Duan Mingxi turned toward Li Peilan, about to speak, when Duchess Wei laughed and said, “Miss Li, that’s an interesting take. The Wangfei merely made a thoughtful observation—how could that be considered malicious?”
“Besides, your mother does seem a little drunk now. As her daughter, rather than worrying about her, you’re scolding someone else? That’s truly…”
Her sigh was light, but full of implications.
Li Peilan’s face flushed red. Though she was known to be domineering, even she dared not go head-to-head with someone like Duchess Wei.
“Thank you for your concern, Madam. My mother is simply not good with alcohol, that’s all. It’s nothing serious.”
“Oh, is that so? Then if she can’t hold her liquor, all the more reason to help her down for a rest.” Duchess Wei glanced at the attendants with authority in her voice.
The alcohol had clearly gotten to Duchess Cao—once she let go of the effort to stay composed, her head began to spin, and she didn’t resist as her servants helped her away.
Li Peilan bit her lip and followed after her mother.
Then Duchess Wei stepped forward and smiled at Duan Mingxi. “Originally I wanted to offer a toast myself, but seeing how much Your Highness has already drunk, I’ll take the liberty of offering tea instead.”
Xiao Ling quickly brought her a cup of tea. Duchess Wei took it and smiled at the Wangfei.
“I wouldn’t dare refuse such kindness,” Mingxi replied. She also exchanged her wine for tea, lightly clinking her cup with Duchess Wei’s and taking a sip.
The warm tea was indeed soothing.
With Duchess Wei taking the lead, the other ladies also switched to tea, and the tense atmosphere quickly eased.
Off to the side, Jin Wangfei had been coldly watching. Seeing Duchess Wei leave after her toast without lingering, she noted how it seemed as if she and Duan Mingxi weren’t close at all.
But if they weren’t close—why would Duchess Wei step in?
Could it really be that simple?
Her face darkened further as she recalled how her own Father’s downfall had been tied to Duke Wei.
Meanwhile, Duan Mingxi kept smiling, engaging in pleasant conversation with the other ladies. Beside her, Jin Wangfei sat sullen and silent, her eyes clouded—an obvious contrast that did not go unnoticed by the noblewomen present.
Once upon a time, Jin Wangfei had enjoyed her share of glory in the royal family. But ever since the fall of Xingan Marquis, her relationship with her husband had deteriorated, and she was no longer the same person.
After the banquet, the Second and Third Madams of the Marquis Household naturally stepped to Duan Mingxi’s side, forming a protective circle around her, making it seem like they were simply chatting as family.
Those who had been waiting for a chance to lure the Wangfei away were stunned—how were they supposed to act now?
Not only them—soon Madam Xiao arrived with her mother, Fuchang Marquis Madam, and joined Mingxi. The group left the banquet together, lively and cheerful.
Under the gaze of everyone, those with ill intent could only watch helplessly as Duan Mingxi departed smoothly.
Outside the Qi Wang’s residence, Mingxi took her leave of everyone. The Second Madam escorted her to the carriage and finally felt at ease. The Third Madam pulled back the curtain and said, “I don’t think you need to wait for Wangye—just head back first.”
The Second Madam agreed.
Fuchang Marquis Madam also added, “There’s no telling when Wangye will be free. Better to return to the estate first.”
Mingxi was someone who took advice well. She thanked them with a smile and instructed the coachman to return to Duan Wang’s residence.
Once the carriage pulled away, Madam Xiao breathed a sigh of relief—she’d been on edge all night.
Fuchang Marquis Madam exchanged a few words with the Second and Third Madams, gave her daughter some final instructions, and then left in her own carriage.
Madam Xiao and the two aunts returned to the Marquis Household. On the way back, the Second Madam said, “It’s clear Duchess Cao came prepared. If not for Duchess Wei stepping in, things might’ve ended badly.”
Madam Xiao nodded. “My mother wanted to intervene, but she doesn’t have the standing to counter Duchess Cao. She thought of asking Duchess Rong to step in, but Duchess Wei beat her to it.”
The Third Madam smiled. “Our families are related through marriage. Duchess Wei is a straightforward person—it was unexpected, but fortunate.”
No matter what, the evening had passed peacefully, and everyone felt relieved.
On the other side, Bai Zhiwei had returned to Duke Gao’s residence. The Duchess hadn’t returned yet, and Gao Zhan was nowhere to be seen. She went back to her own courtyard—cold and deserted. The maids were silent and cautious, and she sat alone in her room, feeling stifled beyond words.
She sat on the soft couch, replaying the events of the day. At this moment, she wasn’t sure whether to feel regret or relief. She had hesitated earlier and didn’t go forward to toast Duan Mingxi, thinking Duchess Cao would keep pushing and get a couple more drinks in her. After that, she planned to bring along a few of her close acquaintances and go up together.
Who would’ve thought Duchess Wei would step in?
At the thought of Duchess Wei, her mind naturally drifted to Xiao Ling, who was always by her side.
Back when things between her and Gao Zhan hadn’t yet come to light, her mother had mentioned once that her Father had taken a liking to Xu Heng. If things went well, the two families might have arranged a marriage.
Back then, she had been firmly against it. The Wei household was full of military men—rough and uncouth. She had met Xu Heng before, too—young, arrogant, and condescending. She definitely didn’t want to marry someone like that.
But tonight, after watching Duchess Wei handle Duchess Cao with just a few words, and seeing how kindly and warmly she treated Xiao Ling, clearly protective of her, it made her think again. Duke Wei was highly favored by the Emperor, and ever since Xu Heng’s severe injury, his personality had grown much more composed.
In contrast, Gao Zhan had shown no growth. First, he had not gained the Crown Prince’s trust. Second, his relationship with his wife was deteriorating by the day.
Childhood sweethearts? What a joke.
And when she thought of her own sister, now firmly seated as the Crown Princess in the Eastern Palace, her heart felt like it was roasting over an open flame. She had always been someone who couldn’t bear to fall behind, yet here she was—everyone else seemed to be doing better than her.
Especially Duan Mingxi. Raised in a merchant’s household—what right did she have to marry a man like Duan Wang?
He had actually promised Duan Mingxi ten years of monogamy—no concubines!
A Wangye! How could he do such a thing?
Was Duan Mingxi even worthy?
—
Gao Zhan returned to the manor reeking of alcohol. As soon as he entered the door, he was summoned to his mother’s quarters. Holding back a pounding headache, he went in to pay his respects.
Duchess Gao saw her son’s disheveled state and quickly had a maid bring sobering tea. After a couple of concerned questions, she quickly got to the point.
“You really married a great wife. At today’s banquet, every daughter-in-law attended and waited dutifully beside their mother-in-law. But yours? She slipped off on her own for some peace and quiet. I’ve never been so humiliated in my life!”
Caught in the long-standing struggle between his wife and his mother, Gao Zhan was already physically and mentally exhausted. Hearing her complaints, his headache grew worse, and he said nothing, his mind a whirlwind.
He had seen Duan Mingxi from afar today. He watched as Duan Wang interacted with her—whatever he said made her laugh.
He also saw his own wife, hiding in the shadows, watching the couple just like him.
In that moment, he felt like his entire life had become a farce.
He and his wife, spying from the sidelines, watching another couple in envy—and Duan Mingxi had once almost been his betrothed.
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