Chapter 64: Her Name Is Wang Yang, Not Tortoise Wang

The scene was silent as the phoenix head ornament fell, the awkward tension swelling until even the sound of a dropped needle would seem magnified a thousandfold. Everyone present felt their nerves tighten; none had expected such a mishap to mar what should have been a harmonious palace banquet. They watched, certain that Minister Wei’s career had reached its end.

Wei Qi knelt trembling on the floor, pleading, "Your Majesty, spare me. I do not know how this happened. The hairpin was especially custom-made… It should not have broken…"

The Empress Dowager of the West snapped, "It should not have broken? Are you suggesting I am unworthy of this 'Hundred Birds Greeting the Phoenix' golden hairpin, and that the phoenix head broke as a warning from the heavens? Or perhaps you mean to say I am an ill-fated woman!"

Minister Wei quivered, "No, Your Majesty… That was not my intention…"

Watching Minister Wei shake like a leaf, Xia Jiujang frowned. It seemed Minister Wei had not come to target her after all—perhaps she had been too self-absorbed to think so.

The Empress Dowager of the West was furious, her expression darkening. "Guards, drag Minister Wei away!"

At that moment, the Empress Dowager of the East, who had remained silent, spoke. "Sister, wait."

The Empress Dowager of the West glanced at her. "Are you trying to plead for Minister Wei?"

The Empress Dowager of the East was known to have little connection with officials or even with the concubines in the inner palace. Why would she suddenly speak up?

She cast a glance at the golden hairpin in the West Empress Dowager’s hand and said, "You misunderstand, sister. The hairpin did not break without cause. There are clear marks on it—it was deliberately snapped. Someone intended for the phoenix head to fall when you wore it, perhaps to frame Minister Wei. Since it was done on purpose, there is no ill omen. I simply do not wish for you to become the blade wielded by those lurking in the shadows. The Buddha is merciful."

With these words, the Empress Dowager of the East turned her prayer beads, embodying the compassion of one devoted to the faith.

Xia Jiujang observed her closely. The Empress Dowager of the East was indeed the former emperor’s queen, and though she now devoted herself to Buddhism and cared little for palace affairs, she could still discern the problem with the 'Hundred Birds Greeting the Phoenix' hairpin at a glance. It was clear that no one in this palace was simple.

After the Empress Dowager of the East spoke, the Empress Dowager of the West examined the hairpin in her hand, her expression hardening. "Once it’s been tampered with, the hairpin cannot bear the weight, and so the phoenix head falls. Minister Wei, who did you commission for this hairpin? Were you not aware it was meant as a gift for me? Such carelessness—did you ever consider my dignity?"

Minister Wei broke out in a cold sweat, trembling on his knees. "Your Majesty, spare me! The 'Hundred Birds Greeting the Phoenix' hairpin was custom-ordered from Purple Hairpin Pavilion, and it took two months to make. Once finished, it was sealed and delivered to the palace, the seal never opened. How could such a problem arise? There must be some misunderstanding."

Purple Hairpin Pavilion was renowned across the Li Kingdom, their hairpins so coveted that one could hardly obtain them. Minister Wei had commissioned the hairpin half a year in advance for the Empress Dowager’s birthday, using the finest peacock feathers, sea pearls, and rubies to craft this lifelike ornament. How could such a flaw occur?

Xia Jiujang’s gaze sharpened, sensing something amiss.

At a grand banquet like this, Minister Wei would never risk his reputation or incur the Empress Dowager’s displeasure. The hairpin was clearly sabotaged, turning a birthday gift into a deliberate affront to the Empress Dowager, signaling that the drama was far from over.

Xia Jiujang pondered: if the seal had not been broken, and no one had touched the hairpin before it was presented, then who could have tampered with it?

Emperor Zongkang spoke, "Bring the manager of Purple Hairpin Pavilion here."

Since the pavilion had crafted the gift for the Empress Dowager, and it had been maliciously damaged, such disrespect could not go unpunished.

The guards fetched the pavilion manager, and after the time it took to brew a cup of tea, he was brought to the Jade Hibiscus Hall. The man, unused to such grandeur, trembled and knelt, stammering, "I… I… am Wang Yang, manager of Purple Hairpin Pavilion."

His stammering and repeated self-effacing words made him appear almost comical.

The Empress Dowager of the West glanced at her attendant, Madam Fu, who threw the hairpin before Wang Yang. The Empress Dowager’s voice was icy. "What is the meaning of this headless phoenix hairpin from your pavilion? Is it meant to insult me or hasten my demise?"

Wang Yang was horrified. "Your Majesty, forgive me! Purple Hairpin Pavilion accepts commissions for birthday gifts with utmost sincerity. How could we dare tamper with the 'Hundred Birds Greeting the Phoenix' hairpin?"

Minister Wei stared at Wang Yang. "This hairpin was specifically ordered by me from your pavilion. The seal was intact, and it was presented directly to Her Majesty. Yet the phoenix head was maliciously damaged. What are you playing at? Why scheme against me in this way?"

Wang Yang grew frantic. "Minister Wei… it is not so! Please listen to me…"

If the seal was untouched, and the beeswax on the rosewood box was still the pavilion’s own, then it meant no one had interfered with the hairpin between its placement in the box and its arrival at the Jade Hibiscus Hall. The sabotage must have occurred before it was placed in the rosewood box. Who could have done it, except those at Purple Hairpin Pavilion?

Minister Wei, furious, barked, "Listen to you? Very well, explain how this hairpin was sabotaged. When I placed the order, I made it clear the gift was precious, intended for Her Majesty’s birthday. Why does the hairpin bear signs of deliberate damage? Tell me—who set out to frame me?"

Wang Yang opened and closed his mouth, but could not find words. Sweat beaded on his brow; he was anxious and shaken. Yet he kept glancing, intentionally or not, toward Xia Jiujang. The gesture was so obvious that even Xia Jiujang noticed the hidden agenda. To say Wang Yang acted unintentionally would be absurd.

His pause lingered so long one wondered if he’d ever speak. His name was Wang Yang, not Wang Turtle, yet he turned his head and fixed his gaze on Xia Jiujang, clearly implying she was involved.

Emperor Zongkang observed Wang Yang’s conspicuous actions and asked, "Why do you keep looking at Princess Jin?"

Wang Yang shifted his gaze, trembling on the floor, and stammered, "I… did not… I…"

He looked utterly crushed, unable to bear the pressure. Suddenly, he cried out in desperation, "Princess Jin, save me! Save me!"

Prime Minister Xia stiffened and asked, "What is the manager of Purple Hairpin Pavilion doing? With so many people in Jade Hibiscus Hall, why does he plead only with Princess Jin?"

Xia Jiujang sighed. Why did some people always go to such lengths to target her? She just wanted a peaceful meal—was that too much to ask?