Mingxi’s eyes sparkled in the light. Xiao Muchen rarely saw her looking so lively. He reached out and gently brushed past her eyes.
Mingxi felt the sudden darkness, and before she could react, a cool touch landed on her lips—Xiao Muchen’s breath enveloped her completely.
The two of them had been so busy the past couple of days, and now being in the middle of their newlywed period, Mingxi could feel Xiao Muchen’s desire awaken instantly, and her body froze.
Xiao Muchen: …
Well, it wasn’t really his fault, was it?
He buried his face in the crook of her neck and whispered, “Let me calm down for a bit.”
Mingxi’s face turned bright red. She didn’t even know what to do anymore. Her heart pounded like a drum, and she felt like she was burning up.
Xiao Muchen was embarrassed too, but seeing her like this, he couldn’t help but laugh.
Duan Mingxi gave him a shove with a bit more strength, and Xiao Muchen rolled over to the side in response.
Mingxi finally relaxed, quickly got up and went into the inner chamber to change. How was she supposed to face anyone in this outfit?
Xiao Muchen had wanted to shamelessly follow her in, but he feared he might truly upset her, so he told himself—there’s always tomorrow, no need to rush.
Things were already different between them now. He couldn’t scare her off.
Mingxi changed clothes, sat at the dressing table to redo her hair, and only then did the flush in her cheeks slowly fade.
Soon, Qiancao’s voice came from outside, inviting them to supper. Only then did she rise and head out.
When she stepped out, she saw Xiao Muchen had also changed. He stood under the lantern light in a pale moon-colored robe—tall and handsome, his refined features catching the glow. Mingxi froze.
She always knew Xiao Muchen was good-looking, but with everything else going on, she never paid much attention to his face.
Now, under the soft light, with his gentle gaze fixed on her, she suddenly stopped walking.
Xiao Muchen raised an eyebrow when he saw her, stepped forward, and stood by her side. With a teasing tone, he said, “So today, my Wangfei has finally realized how handsome her husband is?”
Mingxi: …
You better shut up.
Xiao Muchen laughed loudly and took her hand to lead her out.
Mingxi struggled briefly but didn’t shake him off, so she just let it be.
Xiao Muchen thought, See? That’s progress.
Before, she would’ve insisted on letting go.
Dinner was already laid out. The two of them sat down.
Fang Mama and the servants brought the dishes. Xiao Muchen took over and looked at them. “You’re all dismissed.”
Fang Mama had already noticed something different between Wangye and Wangfei. She was experienced and quickly led the others away.
Fang Mama left with a huge smile on her face, which made Mingxi feel guilty and flustered.
She hadn’t done anything indecent, but now it felt like she had.
Xiao Muchen picked out her favorite dishes and put them on her plate. Seeing her flushed face, he feared upsetting her again—getting kicked out tonight wouldn’t do.
So he quickly broke the awkward silence. “Tomorrow’s court session will be quite the spectacle. I probably won’t be back for lunch, so don’t wait for me.”
His words relaxed Mingxi a little. She nodded instinctively. “Alright.”
“Eat,” Xiao Muchen said, giving her some drunken shrimp. “Try this. I really like it. You fry the shelled shrimp in wine until golden, scoop them out, then simmer with light soy sauce and rice vinegar. Cover with a bowl to let it stew. By the time it’s served, the shells are crispy.”
Mingxi picked one up and tasted it. Sure enough, the shell was crisp, the wine flavor soaked into the shrimp meat, and it melted in her mouth—absolutely delicious.
Seeing that she liked it, Xiao Muchen said softly, “See? Even our tastes match. We really are a perfect pair.”
Duan Mingxi: …
Thank goodness she was growing a thicker skin. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to finish dinner.
After the meal and washing up, before she could relax, Xiao Muchen had already hoisted her into the bed curtains.
Li Mama left with Qiangcao, both wearing sneaky smiles—clearly trying to give the couple some privacy.
The lights under the eaves glowed brightly, but the palace lamp in the sleeping quarters was extinguished by Xiao Muchen with a casual wave, leaving only a small one in the corner glowing faintly.
Mingxi laid among the brocade quilts, the handsome face in front of her gradually magnifying. The tent was dimly lit, with only the light from that corner lamp casting a faint glow onto the man before her. His dark eyes shimmered with an intense light in the night, almost making her heart tremble.
Before she could react, Xiao Muchen was already leaning down, his warm lips brushing against hers. Their breaths mingled as his large hand cupped her face and gently nipped at her soft lips…
Even her breath seemed to be taken from her. A light sheen of sweat formed, the light flickered, and the night wind stirred the curtains. Their breathing gradually quickened.
The night was still long.
Mingxi realized that after her feelings toward Xiao Muchen had changed, even doing something so intimate no longer felt the same.
In the past, she had always had a faint sense of resistance—an unclear, indescribable emotion that stopped her from fully relaxing.
But now, with her changed heart, things felt different—more natural, even enjoyable.
That night was the first time since their wedding that they had been so in sync.
Turns out, such moments could feel… truly pleasant.
When Mingxi eventually drifted off to sleep in Xiao Muchen’s arms, she thought to herself—maybe she really did like him after all.
They had stayed up quite late, so Mingxi woke up late the next morning. By the time she opened her eyes, the man beside her had already gone to court.
She lifted the canopy and got out of bed. The maid, hearing movement, quickly came in to serve her.
After freshening up and eating a simple breakfast, Mingxi sat in the royal residence waiting for news. She held a book, but couldn’t focus on it.
The matter with Qiao Wan was no small issue—who knew how the Emperor would handle it?
Time ticked by slowly, and rare impatience crept over her. She got up and began to pace.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded. She turned and saw Xiangxiang enter, saying, “Wangfei, Lord Qi sent a message. His Majesty has ordered a search of Xingan Marquis’s residence.”
Mingxi was overjoyed. “Really?”
“Yes.” Xiangxiang nodded firmly.
“Anything else?” she asked quickly.
Xiangxiang took a breath. “Lord Qi also said that His Majesty flew into a rage and publicly rebuked Xingan Marquis.”
“Just a reprimand?”
“There’s more. Lord Qi said the Crown Prince was also implicated. The Emperor scolded him for poor discipline. The Crown Prince knelt and begged for forgiveness—the whole court was in chaos.”
Mingxi let out a long breath, feeling utterly refreshed.
Finally, the Crown Prince had been dragged into the mess. Even if his life wasn’t in danger, this would at least force the Emperor to see that the heir he cherished and supported wasn’t quite the ideal son he imagined.
If only something more incriminating could be uncovered from Xingan Marquis’s estate—it would be perfect. But that was beyond her control.
“Wangfei, Jin Wangfei requests an audience,” Qiangcao said, lifting the curtain.
Mingxi frowned. What was Jin Wangfei coming to see her for?
Surely she had the wrong place.
