At this moment, Jin Wangfei could no longer sit still. She immediately spoke up: “Yesterday, I wasn’t feeling well, and both the Crown Princess and Second Sister-in-law couldn’t attend either. It wouldn’t have been right for me not to show my face as well, but I was also worried that my health might cause some mishap in the bridal chamber. That’s why I didn’t go. It’s my fault for not making things clearer. I didn’t expect Fourth Sister-in-law to care so much. Had I known, I would have made the trip no matter what.”
Her words swept both the Crown Princess and Yu Wangfei into the water with one stick, while subtly implying that Duan Mingxi was petty and narrow-minded. A masterful use of verbal tai chi.
No wonder the Empress favored her—compared to He Wanyi, she was far more formidable.
Bai Shixi, suppressing her physical discomfort, looked up at Jin Wangfei and slowly said, her tone neither cold nor warm:
“Big Sister-in-law, your words are rather unfair. If Second Sister-in-law and I were both healthy and not pregnant, we surely would have gone to share in Fourth Sister-in-law’s joy. It’s not that we didn’t want to go, but with the grand wedding at Duan Wang’s residence, two pregnant women showing up might have caused inconvenience. It’s their wedding, yet our presence could’ve stolen the spotlight. That simply wouldn’t do.”
Though Yu Wangfei wasn’t especially close with the Crown Princess, she immediately chimed in to echo her words: “The Crown Princess is right. How you choose to act is your business, Big Sister-in-law, but neither of us holds any grudge toward Fourth Sister-in-law.”
Her words were even more blunt—she gave Jin Wangfei no face at all.
Yu Wang looked back and forth between his wangfei and his mother, thoroughly confused. Something was definitely off—his wangfei was acting completely unlike her usual self today.
What was going on?
Why did it seem like everyone was suddenly rallying behind Duan Mingxi, as if they were all under some kind of spell?
Still reeling in confusion, Yu Wang had no idea what to make of the situation. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince and Jin Wang sat in silence—one calm and unreadable, the other visibly fuming but struggling to maintain composure, clearly weighing his next move to salvage the moment.
At that moment, Consort Shu, who had remained silent until now, glanced at the equally quiet Consort Gui.
Consort Gui: …
What are you looking at?
This daughter-in-law has never been on the same side as her, and she’s been annoyed by her for a long time, but she can’t divorce her.
When Consort Shu turned her gaze towards Consort Gui, she couldn’t pretend to be deaf or mute anymore. Looking at Jin Wangfei, she scolded, “As the eldest sister-in-law, even if you’re feeling a little unwell, you should not lose your manners. This is a once-in-a-lifetime joyous occasion for your Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law. If you were feeling unwell, you should have mentioned it earlier.”
“You were at fault first, so you should apologize to your Fourth Brother and Sister-in-law. Fortunately, your Fourth Sister-in-law is a generous person and probably won’t hold it against you.”
These words, though wrapped in indirect reproach, made Jin Wangfei blush red with shame. Her anger was barely contained, and she couldn’t oppose the Consort. As she glanced sideways at the Empress, she realized the Empress wouldn’t speak up for her.
Taking a deep breath, Jin Wangfei rose and flashed a polite smile at Duan Wang and Mingxi. “This matter was my oversight. I’ve caused Fourth Sister-in-law to feel wronged.”
Duan Wang, clearly displeased with Jin Wangfei’s apology, furrowed his brows.
Duan Mingxi, noticing this, lightly tugged on Xiao Muchen’s sleeve. She turned to Jin Wangfei with a soft smile and said, “Sister-in-law, what you said is unnecessary. Everyone gets sick from time to time. But Sister-in-law is so young and often feeling unwell. Please don’t avoid seeing a doctor. It’s better to get checked early.”
Jin Wangfei: …
She gritted her teeth and said, “Thank you for your concern, Fourth Sister-in-law. But it’s just once in a while.”
Duan Mingxi gave a gentle smile and quietly resumed eating beside Duan Wang, not saying anything further.
Consort Shu observed Mingxi and noted how reserved she was today.
However, she understood. On such a joyous day, how could they let small-minded people ruin the mood? It wasn’t worth it!
Thinking this, Consort Shu felt that Mingxi was graceful and composed, and she liked her more and more.
Such a wonderful daughter-in-law was in her hands. How beautiful.
The afternoon banquet was held at the Kunde Palace. Unexpectedly, the Emperor sent over some dishes, and aside from the Empress and the concubines, only the Crown Princess and Mingxi received special dishes.
Yu Wangfei didn’t care at all. Ever since Yu Wang had been sent away, the Emperor had grown quite displeased with him. She was dragged down with her husband and received no special dishes. If people discussed it, they would only say she was pitiful.
But so what? Living well was already a blessing.
Jin Wangfei was different. After being forced to apologize, now she had received another slap in the face.
As the eldest sister-in-law, she didn’t receive a special dish. This showed her status in the Emperor’s eyes!
The Crown Princess was favored because of the Crown Prince.
And Mingxi? She came from a merchant family!
Jin Wangfei couldn’t swallow her food. But in front of so many people, she still had to maintain a smile and couldn’t show any dissatisfaction with the Emperor’s favor.
Xiao Muchen placed some of Mingxi’s favorite food in her bowl. Mingxi shot him a look, as if asking him to calm down.
Duan Wang didn’t mind, but still, he couldn’t hold back.
He personally served her a bowl of soup. Though he said nothing, his gaze was fixed on her, and it felt as though he had said a thousand words.
Mingxi tightened her grip on her chopsticks. At this moment, she couldn’t tell if Xiao Muchen was acting or sincere. If he was acting, it was too much. But if he was being genuine…
She didn’t feel like she could handle it.
After everything she’d been through in her previous life, love and affection weren’t important to her anymore, nor did she dare to get involved.
But she couldn’t let Xiao Muchen lose face. She cooperated and made an apologetic expression before lowering her head to focus on eating.
Jin Wangfei couldn’t stand watching this and felt even more uneasy.
What qualifications did Mingxi have to receive such favor from Duan Wang, a man of his temperament?
Bai Shixi watched from the side, a hint of envy in her eyes, but it quickly faded.
Someone as good as Mingxi deserved Duan Wang’s affection.
Unlike her, someone who had always struggled in the mud, and now, as the Crown Princess, pregnant with a son, as long as the baby was born smoothly, her future would be secure.
The most composed of them all was Yu Wangfei.
Her husband was unreliable, her family was unreliable, but Mingxi had helped her in many ways, both openly and secretly. She genuinely hoped Mingxi would live well. And now that Duan Wang treated her this way, she was genuinely happy for her.
While everyone’s thoughts were elsewhere during the meal, the Emperor wasn’t there, and the Empress didn’t have the energy to maintain her virtuous demeanor. Once the meal was over, she dismissed everyone.
Consort De’s daughter-in-law hadn’t entered the palace yet, and Qi Wang and Kang Wang were unusually quiet today, with almost no presence.
Kang Wang’s silence was due to Qian Jieyu, but Qi Wang’s unusual quietness was strange.
After everyone left, the Empress looked at the Crown Princess and, in a calm tone, said, “It seems your complexion isn’t great either. You should return to the Eastern Palace and rest.”
“Thank you, Royal Mother. I’ll take my leave now.” Bai Shixi knew the Empress was sending her away so she could speak privately with the Crown Prince, and she left without hesitation.
