Chapter 118: Greater Humiliations Await You

After Tang Dehai finished speaking, Emperor Zongkang’s eyes widened instantly as he looked at Xia Jiujiang. He keenly sensed that Tang Dehai was an imperial physician brought in by Princess Anya. Previously, at the Hibiscus Garden, Princess Anya had also been targeting Xia Jiujiang, and now, Emperor Zongkang found himself hesitant—was Princess Anya truly framing someone, or had she actually been harmed?

However, this did not mean Emperor Zongkang suspected Princess Anya. Perhaps Xia Jiujiang was merely a target of envy, with other factions using the pretense of scheming against Princess Anya to strike at her. Emperor Zongkang pondered deeply, never imagining that Princess Anya had tried to be clever only to outsmart herself, and was now attempting to drag Xia Jiujiang down with her.

Xia Jiujiang showed no surprise at Tang Dehai’s accusation; after all, the man had made far too many suggestive gestures before finally pointing his finger at her.

"I’m afraid I don’t understand what Imperial Physician Tang is talking about," Xia Jiujiang said.

Tang Dehai burst into distressed tears, crying out in feigned panic, "Princess, are you trying to kill this old man?" He wailed and lamented as if Xia Jiujiang had done something terrible to him.

The Third Prince of the Southern Kingdom, Ming Ze, although displeased with being played by Xia Jiujiang several times and angry that his proposal to "Princess Anya" had turned into a joke, could not help but worry for her. If the accusation that she had plotted against the princess were to be proven, it would be a grave offense.

Xia Jiujiang said impatiently, "I believe this is the first time I have ever met Imperial Physician Tang. You claim to be acting under my instructions—I am not aware that I possess such great influence as to command an imperial physician to pilfer 'Concubine’s Smile' from the palace treasury to frame Princess Anya."

Seeing Xia Jiujiang’s reaction, Ming Ze breathed a sigh of relief. His worry had been unnecessary; Xia Jiujiang was a little fox who had even run circles around him—how could she be so easily schemed against?

Tang Dehai replied, "Princess Jin, you naturally did not tell your servant that you intended to frame Princess Anya. You said it was for you and Prince Jin to use. Otherwise, I would never have dared to take the 'Concubine’s Smile' for you."

Xia Jiujiang wore an expression of watching a theatrical performance. "And what exactly did I say to you? I would love to hear what flowery lies you can fabricate."

Tang Dehai’s face flushed with anger, acting as if he were being falsely accused. He said righteously, "Princess... if you are going to say that, I shall cast aside my reputation and beg His Majesty for justice!"

Xia Jiujiang snapped, "Enough with the nonsense. If you want to frame me, hurry up and say your piece."

Tang Dehai was furious. Although he was following Princess Anya’s orders to frame Xia Jiujiang, he had not expected that this woman, who had already broken ties with the Xia estate, would show no fear, but instead go on the offensive.

Gasping for breath, Tang Dehai said, "You told me that since you and the Prince are husband and wife and there are no other concubines in the Jin estate, using the 'Concubine’s Smile' would harm no one and only serve to bolster your relationship. That is why I took it for you. How was I to know that I would find the ashes of the 'Concubine’s Smile' in Princess Anya’s quarters? I was shocked the moment I saw the incense burner!"

Xia Jiujiang gave a contemptuous smile. "Imperial Physician Tang, you are certainly easy to command. I tell you to take the 'Concubine’s Smile,' and you just do it? It sounds like you are quite easy to bribe."

Tang Dehai said anxiously, "It was only because you used Prince Jin to persuade me! You said that since Prince Jin holds the Jin-Yi Guards, he could ensure I would face no repercussions. How could you cross the river and burn the bridge after using me to frame the Princess? Are you trying to make me take the fall?"

Xia Jiujiang was somewhat surprised; these people were truly cunning to have concocted such a smooth story in such a short time.

Princess Anya, hearing Tang Dehai’s words, said in shock, "I never imagined... that it was Princess Jin who orchestrated this to frame me! Princess Jin, what enmity do we have? Is it just because I love Prince Jin that you have schemed against me so meticulously?"

Xia Jiujiang remained calm, as delicate as an orchid. But that was merely a disguise; she was a man-eating flower. She said to Princess Anya, "What do you mean by that, Princess? You believe whatever an imperial physician says?"

Princess Anya retorted, "The Imperial Physician has already confessed. You are still quibbling—what else is there to say?"

Xia Jiujiang’s eyes were full of mockery. "You say I schemed against you because you like Prince Jin? But I am the Princess Jin, and you have no sign of ever marrying him. If I had to take action against everyone who liked him, I would be far too exhausted. Prince Jin is so outstanding; he has many admirers."

Princess Anya said righteously, "I am not like the others! I am a princess. You were afraid that after I spoke to my Imperial Uncle, I would enter the Jin estate, so you targeted me."

Xia Jiujiang looked at Jun Buwen with earnestness. "I heard that entering the Jin estate has nothing to do with whether one is a princess or not. Without Prince Jin’s nod, no one can enter, right? Princess Anya, where does your confidence come from? Isn't that right, Husband?"

With that single "Husband," Xia Jiujiang used Jun Buwen as a shield once again.

Jun Buwen nodded. "Yes, without my consent, no one can enter the Jin estate."

Xia Jiujiang shrugged. "So, what reason do I have to worry about Princess Anya’s affection for Prince Jin?"

Princess Anya’s face turned unsightly, as if she had been humiliated in public. She stood up in a rage: "Then how do you explain the Imperial Physician’s words?"

Xia Jiujiang countered, "If every word out of an imperial physician’s mouth is the truth, is his speech an imperial decree? Who is to say he wasn't bribed? If I pay a palace maid or eunuch to say that Princess Anya slandered me, does that make it the truth just because they said it?"

Princess Anya’s face turned blue with rage. Xia Jiujiang was twisting logic, and she refused to believe she couldn’t make her take the fall!

Tang Dehai trembled with fury. "It was you who used me, yet you repeatedly say I am slandering you! I have been in the Imperial Hospital for decades and have never suffered such insults."

"One’s character and one’s tenure have little to do with each other," Xia Jiujiang said soothingly. "It’s alright. Everyone has a first time for everything. You’ll get used to it after a few more times. Who knows what greater insults await you?"

Tang Dehai felt a blockage in his chest and nearly fainted.

Xia Jiujiang continued, "Speaking of which, I find it quite strange... Princess Anya, you are a princess. Even if you were feeling unwell and wanted to rest, you didn't need to go to a side hall in the Yueque Palace. The Yong’an Palace isn't far, so why did you choose this remote room? That is truly odd."

Princess Anya said with a wounded air, "There was a banquet in the Yueque Palace, and I was feeling slightly unwell and wanted to rest for a moment. I asked a maid in the palace to find me a room. Nurse Chun knows that maid."

Nurse Chun understood and said, "This old servant will bring the maid, Yanwan, here immediately."

After Nurse Chun left, she brought in the young maid. This was the very maid who had led Xia Jiujiang to the final room, locked the door, and also the one who had gone to the Council Hall to bring Jun Buwen to the side hall.

Xia Mingxuan had not expected Princess Anya to conspire with Tang Dehai to stage such a show, and he could barely hide his triumphant smirk. Suddenly, he restrained his smile, his mouth agape in surprise as he looked at the maid, Yanwan, walking into the side hall. Pointing at her, he exclaimed, "Seeing this maid, I remember—it was her! She was the one who told me Xia Yue’er was in this room, which is why I entered. And the moment I stepped inside, I fainted!"