Today was Duan Wang’s wedding day. According to tradition, both the Crown Princess and Yu Wangfei should have attended, but as both were pregnant, they couldn’t come.
So Jin Wangfei came alone—but her relationship with Duan Mingxi wasn’t close. She didn’t want to “lend face” to Mingxi, and thus remained in the main hall the entire time, never even showing her face in the bridal chamber.
Xu Nanxi was clearly unhappy, but given that it was her cousin’s big day, she forced herself to swallow her temper and asked her sister-in-law, Madam Wang, to liven up the mood instead.
This was Madam Wang’s first time meeting Duan Mingxi. At the birthday banquet of the Old Madam of Duke Wei’s residence, Mingxi had been a guest while Madam Wang, as the daughter-in-law, had been busy with hosting duties. Later, when Mingxi had a falling out with the Duke Wei’s wife, she left before they could even meet.
Knowing that her mother-in-law had handled things poorly, Madam Wang was not pleased either. So today, she made an extra effort. As soon as her sister-in-law asked, she readily agreed.
Once Mingxi had been escorted into the bridal chamber, Madam Wang immediately instructed the attendants to prepare for the unveiling of the bridal veil.
With Madam Wang keeping things lively, the bridal chamber soon buzzed with excitement. Everyone was shouting for Duan Wang to unveil the bride.
Mingxi could hear Xu Nanxi laughing so cheerfully and urging another young woman—calling her “sister-in-law” again and again—so she knew that was Madam Wang.
Amidst all the cheerful commotion, Xiao Muchen finally picked up the gold scale on the tray and lifted her veil.
Mingxi felt her vision brighten—her bridal veil had disappeared.
“The bride is so beautiful.”
Someone suddenly shouted, and everyone laughed kindly.
Mingxi raised her head slightly and accidentally made eye contact with Xiao Muchen. She quickly looked away, lowering her gaze.
The matchmaker walked over with a tray and loudly said, “The bride and groom will drink the wine of unity.”
Each of them picked up a cup of wine, their arms intertwined, and they drank it in one go.
Once the unity wine was finished, someone shouted for the bridal chamber to be disrupted, but Xu Nanxi was unwilling to let her sister-in-law be rushed out.
Mingxi couldn’t help but laugh when she saw the situation, and Xiao Muchen also smiled.
Soon, the room quieted down. He sat beside Mingxi and softly said to her, “The maid is here. If you need anything, just tell her. I have to go and entertain the guests; I might be a bit late to return.”
“Relax and take care of yourself, no need to feel constrained. Everything in the back garden of the entire palace will be under your command. Don’t worry.”
Mingxi: …
“Oh dear, my good Wangye, the guests outside are urging you, please go handle it. I’ll make sure Wangfei enjoys herself,” Fang Momo, couldn’t listen any longer and hurriedly came in to usher him out.
She had always known Wangye had fallen for Wangfei at first sight, but she had never seen him this talkative.
Having a wife really does change things.
Wangye was driven out by Fang Momo, and Mingxi watched him leave with a helpless look, unknowingly smiling herself.
“Old servant greets Wangfei.”
Mingxi looked up, smiling as she said, “You must be Fang Momo, right? Please rise.”
Qiancao quickly stepped forward to help Fang Momo up.
Fang Momo stood up, smiling as she said, “Yes, it’s me. I’ve heard my husband speak of you, Wangfei. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you today.”
Mingxi could feel Fang Momo’s kindness and smiled, “Did Uncle Fang mention me? I appreciate your thoughts.”
Fang Momo was the royal nursemaid to Duan Wang, a special position, and Mingxi could feel her warmth, which made her appreciate the woman even more.
Fang Momo looked at Wangfei’s beauty and inwardly praised her, no wonder Wangye had fallen for her at first sight. A stunning beauty like her was enough to make anyone adore her, even just with a glance.
Moreover, Wangfei was so good to their Wangye, making Fang Momo respect her even more.
“Princess, Wangye may be occupied for a while. How about I help you change into some comfortable clothes and remove your phoenix crown?”
Wearing such heavy royal attire must be tiring.
Mingxi naturally agreed, and as she listened to Fang Momo, someone brought water to the cleansing room, and Fang Momo carefully removed the crown from her head, then helped her carefully take off the wedding dress and hang it up.
Mingxi immediately felt lighter.
Qiancao went to fetch the prepared daily attire, which was a bright red dress embroidered with flowers, very festive.
Fang Momo led her to the cleansing room, and when Mingxi came out after washing, the table outside was already set with food. Xu Nanxi, with an unfamiliar woman, was waiting for her.
Seeing her come out, Xu Nanxi immediately stood up to greet her. “Mingxi, let me introduce you. This is my sister-in-law, my real sister.”
Madam Wang smiled awkwardly at her sister-in-law, then stepped forward and bowed slightly, “This humble wife greets Wangfei.”
Mingxi raised her hand to support Madam Wang. “We’re family. You don’t need to stand on ceremony, sister-in-law.”
Madam Wang felt warm upon hearing Mingxi’s words, especially since her mother-in-law hadn’t made things difficult for her. She immediately smiled and said, “Wangye was worried Wangfei might feel lonely here, so he specially asked Nanxi and me to accompany you.”
Mingxi didn’t expect this was Xiao Muchen’s idea. She smiled awkwardly in response.
Madam Wang quickly invited Mingxi to sit down, serving her a bowl of fresh bamboo shoot chicken soup with great care. “Wangfei, please have some soup first.”
Mingxi thanked her and invited Madam Wang to sit. She then glanced at Xu Nanxi, who also sat down beside her and said, “Cousin allowed Uncle Fang to return. See if this taste seems familiar to you?”
Mingxi: …
She didn’t expect Xiao Muchen to have Uncle Fang return just to cook for her. The moment the soup touched her lips, she recognized it was Uncle Fang’s cooking.
Mingxi, for the first time in a long while, felt her heart warm up. The smallest gestures showed the true care someone has for you.
“I didn’t expect Wangye had Uncle Fang return today,” Mingxi said.
At that moment, Fang Momo came in, hearing Mingxi’s words, she laughed and said, “It’s a great blessing for him to return just for a cup of Wangye’s wedding wine.”
Fang Momo placed the last dish on the table, serving Mingxi and arranging her food. After she finished, Mingxi said, “Thank you, Fang Momo. You can rest now. I’ll talk to my sister-in-law and Nanxi.”
Fang Momo, though unable to rest, didn’t insist and replied, “I’ll go out to check on the people you brought and make sure they eat their meals.”
Mingxi immediately looked toward Qiancao. “Go with Fang Momo.”
Qiancao bowed and followed Fang Momo out.
After they left, Xu Nanxi spoke again, “Mingxi…”
Madam Wang gently stepped on her sister-in-law’s foot, reminding her that things were different now and the address should be changed.
Xu Nanxi, stunned, turned to her sister-in-law, “What’s wrong?”
Madam Wang: …
Madam Wang forced a smile and said to her sister-in-law, “Wangfei has entered the family. Shouldn’t you change how you address her?”
It was all about showing respect.
Even among close relatives, Wangye was a dragon’s son, and his position came before all.
Xu Nanxi immediately understood and said, “It’s my mistake.” Then, he raised the wine jug, pouring a cup, and looked at Mingxi, saying, “Sister-in-law, let me drink a cup as punishment.”
Mingxi looked deeply at Madam Wang, thinking that this woman was much smarter than the Duke Wei. She liked dealing with intelligent people.
