Chapter 72: Garments That Incited the Empress Dowager of the West

Within the vast expanse of the Jade Hibiscus Hall, Xia Yue’er knelt alone, her frail figure evoking pity in all who gazed upon her solitude. At this moment, Xia Wentao and Lin Baixue, overcome with distress, rushed forward to kneel at her side, hastily pleading, “Your Majesty, we do not know what offense our daughter has given to displease you.”

Xia Jiujiang, observing Xia Wentao’s anxious demeanor, let out a soft laugh. “Father, you truly are concerned for Sister Yue’er. Since the Empress Dowager is angered, surely Yue’er must have done something improper. Why are you so quick to shield her?”

When Xia Wentao caught sight of Xia Jiujiang’s schadenfreude, his anger flared, and he roared, “Yue’er is your sister, after all! As the eldest, you ought to defend her, not add to her troubles with cold mockery. Do you even consider yourself a member of the Xia family?”

Feigning indignation, Xia Jiujiang replied, “Why do you blame me, Father? I am not mocking her, merely stating that if the Western Empress Dowager is angered, Yue’er must indeed be at fault. You should not be so hasty to defend her.”

Hadn’t Xia Wentao always striven to play the loving father? His efforts at deception had managed to fool everyone until now, but his current outburst, baring his vicious side as he shielded Xia Yue’er, stood in stark contrast.

When Xia Jiujiang had been framed as the culprit behind the calamity of the Broken Phoenix Hairpin by Minister Wei and Wang Yang, Xia Wentao had condemned her without hesitation. Now, with Xia Yue’er incurring the wrath of the Western Empress Dowager, he leapt to her defense without a second thought.

Who was truly cherished was plain to see; none of the gathered officials and nobles were fools, and their glances toward Xia Wentao grew increasingly knowing and amused.

Only after his outburst did Xia Wentao realize he had lost his composure. Xia Yue’er was his pride and joy, his hope for the future should she catch the eye of a prince and ascend as a royal consort. The moment he saw her singled out by the Western Empress Dowager, all his careful plans unraveled.

He glared furiously at Xia Jiujiang, fully aware that she had deliberately provoked him into exposing his true colors before so many.

Bowing his head, Xia Wentao gritted his teeth and said, “Yue’er is still young and this is her first palace banquet. In the Empress Dowager’s anger, it is only natural for a father to wish to know what offense she has committed.”

Xia Jiujiang snorted in disdain. Natural, indeed? In her memory, Xia Wentao had always favored Xia Yue’er, for she was accomplished in all the arts and ever obedient to his wishes.

In truth, Xia Wentao’s greatest affection was reserved for himself. Xia Yue’er merely represented his ambitions for greater advancement at court, and so he had poured all his hopes into her, ever seeking greater rewards in return.

Truly, self-interest governed all. If only they had known their place, Xia Jiujiang would have been content to maintain a façade of peace. But Xia Wentao’s repeated provocations had forced her hand.

Emperor Zongkang’s expression was cold, his face impassive yet a chilling pressure emanating from him. He spoke: “Second Miss Xia, where did your clothing come from?”

Xia Yue’er, head bowed, dared not lie. “After falling into the water at Hibiscus Garden, my clothes were soaked. My mother brought me to Lady Yi’s Lotus Harmony Palace, where I changed into dry clothes.”

The Western Empress Dowager turned her gaze to Lady Yi. “Lady Yi, is what Second Miss Xia says true?”

Lady Yi shot a furious look at Xia Yue’er, muttering under her breath, “When you fell into the water, you thought of my palace; now that trouble has come, you push it onto me. A fine niece, indeed.”

Lin Baixue whispered, “Sister, you cannot blame Yue’er for this. When the Emperor himself asked about her clothes, she could only answer honestly. Concealing the truth would only arouse suspicion.”

Though the Western Empress Dowager and Emperor Zongkang had not spoken explicitly, Lady Yi understood that there was a problem with the clothing. Xia Yue’er’s accident was already widely known within the palace; her changing clothes at Lotus Harmony Palace was no secret.

Lady Yi, ever astute, replied, “Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Yue’er’s clothes were indeed changed at Lotus Harmony Palace. The Wardrobe Bureau had just delivered new garments to us. Seeing Second Miss Xia in such a state after falling into the water, I gave her a set from the ones provided by the bureau.”

She deftly shifted the blame to the Wardrobe Bureau, reasoning that if there was fault with the clothing, the responsibility should lie with them.

The Western Empress Dowager’s face darkened. “Summon Stewardess Xue for questioning.”

When Stewardess Xue entered the hall, the Empress Dowager asked, “Stewardess Xue, Lady Yi claims that Second Miss Xia’s pale yellow gown is a ready-made garment from the Wardrobe Bureau. Inspect it and tell me—does it indeed come from your bureau?”

Stewardess Xue approached Xia Yue’er, carefully examining the fabric before bowing. “Your Majesty, this garment is not from our bureau.”

Lady Yi was momentarily stunned by her words. Alarmed, she exclaimed, “What do you mean, Stewardess Xue? Are you trying to shift the blame onto me? The Wardrobe Bureau delivered these clothes to my palace just today, and now you outright deny it? Do you think I have no witnesses?”

Stewardess Xue replied, “Your Highness is mistaken. I do not seek to shift blame, but this gown is not from the bureau. Every garment made in the tailoring rooms is meticulously recorded, from pattern and style to fabric, and the quantity of cloth used always matches the palace stores.”

With each word, Lady Yi’s unease deepened.

Stewardess Xue continued, “Not only is this gown’s style unlike any used by the tailoring rooms, even the fabric is unfamiliar. I can assure you, it is not from the bureau. If Your Highness doubts this, I can present records, fabric samples, and finished garments as proof.”

Her meaning was unmistakable: the garment had not come from the Wardrobe Bureau, so the problem must have originated in Lady Yi’s Lotus Harmony Palace.

Lady Yi’s jaw dropped in shock. No, this gown had absolutely come from the bureau—why did none of the records match? Was someone setting her up? Who in the palace would wish her harm?

She fretted inwardly. The Empress, Noble Consort Chen, and Consort Mei all outranked her and scarcely noticed her existence. She had never slighted anyone—why would someone target her?

As Lady Yi puzzled over her predicament, her face twisted with anxiety and dread. Observing from her seat, Xia Jiujiang watched the confusion clouding the faces of the Xia family and Lady Yi, a faint sneer curling her lips. None of them could guess that the true source of the trouble was not the Wardrobe Bureau nor Lotus Harmony Palace, but Xia Jiujiang herself.