Mingxi sidestepped slightly and grabbed Xiao Muchen, surprised, “Wangye, what’s the matter?”
Xiao Muchen had been lost in thought and didn’t notice her at first. Now pulled back to reality, he quickly looked her over. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. What’s wrong with you?”
“The Ministry of Revenue,” he said shortly. “Where are you off to?”
“Into the palace to visit Royal Mother,” Mingxi replied.
“At this hour?” Xiao Muchen looked at her. “Something wrong?”
Mingxi nodded and pulled him aside to quietly explain the truth about the engagement between Zhenbei Wang’s residence and Duke Cao’s residence.
Xiao Muchen’s eyes gleamed with scorn. “Duke Cao has relied on the Empress all his life, and all he’s learned are these disgraceful, underhanded women tricks.”
Mingxi shot him a look.
Xiao Muchen quickly added, “Of course, you’re not like them.”
“How am I not? I’m a woman too!”
“Okay, okay—I misspoke.” Xiao Muchen chuckled bitterly, taking her hand and softening his tone. “Don’t be mad. You know I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Of course I know. If you really meant it, I’d be teaching you a lesson right now,” Mingxi said with a smile.
Xiao Muchen’s frustration eased slightly. He looked at her more tenderly. “You’re hoping to get the message to Royal Father through Royal Mother?”
Mingxi nodded. “The Emperor must know about this. It doesn’t have to be Royal Mother who delivers the message herself.”
As long as the gossip spread through the harem, it would eventually reach the Emperor’s ears.
Xiao Muchen looked at Mingxi and said, “If that’s the case, let me handle this matter. It might not be necessary to go through the inner palace.”
“You’re worried it might implicate Royal Mother?” Mingxi asked as she looked at him.
Xiao Muchen pulled her along toward the study and said as they walked, “If you enter the palace now, and the Empress investigates afterward, she’ll definitely become suspicious of you. Royal Mother has always been cautious in her actions—she won’t be a problem.”
Mingxi looked at him and asked, “Then what do you plan to do?”
Xiao Muchen replied, “Duke Wei has already pinned down Wang Mingcheng. What’s left is just the final blow.”
“You want to use Wang Mingcheng’s mouth? But he’s the Crown Prince’s man—why would he do such a thing?” Mingxi asked in confusion.
“Everything depends on human effort. As long as it’s a person, there’s always a weakness.” Xiao Muchen tilted his head and looked up at the stars. “The Crown Prince, as the heir apparent, has all the advantages of timing, location, and support. Yet he repeatedly strikes at us. I know you’ve endured a lot.”
Mingxi smiled. “It’s just the limitations of status—nothing can be done about it. But the Crown Prince hasn’t gained much, either. We might look like we’ve suffered some losses, but overall, we’ve managed to maintain a rough balance.”
Here, she paused slightly, then looked up at Xiao Muchen seriously. “What matters most is that His Majesty has already begun to feel distrust toward the Crown Prince. That gives us more room to maneuver—and that’s the best news of all.”
It didn’t matter that the Crown Prince was the heir. What mattered was the Emperor’s favor and protection. It was that protection that had restrained Xiao Muchen’s actions.
But now, things were starting to change. Though the change was subtle, it meant their efforts were making a difference.
Xiao Muchen nodded slightly, his dark eyes gazing into the distance. After a long while, he said, “If he were truly a worthy Crown Prince, I wouldn’t insist on challenging him.”
Mingxi glanced at him, thinking: That’s probably not true.
In her past life, without her, hadn’t the brothers still fought?
Only this time, because of Gan Li’s drowning incident, fate had pulled her into their power struggle—leaving her with an unwanted reputation.
“To live well, one always has to fight a little.” Mingxi smiled. “Then I’ll leave this matter to you, Wangye.”
“Alright. You go rest. I’ll go see Duke Wei.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
Mingxi walked Xiao Muchen to the gates of the palace. Xiao Muchen mounted his horse, then turned back to look at her. Suddenly, he smiled brightly, and only then did he ride away.
Mingxi also smiled. Though she hadn’t been in a good mood, she suddenly felt less weighed down.
After sending off Xiao Muchen, Mingxi returned to the rear courtyard. Fang Momo entered, carrying a stack of invitations.
“Wangfei, these are invitations from various households in the capital. Please have a look.”
Fang Momo placed the stack of invitations on the table and said slowly, “Please let me know which ones you’d like to attend, so I can start preparing.”
Mingxi flipped through the invitations and, without lifting her head, said, “I’ve only just married into the family. I can’t go parading around. Just politely decline them all.”
Among them were quite a few from the Empress’s faction, with many dates falling close together. If she attended them all, it wouldn’t be long before gossip would spread that she’d grown arrogant with sudden favor.
This kind of flattery used as a trap—she wasn’t naive. It could only fool some ignorant debutantes.
“How is it parading around?” Fang Momo disagreed. “Having the Wangfei as a guest is their honor—they’d be thrilled.”
Mingxi smiled at her. “It’s only because you’re the one saying this. If anyone else had said it, I’d suspect they’d been bribed.”
Fang Momo couldn’t help but laugh. “This old servant knows Wangfei is cautious and doesn’t want to cause trouble for Wangye. But you don’t need to worry so much. You are the wife of a royal prince, recorded on the imperial family’s jade register. As long as you don’t break the law, who dares speak out?”
“You’ve got a point,” Mingxi nodded with a smile.
Fang Momo saw that the Wangfei was receptive and was pleased. She gathered up all the invitations again. “If you don’t want to go, then don’t go. Just because they sent an invitation doesn’t mean you have to attend.”
Mingxi couldn’t help but laugh. Being protected like this really was a pleasant thing.
Fang Momo left with the invitations but soon returned.
“Wangfei, Qi Wang’s wedding is coming up. You’ll definitely need to attend, so we should begin preparing clothes and jewelry.”
Hearing this reminded Mingxi of Jin Wangfei. Meeting her again in the bridal chambers of Qi Wangfei was sure to be quite a sight.
Just then, Qiancao lifted the curtain and entered. After saluting the Wangfei, she turned to greet Fang Momo, then said, “Wangfei, Steward You has sent word—he wishes to see you.”
You Sanping?
Mingxi immediately said, “Have him wait in the hall.”
Then she went into the inner chamber. Dressed in casual clothes, it wasn’t appropriate to meet guests, so she changed outfits. When she came out, Fang Momo was already gone. As she walked out, she asked, “Did Steward You say what it was about?”
“No, but judging by his expression, it looks urgent.”
Mingxi passed through the decorated gate and headed to the flower hall. Miao Sheng had already brought tea. Upon seeing her, he bowed.
You Sanping stood up at the sound of her footsteps and saw Mingxi stride in.
She looked just as before—but somehow different.
The royal estate was deep and solemn—nothing like the freedom outside.
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