Chapter 7 — Leaving the Jiang Estate

His expression darkened, his voice cold as freezing ice.

"Oh, so you claim Lady Hui incited you to do this? Where is your proof?"

"I... I..."

Jiang Ying could, of course, provide no such evidence. She stammered for a long while before clutching at her mother's sleeve. "Mother, you can testify for me. It was Jiang Hui who did this, wasn't it?"

The surrounding air seemed to solidify. After a flicker of hesitation crossed her face, my mother actually turned to look at me. Her eyes were brimming with desperate supplication--a plea for me to shoulder this guilt. It was just like in our childhood; whenever Jiang Ying committed a transgression, the one at fault was always destined to be me. She whispered, "Hui, help your elder sister..."

Help her? How much more was I supposed to give? Under the weight of my mother's expectant gaze, I finally stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I have never committed such acts. I can prove my own innocence."

My mind raced, quickly organizing the staff records. Within moments, I had summoned every palace servant who had been working near the Tai Dich Lake that day. Through their individual testimonies, every detail was laid bare: how many sips of water Jiang Ying had taken after entering the palace, what dishes she had consumed, and exactly where she had picked up the stone. Finally, the Emperor let out a cold snort and slammed his hand against the table.

"Jiang Sung-Nguyen, Lady Lam, do you have anything left to say?"

My father and mother knelt upon the ground, unable to utter a single word. Jiang Ying refused to give up, desperately tugging at the sleeve of Xia Si Gui. "Ha, you must help me. If it weren't for you, I would never have made such a grave mistake today. Please, help me..."

Xia Si Gui only curled his lips in a bitter smile. He remained on his knees, lost in his own thoughts.

Ultimately, the chaos spiraled in directions no one had anticipated. My father was reprimanded by the Emperor, stripped of his rank, and banished from the capital. My mother's noble title was revoked. As for Jiang Ying, after receiving thirty strikes of the rod, she was tossed out of the palace gates. Yet, the entire Jiang clan refused to allow her back into the family estate. Her individual folly had implicated the whole house, bringing disgrace upon every daughter of the Jiang line. Those already married were subjected to harsh treatment by their in-laws, while those yet to wed were shunned by every prospective suitor.

In the end, having no other choice, my mother agreed to send Jiang Ying to our ancestral home in Tian An. Everyone knew, however, that with her injuries so severe, the prospect of traveling a thousand miles was likely a death sentence; she would likely not survive the journey. On the day the Jiang family was demoted and exiled from the capital, I stood upon the city wall and watched from afar. My father had aged significantly. He was at an age where he should have been at the height of his power and career; now, he was cast away to an obscure, nameless place to serve as a minor official. He would likely never return to the capital for the rest of his days.

From my mother's carriage came the sound of ragged, heavy coughing. She was ill--terribly ill. With such a massive catastrophe befalling the family, she could not escape her share of the blame. Tortured by both physical ailments and mental anguish, she rarely found rest. From the horizon came the desolate cry of a lonely wild goose. The wind whipped across the ramparts, billowing my robes. Suddenly, I felt a warmth behind me. Minh Duc reached out to fasten my cloak.

"Do you wish to see them one last time?"

I shook my head. There was nothing left worth seeing.

"Let's go. The wind is picking up."

The carriage of the Eastern Palace was opulently spacious. Minh Duc insisted on ceding the main seat to me. He watched me for a long time before speaking. "I heard that on the day the Ha family intended to break off the engagement, Xia Si Gui initially refused. But after Lord Ha spoke to him, he finally accepted--though he had intended to storm the palace to find someone."

My movement as I bit into the osmanthus cake paused. The person Xia Si Gui sought was, of course, me. But I had no desire to see him. No matter what he wished to say, or how much sorrow and suffering he carried, I no longer cared. I looked up at Minh Duc.

"And then?"

He pressed his lips together, a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. "He severed ties with the Ha estate and left for Liuzhou alone. He has vanished from society, living as a simple village schoolteacher."

I hummed softly, observing the sharp, defined contours of his face. I suddenly recalled the previous evening, when the Empress had summoned me and placed two imperial edicts before me. One named me a Princess; the other named me the Crown Princess. The candlelight danced across the Empress's face, her gaze as gentle as water.

"Hui, this is the great gift the Emperor bestows upon you. Which one do you choose?"

I looked at the Empress and asked, "How would you have me choose, Your Majesty?"

"What a childish question. How can one let others dictate the course of their own life?" She brushed a strand of hair from my forehead. "Regardless of your choice, I only hope you will not live to regret it. However, as a mother, I do have a selfish streak. The day at the Temple of Eternal Buddha, it was actually Duc who suggested I bring you into the palace."

My thoughts snapped back to the present. Gazing at the clear, sharp profile of Minh Duc, I asked him: