Chapter 8: Merely a Bit of Interest

Xia Wentao was once a minor official in the county, and if not for marrying Jiang Ruan, the mother of Xia Jiujang, things would have been different. The Jiang family were imperial merchants dealing in textiles. Xia Wentao loved wealth, and Jiang Ruan, blinded by his feigned talent, believed she had married for love. In the end, Xia Wentao ascended smoothly to the position of Prime Minister on the back of the Jiang family’s fortune, only to turn his back on them.

Once he became Prime Minister, Xia Wentao grew ashamed of Jiang Ruan’s merchant background. With status and position, he sought fame and reputation. The old Madam Xia, too, considered Jiang Ruan beneath Xia Wentao’s elevated station, making things difficult for her at every turn. Five years ago, when a tribute fabric from the Jiang family destined for the palace was found faulty, the family’s reputation was destroyed, and Jiang Ruan, gravely ill, passed away.

After Jiang Ruan’s death, the true face of the Xia family was revealed in all its ugliness. For years, their food, clothing, and luxuries had depended on the Jiang family, yet when disaster struck, the Xia family distanced themselves, terrified to be tainted by any scandal.

With Jiang Ruan gone, Xia Wentao legitimized Lin Baixue’s status and banished Xia Jiujang to live in the remote and chilly Yi Residence, separated from the guest quarters by a long corridor. Now, before Xia Jiujang, he wore the expression of a gratified father welcoming his daughter home, an act that was nothing short of nauseating.

This homecoming was Xia Jiujang’s battlefield—a warning shot to the Xia family, a declaration that she was no longer the Xia Jiujang of the past. Her first move was to wield the authority of her new title: Princess Consort of the Prince of Jin, bestowed upon her by Emperor Zongkang. She made it clear to everyone in the Xia family that she was the Princess Consort, holding an imperial title.

The moment Xia Jiujang spoke these words, the faces of the Xia family stiffened, and after a stunned silence, shock flickered across their eyes. Was this truly Xia Jiujang—the girl even the maids dared to bully? If it was, how could she have the audacity and courage to utter such words? Etiquette and protocol could not be trespassed; with the title of Princess Consort, the Xia family had no choice but to bow.

Even Lüluo, standing beside Xia Jiujang, was momentarily dumbfounded. She had watched Xia Jiujang, the eldest daughter of the Xia family, endure deliberate neglect from the master and malicious targeting by Lin Baixue, the new madam—never enough to eat or wear, no charcoal in winter, no fan in summer.

How Lüluo had wished to see Xia Jiujang stand tall one day, but she never imagined she would witness it on this very day. With the authority of the Princess Consort, the Xia family could no longer look down on her, and Lüluo’s heart blossomed with joy, believing that the late Madam Jiang Ruan must surely be watching over her daughter from heaven.

Seeing Lüluo’s happiness, Xia Jiujang easily saw through her little thoughts. She was not the same mistress Lüluo remembered. She was a person who held grudges and settled scores, and those who crossed her would never fare well.

Xia Jiujang, holding her feathered arrow as if it were an imperial order, had Jin Bu Wen at her side, and she immediately took advantage of his presence. Jin Bu Wen found her display amusing.

Yet the Xia family remained in shock, unmoving. Jin Bu Wen looked at Xia Wentao and said, “Prime Minister Xia, are you going to stand at the door forever? Have you forgotten that I am here?”

Jin Bu Wen, the Prince of Jin, was a favorite of Emperor Zongkang, renowned for his aloofness toward women, but now he was supporting Xia Jiujang?

Xia Wentao’s face grew grim. He suddenly realized that Xia Jiujang’s survival from the poisoning was a grave mistake. He sensed that Xia Jiujang had changed.

With a cold expression, Xia Wentao clenched his fists and was the first to bow, followed by the others, who hurriedly performed the formal greeting before Jin Bu Wen and Xia Jiujang. “Greetings, Your Highness Prince of Jin, Your Highness Princess Consort.”

The Xia family bowed reverently, and Xia Jiujang gazed at their lowered forms with an icy look. Hmph, this was only an appetizer. However the Xia family had treated Xia Jiujang before, she would now treat them in kind.

Xia Yue’er bit her lower lip, trembling. Was she really expected to bow to Xia Jiujang?

When Xia Jiujang was at the Xia manor, she wasn’t even fit to carry Xia Yue’er’s shoes, yet now Xia Yue’er was forced to humble herself. Xia Jiujang was flaunting her new title as Princess Consort, but without it, she was nothing.

Xia Yue’er glanced at Xia Chan nearby, whose body was shaking in anger, and felt somewhat steadied.

She took a deep breath. There was no need to rush. Xia Jiujang was still the same fool; dealing with her would be easy.

Jin Bu Wen spoke, “Prime Minister Xia, you are too courteous.”

Xia Wentao’s face was sour. They had forced the Xia family to bow, and now they were saying the Xia family was too courteous.

After the ceremony, Xia Jiujang deliberately said, “Father, surely you won’t blame me? With so many people coming and going in the Xia household, if word of disrespect reached His Majesty’s ears, people might think we resent the marriage bestowed upon us.”

Xia Wentao’s mouth twitched. Xia Jiujang was gaining the advantage and pretending to be gracious!

He forced a smile. “You are most considerate.”

Seeing Xia Wentao’s suppressed frustration, Xia Jiujang’s eyes gleamed with mischief.

Xia Wentao escorted the Prince of Jin into the Xia residence, with Xia Jiujang at Jin Bu Wen’s side. Her every gesture was that of a noblewoman, calm and poised, without a hint of embarrassment—a true Princess Consort.

Xia Yue’er deliberately lagged behind, whispering to Xia Chan, “After marrying His Highness, our eldest sister is so different—commanding even in front of Father, as if she truly is Princess Consort.”

Hearing this, Xia Chan twisted her embroidered handkerchief tighter. Now that Xia Jiujang held the title, she was putting on airs. What nonsense!

Xia Yue’er fretted, “When our eldest sister was in the Xia household, we never gave her a good face. Now that she’s returned, she’ll surely target us.”

Xia Chan was annoyed. “How dare she! She’s just a merchant’s daughter. If not for the title of legitimate daughter, that marriage would never have been hers.”

Xia Yue’er sighed, whispering in Xia Chan’s ear, “If only you were Princess Consort, we wouldn’t let Xia Jiujang show off and deliberately humiliate us. If it were you, you’d return to the Xia family dignified and harmonious, never letting us suffer like this.”

Xia Chan’s eyes sparkled at the thought. Once she entered the Prince of Jin’s manor, Xia Jiujang would be no match for her.

Lin Baixue, catching their conversation from the corner of her eye, allowed a faint smile to curl her lips.