Mingxi nodded slightly. “Then it really is difficult.”
“It’s not impossible though,” Consort Shu’s eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness. “You leave this matter alone—I’ll discuss it with Consort Xian.”
“Yes, I’ll follow your lead.”
“Good girl!” Consort Shu patted Mingxi’s hand. “Right now, every move you make is being watched. You must be extremely careful. If you interfere with Yu Wang’s affairs and someone reports it to His Majesty, it won’t be good for you.
Besides, you’re still young—there’s no need to dirty your hands with this. With me here, why should you get involved? Someone like He Wanyi… does she even deserve that?”
Mingxi: …
How could Consort Shu see her in such a good light in every way? Everything she said showed how deeply she cared for her, like a daughter.
Mingxi thought again of Xiao Muchen and smiled softly to herself. Maybe it was because her past life had been too bitter that she was blessed with such fortune in this one.
Consort Shu had Mingxi stay for a meal in the palace. When Xiao Muchen heard, he came too, only to be scolded by Consort Shu for freeloading.
After the meal, she sent them out of the palace and then went straight to Consort Xian’s for tea.
Consort Xian had been about to take a nap, but with Consort Shu’s arrival, she gave up on that idea, and the two of them headed to a small sitting room for tea.
Consort Xian had a visible greenish bruise on her face. Consort Shu didn’t mince words. “Dealing with someone that troublesome, your face is starting to show it.”
Consort Xian said wearily, “If I had your good fortune, I’d be smiling in my sleep.”
Back when she chose Duan Mingxi as her daughter-in-law, people had mocked her.
Raised in a merchant’s family—how good could she be?
But now… she only felt thoroughly slapped in the face.
“What’s the use of envying me? We’ve been friends for so many years, so I’ll give you a word of advice: Yu Wangfei is only a few months away from giving birth.”
Consort Xian frowned. “I’ve already sent another trusted house matron over.”
“That’s actually not a bad move,” Consort Shu nodded.
Hearing this, Consort Xian relaxed a bit. “You think so too?”
“For most people, yes, it’s a good plan.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You’ve forgotten how He Wanyi managed to become Yu Wang’s side consort? She’s ruthless and shameless. Who knows what she might do?”
Consort Xian nearly choked. “Can’t you speak more gently?”
Consort Shu drawled, “Sure I can. But what’s the point of all the years we’ve been close if I have to sugarcoat everything?”
Consort Xian: …
What kind of “close” were they?
A lifetime of rivalry?
She pursed her lips, unable to breathe smoothly either way.
Seeing her like this, Consort Shu finally softened her tone. “Have you forgotten how the Fifth and Sixth Princes met their ends?”
Consort Xian’s expression changed instantly. “How dare you bring that up?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Consort Shu sneered. “Just because something is buried doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. You and I may not have wielded the knives, but we both stood by and watched, didn’t we?”
Consort Xian clutched her handkerchief tightly, took a deep breath, and forced down her roiling thoughts. “What could we have done back then? If we hadn’t stood aside, we’d have died with them!”
“Exactly. But what we couldn’t do when we were young—we can do now, can’t we?” Consort Shu smiled. “Consort Xian, that’s your daughter-in-law, and the child in her womb is your legitimate grandchild. No one but you can save them.”
Consort Xian looked at her. “You’re laughing at me now—but if something like this happens to Duan Wang someday, what will you do then?”
“Me?” Consort Shu smiled faintly. “If it were up to me, I’d at most grant her the title of a concubine. As for a side consort? Don’t even think about it. How much sincerity can you expect from someone who climbs their way up using underhanded means with impure intentions?”
Consort Xian frowned.
Consort Shu took a few steps, then suddenly turned back, bending slightly to look at Consort Xian. “Xingan Marquis’s household is wholeheartedly aligned with the Crown Prince. The Marquis’s eldest daughter married Jin Wang, yet Jin Wangfei pays no mind to her husband and only follows her natal family’s lead.”
“On the day our Old Four got married, Jin Wangfei, as the eldest sister-in-law, wouldn’t even enter the bridal chamber to take care of the new bride. If this reaches His Majesty’s ears, would he blame Jin Wangfei? Of course not. He would only think Jin Wang is incompetent—unable to even manage his own wangfei. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Consort Xian felt a chill settle in her heart.
Consort Shu slowly walked away, gently fanning herself.
Yes, Jin Wangfei was Jin Wang’s legitimate wife. The two were in the same boat, yet she still acted on her own accord, ignoring her husband’s household and listening only to her own family.
When He Wanyi had just returned to the capital, Yu Wangfei almost suffered a miscarriage from a fall. Now that she is pregnant again, He Wanyi suddenly faints right outside her courtyard…
It was obvious—she was up to something.
Consort Xian dearly loved her son, but there was one thing Consort Shu said that struck her to the core.
Yu Wangfei was different from Jin Wangfei. Jin Wangfei had a powerful natal family to rely on. But Yu Wangfei didn’t—she could only cling tightly to her husband and would never have divided loyalties.
But He Wanyi? That was another matter.
If she truly cared for her son, then why had she allowed him to become disgraced and disliked by the Emperor in the first place?
Was she, too, acting on Xingan Marquis’s orders to clear the path for the Crown Prince?
Consort Xian’s scalp tingled. She knew that Consort Shu wasn’t speaking entirely out of concern for her, but the analysis of the situation was very real.
Whatever Xingan Marquis’s intentions were, Consort Xian gritted her teeth—the legitimate heir of her son must be born safe and sound!
For the next few days, there was no news about Qiao Wan. Mingxi wasn’t in a rush either. Xiao Muchen was out early and back late, and despite being newlyweds, the couple rarely had time together.
Xiao Muchen felt a little guilty toward Mingxi, but surprisingly, she was even busier than he was—he couldn’t help but laugh wryly.
After sending Xiao Muchen off to court, Mingxi also dressed and went out. Liu Yunhua’s wedding date had been set, and she had invited them out for a meal and a casual gathering.
They originally planned to meet at Guangxiang Marquis’s residence, but since Mingxi’s mother and sisters-in-law had gone to Yu Wang’s manor, she was feeling annoyed and changed the location back to Yuxian Tower, as usual.
Mingxi arrived a little late. As she entered, she overheard Yao Yunyi venting her frustration.
“Just a side consort, and yet she has no shame! Even if she doesn’t want her dignity, we still want ours! Ugh, I’m so angry. How did we never realize He Wanyi was this vicious before?”
Mingxi paused for a moment before stepping inside and asking, “What did she do this time?”
Everyone in the room turned to look at her. Yao Yunyi said, “You’re just in time. I was about to ask you—last time He Wanyi entered the palace to pay respects to Consort Xian, she claimed she saw you from afar and you ignored her. Is that true?”
Huh?
Mingxi was stunned. “When was this? How would I have a chance to run into her? The palace is huge, and Consort Shu’s Cuiwei Palace is nowhere near Consort Xian’s Changning Palace. How could I have seen her?”
Yao Yunyi slammed the table. “I knew it—she’s full of lies!”
Xu Nanxi pulled Mingxi to sit down and said, “He Wanyi became emotionally agitated—she’s saying that Yu Wangfei tried to harm her and her unborn child. She caused a huge scene at Yu Wang’s manor. The entire Xingan Marquis’ household came rushing over to support her.”
Duan Mingxi: …
As expected, she knew this wouldn’t end quietly.
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