Mingxi was displeased, but she couldn’t afford to show any disrespect. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she followed the maid forward.
“Your subject greets the Empress.” Mingxi stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
The Empress smiled and said, “Rise. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. Why is it that today, Miss Duan is lingering at the back? I had to scan the crowd before I spotted you.”
What could Mingxi say? She could only reply, “It is my great fortune to have the Empress think of me.”
The Empress beckoned her forward. “Come a little closer.”
Mingxi didn’t want to, but she had no choice.
She took two steps forward, looked at the Empress, and asked, “What instructions does Your Majesty have?”
“The moment I see you, I think of Duan Wang. I wonder how he’s faring in Yuxiang City. Do you know, Miss Duan?”
Mingxi’s heart tensed. She replied calmly, “Your Majesty, I do not know Wangye’s current situation. His Highness was entrusted with a critical mission and left the capital to lead the army. Naturally, military affairs take precedence. Besides, I am merely betrothed to His Highness—we have had little private correspondence.”
Mingxi immediately sensed the Empress’s hidden agenda. If it were rumored that Duan Wang had time to write to her but not to submit reports to the court, what would the Emperor think?
He would only see it as proof that his son was unreliable—leading an army yet still preoccupied with a woman!
Beneath the Empress’s seemingly casual concern, there lay a hidden dagger.
The Empress chuckled softly. “Duan Wang put in quite an effort to win your hand in marriage. I was merely thinking that since he is deeply devoted to you, perhaps he might have written you a letter to reassure you of his safety.”
Mingxi’s heart flared with anger as she noticed the subtle changes in the gazes around her.
Her engagement to Duan Wang had already been a widely discussed affair in the capital.
Especially his so-called love at first sight, which had made many young ladies envious.
People praised Duan Wang for his deep affection, but when they looked at her, their attitudes were different. As someone who grew up in a merchant’s household, she was bound to face resentment—many noblewomen would think she was undeserving of such devotion.
By bringing this matter up again in front of everyone, what exactly was the Empress trying to achieve?
Since that was the case, Mingxi had no reason to hold back.
She lifted her gaze and looked straight at the Empress, speaking in a solemn tone, “If we must speak of it, I must thank Your Majesty for this engagement.”
The Empress looked at her in slight suspicion. “Thank me?”
Xu Nanxi was already on edge, practically desperate to speak on Mingxi’s behalf. She recognized the signs—whenever Mingxi was about to push back against someone, her posture, tone, and gaze would shift.
Like that time at Duke Wei’s manor.
But her mother was nowhere near as formidable as the Empress!
Xu Nanxi wished she could cover Mingxi’s mouth herself. What should she do?
“Yes,” Mingxi’s smile widened, even bringing a hint of bashfulness. “It was at the banquet in Shangyang Palace, hosted by Your Majesty, that I had the chance to rescue Miss Gan from drowning. Only then did Wangye take notice of me. This engagement is truly thanks to Your Majesty.”
The incident of Gan Li’s near-drowning in Shangyang Palace was something the Empress wished everyone would forget.
Yet now, in front of so many people, Duan Mingxi had deliberately brought it up again. The Empress’s smile visibly faded.
She knew Mingxi had done it on purpose!
Among the onlookers, Gan Li, who had remained silent until now, suddenly stepped forward and looked at Mingxi. “Indeed. If not for Miss Duan, I might not have survived that day. It just goes to show—good deeds are rewarded. Duan Wang is a man of great perception, securing such a fine match for himself.”
Gan Li had the backing of Duke Zhenbei’s household, and her father was a military commander loyal only to the Emperor. The attempt on her life during the banquet had left her furious.
Today, she finally had a chance to settle a small score.
Did the Empress really think she was someone to be trifled with? Even now, she still had nightmares about that day.
The Empress had plotted against her once, and now she wanted to paint Mingxi as a seductress? If Mingxi had responded poorly just now, she would have been trapped.
Mingxi had saved her life—of course, she would stand up for her today!
No one had expected Gan Li to speak up so suddenly. Many looked surprised, including Mingxi herself.
She hadn’t thought Gan Li would risk offending the Empress to defend her.
The crowd wasn’t foolish—they could hear the implications in Gan Li’s words.
Not a single word of thanks had been given to the Empress.
The atmosphere grew increasingly strange. Mingxi quickly composed herself and turned to Gan Li. “Miss Gan is too kind. I only grew up in Jiangcheng and happened to know how to swim, so I dared to dive in and rescue you.
“I believe that if any other young lady here had my skills, they would have done the same. A life was at stake—no one would simply stand by and watch.”
Gan Li nearly laughed. Mingxi’s words sounded virtuous, but she was merely giving the other guests an excuse to save face.
Back then, even those who could swim hadn’t dared to help her.
Still, since Mingxi had said as much, Gan Li played along. “Miss Duan is absolutely right.”
Others might fear the Empress, but Duke Zhenbei’s household did not.
The Empress’s gaze flickered toward the Crown Princess.
Bai Shixi stepped forward slightly, smiling at Gan Li. “Indeed, Miss Gan is fortunate. They say those who survive great tribulations are destined for great blessings. Your fortune surely lies ahead.”
Gan Li responded with measured politeness, “I appreciate Your Highness’s kind words.”
Bai Shixi offered a faint smile before turning to the Empress. “Mother, today’s flower banquet features some new floral breeds cultivated by the gardeners. Shall we go take a look?”
The Empress looked around at the gathered guests. “Then let us all go and see. It is rare for the Crown Princess to indulge in such pastimes.”
Bai Shixi paused slightly in her steps, then resumed walking without any change in expression, leading the way ahead.
Mingxi accompanied the others as they admired the flowers with the Empress, listening to their eloquent commentary. She realized she still had a lot of room for improvement—flattery was truly a skill not just anyone could master.
After walking through the entire garden, Mingxi, who was used to martial arts, didn’t think much of it, but many young ladies were already showing signs of fatigue.
The Empress, noticing this, allowed them to rest and instructed the Crown Princess to prepare the banquet.
Duan Mingxi let out a small breath of relief, turned to Xu Nanxi, and asked, “Do you want to change clothes?”
Xu Nanxi nodded.
As the two walked along the path, they were stopped by an Eastern Palace maid when they asked for directions to the washroom. The maid pointed them in a direction.
“Miss Duan, please wait.”
Mingxi frowned slightly at the voice, turning around to see Yinshuang, a palace maid from the Empress’s side, hurrying toward them. Slightly out of breath, Yinshuang curtsied to them. “Greetings, young ladies.”
Xu Nanxi glanced at Mingxi before stepping forward to ask, “Miss Yinshuang, is there something you need?”
Yinshuang looked at Xu Nanxi briefly before smiling. “Miss Xu, Her Majesty the Empress has invited Miss Duan for a chat and has specially sent me to escort her.”
Xu Nanxi’s heart skipped a beat. Remembering what Mingxi had told her earlier, she now felt conflicted. The Empress had sent Yinshuang to fetch Mingxi—should she follow or not?
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