Chapter 32: The True Culprit Has Nowhere to Hide

Xia Wentao appealed to Prince Qianye, saying, “Your Highness, I beg you to uphold justice for me. My beloved son has been murdered, and in his hand is a scrap of fabric torn from the princess’s gown. I implore you to preside over this case.”

With evidence so clear and irrefutable—witnesses and physical proof—and with no third party present in the Garden of Spring, Xia Wentao sought severe punishment for Xia Jiujiang from both Prince Qianye and Magistrate Zhou.

Prince Qianye spoke righteously, “Rest assured, Prime Minister. No matter how great the obstacles, I will see justice done.”

Xia Jiujiang snorted derisively. No matter the obstacles? Was he implying that Prince Jun Bu Wen’s protection of Xia Jiujiang was one such obstacle? She cast Prince Qianye a sidelong glance, rolling her eyes. Let him ponder that himself.

Magistrate Zhou looked at Xia Jiujiang and asked, “Does the princess have anything to say? If not, I fear you must accompany us to the Court of Justice.”

Xia Yue’er, filled with indignation, declared, “Sister, how could you do such a thing? Even if Lady Wei angered you, you shouldn’t have harmed Chun’er!”

Xia Jiujiang regarded Xia Yue’er’s false expression with cold disdain. Lady Wei would never harm Chun’er—he was her beloved son, the child upon whom her livelihood in the Prime Minister’s residence depended. Clearly, someone else was responsible for Chun’er’s demise.

Xia Yue’er truly was adept. Whether Lady Wei’s scheme against Xia Jiujiang succeeded or not, Xia Yue’er had prepared to pin Chun’er’s death on her, damaging both Xia Jiujiang’s reputation and Chun’er’s life. Lady Wei’s household was ruined, and even Chun’er could not escape death; a plan that killed two birds with one stone, executed flawlessly.

Magistrate Zhou observed Xia Jiujiang. Having witnessed her skill with the prescription earlier, he had begun to regard this young lady, long dismissed as useless, with new respect. The truth had revealed her intelligence and wit.

Xia Jiujiang glanced at the rockery, her lips curving into a smile. “Since Father is so concerned with Chun’er’s death, and believes I am the culprit, I imagine he is eager to catch the true murderer?”

Xia Wentao was taken aback. “What do you mean? Do you know who killed Chun’er?”

Xia Jiujiang’s gaze briefly flickered to Haitang. Upon meeting her eyes, Haitang felt as though a cold serpent had silently coiled around her throat.

Xia Yue’er asked in surprise, “Sister, are you merely speaking nonsense, stalling for time, or do you intend to falsely accuse someone else of harming Chun’er?”

Xia Jiujiang replied, “I can indeed identify the true murderer.”

Xia Yue’er and Lin Baixue’s faces stiffened instantly. Xia Yue’er clenched her hand inside her sleeve, her expression dark. Xia Jiujiang was joking again. With such unforeseen accusations, Xia Jiujiang should be overwhelmed—how could she possibly have the clarity to find the culprit?

Xia Wentao thundered, “If you swear you are not the murderer and claim you can find the real killer, then tell us—who killed my Chun’er?”

Xia Jiujiang shook her head. “It’s not I who will find the murderer, but the butterflies and bees. They will reveal which among us in the Garden of Spring is truly guilty.”

Everyone present thought Xia Jiujiang must be mad. Butterflies and bees? Let insects find the murderer? Surely she was jesting.

Xia Wentao frowned. “What do you mean by this? Are you mocking us? Butterflies and bees? If you know the murderer, say so. Or perhaps you are the murderer, merely playing tricks now.”

Lin Baixue said, “Jiang’er, the fact that you harmed Chun’er has been discovered. If you admit your guilt now, you may still be treated with leniency. Delaying and speaking wild words only deepens suspicion.”

Xia Jiujiang laughed coldly. “If that were so, it would suit you perfectly, wouldn’t it? If suspicion falls heavier on me and I am dragged before the Court of Justice, you lose nothing. Or are you afraid of what I intend to do next?”

Such insolence and disregard for hierarchy brought a flicker of displeasure to Lin Baixue’s face.

Xia Jiujiang continued, “If you don’t believe me, why not wait and see? Since you all believe I am the murderer, a little time will hardly matter.”

Xia Wentao snorted. “I want to see what tricks you’re playing. If you can’t find your so-called murderer, prepare to be arrested.”

Xia Jiujiang turned to Nightshade. “Nightshade, go to the guest courtyard and find Green Moss. Tell her to bring the Flower Essence I prepared. I will show everyone how the murderer will have nowhere to hide.”

With her confident announcement, those present exchanged bewildered glances, unsure what Xia Jiujiang was planning.

Prince Jun Bu Wen watched Xia Jiujiang’s sly, fox-like expression and couldn’t help but smile. She was becoming more unpredictable every day.

After a while, Green Moss hurried breathlessly into the Garden of Spring, rushing to Xia Jiujiang’s side. “Princess, what has happened? Nightshade told me Chun’er is dead, you are accused as the murderer, and you want the Flower Essence—what for?”

Green Moss rattled off a string of questions. Xia Jiujiang took the Flower Essence from her hands and said, “Don’t worry. Your princess will not bear blame for what she hasn’t done. Go fetch a basin of clean water.”

Though confused, Green Moss complied, filling a copper basin with clear water. Xia Jiujiang poured the Flower Essence into it and instructed, “Sprinkle this water over everyone here, one by one. Before a stick of incense burns down, the real murderer will reveal themselves.”

Xia Yue’er protested, “What is that bottle, Princess? Pouring unknown things into water and sprinkling it on us—doesn’t anyone find this odd?”

Prince Qianye frowned. “Using an unknown substance and wanting to sprinkle it on everyone—Princess, you truly are bold.”

Xia Jiujiang mocked, “I have never been timid. Didn’t you say you would do anything to find the murderer, Your Highness? Now you hesitate over a little water?”

Prince Qianye’s face flushed with anger at her words, yet he forced himself to remain composed.

Lin Baixue questioned, “Jiang’er, what are you doing? If you are seeking the murderer, do so properly. Don’t act so suspiciously. Who knows what you have put in that water…”

Xia Jiujiang smiled at Lin Baixue. “If you are uncertain, you may ask Physician Hu to examine it. It’s just ordinary Flower Essence, a blend of floral dew and several medicinal herbs.”

Physician Hu took the bottle, sniffed it, then tasted a drop. “Just as the princess said—there’s nothing unusual about it.”

Xia Jiujiang added, “Since everyone will be sprinkled with Flower Essence, no one will be missed. Why should you fear I’ve tampered with it? If I wanted to play tricks, I wouldn’t target everyone indiscriminately. That would be pointless.”

Her logic silenced the objectors. Prince Jun Bu Wen spoke, “Since the princess is so certain, I will support her. The Xia family wishes to know who killed Chun’er, and the princess would not risk her own innocence.”

Xia Jiujiang and Prince Jun Bu Wen worked in tandem. She said, “I am determined to find the murderer. Don’t worry—before the incense burns down, the culprit will appear. Isn’t that right, Haitang?”

Named, Haitang trembled and lowered her head. “Yes.”

Flower Essence, sprinkling water—Haitang refused to believe such a method could expose the murderer.