“Eighth Sister-in-law, wait a moment,” Mingxi called out.
“Fourth Sister-in-law, what else?” Kang Wangfei sat back down.
Mingxi smiled and said, “Fengcheng Marquis has always been thorough and cautious in his actions. He’s probably already made arrangements regarding this matter. I think you shouldn’t go back to your parents’ house right now.”
Kang Wangfei was stunned.
Mingxi pointed toward the direction of the palace and said, “The households close to us are probably being closely watched. You should be careful.”
Kang Wangfei blinked. She had only recently married and hadn’t thought this far ahead. After being reminded by Mingxi, she immediately realized the potential danger and hurriedly said, “Fourth Sister-in-law, you’re very thoughtful. Otherwise, I could have caused a major mistake.”
“It might not have been disastrous,” Mingxi said gently, “but if you caught certain people’s attention, you would undoubtedly suffer later.”
At that, Kang Wangfei recalled the awkwardness of her first visit to the palace after her marriage. Her expression darkened as she whispered, “I know my husband’s situation isn’t great, but I didn’t expect it to be this hard. Even when he’s already like this, they won’t leave him alone.”
Mingxi smiled faintly, “There’s no shortage of bullies in this world, only a shortage of those who dare stand up to them.”
Kang Wangfei gave a cold laugh. “Fourth Sister-in-law, to tell you the truth, I’m already dreading the upcoming Mid-Autumn family banquet.”
Other Wangfeis had places to stay in the palace, but she didn’t. She didn’t even know where she would go.
If she went to Qian Jieyu’s place, there would be Li Zhaoyi watching her like a hawk. While she herself might be left in peace, Qian Jieyu would definitely suffer for it afterward.
But at the other consorts’ places, no one would care how she was treated.
If she was made to wait at Kunde Palace early, she was unwilling too. It truly put her in a tough spot.
She really treated Mingxi like one of her own; otherwise, she would never speak of such embarrassing matters.
Mingxi frowned slightly. It was indeed a troublesome matter. Qian Jieyu was in a difficult spot as well.
“Here’s what we’ll do,” Mingxi said softly. “When I next enter the palace, I’ll ask Royal Mother. If it’s convenient, then when you come to the palace in the future, you can stay at Cuiwei Palace with us.”
Consort Shu had always looked after Qian Jieyu, so she was likely to agree.
But since Mingxi hadn’t yet asked her, she couldn’t promise outright.
Kang Wangfei brightened immediately. “Fourth Sister-in-law, would that really be possible? Would it trouble Royal Mother Shu?”
“I don’t think it would,” Mingxi reassured her. “I’ll ask and let you know.”
It would indeed cause a little trouble, but since Xiao Muchen was trying to win over Kang Wang, Consort Shu would surely be willing to help. Last time, it was even Consort Shu who had arranged for Qian Jieyu to meet Kang Wang and Kang Wangfei— clearly, she had plans in mind.
“Alright, I’ll wait for your news. No matter what happens, I’ll still be grateful to Royal Mother Shu.”
After chatting for a while, Kang Wangfei took her leave, and Mingxi saw her off.
Just as she turned to go back inside, she spotted a carriage from Dingyuan Marquis’s household approaching. She paused and waited for it to come closer — and sure enough, it was their carriage.
She slowly descended the stone steps and hadn’t even reached the carriage when the Second Madam and Third Madam disembarked. They too were surprised to see Mingxi.
“Second Aunt, Third Aunt, what brings you here so suddenly?” Mingxi asked.
“We were passing by and thought we’d stop in for a visit,” the Second Madam said with a smile.
Mingxi didn’t quite believe it, but it wasn’t appropriate to say more outside. She smiled and invited them inside, asking as they walked, “How are Grandmother and grandfather?”
“Your grandfather wasn’t feeling well a few days ago, but after seeing a doctor, he’s fine now. Your grandmother’s health is still good,” the Third Madam replied.
Mingxi asked about the nature of the grandfather’s illness.
The Third Madam explained, “Old age, really. Sometimes eating carelessly causes indigestion.”
Mingxi nodded, “That can’t be helped. He should eat less at each meal but increase the number of meals per day.”
“The doctor said the same and has already instructed the kitchens.”
Chatting, they entered the inner courtyard. Mingxi led them to the main hall and had Qiancao serve tea. After they were seated, the Second Madam sighed and said: “It’s Huirou. Something happened to her.”
Mingxi’s brows furrowed. “Wasn’t she staying at home all this time?”
“She was. But yesterday, Eldest Sister-in-law sent people to fetch her, and not long after, Madam Jiang arrived, saying she was taking Huirou to get some jewelry made. And then… she took her away.”
Mingxi sneered, “Does Eldest Madam not know what kind of person Jiang Sujie is? If she’s willing to throw her own daughter into a pit of fire, there’s nothing more I can say.”
Second Madam and Third Madam exchanged a glance. Third Madam, who had a more forthright temper, spoke directly: “Mingxi, Third Aunt won’t sugarcoat it — fortunately, Huirou isn’t a fool. Halfway through, she realized the carriage was taking the wrong route and started making a fuss, insisting on getting off.
Madam Jiang wouldn’t let her, so she jumped off the carriage herself, injuring her leg badly and spraining her ankle. Thankfully, her maid was quick-witted and publicly confronted Madam Jiang on the street, managing to protect Huirou.”
Mingxi: …
“Was Eldest Madam Jiang’s outrageous behavior reported to the Eldest Madam?” Mingxi asked coldly.
“Of course, and the Eldest Madam fainted from anger on the spot,” Second Madam sneered.
Third Madam looked at Mingxi’s darkened face and said, “Grandmother’s meaning was for us to come and ask you: how do you want to handle this?”
Duan Huirou suffered because Jiang Sujie targeted Mingxi. Although the connection wasn’t crystal clear, they worried acting without consulting Mingxi would mess up her plans.
“Handle it?” Mingxi’s face sank. “Looks like we’ll have to demand justice from the Jiang family!”
Second Madam and Third Madam both froze. “Mingxi, wouldn’t that cause too much of a scene?”
Mingxi said sternly, “The Jiang family dares act like this precisely because they think we’ll protect the Eldest Madam’s reputation and won’t make a fuss. If we don’t hit back this time, they’ll dare even more next time!”
“Please wait a moment, aunts. I’ll change clothes and go back to the Marquis Estate with you.”
“Good, good.”
Mingxi went into the inner room to change.
Third Madam whispered to Second Madam, “Second Sister-in-law, are we really going to cause a scene? What about Eldest Sister-in-law?”
Second Madam sneered, “Then it’ll be up to her — whether she chooses her maternal family or Huirou.”
If it were Mingxi involved, Madam Jiang would definitely side with her own family without hesitation. But with Huirou, it might be different.
“And right at this delicate time, too,” Third Madam sighed. She had heard from her husband that the court was in turmoil, the Qiping matter had exploded, and everyone was already treading on eggshells.
Yet the Jiang family chose now to stir up trouble.
Mingxi quickly came out, instructing someone to send a message to Xiao Muchen to let him know she was returning to her family home, while also preparing the carriage to head straight to the Marquis Estate with her two aunts.
At Dingyuan Marquis Estate, no one had expected Mingxi to come in person. She first went to pay her respects to the Old Master, asking after his health. Then she went to visit the Old Madam.
Upon seeing Mingxi, the Old Madam didn’t even know what to say — she simply let out a long sigh, her spirit clearly much diminished from before.
Seeing this, Mingxi softened her tone: “Grandmother, please don’t worry. I will handle this matter. But there is one thing I would like your guidance on.”
The Old Madam had already guessed what Mingxi wanted to ask. She looked at her and said,
“I know what you mean. If Madam Jiang still refuses to repent, I will personally deal with her.”
Mingxi, as a junior, naturally couldn’t directly punish her own mother. But the Old Madam, as an elder, could.
