Chapter 29: Offending His Woman and Still Expecting to Live?

Jun Buwen walked to Xia Jiujiang’s side. The urgency in her eyes stirred a warm current within him, and he felt even more displeased and angry at what the Seventh Prince, Jun Qianye, had said. Was plotting against Xia Jiujiang simply going to end like this?

Jun Buwen did not know why, but he found himself greatly unsettled by the way the Prime Minister’s household had joined forces with the Seventh Prince to target Xia Jiujiang. He cast a cold, shadowed gaze at Jun Qianye and sneered, “Twenty strokes? Facing the wall in Qinlin Court for reflection? Hearing these words from Your Highness truly surprises me. Is this how lightly our Li Kingdom treats the outcome of scheming against the princess?”

Jun Qianye’s face turned awkward. Though Jun Buwen was only the King of Brocade, he was more favored by Emperor Zongkang than any of the princes, holding real power over the Brocade Guards and thus possessing greater status and importance. This envy simmered within his chest.

Jun Buwen’s mocking glance made it clear—anyone who dared provoke his woman would not escape unscathed. He scoffed, “I wonder, once Your Highness’s punishment is made known, will it embolden even more concubines in Li Kingdom to act recklessly? After all, plotting against the princess means nothing more than a short period of reflection.”

Jun Qianye’s expression grew even more unpleasant. With Jun Buwen’s words, his own fault was laid bare, as if he were condoning contempt for the royal family.

Jun Qianye replied awkwardly, “You misunderstand, Your Highness. This matter concerns the Prime Minister’s household, and since the Prime Minister requested leniency, I merely showed him some courtesy.”

Xia Jiujiang retorted with a sneer, “How considerate you are of the Prime Minister’s family, Your Highness. On one hand, you claim this is their affair; on the other, you offer mild punishment to end this farce. Some might suspect there’s something between Concubine Wei and Your Highness, given your defense.”

Jun Qianye glared at Xia Jiujiang, his anger barely contained. Why did this woman always oppose him at every turn?

Jun Buwen laughed, “It seems I must consult His Majesty. The Prime Minister’s concubine and Third Young Lady conspired against the princess, and if the Prime Minister cannot even manage his own household, how can he serve the court properly?”

With these words, Jun Buwen drew the Prime Minister himself into the matter, causing Xia Wentao’s face to change dramatically.

Jun Qianye protested, “Concubine Wei and Xia Chan plotted against the princess without the Prime Minister’s knowledge. Isn’t it too far-fetched, Your Highness, to implicate him?”

If the Prime Minister were held accountable, Jun Qianye’s leverage would be diminished, putting him at a disadvantage against the Fifth Prince.

Jun Buwen responded, “How is this unrelated to the Prime Minister? He believed the one-sided claims of Concubine Wei and Xia Chan, pressured the princess to leave King Brocade’s mansion, and gave her no chance to explain. Is this the conduct of a Prime Minister? Is this the attitude a father should have?”

Xia Wentao had thought Jun Buwen had only heard the final words, but realized now that Jun Buwen had been observing from the start, witnessing the Prime Minister’s household make a fool of itself.

Flustered, Xia Wentao said, “I never imagined Concubine Wei would go so far, using her own daughter’s beauty as a weapon. I let my biases nearly harm the princess.”

Jun Buwen pressed him, word by word, “When the princess was falsely accused, the Prime Minister was relentless. When she proved her innocence, he urged her to let it go. Does the Prime Minister believe the Princess of Brocade can be deceived and bullied as one pleases?”

Xia Wentao was startled, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Hateful Xia Jiujiang—he had nearly succeeded in his scheme, only to have it overturned and now caught by Jun Buwen.

He glanced at Jun Qianye, and since Jun Buwen had rebuked him so thoroughly, and with Imperial Censor Zhou present, Jun Qianye could not step forward to help Xia Wentao.

Jun Qianye looked at Xia Jiujiang standing beside Jun Buwen. Her bright eyes and composed demeanor, neither angry nor agitated, filled him with a sudden tremor. For a moment, he was lost—had the Prime Minister used Jun Qianye and Imperial Censor Zhou to plot against Xia Jiujiang, or had Xia Jiujiang set everything in motion, patiently waiting for the Prime Minister to fall into her trap?

Jun Buwen snorted coldly, “It was rumored in the Prime Minister’s residence that he was distant from his legitimate daughter. I thought it mere gossip, but it seems there’s truth to it. Otherwise, how could the Prime Minister allow rumors about the eldest daughter being a useless fool to spread throughout the capital without concern?”

Imperial Censor Zhou nodded, “Seeing the princess’s composure and wisdom today surprises me. It appears some rumors in the capital need to be corrected.”

Upon hearing this, Xia Yue’er clenched her fists. The Xia family had worked so hard to convince everyone in the capital that Xia Jiujiang was incompetent, and now Imperial Censor Zhou was helping her shed that label!

Concubine Wei trembled as she knelt before Jun Buwen, pleading, “Please spare me, Your Highness! Please spare me! Chan’s face was injured yesterday in the Guest Courtyard, and she was in unbearable pain. Out of anger, I devised this scheme against the princess. I beg Your Highness for mercy.”

Jun Buwen said coldly, “The princess forgave you once for what happened in the Guest Courtyard yesterday, so this time you will not be spared. Drag Xia Chan out, give her eighty heavy strokes, then send her to the convent for reflection. As for Concubine Wei, a mere concubine daring to act against the princess, she will receive one hundred strokes and be expelled from the Prime Minister’s residence to fend for herself.”

Xia Yue’er pressed her lips and spoke gently, “Isn’t this too cruel? Chan’s face is already injured, and after eighty strokes and being sent to the convent, it’s as good as a death sentence. Even if you won’t forgive Concubine Wei, please show mercy to Chan.”

Xia Jiujiang shot her a cold glance, “Why did you become mute when Father wanted me to leave King Brocade’s mansion? Now, when Xia Chan is to be punished, you urge forgiveness. Why must I forgive Concubine Wei and Xia Chan? Had I not proven my innocence, I would be the one punished now.”

Jun Buwen laughed coldly, “Cruel? It seems Second Young Lady has spent too long in the inner chambers. If you think this is cruel, you haven’t seen the Brocade Guards at work. If they were taken away, Concubine Wei and Xia Chan would know neither peace in life nor relief in death. I am already being lenient.”

His words made Xia Yue’er tremble. Lin Baixue, shielding her, whispered, “Stop talking. Are you dissatisfied because the matter didn’t involve you?”

Xia Yue’er simply felt unwilling to accept it.

Jun Buwen’s eyes were icy as he looked at the Prime Minister. “Prime Minister Xia, you indulged a concubine in scheming against the princess. As head of the household, you failed in your duty. I will report this to His Majesty; forfeiting half a year’s salary is not too much.”

Reporting to the emperor meant the Prime Minister’s disgrace would be public, and everyone in the capital would know how he favored a concubine over his legitimate daughter—his hard-earned reputation would be tainted.

Xia Wentao’s face was pale, but he bowed respectfully, “Thank you for Your Highness’s mercy.”

Xia Jiujiang curtseyed, “Now that the truth is clear and Xia Chan’s injuries need not concern me, I will return to the Guest Courtyard to pack and prepare to move to King Brocade’s mansion.”

Watching Xia Jiujiang’s departing figure, Xia Yue’er gritted her teeth, her eyes shining fiercely. Though Concubine Wei’s plot had failed, Xia Jiujiang should not be complacent. That was only Concubine Wei and Xia Chan’s scheme; Xia Yue’er’s turn had not yet come. Soon, Xia Jiujiang would know what it felt like to be unable to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.