Duan Wang led Mingxi and Xu Nanxi in greeting the Crown Prince before responding to Jin Wang, “The appointed time has not yet passed.”
Jin Wang clicked his tongue. “So serious, Old Fourth. It was just a joke.”
Yu Wang smiled and interjected, “Big Brother, you know what Fourth Brother’s like. Why provoke him? Fourth Brother, come, sit here.”
Duan Wang nodded to Yu Wang before ensuring Mingxi and Xu Nanxi were seated next to Yu Wangfei. Only then did he take a seat beside Yu Wang.
Everyone: …
The rumors couldn’t compare to witnessing it firsthand.
For someone like Old Fourth, who was known for his reserved nature, to actually show such attentiveness… Could it really be love at first sight?
Duan Mingxi smiled as she took her seat, ignoring the stares from those around her.
Xu Nanxi, seated beside her, felt something was off but couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She maintained her composed smile.
Just then, another person arrived. Everyone looked up to see it was Fu Hongxiao.
Mingxi raised an eyebrow slightly, glancing at the Crown Prince. The same Fu Hongxiao who had opposed her so vehemently before was now here. It was hard not to wonder if the Crown Prince had played a role back then.
After greeting everyone, Fu Hongxiao sat beside Bai Shixi, causing a brief silence to fall over the room.
Jin Wang broke the silence with a laugh. “It’s almost time. I wonder which team will win today.”
His words were addressed to everyone, but his eyes lingered on Duan Mingxi.
Yu Wang glanced around the room. “Come to think of it, Fourth Brother’s household didn’t field a team, right? Fourth Brother, is it true you’re supporting Dingyuan Marquis’s team?”
All eyes turned to Duan Wang, who glanced at Yu Wang and replied, “Yes.”
His economy of words almost made Yu Wang lose his composure. He decided not to engage further.
Qi Wang chuckled lightly and, with feigned indifference, said, “I hear Miss Duan’s team consists of sailors from Jiangcheng. It seems likely they’ll win the championship today.”
Duan Mingxi listened to Qi Wang’s thinly veiled, somewhat provocative remarks and responded directly, “If you don’t intend to compete for the championship, why bother participating? Or is Your Highness Qi Wang here just for fun? If so, you must truly be wealthy beyond measure. This humble subject is deeply impressed.”
A classic case of acting high and mighty while playing innocent— you’re quite something.
As soon as Mingxi finished speaking, Jin Wang burst into laughter. “Exactly! We’re all aiming for the championship. Let’s see who’s the best. Miss Duan, you’re certainly confident.”
Mingxi maintained a modest demeanor and replied, “Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness. Besides, even if by some stroke of luck I win today, none of the Wangyes or the Crown Prince would truly lose out. However, if I were to fail and lose, the losses would be significant. Naturally, I hope for my own success.”
Fu Hongxiao noticed that both the Crown Prince and the other Wangyes had their attention focused entirely on Duan Mingxi. This filled her with frustration and anger.
Unable to hold back her irritation, Fu Hongxiao blurted out, “Miss Duan seems so confident. Could it be you’ve done something underhanded?”
Duan Mingxi’s expression turned cold as she glanced at Fu Hongxiao and retorted bluntly, “Miss Fu, judging others by your own behavior? It seems you’re quite accustomed to such tactics.”
Fu Hongxiao felt humiliated by Mingxi’s sharp rebuttal and instinctively looked toward the Crown Prince for support.
However, the Crown Prince didn’t spare her so much as a glance. He was leaning toward Bai Shixi, speaking to her in a low voice. Whatever he said brought a faint smile to Bai Shixi’s face, which Fu Hongxiao found unbearably irritating.
Witnessing this, Fu Hongxiao quickly forced herself to calm down, managing to muster a strained smile. “I was only joking. Miss Duan, you’re taking it too seriously.”
“Miss Duan was merely joking as well. Miss Fu, perhaps you’re the one taking things too seriously,” Xu Nanxi chimed in with a wide smile.
Sun Yaoqing and the two Wangfeis glanced at Xu Nanxi, while Zheng Siyu gave a faint smile without saying a word.
Bai Shixi remained silent, offering no support to Fu Hongxiao.
Fu Hongxiao’s forced smile grew even more strained, but fortunately, the sound of drums from outside broke the tension.
“It’s about to begin.”
The Crown Prince was the first to rise and head toward the viewing platform, followed by the others.
Their platform had the best location and was spacious enough to take in the scenery of the lake completely.
In the distance, all the dragon boats could be seen neatly lined up, ready to launch. The rhythmic drumbeats stirred excitement, while cheers from the crowds along the shore created an infectious energy.
Duan Mingxi stood next to Duan Wang, listening to Jin Wang laugh loudly. “We’ll soon see the outcome.”
Qi Wang chimed in, “Indeed, I suddenly feel a bit nervous.”
Yu Wangfei walked over to Mingxi’s side and smiled. “Sister Duan, which one is the boat from Dingyuan Marquis’ household?”
Mingxi, who had a good relationship with Chu Qingying, and given that Yu Wangfei was Qingying’s elder sister, responded with a friendly smile. “The one with the black flag edged in red.”
Yu Wangfei looked at the flags and remarked with some surprise, “Huh, that’s not a great position—it’s way off to the side.”
Mingxi nodded slightly. “You may not be aware, Wangfei Jiejie, but the order of the boats is based on last year’s rankings. Since the Marquis’s household didn’t compete last year, they naturally end up at the back.”
Yu Wangfei was genuinely unaware and said with surprise, “Oh, I see. Let me find our household’s boat.”
Mingxi pointed it out. “Yu Wang did well last year. Your household came in sixth, so you’re in the sixth spot this year.”
Yu Wangfei smiled. “Really? I didn’t pay attention to this at all last year. This year, it’s all thanks to you—everyone in the capital seems to be watching this event.”
“So, which boat have you bet on Second sister-in-law?” Jin Wangfei teased with a smile as she approached.
Yu Wangfei responded immediately, “Of course, on our household’s boat. Winning or losing doesn’t matter, but we can’t lose in spirit.”
“Well said,” Yu Wang laughed heartily. His wife’s words greatly pleased him.
Duan Mingxi’s gaze shifted between Yu Wang and his wife as she recalled something Chu Yuying had once said. Looking at Yu Wang again, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Even though Yu Wang lavished praise on his wife, when it came to matters involving the Jingyuan Shizi, he hadn’t truly put in much effort.
What did marriage mean in the face of personal gain? Even between spouses, the balance of power and interests must be carefully weighed.
“And what about you, eldest sister-in-law?” Yu Wangfei asked Jin Wangfei with a smile, turning the tables.
Jin Wangfei smiled faintly. “I share the same sentiment as you—I’ve bet on our household’s boat.”
Her words brought laughter to the platform, lightening the atmosphere, which had been much stiffer in the hall earlier.
Fu Hongxiao felt a mix of anger, humiliation, and frustration. Glancing at Bai Shixi, who stood beside the Crown Prince, she felt bitter seeing herself relegated to Bai Shixi’s side. The Crown Prince hadn’t spared her a glance from start to finish, leaving her deeply embarrassed.
If that was the case, why had the Crown Prince summoned her at all?
