Chapter 19: If You Kneel and Beg

Unaware of Family Schemes

Xie Jiu, still in the Weiyuan Marquis Estate, remained unaware of the events unfolding in the Xie household.

She was busy sorting through her belongings.

When Wu Que heard Xie Jiu was inventorying her dowry, he assumed she was aligning herself with the palace and trying to distance herself from him. This fueled his anger.

Yet, despite his frustration, he wanted to pry information from Xie Jiu about Zhao Xingjin’s current stance toward the Weiyuan Marquis Estate.

But asking for favors required humility, something Wu Que was loath to show.

After much deliberation, he sent someone to Wu Qingchan, hoping she would apologize to Xie Jiu for previously insulting her while delivering items to the palace and, in the process, gather information.

To his surprise, Wu Qingchan, still stinging from the slap he’d given her and her confinement, was too resentful to comply.

She outright drove Wu Que’s messenger away.

Truly, only a villain can handle another villain. Wu Que was furious but had no choice but to swallow his pride and go to Xie Jiu himself.

A Tense Reunion

The maid guarding the courtyard gate announced the Marquis’s arrival. Qingfang moved to shoo him away, but Xie Jiu stopped her.

‘Let him in,’ Xie Jiu said, a playful smile tugging at her lips. ‘I’m curious to see what nonsense this dog’s mouth will spew this time.’

With that, Wu Que was soon ushered into the room.

‘Would the Marquis like tea? Help yourself, don’t be shy,’ Xie Jiu said, not rising from her seat. She lounged by the window, lazily fanning herself with a round fan.

Wu Que suddenly felt like a guest in someone else’s home, as if he were the one coming to beg.

Though he was indeed here to ask for something, this was still the Wu family estate. Yet it felt like Xie Jiu’s domain, which irritated him greatly.

‘No need,’ Wu Que said, suppressing his temper for the sake of his goal. ‘I came to tell you that entering the palace isn’t something to be proud of. Everyone knows the truth behind it. You don’t need to flaunt it. Be careful—when you’re cast aside someday, you’ll have nowhere to cry and will end up crawling back to the Wu family.’

He hoped his words would make Xie Jiu consider her potential downfall and prompt her to yield.

Xie Jiu’s heart gave a cold laugh, but she feigned a thoughtful expression.

After a moment, she spoke. ‘The Marquis isn’t saying this out of concern for my future, is he? Why don’t you just tell me what you want to know?’

Probing for Information

Seeing her take the bait, Wu Que relaxed slightly.

Assuming she was starting to fear the consequences, he regained his confidence.

‘You married me, so you’re tied to me forever. You’re a Wu, no matter what. If the Wu family falls, you won’t escape. The Emperor is investigating corruption in the military, and I’ve heard many of those under scrutiny were once close to me. I’m worried the Emperor suspects me too. Do you know anything?’

He spoke with an air of superiority, as if he held the upper hand.

Xie Jiu didn’t respond immediately, her gaze holding a trace of amusement.

Wu Que felt uneasy under her stare and frowned.

‘Why are you looking at me like that? Speak if you have something to say.’

‘I was just wondering why the Marquis always acts so entitled,’ Xie Jiu said, rising with Chunrong’s help and clicking her tongue. ‘One might think I owe you something.’

Wu Que’s face darkened. ‘Don’t you? You’ve been unfaithful, shamelessly wanton. I should…’

‘Should what?’ Xie Jiu flashed a radiant smile. ‘Let me guess—you were going to say you should divorce me. So why didn’t you bring the divorce papers?’

She sauntered over, circling Wu Que as if searching for those papers on him.

‘Tch, is the Marquis reluctant to divorce me, or does he not dare?’

Their eyes met, and the cold sharpness in Xie Jiu’s gaze sent a chill down Wu Que’s spine, his throat tightening.

A Clash of Wills

But when someone is in the wrong and feeling guilty, they often lash out.

After a moment of tension, Wu Que’s anger erupted. ‘I came here out of kindness to warn you, overlooking your past wrongs, and you dare speak to me like this? Since you entered the Wu family, have I ever mistreated you? Now you’re entangled with another man, and you have the nerve to say these things?’

His sudden outburst seemed to startle Xie Jiu, her face paling as she stepped back.

‘Just joking, Marquis. Why get so angry? How dull.’

‘Who’s joking with you?’ Wu Que’s face was grim. ‘Don’t think hooking up with the Emperor makes you untouchable. The higher you climb, the harder you fall. You’d better leave yourself a way out. I’m giving you a chance now. If you don’t take it, don’t come begging at my door when you’re abandoned.’

Xie Jiu burst into laughter, as if she’d heard the funniest joke, tears nearly spilling from her eyes.

Wu Que’s face grew uglier by the second as he watched her.

‘Madwoman, what are you laughing at?’

‘What am I laughing at?’ Xie Jiu’s expression turned mocking. ‘I’m laughing at how the Marquis thinks everyone else is a fool.’

Wu Que’s lips tightened, and he said nothing.

Xie Jiu didn’t stop, lifting her chin slightly, her eyes sharp. ‘You don’t think I know your schemes? I’m in this position today because you forced me here.’

She let out a soft scoff.

‘Talking about the future with me? I don’t have time for that. I focus on the present. If someone displeases me, I can still say a word or two to the Emperor. And I believe he’s still willing to indulge me.’

She stepped closer, forcing Wu Que to retreat a few steps to keep his distance.

A Humiliating Demand

Indeed, Wu Que had come with a self-deluded hope.

He thought that if Xie Jiu didn’t know he’d intended to sell her out, their situation would simply be her infidelity, putting him in the right.

But his hopes were dashed.

Not only did Xie Jiu tear through his facade without hesitation, but she turned the tables, adopting a patronizing tone.

‘The Marquis wants to know the Emperor’s stance toward you, doesn’t he? But when asking for a favor, you should show some sincerity. A day as husband and wife means a hundred days of grace. I don’t want to be too harsh. If you kneel and beg me, I’ll tell you everything.’

Her words sent a surge of humiliation through Wu Que, his face flushing with anger.

‘Dream on! You think I can’t manage without you?’

‘Oh, really?’ Xie Jiu feigned surprise. ‘I was thinking, if you knelt and begged, I might put in a good word for you with the Emperor. At the very least, I could ensure your life is spared. But it seems I was worried for nothing. Since the Marquis has his own clever plans, forget it.’

She waved a hand, signaling Chunrong to see him out.

Chunrong didn’t hesitate, stepping forward to usher Wu Que out.

Wu Que’s face alternated between pale and flushed, the veins on his forehead throbbing as if they might burst. His glare at Xie Jiu was venomous, as if he wanted to tear her apart.

But her words—‘at the very least, I could ensure your life is spared’—struck fear into his heart, making him dread that Zhao Xingjin might already be planning to move against him.

Yet kneeling to beg Xie Jiu was something he couldn’t bring himself to do.

After a long internal struggle, he flung his sleeve and stormed out without a word.

A Calculated Wait

Watching him leave, Xie Jiu chuckled lightly, fanning herself as she returned to sorting her things.

No rush—she knew exactly how cowardly and desperate Wu Que was. Sooner or later, he’d kneel before her.

But while she didn’t need to waste energy on Wu Que for now, she still had to deal with the one in the palace.

When she left, he’d ordered her to return to the palace the next morning.

Not a single day of rest. She hurried to finish packing, catch some sleep, and prepare to keep that old fox in the palace happy tomorrow.