After hearing the advice from someone who often made mistakes herself, Fuchang Marquis Madam took a deep breath and chuckled. She wasn’t someone to make trouble, but she also wasn’t afraid to speak up.
She picked up her wine cup and headed toward the other ladies she usually got along with. People have two faces. If Jin Wangfei dares to act, she shouldn’t be afraid of being talked about.
Deqing Marquis Madam frowned. She usually avoided conflict, but Duan Wangfei had done her family a favor. After hesitating, she also picked up her wine cup and followed Fuchang Marquis Madam.
She wasn’t good with words, but at least she could bolster Fuchang Marquis Madam’s confidence.
Fuchang Marquis Madam knew which noble ladies were on good terms with Mingxi, so she first went to find the wives of Guangxiang Marquis and Duke Rong. As for the second wife of Jingyuan Marquis, it didn’t matter. She was from the same family as Jin Wangfei.
From a distance, Duchess Wei saw her and came over without waiting for a greeting. The two exchanged smiles and walked towards Jin Wangfei.
Meanwhile, Mingxi was looking through the official register of the family that Fang Momo had brought. It seemed like she had no other tasks, so she was spending time getting familiar with the family’s personnel.
But just halfway through, Fang Momo hurriedly entered.
Li Mama and Qiancao were organizing the wedding dress and headpiece. They looked up when they heard the footsteps.
Mingxi put down the register and looked at Fang Momo, asking, “What is it, Fang Momo?”
Fang Momo had a strange look on her face as she replied, “Wangfei, Fuchang Marquis Madam and the others are busy offering drinks to Jin Wangfei, one cup after another, trying to get her drunk.”
Mingxi’s brow twitched. “Why?”
“After listening carefully to their words, it seems they mentioned Wangfei and questioned why Jin Wangfei, as the elder sister-in-law, didn’t come to the bridal chamber to accompany you.”
Mingxi: …
They were defending her.
Fang Momo hadn’t expected that, although Jin Wangfei had slighted Mingxi, some noble ladies were standing up for her and causing trouble for Jin Wangfei.
She felt both happy and worried, so she came to report the news.
Mingxi remained silent for a moment, feeling complex emotions. She hadn’t expected them to stand up for her, even using the opportunity of toasts to highlight the right and wrong of the situation.
“Please inform them that I am unable to offer drinks today. Please tell them to enjoy themselves and not to be upset over trivial matters. As long as everyone is happy, that’s enough.”
Fang Momo pondered the meaning of “enjoying themselves.” Was it about continuing to make things difficult for Jin Wangfei, or was it an end to the matter?
Fang Momo wasn’t yet familiar with Duan Wangfei, so she didn’t probe too deeply. After leaving the room, she beckoned to Li Mama.
Li Mama followed her out and smiled as she asked, “Fang Momo, is there something you need?”
“Li Mama, you’ve been by Wangfei’s side for many years. I wanted to ask for your insight—what exactly did Wangfei mean by her earlier words? I’ll be passing on a message to the front, and it’s best to have a clear understanding so I don’t misinterpret her intentions and cause trouble for our mistress.”
Li Mama was a little surprised by Fang Momo’s caution and thoughtfulness, but quickly responded, “Our young lady has always been a generous person, and besides, today is a day of celebration—it wouldn’t do to make too much of things.”
Understood.
Fang Momo thanked her and turned to leave without delay.
Back inside, Li Mama reported the conversation and couldn’t help but praise her, “Fang Momo is very considerate, Miss. You truly married the right man.”
Mingxi smiled at the comment. Yes, she had chosen this person herself in this lifetime—of course, she wouldn’t choose wrong.
Seeing the Wangfei smile, Li Mama then asked, “Miss… oh, I suppose I must correct myself now. Wangfei, why did you let Jin Wangfei off so easily after she tried to embarrass you? Wouldn’t it have been better to make her lose face in front of everyone?”
“Hasn’t she already lost enough face?” Mingxi chuckled. “The more generous I appear, the more wretched she seems. Sure, it’s satisfying to kick someone when they’re down, but it could tarnish my reputation. She’s not important enough to be worth that risk.”
Li Mama thought for a moment and agreed. “Wangfei is wise, as always.”
Oh heavens—did that mean that, in Wangfei’s eyes, Jin Wangfei wasn’t even worth considering?
Why did that feel so satisfying?
It just meant their young miss had grown so much more confident.
Mingxi looked up and gazed around the room, now bathed in opulence and flickering red light. Seeing the joyful faces of Li Mama, Qiancao, and Xiangxiang, it was a scene completely different from her past life.
She was truly happy now.
Life would only get better from here, so long as she could let go when needed and not trap herself in foolish decisions again.
Just then, the sound of footsteps came from outside—steady, a bit heavy. The room immediately fell quiet.
Qiancao and Xiangxiang exchanged a look and quietly slipped out to guard the door. Li Mama also smiled and exited the room.
Duan Mingxi remained seated, unmoving. A moment later, the door creaked open and a tall figure stepped inside. Warm air followed in his wake, red light flickering against the shifting shadows.
Xiao Muchen stopped in front of Mingxi.
She slowly rose to her feet and glanced up at him. He stood backlit, his deep eyes fixed on her.
For some reason, Mingxi’s heart suddenly began to race. A strong scent of alcohol wafted toward her.
She frowned slightly.
Xiao Muchen scanned her expression, gave a soft chuckle, and gently pressed her back down into her seat. In a low voice, he said, “I’ll go freshen up first.”
Mingxi: …
She hadn’t meant to show disdain, but the strong smell of alcohol really wasn’t pleasant.
Seeing how self-aware he was, Mingxi didn’t stop him and simply instructed the servants to prepare water for him.
Xiao Muchen went into the cleansing room, and Li Mama quickly entered the bedroom to prepare the bed, tidying up the scattered lotus seeds and peanuts, smiling as she went back out.
Mingxi’s cheeks flushed with heat.
Though she had been married in her previous life, she had never shared a bed with Gao Zhan. So this was truly her first wedding night experience.
She tried to pick up the registry again and keep reading, but found it impossible to calm herself. With a sigh, she tossed it aside.
Soon, sounds came from the bathing room. Mingxi looked up and saw Xiao Muchen walking in, having changed out of his bright red wedding robes and now dressed in a simple, casual inner robe.
The white collar of his robe was slightly open, revealing a lean, muscular chest. Mingxi immediately looked away as though she’d been scalded.
Xiao Muchen noticed and chuckled softly. He strode over and, before she could react, scooped her up in his arms and carried her straight into the bedroom.
Mingxi instinctively struggled but quickly remembered something and stopped moving.
They had agreed beforehand—he would not take any concubines for ten years, and in return, she was to fulfill her duties as a wife.
Xiao Muchen gently placed her on the soft brocade mattress. With a wave of his hand, the red, gold-threaded wedding canopy fell, blocking out the room’s light.
Looking at Mingxi’s nervous and stiff posture, Xiao Muchen couldn’t help but laugh. He pulled her into his arms with a sigh. “At last, I’ve married you.”
Mingxi: …
Oddly enough, those words washed away much of her anxiety. She relaxed and leaned into his embrace, showing that she accepted and was willing to uphold their original agreement.
She truly meant to honor their deal.
“Xixi, are you happy today?” he asked softly.
“Of course I am,” Mingxi replied, puzzled as to why he would even ask. Everything was going according to plan—why wouldn’t she be happy?
Xiao Muchen gazed at her steady, matter-of-fact eyes and sighed inwardly. This block of wood—who knew when she’d finally understand?
