Chapter 70: The Little White Rabbit Obediently Opens the Door

The situation turned completely around. Earlier, it was Xia Wentao questioning why Wang Yang kept staring at Xia Jiujiang; now, however, Xia Jiujiang was the one turning the tables, accusing Minister Wei of pleading with Xia Wentao for mercy. Indeed, fortune’s wheel spins ever onward.

Xia Jiujiang spoke with biting sarcasm. “Now that the evidence is laid bare, Prime Minister Xia, is this what you call the truth revealed? You claim you wish to stop me from making further mistakes, you prattle on about sacrificing for the greater good, and yet all I see is the noble image of a righteous and upright father.”

Xia Wentao’s face flushed blue and red. He had intended to use Wei Qi to frame Xia Jiujiang for the shattered Phoenix Hairpin incident, but not only had Minister Wei failed, his own position was now in jeopardy. Now, Minister Wei even hoped to drag him down as well?

For a few moments, Xia Wentao was clearly rattled. Yet he quickly composed himself, putting on a pained expression as he said, “Jiang’er, are you blaming your father for not believing you? Do you suspect your father and Minister Wei of collusion?”

He deliberately reversed the situation. Since Xia Jiujiang wished to lead others to suspect a connection between him and Minister Wei, he might as well address it openly, as if he had nothing to hide.

Xia Yue’er exclaimed in surprise, “Sister, how could you suspect Father so? You are his own flesh and blood, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s residence. Now you are the consort of Prince Jin—Father’s pride. How could Father possibly join with outsiders to harm you? Such words must chill his heart.”

Xia Jiujiang let a sly smile flicker across her lips. “My, what eloquence you have, sister. Yet from the moment Wang Yang appeared, Father suspected me, and when you arrived at the Jade Hibiscus Hall, you too pointed an accusing finger. Did you ever consider your actions might chill my heart? You stand up for each other and leave me out in the cold—how very selfish and self-serving.”

In the capital, Xia Yue’er was famed for her learning and grace, gentle and refined. Now, faced with Xia Jiujiang’s public taunt, her face twisted in anger, all traces of gentleness vanished.

Xia Wentao wore the look of a misunderstood father, deeply wounded. He pulled Xia Yue’er back, saying, “Yue’er, enough. If the Princess Consort holds resentment toward me, it’s only natural. I am to blame for being too cautious, seeing shadows in every corner. I feared that any misstep from Jiang’er—as Prince Jin’s consort—would bring disaster. That’s why I believed Minister Wei and Wang Yang’s words, and in so doing, I hurt Jiang’er.”

Ah, so by Xia Wentao’s account, his doubts and suspicions toward Xia Jiujiang were merely the anxious love of a devoted father. How different the words of a Prime Minister sound.

He continued in a mournful tone, “Jiang’er’s resentment is justified. I was too tense, too cautious, always thinking of the family’s reputation. It is I who wronged the Princess Consort. If she cannot forgive me... then please, let me offer my bow.”

With that, Xia Wentao made as if to perform a grand gesture of apology to Xia Jiujiang. She immediately sidestepped, replying, “Prime Minister, such a courtesy is more than I dare receive.”

If she truly accepted his bow, who could say what rumors might arise?

Already, Xia Wentao’s woeful demeanor was stirring whispers among those present.

“In the end, the Prime Minister’s excessive concern led him to be overly suspicious of Xia Jiujiang. Isn’t she being too unyielding?”

“He’s her father, after all. Does the Princess Consort of Jin intend to rebel and quarrel with her own father?”

“It seems the Prime Minister has had it hard—his own daughter finally becomes Prince Jin’s consort, yet he still worries so.”

“He means well. The Princess Consort’s lack of understanding is truly wounding.”

Xia Wentao truly knew how to act. A few words, a few gestures, and those around him believed in the image he projected.

He was determined to play the loving father—let’s see how long his kindness lasts.

Xia Jiujiang deliberately put on a look of reluctant acceptance, gritting her teeth as she said, “In the end, Father’s suspicion was merely due to being misled by Minister Wei and Wang Yang. I only hope that, should anything arise in the future, Father will place more trust in me.”

Seeing her soften, Xia Wentao allowed himself a brief, cold smile. With a few well-chosen words, he had convinced those present of his good intentions. No matter how angry Xia Jiujiang was, she could only forgive him publicly.

The old fox is always the craftiest. In this contest, Xia Jiujiang was still too green.

Having secured her public forgiveness, Xia Wentao’s expression hardened as he turned to Minister Wei. “Minister Wei, you cannot plead with me simply because I am the Princess Consort’s father. The investigation into the broken Phoenix Hairpin is now entirely in Prince Jin’s hands. If you orchestrated this scheme, you will not escape punishment, and my intervention will be for naught. But if you are innocent, Prince Jin will surely clear your name.”

Minister Wei understood his meaning. Now that the matter was in Prince Jin’s hands, there was no hope for him. He held no evidence against the Prime Minister, no leverage at all.

Prince Jin... Minister Wei darted a glance at him, his heart sinking into an icy abyss. He had hoped to use this opportunity to turn the tables on Xia Jiujiang and win favor with the Seventh Prince. Instead, he had dug his own grave.

When had his defeat truly begun? Perhaps the very moment he chose Xia Jiujiang as his opponent. From the start, he had underestimated her, and now his loss was absolute.

Trembling, Minister Wei knelt before Xia Jiujiang, prostrating himself in abject misery. If he fell into the hands of the Embroidered Guards, with their hundred and four tortures, he would not survive. Unlike Wang Yang, Minister Wei knew all too well how terrifying they were. Panic-stricken, he begged, “Princess Consort, it is all my fault. I beg you, have mercy, I beg you!”

Xia Jiujiang cast him a scornful glance. Her words were icy and measured. “Since Minister Wei chose to plot against me, surely he was prepared to lose everything in defeat. Now you beg for mercy—did you consider mercy when you schemed against me?”

“No... please, no...” It was all someone else’s instigation—it was the Prime Minister... He only wanted to win the Seventh Prince’s favor...

The Embroidered Guards dragged Minister Wei and Wang Yang away, their wails of despair fading into the depths of the Jade Hibiscus Hall.

As the clamor died down, a sudden hush fell over the hall. The chaos caused by Minister Wei’s self-orchestrated Phoenix Hairpin affair had soured even the Empress Dowager’s mood.

Consort Chen broke the silence. “Your Majesty, now that the true culprit has been found, let us not spoil the Empress Dowager’s pleasure. I have heard that the Prime Minister’s second daughter, Miss Xia Yue’er, has prepared a dance in honor of the Empress Dowager for tonight’s banquet.”

Emperor Zongkang glanced at Xia Yue’er and nodded. “Granted.”

Xia Jiujiang turned a thoughtful look on Consort Chen. This granddaughter of a former university scholar, now an imperial consort, clearly had close ties with the Prime Minister’s household.

Consort Chen and the Seventh Prince, Jun Qianye, wielded their influence through the pens of scholars, while behind the Prime Minister stood Marquis Guan of Distant Borders, who held the keys to vast wealth.

Consort Chen was shrewd indeed. If Jun Qianye were to marry Xia Yue’er, he would gain control over immense fortunes—an invaluable resource for political maneuvering at court. It would offer Jun Qianye an unshakable foundation.

But Consort Chen, perhaps, did not realize that this fine plan would come to an abrupt end tonight.

Xia Yue’er approached Xia Jiujiang, saying, “Sister, I have prepared a Water Sleeve Dance. May I ask you to accompany me with a tune?”

Like a docile white rabbit, Xia Yue’er appeared eager to please, hoping to draw closer to Xia Jiujiang and win her favor, casting Xia Jiujiang as the fierce, predatory wolf.

But Xia Jiujiang saw right through her little scheme. In Xia Yue’er’s eyes, she was a useless simpleton; though she had shown cleverness of late, in matters of cultured accomplishment, Xia Jiujiang was surely an outsider. Forcing her to perform would make her a laughingstock before the entire hall.

Xia Jiujiang’s eyes lingered on Xia Yue’er’s pale yellow skirts, a cold smile touching her lips. Yes, she was the wolf, so let the little rabbit open the door.

With a glint of mischief, Xia Jiujiang replied, “If you wish me to play, I suppose I can oblige.” Her gaze slid to the plate of decorative bamboo leaves on a low table.

She picked up a bamboo leaf. “I shall accompany you with this.”