Chapter 13: Unable to Tolerate the Slightest Injustice

Following the sound, Summer Ninth Ginger looked up to see a figure clad in white, shrouded in mist and gauze, dazzling as moonlight in the darkness—Lord Jun Bu Wen. He sat atop the beam, as if savoring a good show. Summer Ninth Ginger had already noticed Jun Bu Wen slip in, silent as a shadow, while she was beating Zhang Fu. Since he wished to watch, she let him.

Jun Bu Wen leapt from the beam with ease, descending like an immortal falling to earth. Yet, how did he manage to keep his white robes free of even the faintest speck of dust? Standing beside Summer Ninth Ginger, Jun Bu Wen cast a glance at the bound Zhang Fu and remarked, “Where did you learn these binding techniques? Even the little amusements of Fragrant Pavilion are known to you.”

Fragrant Pavilion—the name alone revealed its nature, and now there was this peculiar binding technique. Who would have guessed that such methods had been passed down, classics never fading.

Summer Ninth Ginger looked at Jun Bu Wen and said, “How does Your Highness know the binding techniques of Fragrant Pavilion? Have you been there yourself?”

Jun Bu Wen coughed lightly. “When Night Slayer was carrying out a mission, he brought someone back from Fragrant Pavilion. That’s how I came to know of it.”

At that moment, Night Slayer, who was in Guest Courtyard, sneezed—someone must be speaking ill of him.

Summer Ninth Ginger asked, “Since Your Highness is here at Forest Pavilion, I suppose the one who went to Guest Courtyard was knocked out by Night Slayer?”

Jun Bu Wen replied, “What are you planning now?”

Summer Ninth Ginger was always surprising Jun Bu Wen, and he wondered what else she might bring.

She said, “Let’s bring him to the Laboratory Courtyard. Summer Cicada wanted someone to humiliate me, even tried to make a move against you. How can I not collect a bit of interest? I am good at many things, but I cannot stand even the slightest grievance.”

Summer Ninth Ginger and Jun Bu Wen left Forest Pavilion. In the Guest Courtyard, Summer Cicada had already fainted, and after half a stick of incense’s time, Night Slayer tossed Zhang Fu onto the bed.

The incense meant to stir desire had been thrown out by Night Slayer. Jun Bu Wen was curious how Summer Ninth Ginger would proceed—surely she wouldn’t threaten Zhang Fu into acting against Summer Cicada?

Before Jun Bu Wen’s eyes, Summer Ninth Ginger took out a jade gourd from her belt. At first glance, it seemed a mere ornament, but when she opened its lid, a tiny insect flew out. Sensing Summer Ninth Ginger’s intention, it immediately bit Zhang Fu and Summer Cicada.

Jun Bu Wen looked at Summer Ninth Ginger in shock—an insect... gu sorcery! How did Summer Ninth Ginger know the southern kingdoms’ gu arts? And she revealed this secret so openly—did she truly trust him that much?

After the insect had bitten and returned to the gourd, Summer Ninth Ginger said, “Let’s go. We’ll wait in the shadows and watch the show unfold.”

About half a stick of incense’s time passed. At the banquet, Summer Moon had just finished a piece on the zither, earning applause from all the distinguished guests. She glanced at the empty seats—Summer Cicada, Summer Ninth Ginger, and King Jin Jun Bu Wen were absent. A sly smile curved her lips; it seemed Summer Cicada’s plan had succeeded.

Summer Moon murmured in a voice neither loud nor soft, “Strange, the eldest sister and third sister went to Forest Pavilion to change clothes, but they’ve been gone so long. Even King Jin is missing. Did they tire and return to Guest Courtyard to rest without informing Grandmother?”

Old Madam Summer snorted, “Such lack of manners.”

Summer Ninth Ginger was married to King Jin. Returning to the Summer family was now as a guest, and guests should never leave without notifying the host.

Summer Wenkai was somewhat displeased. “Someone, go to Guest Courtyard to find King Jin and his consort. The banquet is ending soon; we must start and finish together. How can anyone be absent at the last moment?”

Summer Moon suggested, “Why don’t we all go to Guest Courtyard and check? King Jin and his consort are not people who would neglect etiquette. Could something have happened?”

She showed a hint of concern, causing Summer Wenkai to frown. Indeed, King Jin was not one to act out of turn. He said, “Very well, let’s go together and take a look.”

With that, the Summer family set out for Guest Courtyard in search of King Jin and Summer Ninth Ginger. Servants carried lanterns, and several distinguished guests, hearing King Jin was missing, joined the search. The party swept grandly into Guest Courtyard.

Summer Moon moved to knock, but the door creaked open with a push.

Inside, clothes lay scattered everywhere—outer garments, shoes, and even underclothes could be seen further in.

Summer Wenkai’s face grew awkward; he hadn’t expected such a scene. Old Madam Summer shook her head and called out loudly, “Really… the banquet hasn’t even ended, yet they ruin Guest Courtyard with such behavior.”

The outermost robe was familiar. Summer Moon wondered aloud, “Why are Cicada’s clothes here?”

The discarded garments were those Summer Cicada had worn that night—a pleated skirt in water mist green, adorned with scattered blossoms.

Old Madam Summer exclaimed, “The people in this room are not the prince and princess, but the prince and… our third young lady!”

Summer Moon, shocked, covered her mouth and said, “What… what is going on? Could it be that His Highness and Cicada…”

Their voices carried outside. Those gathered reacted in astonishment: “What! How could King Jin do such a thing at the birthday banquet?”

“Perhaps His Highness was drunk.”

“Drunk or not, His Highness and the Summer family’s third young lady have become involved. If word spreads…”

“Looks like the Prince’s Mansion will welcome another newcomer.”

“Prime Minister Summer is truly fortunate—both daughters marrying into the Prince’s Mansion.”

Summer Moon frowned. “If the one inside isn’t the princess but Cicada, then where is the princess? I recall she went with third sister to Forest Pavilion to change clothes.”

After Summer Moon spoke, Lin Snow, assuming the role of matriarch, summoned several servants. “Go to Forest Pavilion and look for the princess.”

One side loudly declared the prince and Cicada’s involvement, the other sent people to catch Summer Ninth Ginger and Zhang Fu together. This way, Summer Ninth Ginger could be blamed and dismissed, while Cicada, having shared intimacy with the prince, would have to be wed.

A sly smile appeared on Summer Moon’s face; the most miserable would be Summer Ninth Ginger. If the prince married Cicada, so be it. But if Summer Ninth Ginger’s reputation was ruined, it wouldn’t be as simple as dismissal.

Suddenly, a voice called out, “When did the birthday banquet move to Guest Courtyard? Why are there so many people here?”

Those in Guest Courtyard turned to see Summer Ninth Ginger, poised and dignified, standing at the arched entrance. Yet the place had just witnessed the prince and the Summer family’s third young lady spending the night together. The crowd glanced at Summer Ninth Ginger with a mix of pity and amusement.