Xu Nanxi then thought of how, for the past few days, her mother had tirelessly run around her uncle’s household to handle Feng Wenxuan’s marriage. The way she cared for her niece, sparing no effort, made Xu Nanxi feel as if she, her own daughter, had been pushed to the side.
A wave of bitterness rose in her heart. She knew she shouldn’t think this way, but once the thought took hold, she couldn’t suppress it.
The more she thought about it, the more suffocating it felt.
She recalled how Mingxi always remained composed in difficult situations. Imitating her, Xu Nanxi forced down her emotions and made her tone sound as normal as possible.
She looked up at her mother and said, “There’s another matter you haven’t heard of yet. Let me tell you.”
Duchess Wei, already irritated, sighed impatiently. “If it’s not urgent, save it for another time.”
She was in a foul mood, her daughter was becoming increasingly disobedient, and she was expending more energy on other families than her own cousin.
Seeing her mother’s expression, Xu Nanxi immediately caught on.
The words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back.
“Never mind, Mother, you should rest. I’ll take my leave.”
At this moment, she didn’t want to say anything more. She could already predict her mother’s indifference.
After all, she had just dismissed Yu Wangfei’s plight as if it were nothing. If she spoke now, her mother would probably scold her for meddling in other people’s affairs.
Leaving her mother’s courtyard, Xu Nanxi took a deep breath. Since her mother was unreliable, she would have to turn elsewhere.
She immediately changed course to find her elder brother.
But upon inquiry, she learned he wasn’t at home—he had been summoned by Duan Wang’s household.
It had to be something important. Xu Nanxi had no way of chasing him down at the Wangye’s residence, so she could only wait for him to return.
As for her two younger brothers, her full-blooded brother Xu Yunming and her half-brother Xu Yuncheng, born to Luo Yiniang, they were still busy studying. She wouldn’t disturb them. Besides, they weren’t in a position to help yet.
Turning back, she had just reached the moon gate when she saw her eldest brother striding forward. Delighted, Xu Nanxi immediately waved and called out, “Big Brother!”
Xu Yunhui abruptly heard his sister’s voice and looked up to see her standing outside his courtyard. He quickened his pace and walked up to her, asking, “What are you doing here? Do you need something?”
“A little something.”
“Come inside to talk. it’s cold out here.” Xu Yunhui led his sister into his study.
inside, a brazier was burning, filling the room with warmth. As soon as she stepped in, Xu Nanxi removed her cloak and handed it to a maid before turning to sit down on a chair.
Xu Yunhui also took off his outer robe and tossed it to his attendant before taking a seat across from his sister.
A maid served tea and then quietly retreated, carefully closing the study door behind her.
“You don’t look too well. if you were waiting for me, you should have come inside. it’s freezing out there.” Xu Yunhui cared deeply for his sister, and seeing her pale complexion, he couldn’t help but scold her.
Xu Nanxi couldn’t exactly say she had been angered by their mother, so she simply made a vague sound of acknowledgment before getting to the point. “Big Brother, your men said you went to Duan Wang’s residence. Did Cousin need something from you?”
Xu Yunhui nodded. “You’re well-informed. Yes, he did.”
Xu Nanxi pressed further. “Is it about Yu Wang and He Wanyi?”
Xu Yunhui chuckled. “You’ve heard about it too?”
Hearing her brother’s tone, Xu Nanxi’s eyes flickered as she said slowly, “Big Brother, you probably don’t know, but the news has already spread everywhere.”
“What?” Xu Yunhui was startled. “How could it spread so quickly?”
This kind of matter should have been suppressed by the palace, with only the relevant individuals summoned inside. There was no reason for the news to travel this fast.
Realizing this, Xu Yunhui immediately looked at his sister. “Did you have something to do with it?” Then, shaking his head, he corrected himself. “No, you never meddle in such things. it couldn’t have been you. Who did you meet today? Miss Duan?”
Xu Nanxi: …
She knew she couldn’t fool her brother.
Seeing his sister’s expression, Xu Yunhui knew he had guessed right. He said meaningfully, “No wonder His Highness said there was no need to worry about the outside—someone was already working for him.”
“Listen to you, sounding so sour. if you find me a capable sister-in-law, then you wouldn’t have to envy our cousin.” Xu Nanxi huffed.
With their mother’s temperament, they really did need a strong sister-in-law in the house. otherwise, things at home would never be peaceful.
“Me? Envious?” Xu Yunhui pointed at himself in disbelief. “The whole capital knows that before Miss Duan has even married in, Duan Wang is already holding her in the palm of his hand.”
Last time, because of her, there had even been some unpleasantness in their own family.
Xu Yunhui had always been fair-minded. He believed their mother had been in the wrong, but Miss Duan was also too sharp-edged.
Marrying into the imperial family, where the imperial concubines were all formidable, she might bring trouble to Duan Wang.
“Tell me, who wouldn’t want a wife who’s talented, beautiful, wealthy, and capable?” Xu Nanxi admired Mingxi in every way.
Xu Yunhui: …
Good heavens, Miss Duan must be truly impressive to have his sister singing her praises like she was a celestial goddess.
Aside from divine beings, he had never seen a woman this perfect.
His mouth twitched, deciding not to argue with his sister. He wouldn’t win anyway. Instead, he steered the conversation back. “Tell me exactly what happened.”
Since Xu Nanxi wanted her brother to deliver a message to the palace, she dared not withhold anything and explained everything in detail.
Xu Yunhui’s expression grew serious. “Are you certain?”
“There’s no solid proof, but Mingxi is exceptionally clever. If she’s speculating this, she must be at least 60-70% sure. Brother, time is of the essence. You must send word to our cousin and warn him about the conspiracy involving Xingan Marquis’s household and the Jingyuan Marquis Madam.”
Xu Nanxi’s tone became urgent. “Mingxi said that protecting Yu Wangfei is the top priority. Keeping her safe means keeping Yu Wang safe. only by securing him can they contend with the Empress and the Crown Prince.”
She was growing anxious. “The Dingyuan Marquisate has no one who can enter the palace, so it’s difficult for them to get word inside. Brother, you must deliver the message to our cousin.”
Even if they had someone who could enter, the palace was in chaos. it wasn’t easy for noble families to gain access.
Even for Xu Yunhui, seeing Duan Wang would require using Consort Shu’s connections.
If he couldn’t meet Duan Wang directly, he would have to pass the message through Consort Shu.
Thinking this through, Xu Yunhui immediately stood up, grabbed his cloak, and draped it over his shoulders. “I’ll head to the residence now. You stay at home and don’t go out unnecessarily.”
Rumors were flying everywhere, and Xingan Marquis’s and Jingyuan Marquis’s families would surely be investigating. it was best to be cautious.
Xu Nanxi nodded. “I understand. Don’t worry, Mingxi told me the same thing.”
Xu Yunhui paused for a moment. Miss Duan was indeed thoughtful.
