Mingxi had Su Ying invited to the small reception hall. As soon as she entered, Su Ying respectfully bowed.
“Greetings, Wangfei. May you have peace and good health.”
“Rise,” Mingxi smiled. “Have a seat.”
Su Ying quickly shook her head. “How could a humble maid sit before Wangfei? I come bearing a letter from the Crown Princess and humbly ask Wangfei to read it.”
She offered the letter with both hands. Qiancao quickly stepped forward to receive it and placed it in front of Mingxi.
Mingxi felt her heart skip — something about this felt ominous. As she opened the letter, her brows furrowed.
Su Ying stood stiffly, clearly uneasy.
After reading, Mingxi looked up. “How is the Crown Princess?”
“She is well, thank you for your concern.”
Mingxi let out a quiet sigh. “That’s good. The Crown Princess is with child now — it really isn’t right for her to worry over these trivial matters. But Jiang Liangdi is, after all, a member of the Eastern Palace, so she has no choice but to step in. Since the Crown Princess has already given Jiang Liangdi a warning, I feel more at ease. Please tell her on my behalf that as long as Jiang Liangdi behaves properly, everyone will be at peace. Also, please remind the Crown Princess to take care of herself and focus on a safe pregnancy. Don’t let unworthy matters and people cause her unnecessary stress.”
Su Ying smiled at the hint of genuine concern in the Wangfei’s tone. “I will be sure to pass on Wangfei’s message. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
“Qiancao, see her out.”
“Yes, Wangfei.”
Qiancao escorted Su Ying out.
Mingxi held Bai Shixi’s letter tightly, worry clouding her heart.
Such a letter meant that the Crown Prince had taken a firm stance, and Bai Shixi had no power to change things — only to tread carefully.
This, in turn, confirmed Mingxi’s suspicion: Jiang Sujie’s actions were indeed done under the Crown Prince’s orders.
And if it was the Crown Prince’s will, how could he allow the Crown Princess to ruin his plans?
Still, with the letter as her shield, Bai Shixi should be able to protect herself for now. As for what came next — even Mingxi didn’t know. They would have to take things one step at a time.
The scandal with Qiao Wan continued to stir waves in court. Xiao Muchen was leaving early and returning late, growing more solemn by the day.
The Emperor’s attitude toward the Crown Prince was impossible to read — sometimes protective, other times harsh. As the Emperor’s illness worsened, his temper grew more volatile. Even Xiao Muchen had been scolded multiple times, caught in the crossfire despite being blameless.
Amid this chaos, the day of Qi Wang’s grand wedding approached.
The Ministry of Rites was busy with the preparations, and the capital was buzzing with excitement — slowly washing away the previous gloom.
Mingxi went to the palace to pay respects to Consort Shu, who was also discussing Qi Wang’s wedding.
“Everything is proceeding according to tradition, just like when you and Muchen married. But this time, you must accompany Jin Wangfei to Qi Wang’s manor. Be careful.”
The Crown Princess and Yu Wangfei were both pregnant and wouldn’t attend the ceremony. If they didn’t show up at her wedding either, how would they explain it to Duan Wang?
Back when Mingxi got married, Jin Wangfei hadn’t fulfilled any of her duties as a sister-in-law. Now with Qi Wang’s wedding coming, all eyes would be on her.
“Don’t worry, Royal Mother. I know what to do,” Mingxi replied.
Consort Shu nodded. “I’ve always trusted your judgment.” Then, her tone shifted. “With the fall of Xingan Marquis, Jin Wang has taken a hit. The Empress has been openly targeting Consort Gui — everyone must tread carefully now.”
Mingxi wasn’t surprised. The Empress and Crown Prince were cut from the same cloth, though the Empress hid it better.
Xingan Marquis had been the Crown Prince’s most vicious dog. Now that he was taken down, it would be hard to find someone else as willing to do the dirty work.
“Royal Mother, you must also be cautious in the palace,” Mingxi said with concern. The Empress made trouble for Consort Gui openly — that wasn’t what worried her. It was the subtle, quiet hostility she showed Consort Shu that truly unsettled her.
Seeing how worried Mingxi was for her safety, Consort Shu smiled and said, “I know. I’ve always been cautious. As long as you and Muchen are doing well, I have nothing to worry about.”
Mingxi rarely showed such awkwardness and softly responded with a hum.
Consort Shu noticed her daughter-in-law’s relaxed brows and realized that Mingxi now looked at her son differently than before.
As someone with experience, Consort Shu naturally understood the nuances.
She was pleased in her heart and kept Mingxi to stay for lunch. Only after the meal did she allow her to return.
Before Qi Wang’s wedding, Yao Yunyi got married.
Mingxi had arranged to meet with Xu Nanxi and the others to help prepare Yao Yunyi’s dowry. Now that Mingxi’s status was different, even Guangxiang Marquis Madam had to greet her formally.
Mingxi couldn’t bear to trouble the elder like that, so she arrived early and met with the Marchioness first. With her company, she went to pay respects to the Old Madam.
Though young, Mingxi’s status carried weight.
The Old Madam stood to greet her, but Mingxi quickly helped her up and said with a smile, “I’m the junior here, and you’re my elder. I’m here today to help with Yunyi’s dowry as a friend. This is a private matter—please don’t put me on a pedestal.”
The Marchioness, watching from the side, couldn’t help but be amazed. People said Duan Wangfei came from a merchant family, but with such poise and manners, she was no less than any noblewoman raised in the capital.
After chatting with the Old Madam for a while, Mingxi took her leave and went to see Yao Yunyi, escorted personally by the Marchioness.
Regarding Yu Wangfei, she had heard bits from her daughter and knew Mingxi had secretly helped. Without her support, the pregnancy might have faced greater difficulties. Grateful, she now treated Mingxi with heartfelt warmth.
Yao Yunyi came out from afar to greet her and said to her mother with a smile, “Mother, you go on ahead. I’ll take care of Mingxi.”
The Marchioness knew they were close friends. After exchanging a few words with Mingxi, she left readily, ordering a servant to bring special refreshments from the estate.
Yao Yunyi led Mingxi to her room, and after they sat down, she laughed and said, “Did my mother’s enthusiasm scare you? I told her a bit about my cousin-sister-in-law, and she’s truly grateful to you.”
Mingxi smiled at her. “Yu Wangfei and I are sisters-in-law. Helping her is only right. The Marchioness is too kind.”
Yao Yunyi’s expression dimmed slightly at that and she whispered, “You don’t know this, but Jingyuan Marquis Madam, because of her own brother’s downfall, blamed Qingying and is trying to sabotage her marriage. My cousin-sister-in-law nearly had a miscarriage over it. I’m so fed up.”
