Chapter 3: Rumors Are Not Always Trustworthy

Return to the Weiyuan Marquis Residence

Xie Mingshen personally escorted Xie Jiu back to the Weiyuan Marquis Residence.

Compared to Wu Que’s careless oversight, Xie Mingshen was far more cautious.

Only after witnessing the marquis residence’s steward lead Xie Jiu inside did he board his carriage and depart.

Gazing at the vast marquis residence before her, Xie Jiu felt a surge of unprecedented rage and unwillingness, her eyes burning with unshed tears. She longed to set the entire estate ablaze, reducing it to ashes.

A Desperate Dilemma

“Miss, what should we do now?” Chunrong and Qingfang asked, their faces etched with worry as they looked at Xie Jiu.

Earlier, their fleeting joy of escaping to the Xie family had long dissipated.

Even they had realized by now that Xie Jiu had been betrayed by both her husband’s family and her natal family, with no path of escape left.

Where could she go? The one who had delivered her back to this pit of fire was none other than her own father.

Yet, Xie Jiu was unwilling to accept this fate.

Why should she meekly submit to being manipulated, schemed against, and treated as a plaything to be trampled upon?

Reborn into this life, was death truly the only way to alter her destiny?

A Bold Decision

Xie Jiu’s eyes reddened as she stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror, a wild resolve rising within her.

“I will enter the palace.”

“Miss, what are you saying?” Chunrong exclaimed, horrified. “There must be another way. They may not know you’ve uncovered their plan, and the Qiqiao Festival is still days away. We can still devise a plan…”

“My father is meticulous,” Xie Jiu interrupted, her lips tightly pursed. “He’s already suspicious today and will surely urge Wu Que to hasten the plan. We have no time.”

Qingfang, equally anxious, added, “But Miss, when the new emperor was still a vassal king, his reputation for lust and cruelty was notorious in the capital. They say that just a hundred days after his father’s death, he held feasts and revelry in his mansion, bringing in courtesans from local brothels to serve him. He even forced local officials to join him, killing those who refused. How can you entrust yourself to such a man?”

Yet, Xie Jiu’s face showed only resolute determination.

“Delaying means waiting for death. By breaking the cauldron and sinking the boat, I might carve out a path. Say no more—I’ve made my decision.”

With that, she rose swiftly, evading the marquis residence’s watchful eyes, and headed to the southern courtyard.

There, Wu Que kept the Yangzhou courtesans he had collected.

The steward, Chen Shun, sent one to the palace every so often, and tonight happened to be one such occasion.

Wu Que’s Suspicion

In the afternoon, Wu Que returned to the residence.

Upon hearing of Xie Jiu’s morning departure, his heart tightened with unease.

He made a point to visit the rear courtyard to check on Xie Jiu.

Unwilling to face him, Xie Jiu claimed illness and refused to leave her room.

Distrustful, Wu Que forced his way in, only relenting when he confirmed Xie Jiu was indeed still in the residence.

His behavior only deepened Xie Jiu’s cold disdain.

Soon enough, Wu Que would regret ever plotting to send her to the palace.

Unsuspecting, Wu Que ordered the residence to be tightly guarded, forbidding Xie Jiu from leaving even half a step.

Little did he know, that evening, when Chen Shun, as usual, sent a woman from the southern courtyard to the palace in a covered sedan, the face beneath the veiled gauze had quietly changed.

Entering the Palace

In the palace, within the Chengming Hall, the head eunuch, Yang Zhian, bowed respectfully and said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, the beauty from the Weiyuan Marquis Residence has arrived.”

Behind the imperial desk, the new emperor, Zhao Xingjin, clad in an ink-black robe adorned with golden dragon patterns, was reviewing memorials.

At this, the corner of his lips curled into a faint smile, and he let out a soft chuckle.

“The Weiyuan Marquis is quite dedicated, sending a beauty every so often. It must be no small feat to gather such exquisite women.”

“Indeed,” Yang Zhian echoed with a smile. “When it comes to pleasing Your Majesty, the Weiyuan Marquis spares no effort.”

“Does he have a choice?” Zhao Xingjin tossed the memorial onto the desk, his sharp phoenix eyes glinting darkly. “Do you know how many of these memorials demand I strip him of his title?”

Yang Zhian bowed lower. “Then, does Your Majesty wish to see the woman sent by the Weiyuan Marquis today?”

“I’m weary today. Take her away for now,” Zhao Xingjin said, waving his hand.

Yet, Yang Zhian hesitated, prompting a flash of displeasure on Zhao Xingjin’s face.

“What is it? Speak quickly. Do you dare hide anything from me?”

“This servant wouldn’t dare!” Yang Zhian hurriedly knelt. “I only wished to inform Your Majesty that the woman sent today is no ordinary one. It’s… the Weiyuan Marquis’s wife, Xie Shi.”

A Surprising Revelation

At this, Zhao Xingjin’s fingers, which had been tapping the desk, paused. A playful expression crossed his face.

“Well, well. I’ve heard there are four renowned beauties from the former dynasty’s capital, and this Xie Shi is one of them. Wu Que is truly willing to pay a steep price, even offering his own wife to me.”

“Indeed,” Yang Zhian quickly added. “The Xie family is the foremost scholarly household, and Xie Shi is the eldest daughter of Chief Minister Xie. I thought Your Majesty might be interested in seeing her, so I dared to speak out.”

Zhao Xingjin narrowed his eyes, pausing for a moment before speaking.

“Very well, bring her in.”

Yang Zhian complied, swiftly rising and retreating.

Soon after, Xie Jiu was led into the hall.

“Madam, please proceed alone. This servant takes his leave,” Yang Zhian said, stopping at the screen in the central hall.

Xie Jiu nodded slightly, and after he left, she took a deep breath, rounded the screen, and entered the inner hall.

Facing the Emperor

“Your concubine pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!”

Upon entering the inner hall, Xie Jiu dared not act rashly. Keeping her head lowered, she knelt respectfully in greeting.

For a long while, no response came, and Xie Jiu’s scalp tingled with uncertainty, unsure if anyone was even present.

After kneeling for the duration of a cup of tea, a pair of dragon-patterned boots finally appeared at the edge of her vision.

“Raise your head. Let me see,” a man’s frivolous voice sounded above her, accompanied by a gaze that swept over her.

Xie Jiu felt the weight of that gaze, not like the leering of a libertine but the probing scrutiny of a superior, as if trying to see through her.

Under such pressure, her wariness of the new emperor only grew.

Her instincts told her the rumors might not be true—this emperor was likely no lust-driven fool.

With this realization, Xie Jiu abandoned her initial plan of seductive posturing. When she raised her head, her expression was serene.

Only her slightly reddened eyes betrayed a fragile strength, as if she were holding herself together to avoid showing weakness.

An Unexpected Impression

Upon seeing Xie Jiu’s face, Zhao Xingjin couldn’t help but narrow his eyes.

The woman before him had delicate brows, a face like a lotus, and flawless skin like unblemished jade. Her lips were a vivid red, and in her peach-colored gauze dress, her graceful figure was faintly visible—a true beauty worthy of her reputation.

Her composed yet vulnerable demeanor was particularly pitiable, devoid of any vulgar flattery. This lent her an air of refined dignity, making one hesitant to treat her lightly.

Yet, Zhao Xingjin’s fleeting admiration quickly gave way to a teasing smile.

“I thought noble ladies from great families were unyielding,” he said, looking down at Xie Jiu. “Yet here you are, willing to lower yourself. Madam, are you truly willing to serve me? I’ve yet to taste the charm of another man’s wife.”

As he spoke, he leaned forward, hooking a finger under Xie Jiu’s chin to force her gaze to meet his.

Xie Jiu, unaccustomed to such brazen treatment, felt her heart skip. Her eyes flickered briefly.

But upon seeing his face, she steadied herself.

Zhao Xingjin was undeniably striking, with sharp phoenix eyes that carried a roguish charm, a high nose, and red lips framed by a chiseled face. Despite a hint of feminine refinement, his martial bearing made him anything but soft—rather, he exuded a resolute charisma.

Yet, the insincere amusement in his eyes made him seem like a fox, poised to snap its prey’s neck at any moment.

A Calculated Risk

In the former dynasty, there were only two vassal kings of different surnames. The old emperor, paranoid and ruthless, had eradicated one of them on charges of treason.

Yet Zhao Xingjin had inherited his father’s title, survived, and seized the throne in less than two years when the old emperor weakened.

Could such a man truly be swayed by beauty?

Now, seeing his playful demeanor, Xie Jiu was certain she had bet correctly—Zhao Xingjin was no slave to lust.

Thus, when faced with his teasing words, Xie Jiu offered a charming smile.

“Your Majesty is the lord of the realm, supreme and noble. To serve Your Majesty is a great honor, and your concubine is willing.”

She paused, then shed her alluring facade, her expression turning serious.

“But I come to propose a deal with Your Majesty.”

A Bold Proposition

“A deal?” Zhao Xingjin laughed as if hearing a joke, his gaze sweeping over her like she was a curiosity. “How novel. Madam wishes to make a deal with me? I’m afraid I’m only interested in your exquisite beauty.”

“I can help Your Majesty alleviate the treasury’s emptiness,” Xie Jiu said, undeterred, her eyes blazing. “In return, I ask Your Majesty to help me seek vengeance.”

Zhao Xingjin, amused by her earnestness, leaned back with a half-smile. “Vengeance? What grudge could a sheltered lady like you hold? But if you can truly ease the treasury’s burden, I could grant you anything.”

Unfazed by his dismissive tone, Xie Jiu laid out her cards one by one.

At first, Zhao Xingjin listened with a smile, but as she continued, his expression tightened. By the end, his gaze toward her had shifted entirely.

“These matters could bring down the Weiyuan Marquis Residence,” he said. “Who is it you seek vengeance against?”

“The one I seek vengeance against is Wu Que, the Weiyuan Marquis!” Xie Jiu’s eyes burned with intense hatred.

Zhao Xingjin narrowed his eyes. “He is your husband.”

“He schemed to sell his wife for glory, shameless and immoral,” Xie Jiu replied, her face cold. “In my heart, he is nothing but an enemy.”

“Why not seek help from your natal family?” Zhao Xingjin asked. “The Xie family, a prominent clan, wouldn’t stand by while their daughter is humiliated by her husband, would they?”

At the mention of the Xie family, Xie Jiu’s anger flared. She gritted her teeth. “My father has long colluded with Wu Que.”

A Shift in the Emperor’s Demeanor

Seeing the unmasked hatred for her family in Xie Jiu’s expression, Zhao Xingjin’s eyes darkened, a chessboard forming in his mind.

Suddenly, the cold skepticism on his face vanished, replaced by a look of pity and concern.

He reached out, gently helping the kneeling Xie Jiu to her feet.

“How heartbreaking,” he said. “Wu Que is blind to discard such a beauty. Stay by my side henceforth, and I will treat you well.”

A New Beginning

Outside the hall, Yang Zhian stared at the closed doors, smirking with amusement.

“The Weiyuan Marquis truly spares nothing for His Majesty,” he remarked. “Even offering his own wife—what loyalty! Which court official could match such sacrifice?”

The nearby young eunuch stifled a laugh, lowering his head.

Moments later, Zhao Xingjin’s voice rang out from within the hall.

“By my decree, Xie Shi, wife of the Weiyuan Marquis, hails from a distinguished family, possessing grace, virtue, and erudition. From this day, she is appointed as the tutor to Princess Wenxi!”