Mingxi returned to the royal residence. No one in the household seemed to think it odd that the Wangfei hadn’t returned home for the night. Fang Mama couldn’t even suppress the smile on her face.
Mingxi casually asked Qiancao and learned that Xiao Muchen had already sent word back to the residence that she had stayed with him last night.
He thought of everything.
Mingxi’s gaze softened subconsciously. Today, she was scheduled to enter the palace to pay respects to Consort Shu.
After changing into formal attire, she took a carriage to the palace.
Consort Shu was delighted to see her, taking her hand and asking how she was adjusting to life in the royal household. Mingxi replied that all was well.
Consort Shu nodded. “You’re in charge of managing the household. With Fang Mama helping you, I’m not worried. If there are any disobedient servants, don’t hesitate to deal with them—you don’t need my permission.”
Mingxi smiled and agreed. She could feel that Consort Shu truly cared for her.
She took out a gift she had prepared. “I heard from Hu Momo that you often suffer from back pain. This is a pain-relieving ointment I had someone specially make. Please give it a try.”
Consort Shu was delighted. “For me? You’re so thoughtful, even more considerate than my own son.”
Hu Momo chimed in cheerfully, “Our Wangfei is so filial. I just mentioned it in passing the other day, and you actually remembered.”
Mingxi smiled, “You treat me like your own daughter, so what I’ve done is nothing compared to your kindness.”
Consort Shu had Hu Momo put the ointment away, then looked at Mingxi fondly. “I liked you from the moment I first saw you—clearly fate brought us together. Not like things over at Consort Xian’s side—it’s a real mess now.”
“Isn’t Consort Xian and Yu Wangfei getting along well now? What happened again?” Mingxi was surprised. Yu Wangfei was only a few months away from giving birth. This wasn’t the time for more trouble.
Yu Wang’s status in the Emperor’s heart had already plummeted. With He Wanyi’s scandal, his ambitions were dashed.
So Mingxi made it a point to stay on good terms with Yu Wangfei. Someday she might even win Yu Wang to their side.
Besides, she and Yu Wangfei were on good personal terms—she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
Consort Shu’s eyes lit up at the question. “It wasn’t Yu Wangfei—it was that side consort from Xingan Marquis’ household who caused trouble.”
“What did she do now?” Mingxi frowned. “I remember she made a scene right after returning to the capital with Yu Wang. Yu Wangfei nearly fell, and it was Consort Xian who sent a stewardess to suppress her.”
“Exactly.” Consort Shu sighed. “Consort Xian is still biased toward her son. Though she gets along with Yu Wangfei, she doesn’t want her son to feel wronged, right? Yu Wangfei is stuck in the middle—of course she’s miserable.”
Mingxi’s face darkened.
Consort Shu quickly added, “Mingxi, don’t worry. If Muchen ever treats you badly, I’ll be the first to take him to task. He was the one who insisted on marrying you, and he promised not to take any concubines for ten years. You can count on me—I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”
Mingxi’s face flushed red, but she responded earnestly, “If you say that, then I’ll take it to heart.”
“Take it to heart—you must,” Consort Shu said. “It’s not easy being a woman. You gave him your heart and spent so much silver even before entering the household. If he turns out ungrateful, even dogs wouldn’t forgive him.”
Mingxi covered her face with a handkerchief. There was no need to insult her son like that…
Seeing her expression, Consort Shu laughed even more. “I know my own son. He’s stubborn and single-minded. Once he sets his sights on something, he won’t change. I just hope you both live happily ever after—and give me a few more grandkids. Then everything will be perfect.”
Mingxi couldn’t handle Consort Shu’s enthusiasm and quickly brought the conversation back. “Royal Mother, so what did He Wanyi do this time?”
“She just found out she’s pregnant and already acting arrogant. As if she’s the only one capable of having children.” Consort Shu sneered.
“She’s pregnant now, so she sees Yu Wangfei’s child as a threat?”
“Exactly. She found out just a few days ago, then went to pay respects to Yu Wangfei and purposely fell right at the entrance—accusing Yu Wangfei of trying to harm her.”
Mingxi: …
“She made such a scene—doesn’t Yu Wang care?” Mingxi really couldn’t figure out what Yu Wang had in that brain of his. Mud?
“Rotten wood can’t be carved. If he had any sense, he wouldn’t have let He Wanyi manipulate him so badly in the first place.” Consort Shu looked at Mingxi. “Let’s see what Consort Xian does. If she can’t protect Yu Wangfei, that baby could be in real danger. It’s the legitimate heir—just thinking about it makes my heart ache.”
Mingxi remained silent, her thoughts drifting from Yu Wangfei to Chu Qingying, unsure of what to say.
Noticing her troubled expression, Consort Shu asked, “What is it? Are you thinking something?”
Mingxi instinctively shook her head, then nodded.
Consort Shu laughed helplessly. “So is that a yes or a no?”
Mingxi smiled a little awkwardly. “I have a decent friendship with Yu Wangfei.”
Consort Shu was momentarily surprised. “I only heard that you’re close with Yu Wangfei’s younger sister.”
Mingxi nodded. “When I first returned to the capital and attended banquets, Second Miss Chu treated me quite kindly.”
“That’s good. It’s just unfortunate the sisters have such poor fates,” Consort Shu sighed and shook her head. The mess that was the Jingyuan Marquis household was known all across the capital.
“You’re right, Royal Mother. Now, Second Miss Chu’s marriage prospects are bleak because of it,” Mingxi said with a sigh.
“With a stepmother like that, and now Xingan Marquis producing someone like He Wanyi… any respectable family would steer clear. It’s a pity about Second Miss Chu,” Consort Shu said with a frown.
“Yu Wang’s reputation in the capital is already tarnished. If I maintain a good relationship with Yu Wangfei, it might still turn into an opportunity in the future,” Mingxi said in a low voice.
Consort Shu’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Mingxi in surprise. She hadn’t expected her to think that far ahead.
She wants to use Yu Wangfei to win Yu Wang over?
Although Yu Wang was useless, having the appearance of sibling unity was important for Duan Wang. Having a brother’s support was vastly different from standing alone.
Consort Shu’s expression turned serious. “If that’s the case, I’ll have to visit Consort Xian myself.”
They had to protect Yu Wangfei and the child in her womb. Only then could they earn her full allegiance.
Mingxi had known Consort Shu was clever. She only hinted slightly, and Consort Shu already knew how best to act. Working with her truly felt smooth and easy.
“You’re always so thoughtful, Royal Mother.”
Consort Shu looked at her. “It’s not hard to protect Yu Wangfei once, but the real challenge is that she lives in Yu Wang’s household, where so much is unpredictable—especially with He Wanyi backed by Xingan Marquis.”
You can be a thief for a thousand days, but you can’t guard against one for a thousand.
“Is there any way to separate them?”
Consort Shu shook her head. “If we did that, how would the royal family save face? It’s not an option. And He Wanyi would definitely refuse to leave. If Yu Wangfei was the one to leave the residence, it would ruin her reputation. Who would ever respect her again?”
