?” It seemed to be the musician who had played the mournful melodies at the funeral.

Bai Zhi, with utmost respect, said, “I am Bai Zhi, a humble woman of limited talent. It is my honor to be invited to the Chancellor’s residence. Upon hearing that Your Highness is present, I have come to pay my respects.”

Now that Xia Jiujiang was the Princess Consort of Jin, her status was entirely different, and it was only natural that there would be many eager to curry favor and offer gifts.

Bai Zhi tried to make conversation. “In a few months, there will be a banquet in the palace. Many talented women will be invited to perform. Has Your Highness made any preparations?”

She spoke of the Golden Autumn Banquet, when nobles and dignitaries would gather in the Jade Hibiscus Hall and envoys from neighboring states would attend. Daughters of distinguished families would showcase their talents in hopes of catching the eye of royal heirs. Yet, before the Golden Autumn Banquet, the Empress Dowager’s birthday feast would also soon be held…

Xia Jiujiang gave a wry smile. “In the capital, I am known to all as a good-for-nothing. What could I possibly prepare? To make a fool of myself?”

Bai Zhi, with a look of earnest concern, said, “I have a piece here that is easy to learn. It will help Your Highness quickly pick up the zither and present yourself well at the banquet.”

She produced a music score from her sleeve and placed it before Xia Jiujiang. As her sleeve brushed past, a single drop of liquid fell, unnoticed, into the cup of tea before Xia Jiujiang. Bai Zhi’s manner showed no sign of anything amiss; her movements were natural. After presenting the score, she stepped back and stood aside.

Xia Jiujiang glanced at the sheet music. “Miss Bai Zhi, you are very thoughtful.”

Bai Zhi smiled. “It is nothing. To have a word with Your Highness is already an honor. If I can be of any help, it is my great fortune.”

Xia Jiujiang turned to her. “Please, have a seat.” She placed a teacup before Bai Zhi, the scent of white tea drifting through the air.

Bai Zhi accepted with a humble bow. “Thank you, Your Highness.” She cast a quick glance at the cup before Xia Jiujiang, waiting for her to drink and perish from the poison.

For a brief moment, as Bai Zhi lowered her head, a look of malice flickered across her face, chilling to behold. But when she raised her head again, her expression was as gentle as a spring breeze—her face could change faster than a flipped page.

Xia Jiujiang leafed through the sheet music on the table. The pieces truly were simple and could be of use. Bai Zhi, seeing that Xia Jiujiang still had not drunk the tea, raised her own cup and said, “I hope my little contribution can be of help. I offer a toast to Your Highness.”

Under Bai Zhi’s eager gaze, Xia Jiujiang picked up her cup and drained it in one gulp. Bai Zhi’s eyes flashed with anticipation.

Their conversation resembled nothing more than the idle chatter of close friends, ordinary and unremarkable. Yet beneath the surface, deadly intent already glimmered.

Within moments of drinking the tea, Xia Jiujiang suddenly clutched her chest, her face contorted in pain.

Lülü was alarmed. “Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

“My chest… it hurts… I…” Before she could finish, a mouthful of fresh blood spurted forth and she collapsed onto the table in agony.

Bai Zhi exclaimed in shock, “Your Highness! What’s happening? Someone fetch the imperial physician—hurry, go fetch the physician!”

She shouted at Lülü and Yuhua. The two maids, terrified by the sight of Xia Jiujiang vomiting blood, stood frozen in panic until Bai Zhi’s cries snapped them out of it and sent them rushing out to seek help.

As soon as the maids left, Bai Zhi dropped her frantic act. She rose, her gaze icy as she stared at Xia Jiujiang. The transition was so swift there was no trace of performance. In a cold voice, Bai Zhi said, “Go to the underworld and confess your sins before the Jiang family.”

No sooner had she spoken than Xia Jiujiang shot upright and seized Bai Zhi’s arm. “I thought you’d been hired as an assassin to deal with me, but unless I misheard, you just mentioned the Jiang family?”

Blood still smeared Xia Jiujiang’s lips, making her look truly terrifying.

Bai Zhi stared in shock, stammering, “You… you… why… you’re supposed to…”

Xia Jiujiang lifted her head. “You want to ask… why am I not dead?”

Bai Zhi demanded, trembling, “Didn’t you just cough up blood?”

Xia Jiujiang wiped her mouth, then licked her fingers. “The red fruit is quite sweet. Would you like to try some?”

From her sleeve she tossed out two small, black-red fruits. Bai Zhi caught them, and crimson juice burst out, looking for all the world like blood.

Bai Zhi cursed inwardly. Xia Jiujiang hadn’t died, which meant her own plot was now exposed. She drew a dagger with her other hand and feinted at Xia Jiujiang. As soon as Xia Jiujiang released her, Bai Zhi tried to flee, but Yuhua and Lülü blocked the doorway, cold and unyielding, ready to trap her like a caged beast.