Chapter 59: Was It You Who Pushed Me Into the Water?

Xia Jiujiang sensed the piercing gaze upon her. The golden hem of a robe flickered in her peripheral vision. Emperor Zongkang’s voice rang out, clear and forceful, a booming resonance that carried an aura of authority.

“Rise,” Emperor Zongkang commanded.

The women stood, Xia Jiujiang rising with them and lifting her gaze just enough to glimpse the emperor before her, and behind him, the Prince Jin, Jun Buwen. At the sight of Jun Buwen, Xia Jiujiang felt a reassuring calm settle over her, as if the sky might collapse and he would hold it up.

Though Emperor Zongkang’s temples were dusted with gray, traces of handsomeness lingered in his features. In middle age, his bearing had only grown more dignified. His stern countenance was devoid of humor, the restraint of his emotions forming a mask as inscrutable as any monarch’s should be.

He questioned, “The banquet at Jade Hibiscus Hall is about to begin. Why are you causing such a commotion in the Lotus Garden? And why is Princess Anya soaked through?”

Princess Anya flung herself before the emperor. “Imperial Uncle, you must uphold justice for me! I was preparing to walk to the Lotus Pavilion when the Princess Consort of Jin pushed me from behind. Both Xia Yue’er and I fell into the water because of her.”

Emperor Zongkang paused. He knew his niece well—who could bully her? It was often the other way around. Now, she accused Xia Jiujiang openly, clearly targeting her. Yet this suited the emperor’s purpose, for he intended to use Anya against Xia Jiujiang and saw an opportunity to test her.

He glanced at Jun Buwen. Oddly, when they were in Yulong Hall earlier, Jun Buwen had defended Xia Jiujiang. The emperor expected him to intervene now, but Jun Buwen stood silently by, allowing matters to unfold. Since that was so, Emperor Zongkang felt justified in pressing Xia Jiujiang.

Jun Buwen kept his silence, confident that such petty schemes would not trouble Xia Jiujiang. His princess consort was not easily bested.

Xia Jiujiang replied with calm dignity, “Princess Anya may have suffered a mishap and imagined someone pushed her. I walked ahead of the princess and behind Xia Yue’er. Even if I had pushed Xia Yue’er, I would not have been able to turn and push the princess.”

Princess Anya retorted angrily, “You claim to have walked between me and Xia Yue’er—who saw that? You were clearly at the end, behind me, and pushed me. I lost my footing and dragged Xia Yue’er into the water as well.”

Among the women, whispers began.

“Was Xia Jiujiang between Princess Anya and Xia Yue’er, or behind them?”

“Who knows?”

“I didn’t notice where the Princess Consort of Jin was standing.”

“Nor did I. Did anyone see?”

Princess Anya was certain no one would recall—on the narrow, winding path, as the women made their way to the Lotus Pavilion, shadows mingled and few paid attention to Xia Jiujiang’s exact position.

She turned to Xia Yue’er. “If the emperor doubts me, he can ask Xia Yue’er. She is the princess consort’s sister. Surely we didn’t both imagine ourselves falling into the water.”

Emperor Zongkang followed Anya’s suggestion, his gaze settling on Xia Yue’er. “Second Miss Xia, is it as the princess says?”

With Princess Anya taking the lead against Xia Jiujiang, Xia Yue’er need not act herself and was pleased. Yet she did not wish the emperor to think she was antagonizing her own elder sister.

Xia Yue’er answered, “I walked ahead of the princess consort, and she was indeed behind me. I cannot say whether she was directly behind me or behind the princess, but I did feel a force push me from behind, causing me to fall into the water.”

Her words supported Princess Anya, implying someone had maliciously pushed her, and, since she had not seen who was behind her, she was indirectly pointing to Xia Jiujiang.

Xia Jiujiang had never expected Xia Yue’er to speak in her defense; this betrayal was not unexpected. She smiled with contempt, utterly unruffled.

Her composure surprised Emperor Zongkang. The eldest daughter of the Prime Minister’s household was said to be a useless fool, yet facing Princess Anya’s accusations, Xia Jiujiang remained so steady—either she was extraordinarily courageous, or truly witless.

He looked at her. “Princess Consort of Jin, do you have anything to say?”

Xia Jiujiang curtsied. “I did not push the princess or Xia Yue’er. First, I have no motive to do so, and on such a conspicuous path, both would know if someone intended harm. If I were the culprit, why would I act so openly?”

Princess Anya erupted, “You dare deny it! What do you mean by no motive? You sought revenge. At Dali Kingdom Temple, I demanded you give me your clothes, and you were displeased. So, at the Lotus Pavilion, you deliberately walked at the back to push me into the water!”

Emperor Zongkang cast Anya a glance—she dared, before so many, to reveal her own outrageous conduct at the Dali Kingdom Temple, forcing the princess consort to undress for her. Such things were entirely in Anya’s character.

Yet, seeing Xia Jiujiang, whom Anya had bullied at the temple, now unbowed and poised, Emperor Zongkang found it hard to believe she was the notorious fool of the capital.

Xia Jiujiang’s lips curled at Anya’s accusation. “The princess walked at the front of all the women. If I truly wished to push you, I should have moved ahead. Yet the princess deliberately placed herself at the rear. How could I have foreseen you would do so?”

Her words left Princess Anya speechless and her face pale. Emperor Zongkang, surprised, regarded Xia Jiujiang. Who would have thought this so-called fool was such a sharp and quick-witted woman? The emperor’s scheme to use Anya against her had backfired.

After a moment, Princess Anya protested, “That’s because you hadn’t intended to push me at first. When I happened to walk at the end, you seized the opportunity. Otherwise, why did I fall into the water—do you mean I jumped in myself?”

Xia Jiujiang turned to the women around her. “Is there anyone present who can attest that I did not push the princess or Xia Yue’er?”

Emperor Zongkang was startled, thinking Xia Jiujiang must have some means to prove her innocence. Instead, she turned and asked the assembled women. The result was predictable—none would dare oppose Princess Anya.

The women exchanged nervous glances, none willing to speak, for they had seen the murderous look in Anya’s eyes.

Princess Anya declared triumphantly, “See, Xia Jiujiang, as Princess Consort of Jin you dare target me so openly. Do you even respect me, or the royal family of the Kingdom of Li?”

Xia Jiujiang ignored the princess’s wild accusations and spoke unhurriedly, “Since no one can vouch for my innocence, I must prove it myself.”