Chapter 76: Completely Doomed

Anyone who wished to clear Jiang Mantang’s name, or wondered why Xia Yue’er went to He Yi Palace to change her clothes, would find all clues pointing to Xia Jiujiang. Although Prime Minister Xia did not know how Xia Jiujiang obtained the gilded fabric, nor how she managed to switch the garments into He Yi Palace, and even less how evidence was found in Wang Zhen’s secret chamber, Xia Wentao was certain that everything was orchestrated by Xia Jiujiang herself.

Emperor Zongkang regarded the suddenly prominent Xia Jiujiang; at this moment, her composed demeanor stood in stark contrast to the trembling Xia Yue’er. Graceful and poised, she truly had the bearing of a princess.

The emperor glanced at the evidence in his hand—letters between Marquis Guan Yuan and the Wang family, proof of their conspiracy against Jiang Mantang. He narrowed his eyes; the piles of evidence all confirmed that Jiang Mantang was framed years ago. One hundred and four lives, now revealed as unjustly lost.

Xia Jiujiang’s pursuit of justice for the Jiang family was only natural. Emperor Zongkang spoke, “Pei Xingzhi.”

Pei Xingzhi stepped forward and bowed. “Your servant is here.”

The emperor had resolved to investigate thoroughly. “Transfer the evidence of collusion between Marquis Guan Yuan and the Wang family, and their plot against Jiang Mantang, to the Court of Justice. You are to lead the investigation and uncover the truth.”

Pei Xingzhi replied, “I obey.”

Pei Xingzhi, the president of the Court of Justice, was known for his integrity and enjoyed the emperor’s favor. His cases were handled with strict adherence to evidence and thorough examination from all sides; during his tenure, he had overturned numerous wrongful convictions and was beloved by the people. Entrusting Jiang Mantang’s case to Pei Xingzhi gave Xia Jiujiang peace of mind.

Xia Wentao’s heart raced with anxiety, his world spinning. The Court of Justice’s investigation, despite his careful handling years ago, might still uncover the connection between the Xia family and Marquis Guan Yuan.

Marquis Guan Yuan was finished, and Lady Lin Baixue, the prime minister’s wife, was exposed as his daughter. Because of this, Xia Wentao’s gaze toward Lin Baixue changed; once he saw her as cultured and gentle, now she seemed an eyesore.

Concubine Chen’s hands clenched tightly. She had hoped to pair Xia Yue’er with Jun Qianye and control the influential Jin Mantang, making Jun Qianye even more formidable. Yet before her plan could take root, Jin Mantang had arrived, and even Marquis Guan Yuan was implicated. The Prime Minister’s residence would have to keep a low profile.

She wondered who could have orchestrated such a grand scheme, even affecting Jun Qianye. Could it be the Fifth Prince? Judging by his expression…it seemed even he was surprised.

People, when faced with trouble, always first consider their own interests.

Xia Yue’er’s hope of joining with Jun Qianye was dashed; this incident at Jade Hibiscus Hall had drawn in Jin Mantang and Marquis Guan Yuan, and without that background, Concubine Chen’s fondness for Xia Yue’er faded.

Regardless of who was truly responsible, Concubine Chen could only avoid the turmoil, lest she be caught in the flames.

Emperor Zongkang spoke coldly, “Concubine Yi has committed treason, misusing the gilded fabric meant for the ancestral rites, showing disrespect to the forebears of Li Kingdom. Confine her to the Cold Palace.”

Concubine Yi screamed in madness, “No, Your Majesty, I know nothing! I had no knowledge of my father’s dealings with Jin Mantang, nor was I aware of the gilded fabric—I was framed, everything has nothing to do with me, Your Majesty!”

Guards pressed forward to restrain her. Her cries were pitiful yet unworthy of pity. As Marquis Guan Yuan’s legitimate daughter, who knew how much Jin Mantang’s wealth had helped her ascend to her rank? How clean could her path have been?

The emperor continued, “The Wang family and Marquis Guan Yuan conspired to frame Jiang Mantang, leading to the destruction of his family five years ago. Imprison both families; once the evidence is irrefutable, their estates will be confiscated and they will be executed immediately!”

Marquis Guan Yuan collapsed to the ground, his heart utterly cold.

Guards came to escort Marquis Guan Yuan and Wang Zhen away, their pleas for mercy echoing through Jade Hibiscus Hall until they faded. Only the Xia family remained kneeling.

Xia Wentao knelt with his head lowered, cold sweat beading on his forehead and palms. Xia Yue’er shivered beside him, desperately wanting to explain that her clothes came from He Yi Palace, but the words stuck in her throat—unsure what she should or should not say.

Emperor Zongkang’s gaze was unreadable, coldly fixed on the Xia family.

If the Xia family had nothing to do with this, then Xia Yue’er’s use of the gilded fabric was the catalyst for tonight’s Jin Mantang affair. Moreover, Lin Baixue was Marquis Guan Yuan’s daughter. The connection was obvious—they had been set up. For a moment, the emperor fell silent.

His gaze rested on Xia Jiujiang. “Princess Jin, in your opinion, Xia Yue’er wore attire made of gilded fabric, triggering tonight’s events with Jin Mantang and disrupting the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. How should this be handled?”

The emperor tossed the matter to Xia Jiujiang. Xia Wentao’s heart plummeted; he cast a trembling glance at her, feeling the Xia family’s end was near.

Xia Wentao wanted to remind Xia Jiujiang that she was still a Xia, but before he could speak, Xia Jiujiang said, “Ignorance is no crime.”

Xia Wentao stared at her in astonishment.

Xia Jiujiang continued, “Though the gilded fabric is precious, once made into clothing it appears ordinary. Only when Yue’er danced was its intricacy revealed. Thus, she was unaware she wore gilded fabric and had no intention of misusing it.”

Xia Yue’er’s body stiffened, looking at Xia Jiujiang as if seeing a ghost, suspecting her kindness was somehow off.

Xia Jiujiang smiled, “Jin Mantang’s crimes and the collusion with Marquis Guan Yuan’s family, though exposed by the incident with Yue’er’s attire, have granted Jiang Mantang’s family justice. Not only is she uninvolved, she is meritorious.”

Emperor Zongkang nodded; Xia Jiujiang was indeed sharp-tongued. Prince Jin had said he underestimated his princess—so true.

Xia Jiujiang concluded, “As for disrupting the Empress Dowager’s banquet, that has nothing to do with Yue’er. The incident at the lake was caused by Princess Anya; Yue’er only changed in He Yi Palace after her clothes were soaked. None of this was in her control, so ignorance is no crime.”

Xia Jiujiang spoke in defense of Xia Yue’er, leaving Xia Wentao stunned. He had always believed Xia Jiujiang was the mastermind behind this drama, and that she would seize the opportunity to strike at the Xia family. Her words baffled him.

Lin Baixue clenched her fists, trembling as she bit her lip. To escape this crisis, they had to rely on Xia Jiujiang.

But Xia Jiujiang was not saving Xia Yue’er, nor did she consider herself part of the Xia family. It was simply that Xia Wentao had acted with caution.

When Jiang Mantang was targeted, the prime minister did not act directly, but used Marquis Guan Yuan’s hand. Jiang Beiying’s evidence pertained only to the Wang and Guan Yuan families.

Since there was no direct evidence, Xia Jiujiang might as well extend this favor, sowing confusion in Xia Wentao’s mind.

More importantly… the greatest pain and torment for a person is not immediate death, but the waiting for it.

With Marquis Guan Yuan and the Wang family destroyed, the Xia family would be plunged into constant, anxious fear, and even the most perfect scheming would breed suspicion, leading to their collapse.

Didn’t Xia Wentao love Lin Baixue and cherish Xia Yue’er? Lin Baixue had wielded his favor to bully and indulge servants in oppressing Xia Jiujiang. Now, Xia Jiujiang stripped them of these privileges, revealing how fragile their false harmony truly was.

This was Xia Jiujiang’s most exquisite torment for the Xia family.