Xu Heng could feel the disdain in his Father’s gaze, but what could he say? He pretended not to notice. Father and son, after all.
After a moment of silence, Xu Heng gathered himself and asked, “Father, should we tip Gao Zhan off about this?”
The Duke sighed. “Bai Zhiwei has the Crown Prince backing her. Since the Crown Prince hasn’t stepped in yet, we still have room to maneuver. As for Gao Zhan, he can’t even recognize his own wife’s true nature. If you warn him now, you might end up offending him instead.”
Xu Heng thought his Father made sense and couldn’t help commenting, “They were childhood sweethearts, deeply in love from the start, yet this is what it’s come to?”
“Rumors from outside are worth little unless you see it with your own eyes.”
“You’re right.”
“That Miss Duan has a sharp eye. I think you need to marry that girl soon. Once you have someone keeping you in check, your mother and I can finally relax.”
Xu Heng’s face went blank. He heard the message loud and clear but decided to play dumb.
***
Mingxi walked out of Duke Wei’s estate under the cover of night. The long alley stretched out under the moonlight, quiet and shadowy. She had only taken a few steps when she stopped in her tracks.
At the mouth of the alley, a tall figure stood waiting. The night breeze lifted the hem of his robe. Even though she couldn’t clearly see his face, Mingxi recognized him instantly.
She resumed walking and approached him step by step.
“Why did Wangye come here?” she asked, stopping in front of Xiao Muchen.
Xiao Muchen noticed that she said “come here” rather than “what are you doing here,” which put him in a better mood.
“I went to find you, but you weren’t home. I traced your whereabouts here.”
“Why didn’t Wangye go inside?”
“I just wanted to see you.”
Not to spy on you.
Hearing this, Mingxi’s gaze softened unconsciously. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she said lightly, “I just came to ask some questions.”
“Xu Heng?”
“You’re quite sharp, Wangye.”
Xiao Muchen chuckled. “Did you get what you wanted?”
“Even if I didn’t, someone will make sure I do.”
“The Duke was there too?”
“More or less.”
Xiao Muchen understood. He commented, “Duke Wei is very protective of his son. Seeing you show up at night must have scared him into thinking Xu Heng offended you and that you’d beat him up.”
Mingxi fell silent for a moment. “I’m not unreasonable.”
“Of course not. The unreasonable ones are the Duke and his son.”
Mingxi: …
There was no need to blatantly tell lies with one’s eyes wide open.
The tension Mingxi had been feeling eased as Xiao Muchen’s light-hearted comments melted it away. She even explained the purpose of her visit to him.
After listening, Xiao Muchen thought for a moment before saying, “It seems Bai Zhiwei and the Crown Prince do share a rather unusual connection.”
Mingxi nodded. “Anyone who has done something will always leave traces. One day, we’ll catch her.”
As they exited the alley, Dingyuan Marquis’s carriage waited nearby. Mingxi stopped walking.
Xiao Muchen looked at her and said, “After the Crown Prince’s wedding, it’ll be time for ours. I want to set the date for mid-March in early spring. What do you think?”
“Isn’t that too soon?” Mingxi asked in surprise.
Xiao Muchen replied lazily, “It can’t be helped. Qi Wang and Kang Wang are waiting their turn after us.”
Mingxi thought that made sense and said, “Don’t we need the imperial astrologers to choose an auspicious date?”
“You just have to agree. Leave the rest to me.”
How could Mingxi say no to that? Especially when there were others waiting to get married after them.
She nodded her consent, and Xiao Muchen’s mood brightened. He climbed into the Marquis carriage with her.
Mingxi didn’t even bother to question it, letting him join her.
The carriage rolled over the cobbled streets, and the night breeze lifted the curtain slightly. When they passed through the most bustling area of the capital, the streets were filled with lively crowds and cheerful laughter.
The warmth of the human world always had a way of stirring affection.
As the warm glow of lanterns illuminated their faces, Mingxi felt an unexpected sense of peace.
No matter what the future held, at least this moment brought her comfort and joy.
***
In the days that followed, the capital remained as bustling as ever. Mingxi knew that Duke Wei must have dealt with the situation. She didn’t know how he had handled it, but Bai Zhiwei wasn’t an easy opponent.
As the Crown Prince’s wedding drew nearer, the Ministry of Rites was overwhelmed with preparations. The extravagant ceremonies, filled with ancient rites and lavish displays, drew large crowds of onlookers. The grand wedding became the talk of the capital for two months straight.
Late autumn passed into early winter, and the Crown Prince’s wedding was just around the corner. The Emperor decreed a grand banquet for the court officials.
The weather turned bitterly cold as soon as the winter months began. A heavy snowfall blanketed the city early in the season, and prices in the capital began to fluctuate.
Mingxi was at the Duan residence when she learned about the situation.
Her Father, Duan Pingchang, assured her, “You don’t need to worry. I’ve already secured the spring allotment from the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau.”
Mingxi hadn’t known about this. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“If I can’t even handle a minor character like Tong Gaozhuo, how can I maintain my position in the capital?” Duan Pingchang laughed heartily. “You’re still young. Focus on enjoying yourself and leave the worries to me.”
Mingxi smiled helplessly. “I know you care for me, and I know how capable you are. Tong Gaozhuo is nothing more than a lackey riding on the Crown Prince’s coattails.”
Duan Pingchang remarked, “Xu Donglin doesn’t want to offend the Crown Prince, nor does he want to offend Duan Wang. For that reason, with Xie Fang’s assistance, Tong Gaozhuo’s scheme couldn’t succeed.”
“In a few days, Xu Donglin will come to see you. Whatever he says, just agree to it. It will make future dealings easier when you need his help,” Mingxi advised.
Duan Pingchang looked doubtful. “What could he possibly need from me?”
“You’ll find out in a few days. Just be straightforward and take charge of the matter.”
Duan Pingchang’s heart skipped a beat. “Really?”
“Of course.”
“All right then.” With his daughter’s assurance, he was confident. “Wait here for a moment.”
He called out to the inner room, “Where’s the gift I asked you to prepare for Mingxi?”
His wife, Madam Xu, replied from within, “I’m bringing it out. Why are you in such a hurry?”
She came out holding a box, smiled, and handed it to their daughter. “Take a look.”
Mingxi accepted it, feeling the box’s lightness. “Mother, what is this?”
“This is for you to use during the New Year.” Madam Xu reached out to open the package for her daughter. “Do you like it?”
Mingxi saw a thick stack of silver banknotes inside. No wonder it felt so light. “Father, Mother, I have money. You don’t need to give me more.”
“What, are you looking down on us now that you’re not even married yet?” Duan Pingchang scowled.
Mingxi: …
“I truly don’t lack silver. You already gave me Yuxian Tower, and once the hot spring vegetables go on sale this year, my income will be considerable.”
“There’s no such thing as too much silver. Just take it.” Duan Pingchang said.
“What about my younger brother?”
“He’s still studying. If he has too much money on hand, he might get into trouble. When he’s older, do you think he’ll be short of silver?”
Madam Xu smiled and said, “Don’t worry about your brother. We’ve been saving for him.”
“A real man should earn his own fortune—that’s true ability.” Duan Pingchang declared.
Mingxi looked at him. “Father, didn’t you use the family’s silver when you started out in business?”
Duan Pingchang: …
This little traitor!
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