Xu Nanxi hesitated for barely a second before stepping forward with a smile. “Perfect timing! I was just about to pay my respects to Her Majesty. Yinshuang, please lead the way.”
Yinshuang looked at Xu Nanxi with a half-smile and replied, “Miss Xu, I was instructed to invite only Miss Duan. I hope you understand.”
That was a clear rejection.
Xu Nanxi’s smile instantly faded, her gaze sharpening. “Is that so? In that case, I won’t trouble you. I will simply wait outside. Once Her Majesty is done speaking with Mingxi, I will enter and pay my respects.”
Yinshuang’s smile stiffened—she hadn’t expected Xu Nanxi to be so bold and stubborn. She said in a low voice, “I cannot make such decisions. If Her Majesty blames me, I cannot bear the responsibility.”
“This is my own choice and has nothing to do with you, Miss Yinshuang. If the Empress is displeased, I will take responsibility.” Xu Nanxi had hesitated at first, but seeing Yinshuang’s reaction only deepened her suspicions.
Recalling what Mingxi had told her earlier, she couldn’t shake the growing sense of unease.
But no matter how nervous she was, she was still the legitimate eldest daughter of Duke Wei’s household, the direct niece of Consort Shu, and the cousin of Duan Wang. Even if the Empress was displeased, at most, she would receive a scolding.
Mingxi, however, was in a different position. Though engaged to her cousin, she had yet to marry into the family and was merely a fiancée. If anything went wrong, Mingxi would be the most vulnerable.
With her cousin away from the capital, she had to protect Mingxi in his stead.
Mingxi glanced at Xu Nanxi but did not stop her. She watched Yinshuang closely, noting the changes in her expression—this meeting was certainly not simple.
Yinshuang had no choice but to lead them both forward. They walked along the Eastern Palace corridors, passing through several moon gates before reaching a secluded palace partially hidden behind flowering trees.
The area was eerily quiet. As they were about to pass through the last gate, Mingxi’s ears twitched slightly. Without drawing attention, she subtly shifted to shield Xu Nanxi.
Beyond the moon gate, a familiar figure approached.
Dressed in elegant palace robes, the Crown Princess walked at a steady pace, surrounded by her maids. She did not glance at Mingxi and Xu Nanxi but instead fixed her gaze on Yinshuang. “Her Majesty is waiting for your report. Why are you taking so long?”
Yinshuang was caught off guard by the Crown Princess’s impatient tone. Normally, the Crown Princess treated her with great courtesy due to her status as the Empress’s trusted maid.
In her moment of surprise, she saw the Crown Princess’s gaze subtly sweep over the figures behind her. Understanding dawned instantly, and she quickly bowed. “Forgive my delay, Your Highness. I will escort Miss Duan in at once.”
“Wait.” Bai Shixi intervened. “Yinshuang, I just came from Royal Mother’s quarters. She isn’t feeling well and instructed me to inform you that she won’t be meeting Miss Duan for now.”
Yinshuang was taken aback. “This…”
“I will take Miss Duan and Miss Xu back to the banquet. You can report this to Royal Mother,” Bai Shixi continued smoothly, barely glancing at them.
Yinshuang immediately understood—Xu Nanxi’s presence must have disrupted the original plan. Without further resistance, she stepped back. “As you command, Your Highness.”
“Good,” Bai Shixi responded coolly before turning to Mingxi and Xu Nanxi. She wore a warm but slightly distant smile. “Ladies, please follow me. Her Majesty’s health takes priority. You may see her another time.”
“Of course. Her Majesty’s well-being comes first. I will pay my respects another day,” Xu Nanxi replied promptly.
Mingxi nodded in agreement but remained silent.
She had been watching the exchange between Bai Shixi and Yinshuang carefully. Clearly, something had been planned—but why had Bai Shixi intervened?
As they followed the Crown Princess back, Mingxi caught the hurried sound of Yinshuang’s retreating footsteps.
Bai Shixi quickened her pace as they left the secluded palace behind. Only when they had fully exited the area did she slow down. She turned to one of her maids and said, “The banquet is about to start. Inform the others that we are on our way.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the maid replied and left quickly.
The maid named Suying, brought from Bai Shixi’s maiden home, exchanged a brief glance with the Crown Princess before stepping back to maintain a proper distance.
Bai Shixi didn’t stop walking, her posture graceful as ever. Without looking at them, she spoke in a low voice to Mingxi. “This is not a place to linger. After the banquet, you should leave the palace as soon as possible. Remember—do not leave alone. Bring others with you.”
Xu Nanxi’s heart pounded. What did Bai Shixi mean by that?
Why would she warn Mingxi?
What was her relationship with Mingxi?
But now, she didn’t dare ask a single word. Seeing Bai Shixi’s cautious demeanor, she understood that the Eastern Palace was filled with spies. Suppressing the storm of emotions in her heart, she followed closely beside Mingxi.
Thinking back to what had just happened, she suddenly understood something.
Bai Shixi had stepped in to stop Yinshuang, likely because of her own insistence on following along, which had given Bai Shixi an excuse to act.
This was the first time in her life she had encountered such a dangerous situation. Cold sweat broke out densely on her back.
Her legs felt weak.
“Thank you, Crown Princess, for your advice,” Mingxi said softly, looking straight ahead.
Hearing Mingxi’s words, Bai Shixi was about to say something when her expression suddenly changed slightly. Then she raised her voice a little and said, “Miss Duan, are you sure you haven’t received a letter from Duan Wang?”
“The Crown Prince and I have been deeply concerned about Fourth Brother’s safety. He has never led an army before, and this time, he was entrusted with an important mission in a crisis. Every day, we anxiously await news of his safe return.”
Hearing the Crown Princess’s words, Xu Nanxi tensed up even more. Even breathing felt difficult.
She glanced sideways at Mingxi and heard her reply, slightly displeased, “Crown Princess, what do you mean by that? I have already reported to the Empress that I have not received any letter from Duan Wang. We are not yet married and have had little private correspondence.”
Bai Shixi smiled faintly. “I was merely expressing my concern. Why are you upset, Miss Duan?”
Duan Mingxi’s expression grew colder. “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but I understand your intentions. Xu Nanxi and I will take our leave now. Please excuse us.”
With that, Mingxi grabbed Xu Nanxi’s arm and quickly led her away down another path, disappearing in an instant.
Bai Shixi remained where she was, watching them leave. She then turned her head slightly and walked toward another side of the flower wall.
On the other side of the wall, the Crown Prince was leaning against it. Upon hearing movement, he lifted his eyes slightly and looked at his crown princess.
Bai Shixi sighed helplessly and curtsied slightly to the Crown Prince. In a soft voice, she said, “Your Highness, you heard everything. This Miss Duan is truly difficult to deal with—neither threats nor persuasion work. There’s no way to get information from her.”
“Why did you stop Yinshuang?” the Crown Prince asked, his gaze fixed on Bai Shixi.
