“There, you see? No matter how much you rationalize your integrity, deep down, you know it’s not something to be proud of and seen.”
Xu Heng: !
“During the Dragon Boat Festival this year, I saw Bai Zhiwei meeting the Crown Prince in a secluded alley. I wasn’t the only one who witnessed it—Duan Wang and several others were there as well.”
“You can also inquire about the Duke Zhen household. Back then, why was Bai Zhiwei always targeting Bai Shixi? The two sisters nearly turned against each other, and it all had to do with Bai Shixi’s upcoming marriage into the Crown Prince’s household.”
“Bai Zhiwei herself had a fiancé, yet she repeatedly obstructed her younger sister’s engagement, even going so far as to create open conflicts. The sisters became estranged—do you know why?”
Xu Heng’s expression grew increasingly serious.
Mingxi stopped just short of revealing everything. She knew Xu Heng wouldn’t explain why he was meeting Bai Zhiwei, but as long as she could peel back Bai Zhiwei’s facade, Xu Heng would begin to see her true colors—and so would the person outside the window…
If Bai Zhiwei intended to use Xu Heng, she’d have a hard time succeeding now.
With her goal accomplished, Mingxi rose to take her leave. “Xu Shizi, my apologies for intruding tonight. I hope you can forgive me.”
“Wait, you’re leaving just like that?” Xu Heng looked at Duan Mingxi and suddenly raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t this count as a private meeting?”
Mingxi was silent for a moment before lifting her gaze. “I don’t know if this counts as a private meeting, but if you don’t watch your words, a private duel is definitely on the table! I’ve heard you’re skilled in martial arts, Xu Shizi. Mingxi, unworthy as I may be, has trained since childhood and would be honored to spar with you.”
Xu Heng gave up. A single disagreement, and she’s ready to throw down—this really was the fierce and famous Miss Duan he’d heard of.
With this fearsome figure backed by the unyielding Duan Wang, he knew better than to provoke her. He immediately changed his tone: “Miss Duan, as you wish!”
Mingxi glanced at him, turned, and walked away.
As Duan Mingxi left, Xu Heng rubbed his face vigorously. If he’d known she was this domineering, he wouldn’t have stepped out at all.
He couldn’t beat her, couldn’t outargue her, and had to swallow the loss.
Xu Heng sighed heavily, reflecting on Mingxi’s words, when footsteps approached. He looked up abruptly to see his Father’s familiar face.
An ominous feeling washed over him.
“Father, let me explain!” Xu Heng blurted out.
Duke Wei: !
Where’s Laozi’s sword?
“You insolent brat!” Duke Wei’s large palm smacked Xu Heng on the head with a loud slap. “Explain yourself properly. What’s going on here?”
Having dodged Mingxi’s verbal assaults, Xu Heng couldn’t escape his Father’s wrath.
Xu Heng: …
Today is just not my day!
“Father, you heard everything?” Xu Heng asked cautiously.
Duke Wei snorted coldly. “What do you think?”
He’d rather not answer that!
“Why were you meeting the daughter-in-law of the Duke Guo household? Our family has little to do with theirs,” Duke Wei demanded.
Xu Heng was about to answer when he suddenly caught the mocking tone—identical to Mingxi’s earlier one!
“Father, how long have you been here?”
“Since you invited Miss Duan inside. Not long.”
Not long? He practically heard the entire conversation!
Realizing there was no way to talk his way out, Xu Heng sighed and explained, “Father, Bai Zhiwei came to me about Qiu Yun’s matter.”
Duke Wei’s expression darkened. “How does she know about Qiu Yun?”
“I asked her, but she wouldn’t say. Father, back then, there was indeed more to Qiu Yun’s case. It’s true that protecting him was the right decision, but his false claims of military merit are undeniable. If this is brought before the emperor, punishment is inevitable,” Xu Heng said with frustration.
“What is she using this to threaten you for?” Duke Wei’s eyes flashed sharply as he interrogated his son.
“She only wants me to strip Gao Zhan of his position,” Xu Heng replied.
Duke Wei furrowed his brow. “And you agreed?”
“I said I’d consider it.”
Duke Wei fell silent, lost in thought, then spoke after a moment: “Have someone investigate Bai Zhiwei’s connection to the Crown Prince.”
“Father, you believe what Miss Duan said?”
“For her to speak so boldly, she must not fear being scrutinized. If Bai Zhiwei truly has improper ties to the Crown Prince, then her threat involving Qiu Yun isn’t just about removing Gao Zhan’s position.”
Xu Heng, though straightforward, was no fool. He quickly grasped his Father’s point.
“Father, you think Bai Zhiwei intends to harm me?”
“Think about it. Gao Zhan is her husband, and the nature of their marriage is no secret in the capital. If their love is as deep as rumored, even amid disagreements, why would she want you to strip her beloved of his position?”
“Is it possible she’s trying to force Gao Zhan to yield?”
“Have you investigated what happened after her fight with Duchess Guo? What was Gao Zhan’s reaction?”
Xu Heng was speechless; he hadn’t checked.
“How do you know Gao Zhan didn’t speak up for her?”
Xu Heng lowered his head, realizing he had jumped to conclusions.
“If she’s willing to use her husband as a pawn, how much genuine affection do you think she has?” Duke Wei said grimly. “If Bai Zhiwei is truly involved with the Crown Prince and is using Qiu Yun’s case to drag you into her schemes, then turning your actions against Gao Zhan could serve as leverage. What would you do then?”
Cold sweat broke out on Xu Heng’s back.
“It’s possible that her public argument with Duchess Guo was all part of a plan—one targeting the Duke Wei household.”
“Father, that can’t be right. Why would you get dragged into this?”
“Aren’t you Laozi’s son?”
Xu Heng: !
This line hit like a direct blow. After hearing Duan Mingxi, now even his Father’s attacks were relentless.
If I’m not your son, why don’t you ask Mother first to see if she agrees? Do you even dare say that in front of her?
Xu Heng grumbled internally but didn’t dare voice his thoughts. Instead, he forced a smile. “Father, what should we do if she really reveals Qiu Yun’s matter?”
“I made the decision back then. If the emperor punishes me, so be it—I’ll deserve it. But that’s no reason for you to abet her misdeeds.”
“If Bai Zhiwei threatens you again, tell her your Father said this: let her spread the news however she likes. I’d like to see what happens when an inner-chamber woman leaks classified military secrets. Let’s see how the emperor deals with her!”
Xu Heng’s eyes lit up—how had he not thought of this?
Watching his son’s overly rigid and inflexible nature, Duke Wei felt a headache coming on. If he didn’t keep an eye on him, Xu Heng might end up getting metaphorically eaten alive.
Reflecting on this, the Duke thought the arranged marriage with Fuchang Marquis’s family was a great match. Miss Duan, after all, had charged over to confront Xu Heng for secretly meeting Bai Zhiwei, all for the sake of Second Miss Xiao.
In the future, once Xu Heng married Second Miss Xiao, Miss Duan would probably keep him in line out of her friendship with her sister.
The Duke couldn’t help but think: if only she were his daughter—smart, capable, both brave and resourceful.
Looking back at his own son, the Duke fell silent.
Well, he was his own flesh and blood… he couldn’t exactly despise him too much.
