Chapter 107: A Powerful Alliance, Surely Unstoppable?

Gao Shanshui’s inexplicable poisoning and sudden death struck Jun Qianye as deeply strange. If the Zhen’an Division was Jun Qianye’s bargaining chip, then Consort Chen’s ability to mobilize its connections would be effortless.

Consort Chen did not hide the truth. She said, “It was I who ordered someone to poison Gao Shanshui. Otherwise, do you think you’d still have a chance at survival? Gao Shanshui was taken away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard—do you think someone like him would keep silent? If King Jin caught wind of our secret, you, Seventh Prince, would no longer have your position.”

Jun Qianye grew agitated. “Mother, you arranged for Gao Shanshui to be killed with a poisoned needle. I suspect Jun Buwen noticed the needle but deliberately seized the opportunity to bring down the entire Zhen’an Division. Ultimately, the one responsible for the destruction of Zhen’an Division is you.”

Jun Qianye’s frustration surged. Consort Chen’s recklessness in using the venomous needle was too risky. Even if Gao Shanshui had been captured, Jun Qianye could have silenced him. Why resort to such a dangerous tactic?

Consort Chen was momentarily stunned. “What poisoned needle? I clearly instructed for poison to be slipped into Gao Shanshui’s tea.”

Regarding the claim that Gao Shanshui was killed by a poisoned needle, Jun Buwen had deliberately kept this ambiguous. Officially, it was said that Gao Shanshui died from poisoning, with no mention of a needle. Naturally, this was not spoken of within the palace, and it was only now that Consort Chen realized something was amiss.

Consort Chen’s words caused Jun Qianye to stiffen. “Mother, what did you just say?”

Rising, Consort Chen declared, “Do you think I jest? There was no poisoned needle at all. I had already received word that King Jin planned to move against Gao Shanshui. Since your Zhen’an Division had already begun a public trial, I ordered arsenic to be slipped into Gao Shanshui’s tea as a precaution—so he wouldn’t reveal our secrets.”

Not a poisoned needle, but poisoned tea?

Jun Qianye was taken aback. “If it was the tea, then what about the poisoned needle on his neck… a poisoned needle? But the first to rush to Gao Shanshui’s side was… Ah, so that’s how it was. Xia Jiujian—I really underestimated you!”

Consort Chen was shocked. “Xia Jiujian? She actually used the poisoned needle at the moment Gao Shanshui was poisoned to cover up the truth, and even tacitly cooperated with Jun Buwen, allowing him to use the incident as a pretext to seize the entire Zhen’an Division!”

Jun Qianye said, “Mother, I’ve said before, Xia Jiujian is not to be underestimated. Letting her stay by Jun Buwen’s side is like giving him wings. Even if I have other motives, Jun Buwen losing Xia Jiujian would be a blow to him.”

Consort Chen’s suspicion deepened. “If Xia Jiujian truly did this, then she is indeed formidable. You should put away your schemes and avoid stirring trouble.”

Consort Chen spoke a few more words, but Jun Qianye’s impatience was clear. He bowed and took his leave from Zhaohua Palace.

“This child has grown wings; he won’t be swayed anymore,” Consort Chen complained.

After Jun Qianye’s departure, Zhaohua Palace fell quiet. If he continued to be stubborn, she would indeed have to discuss with Chancellor Xia how to make Xia Yue’er the Seventh Princess Consort.

A shadow of cold ruthlessness flashed in Consort Chen’s eyes. “It seems I underestimated Xia Jiujian. She actually stepped in to help Jun Buwen seize Zhen’an Division. I must reevaluate my opponent. Since she cannot be left by Jun Buwen’s side, then Xia Jiujian must be broken—destroyed at the right moment.”

Though Consort Chen warned repeatedly, Jun Qianye was not one to give up easily. He went to Yongfu Palace to see Princess Anya. Since the last incident when Princess Anya fell into the water at Yufu Hall, Emperor Zongkang had ordered her to reflect in solitude.

When Princess Anya learned from Jun Qianye that Xia Jiujian had once again escaped unharmed from the Zhen’an Division, she furiously smashed everything on the table.

Since the incident at the Lotus Garden, Princess Anya had been confined to Yongfu Palace. Their plan to deal with Xia Jiujian was put on hold. Hearing that the Zhen’an Division had captured Xia Jiujian, and knowing it was Jun Qianye’s sphere of influence, she had thought her capture was assured. Instead, the entire Zhen’an Division was uprooted.

Princess Anya raged, “How do you manage things? Xia Jiujian was already locked up by Zhen’an Division, yet you still let her escape safely?”

Her words caused a flicker of displeasure on Jun Qianye’s face. She spoke as if he should obey her and do her bidding.

Princess Anya stamped her foot. “What kind of luck does Xia Jiujian have? Everything that happens to her turns to her advantage. Every plot and slander she faces, she escapes unscathed. I refuse to believe her good fortune will last forever.”

Jun Qianye replied, “I think the same. If one plot can’t trap Xia Jiujian, then try several more. Eventually, she will slip up.”

Princess Anya rolled her eyes. “You’re useless—no means to handle a single weak woman like Xia Jiujian.”

Jun Qianye sneered. “I may be useless, but you’re the one confined to Yongfu Palace reflecting on your mistakes. Don’t forget, if you hadn’t rashly tried to push Xia Jiujian into the water at the Lotus Garden, I wouldn’t have had to step in later.”

Jun Qianye’s mood soured. Madame Chun quietly nudged Princess Anya and whispered in her ear, “Princess, speak less. To deal with Xia Jiujian, you still need the Seventh Prince’s help.”

Madame Chun’s mention of Xia Jiujian made her teeth grit. She still recalled being scolded by Xia Jiujian near the artificial rock garden beside Hongjing Tower, and then being punished with fifty lashes after Xia Jiujian’s scheme. Now that a chance to plot against Xia Jiujian had arisen, Madame Chun was eager to assist Princess Anya.

Taking Madame Chun’s words to heart, Princess Anya calmed herself. To take down Xia Jiujian, her strength alone was insufficient.

She softened her tone. “Ah, Seventh Brother, why be angry? I only lost my temper because Xia Jiujian escaped our grasp again. Why hold a grudge against your sister? We can’t afford infighting at a time like this.”

Jun Qianye’s anger was feigned. Princess Anya was accustomed to arrogance, abusing Emperor Zongkang’s favor to act recklessly. Without showing her some respect, she might truly believe herself invincible.

Princess Anya was not to be feared. She had no powerful backing, no maternal clan support, and Emperor Zongkang’s favor would one day fade. Jun Qianye was merely using her.

The displeasure on Jun Qianye’s face faded. “Since you intend to confront Xia Jiujian, the arrival of the Southern Kingdom’s envoy in a few days will be the perfect opportunity for us to strike. Don’t alert her and ruin the plan.”

A cold smile appeared on Princess Anya’s face. “Seventh Brother, rest assured. This time, our combined strength will guarantee success.”