Chapter 68: The Stinging Slap of Humiliation

Xia Jiujang spoke with disdain, “I distinctly said ‘you and Minister Wei.’ I really don’t know how Father interpreted my words, instantly escalating them to disrespect for the Empress Dowager. Prime Minister Xia’s ability to interpret literature is extraordinary—he can deduce the author’s inner turmoil and ferocious emotions from a single sentence. His reading comprehension must be perfect.”

Xia Wentao could not understand what Xia Jiujang was saying, yet he felt the full brunt of her sarcasm. He retorted, “What reading comprehension… What literature? What nonsense are you spouting?”

Jun Bu Wen raised a hand to his forehead; this woman was speaking in riddles again. She seemed to be enjoying herself so much, she’d forgotten entirely that there was serious business to attend to tonight.

Xia Jiujang mocked, “You’re simply overanalyzing my words. I hadn’t even spoken, yet you and Minister Wei immediately joined forces to condemn me. Naturally, I find this quite moving.”

Xia Wentao’s expression stiffened. “What do you mean by this, Princess? How is it that Minister Wei and I are suddenly acting in concert? I am your father. Do you think I wish for you to commit such a heinous act? Do you think I want our family’s name tarnished by your behavior? The evidence is irrefutable, the truth is clear. I do not want you to compound your mistakes, yet you fail to understand your father’s painstaking efforts.”

He wore the look of a wounded man. Xia Yue’er rose at this moment to support Xia Wentao, and said to Xia Jiujang, “Sister, I know you want to prove your innocence, but you shouldn’t upset Father like this. He simply doesn’t want to see you stray any further.”

Xia Jiujang cast her a sidelong glance. This Xia Yue’er seemed determined to insert herself into every scene—was she worried about her lack of screen time and thus striving for the spotlight?

Xia Yue’er, with her gentle and demure appearance, embodied the perfect image of a well-bred, filial daughter. Supporting Xia Wentao, she made the scene look like a portrait of fatherly love and filial piety, earning her admiring and moved looks from those present.

Watching Xia Yue’er’s performance, Xia Jiujang sneered, “Sister, you went to He Yi Palace to change your clothes before returning to Jade Hibiscus Hall, did you not? You know nothing of what happened here, yet you accuse me of upsetting Father, and say you don’t want to see me make mistakes. Do you even know what mistake I’m supposed to have made?”

Xia Yue’er’s face stiffened.

Xia Jiujang continued with biting sarcasm, “It seems you’re entirely unaware of the situation. You arrived at Jade Hibiscus Hall, saw Father targeting me, and decided to throw stones at the one who’s already down.”

A flash of ferocious anger flickered in Xia Yue’er’s eyes. Xia Jiujang had just accused her of kicking someone when they were down, openly declaring to everyone that their relationship was strained.

Xia Yue’er lowered her head, aggrieved. “Why does Sister target me so? I merely wish for harmony between you and Father, and hope you won’t anger him. If I’ve said anything to upset you, I apologize.”

Her pitiful expression was like that of someone bullied but unable to protest.

Among those present, whispers arose:

“How can Xia Jiujang treat her sister this way?”
“Xia Yue’er truly is generous and understanding. Xia Jiujang is far too sharp in comparison.”
“She’s determined to throw the Prime Minister’s household into chaos. First it was Concubine Wei, now Minister Wei, and now she’s targeting Xia Yue’er. Isn’t this too much?”

Xia Wentao knelt before Emperor Zongkang and pleaded, “Your Majesty, please uphold justice. Xia Jiujang, as the Princess of Jin, has committed such a grave offense and shows no remorse. She mocks her father, and I must, for the sake of righteousness, act against my own kin to guide her back to the right path.”

His portrayal of the loving father was so convincing, it might have moved even himself—unfortunately, it couldn’t touch Xia Jiujang.

“She relies on her title as Princess of Jin to act with impunity.”
“Poor Prime Minister Xia is so angry. If I had a daughter like that, I’d be furious too.”
“Hmph, so what if she’s Princess of Jin? Disrespectful to her father and unkind to her sister, making a scene at the palace banquet—serves her right.”
“Princess of Jin isn’t some useless fool, but with such arrogant, domineering character, it’s no wonder the Xia family must act for justice.”
“With such solid evidence, what’s left to argue? Stop wasting our time and drag her away.”

Suddenly, Xia Jiujang’s gaze turned fierce as she swept her eyes around the room. She declared imperiously, “Is that so? All of you say I’m in the wrong, convinced the evidence points to me as the culprit. You follow blindly, knowing nothing of the truth. In that case, let me show you what a real reversal looks like.”

Holding the evidence ticket, she strode to a corner where a lamp burned. Everyone watched her, puzzled, as she pinched the ticket between her fingers and brought it to the flame. A collective gasp rippled through the hall—she was about to destroy the evidence!

Xia Wentao, alarmed, cried out, “Xia Jiujang, what are you doing? How dare you act so brazenly in Jade Hibiscus Hall, attempting to destroy the evidence before everyone? Do you think that will prevent anyone from identifying you?”

He was about to rush forward to seize Xia Jiujang, but Jun Bu Wen, with a twitch of his fingers, had Nightshade move like a shadow to block Xia Wentao’s advance.

Xia Wentao was shocked. “What does this mean, Prince Jin? Are you condoning your consort’s destruction of evidence?”

Emperor Zongkang watched Xia Jiujang with surprise and glanced at Jun Bu Wen, who wore a triumphant smile, as if everything was unfolding according to his plan. Jun Bu Wen’s expression was unreservedly approving—Xia Jiujang had indeed caught his signal.

Seeing this, Emperor Zongkang remained calm and silent, and the clever consorts around him followed his lead, tacitly allowing Xia Jiujang’s actions.

Emperor Zongkang finally spoke, “Rest assured, Prime Minister Xia. With me here, Princess Jin will not be allowed to act unruly.”

Xia Jiujang moved away from the flame, looking at Xia Wentao with a smile. “Father, you’re far too anxious. When did I say I intended to burn the evidence? Are you so afraid I’ll destroy it, leaving nothing to accuse me with?”

Xia Wentao was furious, his face contorted with anger. Tonight in Jade Hibiscus Hall, he suffered unprecedented humiliation; Xia Jiujang’s every word peeled away his mask, exposing to all what kind of father he truly was.

But his assumption that Xia Jiujang would burn the evidence proved wrong. She merely heated the ticket over the flame, charring the back without destroying it entirely.

With a cold laugh, Xia Jiujang held up the ticket. “I said before the ticket bore my personal seal, but I never finished my sentence. This ticket is not one I stamped myself. Now, it’s clear.”

She returned to the center of Jade Hibiscus Hall and displayed the back of the ticket for all to see. It was scorched black, yet around the seal, a fine line separated the charred area.

She flicked the ticket, and suddenly, the stamped portion detached from the rest. The lower half of the ticket was perfectly clean, without the Princess of Jin’s personal seal.