Soon, the day of nazheng (formal betrothal gifts) arrived, and the marquis household had been preparing since early morning.
Mingxi, naturally, couldn’t appear. The grandparents handled all the ceremonial arrangements.
Officials from the Ministry of Rites arrived as scheduled, carrying chest after chest of betrothal gifts into the household. The streets outside were filled with onlookers, firecrackers went off, and the air was full of festive cheer.
Several young ladies secretly hid in the shadows to watch the commotion. Duan Qingyin soon returned to report the scene.
“Eldest Sister, the courtyard is packed with betrothal chests, each one tied with red silk. Even the chests themselves are gilded at the corners—so grand!”
Mingxi chuckled. “It’s just a thin layer of gold plating. it looks luxurious, but the inside is still copper.”
Duan Qingyin giggled. “No matter what it is, it shines brightly. Eldest Sister, you’re truly magnificent today.”
Mingxi looked at her. “The amount of betrothal gifts is certainly a source of honor, but in the end, marriage is about finding a good person.”
“Still, poverty brings misery to a couple. It’s best not to marry someone too poor.”
Mingxi thought to herself that many wealthy households only had an illusion of prosperity—like the Gao family.
The marquis household remained lively all day. Duan Yu and the others had even taken leave from their offices to gather in Rong’an Hall for a celebratory feast, making the atmosphere even more joyous.
Madam Jiang forced a smile on her face but avoided looking at her eldest daughter. With this official betrothal, Mingxi had truly grown wings. She was now someone beyond Madam Jiang’s reach.
She couldn’t provoke her, but at least she could stay away from her.
Duan Huirou sat beside Duan Qi, who refilled her tea and asked softly, “Second Sister, are you unhappy?”
Duan Huirou glared at him. She wouldn’t dare say she was unhappy. if she so much as uttered a word, this brother—who always sided with Mingxi—would have a hundred rebuttals ready.
“I was just thinking… I wonder what kind of future awaits me.”
One thing was clear—she would never be able to surpass Mingxi.
Now that Mingxi was marrying into the imperial family, she had truly soared beyond their reach.
Duan Qi smiled. “Second Sister will have a good future as well. Look at our marquis household—we’re rising steadily. Eldest Brother’s official rank is growing more secure, our two uncles have promising careers, and it’s not just you. All of our sisters will have good prospects.”
Duan Huirou took a sip of her tea and said, “You’re right.”
But in her heart, she couldn’t help feeling sorrowful. She used to be the brightest jewel of the marquis household.
Now, she had been completely overshadowed by Duan Mingxi.
And there was nothing she could do about it.
After the betrothal gifts came the formal setting of the wedding date.
Of course, the date had already been decided, but the official process still had to be followed.
Since Duan Wang was still in Yuxiang City, the date-setting ceremony had to be delayed.
At this time, Mingxi received an invitation from the Crown Princess.
The Eastern Palace was hosting a spring banquet, and she was invited to attend.
Mingxi frowned. She had no desire to visit the Eastern Palace, especially since the Crown Prince harbored inappropriate intentions toward her.
She put away the invitation and ordered someone to investigate which noblewomen had also been invited.
Li Quan quickly returned with the results—all the renowned noblewomen in the capital had received invitations.
Such a large gathering?
With Bai Shixi’s temperament, she would never be so ostentatious.
However, on second thought, for the past few months, both the Empress and the Crown Prince had been keeping a low profile, trying to present a good image before the Emperor.
Now, it seemed the Emperor’s attitude had changed, and the Empress and the Crown Prince wanted to test the waters. There was no better way than having Bai Shixi, the Crown Princess, take the lead.
Even if this displeased the Emperor, they could easily shift the blame onto Bai Shixi. But if the Emperor wasn’t angered by it, it would indicate that past matters had been settled.
This invitation was rather tricky, but Mingxi couldn’t refuse it yet.
After thinking it over, she sent a letter to Xu Nanxi, inviting her to go together. With Xu Nanxi as company, even if they entered the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince wouldn’t dare act recklessly.
Xu Nanxi replied quickly, agreeing to the invitation with pleasure.
On the day of the Eastern Palace Spring Banquet, Xu Nanxi arrived at the Marquis Residence to pick up Mingxi. She didn’t enter the residence to disturb the elders but waited outside.
Mingxi bid farewell to her grandparents before leaving and getting onto Xu Nanxi’s carriage.
The Xu family’s carriage was even more spacious than the Marquis Residence’s. The two sat facing each other while their maids followed in a separate carriage behind.
Seeing Mingxi, Xu Nanxi smiled and asked, “Why did you suddenly decide to go with me?”
Mingxi had always preferred to go places alone.
Mingxi replied seriously, “After all, it’s the Eastern Palace. I’m worried about making mistakes in etiquette, so I’d like you to remind me.”
Xu Nanxi smiled. “Your manners have been praised before—do you still need me to remind you?”
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered something and her expression grew serious. “Actually, that works out. We can keep each other company. Once we get to the Eastern Palace, Yunyi, Yunhua, and the others will definitely be there too. It’ll be even livelier.”
Mingxi nodded, deciding not to separate from the group today.
She wasn’t someone who sought trouble, but trouble always seemed to find her.
When their carriage arrived at the Eastern Palace, the area outside was already crowded with carriages, and streams of people bustled about. Palace attendants were directing the carriages to designated parking spots.
Seeing this, Xu Nanxi suggested, “Let’s just get off here and walk the rest of the way.”
Mingxi glanced at the scene ahead. The carriages were clearly unable to move further through the crowd, so walking was indeed the better option.
Several other noble young ladies seemed to have the same idea and were also stepping down from their carriages with their attendants.
As Mingxi and Xu Nanxi alighted, Xiangxiang and Huangzhu hurriedly followed from the carriage behind, trotting to catch up.
They had only taken a few steps when someone called out to them. Turning around, they saw Yao Yunyi approaching. The two of them stopped to wait for her.
Yao Yunyi quickly walked up to them and said, “I didn’t expect so many people today. Since I arrived a bit late, my carriage had to stop far outside, so I walked all the way here.”
Hearing this, Xu Nanxi commented, “It looks like today’s spring banquet will be quite lively.”
As they walked side by side, Yao Yunyi lowered her voice. “I heard that Her Majesty the Empress might make an appearance today.”
“Really?” Xu Nanxi was surprised.
Mingxi’s brows immediately furrowed as an uneasy feeling arose in her heart.
“The news came from the palace, but it’s unclear whether it’s true,” Yao Yunyi murmured.
“There’s no smoke without fire—it might be possible,” Xu Nanxi said, also frowning.
If it were just the Crown Princess hosting the banquet, they wouldn’t have to be too restrained. But if the Empress herself appeared, the atmosphere would be much more stifling.
Xu Nanxi turned to Mingxi. “What do you think?”
Mingxi pondered for a moment before saying, “Let’s try not to separate from each other today.”
Yao Yunyi’s expression changed. “Are you suggesting…?”
Mingxi looked at her but didn’t say it outright.
However, the incident with Gan Li was still fresh in everyone’s memory.
The three of them exchanged glances and silently agreed to be cautious.
After a few more steps, Yao Yunyi couldn’t help but murmur, “It can’t be that bad, can it?”
If the Crown Prince was going to select concubines for the Eastern Palace, the Empress could simply submit a list of candidates for the Emperor’s approval. Why resort to other means?
Xu Nanxi replied, “Better safe than sorry. It’s best to be careful.”
Yao Yunyi nodded. “That makes sense. Hopefully, we’re just overthinking things.”
Mingxi gazed at the towering palaces of the Eastern Palace, which loomed ahead like a massive beast crouched in wait, sending a shiver down her spine.
