The two rode a carriage into the palace. Both Duan Mingxi and Xiao Muchen were unusually silent. After a while, Mingxi looked at him and said softly, “When you see His Majesty today, be cautious.”
Xiao Muchen could sense her concern and took her hand. “Don’t worry. I know where the line is.”
Mingxi sighed. “That day, I was still angry and didn’t think much about how His Majesty handled Jin Wangfei. But now, hearing the rumors in the capital, I realize everyone views it differently. I’m afraid even the court officials are quietly reevaluating things.”
After all, Jin Wangfei was a royal. The emperor couldn’t bear to punish the Crown Prince, so he vented his anger on her instead. He didn’t even formally divorce her—just tossed her body into the paupers’ graveyard.
Such a high-ranking woman ending up in such a way… Even though Duan Mingxi thought she brought it on herself, the emperor’s unpredictable temper was what truly worried her now.
After arriving at the palace, the couple parted ways. Duan Mingxi went to see Consort Shu, and Xiao Muchen headed toward Chongzheng Hall.
From afar, he saw Qi Wang lurking in a corner, pacing with his head down and looking agitated.
“Seventh Brother, what are you doing here?”
Qi Wang jumped in fright at the sudden voice. When he turned and saw his fourth brother, he let out a long sigh of relief. “Fourth Brother, do you know how scary you are? You walk without a sound!”
“Is it that I walk quietly, or you just weren’t paying attention?”
Qi Wang chuckled awkwardly and quickly walked over, speaking in a low voice. “Fourth Brother, don’t go in just yet. Royal Father just scolded Steward Ding terribly.”
Xiao Muchen turned to look at him. “How do you know?”
“I heard it, of course,” Qi Wang said confidently.
“You were eavesdropping?” Xiao Muchen frowned.
Qi Wang’s face went pale. “Fourth Brother, don’t say it like that. I was just trying to pay my respects to Royal Father, but as I got close, I could hear him yelling even through the windows. How could I dare go in after that?”
So he hid here?
Xiao Muchen looked at him, then turned toward Chongzheng Hall. “Why was Royal Father scolding Steward Ding?”
“How would I know?” Qi Wang’s eyes darted. “You’re always so sharp, Fourth Brother. Don’t you know?”
“I just got here,” Xiao Muchen said flatly.
Qi Wang met his brother’s dark eyes and reflexively touched his nose. This fourth brother didn’t feel like a brother—more like a strict Father when he got serious.
Ugh!
If Royal Father found out, he’d probably get a beating for real.
Xiao Muchen gave him a look and walked toward the hall. Qi Wang’s eyes lit up and he quickly followed.
But instead of entering the main hall, Xiao Muchen went to the side hall to wait.
Qi Wang was dumbfounded. He thought Fourth Brother would go ask Steward Ding what had happened, and he could listen in. Now what?
Inside the side hall, Xiao Muchen took his seat and said nothing when Qi Wang followed him in. Qi Wang awkwardly sat beside him and tried to make small talk. “Royal Father’s probably meeting with Old Eight and his wife now. Wonder how it’s going?”
How could it go?
Xiao Muchen said nothing. Qi Wang clearly knew how their Royal Father treated Kang Wang.
Xiao Muchen remained silent, leaving Qi Wang helpless. He clenched his jaw, wishing he could kick his brother, but didn’t dare show it on his face.
Meanwhile, Duan Mingxi first met with Consort Shu, then accompanied her to Kunde Palace. All four consorts sat together, but there was none of the past liveliness—just silence, each holding a teacup.
Duan Mingxi kept her head lowered. The Crown Princess, Yu Wangfei, and herself all sat obediently in their seats.
When Kang Wang and his Wangfei finally arrived, the Empress ascended her seat. Duan Mingxi secretly observed her—the Empress looked as healthy as ever, but the chill in her expression could not be hidden no matter how well she masked it.
The death of Jin Wangfei had not been without impact on the Empress.
Qian Jieyu, who should have shown up today to be given face by the Empress, didn’t appear. The Empress hadn’t granted her that honor.
Duan Mingxi sighed inwardly. The Emperor and Empress really were a couple—he vented his anger on Jin Wangfei and tossed her into a mass grave; she, in turn, took it out on Qian Jieyu, refusing to give her any dignity on her son’s wedding day.
Seeing the disappointment in Kang Wang’s eyes, Duan Mingxi turned her gaze away with a heavy heart.
The midday banquet was still held at Kunde Palace. The Crown Prince and his brothers, including Xiao Muchen, were all present. The Crown Prince acted the same as ever—talking to his brothers as though nothing had happened.
But Jin Wang barely acknowledged him. When the Crown Prince spoke, Jin Wang only gave half-hearted replies. Sometimes, his dark, brooding gaze made everyone feel uneasy.
Yu Wang sat beside Duan Wang, quietly drinking without saying a word for a long time. Qi Wang, on the other hand, was quite lively, but in this kind of atmosphere, he didn’t last long either and soon settled down to eat quietly.
It was supposed to be a joyful and festive occasion, but the whole meal was suffused with a heavy sense of repression.
Mingxi quietly observed Zheng Siyu’s expression and, seeing that she was able to remain composed, felt slightly relieved.
Zheng Siyu noticed Duan Mingxi’s gaze and slightly lifted her head to give her a gentle smile.
Mingxi nodded in return, and the two shifted their gazes elsewhere.
After the banquet, the Empress dismissed everyone, and one by one, the guests left Kunde Palace.
Mingxi accompanied Consort Shu back to Cuiwei Palace. Xiao Muchen was dragged off by Qi Wang, while the newlywed Kang Wang and his Wangfei remained standing awkwardly. Seeing this, Consort Shu felt sorry for them and waved them over.
Kang Wang hurried over with his wife and respectfully greeted, “Royal Mother Shu.”
“You two don’t have anything urgent after leaving the palace so early. Come have a cup of tea with me,” Consort Shu said with a smile.
Gratitude filled Kang Wang’s eyes, and he quickly agreed. Mingxi gave Zheng Siyu a quick wink, and Zheng Siyu let out a soft breath of relief as she followed her husband to Cuiwei Palace.
When other Wangyes got married, after the banquet at Kunde Palace, they would usually spend the rest of the day at their mothers’ palaces before leaving the palace.
If Kang Wang and his wife had left right after the banquet, it would have been seen as a great loss of face.
In Linhua Palace, Qian Jieyu had to live under Li Zhaoyi’s thumb and couldn’t even invite her own son and daughter-in-law over for a proper greeting.
Everyone knew Li Zhaoyi was keeping Qian Jieyu suppressed under the Empress’s orders. Of all the consorts, only Consort Shu was willing to give the couple a decent way out.
Once they arrived at Cuiwei Palace, Consort Shu went to change clothes while Mingxi hosted Kang Wang and his wife.
Hu Momo brought the palace maids to serve tea and snacks, and the hall gradually became more lively.
Kang Wang’s eyes couldn’t help but show envy. In his memory, there was never this kind of warmth or liveliness in Qian Jieyu’s palace—nor would it ever be allowed.
The thought made his eyes redden, and he quickly lowered his head to hide it, not wanting anyone to see.
Just then, Mingxi turned and happened to catch this scene. She noticed but pretended not to, turning instead to speak with Zheng Siyu.
