Chapter 25: Now She Holds the Pieces

Wu Qingchan’s Defeat

Wu Qingchan didn’t dare go to the Emperor.

What was she, to speak before him?

Regret surged within her—she’d been too impulsive.

Angry, remorseful, and humiliated, her face burned as if slapped.

But she had no choice, swallowing her pride to plead again.

“Sister-in-law, I was wrong. I was too desperate. Please…”

“Get out.”

Xie Jiu didn’t want to look at her anymore.

Even without a grudge, she found Wu Qingchan insufferable.

Wu Qingchan opened her mouth to speak, but Qingfang stepped forward, swiftly moving to escort her out.

The maids in the courtyard, now fiercely loyal to Xie Jiu, were quick to assist, pushing Wu Qingchan out in moments.

“It’s finally quiet. I thought she’d learned her lesson, but she still can’t read the situation,” Qingfang said, rolling her eyes.

Chunrong scoffed. “As if everyone owes her. She barely lowers her head, expecting others to slave for her.”

Xie Jiu, listening to her maids, remained unfazed, a faint smile on her lips.

“Enough. No need to waste anger on her. Wu Que’s doomed this time, and the entire Wu family will be dragged down with him. Her days won’t be easy.”

Her words were undeniable.

Chunrong and Qingfang, hearing this, felt their irritation ease.

But soon, the attentive Chunrong grew worried. “Madam, you’re still part of the Marquis’s household. Could you be implicated? What if the Emperor goes back on his word?”

If Zhao Xingjin broke his promise and took Xie Jiu down with Wu Que, what then?

After all, Xie Jiu was still a Wu wife, not an imperial consort. Her illicit relationship carried no formal recognition, easily dismissed if he chose to betray her.

Unaware of the full extent of Xie Jiu’s dealings with Zhao Xingjin, Chunrong’s concern was natural.

“Good sister, you’re the most thoughtful,” Xie Jiu teased, touched by Chunrong’s care. She reassured her, “Don’t worry. I have everything under control.”

Seeing Xie Jiu’s calm confidence, Chunrong asked no more.

Xie Jiu then instructed, “There’s no rush here. First, send a message to my family.”

After a moment’s thought, she beckoned Qingfang closer and whispered a few words.

Qingfang promptly left for the Xie residence.

Xie Mingchen’s Calculations

At the Xie residence, in the study, Xie Mingchen listened to Qingfang’s message, a look of understanding crossing his face.

“No wonder Wei Zhang spouted that nonsense to me. It was about his daughter, taking out his anger on me.”

“That day, Miss met Wei Jieyu in the palace and didn’t offend her in the slightest, yet Wei Jieyu was clearly displeased, her words sharp. Later, the Emperor mentioned that Wei Jieyu had sent word to her family, urging her father to advise against keeping Miss in the palace,” Qingfang said.

Xie Mingchen’s eyes narrowed, a shadow passing through them. “That old fox Wei, leaning on his bond with the Emperor, thinks he can control both court and harem. Not only is he eyeing my position as Prime Minister, but he’s also trying to block Jiu’er from the palace. His ambitions are no small thing.”

Qingfang didn’t respond, only offering reassurance.

“But Master needn’t worry too much. The Emperor told Miss that the Censorate’s investigation into you is just a formality, to avoid slighting Lord Wei. Besides, with the Weiyuan Marquis’s crimes confirmed and our family tied to them by marriage, rumors are inevitable. An investigation will prove your innocence, leaving no room for gossip.”

Hearing this, Xie Mingchen’s expression softened.

He nodded, dismissing Qingfang.

But before she left, she crossed paths with someone from Lady Yang’s entourage in a secluded spot.

It seemed a chance encounter, a brief exchange, but a close observer would notice a shift in Qingfang’s demeanor afterward.

Sure enough, upon returning to the Weiyuan Marquis Estate, Qingfang brought Xie Jiu new information.

“Master plans to select a suitable girl from the Xie clan to send to the palace, saying he fears you’re struggling alone there.”

Xie Jiu sneered. “Struggling alone? He’s just afraid I’ll remain a nameless mistress, discarded when the Emperor tires of me, leaving him no more benefits to reap. Sending someone to the palace? He’s probably counting on me to pave the way.”

To Xie Mingchen, his daughter was a mere commodity, a chess piece to be milked for every advantage.

All under the guise of acting for her good.

Utterly disgusting.

Qingfang’s face showed displeasure. “You saw right through him. But Madam Yang also told me to assure you—she won’t let Master send anyone to the palace.”

“No need to worry,” Xie Jiu said coolly. “He’s under the Censorate’s scrutiny now. He has no time for such schemes.”

Besides, as long as she was in the palace, no Xie girl would enter.

Her father had once used vile tactics to force her into the palace. Now that she was there, the Xie family’s glory rested solely in her hands.

Now, she was the one moving the pieces.

Wu Que’s Despair

In the Ministry of Justice’s prison, Wu Que, confined for a full day, huddled in a corner, his face dark and silent.

“Here’s your food!”

A guard pushed a cart over, tossing down a bowl of sour rice and a dish resembling slop.

Wu Que glanced at it, unmoving, his eyes growing ever more menacing.

“Picky even here?” the guard sneered. “Fine, don’t eat. I’ll save these for tomorrow!”

He took the food and left, not without a few mocking words.

“Spineless coward, acting tough? A general who surrendered out of fear—I’ve only seen one in my life, and from a noble family, no less! Bah! Lower than a dog! No wonder your wife ran off. If I were a woman, I wouldn’t look twice at a useless, black-hearted thing like you!”

The words pierced Wu Que like steel needles, filling him with humiliation and rage.

It was all Zhao Xingjin’s fault. If he hadn’t rebelled, Wu Que would still be the illustrious heir of a marquis, unchallenged in the capital.

The Wu-Xie marriage had once been the envy of all, a powerful alliance.

Now, it was a joke. Xie Jiu’s betrayal was known citywide.

His former glory was matched only by his current disgrace.

Wu Que wished he’d died in battle, earning a heroic name.

But there was no medicine for regret. His cowardice had led to this wretched fate; his scheme to sell his wife for glory had backfired spectacularly.

Yet someone like Wu Que never reflected on his own actions. His heart and eyes were consumed by hatred—for Zhao Xingjin, for Xie Jiu—never considering that his downfall was his own doing.

Back to the Palace

Meanwhile, Xie Jiu, the object of his hatred, spared him no thought.

The next morning, as usual, she headed to the palace.