Chapter 44: A Mind as Dense as Elm Wood

Jun Bu Wen and Xia Jiu Jiang paid no heed whatsoever to Xia Yue Er, treating her as if she were nothing more than an outsider who should hurry up and leave. Infuriated, Xia Yue Er clenched her fists and left in embarrassment.

Leaning in close to Jun Bu Wen, Xia Jiu Jiang whispered, “Thanks to your foresight, acting so affectionate in King Jin’s manor, the servants don’t dare look down on me. They treat me as the princess consort, even Elder Meng regards me as the mistress of the house.”

Jun Bu Wen rubbed his forehead. All he had intended was to test Xia Jiu Jiang, yet she thought his gestures in the manor were meant to build up her authority as princess consort. Should he praise her for being clever, or simply for being clever?

Elder Meng watched Xia Jiu Jiang’s demeanor and sighed. The princess consort had no idea just how cunning his master was. A gentle rabbit had fallen into the jaws of the wolf, except that the consort had never been a rabbit.

After returning to Xuan San Residence, Elder Meng busied himself with arranging the dishes. At the round table of yellow pear wood, Jun Bu Wen asked, “What did Xia Yue Er come to see you about?”

Xia Jiu Jiang replied carelessly, “What else? The old matriarch is gravely ill, and she wants me to go with them to Dali Temple to pray for her.”

Jun Bu Wen scoffed, “Scheming as usual. Finding the Prime Minister’s residence too difficult, now they want to make their move at Dali Temple.”

Such obvious motives—Jun Bu Wen saw through them instantly, as did even the maids at Xia Jiu Jiang’s side.

Jun Bu Wen summoned Nightshade and instructed, “Have the shadow guards monitor Xia Ming Xuan. Let’s see what the Prime Minister’s residence is up to.”

While serving Xia Jiu Jiang dishes, Jun Bu Wen gave orders to Nightshade, quietly paving the way for her with casual conversation.

Xia Jiu Jiang chuckled, “You’re surprisingly cooperative.” Even the shadow guards were now helping her investigate.

Her constant talk of cooperation and awareness irritated Jun Bu Wen. He couldn’t grasp the point of her reminders, but they grated on him, as if he hadn’t acted to test her at all.

Jun Bu Wen’s expression hardened. “Silence at the table, no idle talk before bed.”

Xia Jiu Jiang muttered, “Weren’t you the one chattering away?”

Elder Meng watched Jun Bu Wen get flustered and mused that this was the first time anyone had made him want to flip the table. Indeed, the princess consort was extraordinary.

Within the time it took for incense to burn, Nightshade returned to report, “The shadow guards discovered that Xia Ming Xuan has contacted the Black Three gang.”

Xia Jiu Jiang was astonished, “That was fast! You’ve already found clues?”

Jun Bu Wen made no comment. “That pace is already slow.”

The shadow guards’ network spanned the capital; they even knew how many times Xia Ming Xuan visited the privy yesterday. Learning whom he met was child’s play.

Eyes shining, Xia Jiu Jiang said, “The shadow guards are so useful. If I need to investigate, I should just use them.”

Nightshade gave Xia Jiu Jiang a disdainful look, clicking his tongue. Did she think the shadow guards were there to help her with trivial matters? Did she think they had nothing better to do?

He waited for Jun Bu Wen to rebuke Xia Jiu Jiang, but to his surprise, Jun Bu Wen said, “Very well, I’ll assign you some shadow guards. If you run into trouble, you can instruct Nightshade.”

Nightshade’s face, already stiff with shock, dropped further at these words, his mouth agape.

No! My lord, you’ve changed!

Xia Jiu Jiang gave Nightshade a sinister smile, sending chills down his spine.

Elder Meng murmured, “I told you, spring has come.”

Nightshade trembled, “It’s obviously winter, the depths of winter.”

Xia Jiu Jiang asked, “Black Three? Who are they?”

Jun Bu Wen smiled, deciding another’s fate with a single sentence. “A gang of bandits, robbing and pillaging, committing every evil. The magistrate’s men have been watching them for a while. Since Black Three is delivering themselves, it’s the perfect opportunity to hand them over as a gift.”

The day soon arrived for the pilgrimage to Dali Kingdom’s temple. Xia Ming Xuan brought his retinue and three carriages to the gate of King Jin’s manor, waiting for Xia Jiu Jiang. His entrance was grand.

The carved elm wheels bore auspicious cloud motifs, the dark brown horses wore pure white armor, the carriages were draped in dark silk embroidered with intricate patterns, and the gold-inlaid windows gleamed in the sunlight. Pale green gauze curtains lifted to reveal picturesque scenery outside.

Xia Jiu Jiang appeared in a pale blue, silver-embroidered blouse adorned with a hundred butterflies, a sash fastened with a jade gourd swaying invitingly, and a pearl-white lake silk skirt—simple yet elegant, dignified yet refined.

She brought only Green Vine, Quiet Flower, and White Angelica with her. When she appeared before Xia Yu Er, Xia Yue Er asked, “Sister, are you traveling with just a few maids?”

Although Dali Kingdom’s temple was not far from the capital, the mountain roads were treacherous. The journey took a day, requiring an overnight stay at the temple. Traveling with only a few maids and no guards seemed reckless.

Xia Jiu Jiang retorted, “It’s merely a trip to Dali Temple to offer incense and prayers, not a dangerous mission. What need for an entourage? Besides, Brother Xia is a young general, bringing his troops to protect us. Why would I need anyone else?”

Xia Yue Er smiled sweetly. “Sister, you’re right.”

Of course, Xia Jiu Jiang could not openly bring guards for her safety. Knowing Xia Yue Er and Xia Ming Xuan were plotting against her, she deliberately left herself seemingly unprotected, inviting them to reveal their schemes.

Xia Ming Xuan spurred his horse, leading the carriages toward Dali Kingdom’s temple. Green Vine was nervous throughout, nearly spilling tea several times, apologizing incessantly.

Xia Jiu Jiang reassured her, “Green Vine, don’t worry. Since Xia Ming Xuan is so openly acting as our escort, it tells everyone in the kingdom that he’s responsible for our safety. If anything happens on the road, he cannot escape blame. So rest easy; he won’t make a move.”

With that, Green Vine relaxed, “Princess Consort, you should have said so sooner. I’ve been on edge for nothing.”

Xia Jiu Jiang teased, “Why are you so nervous? You have your beloved Nightshade protecting you, after all.”

Quiet Flower sputtered, choking on her tea. She clearly hadn’t expected that Nightshade, the head of the shadow guards, would have such a relationship with Green Vine.

She stared at Green Vine in shock.

Green Vine snapped, “Princess Consort, what nonsense are you spouting? When did Nightshade become my beloved?”

Xia Jiu Jiang snickered, “Don’t you know Nightshade tells everyone in King Jin’s manor that you and he spent a very pleasant night together in the tree outside Xuan San Residence?”

Green Vine’s face flushed, then turned livid, shaking with rage. “That damned Nightshade ruined my reputation! What pleasant night? He—he was kicked by me, so hard he’ll never have children. He’s retaliating! Nightshade, just you wait!”

At that moment, Nightshade felt a sudden chill and shuddered for no apparent reason.