Chapter 120: Led by the Nose

Xia Jiujiang shouted, "Very well. I gave you a chance. Since you insist on dying together, I have no objections."

Princess Anya sneered with contempt. "You gave us a chance? How truly shameless! After framing someone and ruining their reputation, you still have the audacity to spout such nonsense. You should be begging for mercy and pleading with me to grant you a chance right now."

Xia Mingxuan chimed in, "Princess Jin, you would do well to confess. With the witnesses and physical evidence now indisputable, perhaps the Emperor might spare your life. If you continue to be this stubborn, I fear you will only end up..."

Xia Jiujiang let out a cold laugh. "My stubbornness only plays right into your hands, doesn't it? That way, you can keep sinking your teeth into me. Imperial Physician Tang, I will ask you once more: did you personally place the 'Concubine's Smile' into my hands?"

Tang Dehai replied smugly, "You can ask me a hundred times, and my answer will remain the same: you took the 'Concubine's Smile' from me with your own hands."

Boiling with rage, Xia Mingxuan turned to Emperor Zongkang. "Your Majesty, Princess Jin has committed a grave wrong, yet she refuses to repent even in the face of death. I implore you to pass judgment and convict her!"

Clenching her teeth, Xia Jiujiang raised an eyebrow. "Since you are all so certain, I shall let the evidence speak. After all, people may lie, but inanimate objects do not! Yesha, fetch a basin of water and add a few drops of ink. I will show the Emperor exactly who touched the 'Concubine's Smile'."

Imperial Physician Tang laughed dismissively. "What empty boasting. You were the one who used the 'Concubine's Smile' to frame others, and now you claim... you have the ability to prove who touched it?"

Xia Jiujiang offered a sarcastic smile. "It depends on whether Imperial Physician Tang dares to go through with it. However, given that so many people here are accusing me, surely you should be brave enough."

Jun Qianye could not fathom what Xia Jiujiang was planning, but for the moment, he had no choice but to follow her lead.

Yesha followed her instructions and added ink to the clear water. Xia Jiujiang then said, "Everyone in this room, place your hands into the water one by one. The true culprit who orchestrated this performance will naturally reveal themselves."

Ming Ze looked at Xia Jiujiang with curiosity. How did this woman have so many tricks up her sleeve? Did this ink actually serve a purpose?

Xia Jiujiang’s words sent shockwaves through Princess Anya. Fearing that Xia Jiujiang might truly expose them, she hesitated, filled with dread.

Seeing the exchanged glances between Princess Anya and Tang Dehai, Xia Jiujiang remarked, "What is it, Princess Anya? Are you afraid? I thought you were adamant that I had set a trap for you."

Princess Anya straightened her posture and retorted, "I am merely afraid that you have tampered with the water."

Xia Jiujiang replied calmly, "Rest assured. You will all touch it first, and I will be the last. If I were to tamper with it, I would be the first to fall victim to my own scheme."

"Even if someone is to touch it, it isn't for you to command," the princess snapped, sensing that the water was indeed suspicious.

Emperor Zongkang finally spoke. "Do as Princess Jin says. You have all insisted that she framed the Princess; now that she offers evidence, you have nothing to fear if your hearts are clear."

Only after the Emperor's command did Princess Anya put her hand into the water, followed by the others.

After everyone had touched the water, a few moments passed before Princess Anya cried out in shock, "What is happening? Why has my hand turned like this? Xia Jiujiang, what kind of trick is this?"

She held out her palm, which was stained with faint blue specks. Not only she, but Imperial Physician Tang, the palace maid Yanwan, and Nanny Chun all bore the same blue marks, while the hands of Xia Jiujiang and Jun Buwen remained perfectly clean.

Xia Jiujiang rolled her eyes. "If I had truly tampered with it, why would the Seventh Prince and Xia Mingxuan be free of such marks?"

Jun Qianye and Xia Mingxuan exchanged looks, bewildered by her actions but sensing that things were taking a turn for the worse.

Seeing the marks on his own hands, Tang Dehai suddenly realized the truth... and began to tremble violently.

They say those who do not commit evil deeds have no fear of ghosts knocking at their door. The maid Yanwan, knowing her own guilt, was terrified by the inexplicable blue marks, thinking she had been cursed. She turned to Tang Dehai in horror, crying, "Imperial Physician Tang... my hand... why has it become like this?"

Xia Jiujiang explained, "Imperial Physician Tang should know exactly what happened. The marks are there because you touched the 'Concubine's Smile'!"

At these words, Tang Dehai began to shake. He looked up at Xia Jiujiang, stunned into silence. How could she possibly know?

This was information known only to Head Physician Zhang Qian. Because the 'Concubine's Smile' dated back to the previous Emperor's reign, Head Physician Zhang was the only one who had studied it extensively. Tang Dehai had completely forgotten this fact!

Seeing the cold sweat on Tang Dehai’s brow, Xia Jiujiang knew he had recalled the research documents left by Head Physician Zhang.

Xia Jiujiang continued, "The 'Concubine's Smile' contains a medicinal herb called 'Haichuan Jue.' It leaves a residue on the skin that lasts for a day; it is invisible to the naked eye and cannot be washed away by water, but it turns a pale blue when it comes into contact with ink. That is why your fingertips are stained."

Tang Dehai looked at her in terror. They had all colluded to target her, and she had remained silent throughout, leading him to believe she was helpless. In reality, she had known all along that the herb would react to ink—she had been holding an ace up her sleeve the entire time.

Xia Jiujiang put on a thoughtful expression. "Imperial Physician Tang personally stated that he took the 'Concubine's Smile' and gave it to me, after which I placed it in the room. If that is true, I find it strange that there are no blue marks on my hands."

Tang Dehai stammered, "I misspoke... I wrapped the 'Concubine's Smile' in a handkerchief before handing it to the Princess. She must have discarded the cloth, which is why there are no traces on her hands."

Xia Jiujiang smiled charmingly. "The Imperial Physician is truly a busy man. I asked you several times, and each time you claimed you handed it to me directly. Why has a handkerchief suddenly appeared? Is there anything else you’ve forgotten? Should we list it all now?"

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Tang Dehai muttered, "No... nothing else."

Though he tried to brush it off, his sudden change in testimony had already sown deep seeds of suspicion in Emperor Zongkang’s heart.

Xia Jiujiang looked at Princess Anya. "Then why, Princess, do your hands bear these marks?"

The Princess began to stutter. "What is so strange about that? Since I entered this room, it is no surprise that I accidentally touched the 'Concubine's Smile'."

Xia Jiujiang reminded her, "Princess, you surely haven't forgotten—you claimed that as soon as you entered the room and saw Xia Mingxuan, you lost all memory of what happened. Or are you suggesting that while you were busy with Xia Mingxuan, you found the time to handle the 'Concubine's Smile'?"

After she finished, Jun Buwen let out a scoff of disdain. Given that her scenario was impossible, it was clear that the Princess was the one with something to hide.