Mingxi looked at Duchess Cao, feigning confusion. “What do you mean by that, Madam? I truly don’t understand—what did County Princess Muhua say that was wrong?”
Before the Duchess could respond, Mingxi continued, “Was she wrong in knowing that Ning Qin Wangfei went to the palace? Or was she wrong for agreeing that a married woman should prioritize her husband’s family?”
“I’ve thought and thought, and still can’t figure it out. I suppose I must be too young and inexperienced. Please enlighten me, Duchess—I would very much like to learn.”
Xiao Yan, who simply didn’t like these scheming games, wasn’t actually dumb. She immediately picked up on Mingxi’s meaning and turned to look at Duchess Cao with an equally puzzled expression. “Madam, did I do something wrong? Or was it wrong for me to agree with Jin Wangfei’s comment about putting one’s husband’s family first? Are you saying that after a woman marries, she should still prioritize her natal family? That’s not what my mother taught me. How confusing!”
Duchess Cao had assumed that Xiao Yan was simpleminded, and even though Mingxi was a Wangfei, she was still backed by the Empress and the Crown Prince.
Who would have thought Mingxi would be so bold, putting her on the spot like that?
“I only said it casually. Duan Wangfei is taking it too seriously.”
“Oh, so the Duchess was just speaking casually, but now County Princess Muhua and I have to bear the blame for being disrespectful? That’s quite a heavy burden for an offhand remark—I’m afraid I can’t bear it.”
“You—” Duchess Cao had never been so openly rebuked in social circles, not with the Empress behind her. Her face turned red with anger. “Duan Wangfei is certainly putting on airs.”
“Flattered, truly flattered. But I can’t compare to you, Duchess. You throw out accusations and expect others to take them quietly. If we refuse, we’re called ungracious.” Mingxi furrowed her brows slightly as though troubled. “I suppose it’s because I’m still young. I’ll be sure to ask my Royal Mother if this is how things are done in the capital. If I’ve acted inappropriately, I’ll come apologize to you later.”
Duchess Cao, relying on her seniority over Duan Mingxi and the backing of the Empress and Crown Prince, tried to put pressure on her—but Duan Mingxi simply didn’t play along.
Now that both the Empress and the Crown Prince had to keep their heads down, for Duchess Cao to step forward like this—wasn’t she just making trouble for the Crown Prince?
Duan Mingxi didn’t believe for a second that the woman would really dare raise a fuss in the palace.
Not only did Duchess Cao’s expression change abruptly, but even the other noble ladies began to look at Duan Mingxi differently.
Only at this moment did they truly realize that Duan Mingxi was no longer just a girl from a merchant’s family, but Duan Wangfei.
Because of her upbringing in a merchant household, even though some noble ladies in the capital were friendly with her, they were the minority. Most secretly looked down on her for it, thinking her low and unworthy.
They hadn’t taken her seriously, had scorned her, belittled her—that was the real reason behind their behavior.
But now, they suddenly realized: this Wangfei, raised in a merchant household, sat with perfect poise, spoke with sharp precision, and acted decisively and confidently. Even in the face of someone as powerful as Duchess Cao, she didn’t yield an inch.
She was logical, composed, and handled the situation with grace and strength—deftly placing Duchess Cao on a proverbial fire, leaving her nowhere to retreat.
How many noble ladies in the entire capital could pull that off?
Cold sweat began to form. In their minds, the title “Duan Wangfei” suddenly carried a whole new weight.
Xiao Yan’s eyes practically sparkled as she looked at Duan Mingxi. Despite her excitement, she still remembered her mother’s warning not to cause trouble for Mingxi in public. She kept a wide-eyed, innocent expression, looking just as she always did—pure and playful.
Duchess Wei stood among the crowd, growing more irritated by the moment. She finally turned her head away in frustration, having no intention of stepping in.
Xu Nanxi, standing beside her, gave her mother a little push, but her mother just ignored her and looked away, making Nanxi’s eyes well up with frustration. If she weren’t a junior and had no right to speak in front of Duchess Cao, she would’ve jumped in already.
Just then, Guangxiang Marquis Madam stepped out from the crowd, smiling before she even spoke. She looked toward Duchess Cao and called out loudly, “Ah, so you were here! I’ve been looking for you. Quickly—Her Majesty the Empress asked that you help oversee the bridal chamber. Go and see if there’s anything that needs fixing.”
Duchess Cao didn’t even glance at Duan Mingxi. She followed the cue with a smooth reply, “I was just about to head over. Got a bit delayed here—thank you for coming to find me.”
Guangxiang Marquis Madam beamed. “Oh, it’s no trouble. I’m just passing along a message. I came today to enjoy the wedding.” She then turned to greet Duan Mingxi respectfully, “Greetings, Wangfei.” After a quick nod to Jin Wangfei as well, she departed with Duchess Cao.
As soon as Duchess Cao left, the room fell silent for a moment. Then Xiao Yan pulled Duan Mingxi back into conversation, and the rest of the ladies, after exchanging looks, slowly resumed their quiet chatter. The atmosphere seemed to return to normal—though what everyone was really thinking was another matter.
Jin Wangfei’s face was ashen. She quickly made up an excuse to go freshen up and left with her maid. Meanwhile, Duan Mingxi sat still as a mountain, calm and composed. In the eyes of the other women, this only deepened their thoughts.
Jin Wangfei was the first to retreat.
Soon after, more ladies began to approach Duan Mingxi. With Xiao Yan cheerfully adding to the fun, the room became even livelier than before.
Jin Wangfei hadn’t gone far when she heard laughter ring out behind her. Her expression turned even uglier. A bunch of petty opportunists—weren’t these the same women who used to fawn all over her? Now they were all flattering Duan Mingxi, the girl who had grown up in a merchant’s household.
If her Father hadn’t fallen from power, would these women have dared?
Jin Wangfei straightened her back. The outcome hadn’t been decided yet—it was far too early to speak of winners and losers.
The wedding of Qi Wang was no different from that of Duan Wang. Once the groom returned with the bride and they completed the ceremonial rites, the whole palace erupted in joy. After bowing to Heaven and Earth, the couple was led to the bridal chamber.
Mingxi had no intention of joining the bridal chamber revelry, but she didn’t stop others from enjoying themselves either. In fact, Qi Wang’s bridal chamber was even livelier than theirs had been.
Xiao Muchen didn’t join the commotion either. He pulled Mingxi aside for a private conversation.
“Did Duchess Cao cause you trouble today?” Xiao Muchen asked.
Mingxi smiled. “Your news is fast. But she was nothing—just another defeated opponent.”
Xiao Muchen blinked, then chuckled. “True enough. With my wife being this formidable, how could ordinary people be a match?”
Duan Mingxi: …
Yeah, keep bragging. She just listened casually.
The two of them walked down the long corridor. After the bridal chamber antics wrapped up, Mingxi still had to greet Qi Wangfei and speak to her about entering the palace the next day. There wasn’t much else to worry about.
Last time, Jin Wangfei had played dumb and avoided appearing at Mingxi’s wedding. This time, since Qi Wang was the one marrying, Mingxi naturally couldn’t let the woman get a grip on her.
So the two of them didn’t go far and simply sat down on a goose-necked chair in the corner of the corridor.
Today, Bai Zhiwei had come with Duchess Gao. Their relationship was currently like fire and water. Bai Zhiwei hadn’t wanted to come, but she couldn’t afford to appear weak. Was she going to be excluded from all future gatherings in the capital?
So she had attended under her and Gao Zhan’s name, separate from Duchess Gao, to keep up appearances with confidence.
She hadn’t expected that when she stepped out for some air in a quiet corner, she’d come across Duan Wang and Duan Mingxi quietly chatting and smiling together. She was momentarily stunned.
