Chapter 42: The Fat Sheep Comes Knocking, Ready for Slaughter

After Xia Mingxuan stormed off in anger, Bai Zhi immediately knelt before Xia Jiujang and said, "Princess, it's all my fault. I was foolish enough to fall for Xia Mingxuan's trap, I misunderstood you, and nearly poisoned you."

Xia Jiujang replied indifferently, "Enough, get up. Since I've taken you as my maid, just follow me faithfully."

Bai Zhi hung her head in shame. "I have no face to remain by your side, Princess. I almost made a grave mistake, nearly killed Madam's daughter..."

"Where does all this face come from?" Xia Jiujang rolled her eyes. "You were used by Xia Mingxuan. Now that you've been exposed, if you're not by my side, Xia Mingxuan will never let you go."

Bai Zhi hesitated.

Xia Jiujang spoke candidly, "You know medicine, your skills aren't bad either. It's perfect for you to assist me in investigating the destruction of the Jiang family. You've been investigating for five years; you must have some leads and clues. Do you really want to leave now, be silenced by Xia Mingxuan, and have all the evidence and leads go up in smoke?"

Xia Mingxuan had suffered a setback at Xia Jiujang's hands this time and would certainly not let it go. Instead of hesitating, Bai Zhi should focus her efforts on striking back.

Meanwhile, Xia Wentao slapped Xia Mingxuan across the face, furious. "Who told you to meddle with Xia Jiujang!"

Xia Mingxuan gritted his teeth and spoke slowly, "Xia Jiujang rarely returns to the Xia family. How could I let her go?"

Xia Wentao stamped his foot in rage. "She's now the Princess of Jin, and in just a few days she's turned the Xia household upside down. You think you're so great now that you're a major general? In the end, you handed Bai Zhi—the result of our painstaking investigation—straight to Xia Jiujang. Are you trying to destroy the Xia family?"

They had finally traced Bai Zhi and should have killed her outright. Anyone investigating the destruction of the Jiang family deserved to die. Yet Xia Mingxuan had delivered her into Xia Jiujang's hands. If Xia Jiujang discovered what happened to the Jiang family back then...

Xia Mingxuan said through clenched teeth, "Even if Bai Zhi is at Xia Jiujang's side, so what if she investigates the Jiang family's case? Wouldn't this be the perfect chance to catch them all in one net?"

"You make it sound so easy. Did you catch them all? You tried to use Bai Zhi to kill Xia Jiujang—what did you achieve? I've warned you the Prime Minister's residence is under pressure lately. You should keep a low profile, yet you stir up trouble!"

Xia Mingxuan protested, "Father, why are you so afraid of Xia Jiujang?"

Xia Wentao himself wasn't sure why. Whenever he recalled Xia Jiujang's actions since returning, or the cold, sinister gleam in her eyes, he felt a chill throughout his body.

Xia Mingxuan's gaze sharpened. "Father, everything I've done is for the Xia family. Xia Jiujang is so hostile to us; if she stays at Prince Jin's side and grows stronger, she'll become unstoppable. Better to nip this in the bud, before her wings are fully grown."

Xia Wentao knew Xia Mingxuan made sense. If she gained power and uncovered the truth of the Jiang family's destruction... the consequences would be unthinkable. It seemed they had to strike first.

Xia Mingxuan, unwilling to be outmaneuvered, said, "Father, I admit I was too careless this time. But Xia Jiujang has just arrived at Prince Jin's manor; she hasn't fully earned his trust. If we don't act now, when should we? Should we wait till she's in full control, and let her come for us?"

This was exactly Xia Wentao's concern. When Jun Bu Wen and Xia Jiujang returned to the Xia family, Jun Bu Wen was attentive and protective of her, even sharing a bed. With Prince Jin as her backing, Xia Jiujang had changed entirely. If she truly gained his support, the Prime Minister's residence would not be her match.

Xia Mingxuan whispered, "Better to be proactive than reactive. I have men and resources; even Xia Jiujang can't fight off so many alone... The Jiang family's downfall was at your hands. Surely you can deal with a mere Xia Jiujang?"

Xia Wentao was stirred. "What do you plan to do?"

A cold smile spread across Xia Mingxuan's face. He leaned in and whispered a few words to Xia Wentao, whose eyes immediately lit up. If they did this, not only would they ruin Xia Jiujang's reputation, but she would be utterly disgraced and driven out.

"Good," Xia Wentao said. "Prepare as you described."

Xia Jiujang entered Prince Jin's manor with Bai Zhi, returning her slave contract, which left Bai Zhi stunned. Xia Jiujang said, "Though you care for me, I don't want you bound to me by a contract. We should be friends, sisters."

Lu Luo patted her chest. "Princess returned my slave contract, too. But I've grown up at her side—I can't imagine being anywhere else."

Xia Jiujang teased, "It's not like I could get rid of you even if I tried."

Lu Luo pouted. "Princess, you're saying I'm like sticky candy!"

Xia Jiujang laughed. "You're not as sweet as sticky candy. More like a stubborn patch of dogskin plaster."

"Princess, you're teasing me!" Lu Luo said, hands on her hips.

The dynamic between Xia Jiujang and Lu Luo was nothing like that of master and servant. The easy atmosphere made Bai Zhi feel a comfort she'd long missed.

Bai Zhi hoped her choice to stay with Xia Jiujang was the right one. When the time was right, she would reveal the secret she'd guarded all these years.

Nearly half a month had passed since Chun'er was buried. Xia Jiujang noticed Bai Zhi's impressive aptitude for learning. Unlike Xia Jiujang's skill with medical gu, Bai Zhi had medical knowledge and self-defense abilities.

If Youhua was a sharp blade, then Lu Luo was a greenhouse flower, raised at her side but lacking any fighting skill. Bai Zhi, however, was skilled in lightness techniques, ideal for tracking and investigation; no wonder she'd gathered so much information in five years. It would be a waste to send Youhua to gather intelligence.

Lu Luo complained, "Comparing us like this, I end up the weakest. But it's most important to care well for the Princess, isn't it?"

Bai Zhi laughed, "Of course, Miss Lu Luo is the most impressive—no one can match you."

Lu Luo, like a child soothed by flattery, finally relaxed.

Yet happiness is always fleeting. Within Prince Jin's manor, Elder Meng announced to Xia Jiujang, "Princess, the Second Miss of the Prime Minister's residence, Xia Yue'er, has come to visit."

Lu Luo and Bai Zhi immediately stopped their play. Xia Jiujang's expression chilled—so soon? The Xia family hadn't even rested half a month before deciding to strike first.

Xia Jiujang straightened herself and said, "Elder Meng, please bring my sister in."

Xia Jiujang wasn't afraid of their arrival; she welcomed it.

Youhua glanced at Xia Jiujang, who was showing her old fox's cunning. She shook her head—the fat sheep had come to be slaughtered.