Jin Wang felt a chill in his limbs—that woman Qiao Wan was ruthless enough to try to eliminate both Old Four’s mother-in-law and his father-in-law’s concubine.
And Qiao Wan… was a piece played by his own father-in-law, Xingan Marquis.
His own wife was the Marquis eldest legitimate daughter, raised under his influence. Had she also picked up such vicious methods?
No wonder, ever since Side Consort Qian entered the residence, she had been plagued with constant illnesses and had so much difficulty conceiving.
Jin Wang’s face darkened like a thundercloud. His eyes were deep and cold, his fists clenched tightly.
How could he dare keep such a venomous woman by his side any longer?
He recalled how Side Consort Qian looked after her miscarriage—skin and bones, taking months to recover. He had assumed it was grief that had worn her down. But if that wasn’t the cause… what if someone had harmed her intentionally?
“Old Four, what do you plan to do?” he asked, raising his head to look at Duan Wang.
“Brother, I only want the truth to be revealed to the world,” Duan Wang said solemnly.
“Just that? I fear Xingan Marquis might still escape unscathed.”
From this, it was clear that Jin Wang had already made up his mind to get rid of the Marquis.
That made things easier.
“I’m dull-witted,” he said with a humble tone, “and haven’t come up with a good strategy. I ask my older brother for guidance.”
As the sky grew darker, the courtyard gates remained shut. Only a faint light glowed from one room. Qi He stood tall at the door like a sentinel.
Inside, Mingxi was poring over the latest ledgers brought by You Sanping. Several were for new ventures her shops had started.
At the hot spring estate, as the weather warmed, sales of hot spring vegetables had dropped sharply. That business wouldn’t boom again until the weather turned cold.
But You Sanping had begun experimenting with hot spring-grown grains last year. The first batch had just been harvested this spring. Before they even reached her Yuxian Tower, they were snapped up by loyal clients of the hot spring vegetables.
The hot spring grains fetched high prices, bringing in a good profit for Mingxi.
There was still a fall crop to come, and Mingxi’s eyes sparkled with excitement—who doesn’t love solid silver and gold?
Due to the popularity of the hot spring dishes, Yuxian Tower had gained a strong reputation and even bought the neighboring property this year. While it wasn’t yet the number-one restaurant in the capital, it was getting close.
Her fashion shops, Huarong and Yunshang, were also doing well. Her unique fabrics and patterns didn’t overlap with others’, and though pricey, they had strong brand recognition, so business was thriving.
She also had lakeside properties near Longhu, which were highly profitable.
The once-depleted purse was slowly filling up again.
The biggest windfall came from the horse farm. Thanks to a deal with the Imperial Horse Bureau, sales were never a concern. Her Father had personally gone beyond the border to purchase fine breeding stock. Once the foals were born and tested for endurance and speed, that business might turn out to be the most lucrative of all.
Not only could she sell to the imperial court—what remained could be sold to merchants. Merchants never lacked for money, and good horses were essential for long-distance trade.
Mingxi let out a deep breath. Now she truly felt secure.
With money in hand, there was no fear in her heart.
She handed the ledgers to Qiancao for safekeeping. Looking up, she realized she had been reviewing the books for two whole hours—no wonder her neck ached.
As she walked out of the study, she asked, “Wangye hasn’t returned yet?”
“Not yet. Guard Qi and Steward Miao haven’t returned either,” Xiangxiang replied.
Seemed like the talk with Jin Wang had gone well—if it hadn’t, they’d have been back by now.
Mingxi had been running around all day and decided to go bathe. Afterward, the maids helped her dry her hair and comb it gently.
Qiancao’s hands were just right. Mingxi lay down on the soft couch and unknowingly drifted off to sleep.
Xiangxiang gently covered her with a thin quilt. Qiancao also lightened her touch and blew out the palace lamp on the desk, leaving only a single lamp glowing dimly in the corner.
Li Mama walked in briskly. Xiangxiang quickly signaled for her to keep quiet. Li Mama stopped and motioned for Qiancao to come outside.
They stepped under the eaves.
“What is it, Mama?”
“Ning Qin Wang’s residence sent a message. Ning Qin Wangfei is hosting a banquet tomorrow and has invited our princess to attend. The notice is very last-minute—we need to inform the miss.”
Li Mama was in such a rush, she even forgot to call her “wangfei” and slipped into calling her “miss” again, out of old habit.
Qiancao frowned. “Why the rush?”
Normally, banquets were announced several days in advance. This was awfully sudden.
But the Wangfei was on good terms with Ning Qin Wangfei, and even closer with County Princess Muhua—this invitation couldn’t be ignored.
“I’ll go in and inform her.”
“Let her sleep a bit longer,” Li Mama said gently. “Tell her when she wakes up.”
Qiancao nodded. “Then I’ll stay with her.”
Li Mama, being older, no longer took night duty, so she passed the matter to Qiancao.
Qiancao tiptoed inside, but as soon as she lifted the curtain, she saw that the Wangfei had already woken up. She rushed forward, “Did I disturb you, Wangfei?”
“What is it?” Mingxi asked as she sat up from the couch.
Qiancao helped her settle comfortably and explained the situation.
Mingxi’s brows furrowed. This was unusually urgent.
Ning Qin Wangfei was always steady and composed—why host such a sudden banquet?
Still, if she was being invited, she had to go.
Since she had plans the next day, Mingxi didn’t wait for Xiao Muchen to return. She assumed the discussion with Jin Wang might go late, so she simply went to sleep.
She had expected him to be late—but not that he wouldn’t return at all.
Early the next morning, Qi He was already waiting outside. Mingxi met with him after she was dressed and found out that the two princes had talked late into the night, then stayed over at Uncle Fang’s residence. They had entered the palace together at dawn.
Mingxi’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Qi He and asked, “So Jin Wang is going to ally with Wangye?”
“Xingan Marquis’s actions were too vile—he didn’t even spare a pregnant woman. And that was the bride bestowed by the Emperor, Yu Wangfei. Jin Wang’s wife is the Marquis daughter, so he’s naturally terrified. Especially with Side Consort Qian still in the picture.”
Mingxi nodded slightly. “With the support of Jin Wang, I hope everything will go smoothly today.”
Qi He paused, then said in a low voice, “Jin Wang entered the palace to seek an audience with Consort Gui. He wants her to stall Jin Wangfei.”
Hmm?
Stall Jin Wangfei?
Jin Wang was planning a diversion—keeping Jin Wangfei occupied by Consort Gui’s side. What was he trying to do?
Find evidence?
Would Jin Wangfei really leave any evidence in Jin Wang’s residence?
“What about Wangye? Why did he go into the palace?”
“Wangye and Yu Wang are like brothers. He went to visit him.”
Mingxi: …
She understood now.
A classic divide-and-conquer strategy. Yu Wang was clearly in the same boat as Xingan Marquis.
Thinking of this, she asked in surprise, “Did Yu Wang and Xingan Marquis really kneel in the palace all night?”
“No, Xingan Marquis was carried back to his residence, and Yu Wang was taken by attendants from Consort Xian’s palace to Changning Palace.”
“I see.”
“If Wangfei has no other orders, I will take my leave.”
Hearing this, Mingxi added, “Ning Qin Wangfei has invited me to a banquet today. Just inform Wangye for me.”
“Yes.” Qi He found it odd. Ning Qin Wang’s residence rarely hosted banquets—why the sudden change?
