After Kang Wang’s wedding, the capital seemed to quiet down again. The only notable matter was that Fengcheng Marquis was being summoned into the palace more frequently.
Xiao Lin had already left the capital and returned to Yuxiang City overnight.
On Mingxi’s end, she received a box of white jade ruyi pastries from Ning Qin Wangfei, which puzzled her at first.
When Xiao Muchen returned to the residence, she showed him the pastries. He looked relieved and said, “Duke Wei has made a move.”
Hm?
Since when did Duke Wei get involved with Ning Qin Wang’s household?
Xiao Muchen had grown noticeably darker and thinner lately. No one knew what the Emperor was really thinking. Not only was Xiao Muchen still working under the Ministry of Revenue, but the Emperor had also been suddenly assigning him random duties. In the past half month, Xiao Muchen had spent almost half his nights in government offices, too busy to return home.
Meeting Mingxi’s confused gaze, Xiao Muchen pulled her close and explained, “Since Fengcheng Marquis is being kept in the capital, Duke Wei is lending support in secret.”
Mingxi instantly understood. Duke Wei had always had good relations with the Marquis. From the outside, it looked like the Emperor was bestowing favor, but in reality, the Marquis was surrounded by hidden dangers.
The Crown Prince’s faction had been whispering in the Emperor’s ear that the Marquis had been in Yuxiang City for too long, and to prevent him from gaining too much power, he should be transferred to calm people’s fears.
That phrasing, unfortunately, hit the Emperor right in his sore spot. And so, the Marquis’s current situation unfolded.
Mingxi quietly said, “Duke Wei has been on bad terms with the Eastern Palace ever since that incident with his son. If he involves himself in the Marquis’s affairs, I’m afraid the Emperor won’t be pleased.”
“That’s why it’s being done in secret,” Xiao Muchen nodded. “The Crown Prince wants the Marquis recalled to the capital and given a useless position. That’s absolutely unacceptable.”
Mingxi recalled that Xiao Muchen had previously intended to send the Marquis to the northern border. “Will that plan still work?”
“Still working on it. Hard to say.” Xiao Muchen looked weary. The Emperor’s suspicion had been growing. After Jin Wangfei’s suicide, even the Eastern Palace had to tread more carefully. How could things be any easier for them?
Seeing Mingxi looking worried, Xiao Muchen patted her hand. “There’s no use rushing. At least Yuxiang City is stable for now. The Marquis will probably have to stay in the capital for a few months. We’ll take it slowly.”
Sometimes things worked out better when handled with patience rather than haste.
A few months…
Mingxi looked at him. “Then the Marquis might spend the New Year here in the capital.”
“We’ll see. If His Majesty doesn’t make his intentions clear, that’s very likely,” Xiao Muchen said, gripping Mingxi’s hand tightly. “Don’t go into the palace unless necessary.”
Mingxi nodded. “Alright.”
After lunch in the residence, they had planned to rest, but Qi He came knocking again, and Xiao Muchen had to leave in a hurry.
This tense and strange atmosphere in the capital lasted until Zhenbei Wang prepared to marry Li Peilan—finally, there were signs of festivity.
Mingxi hadn’t planned on attending the Zhenbei wedding, but Kang Wangfei came to discuss it with her in person, and she changed her mind.
Just over a month after her wedding, Zheng Siyu’s current mental state was very different from when she had just gotten married. When she saw Mingxi, she greeted her warmly, “Fourth Sister-in-law.”
Mingxi pulled her to sit down with a smile. “I didn’t expect you to come by.”
After sitting, Kang Wangfei said, “I didn’t want to disturb your peace, Fourth Sister-in-law, but I heard that Qi Wangfei is going to Zhenbei Wang’s residence to attend the wedding banquet, so I came to discuss with you—should we go too?”
“She’s going?” Mingxi was surprised. “How did you find out?”
“My mother told me,” said Kang Wangfei. “You know my Father’s been staying in the capital for a while now, and matters at home keep piling up. My mother gets a headache whenever she hears about another tea party or flower banquet, but she still has to attend.”
Everyone was trying to find out what would happen with Fengcheng Marquis.
Mingxi looked at her and said, “Hold on. I’ll have someone check whether Yu Wangfei is going.”
Kang Wangfei was surprised. “Second Sister-in-law and the Crown Princess are both pregnant—surely they wouldn’t attend, right?”
“They may not go in person, but what about sending a gift?”
That gave Kang Wangfei pause—she hadn’t considered that.
Mingxi summoned Qiancao and gave a few quiet instructions. Qiancao curtsied and quickly left.
“Have you settled in at Kang Wang’s residence by now?” Mingxi asked with a smile.
Kang Wangfei nodded, a bit embarrassed. “I’m slowly getting the hang of it. I really appreciate how patient you’ve been with me, always answering my questions.”
“It’s no trouble at all—just a few words,” Mingxi said cheerfully.
Kang Wangfei leaned in and whispered, “Fourth Sister-in-law, did you know the Crown Prince’s Liangdi is pregnant?”
Mingxi truly hadn’t heard. “That’s good news. But how do you know? The Eastern Palace hasn’t released any word about it.”
“Jiang Liangdi’s mother went to a temple to pray for blessings and my mother happened to overhear.”
“Well, that’s quite the coincidence.”
“I haven’t told anyone—just you,” said Kang Wangfei.
Mingxi laughed. “Thank you. The Jiang family has always had a rather delicate relationship with my natal family. This bit of news is quite useful.”
“That’s nothing compared to how much you’ve helped me,” Kang Wangfei replied with a hearty laugh. “Fourth Sister-in-law, do you have any plans for the Mid-Autumn banquet at the palace this year?”
“No,” Mingxi replied simply.
Kang Wangfei: …
Seeing her bewildered expression, Mingxi laughed and added, “This is my first time attending too. I’ll ask Second Sister-in-law about it and let you know what the protocol is.”
Kang Wangfei readily agreed.
As they were chatting, Qiancao returned.
“Wangfei, Yu Wangfei says she won’t attend the wedding due to her condition, and she doesn’t plan to send a gift either.”
Upon hearing this, Mingxi looked to Kang Wangfei.
The latter was clearly surprised and furrowed her brow. “Then… should we go?”
Mingxi replied softly, “Second Sister-in-law isn’t going. We don’t know about the Crown Princess. Given how things are with Jin Wang’s residence, it’s just us few left.”
“Exactly.” Kang Wangfei sighed—it was a dilemma.
“Then we won’t go either,” Mingxi decided instantly.
“Fourth Sister-in-law?”
“Fengcheng Marquis is under heavy scrutiny in the capital. The palace will be watching. Kang Wang has never cared much for these events—best if you follow his lead.”
Kang Wangfei immediately understood. She’d been uncertain and came for advice. Now she felt reassured and said directly, “I’ll follow your lead.”
Mingxi said seriously, “Zhenbei Wang is marrying Li Peilan. The Empress will definitely support her. Just wait and see.”
Kang Wangfei quickly added, “That marriage wasn’t really welcomed by Zhenbei Wang household. There’s bound to be drama.”
Mingxi looked at her. “It’s a rare opportunity. I think maybe we can do something.”
Kang Wangfei looked puzzled. “Fourth Sister-in-law, what can we do?”
Mingxi lifted her eyes and gazed into the distance. After a while, she said, “We can carry the Empress in a sedan chair.”
