Chapter 43: Husband, You're Home

Xia Yue’er couldn’t help but be stunned by the grandeur of the Prince Jin’s residence. Lamps were made from colored glass and crystal, luminous pearls decorated the halls, and the Garden of a Thousand Flowers was filled with countless blossoms, some rare and precious, their buds waiting to open. Inside the Pavilion of Mystery, the floors were paved with pure white jade, and the rosewood shelves displayed coral, agate, jade, porcelain, all arranged with exquisite care. Famous masters’ ink paintings of landscapes and figures adorned the walls. Such opulence left Xia Yue’er utterly amazed. It was said that the Pavilion of Mystery was the private retreat of Prince Jin himself—yet Xia Jiujiang was living here too?

Xia Yue’er had assumed from the start that Prince Jin would never tolerate someone as useless as Xia Jiujiang in his private quarters, but when she saw Xia Jiujiang seated in the place of honor, calmly brewing tea and sampling delicate pastries, jealousy burned in her eyes.

With the air of a mistress of the house, Xia Jiujiang spoke, “Sister Yue’er, please sit. May I ask what brings you here today?”

Xia Yue’er glanced at Old Meng, who stood respectfully at Xia Jiujiang’s side. Even the servants of Prince Jin’s household treated Xia Jiujiang with such deference? She had thought Xia Jiujiang was ignored in this place, but it turned out she herself was the fool.

Grinding her teeth, Xia Yue’er said, “Sister, you may not know—Grandmother has fallen ill.”

Ah, the old lady, whose voice could carry from the market to every corner of the street, had actually taken ill.

Xia Jiujiang replied, “Oh, Grandmother is ill. Such matters could be reported to me by sending a servant to the Prince’s residence. I will return to the Xia family to visit her.”

Xia Yue’er pressed on, “No, I came in person because I hoped to discuss with Sister about going together to the Great Li Temple to pray for Grandmother’s recovery.”

“I am married now. If prayers are to be offered at the Temple of Great Li, Second and Third Sister can go, and Brother Xia has returned to the manor as well—you may all go together, which should be sincere enough. Why insist on my presence?” Did they take Xia Jiujiang for a fool, not knowing it was a trap?

Moreover, Grandmother always seemed to be gravely ill at convenient times—especially after Xia Jiujiang brought Bai Zhi into her household. Wasn’t it just too coincidental?

Xia Yue’er knew Xia Jiujiang would find the matter suspicious and refuse to go, so she continued, “Originally, as you are married, prayers for Grandmother should fall to me and our elder brother. Third Sister, after her punishment, was sent to the convent and has been unwell ever since, but…”

She hesitated, as if struggling to speak.

Xia Jiujiang scoffed, “If Second Sister finds it so difficult to say, then don’t.”

Xia Yue’er’s demeanor was clearly filled with hidden meaning—obviously wanting to say something but feigning mystery. If she didn’t want to speak, there was no need to force it. Xia Jiujiang was curious to see if Yue’er could keep her words bottled up.

Impatient, Xia Yue’er blurted, “No, it’s just that discussing this so openly might upset Sister.”

“If it might upset me, then don’t say it,” Xia Jiujiang replied, intent on making Xia Yue’er stew.

Xia Yue’er hadn’t expected Xia Jiujiang to be so blunt. “But for the sake of harmony in the Xia family, I feel it’s best that Sister knows. There are many rumors circulating about Grandmother’s illness.”

“Oh?” Xia Jiujiang’s lips curled slightly; she didn’t need much thought to guess what Yue’er was about to say.

Xia Yue’er looked troubled: “The rumor is that Grandmother’s illness was caused by your quarrel with her at the Prime Minister’s residence a few days ago, that her anger led to her sudden decline.”

Xia Jiujiang rolled her eyes—here it was again, the same old tactic. How tiresome, using rumors to pressure her into agreeing to go to the Great Li Temple.

With a kindly expression, Xia Yue’er said, “So I thought, if Sister could join us in praying for Grandmother, it would show our sincerity and dispel these rumors.”

Xia Jiujiang enunciated clearly, “Sister, you are certainly thoughtful.”

Xia Yue’er glanced at Old Meng. “Though Sister said nothing harsh at the manor gate, Grandmother is elderly, and your disobedience surely made her uncomfortable. What does Steward Meng think?”

She deliberately referenced Xia Jiujiang’s supposed disobedience, and pointedly mentioned Meng, hoping that the servants would see Xia Jiujiang as unfilial, tarnishing her reputation within the Prince’s household.

Upon hearing this, Xia Jiujiang let out a soft laugh.

So this was what Xia Yue’er was up to—not only inviting Xia Jiujiang to the temple, but probing into her life at Prince Jin’s residence, even trying to undermine her standing with the servants. But she underestimated Old Meng.

Old Meng bowed and said, “This old servant is not concerned about the Lady’s reputation being affected.”

Xia Yue’er was surprised, awkwardly asking, “Why would you say that, Old Meng?”

Standing tall and calm, Old Meng replied, “For rumors stop at the wise, but persist with the foolish.”

Xia Yue’er’s face stiffened; she hadn’t expected the servants to be so arrogant and so openly rude.

Xia Jiujiang cast her a sidelong glance. “If Sister came to discuss going to the Great Li Temple to pray for Grandmother, I agree to accompany you. If there’s nothing further, you may take your leave.”

Xia Jiujiang had anticipated they would come to her, and now that they had willingly presented themselves like sheep to the slaughter, she would have her way.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Xia Yue’er joked, “Is Sister trying to send me away?”

Old Meng answered, “Second Miss Xia overthinks. It’s just that our Prince never allows outsiders to dine in the residence, so the Lady must ask you to return home first.”

Xia Yue’er clenched her fists, biting back her anger. That a mere steward would call her an ‘outsider’—wasn’t she at least the Lady’s sister?

Feigning composure, Xia Yue’er said, “Then I shall take my leave, Sister.”

She stood to depart, and just then Prince Jin, Jun Bu Wen, returned. He frowned slightly at seeing another guest.

When Xia Yue’er saw Jun Bu Wen, though he was not her target, she enjoyed the feeling of men succumbing to her beauty.

Her posture became more demure as she approached him, curtseying, “Your Highness, I came today to chat with Sister, not realizing how late it had gotten. Sister urged me to return home quickly, lest I miss supper.”

She lowered her face gently, showing off her most graceful curve, the angle most likely to win pity.

She was determined to show Jun Bu Wen that though Xia Jiujiang was her elder sister, she possessed none of the dignity of a princess, nor the magnanimity of Lady Jin—shooing Xia Yue’er away before supper, without offering a simple meal.

Such treatment toward a legitimate daughter of the Xia family would surely cause distaste, but Jun Bu Wen replied coldly, “Quite so. I do not keep outsiders for dinner. Safe travels.”

Xia Jiujiang nearly burst out laughing at his words; Xia Yue’er’s expression was truly unsightly.

Seeing Jun Bu Wen, Xia Jiujiang’s eyes widened in delight. She skipped over to his side and took his arm, saying sweetly, “Husband, you’re back!”

Jun Bu Wen stiffened for a few seconds—this little fox must be up to her tricks again.