“Let me think it through properly,” Duan Jin said, frowning. “If I go buy a post now, what happens to the family’s affairs?”
“So many stewards in our household—what do you think they’re for?” Mingxi smiled. “Cousin, it’s about using the right people for the right jobs. I know you care a lot about the family, but you also need to consider your own future. When your wife has children, you’ll need to pave the way for them too, won’t you?”
She had many businesses under her name. Did that mean she had to manage them all personally every day?
Of course not.
What noble family didn’t have businesses?
If he spent his life managing household affairs, what about his children?
Would they end up stuck doing the same?
“A dragon begets a dragon, a phoenix begets a phoenix; a rat’s child digs holes.”
Duan Jin’s expression turned serious. “Once I’ve decided, I’ll discuss it with you again.”
Mingxi nodded and finally boarded her carriage back to the palace.
After Madam Ma returned to the manor with Madam Xiao, she was summoned by her mother-in-law. When she was told the Wangfei would help persuade her husband, her expression changed slightly.
“Mother, do you think it’ll work?” Madam Ma naturally wanted her husband to succeed, but if he truly didn’t like it, what could she do?
“There’s nothing the Wangfei can’t handle. Just wait and see,” the second madam said confidently. “Go bring him something to eat in the study and quietly see what he’s thinking.”
Madam Ma hadn’t expected her mother-in-law to be waiting just for this. She couldn’t help but laugh and cry but still agreed quickly. “The Wangfei is remarkable—I think she’ll succeed.”
“As long as that blockhead of ours finally sees the light. I don’t know how I ended up with such a stubborn son.” The second madam always got a headache just thinking about it.
She’d been shrewd all her life, yet had a son so honest it was frustrating.
“My husband is solid and dependable. If he weren’t, would the Wangfei even bother helping?”
“You have a point.”
There isn’t a mother who doesn’t enjoy hearing praise for her son—even from her daughter-in-law.
While Madam Ma went off to quietly probe her husband’s thoughts, Mingxi returned to the palace. As soon as she arrived, Qiancao handed her a reply letter from Bai Shixi.
Mingxi changed her clothes, undid her hair, and reclined on a soft cushion. Xiangxiang sat at the footstool, gently pounding her legs with a mugwort herbal hammer.
The scent of mugwort gradually spread, helping Mingxi finally relax.
She opened Bai Shixi’s letter. Her fair, slender fingers held the letter as her brow furrowed slightly.
The message was short, the handwriting rushed, and the tone rather official—she suspected this was written for the Crown Prince’s eyes.
It said the matter was known and that Jiang Liangdi would be strictly disciplined. Toward the end, it added that household affairs of the Eastern Palace were not her concern as Duan Wangfei.
Household affairs of the Eastern Palace?
Mingxi couldn’t understand what that meant. How was this merely a domestic matter of the Eastern Palace? Jiang Liangdi had malicious intent and was interfering with someone else’s family—this was clearly not just a household issue.
“Wangfei, you don’t look too well. Did the Crown Princess make things difficult for you?” Qiancao asked cautiously.
“No.” Mingxi folded the letter and looked at her. “Has Wangye returned yet?”
“Not yet.”
Mingxi leaned against her cushion and slowly closed her eyes. “I’ll rest a bit. Let me know when he returns.”
“Yes.” Qiancao replied and quietly fetched a light blanket to cover the Wangfei.
Xiangxiang set aside the herbal hammer and began massaging the acupuncture points on her legs to relieve her fatigue.
Mingxi slowly drifted off to sleep. The two maids quieted their movements. Xiangxiang gently tucked in the blanket, then the two of them stepped out of the room.
Qiancao headed to the kitchen to check on dinner. Xiangxiang brought out a sewing basket and sat under the eaves, making socks for the princess. All of Wangfei’s intimate clothing was sewn by Xiangxiang and Qiancao—they entrusted no one else.
As the sky darkened, Fang Mama arrived with others to light the lamps. She softly asked Xiangxiang, “The princess hasn’t woken?”
Xiangxiang shook her head.
Fang Mama led the others away quietly, careful not to disturb the resting princess.
The socks Xiangxiang made were exquisitely crafted, with flower motifs embroidered around the cuffs. The colors were bright, and the patterns delicate—each pair took her two or three days to finish.
Qiancao returned with a lantern and saw Xiangxiang packing up her sewing. She handed the lantern to a little maid and said, “It’s already this late. Why isn’t Wangye back yet? Should we send someone to check?”
“Let’s wait a little longer. Wangfei is still asleep—no need to rush.” Xiangxiang replied.
Just as Qiancao was about to respond, they heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, they saw it was Wangye. Both girls immediately bowed.
“Greetings, Wangye.”
Xiao Muchen nodded slightly. “Where is Wangfei?”
“She’s asleep. Shall I…”
“No need.” Xiao Muchen waved his hand and strode directly inside.
The two maids exchanged a look but wisely stayed outside. After all, Wangye treated Wangfei so well—they couldn’t be happier.
Xiao Muchen’s footsteps were heavier than the maids’, and even though he had lightened his steps, Mingxi could still tell. What’s more, she had already opened her eyes upon hearing the voices outside under the eaves.
Before she could collect herself and sit up, Xiao Muchen had already lifted the autumn-scented curtain and come in.
Without a word, Xiao Muchen walked directly to her side and sat down, lowering his head to look at her. “Tired?”
This posture was a bit awkward for talking, and Mingxi wasn’t used to it. She tried to sit up, but Xiao Muchen simply leaned in with her and gently pressed her back down.
Duan Mingxi pushed him, a bit embarrassed because the maids were still nearby. “Get up first.”
What kind of scene was this?
“I’m not getting up. I’ve been exhausted all day too,” Xiao Muchen said righteously. “Can’t a man hug his own wife?”
Duan Mingxi felt that this man was becoming increasingly shameless. People on the outside called him “coffin face,” said he was honest and reserved—total lies.
So she simply stopped struggling, let him lean on her, and turned slightly to the inside, pulling him down to lie with her. “You’ve taken care of everything? How did it go with Jin Wang?”
“Jin Wang sent word. He got a letter from Jin Wangfei’s side, but it’s not very useful. Seems she’s very cautious and hasn’t left any real evidence,” Xiao Muchen said with a frown.
“So they were prepared for this all along. They must’ve been guarding against this day from the start,” Mingxi said, surprised—she thought they might’ve at least gotten something useful.
“Exactly. Aside from being prepared, there’s no other explanation. That’s also why Jin Wang is even angrier.”
Mingxi leaned against Xiao Muchen’s shoulder and looked at him. “So what’s Jin Wang planning?”
“He wanted to pry open one of the servant girls’ mouths, but that risks alerting the enemy. I told him to wait until after the scandal with Qiao Wan breaks out, then watch Jin Wangfei’s actions. There will surely be results.”
Mingxi’s eyes lit up. “Doing it that way might just reel in a big fish.”
Let’s see what tomorrow brings!
