Xu Heng?!
Mingxi never expected that the person Bai Zhiwei had met was Xu Heng!
In her previous life, they had been husband and wife, but in this lifetime, they didn’t share that bond. Moreover, Xu Heng was already betrothed to Xiao Ling. How had he ended up involved with Bai Zhiwei again?
Could it be that no matter what twists and turns life took, Xu Heng would always fall into Bai Zhiwei’s trap?
According to the letter, their meeting took place at the estate. Xu Heng stayed less than half an hour before leaving, while Bai Zhiwei lingered for an additional hour.
Mingxi folded the letter and pondered over its implications.
Fuchang Marquis Madamg had just praised her for her engagement and presented her with a generous gift, evidently pleased with the match.
Now, however, Xu Heng had gone to meet Bai Zhiwei in private. Regardless of the circumstances, meeting without proper company was inappropriate and could easily lead to scandal.
Then another thought struck Mingxi—what if there was company?
She suddenly remembered that Qi He had previously discovered the Crown Prince was not in the Eastern Palace. What if the Crown Prince was also at the manor?
Otherwise, why had Bai Zhiwei left an hour later than expected?
As this thought crossed Duan Mingxi’s mind, she immediately stood up and headed outside. After taking a few steps, she stopped—going to the city gates now would be useless. Bai Zhiwei would have already returned to Duke Gao’s residence by this time.
If the Crown Prince had indeed been there, he would have already returned to the Eastern Palace as well.
If that were the case, then Bai Zhiwei’s meeting with Xu Heng at the manor certainly wasn’t anything personal. She was likely recruiting him on behalf of the Crown Prince.
Xu Heng was backed by Duke Wei’s household, and Duke Wei held a special place in the Emperor’s heart. He had also played a role in maneuvering behind the scenes during the previous affair with Marquis Fengcheng.
The Crown Prince would undoubtedly want to win Duke Wei’s support. Thinking back to her past life, Xu Heng had died in battle, and Duke Wei had been devastated by grief.
And yet, after Xu Heng’s death, Bai Zhiwei somehow managed to secure the Crown Prince’s approval for Gao Zhan to divorce his wife and marry her instead.
Could it be that Bai Zhiwei’s marriage to Xu Heng in her past life had been nothing more than a scheme from the very beginning? A calculated move to bind Duke Wei’s household to the Crown Prince’s faction?
The more Mingxi thought about it, the more alarmed she became. She couldn’t help but recall how, even after Bai Shixi was chosen as the Crown Princess, Bai Zhiwei had continued her secret entanglements with the Crown Prince…
If that was the case, then what did Gao Zhan mean to her?
He had cherished Bai Zhiwei for so long, holding her in his heart like an unattainable moon, but perhaps she had never truly cared for him at all.
If her suspicions were correct, then all that talk in her past life about lovers being torn apart by family feuds had been a complete lie.
From the very beginning, Bai Zhiwei had been leading Gao Zhan on, keeping him hopelessly entangled, only to turn around and marry Xu Heng—securing Duke Wei’s household for the Crown Prince’s cause.
When Xu Heng died in battle, Gao Zhan cast her aside without hesitation, only to turn around and marry his beloved into his household.
In her past life, she could never understand why the Crown Prince allowed Gao Zhan to disregard public opinion and divorce his wife to remarry. Bai Zhiwei, a widow, obviously couldn’t enter the palace to serve the Crown Prince. The only way to grant her a grand identity was to marry her to a war hero with great merit.
Although Duan Mingxi had told herself to let go of the past, many confusing events now seemed to piece together. Her heart ached once again, and she couldn’t help but feel the urge to beat those b*stards to death a second time!
Ultimately, Bai Zhiwei, Gao Zhan, Xu Heng, and even herself—they were all just pawns under the Crown Prince’s control.
What made her and Xu Heng most pitiful was that they were merely chess pieces who were unaware of their role. One sacrificed his life for the country, dying on the battlefield, while the other faced a gruesome fate, her entire family annihilated and burned alive.
The more Mingxi dwelled on it, the angrier she became. It had been a long time since she had felt such fury. Even Madam Jiang couldn’t provoke her like this.
But now, she was truly enraged.
Duan Mingxi returned to her chambers and changed into a dark riding outfit, then stormed out of the house.
“Miss, it’s so late—where are you going?” Li Mama quickly followed and asked in worry.
Without turning back, Mingxi replied, “I have some matters to attend to. If anyone asks, tell them I went to Yuxian Tower.”
Li Mama could tell that something was wrong from her expression. Despite her concerns, she didn’t dare stop her. Instead, she instructed Li Quan to follow closely.
Mingxi mounted her horse and rode straight toward Duke Wei’s residence.
Upon reaching the street near the residence, she reined in her horse and dismounted. Taking out a handful of copper coins, she called over a street urchin loitering nearby.
“If you help me deliver a message, these coins are yours,” she said.
The young beggar, eyes lighting up at the sight of the coins, immediately asked, “Who do you need me to call?”
Mingxi raised her chin slightly. “Duke Wei Shizi. Can you do it?”
“Of course! Wait here.” The child ran off eagerly.
Mingxi tied her horse to a tree and stepped into the shadows of a nearby alley. Blending with the night, she became nearly invisible unless someone looked closely.
After some time, she heard footsteps approaching. A crisp male voice rang out, “Where is the person? Didn’t you say someone was looking for me?”
“She was here just now,” the little beggar said, sounding aggrieved. Perhaps he’d been tricked—he should’ve taken some advance payment!
Feeling disheartened, the beggar suddenly noticed something flying toward him. Instinctively, he caught it. Upon closer inspection, it was an exquisitely crafted, heavy coin pouch. His eyes lit up again. “So, you were hiding here all along! The person you wanted to meet is here.”
Gripping the pouch tightly, the beggar ran off, ensuring his newly earned treasure wouldn’t slip away.
Xu Heng stood frozen for a moment when he saw Duan Mingxi. “Miss Duan? You wanted to see me?”
Of all methods to summon him, she used a beggar?
“Indeed, there’s something I wish to ask of you,” Mingxi said with a nod.
Still puzzled, Xu Heng looked at her and asked, “You sent a street urchin to deliver the message. Weren’t you worried I wouldn’t come out?”
“That beggar has been lingering near Duke Wei’s residence. Without your household’s permission, how could he settle there?” Mingxi said lightly.
Xu Heng laughed. “You’re quite observant.”
“It’s just human nature,” Mingxi replied with a small smile. “This shows that Duke Wei’s household is kind-hearted and charitable.”
Xu Heng gave her a sidelong glance. “Miss Duan flatters us too much. So, what brings you here tonight?”
Mingxi asked, “Is it convenient to talk here?”
Xu Heng stiffened. Whether or not it was convenient depended entirely on her presence!
“If you trust me, please follow me.”
Mingxi nodded and followed him.
Xu Heng led her through the alleys, circling halfway around the block before opening a small door. He gestured for her to enter. “This leads to the rear courtyard of Duke Wei’s residence. There’s a small meeting room nearby. Miss Duan, please come in.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Mingxi said, stepping inside.
Xu Heng quickly caught up and led her to a quiet, rarely used meeting room. “This place is usually reserved for handling minor matters. Few people come here.”
After Mingxi took a seat, Xu Heng prepared to call for tea, but she stopped him. “I only have a few questions. There’s no need to trouble yourself.”
Xu Heng sat down across from her. “What would you like to ask?”
Mingxi fixed her gaze on him. “I’d like to know why you met Bai Zhiwei at the estate outside the city today.”
Xu Heng’s expression darkened. “Were you following me?”
They had no prior grievances—why would she follow him?
