It's slightly hard, here and in later chapters, to work out Xia Dong's precise role in the conspiracy. Changsu arranged for Prince Ji to hang out with Gong what's her face the musician at a specific time when he could look out of the window and see Xia Dong smuggling the prisoner out. This makes it look like Xia Jiang arranged the prisoner's removal, because everyone knows Xia Dong is his loyal underling of long standing. But what is Xia Dong supposed to have believed herself to be doing, and why? Defying the Emperor, implicating a prince and lying to the emperor about your movements under orders is still--committing three major crimes. How is she supposed to escape a quite severe punishment? I know she's General Nie's widow, but still.