Mingxi had an appointment with Duan Wang to visit a manor. As the hour approached, she set out, instructing Xiangxiang to keep an ear out for any developments at Rongan Hall.
She left the city in a carriage, where she met Xiao Muchen outside the gates.
Xiao Muchen, dressed in dark robes, stepped into the carriage, his long legs crossing elegantly. The faint scent of pine filled the space.
It had been over a month since they’d last seen each other. Xiao Muchen sat casually yet commandingly, his eyes landing on Mingxi, who was dressed in a simple riding outfit. The fitted attire with cinched sleeves and a belted waist gave her a refreshingly heroic air.
Mingxi met Xiao Muchen’s intense gaze and felt a bit uneasy, so she turned her head slightly.
Xiao Muchen raised an eyebrow and said casually, “Yesterday, the Gao family caused a ruckus that nearly led to a legal case. Did you hear about it?”
Mingxi looked at him and asked, “Why would I know about that?”
The affairs of the Gao family had nothing to do with her anymore. She and Gao Zhan had long gone their separate ways.
“I thought you might be interested.”
Mingxi: …
She glanced at Xiao Muchen and asked, “Why would Wangye think so?”
“Considering what Gao Zhan did to you back then, wouldn’t you enjoy hearing about his misfortune?”
Mingxi paused for a moment, realizing she did feel a little curious. So she said, “I wouldn’t mind hearing it. Please go on, Wangye.”
Xiao Muchen chuckled. “Now I don’t feel like telling you.”
After speaking, he glanced at Mingxi and noticed that her expression remained unchanged—there was no unusual reaction when Gao Zhan was mentioned.
However, for some reason, he always felt that Mingxi treated Gao Zhan differently from others, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly how.
Duan Mingxi looked at Xiao Muchen with a complicated expression. “If Wangye doesn’t want to say, then don’t.”
Was he just teasing her?
Perhaps Mingxi’s expression was too vivid, as Xiao Muchen chuckled again. He leaned slightly forward, gazing at her. “Duchess Gao ordered her daughter-in-law to take charge of the household finances, only for it to turn out to be a complete mess. Bai Zhiwei made a huge fuss over it.”
Hearing this, Mingxi sneered inwardly.
Did Duchess Gao think Bai Zhiwei would endure it like she had in her past life? Bai Zhiwei was inherently selfish and valued her dowry immensely—there was no way she would simply pour money into a bottomless pit.
“How could such a prestigious noble family as Duke Gao’s Residence end up quarreling over household finances?” Mingxi feigned surprise.
She couldn’t let any clues slip—Xiao Muchen was too sharp and would surely notice something amiss.
Xiao Muchen did not withdraw his gaze and continued to watch her. “I heard that when you were in Jiangcheng, you helped Madam Duan manage the household affairs. Don’t you understand the reasons behind this?”
Mingxi responded sincerely, “Every household is different. You can’t really compare them. Besides, for merchant families like ours, managing household expenses is simple—just having money solves everything.”
Xiao Muchen: …
Blunt, but undeniably true.
No matter how grand the lives of noble families seemed, their luxurious existence was ultimately built on silver.
Thinking of this, he smiled at Mingxi. “Isn’t it amusing? The esteemed Duke Gao’s Residence, so wealthy and powerful, is now short on money and coveting their daughter-in-law’s dowry.”
Recalling Xiao Muchen’s previous words, Mingxi was surprised. “Did Bai Zhiwei actually report it to the authorities?”
If she hadn’t, how would such an internal family matter have spread publicly? This was a major loss of face.
“I said she almost did, didn’t I?” Xiao Muchen’s tone carried a hint of regret.
Mingxi was instantly amused. Her brows relaxed, and her eyes sparkled. She agreed playfully, “That is indeed a pity.”
Such a dramatic spectacle deserved a wider audience.
Wasn’t Duchess Gao obsessed with her reputation?
Let’s see how she salvages her dignity now.
“If it wasn’t officially reported, how did the news get out?” Mingxi asked.
“Bai Zhiwei’s personal maid was beaten and, while begging for forgiveness at the gates of the Duke’s Residence, revealed everything.”
Mingxi: …
That was quite a clever move.
If even Bai Zhiwei’s maid had been punished so severely, then the conflict must have been truly intense.
“At this point, they’re basically tearing each other apart,” Mingxi scoffed. She glanced at Xiao Muchen. “With his mother and wife fighting like this, I imagine Gao Shizi must have a terrible headache.”
In her past life, Gao Zhan had cherished Bai Zhiwei like a treasure. In this life, with his beloved wife clashing with his mother, Mingxi wondered whose side he would take.
Noting Mingxi’s expression—disappointed that she couldn’t witness the chaos firsthand—Xiao Muchen was in high spirits. Unhurriedly, he said, “We’ll know in a few days. No rush.”
So he was just waiting for the next development?
Mingxi’s smile widened.
Perfect—she was waiting too.
As the carriage approached the estate, they passed by the land that the Crown Prince had forcibly taken from Mingxi and given to Gao Zhan. The gates were tightly shut, with not a single person in sight.
Mingxi was a little surprised. She lifted the carriage curtain and remarked, “Wasn’t this estate quite busy before? Why is it so quiet now?”
Back when she built her greenhouses, this estate had followed suit. Her greenhouse-grown vegetables had already been harvested once, and Yuxian Tower’s hot spring vegetables were a huge success.
Now, getting a taste of her hot spring-grown produce was difficult—she thrived on scarcity value.
Xiao Muchen observed her surprised expression. “Has it been a while since you last visited the estate?”
Mingxi shook her head. “I came twice, but I didn’t really pay attention to this place. At the time, there were still people coming and going, so I didn’t think much of it.”
Xiao Muchen explained, “After the Crown Prince was put under house arrest, activities on this estate gradually ceased.”
Mingxi frowned. “Interesting… So they’re not copying me anymore?”
“The vegetables from your estate are only used for your own household and your restaurant—you don’t sell them. Maybe they found it pointless.”
Mingxi caught the underlying meaning in Xiao Muchen’s words and smiled. “Is that what Wangye thinks as well?”
“I wouldn’t dare speculate. Whatever Xixi does must have a deeper purpose.”
Mingxi: …
“If Yuxian Tower wants to reach greater heights in the capital, it needs something novel. The hot spring vegetables were an experiment, and so far, it’s going well. Next year, I plan to gradually expand the back mountain and diversify the available crops.”
Xiao Muchen wasn’t particularly interested, but since Mingxi was talking, he listened. Casually, he said, “As long as you’re happy.”
“Of course I’m happy—who doesn’t like making money?”
Xiao Muchen: …
Raising a wife like this wouldn’t be cheap.
The carriage came to a stop at the estate’s entrance. Second Master Duan came out to greet them. When he saw Duan Wang, he was momentarily startled, then quickly stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings, Wangye.”
“This Wangye is accompanying Xixi to take a look around, no need for excessive formalities, just be at ease,” Xiao Muchen said casually.
Second Master Duan inwardly muttered, With that stern face of yours, how am I supposed to act casually?
Mingxi stepped off the carriage and turned to ask her uncle, “Have there been many inquiries these past few days?”
Second Master Duan nodded. “Ever since the hot spring vegetables at Yuxian Tower became so popular, people have been trying to figure out its source, leading them here. But those who know this property belongs to you haven’t done much else.”
So there were some who wanted to sabotage things, but after realizing they couldn’t match up, they retreated on their own.
Mingxi glanced at Xiao Muchen out of the corner of her eye. Sometimes, the cold presence of this “great Buddha” could indeed be useful.
