Chapter 16: The Ruin of Xia Chan's Reputation

Jun Bu Wen’s voice rang out, clear and forceful: “I would very much like to see who dares to commit such an act of adultery in the rooms of the prince and princess, then turn around and try to pin the blame on me.”

The guests of the Anke Courtyard had finally come to their senses. All their attention had been captured by the sudden appearance of King Jin, and they had almost forgotten that someone had actually sneaked into the rooms of King Jin and his princess to conduct such a shameful affair. Who could have done such a disgraceful thing?

Xia Wentao’s face changed dramatically. The clothes on the floor left no doubt—they belonged to Xia Chan. If Jun Bu Wen pressed the matter, news would surely spread that the third young lady of the Xia family had been caught in an indecent act during her grandmother’s birthday banquet. The family’s reputation would be utterly destroyed.

Perhaps it would be better, he thought, to take advantage of the confusion: since the person inside wasn’t Jun Bu Wen, it could be made to look as if it wasn’t the third young lady of the Xia family, either. Once everyone had left, the matter could be dealt with quietly and discreetly.

Xia Wentao said, “Your Highness, since this is an internal matter of the Prime Minister’s household, I beg you to let us handle it. I promise to give you a satisfactory explanation afterward.”

Afterward, he could simply find a maid or a servant to take the blame.

Jun Bu Wen looked as if he’d heard the world’s greatest joke. “The Xia family invited so many guests here to Anke Courtyard, and in full view of everyone, I was falsely accused. Now, only after all this, the Prime Minister wants to say it’s a family affair? Isn’t it a bit too late for that?”

Xia Wentao lowered his voice, pleading, “I beg Your Highness, for the sake of the old madam’s birthday, not to make a scene. If word of this gets out… the Xia family will be ruined.”

Jun Bu Wen’s face turned cold as he retorted, “What do you mean by that, Prime Minister? Don’t make a scene? Weren’t you the one who insisted on reporting to His Majesty that I defiled the third young lady of the Xia family? If you had done so, the entire Li Kingdom would have known. Now, suddenly, you want to keep things quiet?”

The old madam, deeply embarrassed, spoke up, “Please, Your Highness, for my sake, let the Xia family handle this matter.”

She realized the gravity of the situation: she had to put a stop to it before this birthday banquet became the greatest stain in the family’s history.

Jun Bu Wen sneered, “The old madam’s face is not worth that much.” Did she really think herself above reproach?

Step by step, Jun Bu Wen pressed his advantage. The old madam’s face grew more ashen, Xia Wentao was drenched in cold sweat, and Jun Bu Wen used Xia Wentao’s own words against him, leaving him utterly at a loss.

Then Jun Bu Wen roared, “Come out!”

At his command, secret guards who had been lying in wait around the Prime Minister’s manor rushed out, sealing off Anke Courtyard completely.

Xia Wentao’s face fell at the sight. Lin Baixue, clutching Xia Yue’er, stood aside, head bowed, not daring to utter a word—they knew this was no time for them to speak.

Xia Wentao stammered, “What is Your Highness doing?”

Jun Bu Wen smiled at him, a strange glint in his eyes. “Don’t worry, Prime Minister. These are the secret guards of the Embroidered Guard, sworn to protect me. They won’t do anything excessive—unless someone tries to harm me.”

The cold gleam in Jun Bu Wen’s gaze made Xia Wentao shudder. He had truly underestimated the prince. The man before him was King Jin, not someone he could scheme against. And to think he had tried to coerce Jun Bu Wen into marrying Xia Chan—now, it was all coming back to bite him.

Jun Bu Wen seated himself in a nanmu armchair, his voice brooking no refusal: “Ye Sha, go and drag them out. I want to see exactly what farce is unfolding in Anke Courtyard today.”

Ye Sha strode to the bedside and swept aside the bed curtains. At the sight of the figures lying on the bed, Xia Yue’er cried out in shock, “Why is it Third Sister and the servant Zhang Fu!”

Xia Jiujiang cast a sidelong glance at Xia Yue’er—clearly, now that she couldn’t bring Xia Jiujiang down, she’d immediately turned her sights on Xia Chan. Truly a venomous beauty.

Xia Yue’er was genuinely startled. The servant Zhang Fu was supposed to deal with Xia Jiujiang, and Xia Chan was meant to seduce Jun Bu Wen. But now, instead, it was Xia Chan and Zhang Fu lying together in the room!

She shot a furtive look at Xia Jiujiang, who stood beside Jun Bu Wen, perfectly composed—obviously, Xia Jiujiang had foreseen Xia Chan’s plot and turned it against her, ensnaring both Xia Chan and Zhang Fu. Otherwise, Xia Jiujiang could not have remained so unruffled.

Xia Yue’er’s gaze grew dark; she no longer dared to underestimate Xia Jiujiang. Therefore, she changed tactics and targeted Xia Chan instead. If she could provoke Concubine Wei against Xia Jiujiang and use her as a tool, it would be a worthwhile move.

Concubine Wei cried out in disbelief, “Impossible!”

She rushed to the bedside, trembling as she stared at Zhang Fu and Xia Chan lying together. How could her daughter be involved with a mere servant?

Her scalp went numb with horror. She shrieked, “Don’t look… don’t look! All of you, get out! Get out, every one of you!”

It really was the servant Zhang Fu—a kitchen hand, ugly, coarse, and lecherous. How could her daughter have relations with such a man?

Concubine Wei’s heart plunged into icy despair. It was over—Xia Chan’s reputation was destroyed.

Jun Bu Wen said coldly, “When I was the one under suspicion, why didn’t you shout for everyone to leave, Concubine Wei? Now that your daughter’s been caught with a servant, you finally feel shame? Someone, drag Concubine Wei aside!”

Ye Sha reported to Jun Bu Wen, “Your Highness, they are still unconscious.”

Jun Bu Wen’s tone was icy. “It seems it was truly a vigorous affair. Despite all this commotion, they remain oblivious… Go fetch a basin of cold water and wake them up.”

“No, please… Your Highness, have mercy on Chan’er!” Concubine Wei’s wailing was helpless and frail.

The autumn air was already chilly, and Jun Bu Wen intended to wake them with cold water in front of so many people. It was utter humiliation for Xia Chan—a savage blow to the Xia family’s dignity.

Ye Sha brought in a basin of cold water from outside and poured it in one swift motion onto the bed.

Xia Chan jolted awake, the freezing water biting into her bones, her whole body aching. Soaked and bedraggled, she scrambled up, staring blankly at the crowded room.

After a few breaths, she recalled she had been waiting for King Jin in the Anke Courtyard—and then had fallen unconscious. Now, with so many people present, had she succeeded?

“Your Highness! I and…” Xia Chan turned excitedly toward the person beside her, certain that her plan had worked and eager to see the prince at her side. But when she saw the pockmarked face of Zhang Fu, her mind exploded in horror.

Her expression collapsed, and she gasped, “Why is it you? Aren’t you supposed to be with Xia Jiujiang?”

She had locked Xia Jiujiang in Qinlin Courtyard and given Zhang Fu the key—how was it that Zhang Fu was here now?

Xia Jiujiang sneered, “Sister Chan’er, your words are most amusing. I barely know Zhang Fu. Before my engagement, I spent most of my time in the Xia residence, and only had Green Luo as my maid. How would I be acquainted with a servant?”

Xia Chan stared at Xia Jiujiang, standing unscathed beside Jun Bu Wen, utterly bewildered.

Xia Jiujiang continued, “Besides, it was you, Sister Chan’er, who ran off with Zhang Fu to commit this indecency in Anke Courtyard. Now that you’ve been caught in the act, how can you turn around and accuse me?”

Xia Chan reeled at Xia Jiujiang’s words. Glancing down at her own naked body, she let out several shrill screams and wrapped herself in the bedding.

Furious, Xia Chan kicked Zhang Fu off the bed, shouting, “Impossible! How could I have done such a thing with a servant? Impossible! Get away from me—get out!”