Xiao Muchen turned to Qi He. “Take some men to verify the matter. Be discreet—don’t alert anyone.”
“Understood.” Qi He immediately left to carry out the order.
Mingxi looked at Xiao Muchen and said, “If it really is Bai Zhiwei, wouldn’t she be worried about Gao Zhan finding out that she’s meeting the Crown Prince in private?”
“We can’t yet be sure it was the Crown Prince. What if it was Gao Zhan?” Xiao Muchen suggested.
Mingxi hesitated. She had been far away at the time and had only thought the figure resembled the Crown Prince. She wasn’t entirely certain—but she was positive it wasn’t Gao Zhan.
She could recognize Gao Zhan’s silhouette at a glance.
But could she confidently say this to Xiao Muchen?
No.
How would she explain why she was so certain it wasn’t Gao Zhan?
Should she tell him she had spent ten years in a sham marriage with Gao Zhan?
Absolutely not.
Seeing the faint crease between Mingxi’s brows, Xiao Muchen asked, “What’s wrong?”
Mingxi instinctively shook her head, then quickly collected herself and replied, “I just find it odd—why would Bai Zhiwei go there?”
Duke Gao’s residence had just been embroiled in a scandal that nearly escalated to an official investigation. At such a time, Bai Zhiwei should have been lying low in her family residence. Why would she run off—and to a property often visited by Gao Zhan, no less? That property wasn’t even his; it belonged to the Crown Prince.
“When Qi He returns, we’ll know. For now, shall I escort you back to your residence, or do you have somewhere else to go?” Xiao Muchen asked.
“I’ll go straight home,” Mingxi replied.
She needed time to think this through and figure out what was going on.
Xiao Muchen noticed the faint crease on her brow that hadn’t eased since earlier, and an odd thought crossed his mind again.
Whenever Mingxi encountered matters involving Duke Gao’s family, she always seemed particularly concerned.
The carriage stopped outside the Bo Residence, and Mingxi rose to bid Xiao Muchen farewell before stepping out.
Xiao Muchen lifted the curtain, watching as Mingxi looked back and said, “Wangye, you should return now.”
“Go inside first,” Xiao Muchen replied.
Mingxi smiled faintly, nodded to him, and turned to enter the residence.
The Marquis Residence’s gatekeepers, long accustomed to seeing Wangye personally escort their young lady home, hardly batted an eye. If there ever came a day when he didn’t accompany her, that would be surprising.
Once inside, Mingxi learned that Fuchang Marquis Madam had come to visit her sister-in-law, Madam Xiao.
Li Mama walked beside her and informed her, “Eldest Young Miss, the Marquise is still with the Old Madam. Would you like to go over?”
Mingxi nodded. Courtesy couldn’t be neglected, so she made her way to Rongan Hall.
A little maid spotted Mingxi approaching and quickly curtsied before dashing inside to announce her arrival.
By the time Mingxi stepped into the hall, everyone inside had already been informed.
Upon entering, Mingxi greeted the Dowager Madam and then curtseyed to Fuchang Marquis Madam. “Mingxi greets the Madam.”
Fuchang Marquis Madam immediately stood, taking Mingxi’s hand with a warm smile. “I was worried my visit today was ill-timed and I wouldn’t get to see you.”
Mingxi smiled politely. “Had I known you were coming, I wouldn’t have gone out today.”
“It was a last-minute visit. I didn’t send word ahead—my fault for being thoughtless.”
“Please, Fuchang Marquis Madam, don’t say that. We’re family, after all. You’re welcome any time,” Mingxi replied with a gentle smile as she helped Fuchang Marquis Madam to her seat.
Madam Jiang: …..
She had been thoroughly reduced to a background character.
Fuchang Marquis Madam, the more she looked at Mingxi, the more she adored her. If Duan Wang hadn’t claimed her hand first, she would’ve begged to take her as a daughter-in-law.
The Old Madam chuckled warmly at the exchange. “Well said, we truly are family—there’s no need for formalities between us.”
Mingxi, still held by Fuchang Marquis Madam had no choice but to sit beside her. Hearing the Old Madam’s remark, she arched her brows slightly in amusement.
The Old Madam turned to Mingxi and asked, “How is the estate coming along?”
“It’s doing well. Steward You has expanded the water channels, so we’ll have more greenhouses. By winter, we’ll have a supply of fresh vegetables.”
Fuchang Marquis Madam was delighted to hear this and said to Mingxi, “You’re so thoughtful! Not only do you enjoy the harvest yourself, but you even think of us. Our family’s Old Madam had some of those vegetables and praised them endlessly—she asked me to thank you on her behalf.”
“That would be too much; as a junior, it’s only right for me to show respect to my elders. Since I returned to the estate, my sister-in-law has taken care of me in every possible way, and that is thanks to the good upbringing from you and the Old Madam.”
Fuchang Marquis Madam burst into laughter and said to the Old Madam, “With Mingxi saying such things, I can enjoy those vegetables with ease.”
The Old Madam chuckled as well. “They’re grown at home, convenient to eat. As long as you like them, that’s all that matters. It’s nothing special, just something fresh.”
“Oh, don’t say that. It’s not easy to get a table at Yuxian Tower these days. Fresh vegetables grown in hot springs used to be available in the capital, but no one has managed to present them in such a grand way as Mingxi,” Fuchang Marquis Madam sincerely praised.
Then she turned to Mingxi and said, “Actually, there’s something someone wanted me to ask you.”
“Please, go ahead,” Mingxi replied.
“Yuxian Tower is excellent, but it’s always bustling with people. For families like ours, we prefer a quieter place. Have you ever thought of creating a more serene establishment that caters exclusively to such clientele?”
“Something like Jinrui Garden?” Mingxi immediately asked.
Fuchang Marquis Madam clapped her hands. “Exactly.”
“If I were to open such a place, I’d be stealing their business. How would we face each other after that? In business, harmony brings prosperity. It’s better if everyone has the chance to profit,” Mingxi said earnestly.
After all, anyone who goes into business wants to thrive.
While Yuxian Tower, Jinrui Garden, and Mudan Terrace catered to different niches and could coexist peacefully, actively competing to take someone else’s market share was unnecessary. She wasn’t desperate for those profits, so why offend others?
The biggest mistake in business is making enemies everywhere, cutting off your own path forward.
“You’re just too considerate, thinking everything through so thoroughly despite being so young.” Fuchang Marquis Madam sighed inwardly, lamenting how unfortunate it was that Duan Wang had such sharp eyes, securing her early on.
Mingxi gave an embarrassed smile.
The Old Madam then added, “This child is naturally kind-hearted and always considerate of others.”
Fuchang Marquis Madam praised Mingxi a few more times before hearing Mingxi gently say, “The person inquiring through you—do they want hot spring vegetables for a banquet?”
Fuchang Marquis Madam nodded. “It’s none other than Xingqin Marquis Madam. Speaking of which, you and her daughter will be sisters-in-law in the future.”
Hearing this, Mingxi frowned slightly. The last time they met, Xingqin Marquis Madam’s attitude towards her and Madam Jiang had been anything but pleasant.
“There’s nothing I can do about that. The vegetables from my estate are already being supplied in large quantities to Yuxian Tower, and I also send some to my family and relatives. There’s really not much left.” Mingxi sighed.
Of course, she had more—but she simply didn’t want to give any.
Since Xingqin Marquis Madam looked down on her, there was no need for her to lower herself to let the woman eat her vegetables.
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