Chapter 54: Forcing Xia Jiujiang to Make Empty Promises

Jun Buwen poured cold water on their hopes. “If you want Jiang Mantang’s injustice to be redressed, even the solid evidence in Lady Wang’s hands isn’t enough.”

He had struck right at the heart of the matter.

Xia Jiujiang was already surprised that Jiang Beiying had managed to gather evidence, but she saw the truth of it and said, “Indeed, just having evidence isn’t enough. Destroying the Jiang family isn’t something the Wang family alone could accomplish; the waters run deep behind this. The evidence you’ve painstakingly collected—if you can’t deliver it straight to His Majesty in one stroke, then once it’s exposed, those involved will destroy the traces, and nothing will be left.”

To reveal the truth about Jiang Mantang’s case, they couldn’t strike cautiously; they had to kill the snake with one blow, leaving no chance for it to recover.

Jun Buwen and Xia Jiujiang seemed to be of one mind. With just a word from him, Xia Jiujiang understood what he meant. At this, Jun Buwen paused—how was it that Xia Jiujiang hadn’t seen through his unusually proactive behavior?

Jiang Beiying also understood the difficulties involved. She had only just managed to secure her position as Lady Wang, and gathering evidence in secret had already cost her too much time. This was all she was capable of; not to mention confronting the Emperor, Jiang Beiying didn’t even have the possibility of entering the palace.

Jun Buwen spoke up. “If you want to clear Jiang Mantang’s name openly and grandly, then choose the Empress Dowager Xi’s birthday banquet next month. When Emperor Zongkang holds his feast in the Jade Hibiscus Hall, I can lend you a helping hand.”

Xia Jiujiang looked at him, surprised. She had indeed thought of revealing the truth about Jiang Mantang’s case at the Jade Hibiscus Hall, but acting within the palace was impossible without help—she had no point of entry to expose the matter.

Now, Jun Buwen unexpectedly offered his assistance, which was exactly what Xia Jiujiang wanted. But what was his motive? Why was he suddenly so helpful? In her eyes, Jun Buwen was the kind who loved to watch from the sidelines. When she was slandered, he had coldly observed her fight her way out, never once reaching out to play the hero.

She asked, “If Your Highness is willing to help, what do you want in return?” She didn’t believe in free lunches.

Jun Buwen’s gaze fixed on her, unyielding.

His stare made her uneasy, as if he was plotting something.

He withdrew his gaze and smiled playfully. “If you want me to help, it’s simple. The Princess Consort need only promise me one thing.”

“And what is that?” Relieved that there was at least a bargain, Xia Jiujiang’s tone relaxed.

“I haven’t thought of it yet. I’ll tell you when I do. Just remember you owe me a favor—that’s enough.”

Xia Jiujiang was taken aback. “So it’s an open-ended promise? What if you ask me to pluck stars or fetch the moon?”

Jun Buwen didn’t understand her slang, but he could tell she was wary of being tricked.

He chuckled slyly. “Rest assured, fetching stars and moons is something I would do for you, not something you should do for me.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she was certain he was teasing her in front of Jiang Beiying on purpose. For a man who could arrange to meet her at such a notorious establishment as the Fragrant Pavilion, he must be quite the regular!

To set her mind at ease, Jun Buwen added, “Don’t worry, Princess. Whatever I ask will be something you’re capable of doing—and only you could do it. Perhaps, having a little prince, for example.”

Xia Jiujiang couldn’t guess what he might ask, but it shouldn’t be anything unreasonable. “Very well,” she replied. “I give you my word.”

Jun Buwen’s crafty, triumphant smile made her heart pound. Was she stepping into a tiger’s den?

Seeing their agreement, Jiang Beiying immediately knelt and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Prince Jin, for your assistance. On behalf of the Jiang family, I give you our deepest gratitude.”

Jun Buwen replied, “No need for formality. Since Xia Jiujiang is my princess, it is only right that I help.”

Xia Jiujiang shot him a glance—this prince was as cunning as they came. Righteous, indeed! He’d just taken a blank check from her, and thinking of it stung her heart. Still, to topple Jin Mantang, one must sometimes endure small losses for greater gains.

She said, “Since we’ve decided to act next month, we must make our preparations. There’s one more thing I must trouble you with, Sister Jiang.”

Her use of “Sister Jiang” brought tears to Jiang Beiying’s eyes. “I am at your service.”

Xia Jiujiang’s gaze turned cold. “I want the gold-threaded brocade the Wang family is preparing for Li Kingdom’s ritual.”

Jiang Beiying’s eyes widened in shock. That brocade was being specially prepared for Li Kingdom’s grand ritual. Only the head of the Wang family knew the complete recipe, and after countless processes, only two bolts could be produced. The brocade was still under intense production, with every inch accounted for.

The Wang family’s work on the brocade was no secret in the textile trade; many were gossiping that if Jin Mantang succeeded, his wealth and status would rise even higher.

Seeing Jiang Beiying’s frown, Xia Jiujiang added, “Don’t worry. I don’t want the real brocade. If that went missing, it would alert the enemy.”

“Then what do you want, Princess?”

“I want the waste material from the brocade’s production. Jin Mantang’s team has already achieved preliminary success. I want the scraps produced during the process. That should be easy for you, shouldn’t it?”

Jun Buwen was curious—what did she want with the brocade’s waste?

Xia Jiujiang said, “Once you give me the scraps, I have my own plans. As for the palace banquet, we will need the prince’s support.”

That she’d already thought of how to deal with Jin Mantang so quickly impressed Jun Buwen. He asked with interest, “How do you need me to cooperate?”

After some thought, Xia Jiujiang leaned close to his ear and whispered at length.

His eyes lit up and a smile played on his lips. “You clever girl—not only do you want to ruin Jin Mantang, you want to implicate the Marquis of Guanyuan’s family as well.”

Jiang Beiying was curious—just what was their plan?

Jun Buwen sighed. “So be it. Jiang Mantang’s case is inseparable from the Marquis of Guanyuan. Besides, the Wang family’s real support is the Marquis. If they are implicated, even the Xia family’s First Madam Lin Baixue will be dragged in. You really are aiming to kill several birds with one stone.”

Xia Jiujiang turned to Jiang Beiying. “Sister Jiang, just wait patiently in the Wang family. When the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet comes, have the evidence ready… and prepare to watch the Wang family fall.”