Mingxi watched as a palace maid swayed gracefully like a willow, intentionally lingering near Xiao Muchen. Unfortunately for her, though the goddess had feelings, Xiang Yu remained indifferent—Xiao Muchen didn’t even spare her a glance.
Xiao Muchen, instead, looked at a plate of stir-fried bamboo shoots and said to Mingxi, “Didn’t you just say you had no appetite? Have something light.”
Mingxi was about to nod when Consort Shu suddenly leaned over and said, “Come with me to offer a toast to His Majesty and the Empress.”
Mingxi put down the chopsticks she had just picked up and stood up to follow Consort Shu.
At another table, Consort Gui also brought Jin Wangfei along, while Consorts De and Xian, seeing this, took their own companions and joined in.
Just then, Xiao Yan came running over from the other side and asked Xiao Muchen, “Fourth Brother, where’s Sister Xi?”
Xiao Muchen frowned at her. “Why are you running around like this in the main hall? Where are your manners?”
Xiao Yan, unafraid of him, pouted and complained, “Mother already dragged me around once—I’m exhausted! I don’t want to go another round, so I just wanted to hide out with Sister Xi for some peace and quiet.”
As she spoke, she noticed the stir-fried bamboo shoots on the table and immediately called for a new set of chopsticks. Turning her head towards Xiao Muchen, she said, “Fourth Brother, I haven’t eaten anything tonight. Would you mind if I nibble a little?”
Xiao Muchen had no way to stop her and, with a serious face, said, “Let someone bring you a fresh serving.”
Xiao Yan waved her hand. “It’s too much trouble. I’ll just eat a bite to satisfy my hunger.”
The servant brought the chopsticks, and Xiao Yan picked up a piece of bamboo shoot. The dish was still warm, with a crisp and slightly sweet taste. She said to Xiao Muchen, “Has the chef in the Imperial Kitchen been replaced? The cooking seems to have improved.”
Xiao Muchen pushed the plate towards her. “Yes, they’ve changed chefs. Your taste is quite refined.”
“Why was the chef replaced?” Xiao Yan casually asked, not thinking much of it, before taking another bite and putting down her chopsticks, sighing. “Fourth Brother, I heard from my father that the Emperor is planning an autumn inspection. Is that true?”
Xiao Muchen’s expression changed slightly, and he looked at Xiao Yan. “When did the Royal Uncle tell you this?”
“Just a few days ago. I want to go with them, but my mother is against it. Fourth Brother, can you help me?”
Xiao Muchen’s heart churned. The Emperor is planning an autumn inspection?
No news of this had leaked, yet Royal Uncle already knew.
Suppressing his surprise, Xiao Muchen said, “The news hasn’t been made public, so don’t spread it. We’ll talk about it when it’s confirmed.”
Xiao Yan was pleased. She knew that when her Fourth Brother said “we’ll talk later,” it meant he had already agreed to help.
At this time, Ning Qin Wangfei returned to her seat, saw that her daughter wasn’t there, and instructed the servants to call her back.
Xiao Yan, satisfied with her answer, followed her, and just as she left, Mingxi returned with Consort Shu.
Noticing an extra set of chopsticks on the table, Mingxi learned from Xiao Muchen that Xiao Yan had come to speak with him.
The bamboo shoots had lost their warmth, and Xiao Muchen asked Mingxi, “Do you want some? I can have someone bring a fresh serving.”
Mingxi shook her head. “No need, I’m not hungry anymore.”
Xiao Muchen looked at her for a moment before turning to Miao Sheng and quietly giving him a few instructions.
Soon, Miao Sheng returned with a bowl of porridge, which Xiao Muchen placed in front of Mingxi.
Mingxi froze, gazing at the steaming chicken porridge in front of her.
Aside from her adoptive parents, Xiao Muchen was the first person to treat her so thoughtfully and kindly.
She picked up the silver spoon and slowly began to drink. His sincere gesture touched her, and she didn’t want to disappoint him.
The Crown Prince’s gaze crossed the crowd and landed on the porridge in front of Mingxi. He scoffed, thinking to himself that he never would have expected his usually indifferent fourth brother to have such methods.
The Emperor, getting on in years, didn’t keep the banquet going for long and soon began to leave.
As the Emperor and Empress were escorted out, Mingxi and Consort Shu also said their goodbyes. Consort Shu instructed Xiao Muchen to escort Mingxi out of the palace.
Earlier, Bai Shixi had warned Mingxi to remain cautious of Li Peilan, but to her surprise, Li Peilan had been relatively calm the whole evening, sticking with Duchess Cao and not causing any trouble.
Finally leaving the palace, Mingxi felt a bit relieved.
The group walked through the palace path, with several Wangyes ahead walking side by side, while Mingxi and her group followed behind.
Bai Shixi slowed down to walk next to Mingxi and smiled. “Tonight was quite peaceful, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” Mingxi replied with a smile.
Bai Shixi quickened her pace to walk beside Sun Yaoqing, while Zheng Siyu stepped back to walk with Mingxi.
Everyone was exhausted after a long day and had no interest in talking. They exited the palace, said their goodbyes, and got into their carriages.
Everyone watched as Duan Wang got into Mingxi’s carriage, followed by Duan Wang’s carriage as it headed towards Dingyuan Marquis’s residence.
Bai Shixi sat in her carriage back to Duke Zhen’s, feeling a bit envious of Mingxi. At least Duan Wang was truly thoughtful towards her.
Zheng Siyu closed her eyes as soon as she entered her carriage, leaning against the soft cushion and not saying a word. She was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.
Sun Yaoqing, also in her carriage, had a sour expression. Her maid handed her a soft pillow to lean on, but seeing her expression, the maid dared not speak.
Sun Yaoqing had expected Qi Wang to at least make a show of escorting her, but after watching her get into the carriage, he simply left without a word.
When she thought about how Duan Wang had gotten into Dingyuan Marquis’s carriage, her expression became even darker.
She was being treated worse than someone from a merchant family!
The carriage rolled along the stone road, and Mingxi sat facing Duan Wang. She looked at him and said, “It’s enough to escort me out of the palace. There’s no need to go back to Dingyuan Marquis’s residence. You’ve had a long day and should rest early.”
“Are you already tired of me, Xixi?”
Mingxi: …
“No,” she replied, forcing a smile.
Before she could say more, Xiao Muchen suddenly stiffened, his eyes turning sharp. He pushed Mingxi down onto the seat and grabbed the soft pillow next to him, throwing it at the window.
A flash of cold light appeared as the soft pillow pierced through the window, scattering cotton all over.
The night wind blew, and the curtains blocked their view, but Mingxi grabbed the candlestick inside the carriage and threw it at the window.
The candlestick whooshed through the air and clashed with a long sword, creating a sharp ringing sound. It barely blocked the sword aimed at Xiao Muchen.
The carriage was under attack. Qi He and the others immediately rushed forward.
“Protect Wangye and Miss Duan!”
Xiao Muchen kicked open the carriage, leaping out to fight with the attackers in black outside.
The horse was startled, neighing wildly as it bolted forward. Mingxi grabbed Qiancao with one hand and lifted the coachman with the other, leaping down from the carriage. On the other side, guards had already rushed to chase after the frightened horse.
Mingxi turned to Qiancao and the coachman and ordered, “Hide!”
She then accelerated, sprinting forward before launching a powerful kick at the black-clad assassin fighting Xiao Muchen. The assassin raised an arm to block, and with a loud “bang,” Mingxi flipped midair like a soaring hawk, landing on the ground—only to feel a numbing sensation spreading through her foot.
This person has such great strength.
At this moment, the black-clad man opposite stepped back, his left arm slightly drooping, a sharp pain rising in his chest. This young lady, Miss Duan, isn’t just a little skilled in martial arts—this isn’t “a little skill.”
“Are you okay?” Xiao Muchen kicked over another person and turned his head to ask Mingxi.
“I’m fine.” Mingxi replied, “What about you?”
“I’m alright.” Xiao Muchen handed the long blade he had taken from the enemy to Mingxi.
Mingxi refused, saying, “You keep it. These people strike harshly, we need to resolve this quickly.”
“Wangye, Miss Duan.” Qi He led his men over. Seeing that Mingxi had no weapon, he threw his sword to her and drew a short blade from his leg, gripping it in his hand.
The black-clad assailants gathered around. In the dark night, the exact number was unclear, only the faint glint of blades sending a chill down one’s spine.
