“Then your granddaughter can only ensure that Duan Wang ascends the throne, so Ning Qin Wang won’t be caught in a dilemma.”
“You, a woman, think you can meddle in state affairs?”
“Why, then, did Ning Qin Wang send someone to meet with grandfather?”
The Old Master was left speechless.
Mingxi’s expression turned solemn. “Grandfather, if others want me dead, am I supposed to willingly stretch my neck to be slaughtered? After this incident, you should understand that since they failed this time, there will undoubtedly be a next.”
“You… Forget it.” The Old Master looked at Mingxi. This stubborn and decisive personality was exactly like his own when he was younger.
Without such a temperament, he would never have earned the title of marquis for their family.
“Grandfather, regarding the poisoning at the Mid-Autumn banquet, County Princess Muhua was innocently implicated and poisoned. Your granddaughter narrowly escaped, but in the end, it was merely concluded as a personal vendetta between two palace maids. This shows how determined His Majesty is to protect the Empress and the Crown Prince. This time, even if we can’t bring them down, your granddaughter and Duan Wang must make them suffer enough to vent my anger.”
“You’re so young, how can you harbor such deep resentment? You must act with patience and strategize gradually,” the Old Master earnestly advised.
“Grandfather, you are correct, but if your granddaughter proceeds gradually, by tomorrow myoelder brother might end up as someone else’s scapegoat.”
The Old Master’s expression grew complicated as he glared at Mingxi. He was at a loss—unable to scold her yet unable to ignore her. Children these days were truly unruly.
“What are you doing about your older brother?”
“I merely told him that I cannot pave the way for him all his life. His career path must be one he carves out himself. When I returned from the Military Selection Division, he had already prepared to go to the Ministry of War. By now, he should already be there.”
The Old Master: …
His head ached!
“This matter is extremely dangerous. If Ning Qin Wang fails to cooperate properly, can you imagine what your older brother’s predicament might be?”
“A real man doesn’t hesitate once a decision is made,” Mingxi said in the gentlest tone while delivering the harshest words. “If Ning Qin Wang goes back on his word, he must also consider what consequences Xiao Lin might face.”
The Old Master suddenly understood the underlying meaning of Mingxi’s words. Sending Duan Yu to the Ministry of War was a subtle way of showing Ning Qin Wang their determination: success or death.
The Old Master looked at Mingxi. No wonder Duan Wang trusted her and let her take charge—he must have anticipated her methods.
He was old, truly old.
Mingxi’s remark about hesitation was also a discreet jab at him.
This child… Give her an inch, and she’ll take a mile.
The Old Master sighed lightly as he looked at Mingxi. “Since you and Duan Wang have already planned this out, I won’t stop you. But whether this will succeed in the end is still uncertain, so be prepared.”
“Your granddaughter understands.”
“Then you may leave.”
“Grandfather, please take care of yourself. Your granddaughter bids you farewell.”
Mingxi, having run around all day, was indeed a bit tired. She returned to her courtyard and finally let out a breath of relief.
“My lady, please rest for a bit,” Qiancao brought over some tea and snacks. “Have a little something to fill your stomach; it’s still a while before dinner.”
Mingxi wasn’t hungry and didn’t have much appetite, but seeing Qiancao’s worried face, she picked up a piece of yam cake and ate it slowly.
The red bean filling was her favorite—a mildly sweet flavor.
She couldn’t help but wonder how things were going at the Ministry of War.
At this moment, Duan Yu had gone to the Ministry of War to look for Zhao Xun. After searching around and failing to find him, he felt a sense of foreboding.
Before coming, he had his people investigate thoroughly. Half an hour ago, Zhao Xun had indeed been at the Ministry of War.
Now he was nowhere to be found—he had either left or was deliberately avoiding him.
If it were the latter, Duan Yu thought of Mingxi’s words, and his expression darkened.
No one wanted to become someone else’s scapegoat.
If Zhao Xun was avoiding him, it meant he was aware of something. Either he wanted to stay out of it or had colluded with others.
There was no room for hesitation.
Mingxi was right—at this point, what retreat was left? He couldn’t become someone else’s scapegoat!
Duan Yu steeled himself. He had never been so shameless in his life. He began searching every room in the Ministry of War for Zhao Xun, asking everyone he met about him.
The people in the Ministry of War were baffled by his behavior. Whispers filled the air—what on earth was going on?
“Lord Duan, what’s so urgent with Lord Zhao that you’re searching for him like this?” someone curiously asked.
Duan Yu, looking anxious, cupped his hands and said, “Someone came to the Military Selection Division with a message, asking me to prepare the paperwork for Xiao Lin’s appointment to a post outside the capital. However, I have some doubts that require Lord Zhao’s verification.”
What?
Everyone was shocked.
Xiao Lin was being assigned outside the capital?
Was… this some kind of joke?
Those in the know looked at Duan Yu with surprise and scrutiny.
Those unaware were simply stunned by the news.
Everyone in the capital knew that while His Majesty was close to Ning Qin Wang, none of Ning Qin Wang’s three sons held official posts. They merely had honorary titles that were purely for show—better than nothing but far from substantial.
The reasons for this were clear to insiders, though no one openly discussed them.
Now, the Emperor was supposedly assigning Xiao Lin an official post outside the capital?
Some wanted to ask what position Xiao Lin was being given, but before they could, Duan Yu had already hurried off to continue his search for Zhao Xun.
The people in the Ministry of War exchanged glances, whispering amongst themselves, unsure what to make of the situation.
Duan Yu, his face full of urgency, finally reached the Shilang of the Ministry of War. Upon seeing him, Duan Yu dropped to his knees with tears in his eyes, exclaiming, “My lord, save me!”
Shilang of the Ministry of War: …
He suddenly regretted not finding an excuse to leave work early today.
Duan Yu couldn’t care less what the Shilang of the Ministry of War was thinking. Mingxi had said that if the matter wasn’t resolved, then they had to escalate it.
By creating a commotion here, Ning Qin Wang would seize the opportunity to act.
“Duan Yu, speak calmly. Stand up first.”
“My lord, I dare not rise. Please take a look at the document I’m holding. What should I do? I’ve been tasked with drafting the document for Xiao Shizi’s appointment outside the capital, but the instructions are vague—there’s no clarity on the location, timing, or position. While I was already struggling, another piece of news arrived, claiming that His Majesty had ordered Xiao Shizi to go to Qinan on the southern border as a lieutenant under Fengcheng Marquis. My lord, holding this document feels like clutching burning coal. If there’s an error in the document, I cannot possibly bear the consequences. Please, my lord, decide for me!”
The Shilang’s face grew grim. “What did you say?”
What’s going on here? This doesn’t match the information he’d received either.
Duan Yu repeated everything again and asked, “My lord, how should I handle this? Please advise me.”
The Shilang of the Ministry of War’s expression shifted unpredictably. He glanced at Duan Yu and said, “Follow me. This is a significant matter that must be reported to the Lord.”
Duan Yu felt a wave of relief, immediately rising to follow the Shilang of the Ministry of War out.
Mingxi had been right—someone would take charge once the matter was escalated.
Now, this hot potato could finally be tossed away.
