“Now that Jingyuan Marquis has fallen, her son has no hope of reclaiming the title from the shizi. She must feel cornered.” Mingxi smiled. “Like a cornered dog that might jump.”
“Qingying’s marriage still hasn’t been settled. It’s truly worrying,” Yao Yunyi sighed.
Mingxi paused at that, then spoke slowly, “After all, this is Jingyuan Marquisate’s family affair. It’s not our place to interfere. If it were that simple, Yu Wangfei would’ve already done something.”
If Yu Wang had stood firmly by his wife’s side back then, Chu Qingying’s marriage wouldn’t have been a problem.
But with He Wanyi becoming his side consort, things got complicated.
Yu Wang was two-timing, which tied Yu Wangfei’s hands. Now that Xingan Marquis had fallen, if Jingyuan Marquis Madam wanted to go crazy, only Yu Wangfei could stop her—but whether she could would depend on Yu Wang and Consort Xian.
Yao Yunyi whispered, “After I’m married, my mother will go to the palace to seek an audience with Consort Xian.”
Mingxi understood—Guangxiang Marquisate still supported Yu Wangfei. That was hopeful.
She smiled at Yao Yunyi. “The Marchioness truly has a kind heart.”
Yao Yunyi sighed. “No matter what we do, we’ll end up offending someone. There’s no easy way out.”
“You sound like an old lady already.”
Yao Yunyi laughed. She’d been through so much lately, it was hard not to grow up quickly.
Soon, Xu Nanxi and Liu Yunhua arrived one after the other, and Liu Yunhua even brought a congratulatory gift from County Princess Muhua.
Chu Qingying was the last to arrive, looking well. The group gathered happily, and the conversation naturally turned to Xiao Jun.
When Xiao Jun was mentioned, Mingxi thought of the Xiao family—Madam Xiao and Xiao Ling. Though she didn’t interact often with Fuchang Marquis Madam, the people of their household were quite easy to get along with.
Among the young men in the capital, Xiao Jun wasn’t the most outstanding or the most handsome, but he had a good reputation—definitely a solid choice for a husband.
Plus, both families held marquis titles, making it a perfectly matched union. With a husband like him, Yao Yunyi would likely have a happy life.
On the day of Yao Yunyi’s wedding, Mingxi went to Fuchang Marquis’s residence for the wedding banquet instead of sending her off personally.
The Duke’s residence and Fuchang Marquis were now in-laws, so she naturally had to go offer congratulations.
Madam Xiao helped Fuchang Marquis Madam entertain guests, while Xiao Ling kept Mingxi company and eventually brought up Xu Heng.
“My husband is much better now, but the imperial physicians warned that he still has to be careful—no strenuous activity yet. He wants to ride and shoot again, but he’ll have to wait a while. He’s so restless at home, just itching to get out and prove himself,” Xiao Ling said with a smile.
“Ligament and bone injuries take a hundred days to heal—he should rest well to avoid lasting damage,” Mingxi replied with a smile.
They sat in a garden pavilion that allowed them to see visitors approaching. The relaxed setting made conversation easier.
“I heard from my husband that the Duke is investigating a major steward under Xingan Marquis. He disappeared right after the marquis fell.”
Mingxi hadn’t heard this before. She looked at Xiao Ling and asked, “He ran away?”
“No idea,” Xiao Ling said, shaking her head. “But the fact that he ran suggests he’s guilty. Once we catch him, we’ll know.”
Mingxi nodded. The Duke had completely fallen out with the Eastern Palace. Since he’d sided with Xiao Muchen, of course he would want to bring down the Crown Prince.
Xingan Marquis had done plenty of dirty work for the Crown Prince. Now that he was gone and his steward had fled, catching that man might yield something valuable.
Fuchang Marquis’s residence soon became lively, and they no longer had the chance to chat in private. As Duan Wangfei, regardless of what others thought, they all had to come pay respects to her. Before long, many gathered around her, and the garden pavilion echoed with cheerful voices and laughter.
To Mingxi’s surprise, Li Peilan had actually come today as well, but upon seeing Mingxi from afar, she quickly avoided her and didn’t come over.
Mingxi pretended not to see her either. She was now Duan Wangfei, and Li Peilan could no longer speak to her with the same reckless boldness as before.
The liveliest moment of the wedding banquet was when the groom returned with the bride to perform the wedding rites. The crowd’s cheers never ceased, and joy and laughter filled the entire estate.
Watching the scene, Mingxi couldn’t help but smile too. Once the newlyweds bowed to their elders and were sent to the bridal chamber, a group of people rushed over to join in the bridal chamber games.
Mingxi didn’t follow along. With her current status, it would be awkward whether she joined in or not.
After the wedding feast, she returned to Duan Wang’s residence. Fuchang Marquis Madam personally saw her out, her face brimming with joy, clearly pleased with this marriage.
Indeed, weddings should be like this—happy and full of celebration.
When she got home and waited for Xiao Muchen to return, she casually asked him about the steward from Xingan Marquis’s household. He froze for a moment before replying, “I actually don’t know anything about that. Because of potential conflicts of interest, I don’t involve myself in matters regarding Xingan Marquis’s residence.”
Since the issue involved the Crown Prince, Xiao Muchen had to keep his distance to avoid arousing the Emperor’s suspicion.
Mingxi seemed thoughtful, then looked at Xiao Muchen and said, “Maybe Duke Wei also kept it from you for the same reason.”
Xiao Muchen nodded. “Either way, it’s best I don’t know.”
Xiao Muchen walked into the bathing chamber with long strides while Mingxi waited on the soft couch. Before long, he returned, damp from the bath, wearing fresh inner clothes and holding a towel.
She reached out and took the towel, naturally helping him dry his hair, then picked up a comb to smooth it out.
Luckily the weather was warm, and it would dry quickly. If it were winter, they’d need a warming cage to dry his hair—much more troublesome.
The maids had all left the room. Xiao Muchen turned his head and looked at Mingxi.
She dried his hair and deftly tied it up, making him look neat and refined.
Xiao Muchen smiled at her. “You’re really quick with this.”
Mingxi replied, “I used to travel with Father, often disguised as a man. Men’s hairstyles are far simpler than women’s. Looks like my skills haven’t gotten rusty—not bad.”
Xiao Muchen pulled her down to sit beside him. They leaned back against the cushions, not saying anything for a while. He held her hand in his palm, gently rubbing it.
The atmosphere gradually thickened. Seeing the blush spread across Mingxi’s cheeks, Xiao Muchen pulled her into his arms.
The golden embroidered canopy fell, isolating the scene within. Outside the window, a light breeze passed by, carrying the sounds of chirping insects and cicadas.
Fang Mama smiled as she dismissed the maids to rest. She and Li Mama chatted idly in the small tea room while young eunuchs outside prepared hot water.
The night air was tranquil and pleasant.
A few days later came the wedding day of Qi Wang. Xiao Muchen got up early and pulled Mingxi up with him. “I have to enter the palace early. No need for you to rush—just go to Qi Wang’s residence when the time comes.”
He knew Xingqin Marquis’s household wasn’t particularly friendly to Mingxi, so there was no need to give them extra face. Arriving just on time would suffice.
