Chapter 10: How Dare You Talk Back

Xia Chan returned to the Grove Court and tearfully recounted to Concubine Wei everything that had just transpired in the Guest Courtyard.

Sobbing, Xia Chan said, "How am I in any way inferior to Xia Jiujiang? Yet Prince Jin and Xia Jiujiang sang in perfect unison just to embarrass me."

Wei Yunan, gentle and soothing, comforted her. "Can't you see Xia Jiujiang is deliberately showing off in front of you just to provoke your anger? Why let her succeed in her schemes?"

Her soft voice quickly calmed Xia Chan, who wiped her tears and replied, "You're right, Mother. I won't let them get what they want."

After all, Xia Chan needed to keep up her flawless appearance for the evening's festivities.

Wei Yunan continued, "You should focus on preparing your gift for the Old Madam's birthday tonight. Instead of wasting time crying, think about how to please her."

Xia Chan broke into a grin. "I understand, Mother. We've spared no expense for Grandmother's birthday banquet this time. No matter what, I must outshine Xia Jiujiang and win the top praise."

"You speak of nothing but Xia Jiujiang. Compose yourself at once," Wei Yunan scolded.

Xia Chan huffed in response.

Wei Yunan spoke from instinct, "Back when she lived in the Xia household, Xia Jiujiang was a useless simpleton. Yet ever since she returned as Princess Jin, she's delivered a blow to everyone. I have a feeling… this Xia Jiujiang is not so simple now. Don't act rashly."

Her words only drew a cold sneer from Xia Chan. What was there to fear about Xia Jiujiang? She was merely relying on her title to act with impunity in the Xia family. Without the title of Princess Jin, Xia Jiujiang would be nothing!

"I know," Xia Chan replied perfunctorily, but her eyes blazed with unyielding defiance.

The Old Madam of the Xia family was a woman who relished vanity. When they had no money, she relied on the Jiang family's wealth for grand banquets, yet still found fault with Jiang Ruan, claiming her arrangements were beneath her and nitpicking at every turn.

Now that her own son had finally become Prime Minister, the birthday banquet naturally attracted a distinguished gathering. Numerous colleagues from the officialdom would attend, bearing gifts and flattering words, all to satisfy the Old Madam's hollow pride.

And today, as luck would have it, both Prince Jin and Princess Jin had returned to pay their respects. To attend the birthday banquet meant a chance to see them as well, so this year's guest list was longer than ever before.

The Old Madam was dressed in a custom-made "Immortal Crane Amid Idle Clouds" silk gown from Golden Hall, the embroidery vivid and meticulous. An auspicious longevity lock hung at her neck, and her brow was adorned with a pomegranate forehead ornament. Full of vitality and spirits, she basked in the extravagance of her celebration.

At first, all attention centered upon her, but as soon as Jun Buwen and Xia Jiujiang appeared, the eyes of all present shifted to them. The Old Madam's banquet instantly became a mere backdrop to their presence.

The Old Madam's mood soured. Xia Jiujiang caught her glance and smiled faintly—such lack of composure, yet she always boasted of being the Prime Minister’s mother.

Deliberately within earshot, the Old Madam grumbled, "Since you’ve returned, you don't even think to greet your grandmother. Such lack of manners."

Hearing this, Xia Jiujiang approached, curtsied, and said, "Your granddaughter pays her respects."

The Old Madam, maintaining her dignity, spoke curtly. "I hear that upon your return today, you made your father bow to you. Is that so?"

"It is," Xia Jiujiang answered directly.

The Old Madam seized the chance to reprimand her. "Outrageous! A daughter making her father bow—what sort of custom is that!"

In the Old Madam’s eyes, Xia Jiujiang was still the same useless girl, unworthy of the family’s pride. She never regarded her as Princess Jin, had no reverence for her, and believed that as her grandmother, she held the highest authority.

"Grandmother misunderstands," Xia Jiujiang answered. "At the Xia gates, I returned as Princess Jin. My father bowed to the title, to the rank bestowed by His Majesty, not to his daughter. How can that be equated with a child making her parent bow?"

Her words were flawless, but to the Old Madam they stung. When had Xia Jiujiang become so eloquent?

Guests exchanged looks; many had visited the Xia household before. The eldest daughter was seldom seen, rumored to be a foolish, talentless girl ignorant of propriety. Yet today, she appeared well-mannered and articulate—clearly the rumors could not be trusted.

Angered by her retort, the Old Madam snapped, "What are you implying now? Should your grandmother bow to you as well?"

What truly infuriated her was Xia Jiujiang’s audacity. Bowing to a princess, was the girl hinting that the Old Madam herself should do the same?

At that moment, Jun Buwen spoke coolly, "Since the Old Madam is so insistent on propriety, it is basic etiquette to bow to a prince. Does the Old Madam not know this? However, seeing that you are advanced in years and it's your birthday, I shall exempt you from such formalities today."

The Old Madam's face nearly twisted with rage. Jun Buwen’s words, spoken before all, were a deliberate slap—calling her ignorant of etiquette and stating that only today was she spared from showing the proper respect. The implication was clear: in the future, no such exemption would be granted.

Prime Minister Xia Wintao quickly tried to smooth things over. "The banquet is about to begin."

The Old Madam grunted, "Enough, enough, let the banquet take precedence."

Feigning the magnanimity of an elder not stooping to quarrel with the younger generation, she cut a ridiculous figure.

The guests sensed the underlying tensions. Jun Buwen, known for his coldness, had spoken in defense of Xia Jiujiang; it seemed her status in Prince Jin’s household was indeed unshakable.

The revelry began; the tables filled with distinguished guests. The stage was alive with opera, and the maids filed in orderly, setting exquisite pastries and dishes on the low square tables—each crafted by the renowned chef from Ruyi Pavilion.

It was clear Xia Wintao had spared no effort. Though the occasion was called a "birthday," what mattered even more was the "banquet." With so many prominent officials present, no expense was spared.

Osmanthus cakes, thinly sliced tripe, paired fried tripe, crispy jade leaves—each dish was so delicate it made one’s mouth water. The Xia family themselves wore gold and silver, while even the maids’ clothing was made from the Golden Hall’s prized folded-moon silk.

Xia Jiujiang pondered for a moment, finding it all rather amusing.

With her new identity as Princess Jin and the memories of this body, she could easily play her part, but she had also taken care to investigate the affairs of the Xia family.

It was said that after the Jiang family was toppled, cutting off the Xia family’s source of wealth, their lifestyle did not decline—in fact, it improved. Was this due to the Prime Minister’s secret income, or was there another reason?

Previously, the main wife, Jiang Ruan, had relied on the Jiang family’s fabric business, but after its fall, the fabric supplied to the Xia family changed from "Jiang Mantang" to "Golden Hall"—a business belonging to the Wang family. Yet, the Wang family seemed to have no ties to the Xia family.

Turning over the fish on her plate, Xia Jiujiang’s lips curled into a cold, enigmatic smile.