Mingxi had an uneasy night’s sleep and rose before dawn.
Having skipped dinner the night before, she felt lightheaded in the morning. As her maid combed her hair and helped her dress, noticing her pale complexion, Qiancao quickly had a full breakfast prepared and laid out a table full of dishes.
Mingxi still had little appetite, but she knew her health came first and forced herself to eat, bite by bite.
After breakfast, she sent Li Quan to inquire about Duan Wang’s whereabouts—had he returned to his manor?
Li Quan returned quickly with the news: Duan Wang had not returned last night.
That left two possibilities—either he had stayed at Consort Shu’s Cuiwei Palace, or he and the other Wangyes had knelt outside Chongzheng Hall all night.
With no further updates from Duan Wang’s manor, Mingxi was summoned by her grandfather.
The two of them played a game of chess.
Noting her troubled expression, old Marquis said, “Life is like a chessboard—there will always be wins and losses. You are still young. Don’t place too much weight on victory and defeat.”
“I will remember Grandfather’s teachings,” Mingxi replied, knowing he meant well. She sighed softly and admitted, “I was careless. I underestimated how much the Crown Prince means to His Majesty.”
“A Crown Prince is as weighty as a mountain—he cannot be easily shaken.” The old Marquis studied her. “Before ascending the throne, His Majesty suffered much due to his status. It’s no surprise he is cautious about the Eastern Palace.”
Mingxi’s fingers tightened slightly around a chess piece. She looked up and asked, “Grandfather, now that Yu Wang has been sent away, how do you think the situation in the capital will unfold?”
Her grandfather was slightly taken aback by her insight but considered her question carefully before responding. “The Empress has held the Central Palace for many years. Right now, she will surely advise the Crown Prince to prioritize patience. Though His Majesty has punished Yu Wang, it doesn’t mean he has no dissatisfaction with the Eastern Palace. The Empress’s immediate task is to reaffirm the Crown Prince’s standing in His Majesty’s heart.”
If that was the case, then Xiao Muchen and the other princes could not act rashly. The momentum they had gained had been lost in a single night—what a shame.
“Soon, the court will enter recess, and discussions will be postponed until after the new year,” the old Marquis remarked. “You should stay indoors during this time.”
“Yes,” Mingxi agreed.
With tensions in the palace running high, eyes would surely be watching her.
For now, she had to do as Xiao Muchen had advised—stay low and avoid drawing attention, lest she give others an opportunity to strike.
After she left, the old Marquis let out a breath.
He had expected Mingxi to be furious over this outcome and feared she might act impulsively.
But she had remained composed, processing everything with a clear mind.
Once again, he regretted that Mingxi was not his grandson—if she were, she would surely achieve great things.
Since she was confined indoors, she couldn’t make contact with Yu Wangfei. Concerned for her, she had someone discreetly inquire about news from Yu Wang’s household.
What surprised Mingxi was that His Majesty did not allow Yu Wang to spend the New Year in the capital before departing; instead, he had to leave for Liangzhou before the year ended.
The timing was so rushed that there was no time for a grand ceremony to formally welcome He Wanyi into the household.
“I heard that in two days, she will be carried in a sedan chair from the Xingan Marquis Manor, and that’s it. The Xingan Marquis Manor doesn’t dare to hold a wedding celebration, and given Yu Wang’s current situation, he wouldn’t dare anger His Majesty further. This marriage is as simple as taking in a lowly mistress.”
Mingxi scoffed, “She’s already incredibly lucky to be entering the household at all. At a time like this, making it safely into the prince’s residence should be her only concern. How could she dare expect anything more?”
“You’re absolutely right, Miss,” Li Quan quickly agreed. “I heard that today, the Xingan Marquis Manor already sent Second Miss He’s dowry to Yu Wang’s residence.”
Sent over today? That was incredibly rushed.
“How is Yu Wangfei?” Mingxi asked.
Li Quan shook his head. “Yu Wang’s residence has its gates tightly shut. There’s no way to get any news.”
Mingxi sighed. She could only hope that the Wangfei could hold on and make it through this ordeal.
“What about Duan Wang’s residence? Any news?”
“Not yet, I’ll go check again now,” Li Quan immediately responded.
Mingxi was unsure of Xiao Muchen’s condition last night, so she instructed Li Quan to investigate further.
This time, Li Quan returned later than usual. “When I arrived, Duan Wang’s residence was also tightly shut. I didn’t dare knock, fearing it would attract attention, so I observed from the shadows.
“At the very end of the si hour, His Highness returned from the palace. Guard Qi was supporting him, and he didn’t seem to be in good condition. I didn’t dare go up and pay respects at the time—please punish me, Miss.”
Mingxi, of course, would not punish Li Quan. Xiao Muchen must have been disheveled and wouldn’t want others to see him that way.
Li Quan’s decision not to step forward had been the right one.
Since Qi He had to support him, it seemed likely that Xiao Muchen had knelt the entire night.
Mingxi looked at Li Quan and said, “Go to Doctor Ren and buy a few patches of medicine. Deliver them quietly to Duan Wang’s residence.”
“Yes.” Li Quan bowed and withdrew.
Mingxi sat by the window for a long time, holding a book but unable to read a single word.
She took a deep breath and stood up. Yu Wang had been exiled, Jin Wang, Kang Wang, and Duan Wang had been punished to kneel, yet only Qi Wang had remained untouched.
Last time, Qi Wang had suffered a loss against the Crown Prince, but this time, he had learned his lesson.
She wondered when Duan Qi would return.
Would he bring back good news?
Elsewhere, Xiao Muchen received the medicinal patches that Mingxi had sent through Li Quan. He held them in his palm, looking at them over and over before personally applying them to his knees.
Qi He held a jar of ointment sent by Consort Shu from the imperial Hospital, but it seemed it wouldn’t be needed anymore.
Two days later, He Wanyi was carried into Yu Wang’s residence.
There was no celebratory atmosphere for the side consort’s arrival. The entire household was focused on packing for the upcoming journey, with the Wangfei personally overseeing everything—especially Yu Wang’s belongings, which she checked one by one.
Yu Wang had suffered a major setback, and not even He Wanyi’s entry into the household could lift his spirits. On the contrary, he didn’t even want to see her.
Seeing her only reminded him of his exile, worsening his mood. Instead, he had been staying in the Wangfei’s courtyard for the past few days.
He Wanyi was furious, crying twice over it, but her situation was precarious. Her parents had advised her to remain obedient for now and wait until the storm had passed.
The Xingan Marquis Manor was stable and would support her in the future. For now, she was to avoid provoking Yu Wang.
He Wanyi suppressed her frustration and refrained from confronting the princess consort. But as the departure date drew closer and she still hadn’t seen Yu Wang, she grew anxious.
Ignoring her parents’ advice, she went to the Wangfei’s courtyard, wanting to see him. However, theWangfei repeatedly blocked her, and in a fit of rage, He Wanyi pushed her.
Unexpectedly, the Wangfei started bleeding—she was pregnant.
News quickly spread that the newly arrived side consort had pushed the Wangfei, nearly causing her to miscarry.
After examining her, the imperial physician declared that the Wangfei was just over a month pregnant—an especially delicate stage. The push had caused bleeding and weakened her vitality, leaving her bedridden.
The physician warned that she needed complete rest and could not endure a long journey, or else the pregnancy would be at risk.
The emperor was also informed and immediately decreed that Yu Wang was to take his side consort to Liangzhou, while the Wangfei was to remain in the capital to recuperate.
He Wanyi had become infamous in the capital overnight. When Xingan Marquis heard the news, he nearly collapsed from shock.
