Chapter 67: Are You Drama Kings?

Vouchers—every gold hairpin and silver ornament custom-made at the Violet Hairpin Pavilion comes with a voucher. Upon paying a deposit, one receives a design and a voucher, and later, with that voucher, the custom hairpin is collected. This is the business process at the Violet Hairpin Pavilion, and this voucher is precisely the evidence Wang Yang spoke of.

Inwardly, Xia Jiujang sneered. If Wang Yang were truly to be entrusted with something, why follow the official accounting? Secretly giving him money would suffice. Wei Minister and Wang Yang went to great lengths merely to possess evidence that could point to Xia Jiujang.

Yet what truly astonished Xia Jiujang was the mention of the Princess Jin’s personal seal. How could the voucher in Wang Yang’s hand bear Xia Jiujang’s private stamp?

She exclaimed in disbelief, “Impossible! I never did such a thing; how could my seal be on the voucher?”

Wei Minister caught the fleeting panic and astonishment on Xia Jiujang’s face and smiled coldly in his heart. Xia Jiujang never expected it; Wei Minister would never have acted at the palace banquet without being fully prepared.

Xia Wentao glanced at Wei Minister in surprise, not expecting Wei Minister to bring forth such direct evidence against Xia Jiujang. Surely now, Xia Jiujang’s fate was sealed.

Jun Buwen rose from his seat, his movement drawing every eye. Since Xia Jiujang had been accused of plotting against Wei Minister, Jun Buwen had not spoken a single word. His sudden action made everyone hold their breath in anticipation.

He walked out from his seat, step by step, his bearing otherworldly and elegant, oblivious to the focused gazes that followed him. He strode directly to Wang Yang and took the evidence from his hands.

Xia Wentao watched Jun Buwen’s actions in shock, exclaiming, “Prince Jin, how can you take away evidence meant for the Emperor? This concerns Princess Jin—what are you trying to do? Are you attempting to destroy the evidence before everyone’s eyes?”

Jun Buwen glanced at the evidence and remarked, “This is indeed Princess Jin’s private seal.”

Xia Wentao’s voice continued to rise and fall, “Prince Jin, as Xia Jiujang’s husband, how can you so easily take the evidence from Wang Yang? Are you trying to help Xia Jiujang destroy it…”

But his words collided with Jun Buwen’s, and suddenly Xia Wentao paused, eyes wide with shock, as if unable to believe what Jun Buwen had just said.

Jun Buwen gave an enigmatic smile. “Prime Minister Xia, you seem far too anxious. I simply wish to examine whether the seal is truly Princess Jin’s private stamp. Why are you so nervous, as if afraid the evidence might be compromised and unable to convict her?”

His urgent demeanor did indeed invite suspicion, but Xia Wentao quickly regained composure and responded, “Prince Jin, you’re overthinking. Wang Yang holds solid evidence; I merely wish for the truth to be revealed. Whether Princess Jin set a trap at the palace banquet against Wei Minister must be proven with evidence, so my impatience is only for her to clear her name.”

Xia Jiujang laughed aloud. “Father, you jest. Since the evidence comes from Wang Yang, how could it possibly prove my innocence? Still, I appreciate your blessing and will do everything to prove myself.”

She approached Jun Buwen, muttering quietly, “What are you doing, suddenly appearing and tripping me up?”

He stood out for no reason, even publicly declaring that the seal on the voucher was her private stamp. Clearly, Jun Buwen was enjoying the drama.

Jun Buwen handed her the voucher, his fingers pinching it, a mischievous smile on his lips. “I simply wish to see how you’ll defend yourself. Of course, if you fail… I can come to your rescue.”

How dare he underestimate her?

Xia Jiujang snatched the voucher from him, furious like a cat with its fur raised.

Jun Buwen watched her angry demeanor, certain she would notice the hint he’d given. He returned to his seat as though nothing had happened.

The seals of the Prince’s manor were familiar to Jun Buwen, and Princess Jin’s private seal was not something easily obtained or forged by outsiders. If Jun Buwen said the seal on the voucher was Xia Jiujang’s, then it meant the seal was genuine.

Xia Jiujang frowned. If the seal was not the issue, then perhaps something else was.

Xia Wentao addressed her, “Princess Jin, this evidence is a voucher from the Violet Hairpin Pavilion. Since it points to you, it’s best not to touch it yourself.”

She scorned Xia Wentao. He feigned concern for her innocence while obstructing her at every turn. She wondered how he managed to be so shameless.

She replied calmly, “Prime Minister Xia, you’re far too cautious. Prince Jin has examined the evidence and publicly confirmed the seal as mine. What are you still worried about?”

Before the Jade Hibiscus Hall, Xia Jiujang openly mocked Xia Wentao, clearly disregarding him. Xia Wentao’s face grew dark with anger, as if she truly was a daughter married off, never to remember her surname.

She continued, “Prime Minister Xia, do you not wish for me to prove my innocence? Then surely it’s reasonable for me to examine the evidence. You don’t think I’d destroy the voucher in front of everyone, do you? That would be tantamount to confessing.”

Xia Wentao asked, “And after seeing the voucher, what do you have to say, Princess Jin?”

Xia Jiujang replied, “It is indeed my private seal.”

Upon hearing her admit it, a faint smile appeared on Wang Yang’s lowered face, while Wei Minister’s gaze grew sharper. He stared at Xia Jiujang and said intensely, “Princess Jin, you admit it at last. The voucher is real, which means… you bribed Wang Yang to destroy the hairpin and frame me. What else can you say?”

Xia Wentao sighed, “Jiang’er, how could you do such a thing? If only you’d confessed and apologized earlier, now, with both witness and evidence, even as Princess Jin, the Emperor won’t spare you.”

Faced with their words, Xia Jiujang rolled her eyes. “Are you two putting on a double act? I haven’t even finished speaking and you’re already continuing the drama. Are you stage hogs?”

Xia Wentao’s face flushed with anger, his fury threatening to overwhelm him. “Princess Jin, no one wishes to act further. The evidence points to you, you admitted the seal is yours, and now, even with the truth exposed, you remain defiant. You show no respect for the palace banquet nor the Empress Dowager.”