Mingxi and Xiao Muchen strolled together deeper into the estate. Along the way, she explained what crops were being grown in the greenhouses and led him to see the channels for diverting hot spring water. The hill wasn’t very tall and was planted with fruit trees such as persimmons, hawthorn, pears, and walnuts.
At this time of year, the trees were laden with fruit. The hawthorn berries had already turned red, and the persimmons would be ripe in a few more days. The hillside, covered in patches of red, was a refreshing sight that lifted one’s spirits.
As they walked up the stone steps together, with a cool autumn breeze and bright sunshine overhead, Xiao Muchen noticed some farmers working in the distance.
“What are they doing over there? Digging irrigation channels?” Xiao Muchen pointed toward the workers.
Mingxi looked over carefully and thought for a moment before replying, “I had previously instructed You Sanping to expand the hot spring water channels whenever there was free time. It seems that’s what they’re working on now.”
You Sanping?
Xiao Muchen asked, seemingly nonchalantly. “He’s still managing this estate? Isn’t your second uncle here as well?”
Mingxi replied casually, “Most of my affairs are handled by You Sanping. He goes wherever there’s work to be done.”
Xiao Muchen: …
Seems like quite a capable person.
Mingxi pointed toward the newly constructed channels in the distance. “See over there? They’re extending the water flow to the newly built greenhouses. Once winter arrives, they’ll be fully operational, and the estate will have a greater variety of vegetables.”
Xiao Muchen looked at Mingxi, her fair face glowing like jade under the sunlight, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Why plant so many vegetables? Isn’t the current supply already sufficient?”
Mingxi responded calmly, “Yuxian Tower’s business is booming. Ever since we launched hotspring vegetables, demand has been exceeding supply every day. When the weather gets colder, fresh vegetables will become a rarity in the capital. At that point, the ability to provide fresh produce will be a significant advantage.”
Xiao Muchen, who didn’t have much experience in commerce, asked curiously, “And then?”
“Wangye, don’t you know? Rarity adds value.” Mingxi chuckled lightly. “This winter, we’ll earn a significant profit. With more money in hand next year, I’ll be able to expand further.”
“You’re short on funds?”
“Not at all.”
“Then why work so hard to earn more money?”
“This hardly counts as hard work—just routine business,” Mingxi replied with a smile.
For the first time, Xiao Muchen began to doubt his understanding of the word “routine.” This was routine?
He recalled how Duan Pingchang had risen to become the wealthiest merchant in Jiangcheng and thought to himself, she must have inherited some of his business acumen.
Mingxi turned to look at Xiao Muchen. “For now, earning more or less doesn’t matter much. But in the future, won’t Wangye have many more expenses? Or am I wrong?”
To contend for the crown, one needed loyal supporters and armies—none of which came cheap.
Xiao Muchen’s gaze sharpened. He hadn’t expected Mingxi to be so willing to make money for his sake.
It wasn’t a small amount, either. Even if she handed over her entire fortune, it wouldn’t be enough. So, she had already begun planning and earning in advance.
Her so-called “ten-year agreement” suddenly felt less convincing. Xiao Muchen’s mood lifted considerably. With this kind of attitude, she doesn’t seem like someone who only wants to spend ten years with me.
Xiao Muchen looked at Mingxi and said, “I have advisors in charge of financial matters. Should I have one of them reach out to you so you can manage things together?”
“That won’t do,” Mingxi refused outright.
“Why not?” Xiao Muchen asked, puzzled.
Facing his curious expression, Duan Mingxi couldn’t believe he trusted her to this extent—enough to hand over his private finances. Didn’t he fear she’d embezzle it all?
“I greatly appreciate Wangye’s trust, but I fear I lack the time and energy. Look at everything I’m already managing—I can barely keep up. If you add your affairs to my plate, I’m afraid I won’t have the capacity or ability to handle it properly,” Mingxi explained.
Xiao Muchen chuckled, “Are there really things you’re afraid of?”
“Of course—I’m only human, after all.”
The two reached the top of the hill, and the view spread wide before them. In this moment, Xiao Muchen felt an overwhelming sense of ease and said with a smile, “If I entrust something to you, I naturally wouldn’t worry. But you do have a point. For now, it might be inconvenient since we’re not yet married. We can revisit the matter after we’re wed.”
Mingxi: ?
That’s not what she meant! How did his mind leap to marriage?
Turning her head in exasperation, Mingxi took a deep breath. At least this gave her some time—she could delay the matter for now.
Just as she was about to speak, her gaze sharpened. She reached out to tap Xiao Muchen’s arm and leaned slightly toward him, lowering her voice. “Look over there—doesn’t that figure resemble the Crown Prince?”
Xiao Muchen’s attention was momentarily drawn to Mingxi’s pale, delicate fingertip. The slight touch sent a faint itch up his arm, and he clenched his fist tightly, resisting the urge to grab her hand.
Following her direction, he focused on the distant figure. Indeed, someone had just entered the previously locked estate gate they had passed earlier.
However, the figure was fleeting, disappearing before he could see clearly.
“Did you get a good look? I only saw a glimpse of their back and couldn’t confirm,” Xiao Muchen asked.
“Not quite,” Mingxi admitted, shaking her head. “But their build is similar to the Crown Prince’s. However, the clothing was plain, not his usual attire.”
Mingxi’s sharp eyes were well-known. If she said it was similar, there was at least a fifty-percent chance it was the Crown Prince.
As Xiao Muchen stared at the estate in the distance, another carriage approached, entering the gates without pause.
This time, both of them saw it clearly.
Their eyes met.
“Why do I feel like that carriage looks familiar?” Mingxi was the first to speak.
“You’ve seen it before?”
“I have. Doesn’t it look like the carriage from Duke Zhen’s residence?”
“Could it be Bai Shixi who came?”
Mingxi frowned. “It definitely couldn’t be Bai Zhiwei. She’s married to Gao Zhan and would be using the carriage from Duke Gaoo’s residence when going out.”
If it were Bai Shixi, why would she be meeting the Crown Prince here?
Xiao Muchen looked at Mingxi. “Shall we return to the city?”
Mingxi understood Xiao Muchen’s meaning—he wanted to go back and confirm where the Crown Prince was.
“Let’s go.”
The Crown Prince had only recently been released from confinement. Seeing him appear here was indeed suspicious.
The two of them hurriedly descended the mountain and encountered You Sanping midway. Upon seeing them, You Sanping immediately bowed and greeted, “Greetings to the young miss and Wangye.”
Mingxi, preoccupied with the matter on her mind, didn’t linger for small talk. She simply instructed, “I have an urgent matter to attend to in the city. If it’s nothing critical, let’s talk another day.”
You Sanping hesitated briefly but replied, “It’s nothing critical. Please, go ahead, young miss.”
Mingxi nodded, gave him a quick glance, and walked on.
Xiao Muchen followed alongside Mingxi as they left, while You Sanping bowed and saw them off.
Straightening up slowly, You Sanping watched their figures disappear around the bend on the winding mountain path.
The two returned to the city at once. Qi He went ahead to gather information, and by the time they passed through the city gates, he had already returned with a report.
“My lord, young miss, the Crown Prince is indeed not in the Eastern Palace, but the second young lady of Duke Zhen’s residence has not left her home.”
Mingxi and Xiao Muchen exchanged a glance. If it wasn’t Bai Shixi, could it have been Bai Zhiwei?
