Third Master Duan suddenly stood up and looked at Mingxi. “No wonder. Now I understand.”
Mingxi looked at her uncle. “As long as you understand.”
“I need to head back immediately,” Third Master Duan said as he strode out. As he walked, he muttered, “No wonder Ma Qi has been coming after me so relentlessly. Now it all makes sense.”
His voice faded as he exited.
Duan Qi watched his uncle leave and then turned to his sister with a thoughtful expression. “So Third Uncle thinks Ma Qi targeting him is also the will of the Eastern Palace?”
Mingxi replied, “It’s hard to say.”
Duan Qi had lost interest in the chess game. Looking at his elder sister, he asked, “Elder Sister, do you think Huang Shao will be able to escape safely?”
“What do you think?” Mingxi countered, lifting her gaze to meet his.
Meeting his sister’s clear and piercing eyes, Duan Qi smiled sheepishly. “I’m not sure.”
“Then take a guess,” Mingxi challenged, deliberately testing him.
Duan Qi thought carefully before answering, “The fact that His Majesty appointed imperial Censor Zhong as the lead investigator suggests something significant. The fate of the Imperial Horse Bureau depends on how Huang Shao handles the situation. I don’t know much about the Imperial Horse Bureau’ affairs, but since the Eastern Palace has sent Ma Qi to stir up trouble, it shows how serious the matter is.”
The most crucial factor was obtaining solid evidence. Lu Zhiliang had destroyed many records in the past, and even if Huang Shao had secretly kept some, they might not be enough to shake the Eastern Palace.
Mingxi nodded slightly at his response. “You make a good point. In the end, this matter will come down to the battle between Huang Shao and the Empress.”
The outcome would ultimately depend on imperial Censor Zhong’s abilities.
Duan Qi had always known his elder sister was intelligent, but he hadn’t expected her to have such keen insight into major political struggles. His own awareness came from guidance by Master Zhou, but his sister—without anyone explicitly advising her—was already moving pieces behind the scenes with Duan Wang.
She said it was a contest between Huang Shao and the Empress, but in reality, it was a battle between Duan Wang and the Empress, with the Crown Prince as their opponent.
Their third uncle was caught in the middle, and the Imperial Horse Bureau had become a battlefield. A single misstep could cost someone their head.
Duan Qi’s mind worked quickly. After a long pause, he suddenly asked, “Elder Sister, if we can’t gather more evidence on past events, will you and Wangye still protect Huang Shao?”
“What do you think?”
“You definitely will!”
Protecting Huang Shao meant securing control over the Imperial Horse Bureau. He was already tied to Duan Wang’s faction—so long as he remained in place, the stables would remain loyal to the prince.
If Huang Shao were to fall, finding a suitable replacement wouldn’t be easy.
Moreover, the Empress and Crown Prince would never relinquish control over such a key institution. if they lost it now, the battle for dominance would drag on indefinitely.
Mingxi fixed her gaze on Duan Qi. She hadn’t expected him to be so certain. Whether it was Duan Yu, their second uncle, or their third uncle, none of them were as sharp and decisive as Duan Qi despite his young age.
“How do we protect him?” she asked.
Duan Qi furrowed his brows. This was beyond what he had prepared for, but he carefully considered the sequence of events before looking up at his sister. “Back when they lost the Battle of Qinan, Marquis Fengcheng was blamed for the defeat. Didn’t that lead to the Imperial Horse Bureau being pushed into the spotlight? Was that part of your strategy?”
Mingxi: …
“What if it was? What if it wasn’t?”
“If it wasn’t, then it’s irrelevant. But if it was, then if the investigation into the Imperial Horse Bureau in the capital reaches a deadlock, the key to breaking it lies with Marquis Fengcheng.” Duan Qi’s expression was resolute.
Mingxi’s gaze grew complex. That was indeed the contingency plan she had devised with Duan Wang—if they couldn’t shake the Empress and Crown Prince, they would have to take a risk.
She was impressed. Not only had Duan Qi figured it out, but he was also so determined about it.
For someone so young to possess such resolve and strategic foresight, his future was boundless.
“If I asked you to meet Marquis Fengcheng in person, would you dare?” Mingxi suddenly asked.
Duan Qi was momentarily stunned. “Me?”
“Yes.” Mingxi smiled.
In an instant, Duan Qi understood his sister’s reasoning. Right now, the Imperial Horse Bureau, Duan Wang, their third uncle, and even Mingxi herself were all being watched closely by the Empress’s spies.
But he was different. He hadn’t even taken part in the metropolitan or palace examinations yet—he was just a lowly scholar, insignificant in the eyes of the Empress and Crown Prince.
If he quietly left the capital, no one would pay him any mind.
“I can go,” Duan Qi said immediately.
Mingxi raised an eyebrow. “You must understand, if word gets out, you may be putting your life at risk.”
Duan Qi’s expression turned serious. “I know. But if I don’t go and this matter reaches an impasse, you and Duan Wang will also be in danger. That can’t happen.”
The entire Marquis household was tied to Duan Wang’s cause. If their ship sank, what good would it do him?
When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. His future would be ruined as well.
Mingxi watched as Duan Qi’s expression shifted through different emotions—determination, understanding, but never fear or hesitation.
She had once made the choice to support the Marquis household, letting go of past grudges. She had imagined many outcomes but had never expected to find such a promising ally in Duan Qi.
Buddhism teaches that in saving others, one also saves oneself.
She had never understood that before, nor had she wanted to. Later, she forced herself to try. But in this moment, she truly grasped its meaning.
“Very well. I’ll remember your words. If that day comes, I will ask you to go.”
“Alright.” Duan Qi smiled. He realized that, for the first time, his sister was looking at him differently.
He had done the right thing. This was exactly what she needed from him.
if he could help her even a little, then it was worth it.
Duan Qi’s smile deepened, feeling a rare sense of lightness and satisfaction.
***
Over the following days, Zhong Yuqing meticulously reviewed all the records from Lu Zhiliang’s tenure as lord zhangyin. Combining them with the evidence Huang Shao had submitted, the full extent of the Imperial Horse Bureau’ corruption was finally exposed.
Mingxi couldn’t witness it firsthand, but Xiao Muchen relayed the events to her.
Zhong Yuqing reported truthfully to the Emperor—the Imperial Horse Bureau had deceived the throne, embezzled funds, falsified horse numbers, and secretly sold livestock for profit. The court was in an uproar.
At the end of his report, Zhong Yuqing also accused Duke Cao of having close ties with Lu Zhiliang, implicating him in the illegal horse trade. He formally requested permission to summon Duke Cao for questioning.
Mingxi’s eyes lit up. Zhong Yuqing had done well!
No wonder the Crown Prince had initially chosen him as a weapon—only for that blade to turn and cut the Empress and Crown Prince instead. They must be feeling the pain now.
“Did His Majesty approve?” Mingxi asked, turning to Xiao Muchen.
Xiao Muchen gazed into Mingxi’s bright, determined eyes and couldn’t help but smile. “Not yet, but if Zhong Yuqing pushes a little harder, it’ll be just right.”
Mingxi let out a long breath of relief and looked at Xiao Muchen. “In that case, all our efforts won’t have been in vain.”
At last, they could see some returns on their investment.
Just as the two were enjoying the moment, Qi He rushed in anxiously and said, “Your Majesty, Eldest Miss, Yu Wang was caught meeting Second Miss He in private—on the spot. When His Majesty learned of it, he was so furious that he fainted in court.”
Xiao Muchen shot to his feet, his face darkened with fury.
Mingxi’s heart sank. Sensing trouble, she stood up as well and said to Xiao Muchen, “Wangye, you should head to the palace first. Leave the rest to me!”
