For Mingxi, the Eastern Palace was never a safe place. What had just happened made her even more cautious. The Empress wanted to see her—but was it really the Empress?
What if, just like last time, the Crown Prince was setting a trap, waiting to frame her with some fabricated crime, like what had happened to He Wanyi, whose reputation was completely ruined? What would she do then?
Would she have to take the Crown Prince down with her?
She had lived this life again to survive—to protect the people she wanted to protect!
With this in mind, Mingxi exchanged a glance with Xu Nanxi. The two of them informed Yao Yunyi and Liu Yunhua of their departure, but since there were others at the table, Mingxi pretended to feel unwell and used that as an excuse to leave early.
Xu Nanxi accompanied Mingxi to bid farewell to Bai Shixi. Bai Shixi didn’t stop them but instead gave Mingxi a long, meaningful look.
Mingxi blinked calmly, betraying no emotion. Bai Shixi smiled and said, “Since Miss Duan isn’t feeling well, it’s best to return early. I’ll have the imperial physician visit your residence later.”
“No need to trouble the Crown Princess. It’s just a minor discomfort. I apologize for disrupting the banquet and ask for your forgiveness.”
After exchanging polite formalities, Mingxi and Xu Nanxi left.
Suying, Bai Shixi’s trusted maid, escorted them all the way to the main path outside the Eastern Palace before returning.
Walking along the stone-paved road, Xu Nanxi still seemed uneasy and whispered, “Do you think anything will happen?”
“There shouldn’t be. The banquet will be ending soon,” Mingxi replied. “And we’re on the main road of the Eastern Palace—there are plenty of people around.”
Xu Nanxi thought about it and nodded. “The Crown Princess is certainly meticulous.”
If they had been escorted to one of the side paths instead, things might have been different.
Suddenly, Mingxi turned her head, her gaze fixed on the distant trees. Among the leaves, she caught sight of the edge of a flying eave, half-hidden behind a partially open wooden window.
“What’s wrong?” Xu Nanxi followed her gaze but saw nothing unusual.
Mingxi shook her head. “Nothing. I just felt like someone was watching me.”
“Maybe we’re just too on edge. Now I feel like someone’s watching me too,” Xu Nanxi muttered, growing more uneasy. “Let’s hurry and leave.”
“Alright.”
Palace attendants bustled around them, making way with bows of respect as the two passed. The sun cast long shadows of the palace walls on the ground, shifting as they walked.
In the distance, behind the window, the Crown Prince watched Duan Mingxi’s retreating figure.
Tsk. Martial artists truly were sharp.
He had only looked at her—he hadn’t planned on doing anything.
Yet she was already this wary.
Thinking of this, the Crown Prince let out a sneer, downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, and casually threw the cup to the ground, shattering it instantly.
After leaving the Eastern Palace and boarding the carriage, Xu Nanxi finally let out a long breath of relief upon arriving outside the Marquis Manor. She looked at Mingxi and said, “I think you’d better not go out for the time being—no need to put yourself through unnecessary worry and fear.”
Mingxi nodded slightly and said softly to Xu Nanxi, “Please don’t mention today’s events to anyone.”
Xu Nanxi was momentarily stunned but quickly nodded. “Alright, don’t worry.”
She understood that Mingxi didn’t want Duke Wei’s household to find out. Thinking of her mother’s dislike for Mingxi, Xu Nanxi sighed inwardly.
As Xu Nanxi’s carriage departed, Mingxi returned to the Marquis Manor, first paying respects to the elders before heading back to her own courtyard.
Once she had calmed herself, she reconsidered the events of the day. If Xu Nanxi had hesitated and not followed, Bai Shixi would not have had the best opportunity to stop her.
If she hadn’t been stopped, what would have happened once she entered the palace? She couldn’t predict the outcome.
But she knew for certain—it wouldn’t have been something she wanted to see.
Fortunately, Xu Nanxi was someone she could rely on. In that moment, she had been willing to offend the Empress just to protect her. Mingxi would remember this favor.
***
As Mingxi had expected, news of Bai Shixi successfully hosting the Eastern Palace’s Spring Banquet spread quickly. The fact that the Empress herself had appeared to support the Crown Princess only solidified her position even further.
Those who once doubted her had now changed their tune.
Not to mention that at Duke Gao’s residence, Bai Zhiwei was so furious upon hearing the news that she smashed her beloved tea set. Meanwhile, even Gao Zhan was facing a complete mess.
Bai Zhiwei and Duchess Gao were engaged in a fierce power struggle, neither willing to back down, leaving the entire residence in chaos.
Duke Gao had initially wanted to step in, but with a shortage of silver in his hands, his temper had already been curbed by three degrees.
At this moment, Gao Zhan finally learned about the financial situation of his family from his father.
“No silver? Where did all the family’s money go?” Gao Zhan could hardly believe his ears. How could the prestigious Duke’s household be short on funds?
Duke Gao met his son’s gaze with displeasure. “Do you have any idea how much the household expenses have been over the years? Especially you—always out drinking and dining with your so-called friends. Do you think that doesn’t cost money?”
Gao Zhan’s face flushed with embarrassment. He had always been generous with his spending, but that was because he hadn’t known the family was in this state. If he had known, he wouldn’t have been so reckless.
“So Mother has set her sights on Zhiwei’s dowry?” Gao Zhan felt his face burning with shame. How humiliating.
Duke Gao frowned deeply at his words. “What do you mean by that? Didn’t your mother’s dowry also go into the household? Since Bai Zhiwei has married into this family, she should naturally work together with us.”
Gao Zhan: …
“Father!” Gao Zhan’s forehead twitched. “If word of this gets out, how am I supposed to hold my head up in the capital?”
What kind of man takes his new bride’s dowry to support his family within mere months of marriage?
That would be utterly disgraceful!
Duke Gao looked at his son. “If you think it’s shameful, then from now on, you and your wife can cover your own expenses. Your mother won’t have to worry about it anymore. That’s settled.”
Gao Zhan: !
What did that mean?
The household was cutting him off?
What was he supposed to spend then?
Was he supposed to ask his wife for money?
How was he supposed to stand tall in front of Bai Zhiwei after this?
Pressed by his father’s words, Gao Zhan had no way to argue back. He couldn’t bring himself to insist that the household should continue paying for his expenses. But how far would his meager salary take him?
“…I understand,” Gao Zhan finally said through gritted teeth before turning and leaving the main courtyard.
Once Gao Zhan was gone, Duchess Gao finally emerged from the inner chamber. Looking at her husband, she asked, “Will this really work? Our son still has social obligations—how can he have no money?”
Duke Gao replied, “Now that he’s married, he should take responsibility for supporting his family instead of relying on the household for everything. He’s worried about his wife’s dowry—why wasn’t he worried about yours?”
The Duke was clearly displeased. Duchess Gao felt a twinge of guilt, knowing that she hadn’t actually contributed much of her dowry to the household. Changing the subject, she said, “Fine, we’ll do as you say. Once he struggles for a bit, he’ll realize we’re doing this for his own good.”
Duke Gao thought about his younger brothers who also lived under the same roof. Over the years, the entire family’s expenses had been covered by the household, and the costs had only kept rising.
Perhaps it was time to consider splitting the family estate.
Duchess Gao was unaware of her husband’s thoughts. She was only calculating how long it would take for Bai Zhiwei to cave.
Surely Bai Zhiwei wouldn’t just sit back and watch her husband run out of money. And if she really did nothing, then that would be the perfect excuse—she could arrange for a wealthy merchant’s daughter to become his concubine.
Merchant families were never short on money!
Thinking of this, she suddenly recalled Duan Mingxi. One thought led to another, and she remembered that Duan Pingchang had secured a position in the Imperial Weaving Bureau and was now thriving in the capital.
The more she thought about it, the more regret she felt.
She had originally wanted Duan Mingxi as her daughter-in-law, but Bai Zhiwei had ruined everything!
