Xiao Muchen pretended not to see Mingxi’s annoyed expression and even started seriously discussing how to sneak in that night.
Mingxi took a deep breath. It’s just a little estate—not a fortress or a volcano. How do you get in?
Jump over the wall, obviously.
Xiao Muchen could tell he was pushing her patience and quickly switched topics to talk about the palace.
That finally got her attention. “How’s Her Majesty doing?”
So much chaos outside the palace—things inside surely weren’t peaceful either.
“Royal Mother misses you and told me to look after you carefully.”
Mingxi went quiet again.
Xiao Muchen gave a light chuckle and looked at her. “Things haven’t been great in the palace lately. Since Yu Wang returned to the capital, Xingan Marquis’s family has been scheming. Yu Wangfei nearly fell the other day. When Consort Xian found out, she was furious and sent her most trusted attendant to help ensure a safe delivery.”
Mingxi frowned. “Yu Wang’s household is in such disarray—just shows how clueless he is.”
“Don’t worry. When it’s our household, nothing like that will happen to trouble you.”
Mingxi snorted. “Even if it does, I’ll make sure she doesn’t walk in alive, much less walk back out. Or, we could change our agreement. Forget about having a legitimate heir—you can take as many concubines as you want.”
“Xixi, don’t joke like that. I always keep my promises.”
Mingxi didn’t say more. Promises were one thing—actions were another.
As dusk fell, You Sanping sent someone to ask about dinner.
Mingxi told the estate to prepare something simple and then turned to Xiao Muchen. “The estate’s pretty rustic. I hope Wangye doesn’t mind.”
“Rustic? It’s nothing compared to the battlefield. I don’t mind, especially if I’m eating with you.”
Mingxi couldn’t even keep a polite smile anymore—she was exhausted.
Xiao Muchen today… it was like he’d bathed his mouth in honey.
When the food arrived, he fell silent.
A whole table of wild game, rich in color, aroma, and taste—this was rustic?
He looked at Mingxi.
Mingxi: …
She said solemnly, “It must be because Steward You saw that you were coming and put together this feast especially.”
Xiao Muchen didn’t believe a word of it. If he had come alone, You Sanping probably would’ve served him nothing but plain vegetables.
Then a jar of wine was brought out. Xiao Muchen picked it up and sniffed it—fruit wine.
Ha.
You Sanping really didn’t like him.
“Ooh? Peach wine?” Mingxi reached out and took the jar from him, sniffing it as well. Then she said, “Back in Jiangcheng, I used to love fruit wine. When I had time, I’d even make my own. This smells like You Sanping’s brew—how rare.”
Then she looked at Xiao Muchen. “Hmph, You Sanping is usually super stingy. I can’t believe he’s being generous with you—he actually brought out his homemade brew. Last time I asked him for a bottle, he said he had none left. So petty.”
Xiao Muchen suddenly lost his appetite—not just for the wine, but for the food, too.
He was fuming!
You Sanping definitely did it on purpose.
Showing off like that—so what if he can brew wine?
I’ll go learn someday soon!
With that thought, Xiao Muchen looked at Duan Mingxi and said, “If you like it, how about you teach me someday, and I’ll brew wine for you to drink?”
“That’ll have to wait until next year,” Mingxi replied with a smile.
She didn’t reject him—so that meant it was a yes.
Xiao Muchen instantly felt much more at ease. “You teach me next year, and I’ll make sure you have wine to drink every year after that.”
Mingxi was caught off guard for a moment, pausing with the wine jug in her hand.
Out of nowhere, she suddenly remembered that back at Duke Gao’s manor, when Gao Zhan found out she liked fruit wine, he had ridiculed her, saying what kind of proper lady would be fond of drinking.
Because of that one comment, she hadn’t touched wine again during all her years at the manor.
Looking back, she truly couldn’t understand it. Her mind must’ve been clogged back then—she’d turned stupid.
Gao Zhan had only ever mocked her.
But Xiao Muchen wanted to brew wine for her with his own hands.
She looked intently at Xiao Muchen, tilted her head slightly, and slowly asked, “Don’t you think it’s improper for a woman to drink?”
“What kind of question is that? If that were true, why do all those noble ladies drink at banquets? Wine is made to be enjoyed—as long as it’s not excessive.” He paused, then added with a smile, “A light buzz is acceptable too.”
He figured Mingxi’s alcohol tolerance probably wasn’t low. If he only let her drink a little, she wouldn’t be satisfied.
Wouldn’t she just call him stingy again?
As he was thinking this, he saw Mingxi smile gently. Her entire demeanor softened, and when she looked at him, her eyes sparkled like stars—bright and radiant.
Being gazed at like that, Xiao Muchen couldn’t help but take her hand again. This time, Mingxi didn’t pull away. Instead, she held his hand in return.
He heard her say, “If Wangye is always this understanding, I think we’ll get along very well after we’re married.”
“Of course,” Xiao Muchen replied.
No mention of breaking the engagement this time. Very good.
Mingxi was in high spirits during the meal. After they finished, seeing the timing was right, she got ready with Xiao Muchen to sneak over and investigate the neighboring estate.
Hearing the commotion, You Sanping came out. Seeing Duan Wang following along, he hesitated, then eventually followed too.
Meeting Duan Wang’s gaze, he kept a straight face and said, “Young Miss told me to keep watch on things.”
Xiao Muchen was about to say something when Mingxi interrupted, “No need. Wangye is with me; he can keep watch.”
Xiao Muchen raised his eyebrows and smiled.
You Sanping’s smile didn’t waver, but he muttered lightly, “So Wangye is just on lookout duty, huh.”
Xiao Muchen: …
“I’ll do as the young miss says and wait here at the manor,” You Sanping added.
Mingxi was adjusting her sleeves and putting away her riding whip. Without even lifting her head, she replied, “No need to wait. Once we’re done over there, we’ll head straight back to the city.” Then she looked at Xiao Muchen. “Let’s go.”
“Alright, let us go.” Xiao Muchen emphasized the us on purpose.
You Sanping: …
Although the two manors were adjacent, there was still a bit of distance between them—not too far, but enough that galloping horses might draw attention. To stay stealthy, they walked their horses over and hid them in a wooded area at the base of the hill before sneaking toward the estate.
The courtyard walls were rather high. Mingxi stepped back a few paces, pushed off with a quick burst, and gracefully flipped up to the wall’s edge, her movements light and agile like a cat.
Xiao Muchen nodded in silent approval, then followed her example, leaping up and crouching beside her. They exchanged a glance, then jumped down together.
The manor was pitch dark. The storeroom they entered had no lights at all—it was rather eerie at night.
“Which way do we go?” Xiao Muchen asked softly.
Mingxi thought for a moment. “Let’s walk along the row of back rooms and check the windows—see if we can find anyone.”
Windows usually meant there’d be light, and even if there wasn’t, if someone was inside, you could hear breathing or movement.
But… it was too quiet here. Something felt off.
