“I’ll do it!” Yu Wangfei declared, looking at Mingxi with determination.
As for the disgust she felt, she would just swallow it.
Mingxi had expected no less. When cornered, one had no choice but to fight back.
Otherwise, there was no way out.
In her past life, Yu Wang and He Wanyi’s affair had not surfaced this early. Yu Wangfei had been caught unprepared, which was why she had been trapped in a desperate situation.
But this life was different.
Mingxi needed an ally. She was willing to lend a hand. Yu Wangfei was capable; escaping from this quagmire wouldn’t be difficult.
“Good.” Mingxi’s eyes curved into a smile, her expression softening. “The palace must be in chaos right now. Yu Wang’s disgrace is certain, and He Wanyi’s reputation is ruined. Even if she enters the palace, lifting her head will be difficult.”
Yu Wangfei nodded. “Yes, and with this leverage, she’ll have no choice but to lower herself before me.”
Just the thought of it was satisfying.
“But first, Yu Wang must be of one mind with you,” Mingxi reminded.
Yu Wangfei looked at her, sensing there was more.
Mingxi, knowing time was short, got straight to the point. She explained how the Empress and Crown Prince were using Yu Wang as a scapegoat.
Yu Wangfei’s expression darkened. No matter how much she and Yu Wang fought, it wouldn’t endanger their household.
But if Yu Wang truly fell out of favor and lost the Emperor’s trust, the entire household would suffer. Then, what status would she have left?
Mingxi continued, “Right now, Consort Xian and Yu Wang may not have realized the bigger picture. if you make the stakes clear to them, they will stand with you.”
Yu Wangfei abruptly stood, gripping her handkerchief tightly as she looked at Mingxi. “And if that fails…?”
“Then Yu Wang must refuse to speak on the Imperial Horse Bureau case.” Mingxi met her gaze steadily. “If you don’t let the Empress and Crown Prince succeed, the Yu household will remain safe.”
Yu Wangfei took a deep breath. “I understand.”
She knew this would be difficult and dangerous. if the Empress was willing to sacrifice Yu Wang to save the Crown Prince, she would surely have more tricks up her sleeve.
As a wangfei, she had little power against the imperial family. But she still had Consort Xian.
She immediately said, “There’s no time to waste. I must go to the palace now.”
Mingxi added, “He Wanyi is the sister of Jin Wangfei. She’s definitely involved in this. Have Consort Xian drag Consort Gui into this mess.”
The bigger the chaos, the easier it was to catch the real culprits.
Yu Wangfei understood immediately.
Mingxi delivering this message must have had Duan Wang’s backing. That meant Consort Shu was on their side too—they could use her influence.
Yu Wangfei rushed to the palace. Mingxi and Chu Qingying boarded a carriage back home.
On the way, Chu Qingying’s face remained dark. She held onto Mingxi’s hand tightly, wanting to speak but unable to find the words.
Seeing her like this, Mingxi sighed softly. “Life is full of trials. You just have to get through them. There’s no need to be afraid.”
Chu Qingying tried to force a smile, but she couldn’t. Her tears fell one by one. “My sister is Yu Wang’s first wife.”
How could he humiliate her like this? And now, after causing this mess, she still had to risk her dignity to clean it up for him?
“Qingying, don’t rely on anyone else,” Mingxi said seriously. “Remember this—your only true support is yourself. That’s the only way to remain undefeated.”
Putting your fate in someone else’s hands was foolish.
She had once made that mistake and paid with her life.
Chu Qingying thought of Mingxi’s past. Compared to her, her own struggles seemed trivial.
Feeling ashamed, she wiped her tears and whispered, “Yu Wang used to be so kind to my sister. I used to think that if I got married one day, I would be happy with a husband like him. But now, I realize how naive I was.”
People changed so easily.
Mingxi patted her hand. “When you marry, make sure to keep your eyes wide open.”
Don’t fall into the same trap she had.
“I will,” Chu Qingying vowed, teeth clenched. Mingxi was right—relying on others was pointless.
She looked at Mingxi. “With what He Wanyi has done, should I go to my Father and expose her?”
Let him see what kind of people his wife’s family truly was.
Mingxi thought for a moment before asking, “if you were a parent, would you want your own child to scold you to your face?”
Chu Qingying: …
Of course, she didn’t want that. Did she not care about saving face?
Huh?
Suddenly, she understood a little.
Mingxi smiled. “He Wanyi is your stepmother’s niece, yet she is stealing your sister’s husband. How do you think Jingyuan Marquis feels about this?”
Chu Qingying was lost in thought.
Mingxi added another sentence, “Presenting yourself as weak is always better than being aggressive.”
Understood!
Crying to her Father would be more effective than scolding him.
She clenched her fists tightly and looked at Mingxi. “Don’t worry, I know what to do.”
Mingxi had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right, so she reminded her again, “in front of Jingyuan Marquis, don’t have any direct conflicts with your stepmother.”
Once you grasp one concept, others follow.
Chu Qingying patted her chest. “Don’t worry.”
She was going to walk He’s path and leave her with no way out!
Pretending to be pitiful?
She could swallow her disgust and put on an act.
After dropping Chu Qingying off at the Jingyuan Marquis’ residence, Mingxi watched her, full of fighting spirit, and couldn’t shake the feeling that she was overlooking something.
Maybe she was overthinking.
Upon returning to the Marquis Manor, before she could head to her own courtyard, she was summoned to the old Master’s chambers.
Looking up, she saw that her third uncle was also present. After greeting them both, she took her seat.
“Grandfather, have you already heard the news?”
The old Master had been in good health lately, and his complexion had improved. He looked at Mingxi and asked, “What were you up to?”
Mingxi smiled. “I went to see Yu Wangfei.”
Old Master: !
“You’re far too bold, going to see the Wangfei at a time like this?”
“Grandfather, Yu Wang must not become the scapegoat for the Empress and Crown Prince.” Mingxi’s expression was serious.
Third uncle wiped a hand over his forehead, already breaking into a cold sweat, before speaking. “Mingxi, being caught in bed, and with a Wangye no less—this kind of scandal brings disgrace to the imperial family. if His Majesty finds out you were involved in stirring things up, what then?”
Mingxi said, “I disguised myself. I pretended to be Miss Chu’s maid and entered the residence with her. I was very cautious.”
Before returning home, she had already removed her disguise, so neither the old Master nor Third uncle had seen any traces.
Hearing her explanation, they both exhaled in relief.
“What do you plan to do next?” the old Master asked.
Rather than asking what she planned, it was more like asking what Duan Wang planned.
Mingxi glanced at her third uncle and gave a gentle, well-mannered smile. “That depends on Huang Shao.”
She had already sent Duan Qi south overnight, but it would take at least seven to eight days, or even half a month, before Fengcheng Marquis could take action. In the meantime, they could not let the Empress and Crown Prince have their way.
So, Huang Shao could not stop—he had to keep pressing the Eastern Palace relentlessly.
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