When Jiang Zhaoxue returned from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, it was already past noon.
Shen Yanqiu was an easy person to deal with. He was the type who feared death and cherished his life. Jiang Zhaoxue simply placed the Jing Prince’s token on the table, and after the old man stared at it for a long while, his next words were:
“What does His Highness want this subordinate to do?”
Jiang Zhaoxue also got straight to the point. She asked him to suppress the report and not submit it before the emperor.
Shen Yanqiu immediately agreed, assuring her that there would absolutely be no mistakes.
Jiang Zhaoxue thought that this token was quite useful. However, she never expected that right after returning to the manor, she would hear another piece of news.
Although the report had not been submitted, the invitation for the imperial clan banquet had already been sent out.
On the surface, it was said to be a celebration of the Prince’s recovery from illness. In reality, it was meant to remove her from the position of Princess Consort in front of all the elders from the collateral branches of the imperial clan and officials from the Imperial Clan Court, right inside the flower hall of the Jing Prince’s residence.
“Yuzao.” Jiang Zhaoxue was applying makeup in her private chamber.
“This servant is here.”
“Tell me, when is a person the hardest for others to underestimate?”
Yuzao thought for a moment. “When their fists are the strongest?”
Jiang Zhaoxue laughed and reached out to tap her forehead.
“That’s not far off.”
After being praised like that, Yuzao shyly touched her nose with her hand. A patch of light brown freckles scattered across the bridge of her nose, making her look rather unique. Combined with her chubby figure, she looked like a very honest and sincere person at first glance.
Usually, she walked slowly, like a plump cat. Yet when she poured tea, her hands were extremely steady, and she never handled tasks carelessly.
Jiang Zhaoxue was very satisfied with this maid!
Jiang Zhaoxue stood up, straightened her skirt, and walked out.
“Alright, let’s go meet those old fellows.”
“Princess Consort, am I going too?” Yuzao shrank her neck nervously.
“Just stand behind me and don’t run around.”
“Rest assured, Princess Consort. This servant will absolutely not ruin the banquet.”
In the flower hall, the atmosphere was tense and oppressive. Sitting at the main table in the center was Dowager Consort Meng, dressed in a dark purple embroidered jacket with a cluster of flowers pattern, wearing a red-gold headdress.
At the two tables on either side sat the elders of the collateral branches of the Jing Prince’s residence. Third Great Uncle, Fifth Uncle, and Seventh Uncle each occupied their own seats, while the other members of the imperial clan sat scattered among seven or eight places. Lord Zhao from the Imperial Clan Court sat in the second seat, holding a teacup with an expressionless face.
“Dowager Consort, why hasn’t this Jing Prince’s Princess Consort arrived yet?” Third Uncle said impatiently, knocking on the table several times. “What an impressive attitude. She’s making a whole room full of elders wait for her alone?”
Dowager Consort Meng gave a disdainful smile.
“Third Uncle, don’t be anxious. This new daughter-in-law has never been very knowledgeable about proper etiquette. This consort has already sent someone to urge her.”
Just as she finished speaking, the pearl curtain of the flower hall was lifted, and Jiang Zhaoxue walked in leisurely.
The woman’s brows and eyes were as beautiful as a painting, her skin as fair as snow. Her black hair was tied into a high bun, decorated with a red-gold hairpin with hanging pearls. Her bright red brocade jacket embroidered with gold made her look like a blazing flame.
Several members of the imperial clan unconsciously straightened their backs, feeling somewhat unable to breathe under her overwhelming presence.
Yuzao followed behind her. Her plump figure was wrapped in a brand-new green sleeveless vest, and her round face carried a hint of nervousness.
She remembered Jiang Zhaoxue’s instructions clearly. The moment she entered, she behaved properly, keeping her eyes lowered and standing quietly like a miniature guardian deity.
“My apologies for arriving late.” Jiang Zhaoxue walked in front of Dowager Consort Meng and gave a slight curtsy. Her tone was extremely casual. “Please do not blame me, Dowager Consort.”
Dowager Consort Meng had just been about to speak when she saw Jiang Zhaoxue walk straight to her own seat and sit down. She picked up the teacup on the table and drank several large gulps, then grabbed a piece of osmanthus cake and stuffed the entire piece into her mouth.
“Have one too.” Jiang Zhaoxue handed the osmanthus cake to Yuzao, who was standing beside her.
Yuzao took it and finished it in just a few bites.
“Is it good?”
“It’s delicious.”
She turned to Granny Cui and said, “Have the kitchen make it the same way next time.”
“Yes.” Granny Cui replied.
The members of the imperial clan in the hall exchanged glances. Was this Princess Consort truly fearless, or was she just pretending not to be afraid?
After three rounds of wine, the atmosphere gradually loosened.
Several members of the imperial clan toasted each other and exchanged some meaningless pleasantries. Lord Zhao did not participate or interrupt, simply waiting for the real show to begin.
Dowager Consort Meng put down her chopsticks and dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief.
Third Great Uncle immediately put down his wine cup and gave a heavy cough.
“Princess Consort of Jing, this old man has something to say. I wonder whether I should speak or not.”
Jiang Zhaoxue raised her head, with a bit of sauce still at the corner of her mouth.
“If it shouldn’t be said, then don’t say it.”
The entire hall fell silent.
Third Great Uncle took a deep breath, suppressing the crude words he wanted to curse with.
“Princess Consort, this old man is an elder. There are some things that must be said.”
“Go ahead.” Jiang Zhaoxue leaned back against her chair, completely displaying the attitude of a spoiled young master.
Third Great Uncle cleared his throat and raised his voice.
“Princess Consort entered the manor less than a month ago. First, you beat and killed the old servants of the main courtyard. Then, you forced the concubine sent by the Dowager Consort out of kindness to serve His Highness into the abandoned courtyard, frightening her until she went insane. Such jealousy and cruelty have already violated the Seven Grounds for Divorce!”
As soon as his words fell, several members of the imperial clan began nodding and agreeing.
“That’s right, that’s right. This is truly unacceptable.”
Fifth Uncle was even more furious. He slammed the table and stood up, spittle flying as he shouted:
“The Jing Prince’s residence has a hundred years of good reputation! How can it allow you to act so recklessly? As an elder of the imperial clan, this old man absolutely cannot sit back and ignore this!”
Jiang Zhaoxue remained calm. She picked up a peanut with her chopsticks, tossed it into her mouth, and chewed loudly with a crisp crunch.
“The two people Third Great Uncle mentioned,” she said slowly, “one is called Chunxia, and the other is called Qiudong, right?”
Dowager Consort Meng’s expression changed slightly.
“As for Chunxia…” Jiang Zhaoxue counted on her fingers, a meaningful smile appearing on her face. “I investigated. These two girls haven’t learned medicine for even a single day. Instead, they learned seduction techniques from someone. They carry a sinister aura that only people who practice the art of draining others’ essence possess. Dowager Consort, you sent this kind of person to serve the Prince. Were you trying to make him die faster?”
“You’re slandering me!” Dowager Consort Meng slammed her hand on the table. “I kindly sent people to serve him, yet you’re turning around and accusing me!”
“Kindly?” Jiang Zhaoxue sneered. “Uncle Xu has served by the Prince’s side for more than ten years, yet he secretly stuffed incense into His Highness’s pillow that had been soaked in water used for a death ritual for three years. Was this also arranged out of your kindness, Dowager Consort?”
Several members of the imperial clan looked at each other in confusion. Someone muttered softly:
“Water from a death ritual? What kind of evil technique is that?”
“And the medicine room.” Jiang Zhaoxue continued. “Someone added a life-threatening ingredient to the Prince’s medicine. The Dowager Consort managed the household for three years, and all of these things were uncovered from the main courtyard. Dowager Consort, are you saying you knew nothing about this?”
“Nonsense!” Dowager Consort Meng’s face turned livid.
Seeing this, Seventh Uncle quickly stepped in to defend her.
“Princess Consort, do you have evidence for these accusations? Without evidence, you cannot make reckless claims!”
“Evidence?” Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly burst out laughing. “No wonder you people are so shameless. The crimes committed by the Dowager Consort are too many to count. After managing the household for three years, the accounts show a deficit of six hundred and fifty thousand taels, all of which went into the Meng family’s pockets. And you call that having a clear conscience?”
“You want evidence, don’t you?”
She calmly clapped her hands.
The door of the flower hall was pushed open from outside. Granny Cui entered at the front, followed by several strong elderly maids. Behind them were several people being escorted inside.
Uncle Xu kept muttering something under his breath. Chunxia and Qiudong’s clothes were torn and ragged, while Steward Ge’s face was pale and lifeless, his legs trembling as he walked.
They were brought into the flower hall and all knelt down in a row.
Jiang Zhaoxue picked up her teacup, blew gently on the foam floating on the surface, and slowly took a sip.
“Dowager Consort, you should know all of these people, shouldn’t you?”