Chapter 56: The Fish That Leapt Willingly onto the Chopping Block

Xia Mingxuan was released, and although it was only for half a day, the experience was enough to disgust him thoroughly. That filthy, chaotic, and dim place—every moment he spent there felt like a disgrace. What fueled his rage even more was the realization that he had been outwitted by Xia Jiujang. Only now did Xia Mingxuan understand why his mother and sister always warned him that Xia Jiujang was not easy to deal with. “Not easy to deal with” was an understatement; she had transformed from a weakling into an impenetrable fortress.

Covered in filth, Xia Mingxuan returned to the Prime Minister’s residence. At the gate, the servants initially failed to recognize him and barked, “Where did this beggar come from, daring to loiter at the Prime Minister’s door? Get lost!” Xia Mingxuan, who had never suffered such humiliation, kicked the servant away and shouted angrily, “Open your dog eyes and see who the beggar is!”

Storming back to Lingxiang Courtyard, Xia Mingxuan’s fury at the entrance drew whispers and pointing from passersby. The Prime Minister’s son looked wretched, like a beggar; even the household staff failed to recognize him—what a scandal.

Lin Baixue was agitated upon seeing Xia Mingxuan return, but her brows knit as she observed his muddy appearance. “You… how did you end up looking like this?”

Xia Mingxuan kicked away a stool and roared, “How did I end up like this? All because of that wretched Xia Jiujang! I won’t be satisfied until she’s torn to pieces!”

Just then, Xia Wentao was about to enter Lingxiang Courtyard. Hearing Xia Mingxuan’s words, he pushed the door open in anger. “Still scheming against Xia Jiujang? You’d better look at yourself first! The whole capital is gossiping about the Prime Minister’s son harassing the princess. You’ve disgraced the family, forcing me to beg the Seventh Prince for help!”

Not only had Xia Mingxuan been imprisoned by Xia Jiujang’s machinations, now Xia Wentao was berating him as well. Xia Mingxuan’s face darkened with resentment.

Though Xia Wentao loved Xia Yue’er and Xia Mingxuan, his own interests always came first—his position and future mattered above all.

Lin Baixue pulled Xia Mingxuan back, signaling him to hold his tongue. She spoke for him, “Xuan’er is simply enraged over Xia Jiujang’s actions. She openly challenges Mingxuan, disregarding the Xia family entirely. This is blatant defiance and meant to humiliate us.”

Xia Wentao snorted coldly. “Just behave yourselves for now. Don’t meddle with Xia Jiujang’s affairs.”

With that, he turned and left. Xia Yue’er couldn’t understand why her father’s attitude had shifted so abruptly—not only refusing to retaliate against Xia Jiujang, but forbidding them from acting as well. Her face flushed with anger and trembled—telling her not to act? Impossible!

Yet, with the Empress Dowager of the West’s birthday banquet approaching, Xia Yue’er’s thoughts turned toward shining at the palace event. For a time, the Xia family lay low, giving Xia Jiujang ample opportunity to prepare.

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and the Empress Dowager’s banquet was imminent. For the first time, Xia Jiujang would enter the palace with Jun Bu Wen. She wore a water-blue gauze robe embroidered with orchids from secluded valleys, a pale pink bodice revealing her elegant collarbone, and a white light shawl fluttering softly in the breeze. At her waist was a brocade belt with cloud patterns, adorned with a scented sachet and a jade gourd. Her three thousand strands of hair were swept into a simple “Flying Immortal” bun, complemented by a jade butterfly and pearl hairpin, together with golden tassels—radiant and graceful.

It is said that clothes make the person, just as saddles make the horse. With a touch of adornment, Xia Jiujang’s temperament transformed. Compared to Jun Bu Wen, who wore a long water-blue robe with golden cloud patterns at the hem, the two together looked like a perfect pair—each enhancing the other.

The palace was tightly guarded, with inspections at every gate, but Nightkill presented their palace badge and passed unimpeded straight to the gate outside the Jade Hibiscus Hall.

The carriage halted. Jun Bu Wen disembarked and saw Eunuch An waiting nearby, his brows furrowed. Eunuch An bowed and said, “Prince Jin, the Emperor has been awaiting you in the Yu Dragon Hall.”

Eunuch An, who served Emperor Zongkang, had come to summon Jun Bu Wen to the Yu Dragon Hall.

Jun Bu Wen frowned; the Emperor knew he’d be bringing Xia Jiujang to the Jade Hibiscus Hall today—it was her first time entering the palace, unfamiliar with its customs and scenery. Yet the Emperor had Eunuch An divert him.

Eunuch An noticed Jun Bu Wen’s concern. “Your Highness need not worry. I have arranged for a palace maid to escort the Princess Jin to the Jade Hibiscus Hall.”

As he spoke, a young palace maid stepped forward.

Xia Jiujang whispered in Jun Bu Wen’s ear, “Go on your own. I can handle this.”

This woman truly showed no sign of worry. Emperor Zongkang’s intent was clearly to test Xia Jiujang, but she was never someone Jun Bu Wen needed to fret over. Her strength was enough to stand by his side, more than worthy of being Princess Jin.

The intimacy between Xia Jiujang and Jun Bu Wen, and his concern for her, did not escape Eunuch An’s notice. Could it be that Jun Bu Wen genuinely cared for Xia Jiujang?

The young palace maid led Xia Jiujang away, while Eunuch An guided Jun Bu Wen in another direction. Eunuch An glanced back, observing Xia Jiujang’s calm and dignified manner as she walked—her bearing was in no way inferior to any palace noblewoman.

Eunuch An shook his head. Emperor Zongkang planned to use Princess Anya to teach Xia Jiujang a lesson, but only if Xia Jiujang would accept it.

Yet Xia Jiujang was not one to submit meekly.

The palace maid led Xia Jiujang through the Hibiscus Garden. At that moment, Madam Chun, Princess Anya’s trusted attendant, approached as if she had anticipated Xia Jiujang’s path and waited there deliberately.

Madam Chun stopped in front of the palace maid. “I will escort Princess Jin to the Jade Hibiscus Hall. You may go.”

The palace maid curtsied. “Yes.” With that, she withdrew.

Madam Chun glanced at Xia Jiujang, a sly smile curling her lips, as if Xia Jiujang had already fallen into her hands.

Madam Chun guided Xia Jiujang through winding paths, finally emerging in a secluded lane wrapped by rockeries. Suddenly, Madam Chun halted, and at that instant, several figures appeared around Xia Jiujang—men dressed as eunuchs, their faces twisted with malicious grins, eyes fierce upon Xia Jiujang.

Xia Jiujang spoke calmly, “Madam Chun, what is the meaning of this?”

Madam Chun turned, her gaze cold. “You know perfectly well what this means. Do you really think yourself Princess Jin? Princess Anya offered you face, and you disdained it. Now don’t blame me for being ruthless. This place is remote—no one will come by. You all, teach Princess Jin a lesson, let her know that offending Princess Anya leaves her no dignity to accompany Prince Jin to the Jade Hibiscus Hall!”

Xia Jiujang chuckled at Madam Chun’s words.

Madam Chun frowned, thinking Xia Jiujang had lost her wits—how could she laugh at a time like this? If her face were battered and bruised, she’d have no face to appear at the Jade Hibiscus Hall, nor the courage to claim Princess Anya had punished her. Even if she tried, it would play right into Princess Anya’s hands—accusing a princess was a grave crime.

Xia Jiujang twisted her neck and wrists. “You said no one would come here, right? That means even if you scream your lungs out, nobody will hear, doesn’t it?”

Xia Jiujang had never seen a fish leap onto the chopping block of its own accord. Since they so earnestly courted death, she would kindly oblige.

Madam Chun’s frown deepened. “Scream our lungs out? What nonsense—”

Before Madam Chun could finish, Xia Jiujang raised her hand and delivered a slap, followed by a punch, then a kick. In a flurry, several eunuchs fell to the ground, wailing in agony. Madam Chun, stunned, found herself in Xia Jiujang’s grasp, her collar seized, and Xia Jiujang looked at her with a wicked grin.