Hearing the Crown Prince’s question, Bai Shixi remained composed, though a trace of worry appeared in her eyes. She said, “I had someone watching in secret. When I saw that Xu Nanxi insisted on following, I knew things were going to get complicated. Duan Mingxi is one thing, but Xu Nanxi has the backing of Consort Shu and Duke Wei’s household. If anything happened, it would be disastrous. That’s why I took the risk of intervening, to prevent things from escalating beyond control. Your Highness, I was reckless in acting on my own. Please don’t blame me.”
The Crown Prince smiled faintly. “How could I blame you when you acted with good intentions?” Then he changed the subject. “Do you think Duan Mingxi was telling the truth?”
“It’s hard to say.” Bai Shixi shook her head slightly. “I don’t have much personal interaction with her, and she is naturally guarded against me. However, based on her usual conduct, I believe there is some truth in what she said.”
The Crown Prince let out a soft scoff. “What a pity.”
Bai Shixi stepped forward and said gently, “There’s nothing to pity. Today was just a test. The Empress has made it clear that safety is the top priority—we mustn’t alert the enemy unnecessarily.”
“Your Highness, don’t worry. My father has been investigating in secret. The situation in Yuxiang City is dire—food supplies and warhorses are critically scarce. Even if Duan Wang has remarkable abilities, how could he conjure resources out of thin air?”
The Crown Prince’s eyes darkened. “What else did Duke Zhen say?”
Bai Shixi moved closer, lowering her voice even further. “My father drank with Minister Liu two days ago. Minister Liu mentioned that the national treasury is nearly empty. Even if His Majesty wanted to send more supplies to Yuxiang City, there wouldn’t be much to spare.”
The Crown Prince was slightly surprised. “Since when did father-in-law become so close to Minister Liu?”
Bai Shixi sneered inwardly but kept her expression calm. Just moments ago, the Crown Prince had addressed him as Duke Zhen, and now he was Father-in-law—what a joke.
With a slight pout, she said, “Your Highness, my father used to be a general. Naturally, he had dealings with the Ministry of Revenue.”
After all, before an army marches, provisions must come first. The military budget depends entirely on how many times the Ministry of Revenue counts its coins.
The Crown Prince, being young, had momentarily overlooked this fact. Since Duke Zhen had not led troops for years, it had slipped his mind.
“I should have recommended Father-in-law to lead the troops earlier,” the Crown Prince mused.
Bai Shixi sighed lightly. “My father would love to share Your Highness’s burdens, but his old injuries still trouble him. He regrets that he lacks the strength to fulfill Your Highness’s trust.”
The Crown Prince had no real intention of appointing Duke Zhen to lead troops—it was just a casual remark. Hearing Bai Shixi’s response, he simply said, “In that case, let him stay in the capital and rest. His health is most important.”
Then, looking at Bai Shixi with a slightly upturned gaze filled with what seemed like affection, he said, “Today’s Spring Banquet must have tired you out. Go on now, don’t let yourself fall behind schedule.”
“Serving Your Highness is my duty—I dare not speak of fatigue.” Bai Shixi curtsied with a faint smile. “Then I shall take my leave.”
“Go ahead.”
Bai Shixi maintained a gentle smile as she turned away, but once she had walked some distance, her smile faded. Instinctively, she placed a hand over her abdomen—if only she were pregnant. Without a child, she had no leverage. If she did, she wouldn’t have to endure all of this.
“Crown Princess…” Su Ying looked at her with concern.
Bai Shixi shook her head. “I’m fine. You must also be careful. If Yinshuang comes probing, don’t let her get anything out of you.”
She knew—whether it was the Empress or the Crown Prince, neither fully trusted her.
“I understand, Your Highness. Please don’t worry,” Su Ying replied. “But… why are you helping Miss Duan? She might not even appreciate it, and you’re putting yourself at risk.”
Su Ying genuinely felt sorry for her mistress. She had entered the Eastern Palace hoping for a good life, but instead, she had to live in constant fear.
Bai Shixi smiled but did not explain.
Mingxi was her fallback plan, so of course, she had to maintain a good relationship.
However, she wasn’t sure if she would even make it to that day.
Even someone as close as Suying wouldn’t know.
“Let’s go,” Bai Shixi said with a smile. “No need to delay the banquet.”
On the other side, as soon as Mingxi and Xu Nanxi returned, they were immediately called over by Yao Yunyi and Liu Yunhua, who looked at them with concern. “What took you so long?”
Xu Nanxi grumbled, “Don’t mention it. We took the wrong path and ended up going in a huge circle before finding our way back.”
Mingxi changed the subject. “And you two are free now?”
Liu Yunhua: …
Yao Yuyi: …
Ouch.
“I don’t care anymore. I just don’t want to see He Wanqing’s face. I left her to Jin Wangfei and slipped away,” Yao Yunyi said. “Tell me, how does she have the nerve to cling to me? After what He Wanyi did, shouldn’t they be too ashamed to show their faces?”
Luckily, her cousin-in-law hadn’t come today. Otherwise, seeing those two shameless people would have made her furious.
Xu Nanxi tugged at her sleeve. “Lower your voice.”
Yao Yunyi held back her frustration. Fine.
She couldn’t openly tear those two apart in public— Jin Wangfei wasn’t someone she could afford to offend just yet. Too frustrating.
When the palace attendants came to seat them, the four of them decided to sit at the same table. Not far away, Zhang Yaojun hesitated but ultimately did not join them.
Soon, a palace attendant from Jin Wangfei’s side called her over to sit at Jin Wangfei’s table. Mingxi caught this out of the corner of her eye but paid it no mind.
Before long, Bai Shixi returned, and the spring banquet officially began.
She informed the guests that the Empress had suddenly suffered a headache and returned to the palace. Jin Wangfei, showing great concern, asked a few questions, but Bai Shixi brushed them off and signaled for the feast to start.
The banquet was meticulously arranged, featuring several dishes made with fresh flowers, an unusual but refreshing touch.
Mingxi took a few bites but didn’t quite enjoy them, so she focused on the dishes she liked before setting her chopsticks down.
Nearby, Sun Yaoqing had initially wanted to sit with Liu Yunhua, but Liu Yunhua, clearly fed up with her, had filled up the seats at their table before Sun Yaoqing could arrive.
Sun Yaoqing was displeased, but Liu Yunhua feigned ignorance and even thoughtfully escorted her to another table.
Mingxi nearly burst out laughing. The entire gathering was full of masterful actors, but Sun Yaoqing’s honest expression was a joke in itself—who knew how many people were secretly amused?
Did she not consider the occasion before throwing a tantrum?
Back when Bai Shixi was in the Duke Zhen’s household, she wasn’t particularly well-known as the second daughter. But today, she had hosted the banquet with remarkable skill. From the food and drinks to the arrangement of palace attendants, everything was seamless and well-executed.
If not for the sudden incident with Yinshuang forcefully summoning someone, Mingxi would have considered the event quite enjoyable.
She thought to herself that after this, Bai Shixi’s reputation as the Crown Princess would be firmly established.
After all, the look on Jin Wangfei’s face spoke volumes—her emotions were clearly mixed.
She had probably assumed that Bai Shixi, being newly appointed, would struggle to host such a grand event.
If the banquet had gone poorly, Jin Wangfei would have had the chance to shine.
But instead, Bai Shixi handled everything flawlessly.
As the banquet neared its end, Mingxi recalled Bai Shixi’s subtle warning and decided to leave early.
