Not many people knew about Jin Wangfei’s miscarriage. It was a scandal involving royal secrets, and since Jin Wang was still protecting Side Consort Qian, he ordered everyone in the palace to keep silent. If anyone dared spread rumors, they would be beaten to death.
Knowing this only made Jin Wangfei more furious, but she had to focus on recovery. She could only endure for now and wait until she was strong enough.
Meanwhile, Mingxi returned to the Marquis Household. Hu Momo who escorted her went to pay respects to the Old Madam first and then delivered the rewards from Noble Consort Shu to Madam Jiang.
Madam Jiang was truly flustered this time. She hadn’t done anything wrong lately, so why would the Noble Consort suddenly send her a reward?
Given the strained mother-daughter relationship, Consort Shu had never favored her. Madam Jiang didn’t believe this was a simple reward—she was convinced the Consort was making a point.
She racked her brain but couldn’t think of anything she had done. If there was anything questionable, it was the matter with Sujie, but she had never spoken a word about it.
At this moment, she was deeply grateful for her earlier firm refusal—otherwise, she might not have been able to stand steady now.
Hu Momo had no idea what Madam Jiang was thinking. Seeing her reaction, she assumed Madam Jiang felt guilty for not raising Mingxi well and was pleased—at least she knew her place and wouldn’t hold Mingxi back in the future.
Ironically, Madam Jiang’s nervousness actually fit the Momo’s expectations.
As for the reward meant for Madam Xu, Consort Shu had Mingxi deliver it instead, fearing that as a mere merchant’s wife, Madam Xu might be intimidated by the palace momo. Mingxi acting as the intermediary was more appropriate.
After Hu Momo took her leave, the Second Madam and Third Madam of the Duan family quickly stepped forward to congratulate Madam Jiang. Madam Jiang responded perfunctorily, not daring to look at Mingxi. But in front of her two sisters-in-law, she felt that her once-bowed back could straighten up a little now, thanks to the consort’s reward.
From now on, these two sisters-in-law wouldn’t dare to snub her like before—after all, she was someone praised by Consort Shu.
Once they left the Old Madam’s courtyard, the Third Madam couldn’t help but say to the Second Madam, “Look at how smug Eldest Sister-in-law looked. I truly feel sorry for Mingxi.”
Did she really not know how things had been with Mingxi?
Didn’t this reward make her feel guilty?
The Second Madam was angry too, but she couldn’t say it so plainly. She looked at the Third Madam and said, “I think perhaps Consort Shu gave the reward to Eldest Sister-in-law for Mingxi’s sake.”
The Third Madam paused mid-step. “What do you mean by that?”
“Oh, you’re being silly now. No matter what, Eldest Sister-in-law is Mingxi’s birth mother. It was one thing for them to be on bad terms before, but once Mingxi is married, she shouldn’t carry the reputation of being at odds with her own mother. That wouldn’t look good at all.”
The Third Madam suddenly understood. “That makes sense. Of course, someone from the palace would think that far ahead.”
Still, it was unfair to their Mingxi. A mother like Madam Jiang really didn’t deserve her!
But what could be done? She just had that kind of luck.
“So will Eldest Sister-in-law treat Mingxi better from now on?”
“Who knows? We’ll just have to keep an eye on it. The way she handled the recent Jiang family situation wasn’t bad. Let’s see how things go.”
“Pah! The Jiang family really has some nerve. Wanting to make their granddaughter a side consort to Duan Wang? They should think back to how they treated Mingxi before—how dare they even suggest such a thing!”
If it were her, she’d have marched over and given them a few harsh words.
But she wasn’t Madam Jiang, after all.
As they were talking, the corner of her eye caught sight of Mingxi coming out of Rongan Hall. The Third Madam quickly called out, “Mingxi, wait a moment.”
“Third Aunt, what is it?” Mingxi turned back and walked over, bowing politely to the two women.
The Second Madam reached out to help her up. “We were just talking about you—we wanted to ask if your wedding date with Duan Wang is still on track?”
This matter had become almost like a heart demon in the Marquis Manor lately. Duan Wang was still out fighting battles in Yuxiang City, but the wedding was fast approaching.
The Ministry of Rites was still going through the formal procedures, and word had it that people had already entered the Wangye’s residence to repaint and renovate. And yet, the Wangye himself was still thousands of miles away.
How could they not be anxious?
Mingxi didn’t dare give a firm answer. She knew her second and third aunts were genuinely concerned, so she shared a little, “Niang Niang said that if the Wangye’s return is delayed by the war, I shouldn’t worry.”
With those words from Consort Shu, the two ladies finally felt at ease.
The Third Madam grinned. “Who could bear to give up such a good daughter-in-law like our Mingxi?”
Duan Wang being able to hold steady in Yuxiang City—Mingxi had made a huge contribution to that, a full four hundred thousand taels of silver.
Of course, the Duan family must have compensated her.
Though they couldn’t speak openly about matters related to the Duan family, they were aware that Duan Yu had brought his two younger brothers to visit recently.
And since Mingxi hadn’t turned them away, that meant she was open to maintaining ties. In the past, she had been completely unwilling.
This was good. The Duan family might be merchants, but they weren’t ordinary ones. Being on good terms as relatives would benefit both sides.
No reason someone else spends the money and effort, and they treat it like it’s nothing.
The three parted ways at a fork in the road. Mingxi returned to her own courtyard, washed up, changed into comfortable home clothes, and leaned on a bolster to think.
It seemed that for Consort Shu to say such a thing, Xiao Muchen was likely not going to make it back in time—though it still couldn’t be confirmed.
Which meant there was still uncertainty.
And where that uncertainty might come from, was hard to say.
Mingxi thought of the Empress. The Empress had been unusually active lately. She wasn’t sure how Consort Shu was planning to handle the current matter with her father.
She just hated that she was still too weak. Once she was married into the household and could visit the palace frequently, her access to information would improve. Then the Empress wouldn’t be able to scheme against her and her father in silence again.
This time, she wouldn’t swallow the grievance quietly. But how to strike back would depend on how His Majesty decided to handle it.
Xu Donglin’s position was crucial. They had to fully win him over to ensure the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau wouldn’t lean toward the Crown Prince.
