Xiao Muchen looked at Mingxi and said, “For now, there’s nothing I need you to do. However, it’s very likely that the Crown Prince and the Empress won’t stop here. You’ll need to be vigilant moving forward.”
Mingxi felt as though Xiao Muchen wasn’t saying everything on his mind, but since he chose not to share, he must have his reasons. She didn’t press further and simply replied, “I’ll be cautious.”
The carriage stopped outside Yuxian Tower. Before stepping out, Xiao Muchen turned to Mingxi and asked, “If one day I need to reside outside the capital, would you come with me?”
Mingxi was caught off guard. Surprised that Xiao Muchen would ask such a question, she hesitated briefly before responding, “Wangye, are you moving out for personal reasons or for an official post?”
“It’s hard to say.”
“And this would be after we’re married?”
Xiao Muchen nodded.
“Wherever you are, I’ll be there,” Mingxi said. “A wife should follow her husband, after all.”
Her words were matter-of-fact, reflecting her strong sense of responsibility.
Xiao Muchen chuckled warmly. “Xixi, I’ll remember that. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Take care, Wangye.” Mingxi watched Xiao Muchen step out with a bright smile on his face. She couldn’t help but smile as well.
It was such an ordinary remark, yet he seemed so happy to hear it. To be valued like this—it was undeniably a source of joy.
After seeing Xiao Muchen off, Mingxi headed directly into Yuxian Tower to meet Chu Qingying, who had invited her.
As usual, Chu Qingying was waiting in their regular private room on the third floor. Upon seeing Mingxi, she teased, “I just saw Duan Wang leaving with you. What’s that about?”
Mingxi handed her fox fur cloak to her maid, Qiancao, who hung it on an intricately carved redwood coat rack. “Why does that surprise you? We’re an engaged couple. Why wouldn’t we be together?”
Chu Qingying rolled her eyes, clearly exasperated. “We all know how good Duan Wang is to you. No need to show off.”
Duan Mingxi: ….
Show off? Me?
Deciding to drop the topic, she got straight to the point. “What did you want to discuss?”
Chu Qingying signaled for the attendants to leave. Once they were alone, she said, “My older sister asked me to relay a message to you.”
“Yu Wangfei?” Mingxi asked. “What’s the message?”
“The Empress has petitioned the Emperor, pointing out the scarcity of royal heirs. Although the Crown Prince is newly married, neither Jin Wang nor Yu Wang have an heir. She’s urging the Emperor to grant concubines to the Wangyes to ensure the royal line continues.”
Mingxi frowned. “Doesn’t Jin Wang’s side consort already have a child?”
“She recently suffered a miscarriage.”
“When did this happen?”
“The day before yesterday. And just yesterday, the Empress made her suggestion to the Emperor.”
“Do you suspect the Empress had something to do with the miscarriage?”
“I don’t know. Anyway, I heard that Side Consort Qian took a fall and had a miscarriage. At that time, Jin Wangfei was in the palace, summoned by Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Has Jin Wang allied with the Crown Prince?”
“I don’t know, but the timing is too coincidental. My sister finds it unusual. The Empress’s intentions are obvious, and I’m afraid even Duan Wang and the others won’t be able to escape this.”
As Chu Qingying spoke, she became increasingly agitated and complained to Mingxi, “Xingan Marquis has been getting quite close to Yu Wang lately. I just feel uneasy about it.”
Mingxi’s eyes flickered at these words. In her past life, He Wanyi had become a side consort to Yu Wang.
Previously, Chu Qingying always referred to Yu Wang as ‘brother-in-law,’ but now she called him ‘Wangye.’ It seemed Yu Wangfei had said something to her.
Mingxi looked at her and, as if joking, said, “Since Her Majesty the Empress is bestowing side consorts upon the Wangyes, Xingan Marquis’s family does have an unmarried daughter. And since they’re close to Yu Wang, you might want to be careful.”
“No way!” Chu Qingying nearly jumped up. The shizi to the marquisate had already been decided—what use would it be for Xingan Marquis to send his daughter to become Yu Wang’s side consort at this point?
Mingxi said nothing. Chu Qingying was clearly growing restless. “Your guess makes sense. It must be to provoke my sister. The only one in Xingan Marquis’s household who could become a side consort is He Wanyi. If she enters Yu Wang’s residence with Xingan Marquis backing her, my sister’s life will become much more difficult.”
Mingxi said, “It’s just speculation. But still, it’s worth reminding Yu Wangfei—just in case.”
“I’ll go to Yu Wang’s residence right away.”
Chu Qingying immediately stood up and walked out, muttering as she went, “If this is true, it’s infuriating! Xingan Marquis’s family is heartless. Just for the sake of securing the shizis position, do they intend to drive us all to ruin?”
Before Mingxi could say anything, Chu Qingying added, “Mingxi, I’ll be off first. I’ll find you for tea another day.”
Before Mingxi could respond, Chu Qingying had already rushed off like the wind.
Mingxi didn’t stop her. In her past life, this matter had already happened. Although it was unfolding a few months earlier this time, taking precautions was always a good thing.
Moreover, regarding the Empress’s suggestion to the Emperor—previously, Duan Mingxi wouldn’t have paid it much mind. But now, after spending time with Xiao Muchen, she found their relationship quite pleasant, and he had treated her with genuine sincerity. She couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
Mingxi summoned You Sanping.
Now that the affairs of the estate were in order, Mingxi had let You Sanping take over managing her businesses, making it much easier to see him than before.
You Sanping arrived quickly. “Eldest Miss, you called for me?”
“Sit,” Mingxi said.
You Sanping took a seat and looked up at her.
Mingxi asked, “How is the matter I asked you to investigate last time?”
“Yes, we found it. That estate was purchased under Gao Zhan’s name and later transferred to Bai Zhiwei the day after she had an unpleasant dispute with Duchess Gao. It’s now officially in Bai Zhiwei’s name.”
Mingxi had found Bai Zhiwei’s presence there odd from the beginning, so she had someone investigate. As it turned out, the estate had changed ownership, making her meeting with Xu Heng there perfectly explainable.
Gao Zhan had acted on the Crown Prince’s orders to transfer the estate to Bai Zhiwei. Now, with the Crown Prince intending to recommend Gao Zhan for a military post, could these two events be connected?
This couple’s dynamic left Mingxi increasingly puzzled.
She looked at You Sanping and said, “There’s no way Duchess Gao knows about this. Let’s do her a favor and send her a tip.”
The Gao family was financially strapped, yet Gao Zhan had handed over an estate to her difficult daughter-in-law. Duchess Gao would undoubtedly be livid, which would inevitably stir up trouble.
If Gao Zhan became bogged down by family affairs at this critical juncture, the Crown Prince’s plans could very well fall apart.
The Empress might have plotted against her, but Mingxi had no intention of sitting idle.
You Sanping acted swiftly. That same evening, Duchess Gao learned of the matter and, as expected, flew into a rage. She stormed into Bai Zhiwei’s quarters and demanded the estate be returned.
“Didn’t you always claim you wanted your belongings separate from the family’s? So why are you shamelessly clinging to my son’s estate now? How convenient that you only insist on independence when it suits you! Is this the kind of daughter Duke Zhen’s household raises? Laughable! Hand it over immediately, or don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
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