The two of them walked side by side on the palace path, the sunlight shining on them, bringing the heat of autumn, making the atmosphere feel intense.
Before leaving the palace, they encountered a hurried Kang Wang.
The three of them crossed paths. Kang Wang paused for a moment before coming to his senses and greeted Duan Wang. “Fourth Brother, why are you in the palace as well?”
Mingxi greeted Kang Wang, and he hurriedly returned the greeting.
After all, she was his future fourth sister-in-law, so he had to be respectful.
Moreover, due to the matter with Duke Wei’s household, Miss Duan had helped make connections, so Kang Wang felt particularly grateful and respectful.
Mingxi was surprised that Kang Wang seemed unaware of the poisoning incident involving County Princess Muhua. It was strange, considering how significant the event was.
She thought it should’ve spread by now.
At this point, Xiao Muchen asked Kang Wang, “Why are you in such a hurry?”
Kang Wang’s gaze darkened. “Qian Jieyu suddenly fell ill. I came to the palace to check on her.”
Since Qian Jieyu wasn’t an official consort, Kang Wang couldn’t even call her royal mother in public.
Xiao Muchen asked, “Is she seriously ill? Have you sent for the imperial physician?”
Kang Wang sighed helplessly. “Fourth Brother, you know that the main hall of Linhua Palace is managed by Li Zhaoyi. To summon the imperial physician, I need her approval.”
Li Zhaoyi was the empress’s maternal relative. With the empress backing her, it was easy for her to make things difficult for Qian Jieyu. Kang Wang, having little favor from the emperor, couldn’t provide any support for Qian Jieyu.
Mingxi frowned slightly. It seemed that Qian Jieyu was ill, but Li Zhaoyi had refused to allow the imperial physician to attend. That was audacious.
Xiao Muchen said, “You go ahead. I’ll have the imperial physician check on her.”
Kang Wang was grateful and spoke with emotion, “Fourth Brother, thank you.”
Xiao Muchen frowned. “A man shouldn’t cry easily. Keep your tears to yourself. If you were stronger…”
Qian Jieyu wouldn’t have to live in hiding.
But seeing Kang Wang like this, Xiao Muchen didn’t continue his sentence. Some things couldn’t be easily changed just by speaking.
The palace’s power structure had been in place for over ten years. Qian Jieyu, with her soft nature, couldn’t compete, and Kang Wang was the same.
It was what it was.
“Go ahead, we’ll talk later,” Xiao Muchen said, his tone softening as he looked at Kang Wang’s pale face.
Kang Wang nodded quickly, excused himself, and walked away.
After Kang Wang left, Duan Mingxi looked at Xiao Muchen. “Has Qian Jieyu been living under Li Zhaoyi’s shadow all this time?”
Xiao Muchen replied, “Kang Wang is a prince. After his birth, Qian Jieyu was moved to Linhua Palace. Everyone in the palace knows that Li Zhaoyi, who is backed by the empress, watches over Kang Wang and his mother.”
Mingxi was silent.
Xiao Muchen looked at Mingxi and said, “Qian Jieyu is a smart woman. Only by showing weakness can she and her son survive.”
In the early years, palace intrigues were fierce. When the Fifth and Sixth Princes died, his own mother had to protect him at great risk, with no time or energy to care for others.
Mingxi nodded slightly. “Everyone has their own difficulties.”
Xiao Muchen smiled, “It will get better slowly. Once Kang Wang marries the daughter of the Fengcheng Marquis, Qian Jieyu will gradually have more confidence.”
Otherwise, last time Qian Jieyu wouldn’t have dared to ask his royal mother to intervene with the matter of Duke Wei’s family.
She may be weak, but she’s not foolish.
Duan Mingxi didn’t say anything else. She hadn’t even sorted out her own life yet, so how could she pity others?
Xiao Muchen called for Miao Sheng and gave him some instructions, after which Miao Sheng hurried off to the Imperial Medical Bureau.
“Won’t you worry about Li Zhaoyi getting angry?” Mingxi asked.
Xiao Muchen was unconcerned, “Li Zhaoyi is the type to be arrogant only in front of Qian Jieyu. Even if she complains to the Empress, what can she do? Besides, Qian Jieyu is ill, and Li Zhaoyi is in the wrong for refusing to let a doctor see her.”
Duan Mingxi looked up at Xiao Muchen. He often had a stern face that made him appear difficult to approach, but it was surprising how considerate and thoughtful he was in his actions.
Indeed, appearances can be deceiving.
The two walked out of the palace together. Mingxi got into the carriage heading to the Marquis residence, and as Xiao Muchen was about to follow, Qi He rushed up, clearly in a hurry.
Mingxi spoke to him, “I’ll return on my own.”
Xiao Muchen glanced at her and smiled, understanding her intentions, “Alright. I’ll let you know if there’s any progress with last night’s matter.”
“Okay,” Mingxi nodded, and after dropping the curtain, the carriage moved on.
Qi He stepped forward, lowering his voice, “Wangye, we’ve figured it out. The patrol guards on duty last night switched shifts unexpectedly. I went to the Fifth City Military Department and found out that one of the patrolmen had a sudden stomach issue, and his colleague covered for him.”
Xiao Muchen’s expression turned cold, “Do you know who’s behind them?”
“We’re still investigating. But this stomach issue is very suspicious.”
The fact that the patrol guards had been delayed last night raised suspicions about the one who covered for them.
“Keep investigating,” Xiao Muchen said, his face darkened.
Although he was a Wangye, he didn’t have military authority. The Emperor valued military power highly, and even the Crown Prince rarely got involved in it.
However, someone was able to manipulate the Fifth City Military Department. This was interesting.
***
Mingxi returned to the Marquis residence, only to find that everyone was waiting for her. Aside from Third Master Duan and Duan Yu, who were at the court, everyone else was there. She was surprised to see them all gathered in Rongan Hall.
Second Madam hurriedly asked, “Mingxi, how did it go? Are you alright?”
Mingxi shook her head, “Thank you, Second Aunt, for your concern. I’m fine.”
Hearing this, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.
The old master looked at Mingxi and asked, “Did the Empress summon you to the palace for questioning?”
Mingxi shook her head, “The people from Kunde Palace used a powerful Momo from the Punishment Bureau to try to coerce me, but Consort Shu arrived just in time and saved me.”
Second Master Duan was furious, “How dare they defy the law like this? How could they do such a thing?”
Third Madam’s face also darkened, looking at Mingxi, “It seems like the people from Kunde Palace are not afraid of anything.”
Dingyuan Marquis’s face was weary, his eyes half-lidded and exhausted. He was startled by Third Madam’s words and subconsciously said, “As long as you’re fine, that’s all.”
Third Madam: …
This is truly a Father.
Mingxi didn’t mind the Marquis’s attitude. She looked at Third Madam and said, “The Emperor has sent Ding Zhao to investigate. We should have a result soon.”
The Old Madam glanced at the Old Patriarch and quietly asked, “Is Ding Zhao the Chief Steward of the Emperor?”
The Old Patriarch nodded, “Yes, that’s him.”
The Old Madam’s face showed some joy, “If he’s the one investigating, it should be more impartial.”
Ding Zhao was the Emperor’s trusted aide, someone whom ordinary people could never bribe. He was loyal only to the Emperor.
The Old Patriarch nodded to his wife and then looked at Mingxi, “The people from Punishment Bureau dared to act so openly in Kunde Palace. They must have planned their escape route. Be prepared.”
Since the Punishment Bureau was involved, the Empress wouldn’t let it go lightly.
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