This time, with Madam Jiang leading, Mingxi simply had to follow.
At the palace gates, they handed over their invitation cards, and palace attendants arrived to guide them.
They passed through long corridors and multiple palace gates before entering the inner palace. What greeted them were clusters of flowers, lush greenery, and wisteria swaying under the sunlight in the distance.
The attendants led them toward Kunde Palace. Seeing Madam Jiang’s composed expression, Mingxi stayed silent and followed quietly.
Before they even reached Kunde Palace, they could see a steady flow of elegantly dressed women entering the gates with smiles, accompanied by eunuchs.
When Madam Jiang and Mingxi arrived, their guide saluted and hurried off, likely to escort more guests.
A servant from Kunde Palace approached. Madam Jiang quickly handed over their invitation.
“The Madam of Marquis Dingyuan, and Miss Duan. Please follow me.”
“Thank you,” Madam Jiang replied with a smile, casting a glance at Mingxi before stepping forward.
Mingxi followed her into Kunde Palace. The palace was vast and elegant, with grand courtyards and a stately main hall. Upon entering, they saw that many guests were already present.
Their guide was only a third-rank palace maid and couldn’t enter the main hall. She stopped at the door, bowed, and left.
Madam Jiang frowned slightly, unsure whether to proceed or retreat.
Mingxi smirked inwardly. The Empress must have orchestrated this petty move to cause embarrassment—just like the gold hairpin she had “graciously” bestowed on Mingxi in the past.
Mingxi glanced at Madam Jiang and whispered, “Madam, aren’t we going in?”
Madam Jiang looked a little uneasy. Having not visited the palace in years, she felt apprehensive without a guide.
“All seats are assigned during palace banquets. Once inside, we’ll know where to go. Standing here will only invite ridicule.”
Madam Jiang found the reasoning sound, straightened her posture, and strode in. The old madam had explicitly warned her not to lose face today.
Inside, Duchess Rong was chatting with others. When she glanced over and saw Madam Jiang and Mingxi entering without a guide, her expression flickered.
She instinctively looked toward Duchess Wei across the room, but the latter seemed oblivious, engrossed in conversation with Guangxiang Marquis Madam.
A mocking smile flitted across Duchess Rong’s lips. She stood and approached with a smile. “It’s been a while, Dingyuan Marquis Madam.”
“Duchess Rong, I hope you’ve been well?” Madam Jiang was surprised by the greeting, not expecting Duchess Rong to take the initiative.
“Quite well,” she replied, turning to Mingxi. “Mingxi, it’s been a while. You must visit us sometime.”
Duan Mingxi smiled and nodded. “If I have time, I’ll be sure to trouble you and Yunhua. Madam, where’s Yunhua today?”
“She was called away by County Princess Muhua as soon as she arrived. The princess mentioned you; she might come looking for you later.”
Duchess Rong’s fondness for Mingxi grew. During the assassination attempt at Longhu, Mingxi’s protection had likely saved her son from disaster. If something had happened to the princess, how could she face Ning Wangfei?
After some polite conversation, the Duchess subtly guided them to their assigned seats before excusing herself and returning to her own.
Though the surrounding ladies appeared engaged in chatter, they had all observed the scene. Many wondered why the Duchess was so enthusiastic toward Madam Jiang and Mingxi.
Even if Duan Mingxi was betrothed to Duan Wang, she hadn’t married into the family yet. Besides, the Duchess was Qi Wang’s maternal aunt and had no reason to curry favor with this pair.
Madam Jiang, seated with Mingxi, felt slightly less uneasy. She knew she shared little connection with the Duchess, so the warmth was likely due to Mingxi.
She wanted to ask Mingxi for clarification but feared Mingxi might embarrass her. Deciding not to risk it, she stayed silent.
Meanwhile, from a distance, the second wife of Marquis Jingyuan, Madam He, glanced over with a displeased look and muttered to herself, “So that’s the eldest Miss Duan.”
Xingan Marquis Madam also looked over, studying Mingxi carefully. Then, lowering her voice, she mocked, “She does have a pretty face. No wonder even someone like Duan Wang was charmed.”
The misstep at the Imperial Stables led to Xingan Marquis’s failure, but it inadvertently allowed the third master of the Dingyuan Marquis household to gain favor and secure an official position. Judging by the outcome, it was likely that Duan Wang had intervened; otherwise, how could things have progressed so swiftly?
Moreover, the matter with the Shizi of Jingyuan Marquis still left her uneasy. The fact that Chu Qingying was friendly with Duan Mingxi only deepened her resentment.
The more she thought about it, the more she loathed the pair of mother and daughter.
Why were they always everywhere?
As more noble ladies entered the hall, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively. Aside from Duchess Rong greeting them briefly, Madam Jiang and Mingxi seemed entirely forgotten.
Mingxi remained calm and unbothered, but Madam Jiang appeared ill at ease.
At that moment, a voice from outside announced, “Her Highness, Ning Qin Wangfei has arrived.”
Everyone in the hall rose immediately, Madam Jiang included, who quickly stood up. Mingxi followed, glancing toward the entrance, where a graceful woman adorned in the formal attire of a Wangfei entered. Her features bore a resemblance to Xiao Yan’s, with slightly rounded cheeks and a hint of boldness in her expression.
“Greetings to Wangfei,” the hall chorused.
Ning Qin Wangfei smiled warmly. “Ladies, there’s no need for such formality. Please, be seated.”
Once she was seated, the crowd followed suit, but the lively chatter had quieted noticeably.
Ning Qin Wang was a favored member of the imperial family, and this Wangye cherished and was devoted to his wife. Nobody among the noble ladies would dare offend her.
After settling in, Ning Qin Wangfei exchanged pleasantries with a few of the ladies nearby. Turning to her little sister, Duchess Rong, she asked with a smile, “Why haven’t I seen Yunhua or Yaner?”
Duchess Rong replied with a laugh, “The moment they arrived, they went off to play together. They’re probably with Defei Niang Niang by now.”
Ning Qin Wangfei sighed in mild exasperation. “That child is far too unruly, but we’re fortunate that Defei Niang Niang dotes on her.”
“Little County Princess is lively and charming. It’s not just Defei Niang Niang—every lady in this hall adores her,” commented Zhang Gelao Madam with a smile.
“Madam Zhang is speaking about…”
The conversation shifted to Ning Qin Wang’s household, and many people discreetly inquired about the shizi’s marriage prospects. Marrying a prince was risky, but marrying into the Ning Qin Wang’s household meant a life of luxury.
Ning Qin Wang was the emperor’s most beloved younger brother. Though he enjoyed immense imperial favor, he had never shown any ambition for the throne and deliberately kept his distance from the princes.
A family like this would continue to be well-treated even under a new emperor.
Ning Qin Wangfei was surrounded by noblewomen showering her with flattery. Meanwhile, Madam Jiang’s smile stiffened unnaturally as she hesitated—should she go over and join them?
But what if Ning Qin Wangfei didn’t even recognize her? Wouldn’t that be humiliating?
She had no intention of losing face in front of her daughter, so she suppressed her urge to approach and lowered her head to sip her tea, hiding her awkwardness.
