Chapter 94: The Bureau of Tranquility Needs a Reshuffle Too

The moment she heard Jun Bu Wen’s voice, the murderous crimson in Xia Jiujiang’s eyes faded, and the heavy stone in her heart finally settled. It was as if she knew that with Jun Bu Wen’s arrival, no one would dare lay a finger on her.

As Xia Jiujiang’s killing intent slowly dissipated, Jun Qianye noticed the change in her expression, a flicker of displeasure passing through his heart. Xia Jiujiang had always treated Jun Qianye with arrogance, coldness, and contempt, yet the instant she heard Jun Bu Wen’s voice, her demeanor transformed. Jun Qianye, accustomed to success and never having suffered a setback with women, found himself all the more determined to snatch Xia Jiujiang away from Jun Bu Wen.

Jun Bu Wen strode into the prison cell with dignified presence, dressed in a long robe of pale azure that faded into deeper hues—like a bamboo, proud and aloof. He regarded Jun Qianye and Gao Shanshui with a cold sneer. “Who would have thought the Seventh Prince would be so concerned about the arrest of my consort, visiting the Bureau of Peace in the dead of night to check on her?”

Jun Qianye bowed. “Prince Jin.”

Jun Bu Wen’s gaze swept to Gao Shanshui. “I am somewhat surprised to find Lord Gao here as well. Is Lord Gao interrogating cases in the middle of the night?”

Who would believe such words? What case could possibly be tried at this hour?

Gao Shanshui, a shrewd man, knew better than to claim he was interrogating a case. Though he had the right to conduct trials, the presence of the Seventh Prince made things complicated. If word got out, it would seem as though Gao Shanshui and the Seventh Prince were jointly investigating this matter, and should this reach Emperor Zongkang’s ears, it would be tainted.

The court’s currents were still uncertain. The Seventh Prince’s act of gathering allies might well make him a thorn in the emperor’s side, even provoking Zongkang’s displeasure.

Jun Qianye smiled. “Prince Jin misunderstands. The public trial is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Lord Gao need not interrogate your consort at this hour. I had heard that the Princess Jin had attempted to murder Lady Xia. As I am acquainted with Prime Minister Xia, I came to visit your consort in the cell.”

Jun Bu Wen looked at Jun Qianye and scoffed. “So the Seventh Prince knows that Xia Jiujiang is my princess, then?”

The sarcasm was unmistakable; Jun Bu Wen had witnessed Jun Qianye’s demeanor just moments ago.

Jun Qianye, masked and feigning a smile, replied, “I am somewhat acquainted with Princess Jin. I have met her several times at the Prime Minister’s residence. Besides, this affair has become common talk throughout Liguo; my curiosity about the case’s progress is hardly surprising.”

Surprising, indeed. The real surprise was Jun Qianye’s shamelessness.

Jun Qianye tried every possible way to remind Xia Jiujiang that her alleged crime was known throughout Liguo, making it difficult for her to clear her name.

Jun Bu Wen spoke with confidence. “My princess does not require the Seventh Prince’s concern.”

Xia Jiujiang echoed, “Indeed, the innocent have nothing to fear. Seventh Prince, spare your words. When the trial comes, the truth will be revealed.”

Her meaning was clear: no matter how many words Jun Qianye spent, it would be futile. Xia Jiujiang would never choose him.

Someone as cunning and deceitful as Jun Qianye, using such tactics to coerce her—even if he offered himself, Xia Jiujiang would refuse.

Now, with Jun Bu Wen present, neither Jun Qianye nor Gao Shanshui dared harm Lülou. Any attempt at coercion would leave traces for Jun Bu Wen to accuse them later.

Jun Qianye’s gaze was icy. His hand, hidden within his sleeve, clenched into a fist. “Is that so? Princess Jin, you speak so confidently. I wonder what evidence will be presented at the trial.”

Xia Jiujiang’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Then Seventh Prince, be sure to keep your eyes wide open.”

Jun Qianye turned to Jun Bu Wen. “Does Prince Jin not think his princess is making a scene? If she would bow her head and admit fault, perhaps her life could be spared. But with such stubbornness, I fear there will be no hope for survival.”

After all, Jun Qianye was certain his plan would succeed this time.

Jun Bu Wen replied, “I trust my princess completely. I believe she will be perfectly safe.”

With those words, Xia Jiujiang understood Jun Bu Wen had found a clue. She almost forgot that Jun Bu Wen had the brocade guards, shadow guards, and secret agents from the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion; uncovering traces was effortless for him.

However, Jun Bu Wen probably lacked decisive evidence. If he had it, he would have found a way to free Xia Jiujiang from the Bureau of Peace.

It seemed the crucial evidence would not be so easy to obtain.

Yet Xia Jiujiang showed no sign of worry.

A sly, wicked smile crept across her lips. Since open confrontation was impossible, she would resort to cunning. Lin Baixue had schemed against her, so Xia Jiujiang would make Lin Baixue suffer by her own machinations.

Watching the seamless harmony between Xia Jiujiang and Jun Bu Wen, Jun Qianye’s face twisted with rage. Rejected by Xia Jiujiang, his heart seethed. Since she courted misfortune, Jun Qianye would show her—not every time would luck be on her side.

With a flourish of his sleeve, Jun Qianye declared, “Very well. I look forward to seeing whether Prince Jin and his princess will remain so obstinate during the public trial.”

Gao Shanshui addressed Jun Bu Wen, “Is there anything else you wish to say to your princess? If not, lingering in the Bureau of Peace is inadvisable. Since you believe her innocent, you can reminisce after the trial.”

Jun Bu Wen cast a cold glare at Gao Shanshui. “Thank you, Lord Gao, for the reminder. Otherwise, I might have forgotten your existence.”

Jun Qianye had not seen Gao Shanshui speak up while in the Bureau of Peace, but now it felt as though he was issuing an eviction.

Under Gao Shanshui’s watchful escort, Jun Qianye exchanged a few words with Xia Jiujiang before leaving.

Watching Gao Shanshui’s retreating figure, Xia Jiujiang’s eyes were icy. Jun Qianye dared scheme against her; had Jun Bu Wen not arrived in time, Lülou might truly have been in danger. When the public trial came, Xia Jiujiang would teach Jun Qianye what true regret meant!

After Jun Bu Wen left the Bureau of Peace, Nightshade immediately stepped forward. “Your Highness, how is the princess?”

Jun Bu Wen glanced at Nightshade. “Is that really what you wish to know?”

Youhua cast a sidelong glance at the nervous Nightshade, her fists tightening, a suffocating pressure in her chest.

Jun Bu Wen said, “Both the princess and Lülou are unharmed.”

Nightshade breathed a sigh of relief.

Jun Bu Wen continued, “But had I arrived a moment later, Lülou would have been taken away and tortured.”

Nightshade’s face contorted with fury. “What! They dared lay a hand on Lülou!”

His eyes flashed with steely resolve.

Jun Bu Wen said, “My intervention has made them cautious for now. Besides, the trial is imminent. They claim to have irrefutable evidence.”

Nightshade frowned. “Then... is there hope for rescuing the princess and Lülou at the trial?”

Jun Bu Wen glanced at him. “It seems someone’s mind is occupied only with Lülou.”

Nightshade hurried to cover his anxiety. “I am also deeply concerned for the princess.”

Jun Bu Wen replied with disdain, “My princess does not require your concern. You’d do better to worry about those you ought to care for.”

Nightshade’s cheeks flushed crimson.

Jun Bu Wen’s eyes gleamed. “Nevertheless, I trust my princess completely. She’s no pushover; I suspect she already has a plan. Since Lord Gao wishes to play executioner, it’s time for the Bureau of Peace to be reshuffled.”