The carriage rocked gently as it moved, while Mingxi sat steady as a mountain.
Xiao Muchen looked at her elegantly adorned face, feeling an uncharacteristic delight.
She must have taken today’s outing with him seriously.
“Where are we going?” Mingxi asked, glancing at him.
“Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
Mingxi shook her head. If it were up to her, she’d prefer to stay home and read.
“How about we go to Longhu for moon-viewing?”
“Moon-viewing?” Duan Mingxi gave him a strange look. “We haven’t even had lunch yet.”
Xiao Muchen pretended not to notice her expression and said calmly, “The Qixi festivities along Longhu are lively every year. I’ve arranged for a decorated boat; it’s perfect for enjoying the moon and music.”
Duan Mingxi had never done anything like this before, but since Xiao Muchen had already made the arrangements, she did not decline.
When they arrived at Longhu, the area was already bustling with young men and women, even though it was only midday.
Xiao Muchen took her to Fang Xulin’s establishment for lunch, where she met Fang Chengda for the first time.
Flustered and red-faced meeting the future Duan Wangfei, Fang Chengda hastily greeted Mingxi with a bow before quickly retreating.
Fang Xulin sighed at his nephew’s awkwardness and apologized to Mingxi. “Please forgive him, young lady. He means no disrespect; it’s just his nature.”
Mingxi smiled. “It’s nothing, Uncle Fang. Please, go about your work.”
Fang Xulin, pleased, assured her, “I’ve prepared some new dishes today. Let’s see if they suit your taste.”
Mingxi nodded with a smile, appreciating his kindness.
Xiao Muchen poured her tea and remarked casually, “You’re very friendly with Uncle Fang.”
Duan Mingxi replied, “Uncle Fang has been genuinely kind to me.”
Xiao Muchen: …
Does that mean I haven’t been kind to her?
Duan Mingxi recalled something and said, “I must thank you for helping with my third uncle’s matter.”
Xiao Muchen waved it off indifferently. “It was just luck. Nothing worth mentioning.”
Duan Mingxi smiled at his modesty. Only someone like him could dismiss such a significant matter so lightly.
Fang Xulin served the dishes quickly, filling the table with a feast that was visually enticing and smelled delicious, instantly sparking one’s appetite.
Among them, a dish of braised bamboo shoots with cured ham particularly suited her taste. The combination of the tender ham and the crisp bamboo shoots created an exceptionally fresh and savory flavor.
Xiao Muchen served her a bowl of soup. “The cured ham is slightly salty; have some soup to balance it.”
Mingxi thanked him, took the bowl, and sipped the soup. Her brows arched slightly—it was a clear and flavorful soup of pig stomach, snow fungus, and ginseng. It lacked any unpleasant taste and reminded her of a master chef back in Jiangcheng, whose soups she had often enjoyed as a regular patron.
Thinking about it, she realized it had been a long time since she’d had that chef’s cooking. Unexpectedly, Fang Xulin’s craftsmanship bore some resemblance to it.
Duan Mingxi was thoroughly enjoying her meal. Xiao Muchen, on the other hand, ate a few bites absentmindedly, his gaze falling on her. “If you like his cooking, I can have him transferred to the royal residence to cook for you.”
Mingxi: …
That’s absolutely unnecessary.
“Uncle Fang is here to assist you; there’s no need to uproot him,” Mingxi replied, aware that Uncle Fang was one of Xiao Muchen’s operatives in the capital. Putting him in charge of her meals seemed like a waste of his talent.
Xiao Muchen was about to argue when she added, “Back in Jiangcheng, I know a chef whose cooking I adore. I can ask if he’s willing to come to the capital.”
Xiao Muchen: …
“Just tell me which chef it is; I’ll have someone bring him here.”
He made it sound as if inviting a chef was as simple as snapping one’s fingers.
Duan Mingxi paused at his words, lifting her gaze to meet his. “The family has been based in Jiangcheng for generations, and their craft is never taught to outsiders. They rarely leave the city. True artisans have their principles; you shouldn’t pressure them with authority.”
Wonderful—now even a chef seemed to take precedence over him.
After the meal, instead of returning to the carriage, the two strolled toward Longhu on foot.
The sunlight was warm, casting dappled shadows through the trees, and a gentle breeze carried a sense of ease. Mingxi gazed at the distance, momentarily lost in thought. Rarely did she have such a relaxed and carefree moment. Most of her life had been overshadowed by suffocating despair.
“There’s a Mid-Autumn banquet in the palace—you’re aware of this, right?” Xiao Muchen broke the silence, turning to look at her. Despite the casualness of the moment, he sensed an emptiness in her expression that stirred something within him.
“I wasn’t aware.”
With her words, the air seemed to flow again, bringing back a sense of lightness and comfort.
“But, now I know,” she added with a smile. “Thank you, Wangye, for informing me. I’ll make the necessary preparations.”
“Yu Wang recently met with Jingyuan Marquis, so the matter of the marquisate heir should soon be finalized.”
“Is that so? That’s wonderful news,” Mingxi replied with a faint smile.
“However, don’t let your guard down. Your third uncle’s position in the Imperial Stables has undoubtedly drawn attention from Xingan Marquis, who won’t sit idly by.”
“Let him come,” Duan Mingxi said coldly.
Xiao Muchen was amused by her boldness. “You’re not afraid?”
“There are countless things in this world to fear. If I were afraid of everything, how would I live?”
She had worried too much in her previous life, overthought every step, and paid the price for it. In this life, she had vowed to live as she pleased.
If someone dared to make her unhappy, then no one would have peace.
“Well said,” Xiao Muchen agreed, his tone serious. “If anyone troubles you at the Mid-Autumn banquet, don’t be afraid.”
“Hearing that from Wangye, does that mean someone might indeed trouble me?” Mingxi asked knowingly.
“Not certain—but possible.”
“Oh, it’s related to Xingan Marquis? In the palace, those connected to the Marquis would be Jin Wangfei and the Noble Consort.”
“Being cautious is never wrong.”
“Wangye is right.”
If anyone needs to be cautious, it should be them.
“The Noble Consort is the highest-ranking of the four consorts, second only to the Empress. Over the years, her influence in the palace has grown deep. Even my mother must tread carefully when dealing with her. You mustn’t take her lightly.”
“If she wants to trouble me, it can only be over a few predictable matters,” Duan Mingxi said with a faint smile. “I know how to handle her.”
She paused, then tilted her head to look at Xiao Muchen. “But if I make a mistake, will Wangye back me up?”
“I advise you to tread carefully—I’m worried even my backing might not be enough. My royal father isn’t someone who can be easily fooled. The Noble Consort knows his temperament well. If she plays her cards right, you could suffer a major loss.”
Backing her wasn’t the problem. But if they both ended up in trouble, that would be disastrous.
Duan Mingxi laughed. “Wangye is generous indeed, to make such a promise so readily.”
“You are this royal’s fiancée, not someone else. Naturally, it’s different.”
Hearing this, Duan Mingxi felt her heart skip slightly. Really?
As they approached Longhu, the crowd grew thicker. As they moved through the masses, it was easy to get separated.
Duan Mingxi felt a sudden warmth in her palm. Duan Wang had taken her hand.
She looked up at him.
Xiao Muchen met her gaze and said, “There are too many people.”
“Oh.”
Duan Mingxi didn’t pull away, but the feeling of their intertwined hands made her heart grow inexplicably warm.
“Cousin!”
Duan Mingxi had grown particularly sensitive to the word “cousin” lately. Hearing it now, she turned toward the voice and saw Liu Yan, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time, jump up and yell, “Men and women shouldn’t touch casually! Stay away from me!”
His eyes darted around, and when they landed on Duan Mingxi in the crowd, he immediately shouted, “Miss! Save me!”
Xiao Muchen’s face instantly darkened.
