Mingxi nodded casually. She hadn’t planned to arrive early anyway. She said to Xiao Muchen, “I already sent someone to find out when Jin Wangfei will leave. I’ll arrive right after her.”
Xiao Muchen laughed. “Smart idea.”
After a simple breakfast with Xiao Muchen, she sent him off and then slowly began to get ready.
It was Qi Wang’s wedding today—it would surely be bustling, and practically everyone would show up.
Fang Momo brought out several sets of clothes and jewelry for her to choose from. Mingxi took it seriously. She didn’t want anything too flashy, but not too understated either—couldn’t outshine the bride, but couldn’t appear plain. She eventually chose a pale lavender dress and a pearl-inlaid jewelry set.
Fang Momo regretfully put away the ornate phoenix hairpin set with red gold filigree and gems, nearly making Mingxi laugh.
Fang Momo chuckled. “I was just worried that Jin Wangfei might say your outfit is too plain, as if you don’t take Qi Wang’s residence seriously.”
She wasn’t wrong. Mingxi picked out another hairpin—this one was red gold with a bit of kingfisher feather inlay. Looking in the mirror, she nodded with satisfaction.
Fang Momo packed the accessories into the dressing box. Meanwhile, Qiancao and Xiangxiang took the chosen dress from the rack and helped Mingxi change.
Once Li Quan reported that Jin Wangfei had left, Mingxi also boarded her carriage to head to Qi Wang’s residence.
The royal residences weren’t too far apart, all located near the Imperial City, so the carriage arrived quickly. The street outside Qi Wang’s residence was already packed—carriages of every kind made for a grand sight.
The servants had been waiting and, upon seeing the carriage from Duan Wang’s estate, immediately led them through a less crowded back path. At the gate, the stewardess respectfully stepped forward.
“Greetings, Duan Wangfei. Please allow this old servant to escort you.”
Mingxi nodded. “Thank you.”
They entered through a side gate, crossed the front courtyard’s corridor, and walked through several galleries before finally arriving at the rear courtyard.
The rear courtyard was lively as well. As soon as Mingxi arrived, the various noble ladies came forward to greet her.
Before the greetings were over, Jin Wangfei arrived as well, and the room instantly became even more vibrant.
Everyone in the capital knew Jin Wangfei and Duan Wangfei didn’t get along well, so eyes flitted between the two of them.
Mingxi pretended not to notice. Even if she disliked Jin Wangfei, etiquette dictated that the younger should greet the elder first in public.
“Big Sister-in-law, you’re here too? I just arrived—we’re quite the pair,” Mingxi said with a radiant smile.
Jin Wangfei felt as if she’d swallowed a fly, forcing herself to return the smile. “You’ve always been such a diligent one, Sister-in-law.”
The two of them entered the rear hall and took their seats. The other ladies followed suit, but the atmosphere suddenly turned quiet.
From Dingyuan Marquis’s came Madam Xiao. She was young and ranked lower among all the marchionesses. She had been pushed to the back earlier and now, for some reason—whether intentional or not—was shoved forward and stumbled. Fortunately, someone beside her caught her, and she avoided making a fool of herself.
However, Madam Xiao’s face had already flushed red. She turned to look behind her but couldn’t see who had pushed her.
She found a seat near the door, not wanting to embarrass Mingxi in such a setting. She sat up straight, trying her best to appear as though nothing had happened.
Fuchang Marquis Madam wasn’t with her daughter; instead, she was with her new daughter-in-law. It was Yao Yunyi who noticed from afar and whispered something in her mother-in-law’s ear.
Fuchang Marquis Madam’s gaze sharpened, and then she brought Yao Yunyi over toward her daughter, greeting familiar ladies along the way.
Seeing her mother and younger sister-in-law sit down beside her, Madam Xiao finally felt truly at ease.
Yao Yunyi leaned in and asked softly, “Sister, are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Madam Xiao quickly shook her head. “Did you see what happened?”
Yao Yunyi nodded. “I saw you stumble, but there were too many people—I couldn’t see who pushed you.”
Fuchang Marquis Madam said, “Let’s not talk about it here. There are too many eyes and ears around. We’ll ask around later.”
Coincidentally, seated next to Fuchang Marquis Madam was none other than Jingyuan Marquis Madam.
At that moment, Jingyuan Marquis Madam turned and glanced over the group before greeting Fuchang Marquis Madam.
Fuchang Marquis Madam subtly shifted forward, partially shielding her daughter and daughter-in-law from view, and began exchanging pleasantries with Jingyuan Marquis Madam.
Further away, Mingxi was still pretending to be cordial with Jin Wangfei. Surrounded by a crowd, she didn’t notice the situation on the other side. As the maternal aunt of Qi Wang, Duchess Rong was also helping manage the event. Liu Yunhua was naturally busy assisting as well.
Meanwhile, County Princess Muhua had come over to Mingxi, sat beside her, and started chatting cheerfully, finally breaking the tense and awkward atmosphere.
Zhongcheng had been taken by Qi Wang to help with the wedding procession, so Xiao Yan, feeling bored, had come to chat with Mingxi. Seeing this, Jin Wangfei suddenly remarked, “County Princess Muhua, how come I haven’t seen Ning Qin Wangfei?”
Xiao Yan looked up and replied, “Oh? Didn’t you know, Eldest Sister-in-law? Right before she left the house, my mother was summoned into the palace by Her Majesty the Empress.”
How could Jin Wangfei possibly know that?
But Xiao Yan’s expression was so pure and innocent, as if this was something everyone ought to have known.
Some of the noble ladies present were already suppressing their laughter.
After all, Xingan Marquis had taken the fall for the Crown Prince, and the Marquis manor was now gone. In the past, Jin Wangfei used to have some status before the Empress and had access to palace gossip.
But times had changed.
Xiao Yan feigned innocence, and what could Jin Wangfei say in response?
Everyone in the capital knew that County Princess Muhua had been raised dotingly by Ning Qin Wang and Ning Qin Wangfei. With her frank personality, no one would believe she was being intentionally sharp.
And yet… Xiao Yan was doing it on purpose.
Her eyes were just too clear. Mingxi looked over and wouldn’t have noticed if Xiao Yan hadn’t lightly scratched her palm—only then did she realize it was intentional.
Jin Wangfei could hardly maintain her smile. She glanced at Xiao Yan and said, “I hadn’t entered the palace to greet Her Majesty today, so how would I know about this? But the County Princess Muhua seems to be very well-informed about the Ning Qin household. A married woman ought to put her husband’s family first.”
Xiao Yan didn’t like the tone and replied, blinking innocently, “Really? Eldest Cousin would be very happy to hear that.”
Everyone: …
Was County Princess Muhua doing this on purpose?
Looking at her—maybe not.
But something about that comment just felt off.
Mingxi had no intention of stepping in to smooth things over. Jin Wangfei clearly hadn’t learned her lesson and needed to face some consequences.
Mingxi had planned to be a decorative presence today, not get involved. But someone apparently couldn’t bear to see her having a peaceful time, because a voice suddenly said, “Since Duan Wangfei is so close to County Princess Muhua, you ought to remind her—some things are better left unsaid.”
Mingxi lifted her eyes and found herself looking at the slightly gloomy face of Duchess Cao.
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