Mingxi was quite surprised but still went over to the Old Madam, bent down, and softly informed her before slipping out unnoticed.
The house was still lively, with laughter filling the air as everyone continued playing pitch-pot. No one paid much attention to Mingxi’s departure, assuming she had gone to rest.
Mingxi donned her cloak and pulled up her hood as she walked through the hanging flower gate. The old woman guarding the door quickly stood up to salute her but dared not utter a word, let alone question her intentions.
Outside the estate, on the opposite side of the street, a carriage stood quietly in the darkness. There was no moon that night, only the carriage lanterns casting a faint, flickering glow.
Mingxi strode over, but before she reached it, the curtain was lifted, and Xiao Muchen stepped down, walking toward her.
Standing against the light, he extended his hand toward her.
Mingxi hesitated for a moment but still placed her hand in his, soon enveloped in his warmth.
“Why are you here?” Mingxi asked softly, looking at Xiao Muchen. Shouldn’t he be in the palace for New Year’s Eve?
“This year, the palace didn’t require the Wangyes of separate estates to stay for the vigil. I left after the banquet. My residence is vast, yet I was the only one there… So I wanted to see you.”
His voice remained gentle, his tone composed, and if one listened closely, there was even a faint smile in it.
But for some reason, when Mingxi heard it, a pang of sadness welled up in her heart.
The word “loneliness” was easy to write but unbearably heavy to bear.
“Do you need to return to the palace tomorrow?” Mingxi asked.
Xiao Muchen nodded. “Yes.”
Since he had to return, yet still came to see her in the middle of the night—by the time he returned to his residence, he would barely have time to lie down before needing to get up again for the morning court.
Why go through the trouble?
But he had said, i wanted to see you.
So he came.
As if all the hardships were trivial in comparison.
Mingxi lowered her head slightly and smiled. Turning to the shadows, she beckoned to Li Quan.
Li Quan quickly approached, saluted the Wangye, and then looked at Mingxi. “Miss, what are your instructions?”
Mingxi ordered, “Go to the kitchen and bring a few dishes, and warm a pot of wine.” After a glance around the carriage, she added, “Bring extra portions.”
“Yes,” Li Quan responded and turned to leave.
Mingxi looked at Xiao Muchen. “I assume you wouldn’t want to enter the Marquis estate. Have your carriage moved over there. Tonight is New Year’s Eve—though the moon is absent, I can still share a drink with you.”
Xiao Muchen’s eyes instantly lit up, and he immediately called out, “Qi He, drive the carriage.”
Qi He: …
Alright, he was just a laborer, after all.
Qi He and the coachman moved the carriage, while Mingxi and Xiao Muchen walked behind it at a leisurely pace.
Mingxi’s gaze naturally drifted to his legs. After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, “How is your leg?”
They hadn’t seen each other since he was punished to kneel.
Xiao Muchen, noticing her gaze, was already looking at her. His grip on her hand tightened slightly. “The ointment you sent was very effective. it’s long healed—nothing to worry about.”
Though Mingxi knew Ren Mian was skilled in medicine, hearing Xiao Muchen confirm it personally reassured her.
“How is Her Highness?” she asked next.
Consort Shu had always treated her well, but without a summons, Mingxi couldn’t enter the palace, so she had no idea if the Consort had been affected by the previous incident.
“She’s fine, don’t worry.”
“And the empress? Did she make things difficult for her?”
“She wanted to, but she didn’t get the chance.”
Mingxi caught the coldness in Xiao Muchen’s tone and looked up at him. “And you? How have you been lately?”
Xiao Muchen was slightly surprised by her concern.
She had always been clear-cut about personal and political matters, treating their marriage as a transaction. She followed the rules and never overstepped boundaries.
Ordinarily, she wouldn’t even ask about his well-being, let alone show concern.
The loneliness of New Year’s Eve faded away in an instant as he replied, “Not great.”
Mingxi didn’t catch the deeper meaning in his words and immediately asked, “Has the crown prince been giving you trouble?”
She couldn’t think of anyone else who could make things difficult for Xiao Muchen.
Xiao Muchen stopped walking, turned slightly, and looked at her. “Xixi, are you worried about me?”
Duan Mingxi: …
She suddenly felt a little awkward. It was just a casual question.
Afraid of scaring her off, Xiao Muchen quickly continued, “The crown prince doesn’t dare to act openly, but he has plenty of subordinates.”
Mingxi understood—though the crown prince hadn’t made a move himself, his followers were causing trouble.
“Just endure a little longer,” she said softly.
“And what if I don’t want to endure?”
“How could that be?” Mingxi smiled faintly. in their past life, he had endured for so many years—how could he fail now? “The opportunity will come soon.”
At that moment, Li Quan returned with a few servants, carrying food boxes. They set everything up inside the carriage before stepping back and standing at a distance to guard the area.
Xiao Muchen helped Mingxi onto the carriage. The interior of the royal carriage was spacious and luxurious. The two sat across from each other, a small table between them, now adorned with warm food and wine.
Mingxi reached for the wine jug, but Xiao Muchen took it instead. He lifted it to his nose, sniffed lightly, and chuckled, “You’re giving me fruit wine?”
Mingxi was slightly surprised, then amused. This was probably Li Quan’s idea.
“It’s late at night, and it’s not suitable to drink strong liquor. I had them bring fruit wine instead. Try this peach wine—it’s very popular in Jiangcheng and a staple at our ladies’ banquets,” Mingxi said, suppressing a laugh.
Xiao Muchen rarely saw her so expressive, looking genuinely happy. He smiled. “Then I must have a good taste of it. If it’s earned your praise, it must be extraordinary.”
As the fragrant peach wine was poured into their cups, its rich aroma filled the air. Mingxi raised her glass. “A toast to Your Highness. May the new year bring paths through towering mountains and ferries across deep waters. May the new year surpass the old, and may all that you wish for come true.”
Xiao Muchen’s hand, holding the cup, paused slightly. His deep, dark eyes fixed on Mingxi as he slowly responded, “As the years turn, new chapters unfold. The long road stretches ahead, and all things are possible. Xixi, may your life shine like fireworks against the stars, and may all your wishes come true.”
Of course, that nonsense about divorcing in ten years—you’d best forget about it.
With a loud bang, fireworks blossomed against the dark night sky, illuminating the heavens.
Their gazes met under the fireworks as they raised their cups in unison.
At this moment, fireworks continued to soar into the sky as the midnight bells rang.
The two stepped down from the carriage, lifting their heads to admire the dazzling lights above.
Mingxi had never imagined that, at this very moment, the person standing beside her would be Xiao Muchen.
It felt… novel.
Cool fingertips were once again wrapped in warmth. She turned to meet Xiao Muchen’s gaze.
Then, she tightened her grip on his hand in return.
In the new year, may they both find joy and peace.
May they be free of worries and live long in good health.
When the fireworks faded into silence, it was time for Xiao Muchen to leave.
He pulled up her hood, held her hand, and escorted her to the entrance of her residence.
The gatekeepers of the Marquis Manor all kept their heads bowed, not daring to look.
Mingxi stepped onto the stairs, then turned back and said, “Wangye, the night is cold. You should return.”
“All right,” Xiao Muchen smiled. “I’ll leave once you’re inside.”
Mingxi turned and walked briskly through the gate.
The new year had arrived.
And the real play was about to begin.
