Mingxi looked at the two of them. “Then I’ll need to give Zhenbei Wangfei a heads-up. This kind of good news will give her the confidence to act more boldly.”
Now they had something to rely on.
Duan Ning looked at his sister. “How did you persuade Zhenbei Wangfei? That household never works in alliance with others.”
Mingxi blinked, then slowly said to her second brother, “Second Brother, we’re not allies. It’s just that we happen to want the same thing. A coincidence, really.”
Duan Ning didn’t believe a single word of that.
This sister of his—even capable of swaying Zhenbei Wangfei—truly impressive.
Thinking of this, he looked at Mingxi and said, “This matter cannot be leaked. Otherwise, the Zhenbei household may pull back, and it’ll be hard for them to cooperate.”
“Of course.” Mingxi smiled. She and Zhenbei Wangfei both understood that point clearly.
If anything changed, Zhenbei Wangfei would naturally prioritize her own house, and Mingxi would, of course, prioritize Xiao Muchen.
They were cooperating, not bound together.
Xiao Muchen looked at Mingxi. He knew she did all this ultimately for his sake—or for the sake of the two of them.
“To avoid suspicion, I won’t inform Zhenbei Wang,” Xiao Muchen said slowly, looking at Mingxi. “But I’ll drop a hint to Ganyuan.”
Ganyuan was the eldest son of Zhenbei Wang, the shizi of the household. He was nearly invisible in the capital.
So low-profile that no one even remembered he existed.
“The tax matter?” Mingxi asked, looking at Xiao Muchen.
Xiao Muchen nodded.
Not just Ganyuan—even Duke Wei and Fengcheng Marquis needed a bit of warning. That way, they’d feel assured and remain steady.
Xiao Muchen invited Duan Ning to stay for dinner at the palace, but Duan Ning still had matters to attend to and took his leave. Xiao Muchen personally saw him out.
On the way, Xiao Muchen asked about Duan Ning’s work at the Hanlin Academy. Duan Ning answered everything—his current duties were going smoothly. Although there were some obstacles, nothing had gone too far.
“If anything happens, you must tell me,” Xiao Muchen said seriously. “Once the tax matter breaks out, we don’t know how the other side will react. If they realize it’s connected to us, they might target you and older brother. Be careful.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Wangye. I’ll speak to our older brother—we’ll be cautious.” Duan Ning cupped his hands and took his leave.
Xiao Muchen helped him into the carriage before turning back to the palace.
He headed straight to the back courtyard. Mingxi was checking the kitchen’s supply list. Since Xiao Muchen was rarely home for dinner, she had added a few of his favorite dishes.
Xiao Muchen sat in a high-backed chair, listening to Mingxi softly giving instructions to Qiancao. A light breeze brushed his cheek, and when he looked up, he saw Mingxi’s smiling eyes.
She was already very different from when she had first married into the household.
Her smiles were no longer superficial, and her care for him was no longer just for show.
He had realized something—when Mingxi treated someone well, it was because she genuinely held them in her heart.
For example, what he liked to eat, what he liked to drink, what colors he liked to wear—those tiny details of daily life, usually handled by palace servants, she never needed to ask. She just quietly observed, and remembered everything.
This kind of silent care was woven into every moment of their life together. At first, you wouldn’t notice it. Only when you truly paid attention would you see it.
How could there be someone like her in the world?
Most people would broadcast even the smallest favor, but only she wouldn’t.
The more he looked at her, the more precious she seemed. And she was his.
He had the insight to recognize a gem and brought her into his world.
Every time he thought of this, Xiao Muchen’s mood improved.
After Qiancao left, Xiao Muchen walked straight over and scooped Mingxi up, placing her on the tall table beside him.
Duan Mingxi was startled and instinctively clutched his neck. Her cheeks turned red. “What are you doing?”
Xiao Muchen didn’t answer. He leaned in and kissed her, capturing her soft lips.
Mingxi instinctively leaned back, but Xiao Muchen supported her back firmly. Goosebumps rose on her skin in waves. She dared not speak, afraid the maids outside might hear. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his shoulders…
After the kiss, Xiao Muchen pulled her tightly into his arms. He had been so busy lately that it had been a long time since they’d shared any intimate moments. At this moment, he found it hard to restrain himself.
Outside, the faint sounds of maids laughing and chatting drifted in. Xiao Muchen forcibly suppressed the rising urge inside him.
Mingxi felt the change in his body and blushed red as a boiled shrimp. She didn’t dare move a muscle, burying her face in the crook of his neck.
A long while later, when Xiao Muchen finally calmed down, she gently pushed him.
Xiao Muchen set her down and held her hand. He lowered his voice and said, “I’m coming home tonight.”
Mingxi: …
Still, she responded to him with a word.
Xiao Muchen was in an excellent mood. See? Now Mingxi responded to him about everything.
He had known it — people like her couldn’t resist kindness.
The lunch was torture for Mingxi, as if she were sitting on pins and needles. Xiao Muchen, on the other hand, acted like he’d taken the wrong medicine — his eyes practically seemed to be on fire.
Even Li Mama, after glancing at him, took a few maids and withdrew. Mingxi’s face grew even redder.
Was he eating?
It was more like he wanted to devour her!
Finally managing to finish the meal, Mingxi immediately fled to the study — she really couldn’t stay a second longer.
Xiao Muchen chuckled endlessly. Though he still had official duties to attend to, he left with a hint of regret.
Mingxi sat by the study window, staring at Xiao Muchen’s departing figure. Just as he reached the courtyard gate, he suddenly turned around.
Mingxi didn’t have time to dodge, and their gazes collided.
Xiao Muchen’s eyebrows lifted with delight, and Mingxi couldn’t help but be stunned seeing him like that.
Her heart pounded violently, like a drum.
She instinctively pressed a hand to her chest, and, unconsciously, her brows lifted slightly in response to Xiao Muchen’s smiling face.
Yes — she was happy.
Mingxi smiled, and that one smile made Xiao Muchen suddenly stride back, grab her through the window, and plant a fierce kiss on her lips before turning and striding away.
Mingxi: “…”
Li Mama and the others had already bolted away.
Mingxi took a deep breath — she really couldn’t face anyone now!
Slightly annoyed, she shut the window, but for some reason, she suddenly started laughing again.
So… this was how a husband and wife could get along?
It could make a person so happy, so joyful — no fear, no overthinking, no sadness.
Just standing there, just seeing him, was enough to bring peace to her heart.
Mingxi leaned over the desk, gently poking a little wooden puppet on the table. It was one of a pair Xiao Muchen had brought back for her — two little wooden dolls.
She kept the little boy, while Xiao Muchen took the little girl.
The puppets bore a surprising resemblance to the two of them — Xiao Muchen had them specially carved.
Mingxi poked the little puppet’s forehead, watching it fall back clumsily, and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
