Gao Zhan frowned. “What other motives could she have? Does she think she can still enter the Eastern Palace? That’s absurd.”
Duan Mingxi had already been granted the title of Duan Wangfei. If she dared to break off the engagement, she’d be risking her life!
“She doesn’t need to enter the Eastern Palace,” Bai Zhiwei said with a faint sigh. “Didn’t you notice how the Crown Prince kept watching her earlier? Why would she need to join the Eastern Palace formally?”
Bai Zhiwei sighed again. “If it weren’t for her back then, we wouldn’t have had to rush into our engagement. Our marriage should’ve been a grand, proper event.”
“I’m just a woman of the inner court, but you? You work and socialize outside. Who knows what people are saying about you? I just feel bad for you.”
Her words stirred up Gao Zhan’s memories of what had happened at Jinrui Garden. His face darkened further.
Seeing this, Bai Zhiwei felt a bit relieved. As expected, this incident was a thorn in his heart. “I’ve always doubted Duan Mingxi’s claims of ignorance. She said she knew nothing, but do you really believe that? Would the Marquis’s household keep such a significant matter from her? And why? I think we’ve all been fooled.”
Gao Zhan’s expression grew stormy. “If that’s true, I’ll catch her someday. This debt will be settled.”
“Of course, we need to settle this clearly. Look at her—what a clever trickster. Back then, she stepped on both of our reputations to turn herself into the darling of public sympathy in the capital, earning a spotless reputation.
Not only did she capture Duan Wang’s heart and get herself titled as Duan Wangfei, but she also flirts with the Crown Prince. Such cunning methods—what other noblewoman in the capital could compete with her?”
Gao Zhan let out a cold laugh. “A shameless person like her will stumble sooner or later!”
“That’s why we must be cautious when dealing with her. We can’t afford a single mistake. We mustn’t let her sow discord and achieve her aims,” Bai Zhiwei said softly, gently gripping Gao Zhan’s hand through her sleeve.
Gao Zhan paused and turned to look at Bai Zhiwei. Seeing her eyes slightly red and recalling her words, he felt she was absolutely right.
Someone as devious and calculating as Duan Mingxi couldn’t be allowed to deceive him again.
Perhaps he had misunderstood Zhiwei. And when he thought about the person who delivered the earlier message—someone he didn’t even recognize—it felt too coincidental.
With Duan Mingxi conveniently present at the scene, Gao Zhan concluded it had to be connected to her. The more he thought about it, the more his gaze toward Bai Zhiwei softened.
He had fallen for Duan Mingxi’s trap again. How infuriating!
Meanwhile, Duan Mingxi was meeting up with the members of the Marquis Mansion, accompanied by Xu Nanxi. Xu Nanxi, who had an excellent reputation in the capital, displayed a close friendship with Mingxi, much to the delight of the Marquis Mansion members.
If anyone wasn’t happy, it was Duan Huirou.
But she dared not show her dissatisfaction anymore. Causing trouble without reason would only make her the target of everyone’s criticism in the household.
The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt. She couldn’t understand how things had come to this point for her.
Just as Xu Nanxi was about to take her leave, Duan Wang unexpectedly arrived to invite Mingxi to watch the race with him.
The Marquis Mansion members were stunned, and all their eyes turned to Madam Jiang.
Madam Jiang: …
Should she agree or not?
Someone, please give her some advice! She was utterly flustered.
Xu Nanxi, knowing full well the grudges between Mingxi and Madam Jiang, immediately stepped forward with a smile. “Madam, it’s not just Mingxi. Cousin also mentioned that Jin Wangfei, Yu Wangfei, Miss Bai, Miss Sun, and Miss Zheng will be present. If you’re worried, how about I accompany Mingxi?”
What else could Madam Jiang say?
She could only nod and smiled at Xu Nanxi, saying, “Then I’ll have to trouble Miss Xu. Please take good care of Mingxi.”
Mingxi raised her eyes to glance at Madam Jiang but didn’t pay much attention to such instructions. Whatever Madam Jiang’s intentions might be, they no longer mattered to her.
Duan Wang’s gaze lingered on Mingxi’s face, and he naturally took note of her attitude toward Madam Jiang.
The second and third madams, however, pulled Mingxi aside and gave her a few careful reminders, clearly feeling uneasy about the situation.
The third madam softly said, “It seems like today’s gathering will mostly involve the royal family. Be mindful of what you say and do while you’re there.”
Duan Wang noticed the hint of genuine warmth on Mingxi’s face as she responded to the second and third madams. He glanced at them thoughtfully.
No wonder Mingxi had previously brought up Xie Fang and was now paving the way for Second Master Duan.
As Mingxi walked off, Duan Huirou watched her and Duan Wang walk side by side. Her eyes burned as if scorched. It should have been her participating in this event.
Lowering her head, she tried her best to hide the disappointment in her eyes. Her maternal family had turned their anger toward her, the Marquis Mansion members were biased toward Mingxi, and even her younger brother sided with Mingxi.
In the past, at least her mother would defend her. But now, even her mother didn’t dare openly oppose Mingxi. Huirou truly felt isolated and powerless, unable to act as recklessly as she once had.
The more she thought about it, the more bitter she felt. Afraid of being ridiculed, she bit her lip hard, refusing to let the tears fall.
Why was she the one to suffer such misfortune?
On the other side, Xu Nanxi was holding Mingxi’s arm, her eyes darting between her cousin and Mingxi, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.
Xu Nanxi leaned in close and whispered to Mingxi, “Aunt was so worried Cousin would live his life alone. Who would’ve thought that the red thread of fate had long been tied? Finally, someone can keep him in check.”
Duan Mingxi: …
Duan Wang: …
Could you whisper any louder?
“Xu Nanxi, don’t think I won’t hit you!” Duan Wang snapped, his expression stern.
“Go ahead, hit me, and I’ll cry. Let’s see if Sister-in-law will just stand by and do nothing.” Xu Nanxi wasn’t the least bit intimidated. The two had grown up together, and their bond ran deep.
Duan Mingxi watched Xu Nanxi with a complicated expression. This cheerful, mischievous side didn’t align with the dignified and gentle woman she remembered from her past life. Who would’ve guessed she was so spirited in private?
Noticing Mingxi’s gaze, Xu Nanxi winked at her. “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. If my cousin dares to bully you after you marry him, just let me know, and I’ll complain to Aunt on your behalf. But honestly, after all the effort he went through to marry you, I doubt he’d dare.”
Could you please stop talking?
Mingxi thought to herself. If Xu Nanxi knew about the alliance she and Duan Wang had forged, she’d probably jump three feet in shock.
In this world, what love at first sight? It was all just an exchange of interests.
Duan Wang, watching Xu Nanxi cling to Mingxi’s arm, found it somewhat annoying.
Yet, seeing the genuine smile on Mingxi’s face—far more relaxed than when they were at the Marquis’s residence—he conceded that this cousin of his wasn’t entirely useless.
The three of them soon arrived at the largest viewing pavilion. Upon entering, they spotted Bai Shixi seated next to the Crown Prince.
Duan Mingxi and Xu Nanxi exchanged a glance, their thoughts in sync: The Crown Prince really knows how to play. He was just being ambiguous with the elder sister, and now he’s showcasing harmony with the younger one.
As they entered, the room’s occupants turned to look at them.
Jin Wang was the first to speak, laughing, “Old Fourth, you’re late. What’s your punishment?”
