At that moment, Zhang He entered Shuntian Office with his wife, sister, nephew, and niece. On the other side, Deqing Marquis, along with Xu Yiniang and others, were also summoned to appear.
The drama was about to unfold.
Shuntian Office planned to close the doors for a private trial, but the commoners surged in, and the yamen runners couldn’t stop them. Law couldn’t govern the masses, so the magistrate had no choice but to conduct the trial openly.
From Qingfeng Tower, the main hall of Shuntian Office was no longer visible.
Mingxi rose and bade farewell to Xiao Muchen.
“Do you want to go watch?” Xiao Muchen asked.
Mingxi refused without hesitation. “Is Wangye planning to go?”
If not for Mingxi’s involvement, Xiao Muchen wouldn’t have cared about Deqing Marquis’s affairs.
Mingxi looked at him. “Wangye can’t wash your hands of this entirely. Don’t forget the matter of Fu Hongxiao possessing the command token of Duan Wang’s estate.”
Xiao Muchen: …
Fine, he got it.
Mingxi had calculated him into her plans as well.
He closed the door again and turned to look at Mingxi. “Regarding the Longhu assassination attempt, Father’s intention is to downplay the matter.”
Mingxi’s face turned cold. “I nearly lost my life at Longhu. His Majesty may be magnanimous, but I cannot afford to be lenient.”
If he wants to suppress it, so be it—but even if it’s the emperor, she would not back down!
The lives of princes may be as precious as gold, but does that mean the lives of commoners are as worthless as dirt?
What about those ordinary citizens who lost their lives to the assassins that night? Were their deaths meaningless?
Xiao Muchen observed Mingxi’s changing expression and stepped forward, gripping her hand firmly. “Xixi, imperial decrees must not be defied.”
Acting too impulsively would only invite disaster.
Mingxi felt the warmth of Xiao Muchen’s palm against her icy fingers, and her sharp thoughts softened slightly. Smiling faintly, she said, “Where is your mind wandering, Wangye? Why would I act rashly? As for the token that was exposed in court, naturally, it will lead to the events of that assassination night. What does it have to do with me?”
Xiao Muchen chuckled bitterly. Without her instigation, would Wang Buming or You Sanping dare to bring it up?
She intended to use the court of Shuntian Office to make this public knowledge, forcing the emperor into a corner.
Mingxi was clearly seeking justice for him. Realizing this, he gazed deeply at her and said, “Fine. If you wish to proceed, then proceed. Leave the palace matters to me.”
You would scale mountains and cross seas for me; I am willing to share in your joys and bear your burdens.
Mingxi was momentarily stunned. She looked at Xiao Muchen. “Weren’t you opposed to this?”
“I’m simply following the principle of a husband supporting his wife.”
Duan Mingxi shook off his hand, opened the door, and walked out.
Xiao Muchen laughed and followed her, walking beside her while softly advising, “You should return to the Marquis Manor now and feign illness.”
Mingxi arched an eyebrow slightly, then huffed, “Such a trivial matter hardly requires me to feign illness.”
“I require it.”
Duan Mingxi: …
Fine.
Mingxi boarded the carriage and returned to the Marquis Manor.
Halfway there, she felt something was off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She thought carefully—it seemed right, yet somehow it still felt odd.
After Mingxi left, Xiao Muchen instructed Qi He and Chen Xiao, “Inform the vice-magistrate of Shuntian Office to focus on the matter of Fu Hongxiao holding the token of Duan Wang’s estate.”
He clearly intended to escalate the issue.
Qi He hesitated. “Wangye, if this reaches the palace, it might bring trouble for Wangye.”
The emperor already intended to settle things quietly. Stirring it up again would be a slap in the emperor’s face.
Chen Xiao, however, argued, “What does this have to do with Wangye? If Fu Hongxiao hadn’t framed him, would anyone be holding onto this? Even if His Majesty were to take offense, it would fall on her.”
Moreover, Wangye had suffered injustice in this matter. Now there was a chance to make the empress and crown prince look bad—why not seize it?
“This subordinate will go immediately,” Chen Xiao agreed without hesitation and hurried off to Shuntian Office.
The vice-magistrate, Yang Xu, was their man—passing along a discreet message would suffice.
Qi He was left exasperated. Chen Xiao had glared at him, but he was only worried about the emperor’s favoritism toward the crown prince and feared Wangye would bear the brunt of the fallout.
Still, if handled well, this matter might not implicate Wangye.
With that thought, Qi He said to his lord, “Wangye, this issue also caused Jin Wang to suffer a loss. Perhaps we should inform him as well.”
Jin Wang’s temperament made it likely he would get involved.
With Jin Wang taking action, Wangye would draw less attention.
Xiao Muchen nodded. “Go ahead, but be discreet.”
Qi He understood—he was not to let Jin Wang’s side discover his identity. That would be no problem at all.
Xiao Muchen himself entered the palace. With so much happening outside, he needed to inform his royal mother. If trouble arose in the palace, she would know where to intervene.
As the Shuntian Office case unfolded, word quickly spread through the influential families of the capital.
Mingxi had planned to take it easy today, but she hadn’t expected Chu Qingying to visit.
She personally went to receive her, bringing her to greet the old madam before leading her to her courtyard.
Chu Qingying examined the small courtyard where Mingxi lived. It was modest but tastefully maintained. Considering that the Marquis’s Manor housed multiple branches of the family, securing a spacious courtyard was indeed difficult.
Under the eaves hung strings of wind chimes made from various seashells. Admiring their clever design and exquisite craftsmanship, Chu Qingying paused and said with a smile, “Did you bring these from Jiangcheng?”
Jiangcheng, near the sea, was the only place where such materials could be found.
Mingxi nodded. “When I first arrived, I wasn’t used to it here. The maids hung these up to help me adjust. If you like them, I’ll send you a set.”
“Wonderful,” Chu Qingying agreed cheerfully, not at all shy about accepting the offer. She truly found them beautiful.
The two entered the inner chamber, where Mingxi ordered tea to be served. She then asked Chu Qingying, “What brings you here today?”
“I have good news to share. My little brother’s petition to inherit the shizi title has been approved.”
Mingxi noted Chu Qingying’s delighted expression and smiled. “Then congratulations are in order.”
“Thanks to you. Otherwise, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
“This had little to do with me. It was your older sister’s courage and decisiveness that made the difference,” Mingxi replied. Yu Wangfei was pragmatic and capable, executing her plans with determination—this was what truly mattered.
Moreover, in this matter, Duan Mingxi’s third uncle had gained a position in the Imperial Stables, so everyone benefited. It was a win-win.
“Still, you should be cautious of Xingan Marquis. They won’t let this rest,” Mingxi reminded Chu Qingying.
“My older sister said the same. She plans to arrange a marriage for my brother. With a strong family connection, his position will be secure,” Chu Qingying said, her face tinged with worry. “But finding a suitable match is easier said than done.”
For a truly good family—one that cherished their daughter—they would be hesitant to marry her into a household like Jingyuan Marquis’s, with all its troubles. On the other hand, families of lower standing might lack the influence to provide support, and the bride could end up being mistreated by a domineering stepmother.
This was something Mingxi could not assist with. She said, “Since Yu Wangfei has thought of it, she likely has plans in mind. All you need to do is wait.”
Chu Qingying looked at Mingxi. “Before that, I fear I must marry first.”
There was no way a younger brother could marry before an older sister.
