Chapter 51: The Seventh Prince Lends a Helping Hand

Xia Yue’er’s carriage raced without pause toward the Prime Minister’s residence. As soon as it arrived, she leapt out in a flurry, her anxious, panicked demeanor astonishing the guards for a few moments. Xia Yue’er had always been composed and gentle; to see her so flustered left them bewildered. Yet, after a few curious glances, she was already rushing inside like a gust of wind. Along the way, she hurriedly questioned every maid she met, “Has Father returned home?”

“The master is receiving a guest in the study,” answered a maid. But before she could receive a reply, Xia Yue’er had already darted off, her frantic figure making the household staff uneasy—had something terrible happened?

Xia Yue’er charged toward the study and, not even pausing to see who was inside, cried out, “Something terrible has happened, Father, something terrible!” Inside, Xia Wentao and the Seventh Prince, Jun Qianye, were sitting at the table, sipping tea and conversing about who knows what. Xia Wentao frowned slightly at the sight of his daughter’s distress. Her hair was disheveled, loose strands escaping her coiffure, and she looked thoroughly flustered.

When Xia Yue’er saw Jun Qianye, she froze for several seconds, realizing with a jolt how she had lost her composure. Hastily, she straightened up, smoothed her hair, and bowed deeply to those in the room. “Your subject’s daughter did not know the Seventh Prince was visiting. In my haste over urgent matters, I forgot myself—please forgive my breach of decorum.”

Jun Qianye stepped forward and gently supported her arm. “You may rise.”

Though he spoke kindly, Jun Qianye’s opinion of Xia Yue’er’s bearing plummeted. Such frantic panic—how could she possibly be fit to become his principal consort? Yet the Prime Minister had the audacity to suggest that Jun Qianye marry Xia Yue’er as his main wife!

But what should the principal consort of the Seventh Prince be like? Jun Qianye had never given it much thought—until now. Suddenly, the image of that cold, steady, sharp-tongued woman flashed through his mind, her clear, deer-like eyes unforgettable. Lost in his thoughts, Jun Qianye stared at Xia Yue’er, who, misinterpreting his gaze, blushed shyly.

The Seventh Prince, son of Consort Chen, whose mother was the granddaughter of the Grand Scholar of Li Kingdom, was greatly supported by the court’s learned officials. With powerful allies and a thriving reputation, he was widely seen as the most likely heir to the throne. Seeking a husband was like a gamble—only time would tell who would have the last laugh. The Crown Prince, weak in health and lacking power, had for years held little more than his title.

The Fifth Prince, Jun Yixuan, was clever and capable. Last year, his skill in flood control earned Emperor Zongkang’s favor, but his foundation remained shallow. Although his mother, Consort Mei, was much loved, her family lacked the prestige of Consort Chen’s. In comparison, the outcome was clear.

As for the recently summoned Prince Ning, who had just returned from Han City by imperial decree, he hardly merited mention. His mother, Empress Hui, was Emperor Zongkang’s childhood sweetheart and original consort, yet accused of poisoning the late Empress and reduced to a criminal. Prince Ning, too, was branded the son of a disgraced woman. Even here in the capital, with no background, no status, and no real power, he had not the slightest chance of ascending the throne.

Xia Yue’er trusted her own judgment, especially with her father’s support. How could she not become the Seventh Prince’s consort, perhaps even the future empress?

But what she did not know was that, as Jun Qianye gazed at her, it was Xia Jiujiang who occupied his thoughts.

Xia Wentao, seeing the state of his daughter and Jun Qianye, felt secretly pleased. Smiling, he asked, “Yue’er, you said something terrible happened. Do you mean Mingxuan’s plan succeeded?”

He could think of nothing else that might warrant such alarm. At the mention of Xia Mingxuan, Xia Yue’er’s face darkened. “No, Elder Brother was captured by Princess Anya.”

Xia Wentao’s smile vanished instantly, his face stiffening as he stared in shock. “What did you say? How could Mingxuan be captured—and what does Princess Anya have to do with this? What happened?”

His panic in this moment was even greater than when Xia Yue’er had burst into the study. Xia Yue’er recounted what had happened at the temple, and Jun Qianye’s expression grew visibly stormy.

“Who gave Xia Mingxuan the right to act on his own against Xia Jiujiang!” Jun Qianye blurted in anger. “To even try colluding with bandits to bring down the Princess of Jin—who gave them such nerve!”

His agitation stunned Xia Yue’er—why was he so opposed to dealing with Xia Jiujiang?

Realizing his outburst, Jun Qianye drew a deep breath. “After my last visit to the Xia residence, I saw firsthand how difficult Xia Jiujiang is to handle. You should not act rashly. Dealing with her requires careful planning. Now look—she’s turned the tables, using Princess Anya to eliminate Xia Mingxuan.”

Hearing this, Xia Yue’er felt a wave of relief. How could she ever have imagined that Jun Qianye cared about Xia Jiujiang? Ridiculous.

But Xia Wentao’s face went deathly pale at Jun Qianye’s last words: “eliminate Xia Mingxuan.” He immediately dropped to his knees in supplication. “Your Highness, I beg you to save my son!”

Jun Qianye frowned and shook his head. “Of all people, Xia Mingxuan had to provoke that Princess Anya.”

Xia Wentao pleaded anxiously, “My son is a young general—if he rises further, he could become your most trusted aide.”

Jun Qianye’s power lay in the scholarly circles of the court, lacking military strength. Xia Mingxuan, as a young general, could one day help Jun Qianye close the gap to the throne.

Xia Mingxuan had crossed Princess Anya, who was infatuated with Prince Jin. Why not join forces with her—she could win Prince Jin, and Jun Qianye could claim Xia Jiujiang for himself.

At this thought, a sly smile flickered across Jun Qianye’s lips, the seed of an idea taking root in his mind.

He helped Xia Wentao to his feet. “Prime Minister, please rise. You are one of my closest advisers—I would never turn a blind eye. This afternoon, I shall visit Princess Anya at Yong’an Palace and plead your case.”

With this promise, the heavy burden on Xia Wentao’s heart was eased, if only slightly.

After Jun Qianye departed, Xia Wentao clenched his fists. Xia Jiujiang, once a trivial thorn, had become a grave menace. He had thought dealing with her—this supposed good-for-nothing—would be effortless, but now realized he had bred a tiger with his own hand. He could no longer let her live.

A cold gleam flashed in Xia Wentao’s eyes as a candidate came to mind. The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet was approaching, an event that would bring together all the noble families of the capital—a perfect opportunity to deal with Xia Jiujiang once and for all.