Once her brother left, Xu Nanxi finally let out a sigh of relief. Everything should be settled now. if her brother agreed to handle something, he would see it through.
She made her way back to her courtyard, but along the way, she ran into Xu Nanzheng and stopped her. “Where have you been?”
Xu Nanzheng was the daughter of Zhao Yiniang. Hearing her eldest sister call out, she quickly changed direction and walked over. “Eldest Sister, you’re back? I was just looking for you. Your maid said you had gone out.”
Seeing that she had come from the direction of her own courtyard, Xu Nanxi asked, “You were looking for me? Come along, then.”
She led Xu Nanzheng back to her courtyard, changed into fresh clothes to ward off the cold, and warmed her hands with a cloisonne hand warmer before sitting down.
“Go on,” she prompted.
Xu Nanxi had a strong, noble appearance, while Xu Nanzheng resembled her mother, with delicate and soft features. When she smiled, two dimples appeared, and her demeanor was gentle.
Both Luo Yiniang and Zhao Yiniang were well-behaved, and the younger siblings were sensible and respectful. Xu Nanxi and her brother got along well with them.
Xu Nanzheng hesitated briefly before finally speaking. “There is something, but I don’t know if I should say it. If I keep it to myself, I feel guilty towards you. But if I tell you, I’m afraid Mother will punish me.”
“Did Zhao Yiniang send you to find me?” Xu Nanxi guessed right away.
Xu Nanzheng blushed and nodded slightly. “Yiniang didn’t dare to say it herself.”
In other households, Yiniangs often fought for favor, but in their family, the two Yiniangs—one was obedient, the other was honest and well-behaved.
Xu Nanxi knew Zhao Yiniang’s temperament. If it weren’t something important, she wouldn’t have sent Nanzheng to her.
“Go ahead, what is it?” Xu Nanxi signaled for Huangzhu to serve hot tea and handed a cup to Nanzheng.
Xu Nanzheng quickly accepted it, took a small sip, and then carefully spoke, “Elder sister, do you know about cousin’s situation?”
Xu Nanxi was aware. Her mother had been worrying over Feng Wenxuan’s marriage recently, frequently visiting the Feng family.
So, she nodded. “Why? Does it have something to do with her marriage?”
“Yiniang overheard Father mention that Mother doesn’t want the Feng family to marry Cousin off randomly and wants Eldest Brother to marry her instead.”
Xu Nanxi: …
Seeing her sister’s reaction, Xu Nanzheng tensed up and quickly added, “Yiniang heard that Father seemed hesitant, so she sent me to inform you.”
Xu Nanxi slowly sat back down and looked at Nanzheng. “Thank Zhao Yiniang for me.” Then she glanced at Huangzhu.
Huangzhu immediately went to the inner room and returned with a small, palm-sized box. It was intricately carved, with gold-plated edges, looking exquisite and elegant.
“I bought this last time I went out. Things have been hectic lately, and I haven’t had time to give it to you. Take it and enjoy.” Xu Nanxi smiled.
Xu Nanzheng quickly waved her hands. “I can’t accept it. Elder Sister has already given me so many nice things.”
Xu Nanxi chuckled. “This is nothing special. There’s also a pearl inside—give it to Zhao Yiniang so she can have a hairpin made.”
Hearing that it was also for her Yiniang, Xu Nanzheng felt she couldn’t refuse anymore. Blushing, she accepted it. “Thank you, Elder Sister.”
Xu Nanxi lightly tapped her on the head. “Alright, hurry back and let Zhao Yiniang know, so she doesn’t keep worrying.”
“Okay.” Xu Nanzheng got up to leave but turned back at the door, hesitated for a moment, and then said, “Elder Sister, I don’t want Cousin to become our sister-in-law.”
Xu Nanxi gave her a stern look. “Don’t say that outside.”
Xu Nanzheng smiled. “Of course I won’t.”
Her elder brother and sister were both so good—she didn’t want her brother to marry someone he didn’t like, especially someone with such a complicated mind.
After Xu Nanzheng left, Xu Nanxi fell into deep thought.
Previously, when Feng Wenxuan failed to enter the Duan Wang’s mansion as a side consort, their grandmother and Father had forced their mother to send her back to the Feng family. She knew that Feng Wenxuan’s marriage had been repeatedly delayed.
The Feng family had been declining in recent years, which was why Feng Wenxuan had been living in the Duke’s residence. Xu Nanxi had pitied her and supported her staying.
However, now their mother wanted their cousin to marry into the family. if both parties had feelings for each other, that would be one thing. But it was obvious that this was just their mother and Feng Wenxuan’s wishful thinking—forcing Mingxi into a difficult position.
If she had to choose, she would definitely support her cousin and Mingxi.
For the family’s future and interests, she naturally prioritized the family over personal feelings.
She had once liked Feng Wenxuan, but now, hearing that she had set her sights on her brother, whatever pity she had left for her disappeared.
With Feng Wenxuan’s temperament, could she really bear the responsibilities of the Duke shizi’s wife and future Old Madam?
There were so many ways to help her, so why must it be at her brother’s expense?
It was at this moment that Xu Nanxi truly felt disappointed in her mother. So later, when Duchess Wei wanted to bring Feng Wenxuan into the household again, Xu Nanxi firmly refused.
If she were allowed into the family, with those kinds of thoughts in her heart and their mother supporting her from within, she might actually force her brother into marriage.
Just thinking about it was terrifying.
Xu Nanxi felt she should inform her brother about this so he could be cautious.
While Xu Nanxi was deep in frustration, Xu Yunhui had already entered the palace in secret. He met with Duan Wang and successfully delivered the message.
After hearing everything, Xiao Muchen felt both pleased and smug, a rare smile appearing on his face.
Xu Yunhui: …
It was rare to see his cousin, Duan Wang, reveal such emotions. it was clear that he truly liked Eldest Miss Duan.
Thinking of this, Xu Yunhui suddenly recalled the previous issue with Feng Wenxuan. His heart skipped a beat.
Because his sister constantly praised Miss Duan, saying how capable and wonderful she was, he now instinctively thought of her as a good person…
Clearing his throat, he turned to Duan Wang and said, “If Miss Duan’s suspicions are correct, then this matter is even more interesting. Wangye, you must seize this opportunity.”
Duan Wang glanced at his cousin. Xu Yunhui was always upright and strict—whether in public or private, he always addressed him as “Wangye,” even more formally than he did himself.
“What else did she say?” Xiao Muchen asked.
Xu Yunhui: …
How would he know? His sister hadn’t said anything more.
The two men stared at each other.
Xiao Muchen realized he had asked the wrong person. He should have asked his cousin’s sister instead—she would definitely know.
He gave Xu Yunhui a slightly disdainful look.
Xu Yunhui: …
Never did he expect to see such an expression from his cousin. He was being looked down upon!
After sending Duan Wang off, Xu Yunhui turned and headed to Cuiwei Palace. Since he was already in the palace, he had to pay respects to his aunt.
Consort Shu had just returned from Kunde Palace. Seeing her nephew, she was delighted and asked about Duke Wei’s household and his reason for visiting the palace.
Xu Yunhui answered each question, and when he mentioned his reason for coming, he saw his aunt’s face light up with a beaming smile.
Did Aunt really like Miss Duan that much?
Just as he was thinking this, he heard his aunt say, “I knew Mingxi wouldn’t disappoint me. Look how brilliant she is—she grasped the key point right away.”
Looking at his aunt’s expression, which was identical to Duan Wang’s when talking about Miss Duan, Xu Yunhui lowered his head slightly and smiled.
Consort Shu didn’t have time to worry about what her nephew was thinking and instead asked, “It seems this matter is far more complicated than we initially thought. Did Muchen say how he plans to handle it?”
