Chapter 65: Treating Oneself Like a Precious Gem

Wang Yang was merely targeting Xia Jiujian’s opportunity, while Xia Wentao fanned the flames. Xia Wentao, Minister Wei, and Wang Yang—these people had come specifically for Xia Jiujian. With a single sentence, Xia Wentao drew everyone's attention to her.

Xia Jiujian let out a cold laugh. "I am quite curious as well," she said, "why the manager from the Violet Hairpin Pavilion has kept his gaze fixed on me. Is there something written on my face, or is there a painting left behind?"

With such elaborate prelude, Xia Jiujian naturally played along. Otherwise, the drama could not proceed.

Seeing Xia Jiujian unmoved, Wang Yang grew anxious and exclaimed in shock, "Princess Jin, how can you so readily cast aside a humble servant like me?"

His words sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.

Xia Jiujian regarded Wang Yang oddly. "Cast aside? I don’t even know you. Why should I be concerned for you? I don’t understand your insinuations."

Wang Yang was greatly startled by her reply, yet his look of disappointment and pain was quite convincing. "Princess Jin," he declared, "it was you who, holding your title, assured me that if I helped you destroy the golden hairpin that Minister Wei was presenting to the Empress Dowager of the West, you would guarantee my safety. You vowed so confidently, and now you break your promise and want me to take the blame!"

His accusation set the crowd whispering.

"What does that mean? Did Princess Jin plot to frame Minister Wei?"

"Impossible! Is she the mastermind?"

"They say Princess Jin is the useless daughter of the Prime Minister, but who knew she could be so ruthless? Truly unexpected."

"She was a wolf in sheep’s clothing all along."

Because of Wang Yang's words, the crowd now regarded Xia Jiujian with suspicion and questioning.

Minister Wei expected Xia Jiujian to panic and rush to prove her innocence, but to his surprise, she remained composed, her expression unaffected.

Xia Jiujian sneered, "I truly don’t know when I ever asked you to do such a thing."

Wang Yang raised his voice, "Without Princess Jin’s assurance, I wouldn’t dare risk my life, not even with a hundred heads!"

His words sounded sincere enough; without someone guaranteeing his safety, how could Wang Yang risk everything?

Xia Wentao looked at Xia Jiujian with exaggerated shock. "Jiang’er, though you are now Princess Jin, how could you commit such a treacherous act? Just to scheme against Minister Wei, you tampered with the Empress Dowager’s birthday gift. How could you…"

Xia Jiujian took a deep breath, stood up from her seat, and walked to the center of the Jade Lotus Hall. Her calm demeanor suggested everything was within her expectations.

The Seventh Prince, Jun Qianye, watched Xia Wentao, Minister Wei, and Wang Yang’s performance, his expression growing more irate.

Xia Jiujian turned to Xia Wentao. "Prime Minister Xia, you are also my father. Shouldn’t you trust your own daughter—the Princess Jin—more? Why believe whatever nonsense a stranger spouts? Does an outsider deserve your trust more than your flesh and blood?"

Since Xia Wentao sided with Wang Yang, Xia Jiujian made sure everyone saw how little her father trusted her.

Everyone present was an official, familiar with Xia Jiujian’s reputation as the 'useless daughter' of the Prime Minister's house. Yet, now she appeared poised and eloquent—hardly the image of a fool. Clearly, the rumors were unfounded.

Moreover, as soon as trouble arose, Xia Wentao turned on his daughter, showing no trust. People began to suspect Xia Wentao himself—perhaps he was responsible for spreading the 'useless daughter' rumor throughout the capital.

Embarrassed by Xia Jiujian’s words, Xia Wentao bit his lip. "Princess Jin is right. As your father, I should trust you more. But now, with a witness present, and considering what happened with Concubine Wei at the mansion, I must wonder—after dealing with her, did you set your sights on Minister Wei?"

Prompted by Xia Wentao, Minister Wei put on a look of sudden realization. "It must be because Concubine Wei and Xia Chan plotted against you before, so you harbored resentment. Driving them away wasn’t enough—you wanted to ruin the entire Wei family."

The whole plan was aimed at Xia Jiujian, and she was no fool. Wang Yang was clearly a pawn arranged by Minister Wei. They’d constructed an elaborate trap to falsely accuse her of bribing Wang Yang to sabotage Minister Wei, all so Minister Wei could use the Empress Dowager’s hand to eliminate her.

Minister Wei meant to use the broken phoenix hairpin incident to lay guilt upon Xia Jiujian. If he could drag her down, he’d be helping the Seventh Prince, Jun Qianye (since Prime Minister Xia made Minister Wei believe Jun Qianye wanted to deal with Xia Jiujian). Then Minister Wei would gain access to Jun Qianye’s circle.

Minister Wei glanced excitedly at Jun Qianye, expecting to see a triumphant, gloating expression. Instead, Jun Qianye’s gaze was cold and grave as he looked at Minister Wei and Xia Jiujian.

Minister Wei was momentarily stunned—why wasn’t Jun Qianye pleased?

Clearly, Minister Wei thought he needed to press the accusation more urgently.

But he failed to realize… misreading others is a pitiful thing.

Upon hearing Minister Wei’s grand words, Xia Jiujian burst into laughter. "Forgive me, Minister Wei, but you seem to overestimate your own importance."

To Xia Jiujian, the Wei family was less than nothing; Minister Wei fancied himself indispensable.

Minister Wei shouted angrily, "Are you denying that because of you, Concubine Wei is dead and Xia Chan is languishing in a nunnery?"

Xia Jiujian replied, "You’ve said yourself—they plotted against me while at the Prime Minister’s residence. Inspector Zhou must have reported this to His Majesty. If they schemed against me, shouldn’t I be allowed to prove my innocence? Must I stand idle and let them plot against me?"

"I… you…" Minister Wei hadn’t expected Xia Jiujian to seize on the loophole in his words.

Without giving him a chance to respond, Xia Jiujian continued, "Since I proved myself, shouldn’t they be held accountable for their actions? If they brought punishment upon themselves, why say I drove them away?"

It was clearly Concubine Wei and Xia Chan who committed wrongs. Minister Wei’s words twisted the facts, making it seem as though Xia Jiujian targeted them, when in truth it was they who schemed against her.

Xia Wentao reasoned, "But the destruction of the golden hairpin was obviously aimed maliciously at Minister Wei. Wang Yang is merely a manager from the Violet Hairpin Pavilion; he wouldn’t dare such a bold deed. Otherwise, why would the gift Minister Wei sent to the Empress Dowager be deliberately damaged? Surely Minister Wei wouldn’t sabotage his own career for no reason."

Xia Jiujian let out a light snort. "According to Prime Minister Xia, Wang Yang’s words are golden. Whoever he accuses must be guilty, and there’s no need for evidence?"