Gao Zhan was completely worn down. He looked up at his mother. “Since you dislike her and don’t want to see her, why complain now? If she had stayed with you at the banquet and you two had made a scene at Qi Wang’s residence, wouldn’t that have been even more embarrassing?”
“Oh, great. Married your wife and forgot your mother, huh? I knew it! You always take her side. I carried you for ten months, raised you with untold hardship, and now I mean less to you than an outsider.”
At first, her words filled Gao Zhan with guilt. He truly felt unfilial and ashamed.
But over time, he came to realize: neither his mother nor his wife actually cared about him. He was just a tool in their constant battle.
“Mother, I’m working for the Crown Prince now. All I want is to rise through the ranks. If you both keep dragging me down like this, I might as well just stay home and argue with you all day. What’s the point of chasing after a future?”
His mother was momentarily flustered by his words but quickly regained her composure and retorted, “Now you regret it? I told you to marry Duan Mingxi! Look at her—she casually handed Duan Wang four hundred thousand taels of military funding and helped him earn great merit.”
“Now, aside from the Crown Prince, he’s the most valued royal in the Emperor’s eyes. If you had married her, that kind of money would’ve paved your way to success. Would you still be stuck in limbo like this?”
The more she spoke, the angrier she became. Her face darkened. “What’s Bai Zhiwei ever done for you? She fights me every day and has dragged our household into disgrace—we’re the laughingstock of the capital!”
Gao Zhan sank further into silence. He stood up slowly. “Do as you wish. I can’t convince Mother, nor can I persuade my wife. I’m stuck between you two, spending all my energy on trivial nonsense. What’s the point of chasing success anymore? Fine. I give up.”
He turned to leave. Duchess Gao clutched her chest and leaned against a cushion, sobbing to her attendants. “What sin did I commit to raise such an unfilial son? Now he dares threaten me with those words. He should go ask that virtuous wife of his—see if she would ever back down for his sake!”
Gao Zhan paused for a moment at the doorway, then left without looking back.
Watching from the window, Duchess Gao was truly enraged this time. Clutching her chest, she couldn’t speak for a while—then fainted on the spot.
Chaos erupted in Duke Gao Manor. Bai Zhiwei could no longer stay holed up in her quarters. Gao Zhan, terrified, ran over from his study. Duke Gao, upon hearing the news, rode back to the residence in haste.
That night, the manor was in utter turmoil.
The next morning, Mingxi heard of the commotion.
Xiao Muchen had gotten up early and gone to court ahead of her, with plenty of official duties to attend to.
Duan Mingxi wasn’t one to sleep in either. Having practiced martial arts for years, she usually woke up with him the moment he stirred—so she simply got up as well.
Breakfast was hastily eaten. Xiao Muchen said to Mingxi, “There’s no need to rush. Once you’re in the palace, go see my mother first, then follow her to Kunde Palace.”
Mingxi nodded and glanced at Xiao Muchen. He was indeed full of energy. Lately, perhaps because he’d sensed she had started treating him a bit differently, he just wouldn’t rest at night.
If it weren’t for her strong constitution, she probably couldn’t have kept up.
Xiao Muchen noticed Mingxi’s shifting gaze that avoided him and knew he was in the wrong, but there was nothing he could do. He didn’t like taking concubines or having other women close to him. With only one woman he truly cared for at his side, all his energy naturally had to be spent on her.
He was in a hurry, but before leaving, he still gave a kiss on Mingxi’s lips.
Just then, Li Mama came in, got startled, and immediately turned and ran out.
Duan Mingxi: “…”
She reached out and gave Xiao Muchen a slap.
Xiao Muchen laughed. “It’s fine, Li Mama won’t say anything.”
Duan Mingxi’s face turned completely red. Was that even what she meant?
Xiao Muchen’s skin was getting thicker and thicker these days!
After sending Xiao Muchen off, Mingxi finally finished her meal after a while.
She rinsed her mouth and washed her hands before entering her chamber to get ready. Only then did Li Mama return, her face glowing with happiness she couldn’t hide.
Duan Mingxi: “…”
Li Mama said with a joyful tone, “Why be shy, my lady? Wangye treats you well, and this old servant couldn’t be happier.”
Hearing Li Mama’s words, Duan Mingxi couldn’t help but smile too.
Li Mama’s eyes turned misty. She quickly said, “If the Madam knew you now hold the Wangye in your heart, she’d be overjoyed. When I look at the two of you, it’s just like how the Madam and Master used to be.”
Really?
Mingxi often thought about how rare the love between her mother and Father was.
Who wouldn’t wish to meet a husband like her Father?
After hearing Li Mama’s words, Mingxi felt a strange warmth in her heart. Maybe in this lifetime, she could try to have that too.
She didn’t even know how to describe her feelings toward Xiao Muchen now. Her mother had been right—life is long. When someone treats you sincerely, you must respond with sincerity too.
As for the future… she’d just have to wait and see.
Li Mama saw her young lady had finally opened her heart and, not wanting to embarrass her further, said no more—but she was truly overjoyed inside.
To lighten the mood, she brought up some gossip from Duke Gao’s household.
While Qiancao did Mingxi’s hair, Li Mama chatted away. Mingxi found the gossip quite satisfying.
Even though she had let go of the past in this life, it didn’t mean she didn’t enjoy seeing Duke Gao’s household stumble.
Her last life in that quagmire had been far too painful. Now Bai Zhiwei had Gao Zhan’s protection—had Gao Zhan ever protected her like that?
Seeing Mingxi’s face shifting between light and dark expressions, Li Mama added, “My lady, there’s truth to the old saying—‘a blessed woman doesn’t marry into a joyless household.’ Good thing you rejected that match. Just look at the chaos over there—like a grand opera.”
Li Mama said it lightly, but only Mingxi knew the pain and effort it had taken across two lifetimes to escape that quagmire.
She looked up and gave Li Mama a faint smile. “You’re right.”
Let Duke Gao’s house fall into chaos. Gao Zhan had traded ten years of devotion for his beloved to become his wife—she had let them have each other.
But it was a pity. Their so-called destined love didn’t seem so blissful after marriage.
Once Mingxi was dressed, she rode in the carriage toward the palace. The palace was bound to be extra lively today.
