During the days when Xia Jianxi was confined to bed rest in the residence, gold, silver, and jewels flowed like water into the General’s Residence from the palace.
The Empress Dowager’s personal palace maid, accompanied by the head of Taiyi Yuan, had personally visited several times. Within a few days, the story of how Xia Jianxi had risked her life to save Song Taifei during the Flower Festival had spread like wildfire through every street and alley.
Although the long sword hadn’t struck any vital organs, it was still a penetrating wound. Every time the dressing was changed, the pain was excruciating. At such moments, Xia Madam would always shed tears of distress, then fiercely curse the ungrateful wretches in the neighboring courtyard.
One day, just after Xia Jianxi had finished her dressing change, she faintly heard deliberately hushed curses from outside: “…According to their reasoning, won’t everything in the General’s Residence belong to them from now on? Ungrateful wretches, every last one of them!”
Xia Jianxi steeled herself and drank the medicinal broth handed to her by Shi Wei. Before she could even put down the bowl, she asked directly: “What’s happened?”
Shi Wei took the bowl back, her eyes evasive: “This servant doesn’t know, probably something was lost…”
Having grown up together since childhood, Xia Jianxi could tell at a glance that not only was this girl hiding something from her, but she was also suppressing her anger. She turned to Yao Zi: “You tell me!”
After being officially recognized by the Xia family, Yao Zi had become Xia Jianxi’s personal maid. She could no longer wear her dark clothes and now had to wear the dresses prepared by Shi Wei and Ting Wan every day, feeling thoroughly uncomfortable. When called upon, she happened to be struggling with her skirt.
“That Xia Madam from the neighboring courtyard used some method to invite your Xia clan elders to back her up,” Yao Zi said, looking up at Xia Jianxi. “They insist that the marriage contract your father tore up doesn’t just belong to your General’s Residence, but to the entire Xia clan. They say if you won’t marry, then naturally other daughters of the Xia clan can marry in your place!” She added, “Oh, and the clan elder also said that as long as it’s a marriage alliance with Xia Kang, regardless of which daughter is married off, your father must provide that Bingfu as dowry!”
As soon as Yao Zi finished speaking, Shi Wei couldn’t help but curse: “Goddamn it, each one more shameless than the last!”
Hearing this, Ting Wan, who had been trying hard to pretend she heard nothing, also got angry. She threw down the water dipper she was holding and walked over grumbling: “This has made Shi Wei so angry she’s cursing! Young lady, aren’t you going to do something about this?”
“Your general is being cornered in the residence by those old fools,” Yao Zi said irritably as she sat down, still bothered by the skirt that kept getting underfoot. “How is your young lady supposed to handle this?”
“Those people from the neighboring courtyard are simply inhuman!” Shi Wei said angrily. “To climb their way into this marriage alliance, they actually took the matter to the clan. They’re clearly telling the clan that as long as you’re surnamed Xia, you can get a share of the benefits! Otherwise, those old fools who never act without personal gain wouldn’t come causing trouble like this!” She kicked at the air in frustration, then turned to Yao Zi: “Can’t you just go kill them all?”
Yao Zi looked at Shi Wei’s completely serious face, then slowly turned away as if she had just imagined hearing those words.
Xia Jianxi stared at Shi Wei, whose face was flushed red with anger, momentarily stunned before quickly saying: “Murder requires paying with your life! It’s not worth sacrificing yourself for people like these!”
“How can you still laugh, Miss!” Ting Wan was also growing angry. “These people may call themselves a clan, but if it weren’t for our General’s Residence supporting them all these years, the Xia family’s Ancestral Hall would have likely rotted and collapsed long ago. How dare they covet your dowry! They’re simply… simply…”
“Shameless!” Shi Wei supplied the words.
“The marriage contract was arranged by the Late Emperor himself, and that half of the Tiger Tally was bestowed by the Late Emperor. These aren’t things they can snatch away just by making a scene!” Xia Jianxi popped a preserved plum into her mouth before smiling. “Let them make their fuss. There’s no need to get angry over them!”
“I’m afraid you’re being too optimistic, Miss. Those old fools said that since the General’s Residence has no male heir, once the General retires, they’ll have to rely on the clan’s nephews for support. Their insinuations clearly mean they’re bullying our General for not having a son!” Shi Wei pursed her lips, her eyes reddening with suppressed emotion.
Xia Jianxi frowned slightly. “Oh? They actually said that?”
“Not just that! They also said… also said…” Ting Wan’s face flushed crimson, but she couldn’t utter another word.
“They also said that you didn’t actually go to rescue the Grand Imperial Concubine that night, Miss Xia, but were kidnapped instead. They suggested you might have lost your virtue and that’s why you want to break off the engagement. After all, rather than being exposed by Yong’an Wang Shizi after marriage, it would be better to withdraw proactively so people might praise your integrity!” What Ting Wan couldn’t say, Yao Zi casually voiced aloud.
Just hearing this, Xia Jianxi could guess who had spread these words. The coldness in her eyes deepened, faintly carrying a hint of killing intent.
After a long silence, Xia Jianxi stood up. “Since they’ve gone this far, I must go see for myself what other disgusting and filthy words these disrespectful elders can utter!”
Ting Wan and Shi Wei wanted to stop her, but their own indignation was too strong. In the end, they followed Xia Jianxi to the front hall.
The main room of the General’s Residence was packed with people. Through the beaded curtain, Xia Jianxi could see General Xia sitting at the head seat, his face looking utterly grim.
“…Maoshan, as your Third Uncle and a father myself, I understand you want to protect your daughter. But this marriage was decided by the Late Emperor after all. You can’t just cancel the engagement to preserve her reputation alone. Back then, the Old Prince arranged for a daughter of the Xia family to marry. Now that your daughter cannot wed, naturally another daughter from the clan should take her place. However you look at it, you shouldn’t casually call off the marriage!” The elder at the forefront stroked his beard, speaking with grave concern.
“When the Old Prince personally delivered the marriage contract, it specified my daughter, Xia Maoshan’s daughter. How has it now become any daughter of the Xia clan?” Xia Maoshan looked at the old man before him, a faint chill in his eyes.
“You said it yourself—your daughter, Xia Maoshan’s daughter. Can Xia Maoshan only have one daughter?” The elder sighed helplessly. “Not to mention others, even Second Brother’s daughter—your own younger brother’s family—has several girls from top to bottom. If you just adopt one to replace Jianxi, wouldn’t this marriage be preserved?”
“Even if you don’t like the second branch’s family, look – our clan has so many well-behaved and sensible children. Any one of them would do. As long as you like them, they can all be adopted under your name. Why must you cancel this marriage arrangement? Moreover, I’ve also heard that Princess Yong’an had the same intention. Though Jianxi has lost her purity, our family has plenty of chaste daughters!” Third Uncle pleaded earnestly.
Madam Xia, sitting nearby, slammed her cup down heavily: “Third Uncle, what do you mean by saying my Jianxi has lost her purity! She was personally escorted back by Grand Imperial Concubine Song and the Prince Regent!”
“Even if the Dowager Consort sent her back, what does that prove? Does being sent back prove her purity? After all, she was kidnapped by bandits – how could she possibly remain pure? Who knows…”
“Who knows what?” Xia Jianxi suddenly swept aside the curtain, casting a cold glare at Third Uncle sitting in the seat of honor. She let out a cold laugh, “Is Third Uncle suggesting that the Dowager Consort and Prince Regent provided false testimony for me? Perhaps I should send someone to invite Wang Ye to come have a word with Third Uncle?”