“If that were the case, then that day in the Eastern Palace, she wouldn’t have helped me,” Mingxi said, tilting her head up to look at the ceiling above. The crown princess’s interests were tightly bound to the crown prince’s.
Xiao Muchen smiled at her words. “That does make some sense.”
Just then, a maid came in to invite them to dinner.
Xiao Muchen stood up and gently helped Mingxi to her feet, casually tidying her cloud-like hair.
Mingxi stood still for a moment, raising her hand before slowly letting it fall back down.
She looked at Xiao Muchen. When he gazed at her, his eyes were soft, his movements gentle—there wasn’t the slightest trace of impatience.
She slightly lowered her head and walked out with him by her side.
Outside, Li Mama and Fang Momo had already instructed the maids to set the table. As the two sat down, Fang Momo stepped forward, ready to serve.
Xiao Muchen looked at her and said, “You all may leave.”
Fang Momo froze for a moment, then her face lit up with joy. She quickly pulled Li Mama along to bow and left the room.
Mingxi glanced at Xiao Muchen, then casually picked up a spoon and ladled a bowl of congee for him, placing it in front of him. She spoke gently, “I asked the kitchen to make some of the dishes you usually like. There are also a couple from Jiangcheng—try them and see if you like them.”
Xiao Muchen looked at the bowl of congee in front of him, then watched as Mingxi served herself a bowl. He reached for his chopsticks and picked up a piece of stuffed tofu, placing it into her bowl.
Mingxi glanced down at it and smiled.
Xiao Muchen smiled as well, and the two quietly continued their meal. After finishing a bowl of congee, Xiao Muchen spoke again. “Tomorrow is the return visit. The return gifts are already prepared—have you seen the gift list?”
“Fang Momo showed it to me,” Mingxi nodded. “It’s very generous. You’ve been thoughtful, Wangye.”
“There’s no need for such formality between husband and wife,” he replied.
Mingxi was momentarily at a loss for how to respond. She had no experience with a proper marital relationship. Her memories were filled with Gao Zhan’s indifference and disregard, and with Duchess Gao’s meanness and greed.
Now that someone treated her with such genuine respect, she didn’t quite know how to respond.
Her slight hesitation didn’t go unnoticed—Xiao Muchen gave her a thoughtful glance.
Mingxi felt his gaze and looked up at him. Their eyes met.
Perhaps the confusion in Xiao Muchen’s eyes was too obvious, and Mingxi couldn’t help but laugh softly to herself. She had gotten lost in her own thoughts—how could she drag Xiao Muchen into her past burdens?
She had already escaped. She was a new version of herself now.
“You’re right, Wangye,” Mingxi said, steadying her mindset.
She didn’t know yet how to be a proper wife—but she was willing to learn.
No matter how long this marriage lasts, since Xiao Muchen treats her with such sincerity, she should respond in kind.
Xiao Muchen was not Gao Zhan.
At the very least, during these ten years, she should live up to the kindness he has shown her. Whether that kindness is genuine or partly false, at the very least, it brings her joy and happiness.
And that is enough.
Xiao Muchen didn’t know what Mingxi was thinking, but when he saw the change in her expression, the look in her eyes as she looked at him, he couldn’t help but smile gently.
If someone had told him two years ago that he’d be emotionally swayed by a woman, he would have laughed it off as nonsense.
Even now, he didn’t quite know whether his feelings for Duan Mingxi could be called love.
But seeing her made him happy—that joy came from deep within his heart.
After the meal, Qi He delivered a message.
Mingxi looked at him. “If there’s something important, go ahead and attend to it.”
Xiao Muchen glanced at Mingxi when he heard that. “It’s probably about Qiao Yu.”
Mingxi paused mid-step.
“Come with me and listen in,” Xiao Muchen said, taking Mingxi’s hand and walking out.
Mingxi hesitated only for a moment before decisively following.
First, because she truly did want to know what was going on with Qiao Yu. Second, she wasn’t a caged bird—just because she had married Xiao Muchen didn’t mean her wings had to be clipped.
This was a realization she had traded her life for in her previous lifetime.
Since Xiao Muchen was willing to bring her along, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to refuse.
Fang Momo watched the two walk out hand in hand, her face wrinkled in a smile as she said to Li Mama, “Wangfei really has a fine temperament.”
“Look how much Wangye treasures her—he’s even bringing her to the study.”
Wangye’s study was a place even she wouldn’t dare enter lightly.
But Wangfei had only just entered the household for one day, and Wangye was already personally escorting her there.
Li Mama was also pleased. Wangye holding Wangfei in such high regard was naturally a good thing. Because of this, she didn’t grow arrogant about being close to Wangfei. On the contrary, she treated Fang Momo with even more respect.
As the couple walked toward the front study, Xiao Muchen chatted with Mingxi about the layout of the residence. With a smile, he asked, “If you like, I can assign you a study in the front courtyard. Or, if you don’t mind the inconvenience, you can just use mine.”
Mingxi shook her head. “I’ve set up a room in the back courtyard. I won’t come to the front. It’s also more convenient to handle things in the back—less hassle than running back and forth.”
The front courtyard was always bustling. Handling matters there wasn’t as discreet or smooth as in the back courtyard.
Also, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to use Xiao Muchen’s study—she just didn’t want the subordinates of Duan Wang to get any funny ideas. If he gained a reputation for being overly distracted by women, how would that benefit him?
“Do as you like—wherever you’re most comfortable,” Xiao Muchen replied with a hint of regret.
Mingxi looked up at him. What did that look in his eyes mean?
Outside the study courtyard stood a line of palace attendants. As soon as Miao Sheng spotted the two of them, he stepped forward to greet them. “This servant greets Wangye, Wangfei.”
“You may rise. Where’s Qi He?”
“Lord Qi is waiting in the study.” Miao Sheng was surprised to see Wangfei with Wangye but quickly masked it with a wide smile and led the way.
All the attendants kept their heads lowered and didn’t even dare to breathe loudly. They were all surprised—His Highness clearly held the new Wangfei in very high regard.
It seemed Wangfei truly held an important place in His Highness’s heart.
They would need to show her even greater respect in the future.
The two entered the study together. Qi He was a little surprised to see both of them, but then again, it somehow felt perfectly natural. “Subordinate greets Wangye, Wangfei.”
Xiao Muchen led Mingxi to a seat before turning to Qi He and asking, “What news from the Duke Wei?”
Qi He answered without hesitation, unfazed by Wangfei’s presence. No one knew better than he did how much Wangye valued her.
“Word from Duke Wei is that the evidence is ready. Tomorrow, a censor will submit an impeachment against Wang Mingcheng. Two people from the Eastern Palace have already been removed in succession. If Wang Mingcheng can’t be saved, the Crown Prince’s authority will take a serious hit,” Qi He reported.
Mingxi listened quietly without speaking. Xiao Muchen had already told her earlier that Duke Wei hadn’t made his final move yet—she just hadn’t expected it to come so soon.
“Leak the news to Jin Wang and Qi Wang,” Xiao Muchen said slowly.
Qi He immediately nodded. “Lately, Qi Wang has been meeting frequently with Xingqin Marquis in secret. He’s been making lots of moves in the shadows. I fear he’s waiting to benefit from the conflict. Your Highness should be cautious.”
“Xingqin Marquis is not worth worrying about. But do keep an eye on Duke Rong’s household,” Xiao Muchen added.
At the mention of Duke Rong’s household, Mingxi immediately thought of Liu Yunhua and Xiao Yan. Yesterday in the palace, she hadn’t seen Ning Qin Wangfei. By right, she should have been there.
Why hadn’t she appeared?
